Chapter 89: The Third Day of the Festival (XVIII).
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Outside the Colosseum
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Analissa and Lord Ein made their way through the lively grounds surrounding the colosseum, the hum of excitement buzzing in the air.
The vast structure of the colosseum itself loomed ahead, where the day's magic duel competition was being held. Ornate arches framed the entrance, with banners of the Academy fluttering above. Inside, the duels were in full swing, the sound of cheering students and spectators reverberating through the colosseum's high walls.
"...!"
The stands were packed, the atmosphere electric with the crackle of anticipation for the duels. The stalls were only half-full, with a few latecomers lingering around for quick bites before heading inside to grab a seat.
The smell of roasted meats, caramelized sweets, and sizzling snacks filled the air, drawing a wave of hunger through Analissa despite the earlier exhaustion. She was about to push through the crowd when she spotted a small stand offering caramel popcorn, her favorite. Without a second thought, she hurried over.
"One caramel popcorn please." There wasn't much line and so the man behind the stall got to work. He offers it to the girl and Analissa was about to pay him with coins from her pocket but was stopped.
"Ah here's the payment for it sir-"
"Oh no need! All of the stalls here are sponsored by the royal family and the Alarie family, young miss. You don't need to pay me- students can get any food for free." He smiles, gesturing for the next customer in line to move forward. "Next please!"
The heroine clutches her own money and looks at the colosseum walls, where the Alarie family banner was hanging.
"...I didn't notice."
This part was, of course, never mentioned in the game… but Lord Ein who casually lore dropped so suddenly a moment ago.
No wonder why the Alarie family got their own noble stands.
Analissa went back to where Lord Ein was waiting and she offered him a bowl. "Here's your share, Lord Ein."
He glances at the food, before shaking his head for even taking the time to order something like this when all she should be doing is resting. "I can't believe you like that bird so much to the point you're barely able to walk and yet you think of his empty belly."
Analissa chuckled, knowing that… the villainess values people who keep their promises, that's why even if her body is barely keeping it together- she must do her best to show that she cares for the villainess' values. "He might get mad at me you see… and even pouty. I promised that I'll definitely come back with his popcorn… I'm afraid he's just like his master."
Lord Ein doubts that the bird would get mad for something measly like popcorn but the blonde girl was serious on her words so he could only nod and agree along with her statement. Still, she's right on one thing.
"Hmph, that bird and his master having short temper seems to match."
Though the area was quieter than usual, with the majority of the crowd inside the colosseum, the food stalls were still a welcome escape for those in need of a quick snack or break. The stall owners were busy chatting and cleaning up as they prepared for the next rush once the duels ended, but there was still a lingering sense of excitement as people occasionally dashed by, their footsteps echoing in the wide open space.
"Tweet! Tweet!"
A sharp, familiar chirp cut through the hum of the food stalls. Both Analissa and Lord Ein froze, their heads snapping upward. High above, a small red sparrow streaked across the bright sky, wings beating frantically as it dove straight toward them.
"Huh?!" (Analissa) gasped, taking a step back.
A few bystanders glanced up as well, momentarily distracted from their food and chatter. When they realized it was only a bird, they quickly lost interest- resuming their talk as though nothing had happened.
But Analissa and Lord Ein didn't look away. They recognized that fiery bird anywhere.
It was the familiar of the villainess, who looked like he was about to cry while flying down. He didn't care or think about the outcome of his actions; he just flew straight into the heroine's chest!
"Sniff chirp!"
He didn't slow down. He didn't care who was watching.
He dove straight into Analissa's chest, feathers ruffled, wings flapping wildly.
"Oof-!" (Analissa) caught him in time in a hug, she knew Losimer wasn't a normal bird but the force that he used is definitely something.
She grits her teeth and hides the pain her body has been throbbing all along, she doesn't want to let the bird know and report to Lady Evelyn. The Japanese streamer was really happy to see the little one safe. "Losimer!"
"Chirp?!" The little bird's name was called and he was ecstatic to see the blonde girl. "Chirp tweet!"
Even though he couldn't communicate properly in human language he did his best by showing his care, "Tweet!"
He buried his head in the heroine's neck, never wanting to leave that spot. He even forgot about the popcorn, all he wanted was for the kind human to be safe and alive. "Tweet… chirp."
