No matter how much talk there was about a coup, dealing with it was a job for adults; it had nothing to do with us students.
A usurpation of the throne via the transfer of the barrier’s authority could, if handled correctly, be an entirely bloodless affair. Thus, life at the Academy continued as if nothing had changed.
"The Sage Festival finally starts tomorrow. Let’s keep our wits about us," Alicia said.
"Yeah."
As we ate breakfast, I went over the day’s schedule with her.
While the Sage Festival and its public opening were set for tomorrow, we were scheduled to receive students from other magic academies today. The Student Council’s job was to handle all the grunt work that came with it.
"Is there any way we can just cancel the whole thing now?" I asked.
"Of course not," Alicia replied casually, nibbling on a piece of bread across from me. "No matter how much trouble you stir up, the Sage Festival is the essential catalyst for the coup. There’s no way they’d cancel it."
"I guess they’re even pushing through Castor’s death."
He really was a pathetic guy.
"Well, let’s just try to make sure the students don't get caught in the crossfire."
The Headmaster had decided that welcoming students from the Duchy's Magic Academy was necessary to reform the mindset of the younger generation, regardless of past conflicts. It was an attempt to change the era's consciousness through time.
Knowing what I knew now, I could finally understand a little of what that old man meant when he used to ramble about fate. I suppose he was trying to lay the groundwork to change things from the outside in.
Wendy had mentioned that the Sage had accessed the Akashic Records to read information; Volsea likely used them to learn about the "scenario" in a similar fashion. That would explain why he’d supported Mariana—who had lost her parents and suffered poor eyesight from her injuries—and brought her into the Academy.
Of course, Volsea’s painstaking efforts had been ruthlessly dismantled by Scenario Breakers like me and Patricia...
"Well, participating in class events usually ends in disaster anyway, so I guess this works out."
The work was incredibly tedious, but it was better than trying to participate in the festival while stuck in the current, pointlessly bloodthirsty atmosphere of the Special Class. Having a job to do was a decent way to kill time.
The third-year students the first-year girls usually relied on had suddenly stopped moving because of the coup. Whether out of some lingering rivalry or simple peer pressure, no Tea Parties were being held, leaving the Special Class in a cold, stagnant state.
The students didn't seem particularly motivated to follow the events the teachers had sloppily thrown together. For those in the Special Class, this might actually turn out to be the worst festival ever.
There was simply no one left to lead.
In the original story, the charismatic Capture Target Characters were supposed to drive everything forward and guide the Heroine. But now, Baldy and Clive were too busy with the Student Council, Castor was dead, Jelasis was "studying abroad," and the last one—the Son of Cascade—was nowhere to be found.
Because the people who actually moved the story were gone across the board, everyone else had eyes like dead fish. The whole class looked like a fish tank that had lost its aeration.
Sorry about that, Volsea.
A fun school life was a distant dream; this place was a graveyard.
On the other hand, the students in the General Class were working as if they’d finally come back to life. I was sure they would have a great time at the festival.
As a member of the Student Council, my only role was to protect the peace of the Academy so that the General First-Year students—who had been treated so poorly until now—could actually enjoy themselves.
"Everyone needs to double-check their own schedules," Alicia announced. "I’ll take Treisa to meet with the second and third-year Student Council members. Mariana, you’ll wait in the Student Council Room with Clive. Ragna, you’re in charge of guiding the foreign students with the idiot."
"What? I’m with Baldy...?"
I didn't even try to hide my disgust. Alicia let out a heavy sigh.
"Clive can't stop that idiot when he starts acting out on his own anymore, right? You two are buddies behind the scenes, so you keep an eye on him."
"We aren't buddies. I could kill that guy at any moment."
"The way that bald prince looks at you is creepy and special enough that he won't act up as long as you're there. Right?"
"Ugh..."
I had no comeback for that.
The reason Alicia was taking Treisa instead of Clive was out of consideration for their relationship as a couple. As for Mariana, she was finally getting used to the council members, so leaving her with Clive shouldn't be a problem.
"The idiot at least has elegant manners and isn't unpleasant to be around. He won't do anything strange as long as you're glaring at him."
Alicia continued, fixing me with a sharp, judgmental stare.
"The problem is you."
"Me?"
"Don't do anything reckless. You usually keep a straight face no matter what people say to you, but if someone says something about me, you need to stay calm, okay? If things get out of hand, the idiot will just copy you and make everything ten times worse."
"Yes, ma'am."
She was leaning in so close her chest was practically touching mine. I had no choice but to nod obediently.
"Our job is to make sure we don't cause trouble for the other students and that they enjoy themselves. I know there are plenty of people here who won't have fun, but there are far more who have been looking forward to this."
Alicia reached out and squeezed my hand.
"Now, let’s go."
"Yeah."
There were plenty of cynical types who didn't care about the festival, but the majority were genuinely excited. Alicia understood perfectly that it was better to prioritize the latter.
I arrived at the Academy gates just before noon to greet the students from the other schools.
"Heh!"
Beside me, Edward was wearing The Mask and floating slightly off the ground.
"Why are you floating...?"
"As expected of 'Recklessness' to notice! It is high-level magic executed so perfectly that one cannot tell if I am standing or hovering without the keenest eye. I wonder if the students from the other academies will be able to appreciate my mastery? Heheheh."
"Just act like a normal person."
"Nonsense! I shall show these foreign students the sheer height of our Academy's magical prowess!"
It was certainly a piece of high-precision magic, but the standard curriculum didn't include Chantless Magic. The average student wouldn't even understand why it was impressive.
"Also, no masks in public. And don't call me 'Recklessness' or 'Watchdog' in front of people either. Call me Brave."
"What?! Is it truly permitted? May I truly call you by that name?!"
"I mean, I never said you couldn't."
It wasn't a matter of permission; Brave was just my name.
Edward obediently removed the mask. His cheeks flushed a light shade of pink as he spoke.
"B... Brave..."
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh!!
A literal shiver ran down my spine.
Damn it! Why do I have to spend my time with this guy? I hate this. I hate this so much.
"Calling you by your family name... it makes me feel like the Hero's Best Friend! Hah!"
"Sure, whatever..."
Calm down, Ragna. Endure it.
I wanted to punch that bald head right then and there, but I was afraid I'd accidentally kill him if I didn't restrain myself. I fought with everything I had to keep my composure.