Ti passed, and the day of the Sealing Ceremony finally arrived.
From early morning, the academy was brimming with energy. Cadets darted about excitedly, the streets inside the academy walls coming alive with chatter and color.
’Are those rchants?’
Peeking out through my dormitory window, I spotted vendors wheeling carts packed with goods through the school gate. Most of them had the determined look of warriors entering a battlefield, faces taut with anticipation.
’Well, it’s not easy to get a permit to enter Reynald on festival day.’
Even though today allowed outsiders to enter, the academy didn’t just throw open its gates to anyone. Every rchant was vetted with background checks, item inspections, and paperwork before receiving clearance to set up shop.
’Still, with the kind of money they can make, it’s worth the hassle.’
Rumor had it that just one vendor stall could bring in thousands of gold on a day like today. It made sense. The festival transford normally sane cadets into impulsive spenders.
’One chicken skewer for 10 gold... Ridiculous.’
In Republic currency, that’d be 10,000 won. Back in my previous life, I wouldn’t have dared to splurge on festival food. I was too broke, clinging to a tight budget thanks to my governnt scholarship.
But this life was different.
This ti around, I had a very generous "friend."
A grin crept onto my face as I looked at the thick wallet tucked in my pocket—filled with the gold I’d "borrowed" from Juliet the night before.
’It’d be a waste to spend my own money... but soone else’s?’That was just smart economics.
"I’ll need plenty if I’m going to buy food for the kids too."
Satisfied, I stepped out and made my way toward the eting point.
"Ah, Dale, you’re here?"Iris waved as soon as I arrived. Camilla stood beside her with a stony face, arms folded.
"Sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?"
I had arrived fifteen minutes early, thinking I was ahead of schedule. Apparently not.
"Oh no, I just got here," Iris replied with a warm smile. The graceful tilt of her head and gentle gesture felt more refined than any noblewoman’s mannerisms.
’Hard to believe she grew up in the sa orphanage I did.’
She carried herself with grace and dignity—but the illusion didn’t last long.
Camilla let out a long sigh beside her.
"Just got here? You’ve been waiting for over twenty minutes."
"Wh-why would you say that?!" Iris shot back, flustered.
"Because it’s true. You woke up at dawn, spent an hour choosing what to wear, another thirty minutes on your hair, and then wasted even more ti rehearsing your entrance pose. And now you pretend you just got here?"
"I—Kyaaa! C-Camilla!!"
Iris, red-faced, leapt forward to cover Camilla’s mouth. The taller girl looked smug.
Seeing Iris flailing, practically steaming with embarrassnt, I couldn’t help but laugh.
’So she really thought through everything... even her greeting?’
It was touching in a way. I never saw this side of her in my past life—nervous, trying hard, human.
"I don’t mind the way you are now," I said, almost without thinking.
She blinked at , startled. "...Why are you laughing?"
"Ahem. No reason."
"Ugh... Anyway! Since Dale’s here, let’s get moving!"
"We’re going straight to the kids?"
"Not yet—we need to find them gifts first."
"Gifts, huh. Any ideas?"
"Not really. I figured we’d look around the stalls and pick what feels right."
"Fair enough."
The three of us began weaving through the growing crowd, the market-like rows of stalls buzzing with noise. Strears fluttered above, and colorful signs advertised everything from grilled beast at to magical trinkets.
"It’s really crowded," Iris said, squeezing between two chatting cadets.
"Please don’t get separated, Saint."
Camilla gently reached out and took Iris’s hand. Her tone was firm, but there was concern in her eyes.
Iris glanced down at their joined hands and chuckled."Do I look like a child?"
"There’s no such thing as being too cautious, especially with your identity."
Camilla’s gaze briefly flicked toward with an unmistakable ’you’d better agree or else’ expression.
I nodded solemnly. "There are a lot of outsiders today. Better to be safe."
"Ugh... Why do you always take her side, Dale?"
"What choice do I have?"
Camilla simply smirked as Iris let out an exaggerated sigh.
We passed stalls selling glittering accessories, charm-engraved bracelets, enchanted scarves, and even strange souvenirs from remote provinces. But one stall in particular caught Iris’s eye.
"How about this, Dale?"
She pointed at a rack lined with colorful animal-ear headbands—cats, dogs, rabbits, even foxes.
"Hehe, wouldn’t the kids look adorable in these?"
I imagined the orphans at the Holy Nation chapel sprinting around with fuzzy ears on their heads, laughing joyfully. The image brought an involuntary smile to my face.
"Not bad at all."
Iris giggled. "This one would look great on Camilla too. Want to try it?"
She held up a pair of sparkly cat ears.
"M-? No way!" Camilla flinched, visibly recoiling.
"Co on, if we’re giving these to the kids, we need to check the quality."Iris advanced, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"B-but—!"
"What’s wrong? Planning to disobey the Saint herself?"
Camilla looked to in desperation.
I shrugged with a grin. "I think it’d suit you."
"You traitor! It’s easy for you to say that!"
Before she could protest further, Iris swiftly placed the headband atop Camilla’s navy-blue hair.
"...I swear I’ll get you both for this."
Still, even as she muttered curses, Camilla didn’t remove the ears. Her ponytail swished in frustration, looking suspiciously like a tail.
"Doesn’t she look perfect, Dale?!"
"Yeah, surprisingly cute."
"Lady Saint..." Camilla growled. "Your turn."
"Eh?"
"You didn’t think I’d wear this alone, right?" She picked up a pair of long bunny ears and lood nacingly toward Iris.
"W-wait! B-bunnies are a bit..."
"Too late for excuses!"
Despite her protests, Iris was quickly crowned with the bunny ears. Her cheeks turned red as she turned toward .
"S-so... how do I look, Dale?"
"How do you look?"
I raised my Hero Watch and snapped a picture.
"H-hey! Why are you taking photos?!"
"How could I not capture this?"
"I said delete it, you jerk!"
"Tampering with soone’s Hero Watch without permission is illegal, you know."
"Dale!! Delete it right now!!"
Eventually, it was unanimously decided that the kids would receive animal-ear headbands as their gift. The chaos died down, though Camilla continued to mutter about revenge, and Iris occasionally reached to snatch my Hero Watch.
"Sigh. I haven’t even done much, and I’m already exhausted," Iris groaned.
"Isn’t it about ti the kids arrived?"
"Let check."
She tapped her Hero Watch and contacted Priest Antonio. After a short exchange, she turned to Camilla.
"They’ll be here in about an hour. Camilla, could you go et them at the gate?"
"But then, what about you, Lady Saint...?"
"I’ll be fine with Dale here."
Camilla hesitated, then nodded. "Understood."
Once she was gone, Iris turned to with a sly smile.
"She’s a bit too reliable sotis."
I raised a brow. "Didn’t you say they’ll arrive in an hour?"
"Exactly. That ans we’ve got ti to enjoy the festival."
’So that’s why she sent Camilla ahead.’
I chuckled. "You’re pretty crafty."
"Thank you. Now then—hand, please."
"Hand?"
"You heard Camilla earlier, right?" She gently took my hand in hers and smiled.
"You can never be too safe."
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