"Alright, everyone, now that we've arrived in the capital, you're free to do whatever you like! Just make sure you're back at the hotel after these two weeks!"
Vivian sternly spoke, her sharp gaze swept over us, leaving no room for arguments.
"Yes, Ma'am!"
The students replied in unison, and I couldn't help but chuckle at their enthusiasm.
My laughter caught their attention, and a few of them glanced my way, smiling. No one said a word about it, but their smiles felt warm.
'It's liberating...'
At our academy, there wasn't any of that nonsense about noble bloodlines or social classes. Whether you were a commoner or came from some high-ranking family, it didn't matter here.
Everyone treated each other with respect, like equals. Not to mention all those warm and kind gazes towards me.
The students even looked up to me—a lot, actually. I even became something like a big brother to them all.
If anyone had a problem, they knew they could come to me, and somehow, this body would always find a way to help.
Nothing like in the [Eternum Academy] where the novel revolves around.
Most of the students hate each other, they create their groups and fight against themselves to the point of using various dirty tricks.
So, seeing this kind of atmosphere...
'It's really liberating...'
At this point, I and Aestrea had already become one. I didn't know how to feel about it, but since this is now my life...
I'll enjoy to the fullest while fulfilling Aestrea's wish.
"Aestrea! Let's grab something to eat—we're starving!"
"Yeah, let's check out that famous Lavousier's Café everyone keeps talking about!"
Before I knew it, a small crowd of students had gathered around me, their eyes bright with excitement.
I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.
"Alright, let's go. I'm starving too—long trip and all."
One of them smirked. "You're paying, right?"
"Me? You're the ones dragging me along! Shouldn't you be the ones paying?"
"Ehhhh? That's so unfair!" they groaned in unison, their playful complaints drawing out my laughter again.
Moments like this made everything worth it.
And just like that, we went to Lavousier's Café.
...
"Welcome!"
The moment we stepped inside, a lovely brown-haired woman in a maid outfit greeted us warmly.
Her smile was soft and welcoming, but her eyes widened slightly when she noticed just how large our group was.
"A table for sixteen please."
She blinked for a second, then quickly collected herself, nodding back.
"Of course. Just a moment, please."
With a small bow, she walked off toward the counter.
Taking the chance, I took a look around the café.
Honestly, the café was stunning, to say the least.
Warm lighting, polished wood floors, and elegant decorations made it feel more like a luxurious lounge than a simple café.
"Whoa! This place is just like the rumors!"
And I wasn't the only one surprised.
"Right? I heard they've got a Master-Level Pianist here who plays live for the customers. If you pay extra, you can even request a song!"
"Seriously? Should we request one?"
The students around me were already buzzing with excitement, but then all their gazes locked onto me.
"Ah... really?"
"You should decide!" they chimed in unison, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
Damn.
These guys were too good at this.
"Fine," I replied with a small sigh, furrowing my brows before flashing a wry smile.
"But if we're doing this, you're all paying for the song."
"What?! That's not fair! We're already paying for the food!"
I chuckled softly. "Alright, alright, I'm kidding."
'Even though it's quite unfair... ahem.'
At that moment, the maid returned.
"Your table is ready. Please follow me," she said with a graceful bow.
"Um, sure."
We trailed after her up a spiral staircase to one of the upper floors. She led us to a large table perfectly set for sixteen.
It sat in a cozy, semi-private corner, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows offering a gorgeous view of the capital.
But what caught my attention wasn't exactly the view.
Seated at a nearby table were five familiar faces: Lucas, Ella, and Rose.
The other two... I didn't know them at all. But, Lucas was with four girls—it was safe to say they were either heroines or side ones.
'I didn't expect to meet them so soon...'
"Please have a seat and take your time with the menu," the maid said, bowing again.
"Once you're ready to order, just call for me."
"Thank you," I replied, and with that, she left us alone.
"Hehe, what should I eat?"
"Mmm, so many choices! It's hard to pick!"
"Yeah, it's what you'd expect from a place like this."
The others were already diving into their menus, chatting excitedly about what to order.
I flipped mine open but already had my choice in mind—strawberry pancakes.
Simple, sweet, and perfect.
And I might order a black coffee with that.
"Alright, just let me know when you're ready, and I'll call the beautiful lady over."
I said, putting the menu on the table.
"Mhm!"
"Sureeeee!"
"Alrighty!"
With that, I pulled out my phone and started looking at the news.
It wasn't really the news, but the student's news. In other words, some kind of news but private to all the five academies's students.
[The Demon Hunter Reappears Again!]
[The Demons Were Obliterated By The Demon Hunter Once Again!]
Most of the articles were about the 'Demon Hunter' which was none other than Lucas. He was the mystery that everyone wanted to solve.
And even those four around him would probably not know his identity until next year.
Not like I read the entire novel to know it.
[Aestrea Moon, Who Is He?]
"Oh?" My eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Mhm, what is it?"
