Chapter 15
Sky Island Academy.
The Garden of Academia and the Cradle of Martial Arts.
Originally an Officer Training School for the colonization of the Demon Realm, it has now been reorganized into a Comprehensive Institute for Talent Training following the successful colonization.
Even though it was a successful transition, the academic tradition hadn’t completely vanished, so the heavier emphasis on Martial Arts was a fly in the ointment.
The perception itself also remained the same, making it difficult to Receive external Research Support and investments. The military sector Easily received support, but the rest suffered from prejudice.
But wouldn’t they be able to achieve a fresh start through this festival?
Even if it wasn’t quite up to the Young Lord’s expectations.
The Senior Student thought so, but the Lord Marquis was actually distracted by a Curious Tool.
“If I Click the Lever Switch?”
The megaphone clicked.
“Ah, ah.”
Pastel spoke into the megaphone. Her voice echoed.
“Ooh, it really amplifies!”
“If you make a Sharp Sound, the Inside will Tear, so you have To Be Careful. It’s also easy To Break if you drop it.”
“Understood, senior!”
Pastel answered Cheerfully and turned her body toward the front of the stage.
Seats were lined up in front of the Spacious Stage Area.
Beyond the seats, colorful Student booths stretched endlessly to the left and right.
A Mage Department Student sat at their Booth, spread cards on the table, and checked fortunes.
Wow, a Fortune Card.
I should get my fortune read after the schedule is over.
Outsiders who arrived early peeked between the booths.
Indeed.
“School is all about festivals, after all!”
She tapped the Magic sword Dadadak, silently urging him to agree.
[…I’ve told you countless times, but the reaction to the dragon will be disappointUgh. Only you and the Creator were particularly amused by it.]
Lord Demon is so gloomy.
Not to know the awesomeness of the Luminous Dragon.
Isn’t that why he walks around in Suit Attire on such a good day?
Time passed.
The seats completely filled up. With no seats left, the number of people standing and waiting increased. The Department students who were at their booths gathered briefly To Watch the Festival Opening.
Countless gazes focused on the stage.
Oh, there are a lot of people.
Pastel’s corners of her mouth curled up.
This will be fun.
Since I’ve already committed insubordination, should I just go wild to my heart’s content?
The schedule began.
Pastel put her mouth to the megaphone.
“Ladies and Gentlemen who have traveled a long way across the sea and sky! And the proud students of Our Academy! Today, we Gather here to open the Festival Overture!”
She pointed at herself with her hand.
“I am Pastel Lovecraft, taking on the role of Main Host for this precious occasion! I look forward to your support!”
Pastel Bowed Her Head.
Applause and Cheers rang out.
She gave a light Hand Wave and a Wink to the first-year students whose reactions were particularly enthusiastic, then brought her mouth to the megaphone.
“Why say more! Let’s dive right in, just as you expect!”
She took a breath and shouted with all her might.
“The first-ever and continuously ongoing Academy Festival, right here and now!”
She raised the megaphone.
“Will begin!”
And unable To Hold back, Pastel jumped up.
“Yahoo~!”
Her Pink Hair fluttered.
Behind her, Pink Effect Magic Popped pangpang.
The festival has begun!
#
Pastel was swept up in a frenzy on the stage.
“Dragon!”
Keuaang.
“Luminous Dragon!”
Sparkling brightly.
“Eye Beam!”
Beam Ray.
Whirrr.
“Whoa! This is what I wanted!”
Unlike the stage where the Host/MC’s tension had shot up into the sky, the Audience Seating wasn’t quite at that level.
The first-year students' embarrassed yet admiring reactions.
The upperclassmen’s amused reactions were: 'She’s actually doing it.'
And most importantly, the polite, smiling expressions of the Trading Group Officials.
Ah, the look of a true professional.
After finishing the stage schedule, Pastel was able to check the dismal report of the Luminous Dragon.
Huh?
Huhuh?
Why is the Investment Amount like this?
The Trading Group turned a blind eye to the Luminous Dragon.
Ugh.
She clutched her heart.
My Luminous Dragon was abandoned.
Is there no beauty in this cruel World?
She slumped limply onto the floor.
The World is a Death Game…
They don’t acknowledge something like the Luminous Dragon…
Oh, the Harsh Reality.
The Magic sword transformed into a Demon and approached the slumped Pastel. The Demon bent down and patted the girl’s back.
[You still tried your best. It’s also your first time ]
“Lord Demon!”
How can there be such a sweet person?
Pastel looked at the Demon faintly.
“May I call you Lord Angel?”
It would totally suit him.
The Demon’s face slightly Froze.
“Do not do that.”
Ugh, so Stern.
Then again, Black Hair and Red Eyes are the Demon incarnate in a suit.
Pastel let out a deep sigh.
“Now the festival’s results have left the Student Council’s hands. We need enough results for the Department of Magic to Sign off on. Furthermore, we need enough for Professor Carlo To Accept.”
The Demon patted her back.
[It’s okay to fail. If you look for opportunities, there will be plenty.]
“That’s true.”
