“Then, Ray. I’ll see you later! Make sure you watch my big moment!”
“I’m going to go find my sister. Bye-bye.”
“Yeah. See you both at the venue.”
After spending a while with Princess Olivia and Maria, we decided to part ways.
Princess Olivia needed to change for the party and mentioned she had other preparations to attend to, so she headed back ahead of me. Maria also left to meet up with Rebecca-senpai before the event.
Left alone, I decided to make my way toward the Magic Association.
The doors opened at 16:00, and the party was scheduled to begin at 17:00. It was just past 15:00 now, so the timing was perfect.
I walked through the snowy scenery by myself, heading toward the Association. The weather was clear today, a reprieve from the heavy snowfall of the last few days.
Even so, the snow still lay thick on the ground.
Listening to the rhythmic crunch of snow beneath my boots, I happened to look up at the sky.
“It’s already that time of year, huh?”
In retrospect, time had flown by. It felt as though I’d only just enrolled, yet winter was already here in earnest, and the second semester had just come to an end.
Only the third semester remained. Once that was over, I would be a second-year student.
Before entering the Academy, I never could have predicted my current circumstances. I had made precious friends and was leading a fulfilling student life. At first, my reason for enrolling had been nothing more than a lukewarm “Master told me to, so I guess I will.”
However, the one thing I could say for certain now was that I was truly glad I had come here.
“Ray. Alone, are you?”
On my way to the Magic Association, I had a chance encounter. Her golden hair was beautifully tied back today, making her look even more radiant than usual.
It was Master. Naturally, Carla-san was right behind her, pushing the wheelchair.
“Master. Carla-san. It’s been a while.”
I immediately approached them and bowed.
“Yeah. It has.”
“It has been a long time.”
We continued walking together. I recalled having a similar chance encounter with Master and Carla-san back when we attended the Magic Association's party in the summer.
Thinking back, I seemed to run into Master quite often by pure coincidence in the city... though it was likely just my imagination.
“The tournament. I watched it all.”
“Thank you very much.”
“They were good matches. The end was a real nail-biter, wasn't it?”
“Yes... it was a battle on the razor’s edge.”
“Ray. It’s been quite some time since you entered the Academy... tell me, are you enjoying yourself?”
Her tone was unusually serious. Since we were walking side-by-side, I couldn't see her face, but I could tell she was genuinely concerned for my well-being.
“Yes. Through this tournament, I realized it once again. I’m truly glad I entered the Academy. I’ve made so many precious friends.”
“I see. That’s good then.”
I had the feeling that Master had just smiled.
Eventually, we arrived at the Magic Association and stepped inside. Preparations seemed mostly complete, and a fair number of people were already gathered in the hall.
“Ray. I have rounds to make for greetings. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. I’ll come visit you tonight.”
“Right. I’m looking forward to it.”
With a casual wave of her hand, Master and Carla-san headed deeper into the venue. Master rarely used to attend these sorts of parties; perhaps she had experienced a change of heart recently.
“Oh? You are...”
As I stood alone for a moment, I spotted Charlotte Hartnett-senpai. Her two maids were standing in attendance behind her.
“Hartnett-senpai. It’s been a while.”
I gave her a polite bow.
At a glance, she looked quite different from the last time I had seen her, likely due to her styled hair and makeup. She wore a dress with a daringly open back, which gave her a very mature appearance.
“A-Ah, um... th-that... it has been a while...!”
“Oh, look. My lady is blushing.”
“Indeed. She’s turned quite red, hasn't she?”
“Geez...! You two, be quiet!”
After that brief exchange with her maids, she turned back toward me and cleared her throat.
“The tournament. I watched it until the very end. Congratulations on your victory.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Even so... you’ve become quite the topic of rumor, you know?”
“A rumor?”
“Yes. After achieving such feats in the tournament, it’s only natural you would be noticed. Look, even now.”
She gestured toward the room behind her with a subtle glance. Sure enough, I felt eyes on me. Though people were whispering, I could clearly hear my name being mentioned.
“Despite being an Ordinary, you have incredible combat sense. Furthermore, your use of magic was magnificent. I hear there are more than a few nobles with their sights set on you.”
“Is that so? I’m honored, but...”
“S-So, that’s why... a-after this...!”
I could tell she was trying to say something, but her voice was cut off by someone else.
“Ray-san. And Charlotte-san, as well. You two certainly seem to be getting along... aren't you?”
Approaching us with her usual smile was Rebecca-senpai.
Her hair was tied up in a braided updo that gleamed with a slight luster. She wore a pure white dress with a bold neckline, creating a very different impression than her usual attire.
But regardless of the change, Rebecca-senpai was as beautiful as ever.
“Rebecca-senpai. Hello.”
“Yes. So, are you and Charlotte-san acquaintances?”
“We are. We happened to meet at a bookstore in town and found we had similar tastes in books. We also had a good match during the tournament.”
“Heeeh... is that so...?”
Rebecca-senpai spun around and stared directly at Hartnett-senpai. Instantly, Hartnett-senpai’s expression stiffened.
Then, after Rebecca-senpai whispered something into her ear, the other girl suddenly seemed to panic.
“I-I have some other greetings to make...! If you’ll excuse me...!”
Flanked by her two maids, Hartnett-senpai vanished toward the back of the venue.
“She was in quite a hurry. I wonder if she had urgent business.”
“My, who knows...?”
Rebecca-senpai seemed just as unsure of the reason as I was. She turned back to me, looking down slightly as she spoke.
“A-Ah, um... Ray-san. You look very mature today.”
“Do I?”
“Yes! You look very cool!”
“I’m flattered.”
To be honest, I hadn’t done anything special; I was just wearing a black suit and had my hair styled a bit. Since she had complimented me, I decided to return the sentiment immediately.
“But Rebecca-senpai, you are the one who is truly beautiful today.”
“Eh...! R-Really?”
Her body gave a slight start, and her fingertips began to move restlessly. She stole a glance upward at me, as if testing my reaction.
“Yes. Your hair is tied back beautifully, and that dress suits you perfectly. As I thought, white really is your color, Senpai. With your makeup, you look stunning.”
“Ah... um... th-thank you.”
Senpai looked down, her face turning a deep crimson that reached even her ears. Had I gone a bit too far? As I was wondering that, another familiar voice reached us.
“Ngh...! I’m a little late...! Oh well!”
Running lightly toward us was Amelia. She, too, had clearly prepared thoroughly for today’s party. Her hair was styled up, and she was draped in a striking red dress.
Ariane followed closely behind her.
“Haa... haa... Amelia, you’re in far too much of a hurry...”
Ariane’s hair was left down, which created a beautiful contrast with her dress. She wore a yellow gown that suited her perfectly.
“Haa... Amelia-san, is it?”
“Hey! Don’t sigh so blatantly! That’s cruel!”
Before long, the two of them began bickering as usual. Ariane and I could only watch the scene with blank stares.
“Somehow, Amelia and Rebecca-senpai have gotten a lot closer.”
“Well... I suppose they have. Though there is only one cause for it...”
“Only one? What is it?”
“You’ll understand why eventually, Ray.”
With that, we all waited expectantly for the party to begin.