There was still one day to go before the Hundred-Academy Exchange Meeting officially began.
Most students took the opportunity to explore the imperial capital and experience the local culture of the Empire's heart.
With nothing in particular to do at the moment, Greg naturally joined them. Relaxing before a big battle was important, after all.
At that moment, he was wandering aimlessly down the street with his two roommates.
The streets of the imperial capital were bustling.
Stalls of every description lined both sides of the road, selling snacks, magical accessories, and strange alchemical products. Vendors' calls mingled with the sound of customers haggling.
The aroma of freshly baked bread, the fragrance of flowers and greenery, and the clamor of the crowds filled the air, painting a vivid picture of everyday city life.
"Whoa, check this out!"
Rom suddenly stopped at a stall and picked up an oddly shaped little gadget. It was a mechanical bird the size of a palm. Once wound up, it would flutter its wings and chirp realistically whenever someone came close.
He grinned.
"If we brought this back to the Academy, we could definitely fool the professors. Put it on the windowsill as a lookout! It could sound the alarm if anyone approached at night. Much cheaper than those expensive magical alarms."
Greg bought one, though not to use as an alarm. He planned to tease Hachimi with it later and see whether she found it interesting.
After all, she had been stuck in his shadow lately, and she probably got a little bored sometimes.
Colwin, meanwhile, was drawn to a secondhand bookstall.
He crouched down and leafed through a yellowed travelogue, saying gently:
"This book records some ancient legends from the elven seas... It mentions stories about deep-sea leviathans and lost islands. I'd only