"What you're looking at?"
The student sitting on my right leaned over curiously as te one on my left also joined in before I could react.
"OH! Guys, look!" The one on my right snatched my phone, waving it around to grab everyone's attention.
"Aestrea has become one of the hot topics!"
"What? Seriously?!"
"What's it about?!"
They instantly became excited and started checking their phones.
"Aestrea Moon, the Moonlight Swordsman..."
One of them began reading the article dramatically.
"In one of the hunting festivals, he disguised himself and single-handedly took down five high-ranking demon beasts, leaving behind their corpses—without their cores!"
"Wait, what?!"
"It says they found out it was him because he dropped his identity card at the scene!"
My stomach sank.
"Oh..."
"No wonder I couldn't find my old ID and had to get a new one..."
I muttered absentmindedly.
Ah. That was a mistake.
"IT REALLY WAS YOU?!"
Immediately, they turned to me with excitement all splattered on their faces.
"Well, yeah..."
"That's so cool!"
"Yeah, you can be considered a celebrity!"
"Right! The Moonlight Swordsman's popularity was even in pair with the 'Demon Hunter'!"
Damn it.
This freaking canon event.
Having a secret identity being discovered is more embarrassing than I thought.
Gosh.
...
Meanwhile, at the nearby table, Lucas leaned back in his chair, casually stirring the espresso in front of him.
His sharp eyes flicked toward the group at Aestrea's table.
The cheerful chatter and laughter spilling from them weren't exactly subtle—it was impossible to ignore.
"Seems like they're having a good time," Ella remarked while also looking at the table next to them.
She rested her chin on her hand, her long silver hair shimmering faintly in the warm café lighting.
"They must've been friends for a while to laugh like that."
"Friends or not, they're loud," Rose muttered, adjusting her glasses with a small frown.
Her tone wasn't really harsh, just matter-of-fact.
"Jealous, Rose? Maybe you want to join their party." Lucas smirked, tapping his spoon against the cup lightly.
She shot him a glare. "As if. It's just distracting."
The other two girls at the table, Maya and Iris, exchanged glances.
Maya, the livelier of the pair, chuckled softly. "I think it's kind of nice. You don't see big groups like that all getting along these days."
"Yeah, but did you hear who's with them?" Iris added.
Lucas raised a brow. "Who? I wasn't exactly paying attention to their conversation."
"Aestrea Moon."
That got everyone's attention.
Even Rose, who'd been busy flipping through the menu, looked up. Even she couldn't help but ask with a surprised tone.
"The Moonlight Swordsman who just got his identity discovered?"
Iris nodded, brushing a strand of her ash-blonde hair behind her ear.
"The very same."
Hearing their words, Ella, who had been quiet until now, went completely still.
A rosy flush crept up her cheeks, and her lips pressed together in a tight, wobbly smile. Her fingers twitched slightly against the table like she didn't know what to do with her hands.
"Oh?" Maya raised her eyebrows as her lips rose into a teasing smile.
"What's this, Ella? You're looking a little… flustered. Could it be... someone has a thing for the Moonlight Swordsman?"
"A-ah... I-I d-don't!" Ella stammered, her voice cracking as she shot up straight in her chair.
Her hands flew to her cheeks, as though she could physically push the blush away.
"Uh-huh," Maya said, clearly unconvinced.
"You sure? Because I distinctly remember you going on and on about how he saved you that one time. What was it you said? 'So strong,' 'so graceful'—"
"Maya, stop!" Ella's voice rose as she waved her hands desperately, her embarrassment practically radiating off her.
"Wait, he saved you? When was this?" Iris leaned forward curiously.
"Last spring," Maya replied, her grin turning devilish. "She was surrounded by demon beasts, and guess who swooped in like a knight in shining armor?"
"Ooooooh," Iris and Rose said in unison, both looking at Ella wryly.
'So... that's why you've been rejecting my advances...' Lucas frowned deeply.
Ella buried her face in her hands.
"I hate all of you," she mumbled in a muffled voice.
"Should I go and get his autograph for you?" Iris giggled and asked Ella.
"N-no!"
"Shee, what's the problem? If you aren't fast enough, he may be grabbed by another vixen! By then, you aren't going to have any chance with him!"
Even Rose joined the fun.
"I-I..." Ella's face started rippling like a tomato.
"Come on guys, you've already teased her too much." Lucan chimed in, trying to calm down those teasing maniacs.
"Ugh... you're such a fun killer." Maya pouted.
"I-I hate you guys!" Ella, still flustered, pushed back her chair and shot to her feet.
She spun around to storm off—only to collide into something solid.
Thud!
"Ow…" Ella stumbled back, clutching her forehead.
And when she looked up, her heart stopped.
In front of her, a familiar handsome man with glowing red eyes stood, with his hand extended towards her.
"Are you okay?"
He had a worried tone.
She froze upon hearing his voice.
Her face also seemed to have turned into a whole new shade of red.