A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special

January 4th.

This was the day that the first emperor of the Hebrion Empire founded the country, and ever since there has been an annual celebration of good times and national pride. This day is known as Founding Day.

The capital of the Hebrion Empire, Dresden, was the largest city in the empire and as a result, holds the largest Founding Day celebration across the country. The city was crowded with people travelling from places far and wide, including the Hebrion Academy. There were lots of things to see in the streets and it soon got much busier than normal. People in groups held each other tightly to prevent getting separated or lost.

Even though the activity of the Outsiders had been more threatening recently, the citizens of Dresden did not feel nervous or unsafe being out in the open. Many international intelligence agents, mostly Hebrion Academy alumni, returned to Dresden and worked on the security of the event. One of them was even the famed ‘Knight of Light.’ Any concerns about safety could be whisked away, knowing that he was ensuring their safety.

There was a large number of Hebrion Academy students in the crowds. It was a long overdue break, something that they had not gotten for quite a while. They enjoyed the festival all night long. When the academy finally decided to release students for the Founding Day festival, the entire student body had praised their decision.

Desir was one of the students who admired the decision made by the school. Desir still had many things to do, but he decided to dump his burdens off of his shoulders and take a short break. He had not taken any days off since returning from the future, and this was a rare opportunity for him to just relax without making any specific plans. It was a reward that he treated himself to.

The other party members felt the same way. They had worked so hard for so long. They wanted to forget everything and just enjoy the night. They took their Clothes Lines off, instead dressing up in their favorite outfits. They ate all the food they wanted.

“I don’t even know how long it has been! The sweetness of freedom! I missed this so much!”

Romantica shouted between mouthfuls of sweets.

“That’s way too much of an exaggeration! We were only separated from this by a wall.”

Takiran dutifully pointed out before Romantica interjected.

“Yeah, you’re right, but it’s a completely different world over that single wall. The place hidden behind that wall is the world of conventions and boring practices. Outside the wall is a city of fantastic freedom where you can eat food all you want.”

Freechel, who by the way, found a visitor’s brochure from somewhere and was studiously checking out and making notes about recommended landmarks.

“It says here that all the popular restaurants hold special events at certain times, and gives us a warning to avoid those places during the rush hour.”

“But it also recommends we visit the event at Lubenia Garden, even though so many people are expected to be there. Do you think that place is any good?”

“I’m not sure… I haven’t tried their food before.”

Desir was listening to their conversation and jumped in to help them out.

“So Lubenia Garden is a steak place. They have food for 1/10 of the regular price only from 1 pm and 2 pm. The food is good. I remember their sauce was great.”

“Oh, nice.”

Pram thought about something delicious in his mind and ended up bouncing around in excitement as a result.

Desir felt the enthusiasm from Prams’ eyes.

“You can eat their food anytime, but there are some events we can only see during the Founding Day Festival. So we should check those out first, what do you think? I think the most popular performance is ‘The Chronicles’.”

“You’re right. All the brochures emphasise that we should not miss the Hebrion Chronicles.”

The Hebrion Chronicles was a play that retold the entire history of the Hebrion Empire. The plot was pretty interesting since the history of the Hebrion Empire was quite dynamic. The play was full of special effects and light displays, and of course, it was the premiere performance, even in comparison to the other works that are presented during the entire year.

It had five chapters altogether. Interestingly, the entire play was not performed at a single theater. There were five different theaters spread across the city, each playing a different chapter from the story.

“The first chapter will be held at Dawn Star Plaza in an hour, Desir.”

“Okay, then let’s head over there. If you see something you want to eat or buy on the way, let me know anytime and we’ll make a quick stop.”

Desir took off in the direction of the plaza.

Desir’s party had some room in their budget. They had just received their grants from the Mage Tower and were able to obtain additional funds from demonstrating such a great feat of competency in the Party Competition. In all actuality they had more than enough money, they couldn’t possibly use it all here.

