Alice’s odd behavior still weighed on my mind, but she didn’t do anything else to raise suspicion for the rest of the day. We soon settled into a comfortable rhythm, simply enjoying the Founding Anniversary Festival.
"This is going pretty well, isn't it?"
"You’re surprisingly good with your hands, Kaito-san. Maybe that’s why you’re so skilled with a Rubik’s Cube?"
"I suppose I've always had a knack for fine work... There!"
I was currently engrossed in a game at one of the stalls, tracing intricate patterns on a board with a Magic Tool Pen. The prize you received depended on how far you managed to follow the lines. It was a lot harder than it looked; you weren't allowed to retrace your steps, and pausing for more than a few seconds resulted in an immediate disqualification.
However, just as Alice noted, I was fairly nimble with my fingers. I was making steady progress and had already crossed the halfway mark. Since the board itself was a magic tool, there was no way to cheat or fake your way through.
"…How about you, young lady? Aren’t you going to give it a go?" the stall owner asked, tilting his head at Alice. "If you spend all day worrying before you even start, you’ll never get anywhere."
The disqualification rule only applied once the timer started; there was no penalty for waiting before the pen touched the board. Still, it was a game that took some time to complete, and the owner seemed baffled that Alice had paid her fee but continued to stand there in a daze.
Alice looked up as if suddenly remembering where she was. "Oh, you're right... There, I'm done."
"Wait, what?"
With a casual flick of her wrist—as if she were simply drawing a straight line—she reached the goal in a single, effortless breath.
In a game like this, dynamic vision and raw physical ability meant nothing; the only thing that mattered was fine motor control. And in that specific arena, Alice was peerless. Even if the path were only as wide as the pen’s tip, I had no doubt she could trace it without deviating by a single millimeter.
"Now, Kaito-san, it gets tricky from here. I wonder if you can actually clear it?"
"Guh... it certainly has started to get quite wiggly..."
Alice handed over her finished board, seemingly oblivious to the bewildered stall owner, and watched me struggle with a joyful expression.
As we continued our stroll through the stalls, a rhythmic beat caught our ears. We followed the sound to a plaza where performers dressed in folk costumes were putting on a spirited show. Their movements were unique—fluid yet sharp. Even an amateur like me could tell their technique was flawless.
"Is that a belly dance?" I asked.
"The vibe is similar. It’s a traditional style passed down in certain regions of the Hydra Kingdom," Alice explained.
"I can definitely feel the history in the music and the movements. It feels like you're seeing the past come alive."
"People often mistake the Hydra Kingdom for a place that only cares about the next big thing because of its innovative reputation, but they actually cherish many ancient traditions. The kingdom was originally formed from several smaller nations, which resulted in a fascinating blend of cultures. They aggressively pursue the future while still honoring the past. You'll find a lot of these traditional performing arts at major festivals like this."
"I see..."
That made sense. During Noin-san’s era, there had been rice cultivation in the remote regions of the Hydra Kingdom, and then there were unique modern attractions like the Flying Board. It wasn't just about 'new' things; it was about 'unique' things. It felt like Laguna-san’s leadership centered on respecting the creativity of the people. This likely gave birth to a national identity that was bold and adventurous, yet deeply rooted in diverse traditions.
"When you put it that way, the Hydra Kingdom sounds incredible. Are there any downsides?"
"Of course. For one, the culture isn't for everyone. While the best traditions survive, the pace of trends is brutal. Half-baked fads are abandoned almost instantly. To succeed here, you have to adapt to dizzying changes at a moment's notice. Plenty of trading companies have failed to keep up and were forced to withdraw."
"So it's a meritocracy at its core."
"Exactly. Not in every single aspect, perhaps, but it's a land where you're constantly being tested. Skill and luck determine whether you're weeded out. That’s why Gorilla-san loves this place so much."
I could see that. Megiddo-san would definitely thrive in such a competitive environment. And while I probably should have been shocked that Alice called him "Gorilla-san" with a straight face, the fact that I immediately knew who she meant and nodded along was probably a bit rude of me, too.
Serious-senpai: "What an ominous subtitle. It’s practically a guarantee that some major event is going to happen tonight..."