“Love fortune-telling? Sounds fun,” Mavis remarked, her gaze shifting to Maur. “Though knowing you, Maur, you’d have zero interest in something like this, right?”
“Frankly, it’s weirder that you’re even *here* for the Initiate Festival this year.”
Mavis tilted her head thoughtfully. “And your behavior during the freshman orientation was odd too~ Hmm? Looking for someone?”
To Mavis, Maur’s recent strangeness was glaringly obvious.
He’d shown unusual attention to this year’s freshmen—uncharacteristically active during orientation, and now *voluntarily* joining the Initiate Festival activities he’d ignored for years.
Worse, he only cared about events run *by* freshmen.
How did she know?
Hmm~ Who told her? Why, the same clueless lackey Maur stuck into *her* fan club, of course.
A few flattered words from other club members, and that little fox would slip out all sorts of intel about Maur~
Facing Mavis’s question, Maur let out a sharp “Hmph!” and snapped, “None of your business.”
No way he’d answer her.
Still, he *would* visit the Love Fortune-Telling Hut—but not for the silly divination. He aimed to bribe its organizer, freshman Annie Campbell, and ask if anyone received special prophecies or unusually glowing results today.
According to his lackey’s intel, Annie was money-grubbing. Rumor said she charged students for fortune-telling and would do *anything* for cash.
Maur was confident a high enough price would loosen her tongue.
But since he needed intel *after* everyone had visited, he’d wait until the festival wound down. Only then could he efficiently filter suspicious candidates from the results.
Until then? Scout other events for clues.
He’d already wasted the morning. Not a single moment of the afternoon could be spared.
His current watchlist: Courage Trial, haunted house, Magic Exhibition, Sky Cabin, and Dream Boat Ride.
He’d already checked the haunted house. Without Evelyn causing trouble, it wasn’t scary at all—and he had zero desire to return.
Magic Exhibition had fixed slots: one-hour sessions at 3 PM and 5 PM. He’d arrive just in time.
Sky Cabin and Dream Boat Ride ran all day, but lines grew long. Waiting wasted precious time.
Wait—you ask why the famously arrogant young master Maur would *queue*?
Not queuing would be weird! Isn’t lining up basic common sense?
As for the Courage Trial, he’d observe from outside. Any freshman pair—especially two girls—showing drastic attitude shifts before and after entering would land on his watchlist.
For now…
“Sky Cabin first.”
Without consulting anyone, Maur decided.
Mavis let out a low, meaningful chuckle: “What a *lovely* choice.”
Maur ignored her.
He chose the Sky Cabin because it resembled a Ferris wheel from his previous life—a ride lifting passengers high for a full view of the festival grounds. Similar to a flight spell, but enchanting a cabin instead of a person. His priority? Scout the entire event from above for anomalies.
Flight magic was high-tier. Freshmen couldn’t cast it alone. Hell, even Lv.3 Maur couldn’t. Only Lv.4 expert mages could manage it solo.
So the Sky Cabin relied on joint casting. To ease the burden, only one cabin flew at a time—and held just two people.
At the entrance, Maur—assuming Tabitha would follow—stepped inside alone without a second thought.
Behind him, Lilith, Mavis, and lackey Tabitha faced the ticket-checker’s confused look.
A beat of silence. Then Lilith crossed her arms and stated coldly, “I said I’d watch Maur all day.”
Mavis tilted her head slightly, a soft “Fufufu” escaping her lips. “How diligent of you, Princess Lilith. But is it *appropriate* sharing such a tiny space with your elder sister’s fiancé?”
“A boy and girl alone like that? People might mistake you for lovers~”
“And if it’s just *watching*… you can see perfectly well through the window. With your strength, you’d intervene instantly if needed, right?”
“So why insist on riding *with* him?”
Lilith: “….”
Honest Wolf Lilith: Defeated.
Mavis turned to Tabitha.
“I-I’m Maur’s lackey… I should stay close to him…” Tabitha stammered.
“Oh?” Mavis’s smile turned faintly mocking. “Then show *lackey* awareness. Does a mere lackey deserve to share a cabin with her master?”
“If others saw? It’d tarnish Maur’s reputation.”
“Riding so *intimately* with a half-blood lackey… Tabitha, you wouldn’t want that, would you?”
“Eep!!!” Tabitha’s eyes widened in panic. She waved her hands frantically, shaking her head. “N-no! I’d never—!"
Fox Girl Tabitha: Defeated.
Seeing both rivals falter, Mavis calmly delivered the final blow:
“Of us three, only I present as male—and everyone knows Maur and I *despise* each other.”
“No rumors would spread. And I can monitor him. His condition’s been off today; if he feels unwell mid-ride, someone should be there.”
“If you’re still uneasy? Watch from below. With half-blood vision, you’ll see clearly even at the peak.”
“I’ll maintain maximum distance the whole time. My hands will stay visible. Satisfied?”
Mavis wore a trustworthy, considerate smile—as if genuinely caring for all.
But inwardly:
*‘My body will keep its distance from Maur.’*
*‘But my tentacles…’*
The Sky Cabin featured half-length windows on all sides—concealing everything below the waist.
Mavis continued, smile unwavering: “Someone *must* accompany him. And I’m clearly the most suitable.”
*‘First, the Forest Fey.’*
*‘Then the silver wolf half-blood…’*
*‘And now, right before my eyes…’*
Her smile deepened.
*‘Maur… you really are troublesome.’*
*‘More thorns gather around you by the day.’*
Athena would soon return to the Royal Capital. Once she did, Mavis alone couldn’t take Maur.
This Initiate Festival field test was her *only* chance.
She’d confirmed its format and location: a three-day exercise. If Maur vanished during it, no one would notice until too late.
By then, he and she would be nearly back at the Endless Mire.
Heh heh. Once there, Maur would belong to her—completely.
But first…
A little… relief.
Under Lilith and Tabitha’s silent stares, Mavis stepped into the cabin with graceful poise.
The door closed.
At the ticket-checker’s signal, the student casters began their joint spell.
A faint tremor. The Sky Cabin slowly ascended.
Sensing movement, Maur—facing the window with his back to the door—turned impatiently.
“Damn lackey, you’re so— Eep?!” His eyes flew wide. “*You?!*”
Where was his lackey?! Where was Tabitha?! Why *her*?!
“W-wait! Don’t you dare come closer, you bastard!”
