School Anniversary Day (3)

On another stage, the atmosphere was completely different.

The stage was lavishly decorated with dazzling lights. The background featured flowing, magical light and shadow effects that simulated water ripples.

Furina stood in the center of the stage.

She wore a gorgeous gown, a top hat, and held a scepter-like cane. The spotlight shone on her, making her sparkle.

She opened her arms wide, her expression one of ecstasy, her voice amplified by magic, carrying clearly and dramatically throughout the surroundings:

"Welcome! Welcome everyone! To my stage—the stage of the superstar Furina!"

She twirled, her skirt billowing in the air.

"On this memorable day of our school's anniversary, I will be with the equally beautiful and charming Miss Nilou— "

She extended her hand in an inviting gesture.

On the other side of the stage, Nilou walked slowly onto the stage. She was elegant, with a gentle smile on her face. She nodded to Furina and then bowed slightly to the audience.

"--To everyone, I present a 'Waltz by the Water'!"

The music begins. It's melodious classical music, carrying elegance and romance.

Furina and Nilou stood facing each other, bowed simultaneously, and then shook hands.

The dance begins.

Furina's dance is gorgeous and performative; every glance and every spin seems to tell a story. She rises on her tiptoes, the brim of her hat tracing a smooth arc, her cane twirling lightly in her hand, sometimes guiding the melody like a conductor's baton, sometimes outlining lines like an extended limb. She is like the absolute protagonist on stage, leading the rhythm of the entire performance with exaggerated yet graceful body language and rich expressions.

Nilou's dance was more restrained and graceful, flowing like water, or like a lotus quietly Bloom under the moonlight. Beside Furina's dazzling brilliance, she quietly Bloom her own tranquil glow. Her movements were not large, but every detail was precise and accurate. Her waist swayed gently, her arms stretched out, and her bare feet tapped out a light rhythm on the stage, as if she were truly dancing on the water. Her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall as she spun, then fell back smoothly.

One dazzling, the other serene.

They intertwine to form a delightful duet.

With a graceful gesture, Furina led Nilou to the front of the stage. The two exchanged a brief glance; Furina's eyes held undisguised, dramatic admiration, while Nilou responded with a serene smile. Their dance steps, surprisingly harmonious, intertwined.

The audience below the stage watched intently, many nodding gently to the rhythm of the music. This pairing of contrasting styles created a wonderful chemical reaction— Furina's dramatic tension and Nilou's calm elegance complemented each other, making the dance both visually striking and profoundly charming.

Two comfortable armchairs were placed in the VIP seating area on the side of the stage.

Nahida and Faruzan sat there.

Nahida's small body sank into the soft chair, her fair little feet swinging, her hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders. She watched the dance on stage quietly, her expression peaceful and appreciative. In her hands, she held a cup of still-steaming flower tea, occasionally taking a small sip.

"What a beautiful dance."

She said softly.

Faruzan sat next to her, her gaze also fixed on the stage.

"Um."

She responded with a sound of agreement, paused, and then added, her tone carrying her usual "senior" air:

"Although the structure of this form is somewhat contrived and lacks the natural charm of ancient dance... it is still quite remarkable by the standards of this era."

Nahida turned to look at her and blinked.

"Hmm? Senior Faruzan, have you seen many dances?"

"Certainly."

Faruzan puffed out her chest, her tone carrying a hint of self-righteousness.

"I've lived for hundreds of years, what haven't I seen? This kind of duet was common in the court banquets of Unified Dynasties, although the music back then was mostly played on the sitar, and the dancers' costumes were much more elaborate."

As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Nilou's graceful spin on the stage. "This girl's fundamentals are solid; her lower body is very stable, and her breath control is excellent. It seems she's put in a lot of hard work. The blue-haired one next to her... well, he's a bit too eager to perform, and his mannerisms are slightly exaggerated, but his stage presence is indeed quite impressive."

Nahida smiled, "To receive such high praise from Senior Faruzan, it seems that Ms. Furina and Miss Nilou's performances were truly outstanding."

"Hmph, it's passable, barely acceptable." Faruzan up her teacup, took a sip, but her gaze never left the stage.

On one side of the main road, a long queue had formed in front of a huge stall.

The banner hanging at the stall read, "Golden Mirage Grand Hotel - Special Offer for School Anniversary".

Escoffier stood behind the cooking counter in the center of the stall. Her long golden hair was neatly tied up, and she wore a crisp white chef's hat and an immaculate apron. Her expression was serious, and her eyes were sharp as an eagle's as she scrutinized each dish that was about to be served. Her hands moved so fast that they were just blurs; the sharp chef's knife turned into a silver flash in her hands, and the fish slices fell evenly into the bowl with the light of the knife, as thin as cicada wings.

