NOVEL NEXT WORLD Sky Island Academy.
The garden of knowledge and the cradle of martial arts.
Originally started as a training center for officers to explore the Demon Realm, it has now been restructured into a comprehensive talent training center due to successful exploration.
Although it’s a successful transformation, the emphasis on martial arts still looms larger, which is a slight flaw.
The perception hasn’t changed much either, making it difficult to receive external research support and investment. Military fields easily get support, but the rest suffer from prejudice.
But perhaps this festival can rejuvenate the atmosphere?
Not as much as the young lord’s expectations, though.
The upperclassman thought so, but the Marquis was actually absorbed in some fascinating gadget.
“What happens if I flip this switch?”
The loudspeaker clicked.
“Oh, oh.”
Pastel spoke into the loudspeaker. The voice echoed back.
“Oh wow, it really amplifies!”
“Be careful, if you make a sharp sound, the insides might tear. It’s fragile if dropped.”
“Got it, senior!”
Pastel replied cheerfully and turned to face the stage.
Seats were neatly arranged in front of the spacious stage area.
Beyond the seats, colorful student booths lined up endlessly on either side.
A wizard undergraduate sat at their booth, laying out fortune cards to check fortunes.
Wow, fortune cards.
After the schedules, I’ll check my fortune too.
New arrivals peeked curiously between booths.
Woohoo!
“School festivals are the best!”
To convey a sense of shared excitement, Pastel playfully tapped the Demon Sword.
『…I told you, the dragon’s reactions will be disappointing. Only you and the creator seem to be enjoying it.』
The Demon Lord sounded gloomy.
How can you not appreciate the shine of the luminous dragon?
That’s why you wear a suit on a good day, right?
Time passed.
The seats were completely filled. With no space, more people began to stand and wait. Undergraduates gathered briefly at their booths to catch the festival opening.
Countless eyes focused on the stage.
Wow, so many people.
Pastel’s mouth curled into a smile.
This will be fun.
Since I’ve already stirred things up, I might as well enjoy myself to the fullest.
The schedule began.
Pastel leaned into the loudspeaker.
“Ladies and gentlemen who have traveled far across the sea and sky! And our proud students of this academy! Today, we gather here to open a new festival!”
She pointed to herself.
“I am Pastel Love Craft, the main host for this precious occasion! Nice to meet you!”
Pastel bowed her head.
Applause and cheers erupted.
She waved and winked at the particularly enthusiastic freshmen before leaning back into the loudspeaker.
“What more can I say! Let’s dive right in as you all expect!”
Taking a deep breath, she shouted with all her might.
“Now commence the Academy Festival for the first time and continued future events right here!”
She lifted the loudspeaker.
“Let’s get started!”
And unable to contain herself, Pastel jumped up.
“Yay~!”
Her pink hair danced in the air.
Pink magical effects burst behind her.
The festival has begun!
#
Pastel became engulfed in frenzy on stage.
“Dragon!”
Kraaarrrr.
“Luminous Dragon!”
Sparkling lights.
“Eye Beam!”
Beam of light~.
Ziiing.
“Wow! This is what I wanted!”
While the host’s energy was sent soaring to the heavens, the audience remained relatively mellow.
Freshmen were blushing yet astonished.
Upperclassmen were having fun thinking, “They’re really doing that.”
And most importantly, the upper-level related persons had politely smiling faces.
Well, host expressions.
After finishing the stage schedule, Pastel got a glimpse of the low scores for the Luminous Dragon.
Huh?
Huh-huh?
Why is the support amount like this?
The upper-level personnel turned a blind eye to the Luminous Dragon.
Gasp.
She clutched her heart.
My Luminous Dragon has been abandoned.
Is there no beauty in this cruel world?
She slumped to the floor, sobbing.
The world is a death game…
No one recognizes a Luminous Dragon…
Ahhh, the harsh reality.
The Demon Sword, now resembling a Demon, approached Pastel, crouching down to pat the girl’s back.
『But you still tried. It’s your first time too.』
“Demon Lord.”
How can someone be so kind?
Pastel gazed wistfully at the Demon.
“Can I call you Angel?”
It seems fitting.
The Demon’s face slightly stiffened.
“Don’t do that.”
Oh, so firm.
Well, with a suit, black hair, and red eyes, you are a Demon through and through.
Pastel sighed heavily.
“Now, the festival’s achievements have drifted from student council’s control. The magic department needs to produce results to warrant signatures. Moreover, it must be convincing enough for Professor Carlo to agree.”
The Demon patted her back.
『It’s okay to fail. Opportunities will come if you look for them.』
“That’s true.”
