Oran Knight is out (1/3 chapters for today)
School Festival (1): Opening, Chairman’s Greeting
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At last, the first day of the school festival had arrived. That said, on the first day, before welcoming the citizens, there would be a ceremony as dignitaries arrive.
“It’s basically just to cater to the bigwigs. We had that in my country too.” (Heinz)
Heinz, a nobleman from the Principality of Remnos, said bluntly.
The ceremony would not be held in the auditorium, but rather in a special venue set up in the practical skills area.
All the students from every grade would gather to listen to the long-winded, yet gracious, speech from the important guests. Holding back yawns, everyone would thank them, and only after enduring that trial would the festival begin. So, here we were, heading toward the practical skills area in a crowd.
On the way, various stalls were already lined up along the main street, waiting for their owners to return, adding to the festival atmosphere. In addition to stalls, there were also cultural exhibits like ours, using classrooms in the new building. In addition, for the children who come to watch, the instructors have set up some small play equipment on the training grounds. Everything was well-prepared.
As we entered the practical skills area, we saw students gathered in the southern part of the wilderness area, waiting for the opening ceremony to begin. From where we stood, we could see guest seats set up on a hill to the south, a bit higher than the wilderness area. We joined the other students, straightened our fingers by our sides, and stood in formation.
Despite a few dropouts, more than 250 cadets stood in perfect rows without a single break in formation. From the outside, it must’ve been quite a spectacular sight, though I couldn’t see it from where I stood. With dignitaries about to arrive, no one dared to chat unnecessarily. Everyone stood silently, staring straight ahead, waiting for the moment to come.
After a while, the instructors arrived along with soldiers who appeared to be guards for the dignitaries, and the atmosphere grew tense. Then, three people appeared who were not in military attire. One was the academy’s Vice-Chairman. I’d seen him during the speech before the summer vacation break. Another was a young man, slightly short but with an intelligent look on his face, seemingly in his mid-20s. The last person to appear and slowly take a seat was a kindly old woman who was the owner of the Mansion of Seven Mysteries, Rinkert-san.
The Vice- Chairman stood up first and began his greeting.
“I am pleased that we were able to reach this day safely again this year. As you all know, currently on the northern front, your senior students are conducting large-scale military exercises. Though today is a festival, do not forget to be grateful for their daily efforts–…” (Vice- Chairman)
The Vice- Chairman was saying something, but I wasn’t paying attention.
I desperately wanted to talk with everyone from Catrap, but there was no way I could in this situation. The tense time dragged on. Just when the Vice- Chairman’s long, unmemorable speech was finally coming to an end, the identity of the young man became clear, even before Rinkert-san spoke.
“Today, Follet-sama, the younger brother of the Princess, has graciously come to observe your growth! Everyone, salute!” (Vice- Chairman)
I hastily snapped into a salute. Follet-sama slowly stood up and smiled slightly.
“You don’t need to be so formal. You can relax the salute.” (Follet)
He said.
“I look forward to this school festival every year. It’s great to see such lively energy this time as well. Don’t worry too much about me and enjoy the festival.” (Follet)
He added with a simple greeting before casually returning to his seat. He may be the Princess’s brother, but he seemed surprisingly approachable.
Then, the Vice- Chairman turned to Rinkert-san.
“Do you have anything to say as the Chairman?” (Vice- Chairman)
Chairman? Rinkert-san is the Chairman?
“The Vice-Chairman has said what needs to be said, so I have nothing to add. Just, please enjoy yourselves and make sure no one gets hurt.” (Rinkert)
Rinkert-san replied in her usual gentle manner.
After that, the instructors explained various rules for the festival, and we were dismissed.
The main rule was that entry into the research area was prohibited. To prevent the public from entering the research buildings, including the Military Building, they would be closed off and patrolled by soldiers during the festival. An exception was the old school building, where only academy staff would be allowed to enter and exit to move equipment.
Most of the stalls were concentrated on the southern and western main streets, so the public rarely approached the northern and eastern parts. Still, the main streets to the north and east would be closed off as an extra precaution.
As soon as we were dismissed, we gathered and whispered to each other.
” Rinkert-san is…” (??)
“Yeah, I was surprised.” (Lux)
While talking in hushed tones, we headed toward the library in the new school building, where the school newspaper was being exhibited. We figured we’d have to visit Rinkert-san’s mansion later to get the full story. It was truly surprising. Just in case, I quietly asked Heinz.
“Did you know?” (Heinz)
“Of course not! I was just as shocked,” he replied. (Heinz)
Setting aside the matter of Rinkert-san for now, the school festival had officially begun.
Time to change gears!
As we passed in front of the south gate on our way to the new school building, many people were already waiting for the festival to start.
“I hope people read the newspaper.” (Hana)
In response to Hana, Ratt-kun confidently replied.
“They will.” (Ratt)
Hearing the sound of the south gate opening, we hurried to the library.
—
The library staff had shifts, but everyone was curious about whether people would actually come, so we all spent the morning inside. The exhibition was held near the entrance of the library in a booked reading space.
At first, a few students whose articles were featured came to exchange their tickets, and Heinz and Lev quickly handed them out. Soon after, citizens started trickling in, picking up our newspapers and glancing through issues from 10 years ago. Older people in particular read the articles carefully, saying things like, “Oh, that brings back memories. That’s what happened”.
We were watching this from the back and secretly high-fived each other to share our joy. There were quite a few people there in the morning, but by lunchtime the crowds had thinned out. Everyone was probably there to enjoy their lunch at the stalls.
“We’ll go buy lunch!” (Ratt)
As always, the most eager Ratt-kun, along with Lite and a reluctant Frank, who was being dragged along by Lite, volunteered to fetch food for us.
We entrusted the lunch menu to the three and, in the now surprisingly empty library, relaxed a bit when our homeroom teacher, Fol-sensei, arrived.
“How’s it going?” (Fol)
“Thanks to you, we’ve had quite a few visitors.” (Heinz)
Heinz responded smoothly.
“I see. I noticed a lot of people outside carrying newspapers too.” (Fol)
Fol-sensei added.
“Are you here to check out the festival too, Mr. Fol?” (Lux)
I asked.
“No. Someone asked me to give this to you.” (Fol)
He said while handing me a folded letter.
“Um… What’s this?” (Lux)
“They said you’d understand when you saw it. That’s all I know. I haven’t read it.” (Fol)
After saying that, he handed the letter to me as if to force it on me, then said “I have things to do, so see you later” and left the library.
“What could it be?” (Lux)
I wondered aloud as I unfolded the letter. The neat handwriting, likely from a woman.
It simply read, “Tomorrow before the gates open, early morning, at the usual garden. —The Mansion’s Owner”.
“This is…!” (Sonia)
Sonia, who peeked at the letter, gasped and looked at me with wide eyes.
I nodded silently.
It was an invitation from Rinkert-san. There was no mistaking it. I looked over at Heinz, and he nodded deeply as well. Since it was before the gates opened, only the dorm members would be able to go.
I carefully put the letter away so we could discuss it over lunch.
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