Beside her, Xiangling was as busy as a whirlwind. Her blue, looped braids swirled with her movements, as if she had three heads and six arms, simultaneously overseeing several huge pots of boiling red oil. The large ladle in her hand moved with the precision of her fingers, accurately blending the spicy and savory flavors of each pot.

"Chef Xiangling! Twenty more servings of Golden Maze Boiled Fish!" a student kitchen helper shouted as he ran over.

"What!? Twenty portions?!" Xiangling's eyes widened, and then she immediately let out a "whoosh," as if an invisible flame of fighting spirit had ignited within her.

"Come on, come on, come on! Let my culinary soul Burning completely!"

With a sudden flick of his wrist, a spoonful of scalding hot oil was poured into the pot.

She took a deep breath, focusing her energy, and called out her signature command to the largest soup pot in a clear voice, "Guoba, breathe fire!"

"Boom--!"

Flames shot skyward, illuminating her face, which was filled with excitement and focus. Her movements were fluid and graceful; adding ingredients, seasoning, and drizzling oil were all done in one go. Bowls of sizzling hot oil and irresistibly fragrant boiled fish were served one after another as if by magic. The intense, fresh, spicy aroma almost materialized, spreading out and drawing the attention of the people in line.

Noelle moved among the stalls and the students in line. She was dressed in a neat maid outfit and wore her signature rose headdress. She stood tall and walked with a steady gait. In her hands, she carried a huge tray with four or five bowls of bright red, oily boiled fish, not a drop of broth spilled.

She moved with light steps and steady movements, her face bearing an overly serious expression, precisely delivering the dishes to each table of guests.

"Enjoy your Golden Labyrinth Boiled Fish!"

"This is extra spicy, please be careful as it's hot!"

Your meal is ready. If you need anything else, please let me know; I can handle it all.

Her voice was clear and crisp, and her service was impeccable. Even in such a busy and noisy environment, her manners were impeccable.

In a corner of the stall, Varesa occupied a small table all to herself, becoming the undisputed "focus of attention" for the entire diners.

There were already seven or eight empty, oversized bowls, each about the size of a small basin, on the table.

She held a brand-new bowl, larger than her face, that had just been served. The bowl was filled with shimmering red oil, and the snow-white fish slices and bright red chilies complemented each other beautifully. Her white horn-shaped ornament jiggled merrily as she buried her head in her food.

"Mmm... This is so spicy and flavorful! The fish is so tender! It's so delicious I want to swallow my tongue!"

She mumbled her praises, her cheeks puffed out, sweat beading on her nose as she ate, her eyes squinting happily. After swallowing a large mouthful of fish coated in broth, she let out a long, satisfied sigh, white steam rising from her mouth.

After taking another big bite, she looked up at the bowl, which still had a little more than half left, and then at the bustling scene at the stall where Xiangling and Escoffier were working hard, like a battlefield command post.

She licked her lips, still wanting more.

Then, she raised her hand and shouted in a clear, loud voice that even drowned out the surrounding noise:

"Master Escoffier! Master Xiangling!"

"Here! Add thirty more!"

A low chuckle and murmur rippled through the queue. Many people cast admiring yet curious glances at them.

Escoffier didn't even look up, but the frequency of her knife cuts seemed to increase slightly, and the corners of her mouth tightened almost imperceptibly.

Xiangling, on the other hand, was even more motivated, her eyes shining brightly.

"Wow! What an impressive order! This is the greatest recognition for a chef! No problem! Watch me conjure up the ultimate masterpiece to match this hearty appetite!"

The flames leaped higher again, and the sounds of clattering pots and pans, sizzling ingredients hitting the pan, and Xiangling's energetic shouts blended into a vibrant kitchen symphony.

The other corner of the square was relatively quieter.

Zhongli sat at an elegant tea table, holding a white porcelain teacup, slowly sipping his tea, his posture as leisurely as a hermit in the mountains.

Venti sat opposite him, holding an antique-looking harp, casually plucking the strings and producing a few scattered but melodious notes.

"Grandpa, aren't you going to join the fun?" Venti asked with a smile, her fingers gliding across the strings, producing a series of light and melodious notes, like a mountain stream.

Zhongli put down his teacup, his gaze calmly sweeping over the noisy stage and the crowded stalls in the distance, his expression unchanged.

"Too noisy," he said casually, refilling his cup with tea. "But what about you? Aren't you going to join the fun? The aroma of wine is quite strong over there."

Venti blinked, a sly smile on her face, her emerald eyes sparkling.

"I'm just keeping you company with tea, sir, and... gathering some creative inspiration." He paused, his fingers lightly tracing a melody on the strings, a melody both melancholic and hopeful. "Besides, the wind here tells me there's an even more interesting performance to come. A certain poet's unpaid drinking debt is probably going to be publicly demanded."