Adjest was standing in front of the group, it was clear that she was tired from being pushed and pulled by the crowd.

Desir suddenly recalled that she had been busy following the party members all day and had not even eaten anything yet.

“Adjest, do you want to eat something?”

“Eat… Not really.”

“Don’t you crave something that you had once as a child or used to have all the time? Like ice cream, waffles, or the like.”

Seizing the opportunity to jump in, Pram suddenly chirped at the group.

“If we have a destination set, let’s go already! If we get there late, it will only be harder to find seats and all that. You too, Adjest. You need to hurry up.”

Pram pushed Adjest.

Romantica came out of nowhere and pulled Desir in a direction opposite to where the group was heading.

“Desir, you said we can buy anything we want to eat? I want that. Can you get me that?”

“Romantica, that’s… ”

“Right now! If we are one second late, it’ll be all sold out!”

In a moment, Desir and Adjest were pulled apart and a distance quickly formed between them. Pram and Romantica looked at each other while they were pulling Desir and Adjest far apart, and smiled at each other.

‘Never allow them a chance.’

‘Never a chance.’

They continued to pull them apart while they walked along the streets in opposite directions. The group looked at a water fountain and grabbed some snacks at a bar. Pram and Romantica had their eye on them every second and did not allow them a moment of reprieve.

The group eventually ambled over to the Dawn Star Plaza to see the Chronicles performance.

It was already a busy street, but it got even busier in just moments. It didn’t long before it became so crowded that it was hard enough just finding a way to thread through the people.

“What in the world… ”

“Look over there.”

Romantica pointed to a place that had a sign with a picture of a loaf of bread on it.

‘Bethward Bakery’

It was a very famous bakery that had expensive cakes. Bethward Bakery had branches everywhere in the empire, but this particular branch in Dresden had chocolate cake which was considered a must-try for all tourists.

“Look at that line. It’s freaking long.”

“Well, this place is very popular after all.”

“I don’t think that’s the only reason here.”

The number of people in the line was abnormally big. Something must have happened here. Pram hazarded a guess.

“Um, maybe it’s the event time at Bethward Bakery?”

“…”

The group suddenly had a premonition of something bad to come.

“… We need to escape from here.”

They hesitated for just a few seconds, but that was enough time for more people to gather and block the paths around them completely. On top of that, the crowd had pushed them down the street quite a bit already, and there was no way to get back to where they entered from. They decided to go against the flow in the crowd, in an attempt to make it to the opposite side of the street that the bakery was on.

“Excuse us. We’re trying to go through.”

“Excuse me.”

One step at a time, they waded through the crowd.

By then, the mascot of a cat figure standing on top of the Bethward Bakery building opened its mouth.

“We’ll now begin the Bethward Bakery event! We are now selling 500 limited chocolate cakes for 1 bronze!”

It was a disaster. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for all the people on the street to surge forward towards the bakery in even greater numbers than before.

“Wh… Whaaat?!”

“Wait!”

Desir’s party was swept up by the tsunami of people. Desir looked around, but couldn’t find anyone around him. They had been forced apart in all directions by the flood of people. As he panicked for a second, a hand grabbed his hand tight. Desir couldn’t see the face, but assumed that it was one of his party members. He squeezed the hand tightly so that he didn’t lose this person.

‘I need to get out of here first.’

Desir passed by one person at a time and finally got out of the frenzied crowd. His top was partially unbuttoned. Someone swung an arm and hit him in the stomach. He was a complete mess. Desir tried to get things together and tidy himself up. After taking a deep breath, Desir asked if the person on the other side was okay.

“Are you okay?”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

It was a very calm voice.

When Desir raised his head and looked in the direction the other person was standing, he could quickly make out their appearance.

A silver blonde.

The person who Des1r had been holding hands tightly with for the entire time, thinking that it was just one of the other members, was actually Adjest.

—-

This chapter was fully sponsored by mokura.

ED2: Purplemen101

TLC: N/A

QC: Dr. Lock