On the night of the festival, fireworks are set to go off on all days except day three.
Day one features a spring theme, day two is summer, day four is autumn, and day five has a winter theme.
I heard that the reason there’s no fireworks on day three is due to the student entrance ceremony schedule. Honestly, I think the bigger reason is that it’s about four seasons instead of the full deal.
Anyway, thanks to this, even as the night begins to darken, there’s excitement written all over everyone’s faces.
Some are spreading blankets on the grass, others sit on benches with their groups. There are even folks waiting for the fireworks on balconies or terraces attached to their accommodations.
…I’ll leave the details inside the accommodations out of the trash can for now. It seems like the information inside gets filtered somehow.
“What’s wrong? Something stuck in your hair?”
As I was vigorously shaking my head, Baek Ahrin next to me tilted her head in confusion.
[No, I’m fine.]
“Then why are you acting like that? Your hair is all messy.”
With a small chuckle, Baek Ahrin reached out. Her slender fingers gently tidied up my slightly tousled hair.
I accepted her touch and grabbed some wrapped snacks being offered by a student vendor.
Once everyone wrapped up their personal tasks and regrouped, we strolled around finding a good spot for the fireworks while also packing some food.
Initially, we were supposed to be wandering around checking out different festivities, so it wasn’t too much of a bother.
Since there were street events targeting passersby, it seemed that Seo-yul and the fairies clustered around my body were all quite satisfied.
“Yes, ten sets of takoyaki, please.”
[…? Yes, thanks.]
For some reason, the expression of the student handing over the food looked crumpled as if they chewed something sour, but both Baek Ahrin and I were not overly worried as our perception filters were still active.
“Ha-yul, ah~”
“Muhm, nyam…”
While I was inspecting the food, Yeon-hwa approached with some snacks wrapped from another stall.
Upon seeing Baek Ahrin playing with my hair, she narrowed her eyes and trotted over, popping a rice cake into my mouth.
As I bit down on the somewhat chewy rice cake now in my mouth, a nice, stretchy texture filled my mouth.
“How is it? Tasty enough?”
Seeing my puffed cheek, Yeon-hwa asked while trying to hide her anticipation.
I didn’t know in the past, but I learned there’s usually a preset response in such situations.
I chewed the rice cake and nodded.
“Um… crunch… phew… yes, it’s delicious.”
“Phew, I’m glad. So you like this kind of rice cake too.”
After swallowing the rice cake and nodding, a delighted Yeon-hwa handed me another piece.
Ever since she found out I preferred rice cakes for their texture, she’s been bringing them to me more often like this.
It seems this trend would continue throughout the festival. The fairies and I had already devoured four different types of rice cakes with gusto.
“I’ll get some other snacks quickly, wait for me… You understand what happens if you act up, right?”
“Are you seriously not even caring about filters anymore?”
After giving me a peck on my cheek, Yeon-hwa glared at Baek Ahrin as she turned away.
“Hey… what exactly did I do?”
Baek Ahrin shrugged her shoulders, looking at the back of Yeon-hwa, and then tapped my lips, still mumbling rice cake.
“Don’t you feel thirsty, Ha-yul?”
– Nod, nod.
“Geez, Yeon-hwa just keeps giving you rice cakes without any drink.”
I was indeed feeling quite thirsty.
“Come on, this way.”
[?]
As I attempted to swallow the rice cake and reach for my water bottle, she grabbed my wrist and led me somewhere. I tilted my head as I followed.
We headed towards a nearby alley. It was a dark space since it was Shio-ram but not unsanitary.
Baek Ahrin quickly entered the alley, briefly scanned the surroundings, and then gently placed her finger in my mouth.
Having gotten used to that gesture, I smiled and returned the gesture with my own finger.
A cool stream of water filled my mouth, refreshing my parched throat like a soothing massage.
‘No problem here.’
After quenching my thirst, I emerged from the alley and observed the wrapped foods in my hands.
I’ve never been to a festival, but I have come across stories and reviews about them.
I’d heard mixed reviews about eateries or stalls, which made me a bit anxious, but luckily, everything was just fine.
It’s understandable since the Shio-ram has strict regulations and screening for those allowed in.
If problems cropped up after making it this far? All the trust built to even enter Shio-ram would go down the drain.
The stalls opened by the students are also monitored by the professors, so if anything abnormal pops up, they’ll be hit with a regulatory hammer right away.
‘Professor Liana is likely sweating over that.’
Even now, I can observe spirits wandering about in various directions. Most of them are subordinate spirits of Professor Liana, seemingly checking for issues.