"Oh?" Zhongli nodded slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. "As expected. Did you perhaps take an advance on your performance fee again to buy 'Death After Noon'?"

"Heh heh, caught again." Venti stuck out her tongue, showing no remorse, but rather a hint of smugness. "But today's the school anniversary, it's okay to indulge a little, right? I composed a new piece, I'll play it for you later. By the way, Grandpa," he leaned closer, a sweet smile spreading across his face, "Did you bring any money? My gold coins... seem to have disappeared again along with the wine."

Zhongli picked up her teacup again, blew away the floating leaves, took a sip, and said calmly, "It's alright. Just send the bill to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

Under the shade of trees at the edge of the square, March 7th was holding a strangely shaped camera, adjusting the angle towards the stage while muttering something to himself.

"Wow! The lighting! The composition! And Ms. Furina's dazzling turn! Perfect!" she muttered to herself as she took photos, her pink hair swaying playfully as she searched for the perfect angle.

Kafka stood beside her, her elegant black trench coat accentuating her tall and slender figure. She held a glass of red wine, swirling it gently, her gaze lazily sweeping over the crowd.

"Little March, if you've had enough filming, how about we try the boiled fish over there?" she asked with a smile, her voice gentle. "Himeko seems to have already tried it, and her review was 'amazing explosive power, definitely worth a try.'"

On March 7th, he turned around, his eyes lit up, and he almost dropped his camera.

"Boiled fish! You mean that one that smells amazing and looks super red? I want to go, I want to go!" She put away her camera, grabbed Kafka's wrist, and ran towards the stall.

"Slow down, Little March." Kafka's voice carried its usual reassuring elegance and composure as she let her hold on. "The fish won't get away."

"But if we go late, we'll have to wait in a really long line!" March 7th said without turning back, quickening her pace. "I just saw Dan Heng! He's actually in line! If even he's in line, it must be incredibly delicious! Let's hurry and find him!"

On top of a clock tower.

Ren sat with his arms crossed, leaning against the cold stone railing, his eyes half-closed, a sliver of crimson light peeking out from between them as he gazed at the swarming crowd below. The wind howled, ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead.

Silver Wolf sat on the railing next to him, his legs dangling in the air, holding a handheld game console that flashed blue light, intently playing a game, his fingers leaving afterimages on the buttons.

"Hey," she said without looking up, seemingly still chewing bubble gum.

"It seems quite lively down there, shouldn't we go down and take a look? Kafka has already gone down. Maybe there's a hidden quest or an Easter egg."

Blade opened his eyes, his scarlet pupils glancing at her before slowly closing them again.

"Boring," he uttered, as if saying another word would be a waste. "Noisy."

Silver Wolf pursed his lips, blew a bubble, and popped it with a soft "pop".

"Tch, boring." Her fingers tapped rapidly on the handheld console, the screen's light and shadow shifting quickly across her expressionless face. "There are arcade challenge booths downstairs; I heard the top prize is a limited edition game cartridge. Why bother coming here to mess around?" She muttered under her breath, then frowned as if she'd suddenly encountered a difficult level in a game. "Ugh, why is this boss's attack pattern so weird... Is it a bug? It definitely is. I'll fix it..."

"Huh, what... 'Account banned'...!?"

Beside the fountain in the center of the square.

Sushang and Guinaifen were preparing for their performance, and a group of students had already gathered around to watch the spectacle.

"Come on! Take a look! No magic aids whatsoever! Pure traditional skill—breaking a boulder on one's chest!" Guinaifen greeted the passing students and teachers with her unique and infectious voice.

A long bench and thick bluestone slabs had been set up in front of her. Sushang was lying on the bench, looking relaxed. She even smiled at the crowd that had gathered around her and gave them a thumbs up.

Qingque, resting her chin on her hand, sat on a small stool to the side, watching the crowds come and go. She yawned widely, and a tear welled up in the corner of her eye.

"So sleepy... Guinaifen, when are we closing up shop? I want to go back and play a couple of rounds of Celestial Jade..."

"Wait a little longer! The show's just getting started!" Guinaifen turned to look at her, her round eyes gleaming with anticipation for the "tips." "Perform a few more of your special skills! Surely someone who knows their stuff will give you a tip! Look, the audience is growing!"

Indeed, their juggling stall, relying solely on physical strength, was quite novel in an academy primarily focused on magic, attracting many curious students to stop and watch, forming layers upon layers, with cheers frequently erupting from within.

The rooftop terrace of the college building further away.

Fu Xuan and Yaoguang stood side by side, overlooking the entire square. The wind was strong at this height, causing their clothes to flutter.

Fu Xuan held an exquisite compass in her hand, looking down at the ever-flowing patterns of light on it that contained the profound principles of heaven and earth. Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were calculating something.

