I entered the party venue with Maria.
Upon entering, I thought it indeed had a certain level of luxury.
Multiple tables were set up, and meals and drinks were already prepared on them. The interior featured a red carpet, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
This was my first time at such an event, and I understood that it was not ordinary for nobles to gather like this.
“It’s quite luxurious, isn’t it?”
“Well, it’s about what you’d expect. I have some greetings to make, so I’ll be off.”
“I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Hmph…! Be sure to say hello to Lily-Oneesama for me! Okay!? Make sure you tell her to praise me properly!”
“Uh… yeah.”
After saying that, Maria headed towards a corner of the venue. Hmm, that Lily she mentioned is me, so everything is already out in the open… but I guess it can’t be helped.
—Now then, I’d like to greet someone I know if possible…
The party hadn’t truly begun yet. Therefore, there were still few magicians inside, but among them, I spotted a man enjoying wine in front of a table.
—That person is… No, it’s definitely him.
I quickly approached him and decided to muster my courage to speak.
“Colonel Fahrenheit. It’s been a while.” [TN: I wanna meet Celsius]
“Hmm? I apologize. Who might you be?”
The man had a blank expression on his face.
He set his wine glass down on the table and turned his body towards me.
Then, I introduced myself.
“I’m Ray White. It’s been a long time.”
“Ray? No, wait… is it that Ray!?”
“Yes. It’s been a while.”
“Oh! I can’t believe that Ray is now a student! I’ve heard about it, but seeing you in person gives a very different impression! Are you doing well?”
“Yes. I’m glad to see you are well too, Colonel.”
“Hahaha! I can’t let the young ones beat me yet!”
We shook hands.
He had jet-black hair cropped short, and his physique had a fair amount of bulk. He was about my height, with several wrinkles on his face. There was also a large scar on his right cheek.
However, even as he approached his fifties, the Colonel still seemed quite lively.
Colonel Henrik Fahrenheit.
He was one of the magicians who had helped me during my military days. We served in the same unit during the Far East War and shared many battlefields together. Of course, his skills as a magician were exceptional, and he would likely rank just below the seven great magicians.
It was nostalgic to remember how much I had relied on Colonel Fahrenheit. It had been quite a long time since then.
This was the first time I had met him since my retirement—three years ago.
I had hoped to run into someone I knew, but I was genuinely delighted to encounter Colonel Fahrenheit.
“How is it, Ray? Are you enjoying life at the academy?”
“Yes. I’ve made good friends and am living a satisfying life.”
“I see… The little Ray has grown into a student.”
“I’m very grateful for all your help back then.”
I bowed my head.
Then the Colonel smiled, looking at me with a fond expression.
“Well, I also owe a lot to you, Ray. But how’s the magic domain runaway? Is it getting better?”
“It’s improved slightly, but it still seems like it will take some time. Compared to before, my abilities are starting to return as well. However, in my case, there’s also that issue besides the magic domain runaway.”
“Ah, the vow… That can’t be helped. But… that’s good to hear. I was quite worried about you. And there’s also Lydia.”
“…Thank you for your concern. My mentor is doing well too. Recently, she seems to have been fighting with Carol often and getting scolded by Abby…”
“Hahaha! Those three haven’t changed at all!”
After some light small talk, the Colonel mentioned he had other greetings to attend to, and we parted ways.
I began to notice the gazes around me. Why was a mere student like me conversing with a military officer… especially Colonel Fahrenheit, who had gained fame for his achievements in the Far East War?
It seemed the Colonel understood this as well, and he exchanged a few final words with me.
“Ray, I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Me too. Well then, excuse me.”
“Ah, take care.”
After bowing at that moment, the colonel lightly raised his right hand and moved to another location.
──That person hasn’t changed at all.
As I was immersed in nostalgia, I heard a familiar female voice from behind.
“Ray! What are you doing here!?”
It was Amelia, in her familiar uniform. Today, it seemed she had her hair up, tying her long hair back low. It was the first time I had seen her with her hair up, giving her a different impression, but it suited her well.
Her face was painted with surprise, but she approached me with a somewhat happy expression.
“Amelia, that hairstyle really suits you.”
“Ah, thank you… but more importantly, why are you here!?”
“Well, this year I was told to show up. I came here with my mentor, just in case.”
“Oh, I see… Ray is…”
She didn’t say it out loud, but it was clear she was thinking, “because you’re an Ice Sword.”
I understood that was what she meant, but with so many people around, someone might overhear. Considering that, Amelia chose not to say it.
“Do you come here every year?”
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s really a hassle every year, but this year… it’s kind of… happy, or fun, I guess…”
“Why is that?”
“Well, it’s because I got to see you… maybe?”
She looked up at me with her crimson eyes, as if trying to gauge my reaction.
I see. It’s true that I rarely get to meet friends here. She must feel the same way as I do.
“I see. I’m also happy to meet friends here.”
“…Hah.”
Amelia let out an obvious sigh. Seeing her like that, I couldn’t understand why she was sighing. Could it be that something unpleasant was waiting for her afterward?
