It was quiet inside the carriage.
During the Festival period, hardly anyone visited the Hero Department.
'Except for Noctar and the orcs, those living in the Hero Department dorms, there would be no reason for anyone to ride the carriage to the Knight Department.'
With that thought, I rode the carriage to the Knight Department.
It was the first day of the Festival, but the place was already bustling with people.
"Try popping the water balloons~. If you pop all 12 within the time limit, we'll give you a cute prize~!"
"Please try the hamburger made with meat grilled with oriental spices from the Alchemy Department~. Limited sales only during lunchtime~!"
"Any more participants for the beauty contest? It’s closing soon! Challenge yourself to become Elinia Academy's top beauty!"
Oh, there are too many people.
The area near the Knight Department was always crowded, but now it's excessively so.
If it’s this crowded on the first day of the Festival, it'll be overflowing on Thursday when the Combat Arts Competition is held.
‘Let's find Aisha first.’
Since Aisha is performing, there’s a high possibility she knows more about the schedule.
More than anything, Aisha likes to plan and manage.
In other words, she enjoys being in charge.
"···Huu."
But where to find her?
Even in the game, it doesn’t mention where Aisha is at this point.
As I was glancing around.
"Kyaaaa~ Theo!"
A high-toned female voice came from afar.
'Damn.'
Such a distinctive voice.
In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on her.
"Where have you been all this time? I missed you so much!"
Siena, who was far away, rushed towards me.
Regardless of everyone around, Siena, tried to hug me.
I avoided her embrace with a familiar motion and said,
"I attended a seminar at the association. What are you wearing, Siena?"
Maintaining a distance from Siena, who might rush at me again at any moment, I looked at her attire.
Siena was not dressed in academy uniform attire.
She was wearing the traditional female attire of the Wood Elf tribe, which had a side slit at the hip and was see-through.
Due to its high exposure, in the game, it was called the ‘thrilling fanservice’ outfit by users.
‘But why is she wearing that.’
The department of an academy student is easily known by the shoulder badge.
Thus, Hero Department students wear academy uniforms even during the Festival.
Obviously to receive the envious gazes of people.
Siena, on the other hand, doesn’t care about the gazes from others... but why exactly that outfit?
The attention is troublesome.
"Ah, this? I’m in the middle of practicing for the Academy's special stage, and Aisha told me to wear it, so I did."
Siena spoke nonchalantly.
"When practicing, don’t you wear something a bit more comfortable? It seems like it be inconvenient to move in."
“Hehe, are you worrying about me now? But don’t worry~ I’ve been wearing this outfit for over 100 years, so I’m actually quite comfortable in it. Also—”
“Also?”
“Aisha says I should practice as if it were the real thing, so I wear it. What do you think, Theo? I look pretty, don’t I?”
Siena smiled broadly.
Of course, she is pretty.
In the game, the elves' appearance was described as ‘a grace bestowed by the heavens.’
Faithful to the game's settings, elves, without showing their unique ears, are so handsome and beautiful that just by looking at their faces, you can tell they are elves.
Moreover, for Siena and Aisha to stand together on a special stage.
Things have indeed changed quite a bit from the game.
“They suit you well. However, I’m not sure where to rest my eyes, Siena. Is Aisha nearby too?”
“Yes. We’re on a short break now, so Aisha is probably around here too? Ah, there she is."
Siena, who seemed to pinpoint Aisha's location instantly, smiled naturally.
'Spirits are really cheating. Even after learning tracking magic or skills, spirit magic is the best.'
I just stared at Siena’s face and spoke.
“Can you tell me where she is?”
“Hmm~? Is our Theo really curious about where Aisha is?”
“I’m not that curious.”
“Really~? Then, I won’t tell you.”
“...I'm curious.”
“Hehe, Theo is always so cute.”
Siena smiled and reached out to me.
Her intention was clear.
She wanted to seize this opportunity for some skinship.
Truly, an elf faithful to her desires.
But it's a bit awkward to hold hands when there are so many people around.
Siena grinned broadly.
“Hehe, what are you doing? Hurry up and take it, Theo. You have to hold it if you want me to take you.”
