As the Academy Festival’s opening ceremony concluded, the crowd streamed away like a receding tide.

Most would head back to change clothes before exploring the bustling campus with friends and family.

For a full week, every school within the academy opened its doors to outsiders—a rare chance to tour these elite institutions. Nearly 90% of campus shops offered discounts or special events, turning the grounds into a whirlwind of excitement.

But when emotions ran hot, people often did reckless things they’d never dare otherwise.

For students, the festival meant relaxation. For the Disciplinary Committee, it meant relentless chaos.

One clueless soul was still helping pack up equipment.

"Busy later, sis?" Illusionary Feather asked, shifting a bench under one arm as he turned to Belka, who held a magic megaphone.

"Hmm, I’ve got classes back at school," Belka replied without hesitation. She added with a teasing smirk, "Unlike you, little brother—skipping lessons to lock yourself in a dark room over a little bullying." Her expression screamed, *Seriously? That’s how you cope?*

Illusionary Feather winced at her words and look.

*—I’m not hiding in a dark room.*

"Oh, sis—catch." He switched the bench to his left arm and pulled out a small red device. Shaped like a stubby bottle with a handle, it looked utterly bizarre. He tossed it to her.

Belka turned the odd gadget over. "What’s this, Feather?"

"My invention. A ‘Hot Blast’—dries hair faster than fire-element magic fans. Compact and portable."

"Thanks, sweet brother." Belka beamed, tucking it into her Contract Seal.

After storing the equipment, they met up with Lily, Kerdling, and Blazing Heart outside. Belka had to rush back to school. Lily and Kerdling also had urgent duties—Lily for classes, Kerdling for class decorations.

Watching them leave, Illusionary Feather suddenly froze.

"Ah—we’re stranded!" he blurted.

"Master?" Blazing Heart tilted her head, voice flat.

*Sigh.* He dragged her to the plaza’s edge, hailing for a Magic Vehicle.

A couple’s sleek mag-car approached. Illusionary Feather stepped forward to flag it down—but it sped up, brushing past him.

"I thought fortune was smiling on us," he muttered, watching taillights fade. "Turns out it just dangles hope… then crushes it."

He bent into a perfect forward fold.

Then—shadow. He looked up. An Iron Dragon hovered overhead.

A familiar voice boomed down: "Need a lift, you two?"

*—Leilo.*

"Absolutely!" Illusionary Feather didn’t hesitate.

"Iron, descend at the plaza," Leilo ordered.

The Iron Dragon landed smoothly. Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart climbed aboard. The mech stayed utterly still until they were secure. Then it soared skyward.

On the dragon’s back, Illusionary Feather spotted not just Leilo, but his friend Yote. After brief greetings, Leilo launched into nonstop chatter. The others listened politely, killing time.

Dropping off at a park in Branch 19’s district, Leilo and Yote took off again—clearly swamped.

Watching them vanish, Illusionary Feather sighed. "Everyone’s busy… why are we so free?"

*Thud.* A giant shadow swallowed him. A girl’s voice cut through the air: "Since you’re *so* free—help us. You’ll be too swamped to complain."

*—No guessing who that is.*

He turned. Half a meter away stood a petite girl with fiery twin-tails, wearing a Feria Academy uniform. Her crimson hair blazed against her scowl.

"Long time no see… uh… what was your name again?" Illusionary Feather offered a polite smile.

"You—you forgot my name? You creep!" Misha nearly exploded. *Handsome but clueless—how dare he?!*

"Shasha? Mishrimp? Shrimpy?" He squinted, racking his brain. Each guess made her twitch harder.

"Say ‘shrimp’ one more time—I’ll make you forget your own name!" Misha snarled. Her rage boiled over. "Black Rock—attack!"

*Black Rock.* The name jolted his memory. "Ah! Black Rock’s Mech pilot—Misha, right?"

"Tch. About time." She called off her Mech. "That penalty from days ago? It’s for Academy Festival duty."

"Since I’m free… what do you need?" He kept his tone humble.

"Just patrol Branch 19. Break up student fights. Minor stuff."

"Got it." He nodded slowly. Then he eyed the Disciplinary Committee armband on her left sleeve. "But… I’ve got no authority to interfere."

"Here." She tossed him an identical armband. "Prepared this when I punished you. Been waiting to hand it over."

"Now you’re officially our assistant." She sounded relieved.

