At the Star Gazers concert, instead of the surroundings being filled with noise and cheering, the venue fell into complete silence due to a single menacing presence—the S-Rank #3, Reaper. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him, but soon their gazes shifted to the three skeletons as they reattached their heads to their bodies. Moments later, they walked toward the injured dwarf, then carefully carried him away from the concert grounds, disappearing into the distance.
Starlight soon turned around and spoke."With that, the issue has been resolved. But this time, I didn't expect you to act so hastily. Usually, isn't it supposed to be me who acts without thinking? Instead of you? Because of that, it's not only me who needs to write a report to Julius—but you as well," she said with a sigh.
"Well, it's inevitable, isn't it?" Reaper replied. "Especially when someone keeps messing with your beloved concerts. Just imagining you being sad because of it—I can't stand that. As for the report, I don't care about writing such a thing," he said with a concerned expression.
"Awee, don't say that!" Starlight said as she lightly punched Reaper's shoulder. "What a rizzler you are, you know that? Hahaha!"
"…But," Reaper paused as he stepped closer, gently brushing her hair aside. "I am serious. I want you to be happy—always and forever," he said.
As Starlight and Reaper gazed into each other's eyes intimately, a fan suddenly spoke up.
"S-Starlight, what is your relationship with Reaper?" a fan asked.
"By the way you two were acting just now, could it be that you're in a relationship?" another shouted.
"Are the two of you dating?" someone else added.
Hearing the fans' questions, Starlight wore a wide smile that soon softened into a playful one. She turned fully toward the crowd.
"As for those questions…" She paused deliberately, bringing a finger to her lips. "It's… a… S.E.C.R.E.T~ ehe!" Starlight said, striking a cute pose with her hands.
The crowd immediately erupted into excited chatter.
"Since the issue has been resolved," Starlight continued brightly, "we can now resume the concert!"
Amid the crowd, Sera spoke up."Does she think we have no eyes? What's the point of hiding it when it's so obvious?"
"Yeah, I agree," Phoebe replied.
Soon, as Starlight and the Star Gazers members gathered on the stage once more, Reaper suddenly felt an extreme murderous intent gazing at them from afar. He immediately turned around and swiftly vanished from sight, moving in the direction of the gaze by leaping from rooftop to rooftop.
When he arrived at a dark alley where the presence was supposed to be, he found no one—only two cracked barrels and the shadows of the narrow passage. Reaper closed his eyes and focused, attempting to sense the surrounding mana for clues.
"Hmp… not a single trace of mana can be detected," Reaper muttered, puzzled. "Whoever released that murderous intent was very professional—not leaving any traces behind." His gaze turned menacing as he looked back toward the direction of the concert, where only bright lights and the roaring cheers of the crowd remained.
Soon, the sky turned a deep orange as dusk approached, and the concert finally came to an end. Starlight and the Star Gazers members stepped forward to say their farewell.
"Thank you all for coming to our concert. We truly appreciate everyone's presence. Please continue to support us in the future," Starlight said politely.
"That's all, folks—now," said the bird beastman as she took a deep breath.
Soon, she and all the Star Gazers members shouted together,"The Star Gazers concert is now officially ended!"
After that, they all walked toward the exit and left the stage.
The crowd slowly dispersed from the plaza. Phoebe, Lucas, Ryze, and Sera also made their way out. As the four of them walked together, they talked about the events of the day.
"Look, it's nighttime already. Time really passed by quickly," Phoebe said while gazing at the moon.
"Now that you mention it, it really did go fast. Didn't we just come here right after breakfast?" Lucas said, recalling the timeline.
"Yeah, you're right about that," Ryze agreed.
"Oh, by the way, Sera, where do you stay?" Phoebe asked.
"Hm? Me? Well, I'm currently staying in the dormitory located in the southwest of the academy," Sera replied.
"What!? There's a dormitory in the academy?" Lucas and Phoebe exclaimed in shock.
"What? You guys seriously didn't know?" Sera said, puzzled.
"Well… yeah. How did you even know about that?" Lucas asked.
"Seriously? Every day, the two of you pass through the southern gate. Are you telling me you never noticed the southwest dormitory?" Sera questioned.
"Well yeah, the academy is huge—basically the size of a kingdom," Lucas replied as if stating the obvious.
"Yeah, but aren't there warp gates? You can literally change the western gate's destination to the southwest," Sera said.
"Wait, really? How?" Phoebe asked curiously.
"If you look closely at the warp gates, there are buttons on the side where you can choose the destination. If you don't select anything, it defaults automatically," Sera explained.