Nodding.
A commotion was heard outside the Lounge.
Hmm.
Pastel stepped out of the Lounge.
The cause of the commotion was immediately apparent.
A streak of light soared into the Blue Sky. It Popped, panged, and spread into small, brilliantly Five-colored streaks of light.
Hmm, Fireworks.
I never planned this.
A new streak of light soared.
It Popped with a pang and split into dozens of streaks of light. The small streaks of light each drew curves, painting a massive picture.
Pastel’s mouth fell open.
“Gasp!”
A Five-colored Dragon Pattern flashed in the sky.
“A-A dragon!”
Someone is carrying on the legacy of the failed Luminous Dragon.
The Dragon Cartel has assembled!
She grabbed a Senior Student who was watching the Fireworks.
“That, that! Who did that?!”
“Huh? The Department of Magic.”
Heoeok, how touching.
The Department of Magic is the place that says 'as expected of Kraft,' yet it’s giving this kind of Help?
They didn’t Sign, but were they actually Warm-hearted on the Inside?
As expected, The World is Beautiful.
Oh yeah.
“Thank you for letting me know!”
She ran to where the Department of Magic’s booths were gathered.
She was met with an incredible Crowd. There were also a considerable number of Trading Group Officials. Their expressions were bright, and the atmosphere of their discussion with each other was substantial.
Woowaoowa.
This is going to work.
Another streak of light soared. It burst and split into dozens of branches, writing countless letters in the sky.
It was an introduction and guide to the Department of Magic. The path to the location where the Department of Magic booths were gathered was drawn as a small picture.
Wow, what Bold Department Promotion!
Our Department of Magic is the main event.
The will to deliver a Crushing Defeat through results to the likes of the Magic Engineering Department, which took the main spot thanks to the Student Council’s choice, existed.
Just who is the person pulling off this incredible feat? Seeing as it wasn’t there when I visited the Department of Magic, it must be a Personal Booth.
She pushed through the Crowd and ran Hurriedly. She was able to spot a familiar blonde girl.
“…Therefore, sunlight piercing the clouds reaches the winding bends. 5th Realm, 32nd Stroke, Sunlight Flash!”
Melissa swung her Staff.
Light flashed. Streaks of light soared. They split and moved individually, writing letters.
Festival Safety Rules filled the sky.
Gasp, Safety Rules.
Melissa looked up at the result and felt proud.
The Trading Group Officials made their move.
―They said it was New Magic, but it’s practically at the Completion Stage. A License Sale would be possible immediately.
―Wasn’t her alias Sixteen Flashes? She’s already using the 32nd stroke?
―When can the Safety Verification be finished? Is it possible before the Founding Emperor? Are you short on money? How much do you need?
―Hmph, you people have no vision for this. This is for military use. Is it classified Research from Camelot? We will handle the Proxy Sale. How much will it be?
The Trading Group Personnel/Officials grabbed the upperclassmen who were helping Melissa.
Oh, it’s working!
Just as planned, the Personal Booth pulled it off.
Oh yeah.
Pastel giggled and looked at Melissa.
As expected of Melissa.
Put in effort for a Student Council friend.
Even if you only showed your back and made an Escape every time we met, I knew you were a friend.
Having finished the demonstration, Melissa headed to the back of the Booth to rest. Pastel Hurriedly followed.
“Melissa!”
Melissa looked back and Flinched.
She hastily widened the distance and looked with a wary Gaze.
“Craft of secret scheme and intrigue! Because of a Sinister Plot to Change our senior’s mind, I cannot let my Guard down.”
Hmm, did I?
Am I sinister?
“But I won’t fall for it.”
Melissa pointed at herself.
“This time I had no choice but to Help at my senior’s request, but I am countering your Bad Personality. There won’t be a next time.”
Resolute Expression.
Gasp.
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
I don’t know what she’s talking about.
My friend has a Quirky Side.
She’s an eccentric person beyond my understanding.
After pondering for a moment, she gave up thinking.
I should just ignore it.
She smiled brightly.
“Anyway, you did great! As expected of my friend!”
Oh, friend!
She opened both arms and lunged at Melissa.
Melissa freaked out and dodged.
The arms that tried To Hug swiped through Mid-air.
An Air Hug.
“See, I don’t fall for it.”
The Mage Robe that got messed up from dodging was straightened out.
Melissa looked at her Triumphantly.
Then she Flinched and looked down at Pastel's Shadow and her own shoes stepping on it.
“Ah.”
Melissa’s pupils trembled.
“I-I fell for it…”
It was a gloomy voice.
#
After meeting Melissa, she met the Department of Magic Class Representative who had a Change of heart and got a signature On the spot.
Oh yeah.
“Complete! Complete! Complete!”
Pastel Spun Around in circles hugging the Student Council Support Document. The festival scene Spun Around.
Excellent!
She tucked the document into her arms and looked back.
“Lord Demon! Now let’s enjoy our festival! The festival! Let’s enjoy it together!”
The Demon in Suit Attire was following along while letting out a sigh.
