Night had fallen swiftly after the roaring conclusion of Geist Protzen. The streets, far from quieting, buzzed with energy, teeming with crowd. Lanterns flickered to life along the narrow alleys, casting a soft glow on the people, whose laughter and conversations filled the air. The aroma of street food—roasted meats, spiced sweets—mingled with the distant echo of performers wrapping up their acts. A sense of exhilaration lingered in the warm night, as if the event had breathed new life into the city.


    But as we opened the door, the lively chatter died abruptly. The air, once filled with a hum of joy, turned dense and expectant. Every head in the pub turned, customers and employees alike, their eyes fixed on us as if we had disturbed some unspoken balance. Their reaction was no surprise. Given Academy Ehre''s long history of elitism, professors and students alike usually treated those without talent as inferior and belittled them.


    I can relate to them, despite being a student of Ehre. However, the same cannot be said for Anneliese, and especially Schatten. His attitude toward me makes it crystal clear that he scorns those with little talent. As usual, professor Verra continue to smile despite the uncomfortable situation. Just what in the world is he thinking, bringing these two here...


    "My adorable students here had just won Geist Protzen, to celebrate I''m paying for everyone''s drinks here!"


    With those words, Professor Verra broke the silence completely, and soon laughter and conversation returned, filling the pub with a cheerful atmosphere once again. Settling down in a table of four, professor Verra ordered a feast for us.


    At the center of the table, a perfectly roasted turkey sat in grandeur, its skin crisped to a golden brown, surrounded by a halo of colorful garnishes. Bowls overflowed with creamy mashed potatoes, their surface swirled like soft peaks of cloud. Pumpkin pies glistened with a caramelized sheen, their rich orange filling smooth beneath whipped cream. Every inch of the table invited indulgence, from the flaky pie crusts to the smooth gravy that begged to be poured over it all.


    Eis shifted his head at Verra''s direction "With this many, is your wallet gonna be fine, professor Verra?"


    "Just so you''re aware," Verra said, his tone thick with pride, "I''m one of the top-performing professors at the prestigious academy you''ve heard so much about." He leaned back, a smug smile playing on his lips. "My salary is beyond anything you can imagine, so relax and enjoy yourself!"


    It sure is convenient to have an adult around.


    As we ate, the hum of the pub grew louder with each passing moment. Customers approached us, their faces lit with admiration as they brought up Geist Protzen, offering compliments that I accepted with a polite nod. The warmth of their praise should have been comforting, yet my eyes kept drifting toward Schatten, expecting the inevitable.


    To my surprise, he wasn''t recoiling or scowling like I thought he would. Instead, he engaged in casual conversation, his posture relaxed, almost as if he belonged in this noisy, bustling place among strangers. A knot of tension I hadn''t realized I was holding began to loosen, though I still found it hard to believe.


    I had fully expected him to snap at any moment, especially with these people who normally wouldn''t even register in his world, now mingling so easily with him. Yet there he was—talking, listening, and somehow fitting in—a sharp contrast to what I had grown used to.


    "You''ve been staring at me for a while now. What do you want?" Schatten''s brows slightly furrowed, his voice edged with irritation as his sharp gaze locked onto Eis.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "I''m just surprised. You''re interacting properly with the others."


    "Don''t associate me with those ingrates." Schatten''s voice was sharp, his eyes narrowing as if he were offended. "I''m not boorish enough to swat away those who approach me with good intentions." He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he dismissed the underlying meanings in Eis''s words.


    "Your actions confuses me. Why would you treat me differently compared to them?"


    "That being said, you''d better not have forgotten our deal." Schatten''s tone shifted, a hint of seriousness through his words as he locked eyes with Eis.


    "The deal was you get to fight me in exchange for helping us win, right? What did I even do to warrant your full attention?" Eis''s brow furrowed, his voice filled with skepticism.


    .


    .


