Illusionary Feather and the others had been back at school for a week. On their return day, he’d gone straight to the Academy Head’s office without first seeing Belka or Misa. Just as Maria Bella was about to hold him accountable, Illusionary Feather teased her with a playful smirk. From then on, many decisions became his suggestions, and Maria Bella could only nod in agreement. She noticed his aura had changed after their days apart—defiant and arrogant when mocking her, yet considerate of everyone’s feelings when proposing ideas. He’d reasoned so thoroughly she willingly dropped all charges against Lyster and even enrolled her.
Within days, rumors spread that Yayang’s principal had been attacked in his office, his nephew beaten the same night. By morning, Maria Bella received their resignations and confessions detailing their crimes. She immediately announced a new principal and re-evaluated unfairly graded students—except one. Illusionary Feather never showed up.
He’d lost interest in the academy. A letter entrusted to Belka explained his reasons.
Peace returned to the campus. Illusionary Feather secured an intern position—exempt from classes yet still under school supervision, perfectly suiting his preferences. No one objected. After all, attendees of the tech showcase and auction had witnessed his inventions: practical devices displayed and sold there, usable even by ordinary households worldwide if adopted by nations.
Once the turmoil settled, Illusionary Feather settled into quiet routine. This morning, after exiting the Subterranean Lab and showering, he cooked breakfast for Blazing Heart. No freeloaders today—just the two of them eating alone.
"Blazing Heart," Illusionary Feather said, stepping out of the kitchen after clearing the table. He faced her on the sofa. "I need to collect materials today. Let’s go shopping after."
Blazing Heart didn’t speak. She simply gave a slight nod.
Smiling, he took her small hand, changed shoes at the entrance, and they left campus happily.
Rare to have just the two of them out. Illusionary Feather cherished these peaceful days: designing in his room by daylight with Blazing Heart quietly watching, slipping into the Subterranean Lab after she fell asleep. Calm yet fulfilling. The chaos from half a month ago felt like a dream. *This*, he sometimes thought, *is the life I love most*.
But trouble found him the moment he left his peaceful nest for the chaotic world.
First stop: Ink Dust’s materials shop, where雷罗 had taken them before. Ink Dust lounged lazily in a chair. With it still early, few customers wandered about.
"Yo, Brother Ink Dust! Up early today?" Illusionary Feather called, approaching the counter.
"...Oh. It’s you." Ink Dust blinked, slow to recognize the blue-haired youth. After a pause, he pushed himself upright, leaning on the counter. "You rarely come out, kid."
"Eh... true enough." With time to spare, Illusionary Feather planned to build rapport—for future deliveries. He didn’t know a Crystal Card alone guaranteed that service. He just wanted the friendship.
"Don’t you know I open early every day?" Ink Dust returned to the earlier topic.
"Don’t you have classes?"
"Graduated. I’m interning now. Heard you are too?" Ink Dust yawned.
"Yeah. The academy’s got nothing left to teach me. An internship saves them the trouble of expelling me."
"Master~" Blazing Heart’s soft call cut in. She stood nearby, tired. Their eyes met—a silent plea.
"Got an extra chair, Brother Ink Dust?"
"Take this." He handed over a foldable stool.
Once Blazing Heart sat, their chat resumed.
Two hours later, the shop grew busy. Illusionary Feather gathered his materials, requesting delivery to his dorm. When he presented his Crystal Card, Ink Dust froze. Last time they met, it’d been a common Green Card. Months later—Crystal? Unheard of speed. Only the third person he’d ever seen with one.
Shocked but silent, Ink Dust processed the order.
Just as Illusionary Feather turned to leave, noise erupted outside—along with the stomping of mechs.
His gaze locked with a pair of silver eyes at the doorway. Both froze. The silver-eyed girl spoke first: "Illusionary Feather~" Her teeth gritted around his name. A hazy memory slammed into him: *"Fine. But once you’re done, you *will* face me. Or face the consequences. Consequences... consequences..."* The words echoed in his skull.
*How could I forget something so important?* Promises must be kept. But so much had happened—he’d had no time to remember. After resolving everything, relief had washed his mind clean. Then came new inventions... until today.
The entire shop watched them. Others regarded the silver-haired, silver-eyed girl with awe: Avira Descebont, the Mechanical Campus’s Silver-Haired Queen. Illusionary Feather was known too—a new StudentCouncil member who’d recently handled a major incident (though details were sealed).
Now, they clearly had a grudge. To Mechanical Campus students, their Queen embodied absolute justice. Illusionary Feather? Automatically the villain. And when Blazing Heart, oblivious on her stool, called out with a questioning tone—"Master?"—the crowd instantly branded him a creepy loli-con about to face the Queen’s wrath.
*What wrath?*
*Whatever it was, he’d messed with the wrong person.*
Avira seemed to sense this wasn’t the time. "Walk with me later, if you’re free?" Her question allowed no refusal. Illusionary Feather stiffened. "If it’s no trouble."
Tension eased. Avira strode regally to the counter, handing Ink Dust her Crystal Card. "Picking up materials. Haven’t been since summer break."
*Marca’s not in this district. Why here?* Illusionary Feather wondered. No one cared about his thoughts. Ink Dust bowed slightly. "Your Majesty. What will you need today?"
As Avira listed items and Ink Dust scribbled them down, Misha slipped to Illusionary Feather’s side. Black Rock waited obediently by the door.
"You idiot," Misha whispered. "Avira-nee *hates* broken promises. You agreed to fight her after settling things, then vanished. She’s furious."
"I was swamped! Handling everything alone, then building new gadgets... And you haven’t visited lately—I’d have remembered if you had." He leaned closer.
Misha flushed slightly at his words. Before she could advise him, Avira’s voice cut through: "Misha. Let’s go. *You* too." She pointed directly at Illusionary Feather.
Resigned, he led Blazing Heart after Avira and Misha, falling in step beside Black Rock.
News reached Belka within minutes. The Silver-Haired Queen’s influence spanned campuses. Her public confrontation with a StudentCouncil member sparked immediate speculation: *Was this a clash between the StudentCouncil and Disciplinary Committee?* The rumored rivalry between the "Sword Dance Queen" Belka and Avira fueled whispers. Soon, students—and non-students—buzzed with talk of impending war between campus factions.
Naturally, Belka rallied the StudentCouncil. Gathering Lily, Kerdling, and Misa, she rushed to the Mechanical Campus. To outsiders, war seemed on the brink.
