I made my way into the party venue with Maria by my side.
Stepping inside, the sheer opulence of the decor was immediately apparent. Tables were scattered throughout the hall, already laden with a spread of food and drinks. A lush red carpet covered the floor, and grand chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room.
Though this was my first time attending such an event, it was clear that a gathering of nobles was far from an ordinary affair.
"It’s quite magnificent," I remarked.
"Well, it's about what you'd expect," Maria replied. "Now then, I have my own rounds to make for greetings."
"I look forward to seeing you again."
"Hmph! Just make sure you give my regards to Lily-oneesama! Do you hear me?! You'd better sing my praises when you tell her about me!"
"A-Ah... right."
With that, Maria scurried off toward a corner of the venue. Hmm. Since I was the very Lily she spoke of, I was already well-aware of her message... but I suppose it couldn't be helped.
──Now then, I’d like to offer my greetings if there’s anyone here I know...
The party hadn't officially begun yet, so there were still relatively few sorcerers inside. However, among the crowd, I spotted a man standing alone at a table, enjoying a glass of wine.
──That person. No, there's no mistaking him.
I approached him with quick steps and, steeling my resolve, decided to speak.
"Colonel Fahrenheit. It has been a long time."
"Hm? Forgive me. Who might you be?" the man asked, wearing a blank expression.
He placed his wine glass on the table and turned to face me. I then introduced myself.
"It is Ray White. I haven't seen you in some time."
"Ray? No, wait... are you that Ray!?"
"Yes. It has been a while."
"Oh! To think that Ray would actually be a student! I’d heard the rumors, but seeing you in person like this, the impression is quite different! Are you doing well?"
"Yes. And I am glad to see you are in good health as well, Colonel."
"Hahaha! I can't afford to lose to the youngsters just yet!"
We shared a firm handshake.
He had his pitch-black hair cropped short, and his physique was still quite robust. He stood about the same height as me, with several wrinkles etched into his face and a prominent scar remaining on his right cheek. Even as he approached his fifties, the Colonel seemed as energetic as ever.
Colonel Henrick Fahrenheit.
He was one of the sorcerers who had looked after me during my time in the military. We had belonged to the same unit during the Far East Campaign and shared many battlefields. His skill as a sorcerer was, naturally, outstanding; he was a man who likely ranked just below the Seven Grand Sorcerers.
It felt like a nostalgic memory now, how much I had relied on Colonel Fahrenheit. So much time had passed since then. It had been three years since my retirement and our last meeting.
I had hoped to run into an acquaintance, and I was truly happy to find the Colonel here.
"So, Ray. Are you enjoying your life at the academy?"
"Sir. I have been blessed with good friends and am living a satisfying life."
"I see... To think that the Ray who was once so small is already a student."
"I am deeply grateful for everything you did for me back then."
I bowed my head. The Colonel chuckled and looked at me with a warm, fond expression.
"No, I was also helped by you, Ray. But how is your Magic Area Overheat? Is it getting any better?"
"The Magic Area Overheat is improving, if only slightly. It looks like it will still take some time. However, compared to back then, my abilities are beginning to return. Though in my case, there is not only the Magic Area Overheat but that other matter as well."
"Ah. The Covenant... that can't be helped. But... I see. That's good. I was... worried about you in many ways. And then there’s the matter of Lydia."
"...Thank you for your concern. Master is also doing well. Though lately, it seems she’s often bickering with Carol and getting scolded by Abby-san..."
"Hahaha! Those three haven't changed a bit!"
After some light small talk, the Colonel departed, mentioning he had other people to greet.
Besides, I had begun to feel the weight of the gazes from our surroundings. People were staring, wondering why a mere student was conversing so familiarly with a military officer—especially one as famous as Colonel Fahrenheit, who was renowned for his achievements in the Far East Campaign.
The Colonel seemed to grasp the situation as well, offering a final word.
"Ray, I look forward to meeting you again."
"As do I. If you'll excuse me."
"Yeah. See you."
I gave a bow, and the Colonel lightly raised his right hand as he moved off.
──That man hasn't changed either.
As I stood there immersed in nostalgia, a familiar woman's voice reached me from behind.
"Ray! What are you doing here!?"
It was Amelia, dressed in the uniform I had seen countless times. Today, she had her hair put up, with her long locks tied at a low position in the back. It was my first time seeing her with this style; it gave her a different impression than usual, but it suited her beautifully.
Shock was written all over her face, yet she seemed genuinely happy as she approached.
"Amelia. That hairstyle suits you very well."
"T-Thank you... wait! More importantly, why are you here!?"
"Well, I was told to show my face this year. I came along with Master, for the time being."
"Ah, I see... because Ray is..."
The Ice Sword, after all, Amelia thought, though she didn't say it aloud.
I knew that was what she meant, but in a crowd this large, someone might overhear. Amelia had the presence of mind to keep it to herself.
"Do you come every year, Amelia?"
"Yeah, that's right. It's usually incredibly tedious, but this year, well... how should I put it? I'm happy, or rather, I'm having fun..."
"Why is that?"
"That's because, well, I was able to see Ray... I guess?"
She peered up at me as if gauging my reaction, her crimson eyes staring straight into mine.
