Chapter 72: The Third Day of the Festival (I).
The final day of the festival had quietly arrived, its presence marked by a gentle breeze slipping through the half-cracked window, carrying with it the faint scent of sweet bread and distant laughter from the early risers.
"Yawn…"
Analissa stirred beneath the light blankets, her arms stretching out slowly as sleep clung stubbornly to her limbs. A quiet flutter of wings followed by a cheerful chirp nudged her further from her dreams.
"Chirp! Tweet!" (Losimer) stood proudly on the bedside table, puffed up like a feathery alarm clock. He gave another sharp chirp and tilted his head, hopping closer to her pillow.
"Mmh… Losimer?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
The little bird gave a satisfied flap of his wings. He pecked at a ribbon dangling from the nightstand, then flitted toward the windowsill, where the soft morning light pooled like honey on the floor.
Analissa sat up slowly, her hair slightly tousled, blinking away the blur of sleep. Her gaze wandered to the soft gold outside, where faint music and colorful flags fluttered beyond the academy's towers.
She smiled.
"Is it morning already…?" She whispered.
The festival had one final day to offer- She turned to Losimer, who chirped again with an expectant look.
"Alright, alright, I'm getting up," She chuckled softly, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and stretching her arms. "The last day of the festival… I can't believe it's already here."
Just yesterday she had the whole class warming up to her for helping out in the play, there was still no news on Lord Ein but hopefully he shows himself today. Everyone was worried after all, even though Lady Serene looked rather pissed and annoyed one can't deny that she cares about him to some extent.
"Good morning, Losimer…" She pats the little bird's head looking out in the window. "I thought you reported to Lady Evelyn the moment we got back home."
That he already did.
"Chirp!" If only he could tell her in human language how Miss Analissa Blanchet broke his master in a rather hilarious way. The great noblewoman Evelyn Alarie could not sleep after committing a grave mistake. Oh how horrible-! A kiss that was meant for the lips slipped and instead went in her soft cheek!
"Tweet!"
His master kept mumbling things at night that he couldn't even sleep properly. Something about how dumb and foolish she was. If he recalls it correctly it was something along of;
'Why did I do that?! Can I even face her tomorrow?! I can't believe I asked her out and even offered to tutor her!' The villainess spins around the bed holding a big pillow before burying herself in it looking so flustered. 'I'm so dumb! So… so dumb! I wasn't always like this! Ugh-!'
Goodness, if he wasn't his master he would've called her crazy.
Analissa yawns once more before booping Losimer's beak. "Hm~ I guess you did. Thank you for checking up on me, you're probably worried that I'll be late for the third day's attendance. I feel fine now, yesterday just got me drained after a whole night of good sleep I feel rather energetic!"
She assures Losimer who wags his feather happily helping the girl get ready for her day at the academy.
…
Official School Poster of the detailed events!
==========
Day 3
9:00 am | Academy Opening Ceremony
10:00 am | Annual Duel Competition
12:00 pm | Lunch
4:00 pm | Awards & Recognition
4:30 pm | Closing
___
[List of the Representatives/Duelists of each Section: First Bracket]
High Section 1A: Owen Makedon
vs
High Section 1B: Mary Brightmoor
Lower Section 1A: Fedrix Carter
vs
Lower Section 1B: Penelope Thatcher
High Section 2A: Crown Prince Dereck Louvecroft
vs
High Section 2B: Darian Viremont
Lower Section 2A: Caelan Smith
vs
Lower Section 2B: Sheldon Cobber
High Section 3A: Hecate Li
vs
High Section 3B: Mirelle Avalon
Lower Section 3A: Xi Yuan
vs
Lower Section 3B: Justin Wood
___
Welcome to the annual Magic Duel Competition, a prestigious event where students of the academy demonstrate their skill, strategy, and control over their elemental magic. Each participant will compete under strict regulations to ensure safety, fairness, and integrity.
General Conduct
Respect is Mandatory
All duelists must conduct themselves with honor and respect toward opponents, referees, and spectators. Any form of misconduct, including taunting or aggression, may result in disqualification.
No Lethal Force
The use of fatal magic or actions with the intent to kill or cause permanent harm is strictly forbidden. Violations will lead to immediate removal and possible disciplinary consequences.
Elemental Usage
One Element per Duelist
Duelists may only wield the elemental magic they have been officially assigned. Use or imitation of other elements is not allowed.
Creative Spellwork Encouraged
Participants may creatively manipulate their element (e.g., shaping earth into barriers, using air for propulsion) as long as they maintain control and abide by safety standards.
Tools and Equipment
Wands and Magical Foci Permitted
Duelists may use wands, staves, rings, or other magical focus items as long as they are aligned with the user's assigned element.
In this world, wands are powered by mana stones, which determine the element the wand can channel.
Although using a wand embedded with a different elemental stone is technically possible, duelists are forbidden from using wands that do not match their natural elemental blessing.
For example: A student blessed with Air magic cannot use a wand containing a Fire mana stone, even if the wand allows them to cast fire spells.
Wand Inspections and Elemental Integrity
All wands will be inspected before each match to ensure the mana stone corresponds with the wielder's element. Attempts to conceal or swap stones will result in disqualification.
Single Focus Rule
Each participant may bring only one magical focus into the duel. Backup wands or switching tools mid-match is not permitted.
No Enchanted or Amplified Gear
Wands must not possess enchantments such as spell amplification, auto-defense, or pre-cast spells. They may only serve as conduits for the duelist's own magical output.
