Extra in a Romance Fantasy

19 – Festival (1)

“aaah! It’s over!”

“We’re free!”

Students exited the classroom, each shouting with a sense of liberation.

Under normal circumstances, this might have garnered significant attention, but the surroundings showed little concern for them.

The reason was simple. There were fewer of those who cared than one might think.

It was understandable, given that it was the moment of the final exam, marking the end of the first semester.

Considering the fervor during the exam period at the academy, it made even more sense.

“Phew, finally over.”

Jack stretched.

He was someone who wouldn’t fall short in making a fuss, but this time, his response was rather tepid.

The reason for this was also clear.

He hadn’t properly prepared for the exam.

He was also someone like me, not particularly concerned about grades, and I’d never seen him study, let alone preparing for exams.

It wasn’t any different during this exam period, and that’s why he was so indifferent.

“So, why do you look so down?”

Jack suddenly looked at me and asked.

“Exams are over, and the weather’s so nice.”

“…”

Though I couldn’t see my expression, it probably wasn’t a pleasant one.

He must have a face that doesn’t resemble a student liberated from exams.

Perhaps, it’s my longing for this moment not to come that’s revealed.

I genuinely felt regret that the exams were over.

During that time, I used exam preparation as an excuse to skip club activities.

Ultimately, I couldn’t avoid Estelle, but still, my mind was definitely more at ease than when I used to attend the club regularly.

But now, even that is all over.

With exams finished, the excuse to skip the club is gone, and I find myself in a position where I have to rejoin.

So, my expression can’t be good.

“Smile a bit, man. I’ll escape down the corridor if you keep that face.”

Jack clicked his tongue.

Since we couldn’t just stand there silently forever, we decided to head back to the dormitory for now.

As usual, we boarded the tram.

“Have you decided what you’re doing for the club festival?”

“We’ll probably do the same thing as last year.”

There were other people on the tram, and we naturally overheard their conversation.

“Come to think of it, the festival is coming up soon.”

Jack casually picked up on their topic.

“What about you guys?”

“We probably won’t do anything.”

Depending on the club, they might operate booths or shops during the festival.

However, in the case of the History Research Club, the nature itself is ambiguous, and since they don’t properly engage in club activities in the first place, the likelihood of doing something at the festival is quite low.

… Well, to be precise, it’s more accurate to say that I hope it’s low.

“So, what about you guys?”

“Don’t know. Don’t really care.”

For your information, the club Jack joined is the ‘Economics Research Club.’

It’s truly a club name that doesn’t suit Jack at all, but there was a reason for him to join.

Jack’s parents run a fairly large business, and it seems that Jack joined that club under the influence of his parents.

Economics Research Club.

Just by the name, it might give a similar impression to the History Research Club, but in reality, it’s completely different.

It’s just the name; the Economics Research Club is more like a social club for merchants.

I understood why Jack’s parents pushed him into that club, considering how important connections are for a merchant. However, Jack himself seemed uninterested in the club. Although he participated in the activities, it didn’t seem like he had any enthusiasm for it. Though I hadn’t heard it from Jack, I had a fairly good guess as to why. “He must not have any girls there.” If it were Jack, whether it suited his interests or not, he would have eagerly participated in club activities if there were lots of girls. He might have even aimed for the position of the next leader. “Anyway… a festival.” Festival. Even in this educational institution in this world, festivals exist, and the renowned Perdion Academy is no exception. You might think that the festival, led by the newly adult students, would be incredible, but that is an impulsive thought. Because this is Perdion Academy. The continent’s largest and best educational institution. It was evident that the festival they held here would be different in every aspect. Just by looking, the operational budget of the academy is beyond imagination, so the budget allocated for the festival would be no joke. Even if I didn’t know well, the budget for operating a festival in an ordinary city would not compare. In addition, considering the students’ level, the level of the booths being operated would probably not be ordinary either. So, simply from the perspective of enjoying it, there was a high probability that the academy’s festival would provide a splendid stage. I am not originally someone who greatly enjoys things like festivals, but I have become quite interested in this festival. I could say that I have a desire to see what the Perdion Academy festival feels like. In the original work, there is not a detailed description of the festival, but I only know the rough parts. So, I could enjoy the festival with a somewhat fresh feeling. “There won’t be any special events during the festival, right?” There aren’t any big events during the festival. Or rather, I don’t have any events that I need to pay attention to. In the original work’s festival, various things happen, but they mostly involve the protagonist Mary and the main characters, with their relationships deepening. So, I can enjoy the festival without any worries. “What are you going to do during the festival?” “Are you asking because you don’t know?” Jack smiled as if to say, “Why are you asking me that?”