"The flow of fortune is favorable, and today is peaceful. Although there are minor disturbances, they will not affect the overall situation, and the day will be filled with laughter and joy," she said softly, her tone carrying her usual certainty.

Yaoguang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the bustling scene below, a mysterious, all-knowing smile on his face.

"Hmph... My divination also holds true. It seems the 'Mysterious Hand' will definitely appear today! Right there in the most bustling place, let's see who will emerge victorious."

A quiet alleyway at the edge of the square.

Jingliu held a long sword in her arms, the sword still sheathed, yet it exuded a chilling aura. She stood against the wall, her face expressionless, like a delicate ice sculpture.

Baiheng jogged out of the alley, holding two strings of crystal-clear candied hawthorns coated with shiny sugar, and handed one to her.

"Jingliu! Come quick! Try this! I waited in line for ages to get it, it's so sweet!"

Jingliu looked down at the bunch of hawthorns in his hand, coated with a glistening sugar shell, and silently bit off the very top one. The sugar shell cracked between his teeth with a crisp, light sound.

"Um."

She responded and chewed slowly.

Baiheng also took a bite of his own, squinting his eyes contentedly like a fox basking in the sun.

"Ah~ the school anniversary is great. There's a stall over there selling Royal Capital snacks, they taste so authentic, I bought a lot, I'll share them with Jing Yuan and the others later. That kid will definitely love them."

Jingliu took another bite of hawthorn, chewed it carefully, and swallowed it before calmly saying, "Jing Yuan is probably being pestered by Yanqing for pocket money to buy that glowing 'sword' sugar painting from that stall. He always spoils that kid."

Baiheng chuckled, "Haha! You really think that's possible! That kid loves anything shiny and imposing. And also, Yingxing turned into a 'blade' again to play with..."

As long as he's happy.

Behind the stage, a temporary preparation area.

Robin and Sunday stood side by side, watching Furina and Nilou's dance on stage through the gap in the curtain. The light was dim, and they could vaguely hear the music and applause coming from the front of the stage.

"Although the performance was acceptable, the real grand finale today," Sunday said softly, her voice gentle yet firm, "Was ultimately your singing."

The Robin smiled faintly, offering no reply, but instinctively raising its fingertips to gently trace the edge of the feather ornament pinned to its collar. In the dim light, the feather shimmered with a subtle, ethereal glow.

"Brother, aren't you going to sing a song?" The Robin suddenly turned, smiling at Sunday with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I remember when you were little, at the family dinner party, you won everyone's applause. Your voice was like an angel's."

"That's all from a long time ago," he said calmly. "Now, I prefer to be a quiet listener, especially during my sister's performances."

"Alright." The Robin didn't insist. Her gaze returned to the gap in the curtain, her red lips parted slightly, and she softly hummed a melody—a small section of the song she would be performing later, ethereal and melodious, as if carrying the vibration of wings.

"Well then, please look forward to it, brother."

Stall area, pet corner.

Topaz was squatting in front of a stall selling small pets, her eyes sparkling, as she reached out a finger to gently tease the fluffy, chirping finches in their cage. She reached out and carefully touched the finches' little heads, her face showing unreserved affection.

"Oh my, so cute... fluffy and warm... how can a finches be so adorable..." she whispered, almost bringing her face close to the cage.

Aventurine stood beside her, holding a rather heavy-looking money bag, engaging in "friendly" negotiations with the stall owner. He wore an invincible smile and spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Boss, look, could you be a little more flexible with the price? My girlfriend really loves this little guy, and we're absolutely serious about buying him." He gestured towards Topaz with his chin, his tone earnest. "Besides, don't we look like thrifty, good students? How about a friendly 20% discount, plus some free feed? Let's be friends, and we'll be regulars!"

The stall owner—wearing thick glasses and with a serious expression as if he were delivering an academic presentation —Naxia adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the light, his face expressionless. "No bargaining. Prices are fixed. Feed is extra. Don't bother if you're not buying."

On the benches along the main road for people to rest.

Himeko held a cup of steaming coffee, gently blowing on it to cool it, and inhaling its rich aroma. Welt Young sat beside her, holding a detailed guide to the school anniversary activities, carefully reading it through his glasses.

"The program is very diverse, covering a wide range of topics from traditional arts to novel performances," Welt summarized, adjusting his glasses.

"Hmm." Himeko took a sip of her coffee, her gaze sweeping over the bustling, joyful crowd, a faint smile playing on her lips. "It reminds me of the school festivals of the past. Though the scale and format are different, this youthful energy is quite similar." She paused, then looked at Welt. "Should we go find Hoshi and March 7th? Those two kids are probably having a blast."

"Let them play by themselves." Welt smiled and closed the guidebook. "A rare moment of leisure. Besides," he glanced at the pink-haired girl craning her neck to look at the boiled fish stall in the distance, "They seem to have found their own fun."