‘Hmm…’
I gurgled for a moment. The thought of Professor Liana didn’t ease my mind.
When I tried to observe where Professor Liana was located, I could picture her alone in the laboratory working on tasks.
However, unlike earlier, she didn’t seem busy at all now. Well, it was close to the end of day one.
Although the festival continues into the dawn, they’ll likely pass the baton to someone else around that time.
‘Hmm…’
[So, I came to watch the display with you.]
“Thanks for thinking of me even during the festival.”
Hearing my explanation, Professor Liana smiled brightly at me. She looked at me as if I were a remarkable child and gently ruffled my hair.
“I’m really glad you came, but there’s still something left to do… it’s a bit awkward to leave the person in charge unattended.”
[So, I came to the place where you were, Professor Liana.]
“Hmm, my heart is quite happy. But this place has a closed ceiling, and the windows aren’t large, so isn’t it a bit uncomfortable to play around?”
Professor Liana spoke in a comforting tone, as if trying to soothe a child. It seems she’s worried about having fun here.
Indeed, the ceiling is closed, and there are plenty of windows, but none are big enough to take in the whole sky.
Plus, since Professor Liana’s laboratory is located where buildings are dense, the view is likely quite restricted by other buildings.
[That can be fixed.]
“Uh?”
But I confidently puffed out my chest. Professor Liana tilted her head in curiosity at my meaning.
I spread a proud smile while placing the wrapped food on a nearby table and fetched a purification item from my spatial pocket.
– Whoooom…!
[Uweeee… ]
[Shaking]
[Tickling]
As I grasped the staff and pulled it out, the tip of the purification item began to tremble and sent peculiar vibrations into my hand.
It felt just like a stimulating massage.
The shaking of the purification item felt akin to it throwing a tantrum. Thinking it might be in distress, I gently pet the tip; the vibrations slowly subsided.
– Whoooom…
After a moment, the vibrations ceased as if satisfied. I can’t help but show an absurd expression.
“……”
Clearing my throat to brush off the strange stares approaching from around, I nudged the end of the purification item against the wall.
‘Activation.’
Swoosh! The book wedged in my mind popped open, and the magic manifested. A fairly complex spell unrolled as if printed on a photocopier.
The walls vanished.
“Oh.”
Professor Liana, who had been observing my actions, gaped with her mouth open in surprise.
She blinked at the wall that had disappeared from her sight, then quietly scanned her surroundings.
Probably the walls all around, as well as the upper part of the ceiling, had vanished from view.
“This is…”
Of course, I didn’t blow up the walls or ceiling. The wide-eyed Professor Liana stepped closer, reaching out and running into something.
It was the wall that had just disappeared.
“Did you see through it?”
[Yes, plus I secured a reasonable space to play with spatial expansion.]
I smiled brightly and tapped the floor with the purification item. This area was the newly extended space, structured in the center of the laboratory for tossing about and letting loose.
We could mess around here, and then, poof, everything would disappear when it’s time to clean up.
“…How? There are probably heaps of spells applied to this building…”
Professor Liana caressed the wall, showing her awe. Indeed, there were protective spells layered on top of the everyday magic sprinkled all over.
Plus, considering people residing in the building, even if I could see through the walls, they would still show up.
[I didn’t mess with those spells. I slotted right between them.]
But that’s the advantage I have—I can modify everything without disturbing anything. Since people are untouched, they’re just included within my range.
I slung the purification item over my shoulder, showing off a bit.
“Really amazing… Since you returned from outside, you’ve really, incredibly grown…?”
“Exactly. Ha-yul has so many talents that it’s hard to keep track of them.”
“That’s right. You truly are multi-talented, a jack-of-all-trades~”
[…Anyways, I think we can enjoy ourselves here. If a guest arrives outside, I’ll let you know first.]
However, instead of feeling pride from the enthusiastic praise, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. Though I had sought validation, this much felt excessive.
I stole a glance at the purification item draped over my shoulder and lowered it slightly.
[I’ve heard you didn’t get to enjoy yourself much during your student days… Ah, of course, it must have been nice celebrating with spirits, but um… doesn’t it feel even better if you enjoy it with others?]
– Cough, cough.
Clearing my throat, I lightly tapped the floor with my toes.
[And, um… I also wanted to enjoy it with you, Professor.]
“…Ahaha, that makes my heart feel very warm.”
Professor Liana, who had been gently touching the wall, exhibited an expression of complex emotions.
It was hard to interpret, but seeing her pleased with my gesture made me feel a sense of pride.