Potions and Magical Artifacts Prohibited
The use of potions, enchanted charms, or magical items offering external advantages is strictly forbidden during the duel.
Match Procedures
Conditions for Victory
A match is concluded when:
One duelist yields or is incapacitated
The referee declares a winner based on performance
The time limit expires (judging will be based on technique, control, and creativity)
Referee Oversight
A certified magical referee will monitor every duel. Their judgment is final and must be respected at all times.
Arena Boundaries
Duelists must remain within the designated combat zone. Exiting the area voluntarily or by force results in a forfeit.
Additional Guidelines
Magical Safety Wards
The dueling arena is protected by containment and safety wards to prevent extreme injuries or magical fallout. However, duelists are still responsible for the safe execution of their spells.
Healing Assistance Available
Academy healers will be present to assist participants after each match with non-critical injuries or magical exhaustion.
Cheating is Prohibited
Any form of cheating, including concealed enhancements, tampered gear, or external magical interference, will result in disqualification and academy-level disciplinary action.
Please enjoy the last day of the festival! The following students have volunteered or selected by faculty to participate in the following duel season of our beloved academy! If there's any more questions please talk to our student council booth so we can guide you to any of your needed inquiries!
Sponsored by: The Royal Family & The Esteemed Noblehouse Alarie
==========
The arena roared with deafening cheers as students from every corner of the academy gathered, their voices echoing beneath the open sky. Anticipation crackled in the air- this was the Grand Magic Duel Competition, the most anticipated event of the year, where nobles and commoners alike clashed in a dazzling display of elemental power. All were welcome to witness the spectacle, and no one wanted to miss a moment.
"Goodness! If we don't get in the stadium soon we'll run out of seats! I heard the crown prince has volunteered to participate this year!" A girl ran with her two other friends in a hurry.
"Oh my! Then I definitely can't miss it this year~ it's not always that we see royalty participating in a magic duel!" The other one replied while holding a bucket of freshly made butter caramel popcorn. "Come on! Or else we'll be late!"
Analissa pops her head out the hallway hearing all of that and smirks, 'Well for someone like me that event is something I can miss out on.'
She pats her skirt down and smiles, patting Losimer's head before considering her plan.
To break it down in proper context: The third day of the school festival has certain layers to it.
Task 1: You can choose to volunteer and participate your way into the magic duel where you'll have to bond with other love interests through it.
You'll duel with the crown prince, if you win he won't take it nicely.
But if you lose he also won't take it nicely.
For the case of Lord Ein he's supposed to be there too. He was supposed to watch and if you win or lose you'll get two separate cutscenes. For the butler- you'll gain his favor if you duel with the crown prince he's going to be torn on who to support. In the end he chose his duties over you whether you win or lose.
The other love interests will appear in the second arc after the exams.
But- for a secret event where you can SKIP the first task you'll be met with a certain route where you can earn an achievement and a super sweet magic wand that you can use!
The [Wand of Light].
Task 2: Every school festival, the libraries are not heavily guarded so if you know certain hidden routes and codes you'll be met with the forbidden archived section. The game quotes, "The forbidden section is full of nasty secrets hidden by the academy, legendary weapons and artifacts being protected by immortal guardians."
That also being the wand of light.
People who have been blessed by the light magic have always been rare and are protected by the kingdom. That is the reason why Analissa Blanchet is so well favored by the love interests and earned a scholarship with free dorming.
"Tweet?"
Analissa hears the bird's chirping and forgets that she had the spy happily accompanying her around. 'The only problem for now… is how do I get Losimer out of my tracks?' She gently takes the bird out of his nest/hair and places her in the palm of her hands wondering how she should tell him the news.
"Losimer um…" (Analissa) looks away looking for an excuse, I mean the trials ahead on the forbidden archived library will not be easy and could even be deadly. She closes her eyes in deep thought until suddenly- an idea popsout.
"Why don't you go ahead and find us a seat while I get us some fresh cooked popcorn?" Those girls that were running before had popcorn in their hands.
Knowing Losimer who was a big eater-
"Tweet?!"
He was overjoyed of that idea and began salivating thinking of the popcorn bucket supreme. Hook, line and sinker. Analissa nodded, convincing the little sparrow that she'll be treating them some popcorn. "Mm! Popcorn! I saw a few stalls before selling them. I thought you'd like butter flavored popcorn-"
Losimer pouts, shaking his head. "Chirp! Tweet!"
"Oh…" (Analissa) tilts her head for a moment, pondering why Losimer shaked his head and took a guess. "Did you perhaps want caramel instead?"
"Tweet~ tweet!"
She got it right!
Analissa chuckled and nodded in reply, "I can get you caramel then. The only problem is if I buy it now I won't have any good seats with Lady Evelyn. Can you tell her to save me a seat and that I'll be back with our popcorn?"
"Tweet!" (Losimer) happily nodded and flew away to find his master to tell her that they'll get yummy caramel popcorns later!
"..." (Analissa) waved him goodbye and went in the opposite direction, apologizing in a whisper looking guilty. "I'm sorry, Losimer. I can't have you getting hurt in the forbidden trial of the library."
Without looking back she walks firm and determined to get that legendary wand of light.
===
Meanwhile…
"...Is that who I think it is?" An unknown figure couldn't help but see the blonde girl going in the opposite direction looking serious. He turns towards the cheering noise of the arena then at the heroine.
He smirks, shrugging and follows behind.
Wherever she goes is bound to be much more fun than some magic duel competition.