“Didn’t I hear she included a proposal but got rejected?”

“She got rejected. But still, she wouldn’t have given up. Think about the time she spent chasing after him.”

“…”

“Anyway, whoever it is, it’s pitiful. All the previous protagonists of the engagement rumors with the Dark City Lord suddenly disappeared without a trace at some point.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, some ended up living as beggars, others went missing, and even the women from somewhat prestigious families got entangled in all sorts of rumors and incidents, eventually fading away from the social scene.”

“…”

“And now there’s a rumor going around that every woman who meets Gibben is destined to become unhappy. Some even say that Gibben Rianster might be cursed. There’s also a rumor that the princess is behind it all, secretly dealing with women connected to the Dark City Lord… Of course, it’s an unconfirmed rumor, just a rumor!”

Hila quickly added the phrase ‘baseless rumor’ in case she might be accused of insulting the royal family. Yet, she firmly warned Riley not to share such stories in front of others.

Suppressing her troubled feelings, Riley forced a nod while attempting to conceal her inner turmoil.

It wasn’t because of the baseless rumor that every woman meeting Gibben would become unhappy. The realization that Gibben was perceived negatively by people beyond her expectations saddened her.

“Now, we will activate the teleportation to Lulat. Everyone, please gather in the center of the magic circle.”

After the teleportation preparation was completed, an explanation followed about the potential side effects of using teleportation, such as the possibility of vomiting, nausea, and immediate reporting if any abnormalities were felt.

The students gathered in the auditorium and assembled in the middle of the magic circle. The majority were filled with anticipation for the large-scale teleportation they were about to experience for the first time.

“Please remain still and wait in your positions. Teleportation is commencing.”
The magic circle began to shine, and the ground started shaking.

Riley tightly held Hila’s hand, trying to stabilize herself on the shaking ground.

As the enormous magic circle disappeared, a massive hole appeared, and hundreds of students were sucked into it.

Upon opening her eyes, Riley found herself inside a hotel room.

Hila looked around and then smiled brightly.

“It seems like they teleported us to our designated rooms!”

“Yeah, I wonder if they made the partner list in advance for this.”

“It’s the first time for a multi-person teleport, quite fascinating, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it seems like they could set each person’s location precisely.”

“It must have consumed an incredible amount of magical power.”

Riley and Hila began unpacking in their room, although there wasn’t much to unpack since most essentials were already provided in the hotel.

While unpacking, the guidance announcement echoed.

“Attention, students of Horizon Academy. There will be a welcome reception at 7 p.m. Until then, feel free to use your time. Please gather in the hotel basement dining room before 7 p.m. We repeat… at 7 p.m…”

“Free time! That means we can go outside, right?”

Excited by Hila’s reaction, Riley smiled and nodded.

“Yeah, we can go outside.”

“Awesome! Riley, change your clothes quickly! Time is precious. We don’t know when we’ll be back here, so let’s make the most of it!”

It was genuinely enjoyable when they had a date with Gibben here.

How would it feel to have a date with a friend? Riley decided to momentarily set aside her concerns about the engagement rumors and Gibben.

After all, it would be a loss if they spent their time here gloomily, having come all the way for a trip.

“Let’s go to the sea!”

Free time until 7 p.m.

Riley and Hila enthusiastically explored the surroundings.

First, they went to the sea. They put on prepared clothes and played in the water with Hila. The sea was as warm as the weather, making it perfect for playing.

Later, they returned from the sea and played with sand on the beach, picking up seashells. After about three hours of play, feeling hungry, they headed to a pub on the beach and ordered fried fish and cocktails.

“Is it okay to drink alcohol during the day?”

“Riley, originally, alcohol tastes better during the day. Besides, there will be more to drink at the welcome reception in the evening, right? To break the awkward atmosphere, alcohol is the solution. It’s just a difference between getting drunk early or later.”

“I see.”

“Besides, cocktails are like drinks, right? Beverages. Can’t you handle alcohol well?”

Well, when did I ever drink a lot? Probably that day when I followed him to Hotel Ingisia like a fugitive.

Thinking back, it was the first time I had drunk the type of alcohol we had together at the hotel. I don’t know the alcohol content of that drink since I don’t know the type of alcohol we had that day. Considering the fact that I became unconscious and caused that incident, it’s…
Riley responded, wrapping her face with an inexplicably flushed expression.

“I think I’m on the weaker side.”

“What? Your face suddenly turned red.”

“Huh?”

“…Did you catch a heatstroke? It’s not that hot today.”

“My face tends to get red easily.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

It was not easy to mention that her body had heated up remembering that day.

Come to think of it, everything with Gibben was a first.

He was the one she drank with, the one who helped her when she was in trouble, the one who offered a helping hand, the one she went to the hotel with, and the one she traveled with for the first time.

When they came here together, it was truly impressive. Enjoying a top-notch dinner at the finest hotel, receiving top-notch treatment.

And then, suddenly, bullets flying during a stroll…

“Oh.”

“Why? Your complexion is paler this time.”

“Just thinking about the past.”

“Have you been here before?”

“Just once.”

It wasn’t very long ago, nor was it very ancient.

Sitting here now, memories of Gibben kept flooding back. Perhaps it was because this was a place they visited together, but every familiar sight brought back moments spent with him.

“…Is he resting well now?”

What should I do? It’s just a brief separation, but I miss him.

Even though the current moment with Hila is enjoyable, spending time alone with Gibben was somewhat more pleasant.

Lost in memories of Gibben, Riley fell silent.

What am I doing now? I came here to have fun, yet I’m immersed in thoughts of him! This was not a good sign.

“…If I get too deeply involved in this, it could be a big problem.”

“What?”

“Well… it’s nothing.”

The ordered fried fish and cocktails arrived.

Riley tried to shake off thoughts about Gibben. At least during her time here, she shouldn’t think about him. Absolutely not!

Just as she was about to start eating, two men from the adjacent table approached discreetly. Wondering what they wanted, Riley looked, and one man with ashy skin and exposed white teeth laid his hands on their table.

“Can we join you and have some fun together?”