    To get some fresh air, Eis ascended to the rooftop. The night sky stretched overhead, punctuated by the bright twinkle of countless stars. The moon hung high, casting a silvery-blue glow that illuminated the surroundings, turning the rooftop into a tranquil oasis. A gentle breeze whispered past, carrying the scent of cool night air, while the city below pulsed softly with distant sounds, creating a serene contrast to the bustling life beneath.


    The creak of the door echoed in the stillness as someone turned the doorknob. Eis turned to see Anneliese stepping through, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the moonlight. The night air stirred slightly, her presence adding warmth to the cool evening.


    "What brings you here?"


    "I can''t handle the attention they''ve been giving me for so long," Anneliese replied in a soft tone.


    "Don''t be like that, you were the star of the show."


    "Coming from someone who beat the top one?"


    "With that spectacle, yours would be more memorable."


    "Whoever is the star aside," she said, shifting her expression from a soft smile to straight face, "why did you suddenly agree to participate after rejecting me so many times?" Anneliese''s gaze met his, curiosity etched on her face.


    Eis leaned against the cool metal railing, his expression thoughtful as he explained to Anneliese the significance of the crown—the coveted prize for winning the event. "You see," he began, choosing his words carefully, "wanting the crown isn''t why I decided to join. I didn''t want it to fall into the hands of those who would misuse it. That was a huge factor in why Heizen had to drop out."


    Anneliese listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. The moonlight illuminated her features, casting a soft glow that highlighted her curiosity. "But why would Heizen—"


    He interrupted, his voice steady but guarded. "That''s all I can say for now. There are... complications." The weight of the truth lingered on his tongue, the details about the fragmented soul still unannounced to the public.


    "You, on the other hand... Why were you so intent on having me join you?" Eis asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. With Anneliese''s influence at the academy, she could have easily found someone more suited and willing to work with her, yet she insisted on his involvement.


    "I''ve actually known you since the first grade," Anneliese murmured softly.


    "Huh?" Eis blinked, taken aback.


    "Even when everyone turned their backs on you, you never ceased striving to achieve your goal. You were set on what you wanted to do and didn''t let anyone tell you otherwise. I admire that part of you." Her voice was soft but filled with conviction, the moonlight catching the sincerity in her eyes.


    Eis''s childhood up to this point was full of scorn from others. It isn''t as if, while never being recognized for the work he put in he continues to push forward with unwavering will. He''s had ups and down in his journey while most of it being down. To have heard such words from Anneliese, Eis smiled and uttered,


    "Thank you, Anneliese."


    .


    .


    .


    Across the city lies a dense forest, its towering trees shrouded in mist. In a dimly lit clearing, a cloaked figure stands ominously, resting his foot on the head of Hochmut kneeling, covered with bruises.


    "So? What sort of excuse are you going to come up with?" the cloaked individual asked, his voice dripping with disdain.


    "That mongrel used underhanded tricks to defeat me! I would''ve won; I should''ve!" Hochmut protested, his fists clenching as frustration bubbled to the surface.


    "Pathetic." The cloaked man kicked Hochmut''s face, a sharp crack echoing through the forest. "You do realize I could definitely execute you here and now, and no one would definitely bat an eye at your disappearance."


    "Wait! I will take the fragmented soul from him! Give me a second chance; I promise I won''t fail this time! Please, sir Aridus!" Hochmut protested, his voice laced with urgency.


    Aridus straightened his back, shifting his gaze at the fluttering leaves with a bored expression, "And how will you do that?"


    "The dungeon! Next time he goes in, I''ll gather my men and take the fragmented soul from him!" A bud of sweat ran down from his temple to his jaw as Hochmut half grinned.


    Aridus erupted into hysterical laughter, the sound echoing in the silent forest where only the wind and rustling of leaves could be heard. "You can''t even do it alone? You''re definitely are the most pathetic piece of shit." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "Very well, I''ll definitely give you a second chance. Either steal the fragmented soul or bury Eis Drache and yourself along with it."