“Indeed, during my student days, I tended to be a bit introverted, so I ended up just playing or training with the spirits for the duration of the birth festival.”
With a firm tap of her fingers against the wall, Professor Liana approached and gently hugged me tightly.
“Thank you for thinking of me.”
Buried in her embrace, the warmth enveloped my whole body. The softness of her body felt heavenly.
– Sniff, sniff…
“Ahaha, that tickles.”
Yet, curiously, I felt slightly dissatisfied.
No fragrances wafted around despite being tightly embraced. Liana was giggling and twisting her waist, and I pouted my lips in annoyance.
In such a sizeable bosom, she should be radiating a sweet smell, yet I couldn’t catch any.
Standing on my tiptoes, I poked my face out from the plush valley, only to have her hair tickle my face.
Slithering down, the long hair fell around me like a curtain.
As I tentatively opened my eyes, all I saw was a gloomy mist.
Feeling disgruntled.
I found it unsatisfactory. With this position, I should have a clear view of her face. Surely her pretty eyes should be visible, and the fragrant smell of her hair should waft through.
– Pffft…
[Complaining]
“Hmm? Complaining…? Little one, what’s bothering you?”
As Professor Liana blinked her eyes in surprise, she gently stroked my cheek with concern.
I could feel her touch against my cheek. Not all my senses were blocked, but that made my dissatisfaction heighten even more.
Moreover, I roughly had an idea on how to lift this limitation, driving my impulses stronger.
Shouldn’t there be a reason to hold back?
‘It belongs to me in any case…’
With a mindset akin to a petulant child, feeling possessive like a kid unwilling to share their toys.
Honestly, I didn’t care. I thought it was a bad thought, but even accounting for that, I didn’t want to let it go.
Rather than being a good child and letting go, I wanted to remain a naughty child and take it all for myself.
I believed affection was never too much, no matter how much you receive.
– Bang bang bang!
The sound of fireworks erupted near my ear. The explosion of fireworks burst into the sky.
I heard it was a spring-themed fireworks display, so there would likely be plenty of vibrant green.
Although the sky was open above, I couldn’t see it. Instead, I felt the flow of magic, and information was surfacing in my mind.
It was somewhat disappointing, but… I no longer desperately wished to see it now.
Rather, I longed to see a different shade of green.
The atmosphere felt just right. The fireworks were just starting to ignite. It fairly suited the romantic vibe I often envisioned.
With little hesitation, I found my desires deepening.
Before Professor Liana could raise her head at the sound of the firework, I pressed my body closer, standing on tiptoe.
– Pecks…
Feeling a moist touch graze my lips just barely.
A brief encounter, then it pulled apart. At that moment, something inside me felt liberated, and my body tingled with static.
I slowly opened my fluttering eyes, and the hazy mist dissipated, revealing round green eyes right in front of me.
Flowing like curtains, black hair framed the surroundings.
The sweet aroma tinged my nose, intertwined with the rich scent that drove me to salivation.
It was utterly satisfying.
“Hehe.”
[Satisfaction]
[Happiness]
Enthralled by the atmosphere, I finally allowed myself to smile broadly.
*
[Player Adjustment System: Affection Level]
Lee Ha-yul → Liana Velus
●●●●●●●●○○(80/100)
“Like” “Milk?” “Gratitude” “Kind Adult” “Soft” “Full”
▼ Dramatic Change ▼
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡♡(80▷87/100)
“Affection” “Milk?” “Possessiveness” “Gratitude” “Kind Adult” “Soft” “Full”
…
[Conditions to weaken the “Curse of Silence” have been partially met.]
[“Curse of Silence” weakens conditionally (Liana Velus)]
[Conditions to weaken the “Curse of Loneliness” have been partially met.]
[“Curse of Loneliness” weakens conditionally (Liana Velus)]
…
[Player Adjustment System: Exploration Level]
[Sub-quest “Birth Festival: Day 1” achieved.]
[Sub-quest “Main Character of the Opening Ceremony” achieved.]
[Sub-quest “Center of Attention” achieved.]
[Sub-quest “Follower Foundation” achieved.]
[Sub-quest “Stall Expedition” achieved.]
[Points accumulate.]
…
[Sub-quest “Liana Velus” achieved.]
[Sub-quest “Triple Weakening” achieved.]
[Massive points accumulated.]
…
[The Master of the Tower of Harmony sighs.]
“Oh wow, finally I can take a break.”
[The Master of the Tower of Growth activates the ability “Growth.”]
[Massive points are used.]
[The Master of the Tower of Harmony opens their mouth.]
“Oh.”
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