TWRM 143

Chapter 143

D-15 until the Academic Festival

“Nothing missing, right?”
“We already checked twice. There shouldn’t be.”

Celina and Mie quickened their pace as they double-checked the densely written list of supplies on a memo pad.
They had stayed up late the night before discussing things with the club members and compiling a list of items to order from the merchant guild.
Since everyone else was busy, Celina and Mie had volunteered to place the order themselves.

“You wrote the quantity wrong here.”
“Oh—you’re right.”

At Mie’s comment, Celina corrected the number. Just as they were carefully checking again to make sure nothing was missing, a dark shadow fell behind them.

“Mie, it’s been a while.”

“Huh? Senior!”

The person who had approached them was none other than Berche—the eldest son of Devotio, and someone who had helped Mie greatly in the past.

Celina, who realized only belatedly that it was Berche, stood up from her seat.
He greeted Mie warmly, then noticed Celina and softened his gaze.

“Looks like you came with a friend?”
“Yes. We were ordering supplies to use at the academic festival.”
“Hmm… for the ‘Witch’s House,’ right?”

Berche narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Celina and the order sheet in her hand.
At that moment, their eyes met. His gentle hazel eyes seemed to glint strangely—but maybe it was just her imagination.

As Celina tilted her head, feeling something odd, Berche immediately smiled kindly.

“Which merchant guild are you ordering from?”
“We were ordering from your family’s guild, Senior. We’re planning to use it again this time.”

Before Celina could even react, Mie pulled the golden name token from Celina’s pocket.
Unlike Celina, who was flustered, Berche reacted calmly, as if he had expected it.

“Really? If you’re done with the order form, could you give it to me? I was helping out here anyway.”
“Ah, you said you help at the guild every Tuesday, right?”
“Yeah. It’s always better to have an extra pair of hands.”

Mie naturally handed him the completed order form along with the token.
As Berche said he would register it right away and stepped aside, Celina whispered to Mie.

“Is he… trustworthy?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I don’t know… I just get a weird feeling.”
“Weird? Berche-senior is really kind. I told you about him before.”
“Yeah…”

She knew he had helped Mie a lot when she was struggling, but for some reason, she felt uneasy.
It wasn’t that his nature was bad—more like he could see straight through her.

Should I use my insight for the first time in a while?

As Celina hesitated internally, Berche returned.

“I submitted the order. A lot of people have been placing orders lately, so delivery might be later than usual. Still, I put in a special word, so it should arrive on time.”
“Thank you so much, Senior! We’re always grateful to you.”
“It’s nothing. Oh, right—by chance, I saw the painting you sent to the atelier last time. It was impressive. It’s been a long time since something truly pleased my eyes.”
“Oh, Senior… you’re embarrassing me.”

While the two were talking, Celina cautiously activated her insight to see what Berche was hiding.
She almost stopped immediately upon seeing that he had feelings for Mie—but soon found what truly bothered her most.

Father will definitely think Celina is the madam when he sees the ‘Witch’s House’ at the festival.

Somehow, Berche was convinced that Celina was the Madam.
The realization shocked her, but fortunately, Devotio himself didn’t seem convinced.

Why are they so obsessed with the Madam’s identity?

Both Devotio and his son Berche—why were they trying so hard to uncover it?
Since it didn’t seem malicious, Celina withdrew her insight.

“Mie.”
“Yes?”
“Have you found a partner to go with to the masquerade ball?”

Cough, cough!

It wasn’t Mie but Celina who choked in surprise.
Both of them looked at her, and she forced an awkward smile.

“S-sorry… it went down the wrong way.”

Once their attention shifted back, Mie hesitated.

“I haven’t decided yet…”
Berche smiled gently, reassuring her.

“I’m not trying to pressure you. I was just wondering—if you don’t have anyone in mind, how about me?”
“…I’ll think about it.”
“Thanks. Could you give me an answer by a week before the festival?”
“Yes. I’ll let you know by then.”

Berche’s face brightened.
Celina pretended not to notice and carefully observed him.

Chris should be on high alert.

With his family background, decent looks, and obvious affection for Mie…
There was a real chance she could end up with Berche instead of Chris.

