"Phew... That's everything I needed to do at the Exchange Meeting finally finished. Now I can relax at last."
Greg walked out of the Final Defense conference room and let out a long breath, feeling considerably more relaxed.
Since the Final Defense did not produce scores or rankings, students were free to leave and do whatever they wanted once their presentations were over.
No agonizing wait for the results, no nerves over the rankings being announced. For Greg, who had just survived an "intense battle of wits," it was nothing short of a blessing.
Nightmare reminded him, "Remember our agreement."
Greg replied, "I remember, I remember. But this needs careful planning. We can't rush it, so stop pestering me."
Greg slowly made his way down the corridor.
Today was the last day of the Exchange Meeting. Early tomorrow morning, all the participating students would officially set out for their respective academies.
In other words, he was completely free from now until their departure tomorrow.
Though I keep feeling like I've forgotten something... I'll soon be back playing in the cozy Academy Dungeon, so it probably doesn't matter, right?
Greg scratched his head as he thought, but his feet never stopped moving.
Only when he reached a corner in the Magic Tower's corridor and happened to glimpse the view through a window did he remember that today was the Empire's festival day.
He had been busy with all sorts of things lately, leaving him no time to properly experience the city's local customs and culture.
But now that everything was finished, the tension in his heart suddenly eased, and a longing to explore the world outside welled up in its place.
"Since there's nothing else I need to do right now, I might as well go for a stroll."
Muttering to