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing at all!”
I understood she had become sullen, but I didn’t know the reason. Even with someone as close as Amelia, there were things I couldn’t figure out. As I was thinking that, another friend approached us.
“Ray! What are you doing here!?”
“Ariane. It’s been a while.”
Ariane Orglen.
She also approached us, looking surprised.
Like Amelia, Ariane had her hair up today. It seemed she had braided her hair and tied it to the sides, and it suited her well too.
“Yeah. But, um… you’re from a common background, right? I mean, this might be rude to say, but why are you here? And just now, you were chatting happily with Colonel Henrik Fahrenheit…?”
“Ah, well… I have various connections.”
“Connections?”
“Ah, yeah… Someone who acts as my guardian is a former soldier, so that’s how it is…”
“I see… A former soldier, huh…”
I felt very uncomfortable under Ariane’s piercing gaze. It seemed she was completely suspicious of me.
I could tell her that I was an Ice Sword, but given the circumstances…
For the sake of my future school life, I wanted to keep my identity as an Ice Sword as unknown as possible, so I had to somehow dodge the question.
“With the matter of Albert, and Amelia, and that outstanding cross-dressing skill… what exactly are you, Ray? You’re not really just an ordinary person, are you?”
“No, I swear I’m from a common background. I’m not from a family of magicians. I’m more like a mutation.”
“I see. But I still feel like there’s something more to it…”
As I was being overwhelmed by Ariane’s probing, Amelia came to my rescue.
“Ariane, it’s not good to pry too much into someone’s past.”
“Amelia… You’re right. Ray, I apologize. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
After that, the three of us talked about trivial things.
Especially since it had been a long time since Amelia and Ariane had talked so warmly, they were getting quite excited. During that time, they shared embarrassing stories from their past, which I found genuinely heartwarming.
I thought the party would continue smoothly like this, but…
“Ray? Could it be… Ray!?”
A young woman’s voice echoed throughout the venue.
She was clearly calling my name. And I recognized that voice. No, it wasn’t just me; she was undoubtedly a well-known figure in this kingdom, and anyone among the nobles present here would surely recognize her.
“Ray! It really is you! You finally came to see me! Right?”
“…No, actually, I came here today for some business.”
“? Are you perhaps accompanying Lydia?”
“Rather, it’s the other way around; my master is accompanying me.”
“? Oh! Is it about that matter over there? Got it!”
“Yes. As expected of the intelligent Princess Olivia.”
“Hehe! You could praise me a little more, you know, Ray?”
“Princess Olivia is indeed intelligent.”
“Hehe, right?”
She leaned against my back and hugged me. Amelia and Ariane were watching us with stunned expressions.
But it was no surprise. As I mentioned, this person is royalty from the Arnold Kingdom.
She is Princess Olivia Arnold, the second princess.
How is it that I have a connection with royalty?
To put it simply, we met during the incident when Princess Olivia was kidnapped in the past.
Although it wasn’t made public, it was a huge commotion behind the scenes. At that time, I was recuperating at my master’s cousin’s house, and through various circumstances, I played a part in resolving that incident.
Since then, Princess Olivia has been quite attached to me, or rather… how should I put it?
In fact, I had known for quite a while that she had been sending me invitations to come to the royal castle. However, due to scheduling conflicts and various inconveniences, I had been postponing it until now.
“Hehe~. I’m so happy to see you again!”
Finally, she completely hugged me and started touching my body playfully. Given her royal status, I couldn’t act rudely, so I had no choice but to accept it as it was.
Princess Olivia, while she may act a bit childish, is actually just one year younger than us.
Her glossy silver hair, which cascades down to her chest, beautifully reflected the light from the chandelier.
Moreover, her dress, primarily in shades of blue, suited her very well.
Above all, Princess Olivia is characterized by her perfectly symmetrical face. It’s a fact that most humans have some form of asymmetry, but Princess Olivia’s face is entirely symmetrical.
Her wide-open eyes, her straight nose, and her slightly plump, glossy lips—all of them are perfectly balanced.
Royalty undoubtedly possesses overwhelming beauty, but among them, Princess Olivia was undoubtedly exceptional.
“Alright! Ray should live with us from today! Okay? Together with me! Of course, we’ll share a room!”
“I believe I already declined that before…”
“No way! I want to be with Ray!”
Princess Olivia began to throw a tantrum. She kept hitting my back playfully, but I could only accept it. It was always challenging to deal with Princess Olivia.
As I pondered what to do, Amelia timidly asked, “Um, could it be that you and Princess Olivia know each other?”
“Oh! It’s Amelia and Ariane! I didn’t notice you there!”
“Ah, haha…”
“And about that question…”
──I thought to myself, this is bad… but it was already too late.
An outrageous statement flew out of Princess Olivia’s mouth in this setting.
“Ray and I have sworn to each other about our future!”[TN: Ray is collecting girls like Trading Cards]
“Eh? Eeeeeeeeeeeeh!?”
Ah… here we go again, I thought, feeling exasperated as the party continued.
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