They stayed through two full routines before Lyra's hand found his wrist again.
"One more place!"
"You've said that four times."
"I mean it this time."
"You've said that too."
She pulled anyway, and he helplessly smiled at her actions, not caring about being led by her at all.
And the place she led him to... was none other than the Magic Tower.
The Magic Tower sat at the northern part of the academy grounds, separate from the main festival crowd, connected to it by a covered walkway that had been lined with smaller lanterns for the occasion.
"I didn't know the tower was open during the festival."
"They open the observation floors every year," Lyra mumbled, holding her cup still in her free hand.
"Most people don't come because they'd rather stay near the food."
The tower entrance was attended by a single academy staff member who stamped their wrists with a festival seal and waved them through without ceremony.