Noddle noddle.
A commotion could be heard from outside the break room.
Huh?
Pastel stepped out of the break room.
The source of the commotion was apparent.
A beam of light surged into the deep blue sky. It exploded, scattering dazzling small light rays.
Oh, fireworks.
I didn’t plan for this?
Another beam of light shot up.
It exploded and split into dozens of beams, each curving gracefully and painting a giant picture in the air.
Pastel’s mouth fell open.
“Gasp!”
The multicolored dragon pattern shone in the sky.
“Dr-Dragon!”
Someone was continuing the legacy of the failed Luminous Dragon.
The Dragon Cartel has gathered!
She grabbed an upperclassman watching the fireworks.
“Who did that?!”
“Huh? The magic department.”
Gasp, moving.
So it was Craft’s place as I said? Giving such help?
They didn’t sign, but they’re warm-hearted after all?
Indeed, the world is beautiful.
Yahoo!
“Thanks for letting me know!”
She dashed to where the magic department booths were clustered.
She found herself facing an enormous crowd. The upper-level personnel were substantially present too. Their expressions were bright and the mood was lively.
Wow wow.
This could work out.
Another beam shot up, bursting apart and writing countless letters in the sky.
It introduced the magic department and provided guidance. The path leading to the magic department booths was sketched in small illustrations.
Wow, audacious department promotion.
Our magic department is in the spotlight.
Fueled by the student body’s selection, they intended to crush the engineering department’s main stage position.
Who on Earth is doing this incredible work? It seems like a personal booth when I visited the magic department.
She pushed through the crowd, hurrying along. She spotted a familiar blonde girl.
“…Hahoni. Rays of sunlight piercing through the clouds, arrive at the winding curves. 5th stage, 32 strokes, Sunlight Flash!”
Melissa swung her staff.
Light sparkled. Beams shot up again. They split and moved about, writing letters.
Safety guidelines for the festival filled the sky.
Gasp, safety guidelines.
Melissa beamed with pride as she presented her results.
The upper-level personnel began to take action.
“That’s some new magic, nearly reaching completion. License sales could commence immediately.”
“Wasn’t the echo sixteen twinkles? Already at 32 strokes?”
“When can the safety verification be finished? Is it doable before the founding anniversary? Is there a shortage of funds? How much do you need?”
“Hmph, no discerning eyes here. This is military-use. Is it a secret that was being researched at Camarot? We’ll handle the sales. How much will it cost?”
The upper-level personnel apprehended the upperclassmen who were assisting Melissa.
Oh, it’s possible!
As planned, the personal booth succeeded.
Yay!
Pastel giggled as she looked at Melissa.
Way to go, Melissa.
Working hard for the student council friends.
Even if you dodged me by showing your back every time we met, I always knew you were my friend.
After demonstrating, Melissa headed to the back of the booth for a break. Pastel rushed to follow her.
“Melissa!”
Melissa turned around, startled.
She quickly stepped back, eyeing Pastel warily.
“The Craft of Dark Conspiracy. You’re behind the scenes manipulating our senior’s heart. I cannot let my guard down.”
Huh? Is that how it is?
Me, cunning?
“But I won’t fall for it.”
Melissa pointed to herself.
“Since I had to help out this time for the senior’s request, I’m dismantling your bad nature. Next time, it won’t work.”
Her expression was resolute.
Gasp.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
What is she talking about?
Our friend has a quirky side.
Someone like me wouldn’t understand her fourth-dimensional self.
After pondering briefly, she decided to give up trying to understand.
I’ll just ignore it.
She smiled brightly.
“Anyway, you did great! You’re definitely my friend!”
Wow, friend!
She opened her arms and rushed towards Melissa.
Melissa gasped and dodged.
The arms she intended to hug flailed in the air.
Wow, air hug.
“See, I won’t fall for it.”
Her disheveled wizard’s robe was quickly arranged, as Melissa looked triumphantly.
But then she froze, looking down at Pastel’s shadow and her own shoes standing on it.
“Ahh.”
Melissa’s eyes trembled.
“I-I’ve been caught…!”
Her voice sounded disheartened.
#
After meeting with Melissa, Pastel met the much more amenable magic department representative and instantly got a signature.
Yay!
“Completed! Completed! Completed!”
Pastel spun around with the student council support document hugged to her chest. The festival scenes whirled about her.
So good, so good.
Looking back while holding the document tightly.
“Demon Lord! Let’s enjoy our festival now! Festival! Let’s enjoy it together!”
The Demon in a suit sighed, trailing behind her.
