Winter is over and you can hear the footsteps of spring.
Master Ruu and the other seventh-year students have graduated.
The Upper Dragon Academy had no entrance ceremony when they enrolled, and they apparently had no graduation ceremony. There are only a few ceremonies to begin with. Prof Buono told me they don’t have much because people hate formal ceremonies. Is the Kingdom alright with that?
Instead of ceremonies, we get parties often.
There’s the graduation party, New Year’s Party, wedding parties, war outbreak party, war victory party, and if there’s something you’re happy about, we start a party. That’s the common sense here. Everyone’s dressing up their own way, bringing alcohol and local delicacies, and enjoying gourmet food while chatting around. There’s also dancing.
Political tactics during the party? Secret activities? Power Struggles?
That’s not happening at parties. Sir Buono said that parties are about being flashy and fun, trying to seduce women they’re interested in, or exchanging sarcasm leading to duels.
「Ruu-san! This is the last chance, please be mine!」
Yes, the graduating boys are confessing as I watch.
「Show me your strength if you want me to be yours」
Then, Master Ruu gushes out her magic upon receiving the confession.
「Go for it, Paul! You got this!」
「Ruu-san! If Paul loses, fight me too!」
「Show him your manly side!」
「Get her! Paul!」
At the center of the party venue is an open space, and the name the boys mentioned earlier, Paul-senpai, is desperately trying to challenge her, but Master Ruu exudes the dignity of a champion facing a challenger.
The crowd cheers wildly and they’re excited.
「That’s part of the parties in this country」
Graduation duels.
They fight for weddings, boys form tournaments to determine the strongest one in their year, and then they fight to make their friendships unchanging. It is said that it has become a tradition for graduates to fight every year like this for some reason.
Everyone dresses up the best they can for today’s party, but I’m once again impressed by the convenience of magic clothing because they can have serious battles without worrying about that.
Master Ruu’s wearing a bright red and gold dress and a large ornament flower on her hair, unlike her usual updo hairstyle, she seems to be having a lot of fun.
Paul-senpai looked quite strong, but he seemed to be unable to get his hands on Master Ruu, which gave me an understanding of how strong Master Ruu is.
Oh well.
「Master Ruu! Go for it!」
I cheered for her in secret, but then Master Ruu noticed and waved her hand at me with a smile.
■
Normally, juniors aren’t allowed to attend graduation parties.
Other than the graduating seventh-year students, who are the stars of the show, only the parents, teachers, and limited people from the upper class of the kingdom can participate in the party.
If a junior who hasn’t finished their education makes a fuss at a party the King and the Principal attend, they’ll lose their head. That’s why juniors aren’t allowed to join in.
The reason I’m watching the graduation party was for idol activities.
They asked us to use our live show as entertainment for the party. The client is Sir Buono, in short, the school. The school principal and the teachers. How can I refuse?
I was aware that it’s becoming increasingly popular recently, and it’s causing a boom in the academy city. The Lord of the city and the principal were of course, aware of this.
That’s why, Lina-chan the girls are showing off their full potential this time.
We selected and practiced the most popular songs we released so far, polished our production using magic tools, and mobilized a large number of staff in charge of performance and backup dancers. I like that the request is from a proper client so we don’t have to worry about expenses or details.
「I think it’s our time. Are you girls ready?」
「Of course, we’ll amaze them with our singing and dancing!」
Lina-chan and everyone is full of motivation.
This would make a great stage for them.
Just then, the duel between Master Ruu and the boys was over and the host gave us a signal that it was ready. I returned an OK sign as well.
『And here we have a song-and-dance presentation from our current students to our graduates. Enjoy』
「It’s time to go」
「Yes, we’re off! See you later!」
A moment of darkness, then a spotlight hits the stage, and everyone jumps into the light.
The first phrase captured the audience’s hearts, and then Lina-chan and the girls showed the dance they practiced so hard, and after that, the idols began singing in high spirits.
■
The performance was a great success.
The King and the Principal seemed happy to watch Lina-chan and the girls’ performance, and Sir Buono asked me to do it again next year.
In fact, it was fun to see them off-stage as the heat seemed to remain after the show, and the seniors who came to the concert and cheered on Emily – who I was later told was the supervisor at the boy’s dorm- challenged Master Ruu after the show.
By the way, the supervisor didn’t ask for marriage, he wanted to compete for the title of the strongest in school. He still lost to Master Ruu, but that was one of the best matches.
After some more eating, drinking, and a lot of noise, the graduation party came to an end.
Nobody’s crying over goodbyes or feeling gloomy, everyone’s feeling clear and saying “stay healthy!” Speaking of which, that’s also what happened when Lina-chan and I left the village.
Everyone’s looking at departure positively, and I think this kind of graduation is nice.
That was the end of my second year in school. Five years left. Let’s do our best to graduate without regrets.
■
–At a later date.
Master Ruu, who was supposed to be a graduate, was just in the girls’ dorm. They say that you can remain in the girls’ dorm even after graduating if you pay the dorm fee.
Speaking of which, I never knew what year the four heavenly kings of games were in.