356: Cosplay

The high-stakes exams were finally behind us, but Noblesse Magic Academy showed no signs of cooling down.

If anything, the place was rowdier than ever.

Students from every year—lowerclassmen, intermediate-year students, and upperclassmen alike—had swarmed the hallways, busy hand-crafting signs for their various attractions.

"Weiss-sama, would you like me to refresh your towel?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Lilith gently pressed a warm towel against my cheek.

My body felt like a block of ice after everything I’d just been through. Deep within the Darkness, Malice was currently snoozing away. Rest up, Malice. Sleep well until the day we meet again.

"It looks like the Noblesse Cultural Festival is going to be a real hit again this year," Lilith chirped.

"I guess. Honestly, it’s just a giant pain in the neck."

"But if anyone can take first place again, it’s you, Weiss-sama!"

Lilith’s energetic shout only earned a heavy sigh from me.

Back when we were lowerclassmen, our class had run a Maid Cafe. Against my will, I’d been railroaded into the leader position. I hadn't possessed an ounce of motivation, yet somehow we’d topped the sales charts. It was a success so massive it had basically become a school legend.

And now, to my eternal chagrin, they’d asked me to lead the charge once more.

I hadn't really understood the appeal of the Maid Cafe back then, and I certainly didn't have the drive for it now. However, the rules had changed. Apparently, starting this year, the top-selling classes would be awarded points.

I was currently ranked B-class. If I could snag first place here, I’d be bumped up to B-class+, which meant much better treatment—and more importantly, more opportunities to challenge the upperclassmen.

That was the only reason I’d swallowed my pride and reluctantly accepted the job.

Just as I was ruminating on my fate, I spotted Cecil in the hallway.

"Oh, Fansent... or should I say, 'Leader'?" she asked. "...Well? What do you think?"

She was doing her best to maintain a stoic poker face, but I could see a faint flush creeping across her cheeks. Having spent so much time facing off against her in the Battle Universe, I’d become an expert at reading her tiny tells.

This year, we’d pivoted away from maids in favor of a "fantasy races" cosplay theme. Cecil had attached a pair of incredibly detailed prosthetic ears to her head.

Two white, fuzzy ears were currently standing at attention atop her hair.