(Heartfelt thanks to '0164a', 'Yunqi Qinggu', 'Sui Feng Qi Wu', and 'Tian X Xin' for their rewards!)
"It's Magnus..."
"Magnus is here..."
"Is he going to class with his Automaton again?..."
"Magnus seems to have been attending classes rather actively lately..."
"Before, he would only head to the lecture hall after we were already in class. You could hardly ever catch sight of him..."
"Now, you can see him on the main street almost every day..."
"It should be because of the Night Party, right?..."
"That makes sense. The Night Party will be starting soon. Even the Academy's number one would be a little nervous around this time, wouldn't he?..."
"I suppose so..."
On both sides of the main street, the students fully embraced their role as spectators. They watched Magnus pass with reverent eyes while whispering among themselves.
Whether he had not heard them or had heard them and simply pretended otherwise, Magnus remained expressionless. Not even the eyes exposed beyond his mask showed the slightest ripple. He had likely long since grown accustomed to being the center of attention.
With two girl-shaped Automatons in tow, Magnus walked slowly toward one of the Academy's lecture halls beneath the gazes of everyone present.
However, before long, Magnus's steps paused for an instant.
For no other reason.
It was simply because, in a situation where everyone else kept their distance, someone was walking along the main street directly toward Magnus...
It was a black-haired, red-eyed young man wearing a calm expression. As he chatted and laughed, he approached with five beautiful girls of varying sizes, figures, and temperaments, each of them seeming as though she had stepped out of a painting.
The young man wore black clothes, black trousers, and a black coat. He was not even wearing the Academy uniform,