Theo, true to his word, completed his shower in precisely five minutes.
He didn't actually bathe himself.
Due to time constraints, he used magic.
Sure, it's not as thorough as a real wash, but a good spritz of perfume prevents the activation of [Twisted Noble's Dignity].
'Such an inconvenient trait.'
While fragrance is a good means to gain favor with others, this is a bit too much-
With these thoughts, Theo exited the Hero Department's training grounds.
"Time to go."
Together with Piel and Alphs, Theo made his way to the Knight Department.
At the same time, near the Knight Department, in front of the special performance stage.
Roy, seated in the audience, gazed at the stage.
The special performance hadn't begun yet, but the crowd was rapidly growing.
There were already at least 3,000 people gathered.
"Uh-uhm, it's about to start soon."
The 'start' Roy referred to had a dual meaning.
First, the commencement of the special performance.
Second, the plan of Maitri.
He had received word in the morning that something would happen this evening, coinciding with the special performance.
'He will handle it well, but······.'
I hope he doesn't cause too big of a stir.*
The reason being, the things Maitri has done are always beyond imagination.
Before he was assigned to Elinia Academy, the experiment he conducted in a northern city still kept me up at night.
The experiment involved using infants, not even six months old, from various races across the continent for biological experiments.
Since joining [Turning White], I've grown numb to ethical concerns, but at that time, I was quite shocked.
Now, of course, I have no choice but to comply.
I'm too deeply involved with [Turning White].
If I tried to leave, my head might be the first to go.
'What on earth is going to happen······.'
Roy was already filled with dread.
Together with Piel and Alphs, Theo arrived at the Knight Department.
As Piel had predicted, on the last day of the festival and with the special stage set, the place was swarming with people.
"So many people here."
"Yeah, it's busy."
Piel frowned, understandably, as almost every table at the food stalls was crowded.
Theo remarked,
"Seems like it's crowded everywhere. Alphs, anything particular you'd like to eat?"
"······Ah, me! Anything is fine for me, Theo."
Alphs hurriedly responded, not expecting Theo to ask for her preference.
'I'm actually craving seafood today······'
But she kept it to herself, feeling self-conscious about expressing her opinion.
Theo's question, she thought, was probably just a polite gesture.
'Well, I think I can enjoy just about anything.'
Before joining [The Order of Light], she had given up on the pleasure of eating.
The region she lived in was scarce in food all year round.
Theo nodded calmly and looked at Piel.
"How about you, Piel?"
"I don't have anything specific in mind. Let's just go wherever you feel like."
"Seems like you're not worried about cost."
"Well, I don't really think about the price when eating. Isn't it the same for you?"
"No, I do give it some thought. I prefer not to rely on financial support from the Waldeurk family."
"Don't lie. I know about the amount you donated to Alphs during [The Night of Light]. Wasn't that from the Waldeurk family?"
Piel smirked with a crooked smile.
'He donated more than all the other students combined, where does he get off lying?'
It might not be a significant amount for him, but it was a considerable sum for a regular student, equivalent to a year's living expenses for an average family of four.
'Is he just trying to show off in front of his Aide?'
He could have just let it go.
Theo's sudden show of bravado unexpectedly seemed cute, making it hard to resist a smile.
Yet, Theo maintained his composed expression.
"No. The donation I made to Alphs was made with my own earnings, not under the name of the Waldeurk family."
"Wow. Theo, you have a cute side? Where are you spinning this story from? You don’t work separately, so how did you earn such a large sum?"
"I have sponsorships from journalists, guild & government officials."
Theo's voice and posture were steadfastly unwavering.
This made Piel ponder.
'What, really? He earned it himself?'
His demeanor didn't seem like an act.
Recently, Theo had become a man who stands by his words.
Piel joked lightly,
"I’ve heard about kids getting sponsorships, but I didn’t know they were so lucrative. Maybe I should start mingling with some journalists and officials too."
"I wouldn’t recommend it. The amount I donated to Alphs was almost all of the sponsorship money I've received. And for you, Piel, the cons would outweigh the pros.
You're not one for extravagance... Sticking to your own path is the quickest way to increase your value."
"It was just a thought. But you... you’re becoming harder to understand."
"People around me have been saying that recently."
Piel decided to keep quiet.
It was rare for her to feel outdone in a conversation, but with Theo, she often felt that way.
However, it wasn't an unpleasant feeling.
It made sense.
Feeling this complex emotion, Piel glanced wryly at Theo and spoke again.
"······Anyway, what are we having for dinner?"
"Let's go there."
Theo pointed to a shop.
「Oriental Fish」
An Asian-style restaurant specializing in seafood.
It was a place that invested in creating a luxurious image.
They didn't start up a food stall for the festival even if there were no customers.
Piel smiled faintly.
"Just from the sign, it looks expensive. I guess your taste for finer things hasn’t changed?"
"It’s more because there seems to be no waiting."
"Hmm. Okay, let's go in."
True to Theo's prediction, there were hardly any customers inside 「Oriental Fish」.
The cost of a meal here was equivalent to about 30 meals at a typical food stall.
During the Academy Festival, students tend to spend more freely, but the prices at this restaurant were enough to bring them back to reality.
Regardless, Theo confidently entered the restaurant and ordered with ease.
"Hmm, I'll go with the B Course. What about you, Piel, Alphs?"
"Umm... It's a tough choice. Aside from the price, what's the difference between the A and B Courses?"
"The B Course is about 20% more expensive, but it includes seasonal fish, probably Spanish mackerel, unlike the A Course."
The waitress supported Theo's explanation.
"That's right, sir. The B Course includes grilled and raw Spanish mackerel. Your taste is as refined as your dignity."
"······Then I'll have the B Course too."
Piel, with a suddenly cool expression, responded.
She seemed somewhat displeased with the young waitress who was smiling brightly at Theo.
Theo then turned to Alphs.
"And what will you have, Alphs?"
"Ah... I'm fine with anything!"
"Then you should go for the B Course as well. It'll likely suit your taste."
Theo completed the order smoothly.
Alphs looked at him with a mix of awe and uncertainty.
'Wow... Theo really is something else.'
Even though they hadn't known each other long, his presence had a profound impact.
At times he was strict, at other times kind.
It was hard to tell which was his true nature, but one thing was clear: his 'absolute confidence in himself.'
His words might not always be right, but they brought a sense of stability.
The fact that he had donated most of his earnings to her was a testament to that.
'And somehow... I feel like we're a good match.'
She had been craving seafood, and coincidentally, so had Theo.
It was an interesting coincidence, one she kept to herself, pondering silently.
······A short while later.
The dishes were served one by one.
First came the sashimi, followed by grilled fish, then the main course, and finally dessert.
All three, being quite hungry, finished their course meal surprisingly quickly.
Piel, eating the apple sorbet dessert, looked at Theo.
"Hmm. The food here is really good. How do you know about this place?"
"I know all the 3-star restaurants inside the academy."
"Really? I didn't even know this was a 3-star. They don't seem to advertise it much."
"Owners of such places often have a certain pride, shunning self-promotion."
"That makes sense. But what do you think about it?"
After pondering Piel's question for a moment, Theo replied.
"If the owner is satisfied with that approach, then I believe it's the right choice."
*this first person pov is not a translation mistake.