Losimer mutters of how he's glad that she's safe and now his master won't have to worry so much while competing in the duels.
Lord Ein, who saw how clingy the bird is, tried pulling him out of there. "Easy there you little rascal! Can't you see she can barely walk!"
Losimer pecked his hand before turning to Analissa in angry mode. "Sniff chirp, chirp sniff! Tweet!"
He was panicking and asked so many questions like, where did she go?
What happened and why is she with the blue haired bitch?
Analissa smiled softly, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. She reached out and cupped Losimer gently in one hand, careful not to crush his ruffled feathers. With her other hand, she lifted the small bowl of caramel popcorn she had promised.
"I'm sorry, Losimer…" She said, her voice quiet and sincere. "I got your popcorn, just like I said I would… It's caramel flavored. I hope you can forgive me for being so late."
"Tweet!" The bird flapped his wings in protest, feathers puffing up like a storm. He didn't care about the popcorn. He wanted answers- where had she been the whole morning? He'd searched everywhere for her.
The colosseum stands, the training grounds, and a few classrooms.
"Grrr… tweet!"
Analissa's shoulders slumped seeing him angry.
"I'm… so… sorry," she whispered, eyes glistening because the tiredness that she's feeling is getting to her. "I did my best. I got here as soon as I could. I really did. I'm sorry I was so late- you must be starving."
Losimer paused mid-flap. "Chirp…"
He stared up at her, realizing that all the blonde girl could do was apologize. The anger in his tiny frame melted away, replaced by a heavy ache of worry. He hadn't been angry about the food- he'd been scared.
Scared that something had happened to her.
"Chirp…" (Losimer) noticed that all the blonde girl could do was apologize. He wasn't mad about the popcorn, he was just… scared that something happened to her. To him- he's no longer just his master's target in case of betrayal.
She's a friend who genuinely cares about him.
She had given him a home- a comfy space by her window, food in a small silver dish or even her own packed seeds, and the warmth of gentle praise when his master was too busy or too proud to say it aloud.
Analissa Blanchet treated him like he mattered.
The heroine laughed shakily, blinking back tears.
"Is everything okay?" she whispered, stroking his back.
Then her tone shifted, more serious. "Are you and Lady Evelyn alright?"
"Tweet! Sniff… tweet!"
His little spirit did its best trying to explain.
She nodded, relief loosening the knot in her chest. Analissa managed to understand what Losimer was saying, I mean from the look on his face everything seems to be alright. "That's good. Where is she? Is she waiting for me?"
Losimer hopped from her hand to her shoulder, then extended his beak, pointing toward the towering colosseum in the distance.
Analissa followed his gaze.
The banners fluttered under the afternoon wind, and a roar of cheers echoed faintly from within.
"I guess…" She said softly, her eyes shining with mixed worry and affection, "…she's waiting for me inside."
The Japanese streamer thought she had all of this figured out. She's already an adult mentally, her only mission was to save the villainess and adore her from afar. Knowing that someone… that you're supposed to save ended up liking you in a romantic way-
Someone younger… and a once fictional character you pitied on the screen.
How… just how can you wrap your head around that so easily?
"Well, I guess it's time for me to leave and let you two- you know-" (Lord Ein) began with a faint, teasing smile as he started to walk ahead. But before he could take another step, he felt a gentle tug at his sleeve.
"Lord Ein…"
He turned.
Analissa's hand clung weakly to the fabric, her eyes uncertain. The usual brightness in them was dimmed, replaced by exhaustion and unease.
"I'm not ready," She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can you at least… walk me there? To her?"
Lord Ein hesitated. For a moment, he had meant to keep his distance to give her and Lady Evelyn the privacy they deserved but seeing her now, trembling and clearly fighting to hold herself together, that decision felt heartless.
He sighed softly and offered a reassuring nod.
"Alright," He said, his tone gentle. "I'll walk you there."
Her fingers slipped from his sleeve as she straightened, and he adjusted his pace to match her slow, careful steps.
As they moved toward the colosseum, the sound of roaring cheers and the crackle of magic grew louder, rolling through the air like thunder. Lord Ein glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She was pale, lips pressed tight, eyes fixed ahead.
