The second day passed without incident. Contrary to the brief tension, the festival period was utterly peaceful.
The concerning high priest seemed to have entered Baden, but there was no rule saying he must visit Greta Academy during the festival.
The exact duration of the high priest's visit was unknown. Only the fact that he arrived with a small army of paladins and priests was public knowledge.
With classes in the morning and festival enjoyment in the afternoon, and diligent training sessions at dawn, Helmut decided to enjoy the festival, a first-time experience for him.
Having successfully claimed top prizes at various stalls, Helmut had quickly become known as the prize butcher.
By the second day, shops started to refuse him entry.
"You can't participate! Our shop will go bankrupt!"
Faced with a vehemently cross-armed shop attendant, Helmut had no choice but to turn away.
Having won so many top prizes, he now possessed goods worth around 20,000 marks. With the winnings cluttering his dorm room, he considered selling them at a second-hand market.
Despite the bustling atmosphere, the festival was enjoyable. Helmut remained on alert due to the high priest's presence.
One thing that bothered him, though, was Alea's absence. Despite being next-door neighbors, Helmut hadn't spotted Alea even once. It wasn't due to any awkwardness between them; they often exchanged greetings by their doors.
"Does he have no interest in the festival?"
Asuka grumbled, seemingly having hoped Alea would join them. Even if Alea was usually antagonistic, there seemed to be some expectation for his participation. As Sian nonchalantly explained,
"Alea was the same last year. Probably dislikes crowds."
Helmut finally voiced a curiosity that had been nagging at him.
"Why did you suddenly decide to participate when you were so against it?"
Helmut asked. Asuka had just returned from submitting his application to the cross-dressing contest amidst cheers from second-year swordsmanship students.
It was his first activity for the swordsmanship department in his two years at the academy, after initially throwing a fit about it.
Asuka shrugged.
"Well, Sian was bragging about representing the second-year magic department, saying he'd definitely win and that he was the prettiest."
It seemed Sian had no qualms about cross-dressing. Sian quickly interjected,
"Of course. Look at my features. Isn't it obvious I'm a pretty boy?"
"A pretty boy, my foot. Who's calling you that? Anyway, we decided to make it a competition. You know, there's hardly anything else we can compete in. Seems like it could be fun."
Their departments made direct competition difficult, so they chose this contest. It was an effective way to entice the straightforward Asuka.
"Being alone is embarrassing, but together, it's not so bad. Since it's come to this, I'll conquer this contest too!"
"Good luck with winning."
Helmut offered his support, albeit slightly. If Asuka won, Helmut would gain 3,000 marks—a definite win.
Sian boasted confidently,
"What, you're on Asuka's side? Just watch. You won't even recognize me and will end up confessing!"
Asuka made a face of disgust.
"Such a disgusting thing to say. Are you proud of that?"
"Well, muscular guys can't even participate. This is the privilege of a pretty boy."
"Drop that pretty boy nonsense before I shut your mouth for you!"
As always, their bickering was all that remained at the end of the day.
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The main events, including the fireworks, mostly took place on the third day.
The first two days were for light enjoyment, leading to a grand finale on the last day.
There were no classes on the festival's final day. Originally planned, the instructors generously canceled them, knowing full concentration on studies was impossible due to the festival's allure.
Greta Academy was a wealthy institution, generously funding various events and prizes. It was as if they replaced scholarships with this financial outpouring.
Events similar to swordsmanship contests or academic excellence competitions didn't occur. The festival was strictly for enjoyment.
Wesley's shop seemed likely to achieve the highest earnings. If so, benefits would roll back to the second-year swordsmanship students.
Overall, the second-year swordsmanship students seemed poised for significant success.
The most anticipated event was the results of the cross-dressing contest, with substantial prize money on the line.
"Go Asuka!"
"We're counting on you!"
"The pride of the second-year swordsmanship department!"
Cheers were directed at Asuka as he left the dorm. He, predictably, responded with irritation.
"Pride, my foot! Who said I'm doing this for you guys?"
Asuka and Sian had been busy since the morning. They had others to prepare their costumes, just needing to show up and dress up, but both also took personal preparations seriously.