[If rumors spread, I’ll be the only one completely humiliated. Fine, what are you trying to enjoy?]
“Well! We’ll have to walk around, uwaa!”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the constellation reading Booth.
“Look at that! Constellations, ah right! I decided to look at fortune cards! Let’s go to the Fortune Card Booth instead of the constellations! Was it this way?”
Pastel grabbed the Demon’s arm and ran. Her Pink Hair fluttered.
“Run, run!”
[Sigh.]
Booths quickly passed by on the left and right.
Then Pastel spotted a Beverage Booth and stopped her Scampering. Her feet skidded on the Ground.
Oing.
She pointed With a Finger at the wine barrel in the Booth. An Orange Pattern was engraved on it.
Orange Juice?
“Wow! Wow! It’s a beverage! Let’s Drink beverages together! We can Drink as we go!”
[Calm Down a bit.]
Quickly.
“Two cups, please!”
“Oh, a Freshman.”
The Senior Student grinned and handed over two wooden cups. An Orange Liquid sloshed Inside.
Ah, the Orange Scent.
I can feel the Master’s Skill.
She Hurriedly took out a pepper shaker from under her arm. I need to Sprinkle the Mana Stone Powder.
At that moment, the Demon’s hand took Pastel’s share of the cup.
The Demon drank the beverage in one gulp.
Hmm.
Pastel alternately looked at the Empty Space where the cup used to be and the Demon.
Huh?!
The Demon set down the Empty cup.
My Drink…!
Oh no.
The Demon calmly opened his mouth.
[It’s alcohol.]
“Yes? What did you say?”
[Alcohol.]
Gasp.
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
She looked back at the Senior Student. The Senior Student grinned without a word and Gave a Thumbs Up.
Gasp!
[Do you have any beverages?]
“We do.”
The Senior Student poured Orange Juice from a small, neglected barrel in the corner. He handed the Wooden Cup to Pastel.
“Drink this.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Pastel sprinkled the Magic Stone Powder and looked at the Wooden Cup slightly suspiciously.
Then she Carefully brought her mouth close and stuck her tongue out to lick the liquid.
Licking it.
Sipping it.
It had an Orange Flavor.
It really is Orange Juice.
Pastel felt somewhat wronged.
What I wanted was indeed juice, but.
It’s really true that I was trying to Drink juice, but there was nothing.
She cast a Glance at the alcohol cup and then looked at her own juice cup.
Ing.
Pastel hesitated before looking straight at the Demon with a Confident Expression.
“Lord Demon!”
[What.]
A Subtle Gaze met hers.
Pastel winked.
“Just one sip!”
Heh.
No big deal.
The Demon kept a straight face.
[No.]
Aah.
Change your mind, Lord Demon.
You’re a Demon, aren’t you?
She sent an Earnest Gaze.
[No.]
Ugh, so Stern.
Not an inch.
Pastel pouted her lips and drank the juice.
The juice is delicious, but ing.
Filled with disappointment, she ignored the Demon and looked at the Senior Student.
“Senior, I can’t take this cup with me, right?”
“You can Drink it nearby, but you have To Return the cup.”
Then I should Look Around a bit while drinking.
She turned her head to the Surroundings booths. There was one adult who caught her eye.
Oh, it’s Professor Carlo.
The Professor was looking around the festival with a Strange Expression. His Gaze was fixed on the students laughing and chatting. Laughter rang out.
Hmm.
“Please give me one more cup of juice.”
Pastel received another cup of beverage and walked over to the Professor.
The Professor looked back.
She quietly handed over the support document and the beverage.
Professor Carlo took the document and looked at the cup for a moment with a Strange Expression.
Then he slowly accepted it. The cup touched his lips, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
An Orange Scent wafted.
Pastel smiled.
“It’s delicious, right?”
The Professor drank the beverage without answering for a moment.
And he returned the cup.
“Yeah.”
The Professor turned.
“It would be best not To Expect an Additional Budget.”
His Footsteps faded away.
Pastel looked at the Professor’s back.
“He’s a really Stiff person, isn’t he?”
The Demon approached.
[That’s just how people get when they age.]
“Wow, that’s quite a mature remark.”
Woowaoowa.
Pastel Burst Out Laughing by herself.
Then she grabbed the Demon’s arm and shook it.
“Lord Demon, Lord Demon! How old are you?!”
[Sigh, why that again? I can’t follow your train of thought.]
“Just because! Just because! Tell me!”
The bright question and the Laughter rang out.
The sound mixed with the festival.
And it reached the two people watching, wearing robes.
Their gazes headed toward the pink girl.
“Your daughter is quite spirited.”
A dry voice answered.
“I have no interest.”
“Indeed.”
The questioner shrugged.
“…How did the Infiltration go?”
“It was all a success. It might be too much for today, but Infiltration into the Academy will become easier in the future.”
The questioner stroked their chin.
“It’s actually so smooth that it’s questionable. It seems the Demonkind spy within the Academy is aiming for Mutual Destruction.”
“Let them. We will proceed as planned.”
“Yes.”
The festival ended.
Peacefully.