“Oh dear, I’ve kept you too long. I should be going. See you later.”
“Yes, Senior. See you again.”

After saying goodbye, Celina and Mie walked on. Watching Berche’s retreating figure, Celina nudged Mie.

“You’re pretty popular, you know?”
“Hey, stop teasing me.”
“That was obviously a date invitation. Chris really needs to watch out.”

Mie puffed out her cheeks, blushing.

“Hmph. That guy probably isn’t even interested in me.”
“But you like Chris.”
“…I don’t know. I’m always the one trying, and I’m tired of it. This time—absolutely—I won’t be the one to ask him to the ball!”

She clenched her fist in determination.
Celina watched Mie walking ahead, wondering whether she should tell Chris about this.

* * *

D-13 until the Academic Festival

“And with that, Group Three’s presentation concludes.”

Clap clap clap.

As Celina finished neatly, polite applause followed.
She raised her head and looked around. Felix nearby was practically sparkling with excitement, and even the usually stoic Baon had lifted the corners of his lips slightly.

Instinctively, Celina knew they had done well, and she clenched her fist beneath the podium.

“Excellent! Not only saints and saintesses, but even apostles—two similar yet fundamentally different existences. Thorough research and a clear presentation. Let’s give Group Three another round of applause!”

Felix jumped to his feet and spoke passionately, prompting another round of applause.
In the distance, Group Three members silently cheered with excited faces.

“Miss Celina, well done. You may return to your seat,” Baon said.

Celina walked back proudly, welcomed like a returning hero.

“As expected! Your presentation was so clean!”
“It was way more concise and easier to focus on than the script we gave you.”
“I polished it a bit—wasn’t awkward, right?”
“Awkward? No way! We’re clearly first place!”

Though it felt a bit excessive, she agreed that compared to the other groups, their performance stood out.
She relaxed and watched the remaining presentations.

After a long session, all ten groups finished.

“You’ve all worked hard, from midterms to group assignments. With the festival coming up, I know you’re busy, but your efforts were clear.”
“As mentioned earlier, this assignment will count toward your grades. Please check your report cards later.”
“That concludes today’s class. Good work, everyone.”

Relieved, the students began leaving the classroom.

“Guys, go on ahead.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I need to talk to Priest Baon. It might take a while.”
“Then I’ll wait—”
“You’re on duty this week. Go clean the board.”

“…Okay. We’ll go ahead.”

Though reluctant, Theodore squeezed her hand once before leaving with the others.
After confirming they were gone, Celina approached Baon with Luna.

“Priest Baon.”

Baon raised a hand, signaling her to wait, and finished his conversation with Felix first.
Once Felix left, Baon turned to her.

“Yes, Miss Celina?”
“I was hoping you could pass this along to Uncle.”

Baon accepted the letter.

“An invitation to the academic festival.”
“Yes. I really hope he’ll come…”

She smiled shyly, scratching her cheek. Baon chuckled softly.

“You can call him ‘Father’ in front of me.”
“…What?”
“I’ve heard it enough times. His Excellency boasts endlessly about how you call him that.”

She realized Baon had noticed she deliberately avoided saying “Father” in front of others.
She had been cautious, thinking Baon didn’t like her much—but lately…

He seems gentler these days.

“Also…”
Baon hesitated, then stopped himself.

No need to mention he was already invited.

As a cardinal, Primer was always invited anyway.

“It’s nothing.”
“Oh… okay?”

Seeing Celina tilt her head, Baon spoke again.

“By the way, Miss Celina… are you seeing someone?”

Her face stiffened instantly. Baon knew he was right.

“H-how did you—”
“I saw you holding Theodore’s hand earlier. I had a feeling something was going on.”
“…Yes. We’ve been together for a while. Are you… going to scold me?”

She braced herself, but—

“Why would I?”
Baon looked genuinely puzzled.

“Haha… right?”
“However, if Primer finds out…”

Both their expressions darkened. They could already imagine him interrogating them relentlessly.

“It would be best to keep it hidden as long as possible.”
“Yes… I think so too.”

Thinking of Primer, the two let out a deep sigh together.