“So, it seems like I have to attend the welcome party.”

Riley conveyed the information he received from the academy to Givern.

The schedule for a one-night, two-day trip to Lurat, which they had visited before, was set, and they would depart tomorrow. It was difficult to skip the welcome party due to attendance requirements.

Givern, who initially seemed indifferent to the welcome party, furrowed his brow at the mention of Lurat as the destination.

“Why go that far?”

“Yeah… I don’t really understand either, but it seems like the decision has already been made.”

Givern remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

With an open book in front of him, he pondered for a while before reluctantly nodding.

“Go and come back.”

“Is it okay for you to be alone?”

“You worry too much. I’ve always been alone in situations like this. As I’ve told you, I’m more comfortable alone. But you insisted on sticking around.”

“But you didn’t dislike it, did you?”

“…”

“Right?”

Instead of a reply, Givern focused his gaze on the book again.

“Okay, I’ll shower, change, and come back.”

Again, there was no response.

But it wasn’t outright ignoring. He nodded ever so slightly.

After Riley left, Givern took off his glasses and placed them on the shelf, then used telepathy to light a candle.

Come over here for a moment.

“How’s your condition?”

“Good, I can walk now. I should be able to return by the day after tomorrow.”

“That’s a relief. By the way, why did you call me? For what reason?”

“The academy’s welcome party schedule, can’t it be canceled?”

“The academy? It’s a somewhat independent institution, and it’s a bit difficult for us to intervene. Especially in the case of the welcome party, it’s neither an event organized by the Council nor the Student Council…”

Sak appeared puzzled.

He had never cared about the academy before. But now, trying to pressure the academy’s event sponsored by the student council?

Of course, Sak had heard about the welcome party at least once. Originally, the welcoming event for new students had been a tradition organized by the Student Council of the general undergraduate department. However, recently, the Magic Department had shown efforts to promote communication.

They claimed to break down the barrier between Prestige and non-Prestige students and regularly provide opportunities for camaraderie and harmony.

Whether it was actually effective was questionable.

“I’m anxious.”

Perhaps because he had nearly been assassinated, Givern thought that the timing was not right.

“Why specifically Lurat? It’s too far. If it’s for an event welcoming new students, we can easily arrange something at Prestige, right?”

“I understand that the current Student Council President of the Magic Department is the son of the owner of Eldit Hotel. So, I heard that they rented the entire Eldit Hotel and will use it as accommodation.”

“An outsider became the student council president?”
“Yes, it’s an unprecedented situation. But I understand. He’s so easygoing and likable, even among Prestige students. Moreover, Lurat is known as the second capital due to its wealth, so it doesn’t seem to be entirely viewed as an object of rejection, even for those from outside.”

Givern furrowed his brows.

He didn’t know who the current Student Council President of the Magic Department was. He simply found it distasteful to send Riley away at this time.

His body was not fully recovered, and there was a possibility that those who had committed the act were still watching from somewhere. There was no law preventing their schemes from reaching Riley as well.

“What you worry about is understandable, but… The shadows assigned to Miss are also going with her, and Lurat is a densely populated city. The schedule is for all Horizon Academy students to go together, so it shouldn’t be significantly dangerous.”

“…”

“Don’t worry too much, and focus on Master’s recovery. What needs concern now is not Miss Riley’s safety but Master’s well-being.”

Givern felt his head pounding and closed the book. Suppressing irritation, he lay down on the bed.

For a moment, he thought about the possibility of being overly protective. But wasn’t it better to be cautious from the start with someone who was sensitive like this?

He wanted to keep her here or overthrow the Student Council by applying pressure. Knowing her background and upbringing under Viscountess Eadalin so well, he tried to avoid being too forceful, but still… When an uncontrollable entity and an uncontrollable situation collided, frustration was inevitable.

“Get well soon. You seem more sensitive than usual, probably because your body isn’t in good condition. Don’t get swept away by emotions.”

After Sak left, Givern couldn’t believe he was smiling while covering his face with his hand.

‘Now I have to listen to such nagging.’

This situation, where emotions were hard to control, was unfamiliar. What was truly absurd was that a woman who had bothered him all day was still bothering him even when she couldn’t be seen.