『If rumors spread, I’ll be the only one embarrassed. Right, what is there to enjoy?』
“Well, that’s up to the day, woohoo!”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled as she spotted the constellation booth.
“Look at that! Constellations, oh right! I was going to check those fortune cards! Let’s head to the fortune card booth instead! Was it this way?”
Pastel tugged at the Demon’s arm and sprinted off, her pink hair flowing behind her.
“Let’s run, run!”
『Haa.』
Booths zipped by on either side.
Then Pastel came across a beverage booth and skidded to a halt.
Oh?
She pointed at a wine barrel at the booth. It had an orange pattern etched on it.
Orange juice?
“Wow! Wow! It’s a drink! Let’s drink it together! We can do that while walking!”
『Calm down a bit.』
Quickly.
“Two cups, please!”
“Oh, a freshman.”
The upperclassman chuckled and handed over two wooden cups. The orange liquid sloshed inside.
Oh, the scent of orange.
I can feel the craft’s artistry.
In a rush, she took out the pepper shaker. Time to sprinkle some gem powder on it.
Just then, the Demon snatched Pastel’s cup.
The Demon gulped down the drink in one go.
Huh?
Pastel looked between the empty spot where her cup had been and the Demon.
Huh-huh?!
The Demon placed the empty cup down calmly.
That’s mine…!
Aaaaah.
The Demon opened its mouth nonchalantly.
『It’s liquor.』
“What? What did you say?”
『Liquor.』
Gasp.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
She glanced at the upperclassman. The upperclassman just smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Gasp.
『Is there no drink available?』
“Sure!”
The upperclassman received some orange juice from a small canister left in the corner. They handed the wooden cup to Pastel.
“Drink this.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Pastel sprinkled some gem powder and cautiously eyed the wooden cup.
Then, she carefully leaned in and stuck her tongue out toward the liquid.
Lick lick.
Slurp slurp.
It tasted like orange.
It really is orange juice.
Pastel felt somewhat unjust.
I wanted the juice, yes, but…
Glancing at the drink the Demon had. And then back to her own cup.
Sigh.
Pastel hesitated for a moment before fixing a confident stare at the Demon.
“Demon Lord!”
『Why.』
A peculiar gaze was returned.
Pastel winked.
“Just one sip!”
Hehe.
Nothing serious.
The Demon glared sternly.
『No.』
Aaaah.
Change your mind, Demon Lord.
You’re a Demon after all.
She sent pleading eyes.
『No.』
Huh, so firm.
Not a crack in that armor.
Pastel pouted and drank her juice.
Though the juice was tasty, it was still…
Feeling hurt, she turned to the upperclassman, ignoring the Demon.
“Senior, can I carry this cup around?”
“I can have you drink it nearby, but you have to return the cup.”
Then I can sip while I stroll around a bit.
She turned her head towards the neighboring booths. One person caught her eye.
Oh, Professor Carlo!
The professor was observing the festival with an unusual expression. His gaze fixated on the laughing and chatting students. Their laughter filled the air.
Hmm.
“Please give me another juice.”
Pastel received another drink and walked towards the professor.
The professor turned to look.
She quietly handed over the support document and the drink.
Professor Carlo took the document and paused, looking at the cup with a strange expression.
Slowly, he accepted it. The cup reached his lips, and he gulped it down.
It smelled like orange.
Pastel smiled.
“Isn’t it delicious?”
The professor drank the beverage without answering at first.
Then he returned the cup to her.
“Yeah.”
The professor turned away.
“Don’t expect additional funding.”
His footsteps faded into the distance.
Pastel watched his back.
“He’s quite a stiff person, isn’t he?”
The Demon approached her.
『That’s how they become as they age.』
“Wow, suddenly wise words from an adult.”
Wow wow.
Pastel burst out laughing.
And then she grabbed the Demon’s arm and shook it.
“Demon Lord! Demon Lord! How old are you?!”
『Haa, why again? You can’t keep up with the flow of the conversation.』
“Just! Just tell me quickly!”
The innocent question and laughter echoed.
The sounds mixed with the festival ambiance.
And reached the ears of two onlookers in robes.
Their gazes turned toward the pink-haired girl.
“Your daughter is quite lively.”
A dry voice replied.
“Not interested.”
“Of course.”
The questioner shrugged.
“…How did the infiltration go?”
“Everyone succeeded. It will be easy to infiltrate the academy in the future.”
The questioner stroked their chin.
“It’s interesting that it’s so smooth. It seems the demon race agent inside the academy is aiming to disrupt the overall structure.”
“Let it be. We’ll proceed as planned.”
“Understood.”
The festival came to an end.
Peacefully.