“······Alright.”
I took Siena’s hand.
Siena gripped my hand tightly.
It was soft and delicate.
"Hehehehe~ Aisha is over here.”
“······Okay.”
Siena, holding my hand, moved forward with confidence.
I felt like a cow being led to slaughter.
Suddenly, I missed Little Fist.
In a lecture room of the Knight Department, temporarily being used as a practice room for the Hero Department's special stage team.
“The entire competition schedule for the Festival?”
“Yes. I was thinking of participating in one each day and aim for at least third place in each. It would also be helpful if you could recommend some promising competitions.”
“Why? Ever since we were young, we've been told as members of the Waldeurk family should uphold a certain standard, right?”
“Don't ask. I'll explain later.”
“Hmm, fine for now. Let’s see…”
Aisha narrowed her eyes, scanning the schedule at Theo’s request.
Her eyes quickly swept across it.
“The Academy Festival hosts over 50 competitions and some of them are quite unique, Theo. You knew that, right?”
“Of course.”
“So, I can see a few competitions where you could potentially win just by joining..."
Mid-sentence, Aisha stealthily glanced at Theo’s face.
Not missing her gaze, Theo spoke.
“What is it, Aisha?”
“Most of the competitions that seem promising might make you angry if I suggest them, Theo.”
“...I won't get angry. We don’t have much time, so go ahead, Aisha.”
“Firstly, this one.”
Aisha pointed her finger at a competition listed on the schedule.
[Elina Academy Beauty Contest]
Participation criteria: All Elina Academy students.
Event time: First day of the Academy Festival, 3:00 PM.
Registration place: Elina Academy Beauty Contest booth, near the main entrance of the Knight Department.
Registration method: Visit the booth in person and register with the attendant.
Registration period: Until 2:50 PM on the first day of the Academy Festival.
Theo furrowed his brow.
“...You’re telling me to participate in a beauty contest?”
“Ah…! You just said you wouldn't get angry, remember, Theo?”
“...I’m not angry.”
Theo, suppressing his internal rage, continued speaking.
“All the past winners of the beauty contest have been females as far as I know. Unless it’s just for fun, all participants are female too.”
“Of course, Theo. Even though beauty standards can be subjective, this is an official competition hosted by Elina Academy after all. The winner shouldn't be there for fun."
Aisha spoke clearly.
“There’s another problem, Aisha.”
“What is it?”
“The judges of the beauty contest are mostly male, as far as I know. Even if I do participate, winning will be difficult, won't it?”
“...Sigh.”
Aisha let out a soft sigh, looking at Theo.
Indeed, a true beauty is recognized irrespective of gender and race.
Although individuals may have different aesthetic tastes, beauties that transcend those tastes exist.
Theo's appearance is said to be one of the top across the entire continent.
His appearance, while similar to her own, feels much more sharply and finely honed.
"There's no need to worry about that, Theo. You’ll win anyway."
"I trust you, Aisha."
"Well, believing or not is up to you. Maybe if you win, you can treat me to something."
"If I really do win, I will treat you, Aisha. But what comes must go. If I fail to win and face embarrassment, you’ll also have to deal with what follows."
Theo grumbled.
Looking at Theo, Aisha, unknowingly, smirked-.
Theo, whether he had showered or not, had an unmade face without a trace of makeup and disheveled hair.
However, even like this, if he entered a beauty contest, he could win a place within the top three.
“There's nothing like this one.”
“What do you mean?”
“Anyway Theo, let's start with registration. There's not much time left. Let’s register and then just do a simple skin and hair setup.”
“...Okay.”
“I'll go with you~! It seems like it will be fun.”
Siena, who was beside them, joined in.
Theo, Aisha, Siena.
The three went to the registration booth for the beauty contest.
“Do you see that booth over there? You can apply there, Theo.”
“Hmm, understood. Wait for a moment.”
As Theo moved towards the booth to apply for participation,
“Huh, Theo?”
A man approached and spoke.
“What brings you here, Andrew?”
It was Andrew.
Next to him was Sally.