“Woman.”

“…”

“The festival, right after the exams. Ugh… Doesn’t it just scream the wrong size?”

How can a person be so consistent?

I looked at Jack with a renewed gaze.

“If you do well, even a noble lady might cast a glance.”

Jack unfolded the wings of imagination, wearing a satisfied smile.

As if he had already accomplished his plans.

…Well, even if we set aside the probability of Jack’s ambition becoming a reality for now, generally speaking, this festival would certainly be an opportunity for those with goals like Jack’s.

If one were skilled enough, sharing a fiery love with a noble lady might not be impossible.

Of course, if we were to analyze it, it’s more due to the Academy’s uniqueness than the festival’s. The Academy can be seen as an environment partly isolated from the outside world, at least for the students.

While this environment might not create a significant difference for commoners, it’s a different story for the nobility.

Those raised in noble families, especially women, tend to grow up in a somewhat controlled environment. The most emphasized aspect of this control is, unsurprisingly, the interaction with the opposite s*x.

For noble young women, any indiscretion could lead to a major scandal.

Those who want to welcome someone with even a slight flaw into their household are not many.

Therefore, young noble women often find it difficult to establish contact with the opposite s*x.

Even as they reach an age where they might be interested in such matters.

However, this place, Ferdion Academy, is, as mentioned earlier, an isolated location from the outside world. Moreover, it is a place where the watchful eyes of parents and family regulations that always followed these young women disappear.

The chains that bound them loosen, and their surroundings are filled with peers of the opposite s*x.

It would be natural for their attention to turn towards them.

For this reason, there are rumors within the academy that noble young women engaging in relationships with the opposite s*x are more common than one might think.

The reason it’s still a rumor is that they carefully hide such facts. It wouldn’t be good if they were caught.

Well, anyway, not just for the reasons mentioned earlier, but fundamentally, romantic relationships at the Academy are lively.

And with the addition of a festival as a stage, it was as certain as seeing fire that the enthusiasm would become even more intense.

From that perspective, it’s quite possible that a significant number of couples might be born at this festival.

However, I had a vague conviction. I was certain that Jack wouldn’t be included in that.

Already, I could see Jack, complaining and sighing, not being a part of it.

…Well, that’s a matter to be seen when the time comes.

Anyway, it’s a story that has nothing to do with me.

Love, pranks, noble love affairs—it’s none of my concern.

I plan to enjoy the festival alone.

Jack will be busy searching for a woman, and Mary will be tormented by the advances of the male leads, so there’s no one I particularly want to hang out with.

Since I didn’t particularly mind going alone, I decided to quietly enjoy the festival with a comfortable heart.

***

The festival approaching right before my eyes.

The academy was filled with vitality and anticipation for the festival.

Of course, I was a bit removed from such excitement.

The History Research Society had confirmed that they wouldn’t have a separate booth for this festival.

Thinking I could comfortably enjoy the festival alone as planned, I felt relieved.

However…

“Wade, do you happen to have someone to walk around with during this festival?”

On a day when there were two people in the study room, Rachel asked me that.

The moment I heard that question, many thoughts crossed my mind.

It was difficult to predict her intentions behind asking such a question.

But no matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t seem like she had any particularly bad intentions, so I decided to answer honestly.

“…No, I don’t.”

“I see.”

Rachel nodded her head.

Then, looking at me with sharp eyes, she asked again.

“If you’re okay with it, would you like to walk around the festival together?”

“….”

It was an unexpected proposal.

I wasn’t completely unfamiliar with Rachel, and we were in the same club, but we weren’t particularly close.

We greeted each other when we met and sometimes had conversations in the club, but that was about it.

There was nothing more than that.

But suddenly, she made such a proposal.

It was surprising, but it didn’t feel unwelcome.

Looking back at the festival together isn’t anything special.

There’s no particular reason to accept, but there’s really no reason to refuse either.

Well then, it’s fine to accept.

She’s a character outside the original story.

Building a bit of friendship shouldn’t be a problem.

“Then, please do.”

“…!”

Rachel’s face brightened.

And soon, she wore a vibrant smile reminiscent of a rose.

It was the brightest expression I had seen recently.

Seeing her so happy, I didn’t feel too bad.

Anyway, that’s how I ended up spending the festival with Rachel.

It deviated from the original plan, but… well, spending the festival with her isn’t a bad thing.

Thus, I safely approached festival day…

“Uh, I… du, during the festival, do you perhaps… have any plans…?”

The next day, Ayla came to find me.