"Now that you mention it, I think I remember reading that in a newspaper headline back when I was in the Empire of Deptide. That was the prototype created by our… the Hydro Sovereign, right?" Lucas said.
"Yeah. Also…" Sera paused. "If I remember correctly, you're from the Empire of Deptide. How could you forget something created by the guardian of the domain your empire resides in? Shouldn't you be more knowledgeable about it than me?" she asked, disappointed.
"H-Hey! I read that a long time ago. How do you expect me to remember everything?" Lucas protested.
"So you did know about it," Phoebe said, baffled.
"…How ridiculous," Sera added.
Since the topic was about the Hydro Sovereign, Phoebe remembered something, then spoke up.
"Speaking of the Hydro Sovereign," Phoebe said, "Sera, is it true that Goddess Lumine and the Hydro Sovereign are close? Like, they even drink tea together?"
"Oh, that? Yes. Among all the sovereigns, she's the closest to Her Majesty Lumine," Sera replied.
"Wow… to think someone can be that close and casual with a god," Ryze said in awe.
"Yeah, that's pretty cool," Phoebe added.
"Hahaha—yes… I mean, ehem," Sera cleared her throat. "It's true. Once, when I visited the Divine Sanctuary in the north of the inner continent, I happened to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty Lumine and Lady Sylvia, the Hydro Sovereign, chatting while having desserts—like close friends."
"That must've been amazing to witness," Phoebe said.
"You bet it was," Sera replied with a smile.
"Y-Yeah… right. I think I remember that… haha," Lucas said awkwardly, while Sera and Phoebe looked at him with doubt.
As they continued walking, their conversation remained lively and enjoyable. Eventually, Sera parted ways with them, heading toward the academy.
Phoebe, Lucas, and Ryze continued toward the inn. Along the way, Phoebe's gaze locked onto a nearby window of a elegant luxurious white store. Inside were potions, weapons, armor, maps, accessories, and various gadgets is displayed.
As Phoebe stared at it, Lucas called out,"Hey, what are you spacing out about? Hurry up, I want to have my dinner."
"Oh, wait a minute. I want to check out this store over here," Phoebe replied.
"What's that?" Lucas asked.
"Looks like adventurer stuff that rankers use," Phoebe said.
"Well, okay, let's check it o—" Lucas started, but was interrupted.
Grrumble~~
A loud stomach rumble echoed.
Following the sound, Phoebe and Lucas turned toward Ryze, who was shyly holding her stomach.
"I-It's not what you think! I was just… uh… um…" Ryze stammered.
"If you're already hungry, let's head to the inn and have dinner," Lucas said with concern.
"But Phoebe still needs to do something. Let's do that first," Ryze replied.
"It's fine, Ryze. I'll just check this place and come back to the inn afterward," Phoebe insisted.
"No way! It's already night—it's dangerous if you're alone," Ryze said worriedly.
"No, really. I have my rapier with me. I can protect myself. I promise I'll come back safely," Phoebe said, looking at Lucas.
Phoebe's gaze signaled Lucas, who immediately understood.
"Let's trust Phoebe, Ryze. I saw her take down a flesh golem all by herself in less than two minutes during the entrance exam, so I can vouch that she can handle herself," Lucas said convincingly.
"But—" Ryze began.
"Don't worry. Please go have dinner with Lucas. I'll be back after I finish here," Phoebe said with a reassuring smile.
"Hm… if you say so, I'll cook food for you in advance. Please come back quickly before it gets cold," Ryze said.
"Thank you so much, Ryze. You're really my Lumier," Phoebe said warmly.
"Stop that… just be careful, okay?" Ryze warned as she and Lucas walked away.
"Got it. Have fun, you lovebirds—uh, I mean, be careful, you two! Hahaha," Phoebe called out.
Soon, Ryze and Lucas headed toward the inn, leaving Phoebe standing in front of the store.
Phoebe pushed the door open and stepped inside. The interior looked just like the display outside—potions, weapons, armor, maps, accessories, and gadgets neatly arranged within glass cases.
She walked toward the potion section at the corner. There, Phoebe noticed a human male who looked to be in his twenties. He had charcoal dark eyes and chestnut brown hair that fell in soft, windswept layers, an unruly, feather-light cut. He wore a long black cloak with a gray, fur-lined collar, its sleeves edged with the same soft fur. The cloak was plain, without any ornaments or accessories, and the front was simply drawn together at the center, holding the garment closed without buttons. He wore gray boots.
He held a potion in his hand, smiling gently as he looked at it.
On a dark, quiet night, inside the elegantly luxurious store, the bright lights glimmered vividly, casting a warm glow that illuminated every meticulously arranged item on display.