'Hehe, quite the spectacle, isn't it?'

  In my head, Lou's voice bounced proudly. Many students remained in the courtyard, showing off the spirits they'd contracted and chatting cheerfully.

  'Ah, look Dylan! That male student on the right!'

  ...On the right? That blond one?

  'Yes. Perched on his shoulder is a "Wind Weasel." Quick on its feet, but zero combat ability. Oh, but it's perfect as a fan substitute in summer!'

  ...What an unromantic appraisal.

  'Oh my, that female student has a "Water Mirror Butterfly." Good at illusions, but it doesn't match her magical power. Probably, in three days it'll run out of magic and abandon her.'

  That's ominous...

  Lou pointed out the spirits of passing students one after another, like a child who'd come to a zoo.

  Even diminished, she was a former saint goddess, I suppose. She could apparently see "layers" different from ours.

  With magical sensing, spirits could only be vaguely perceived as presences. That she could understand spirits' identities and characteristics as if holding them in her hands was undoubtedly her strength. Though I mustn't forget it was filtered through her perspective.

  'Hmm, they're all small fry... oh?'

  Suddenly Lou's tone changed, and I reflexively followed her gaze.

  "—That's..."

  Having parted from Kreis, one person caught my eye. A petite girl with silver hair streaming in the moonlight—Erna Griebel.

  Her participation here was surprising, but perhaps it was her duty as a court mage.

  However, she showed not the slightest intention of enjoying socializing, surveying the entire venue with her usual expressionless face as if appraising it. I couldn't read the intent in that expression, but she definitely didn't look pleased.

  'An acquaintance?'

  ...More or less.

  I answered Lou's perceptive words vaguely. If she learned about the engagement, it would definitely become troublesome. Especially if Lou found out.

  'Dylan, Dylan! Please go talk to her!'

  ...Why?

  At the unexpected suggestion, I shot back a question while trying not to let my face twist. Being the saint goddess, had she sensed the qualities Erna possessed?

  'Because she's so cute!'

  A simple, selfish reason. If I approached her with such frivolous feelings, who knows what would happen. I already had a dishonorable nickname. I refused to pile disgrace upon disgrace.

  ...We're leaving.

  'Ah, you're running away!?'

  Strategic withdrawal.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Best not to get involved. Just as I'd made that judgment and turned on my heel—

  "Ah."

  Our eyes met. A piercing, cold gaze. My heart pounded. Damn, this was entirely Lou's fault.

  "It's been a while."

  Unable to ignore her, I offered a greeting with a forced smile. Erna opened her mouth without changing expression.

  "...It seems you managed to contract with a spirit safely."

  "Yes, fortunately."

  Though the truth was questionable.

  "Spirit arts that create light?"

  "Ah, you were watching...?"

  I smiled wryly at the embarrassment of that failure being witnessed. To her, it probably only looked like arts inferior to existing magical systems.

  "Did it meet your expectations?"

  "Eh... ah."

  I reacted a beat late to Erna's question. She was referring to what had come up at the previous Arcane Arts Society meeting. Whether spirit arts were practically viable as non-incantation magic.

  "No... it's hardly practical."

  I answered honestly.

  'What are you talking about?'

  Lou threw a question, but I ignored it. Right now I had to focus on the girl before me.

  "I see. I'm glad you experienced it firsthand."

  Erna said only that and turned on her heel. She had said her piece. I could see that intent.

  "Then, at the Arcane Arts Society again."

  "Y-yes."

  Thus my encounter with Erna ended without fanfare.

  'I smell a complicated relationship!'

  Stop prying.

  'Hmph.'

  With that sulking voice as the last word, Lou fell quiet for a while. She occasionally went silent like this suddenly. According to her, she was sleeping to replenish power.

  Was it from that light orb earlier?

  If she was that delicate, she should reduce idle chatter to save energy.

  Confirming Lou's presence had receded, I exhaled softly. Just having my head quiet made the world feel considerably wider.

  In the courtyard, conversation among spirit contractors and nobles continued. Brother Claudio and Lord Altius both seemed properly engaged in socializing.

  Suddenly, my gaze moved to Kreis. Naturally he wouldn't be devoted to socializing, but surprisingly he was talking with a certain person.

  Saint Alicia Heartwell. Probably participating in the Spirit Society to fulfill her duties as a saint.

  The atmosphere couldn't be called harmonious, but didn't seem hostile either. The existence who could replace the hero, and the saint. Truly a scene symbolizing the current world.

  Kreis listened silently to Alicia's words. Alicia wore her usual gentle smile, yet her eyes were keenly alert.

  I couldn't tell what they were discussing. But both were people who'd changed after knowing "the battlefield." There were no protagonists, villains, or extras there. Only the choices each carried, and their results.

  The gears wouldn't stop. Regardless of anyone's will.

  Even gods didn't know who would become the protagonist then.

  With only that conviction in my chest, I turned back toward the Spirit Society's clamor.

  —The quiet night wasn't over yet.

  "Master Dylan, excellent work."

  When the Spirit Society ended and I exited the venue, Martha was waiting. I relaxed my shoulders and exhaled lightly.

  "Ah... more tiring than I expected."

  "It was your first time. But you carried yourself very admirably."

  "If that's how it looked, all the better."

  I smiled wryly while lightly rubbing my neck. The moment I left the surrounding clamor, fatigue came crashing down.

  "...Even so, it was a splendid gathering. For so many contractors to assemble—that rarely happens even at the academy."

  "Is that so? It seemed many came from outside the academy too."

  It had been a considerable scale, but was it really that rare?

  "Yes, they seemed to come from various regions. Lord Altius's reputation plays a part, but the Spirit Society is a traditional event."

  "I see. Come to think of it, it wasn't just nobles."

  "Yes, in that regard too it may be an unusual event."

  Seeing Martha smile, I could finally loosen the tension in my chest.

  "However... after witnessing that, I need to do something about my spirit arts."

  Recalling my turn that ended with just fingertip light, I involuntarily held my head. Lou laughed cheerfully in my brain.

  'It's fine, it's fine! Next time I'll go much flashier!'

  I can't trust your words anymore...

  I let slip words of exasperation at Lou, who'd woken up again without me noticing.

  "Tomorrow is a school holiday, so why don't you rest leisurely?"

  "Ah, right."

  Apparently tomorrow, faculty and national officials would gather at the royal castle for discussions based on the Spirit Society results. Unrelated talk for students, but classes were canceled because the academy itself would be busy.

  "In that case... well, maybe I should relax a bit."

  Honestly, I was lacking in so many areas right now. Was staying like this really okay? Anxiety bred impatience.

  'Why the long face?'

  ...Tomorrow we're having a thorough talk.

  'Eh, eh, I'll prepare myself mentally starting now!'

  Hearing Lou's flustered voice, I looked up at the night sky. With the Spirit Society over, the academy courtyard had regained its quiet once more.