And though he said nothing, his expression softened.
Right now, she didn't need teasing or a lecture. She just needed a friend to walk beside her.
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Inside the Colosseum
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As they climbed the stone steps leading up to the colosseum's viewing deck, Analissa tried to steady her breathing. Each step echoed, heavy and uneven, as she silently rehearsed the words she'd been forming in her mind.
What would she even say to Lady Evelyn?
'I'm sorry for disappearing? I didn't mean to worry you?' Every excuse she rehearsed sounded hollow. Still, she clung to them, hoping and praying that when the time came, Lady Evelyn would believe her.
But as they neared the upper archway, a strange noise began to swell above the hum of the crowd.
"Alarie! Alarie! Alarie!"
The name reverberated through the colosseum, shouted by hundreds of voices.
Then, from the opposite side, a counter-chant rose just as fiercely:
"Penelope! Penelope! Penelope!"
The air thrummed with tension and excitement.
Analissa froze on the stairwell, the cheers pounding in her ears. She turned to Lord Ein, wide-eyed. "Did you hear that…?"
He nodded slowly, his expression hardening as realization dawned. "Yeah. I heard it."
The two exchanged a look- half disbelief, half dread.
Something wasn't right.
"It can't be… right?"
The cheers grew louder as Analissa and Ein reached the final step. The open expanse of the colosseum came into view- a massive ring of stone surrounded by roaring spectators, banners fluttering under the afternoon light. The air itself buzzed with magic, streaks of energy flashing across the stage like lightning bolts caged in a storm.
Analissa stopped mid-step, her pulse thudding in her ears.
"No…" she whispered. "That can't be right."
There, in the center of the dueling ring, stood Lady Evelyn Alarie. Her dark dueling coat billowed in the conjured wind, hair streaked with soot and light. She moved with sharp, measured grace- every motion efficient, restrained, deadly precise.
"She's… entered the competition." Analissa's stomach twisted.
"This isn't supposed to happen," She said, voice shaking. "Mary was the one scheduled to fight this round- not Lady Evelyn!"
The script of fate was unraveling and Lady Evelyn Alarie was no longer following the story she was written for. It was both good and bad news for the heroine.
Lord Ein's brow furrowed knowing that something is up, he's usually the first one to know unexpected schemes. "You're right. Mary even talked to me because she volunteered. Something's wrong- someone must've changed the roster."
His plan was simple: Let Analissa and Lady Evelyn finally talk, clear the air, maybe even admit what they both clearly felt but refused to say.
But no. Instead of sitting beside her crush like a normal person, Lady Evelyn Alarie was out there dueling in the middle of the colosseum like some cold, battle-hungry tactician.
He groaned and dragged a hand down his face.
"Ugh, come on then flappy bird and blonde dumdum, let's take our seats." He gently grabs her collar and sighed. "Might as well stick with me if Lady Evelyn can't be with you. This way I can at least overlook your awful condition and make sure you're safe."
"Tweet?!"
Losimer puffed up, feathers bristling in outrage.
Condition-?! What did this blue-haired idiot mean by awful condition?!
"Tweet, tweet, chirp!"
"Ah-!" (Analissa) nervously giggled, hiding her face behind her hand. "H-He's just kidding. I'm fine, Losimer. I could even run a whole track of how fine I'm feeling! Right, Lord Ein?"
She glared at Lord Ein hoping that he would get the message that if Losimer reports this to Lady Evelyn, who knows what would happen?
"Sure. You're. Fine." (Lord Ein) muttered dryly.
Still, despite his teasing, there was something comforting in his tone- protective, familiar. Analissa's shoulders relaxed a little as she nodded.
"Still… I'll take your offer and stay with you then." (Analissa) nodded, feeling safe with Lord Ein by her side.
She walks over to the commoner stands but Lord Ein stops her, "No, not there you're coming with me."
"When you're friends with me, you get to experience the privilege that comes with it." He winked and before she could protest, he led the way up the stairs toward the private viewing deck, the sounds of the roaring crowd echoing behind them.
Losimer perched on her shoulder, still muttering small, indignant chirps under his breath, while Analissa just smiled faintly exhausted, but grateful for the company.
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