From applying facial packs to cutting cucumbers for their eyes, both were keenly competitive, albeit in what Helmut saw as a somewhat pointless endeavor.
The top students, true to form, were determined not to lose even in this arena.
With both entering the cross-dressing contest, Helmut, who had been dragged around by their antics, found some respite.
Though he tried to win more prizes, he was no longer allowed to participate. As he considered leaving, Helmut glanced towards Alea's door.
"I haven't seen him once during the festival."
He knew Alea had a significant secret to hide, likely more substantial than Helmut's guess. If Alea disguised himself as a male to attend an academy where females were also accepted, there had to be a compelling reason.
This led to Alea isolating himself, holing up alone.
But harboring secrets wasn't unique to Helmut. Without the heart to pity others, the sensation of something amiss lingered.
Helmut briefly entertained a thought.
"Could it be a preference for cross-dressing?"
Though not for Helmut, Alea, despite his refined looks, had never been suspected of being a woman.
Maybe living as a male suited Alea's taste.
Curiously, Helmut approached Alea's door and knocked. No answer came, nor any sign of presence.
"Maybe he's not in?"
He could be at the magic department building for research. With time to spare before the cross-dressing contest, Helmut found himself walking towards the building.
Though the festival continued, he hadn't seen Alea once.
Magic department building, usually bustling, was quiet. On a day like today, with no classes, those deeply engrossed in magic studies were rare.
Yet, as Helmut neared the building, a commotion and a faint vibration in the air suggested a large group moving.
Feeling a sharp pain, Helmut frowned.
'This is...'
He quickly realized why his heart ached.
'The high priest. So he's visiting Greta Academy today.'
A distant figure in white stood out. A man in white robes, surrounded by paladins reflecting sunlight off their armor, conversed with a few stern-faced magic department professors.
It seemed like an inquisition about forbidden magic or undue curiosity among students.
As expected, the dark sprout reacted sensitively to the high priest's presence.
As the high priest neared, the pain intensified, warning of danger.
The sensation of being controlled by the dark sprout was unpleasant.
But it was correct to heed the warning. Helmut couldn't afford to catch the high priest's eye.
'I need to avoid the magic department building. He seems to be inspecting it.'
Clutching his chest, Helmut quickened his pace.
Just as he passed the building, someone suddenly appeared. The presence was nearly undetectable.
Automatically, Helmut reached for his waist where his sword would be, but he wasn't armed—this was campus, after all.
The person also noticed Helmut and stepped back to avoid collision, tripping and falling to the ground.
It was a girl, cloaked and hooded. A girl...? The physique made it obvious.
Helmut narrowed his eyes.
'How can she be so silent?'
It was as if she used advanced magic to erase her presence. But there was a strangely familiar sensation.
Helmut frowned at the figure, who remained face-hidden by the hood.
The girl raised her head, and Helmut's gaze met with violet eyes.
Under the hood, a cascade of radiant lavender hair flowed down.
Seeing her face, Helmut froze, and so did she.
'Damn it.'
Lavender-haired girl, Alea, internally cursed Hecate.
What was she thinking? Understanding her mind seemed an impossible task for a lifetime.
And so, this happened.
Needing a textbook for research, Alea had ventured to the magic department building.
Just about to leave, she sensed the high priest approaching.
Knowing the high priest might visit Greta Academy at any time, Alea quickly hid in an empty room, avoiding detection.
'Time for Hecate's bracelet.'
Checking for curses or oddities, the bracelet seemed harmless.
Casually, Alea put on the bracelet. Activated by both bracelets together, Hecate's magic unfolded.
Immediately after, Alea realized the change and was furious.
"What is she thinking?"
Where a silver-haired boy once stood, now was a beautiful girl with lavender hair, resembling Alea's true form - only her hair color had changed.
Frozen, Alea quickly removed the bracelet as Hecate's cheerful message played,
[Hello, Alea, did you like my gift? Enjoy the festival as a girl for once. A date with a handsome boy would be even better. The artifact changes your appearance slightly and hides your presence. It lasts for 24 hours! Trying to dispel the magic might damage the first bracelet, so enjoy the magic's effect quietly for 24 hours.]
The second bracelet crumbled in Alea's grip.