The parade began in an abandoned garden between Jiuyou Academy and Alpha Castle.
The garden had originally been used for practical classes. Many years ago, word spread that it would be converted into the Hundred Herbs Garden, so practical classes were moved elsewhere. Later, whether the school realized the land's spiritual energy was insufficient or found a better location, the plan gradually faded away. The garden was ultimately abandoned, and only when the Student Union or Student Union Federation organized certain events would they borrow it as a gathering place for students.
While still some distance from the garden, the black cat heard the distant clamor and shouting—a stark contrast to the unusual silence that had settled over the academy tonight.
It gave him an inexplicable sense of pride.
The rustling beside him interrupted that brief, subtle feeling of pride.
"Are you going to keep following me?" The black cat turned to look at the Sin Eater, who was glancing around beside him, his tone somewhat hostile. "When I said we were going together, that didn't mean we had to stay together all night!"
The wizard in the White Mask raised a hand and flicked away a beetle that had landed on his shoulder.
"Is it possible," he said, looking sincerely at the black cat, "that we simply happen to be going the same way... There seems to be only one road to our destination."
The black cat twitched his ears, then let his gaze fall upon the wizard's robes and mask.
"You're not planning to change your outfit?" he continued, picking a pointless fight.
The Sin Eater gave him a long look.
"Faceless Demons are very common monsters. Every Halloween, there are always more than a dozen wizards dressed as Faceless Demons." He adjusted the smooth mask on his