I see. It was true that one didn't often run into friends at these events. She must have felt the same way I did.
"I see. I'm also happy to meet a friend here."
"...Haaah."
Amelia let out a heavy, obvious sigh. Seeing her like that, I couldn't understand what prompted it. Could it be that something unpleasant was waiting for her later?
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing at all~"
I could tell she had become grumpy, but the cause escaped me. Even with someone as close as Amelia, there were still things I didn't understand. I still had much to learn. As I was thinking that, another friend approached.
"Ray! Why are you here!?"
"Ariane. It's been a while."
Ariane Algren.
She also looked surprised as she joined us. Like Amelia, Ariane had her hair put up today, gathered into braided buns on both sides. As expected, the look suited her perfectly.
"Yes, it has. But, well... you are an Ordinary, aren't you? Well, it is rude of me to put it this way, but why are you here? And just now, you were chatting quite happily with Colonel Henrick Fahrenheit...?"
"Ah. Well, you see... I have various connections."
"Connections, you say?"
"A-Ah... my guardian is a former military officer. It's through that link..."
"Hmm. Is that so... Hmm. A former military officer, you say..."
Being scrutinized by Ariane made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. She seemed to doubt me completely.
It wasn't that I couldn't tell Ariane that I was the Ice Sword, but this wasn't the place. For the sake of my future life at the academy, I wanted to keep my identity a secret for as long as possible, so I had to fudge the truth for now.
"First there was the matter with Albert, then the matter with Amelia, and then that exceptional cross-dressing technique... Ray, just who are you? Are you perhaps not actually an Ordinary?"
"No, I swear I am an Ordinary. I'm not from a family of sorcerers. I'm just a bit of a mutation."
"Is that so. But I feel like there is still something more..."
"Ugh... no, well..."
Just as Ariane's questioning began to overwhelm me, Amelia stepped in to help.
"Ariane, you shouldn't pry so much into people's pasts."
"Amelia... you are right. Ray, I am sorry. I apologize for my rudeness."
"No, I don't mind."
After that, the three of us chatted about trivial things. Amelia and Ariane seemed to relish the chance to talk harmoniously after so long, and their conversation became quite lively. I listened as they shared embarrassing stories from their childhoods, thinking how heartwarming it was.
I expected the party to continue peacefully like this, but then...
"Ray? Is that you, Ray!?"
A young woman's voice echoed through the venue.
She was clearly calling my name, and I recognized that voice instantly. In fact, I wasn't the only one. As one of the most famous people in the Kingdom, every noble present likely recognized her.
"Ray! It really is Ray! You finally came to see me! You did, didn't you!"
"...No. I am here on business today."
"Hmm? Could it be you're accompanying Lydia?"
"If anything, Master is the one accompanying me."
"Oh! That other matter! I understand!"
"Yes. As expected of the clever Princess Olivia."
"Hehehe! You can praise me more, you know, Ray?"
"Princess Olivia is very clever."
"Hehe, right?"
She leaned against my back, clinging to me. Amelia and Ariane watched the scene with their mouths agape.
But that was only natural. As I had just said, this person was a member of the Arnold royal family.
She was Second Princess Olivia Arnold.
As for why I had a connection with royalty... to put it simply, we met in the past during a kidnapping incident involving her.
The incident was never made public, but behind the scenes, it had caused a massive uproar. At the time, I was recuperating at the home of my Master's cousin and, after various twists and turns, I played a role in resolving the situation.
Since then, Princess Olivia had been quite attached to me... or something to that effect.
I knew she had been sending me invitations to visit the Royal Castle for some time, but our schedules never aligned, or things were just inconvenient, so I had been putting it off.
"Ehehe~. I'm so happy to see you after so long!"
Finally, she was completely clinging to me, her hands wandering over my arms and torso. Since she was royalty, I couldn't exactly be rude, so I simply accepted it.
Princess Olivia might seem a bit childish in her speech and behavior, but she was only one year younger than us. Her lustrous silver hair, which reached her chest, beautifully reflected the light from the chandeliers. Her blue dress suited her perfectly.
Above all, Princess Olivia was defined by her symmetrical features. Almost every human has some degree of asymmetry, but her face was perfectly balanced. Her wide eyes, her straight nose, and her lustrous lips were all perfectly aligned. While all royalty possesses overwhelming beauty, Princess Olivia was undoubtedly in a league of her own.
"All right! Ray, you should live at the castle starting today! Okay? Together with me! Of course, we'll share a room!"
"I believe I declined that offer before..."
"No way! I want to be with Ray!"
Princess Olivia began to throw a tantrum, swatting at my back, but I could only endure it. As was always the case, dealing with her was quite an ordeal.
As I wondered what to do, Amelia asked hesitatingly.
"Um... by any chance, are Ray and Princess Olivia acquainted?"
"Oh! If it isn't Amelia and Ariane! I didn't notice you there!"
"Ah, hahaha..."
"Now, about that question..."
──This is bad, I thought, but it was already too late.
A bombshell of a statement flew out of Princess Olivia's mouth.
"Ray and I have promised our futures to each other!"
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT!?"
Ah... here we go with the usual routine again, I thought wearily as the party continued.