"Oh—and take this." She shoved a small iron cube into his palm. Tiny holes dotted one face. "My friend invented it. Call it the ‘Croaker.’ Lets you contact Branch 19." Before he could ask more, she dashed off—already patrolling.

"What a weirdo," Illusionary Feather muttered, pocketing the Croaker.

"Master~ like~ her~?" Blazing Heart watched Misha’s retreating figure, her voice oddly soft.

"...Like her? Don’t joke. My heart only holds the girl and my sister." The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Blazing Heart instantly clamped onto his arm, burying her face against it.

He fastened the armband to his left sleeve and began his patrol—aimless but alert.

————

*Quack-quack!*

"Master! Frog!" Blazing Heart tugged his sleeve.

He pulled out the Croaker. A calm female voice crackled through: "Illusionary Feather, report to the third alley left of the upcoming crossroads. Students harassing a peer."

"Who is this?" He frowned. *Since when do assistants take orders?*

"Sophia Rouldrayle Dalian, Branch 19 analyst. You’re assisting us now—follow instructions." Her tone was urgent.

"Fine. On my way." He pocketed the Croaker and sprinted toward the alley, Blazing Heart at his heels. "Crossroads… left… third alley."

He skidded to a halt. Four hulking boys surrounded a scrawny kid. Two had Mechs flanking them—standard Grade-5 Ironclads.

*Pathetic against patrol Mechs… but terrifying for non-combat students.* Mechanical Campus creators and Magic Engineers barely dented wood with their fists—let alone iron.

As an assistant Disciplinary member, Illusionary Feather had to act. He stepped forward, voice sharp: "Hey! What’s going on here?"

The bullies turned. Seeing an unfamiliar Disciplinary member in Yayang’s uniform—and a tiny girl beside him—they relaxed.

The tallest sneered, licking his lips. "New meat, huh? Pretty face… but stupid. Mess with us, and you’re dead." *Yayang uniform = Inventor. Weakest fighters on campus.*

"Tch. Trouble," Illusionary Feather sighed.

The leader grinned. "Since you saw everything… hand over your girl. Then you walk away."

For Illusionary Feather, he usually seemed indifferent to most things. But anyone who dared to have impure thoughts about his Blazing Heart would face consequences far worse than death—just like last time.

"You want me to hand over my girl to you, huh?" Illusionary Feather's tone shifted instantly.

This alley was rarely visited, emboldening the thugs. Yet his words sent a chill down their spines.

"H-He's just an Inventor. What's there to fear?" muttered the plain-looking man, trying to bolster his courage.

The others reluctantly agreed, preparing to intimidate Illusionary Feather together.

"I'll give you two choices now," Illusionary Feather said, ignoring their approach without sparing them a glance.

"Like I'd take your choices," the plain-looking man retorted, mustering his bravery. "Now I give you two options: hand over your woman, or we beat you up and take her anyway."

These words pushed Illusionary Feather's already raging fury beyond control.

Just as he was about to unleash a massacre, Blazing Heart whispered softly by his side, "Master, this isn't right."

Hearing her emotionless voice, all his murderous rage vanished. He sighed. "Why bother with trash like them? I'm such an idiot."

He snapped his fingers. Two patrol mechs emerged from behind him.

The thugs, nearly upon them, paled at the sight of the mechs and fled like the wind.

"Run! Don't get caught!"

Dust billowed as they vanished. Only a bullied boy, Illusionary Feather, Blazing Heart, and the two patrol mechs remained in the alley.

The patrol mechs didn't pursue. They retreated outside, transmitting data to Branch 19's information hub.

Illusionary Feather stepped forward to check the boy's injuries.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thanks," the boy replied politely before leaving.

"What a strange guy," Illusionary Feather muttered helplessly. "I saved him, yet I feel like I owe him something."

"Master~ I want to go out," Blazing Heart's voice suddenly whispered in his ear. Only then did he lead her back outside.

"The air out here is so much better," Illusionary Feather said contentedly, breathing deeply.

—Good thing Blazing Heart was here. Otherwise, there'd be nothing but minced meat left inside.

(If she hadn't been here, that probably wouldn't have happened anyway.)

They continued patrolling until lunchtime.

The afternoon was the same—no time at all to explore the academy.

—I'm someone who doesn't attend class setups and has nothing to do. Why did I get so busy?

(Isn't it your own fault?)