I had just finished watching Felix try to parry with the blunt side of a training staff while holding it backwards—again—when a familiar voice ruined my temporary peace.
"Professor Lucian!"
The voice was too cheery. It belonged to the External Affairs Attendant, a man whose presence heralded more bureaucratic torment than a cursed contract scroll.
I turned to him slowly. "What. Now."
He smiled. That kind of tight-lipped, 'I-have-a-mandate-from-hell' smile.
"The Academy Festival preparations have officially begun."
The words hit harder than a stray explosion rune.
Julien perked up immediately. "Wait, the Festival?!"
"Oh yes," the attendant said. "Each class is to prepare a proposal. It must be submitted by the end of the week."
I stared at him. "You mean to tell me—after outdoor missions, monster evaluations, and barely surviving each other—I now have to organize something festive?"
