Ignoring Snow's obvious teasing, Riley picked up one of the documents neatly stacked near the edge of his desk and skimmed through it.

"Is the principal planning to extend the event again?" he asked, sounding mildly tired.

"That's the general idea," Snow replied. "The Continental Grand Festival has already gone on longer than usual, but it seems the principal wants to squeeze out a few more gold coins while foreign investors are still riding the excitement. There are even talks about live broadcasting the matches using long-range communication orbs in the future… though that would require a lot more logistics."

Riley hummed in thought. "It's not exactly a bad idea."

Even he could see the value in it.

Watching geniuses clash at this level wasn't something that happened every day.

For people across the continent, it would be like a grand sport—academies representing nations, students carrying pride on their backs, rivalries forming naturally.

In his previous world, events like that drew absurd amounts of attention and money.

This was no different.

If anything, the entire festival had turned into one massive investment opportunity.

Anyone with a sharp nose for profit could already smell the gold behind it.

"I guess Principal Leilah is more business-minded than people give her credit for," Riley said.

"Fufu~ I think she's just doing everything she can to secure the academy's future," Snow replied gently. "Though with how busy she's been and how much work she's taking on, some of the staff are worried she might be planning to retire soon."

Riley glanced up. "Retire?"

Snow shook her head. "I doubt she could even if she wanted to. That woman wouldn't know how to stop working."

Riley chuckled. "Even if she wanted to retire, I don't think there's anyone who could really replace her."

"Surprisingly, there are a few people capable of taking the principal's seat," Snow replied calmly.

"Is that so…"

"Yes. And honestly, even if this extension seems unnecessary on the surface, it's actually been quite helpful for the students competing." She paused, then looked at him with a knowing smile. "You wanted some rest too, didn't you?"

"Well… not exactly."

"Fufu~ Are you saying you didn't want to spend some alone time with us girls?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Riley said quickly. "Let's just say I wanted this event wrapped up sooner."

Snow tilted her head slightly. "Does that have anything to do with what you asked me last time?"

"…Yes."

"The northern peaks of the continent aren't exactly a place just anyone can enter," she said, her tone turning serious. "And the fact that you want me to come with you means something important is happening there, right?"

"Did the Emperor not tell you what's going on in the north?"

"He did," Snow nodded. "His Majesty mentioned a dungeon appearing and constant monster waves attacking nearby villages. But I doubt that's the only reason you're bringing me along." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Did you have another weaver's dream?"

"You could say that."

Snow didn't hesitate. A soft smile formed on her lips.

"Then I'll gladly come with you."

Riley appreciated the trust Snow always had in him.

At the same time, a quiet guilt settled in his chest.

What he was about to ask of her wouldn't be easy.

No matter how strong she was, sending someone you love into danger—willingly—never sat right with him.

Even if he planned to be there the moment something went wrong.

"But now that we're on the topic," Snow said, tilting her head slightly, "what exactly are we going to do in the north?"

"We're going to clear the dungeon there," Riley answered.

She blinked. "We?"

He corrected himself without hesitation. "To be precise… you're going to clear it."

"…Me?"

"Yes."

Snow stared at him for a moment. "Why?"

Riley didn't dodge the question. "I saw it in my dream. There's something there meant for you, Snow." His voice softened. "It will be dangerous. That's why, if anything happens, don't hesitate to call for me. I'll be by your side immediately."

Snow was clearly surprised.

An S-rank dungeon—maybe even an SSS-rank—wasn't something anyone took lightly.

And Riley usually handled things like this himself, quietly, without involving anyone else.

Yet this time was different.

This was the first time Riley had openly asked her to step into something he would normally face alone.

And strangely enough, the trust he placed in her only made her trust him even more.

And also…

She could feel it—deep within her frozen heart.

A pull.

Something was calling to her from the north.

She didn't fully understand it, couldn't explain it, but the sensation was undeniable, as if her very soul was being drawn toward that land of ice and storms.

Her thoughts drifted back to that moment—when she had defeated the demon-possessed elf.

That brief, strange feeling she'd felt then, like something inside her had stirred awake.

The north held answers.

She didn't know what they were yet—but she knew one thing for sure.

That was where she needed to go

"By the way Riley your free tonight right?"

"Yes, why?"

"Then you wouldn't mind accompanying me to this party right?"

"Party?"

Riley tilted his head slightly looking at the neat golden paper in Snow's hand.

.....

"Wow… this place is huge."

Janica's voice echoed softly through the hall, full of pure awe.

Her eyes sparkled as she slowly turned in place, taking everything in.

Lucas and Kagami weren't much different—both stood there frozen, clearly overwhelmed.

Above them hung a massive chandelier, its crystal pieces catching the light and scattering it across the hall like falling stars.

The floor beneath their feet was polished so clean it reflected their faces, while the wide staircase ahead curved upward with elegant rails carved from what looked like rare marble.

Everywhere they looked, wealth and status were practically screaming their presence.

In front of them stretched a grand banquet hall.

People who clearly held power in the business world gathered in small circles, chatting and laughing with practiced smiles.

Each round table was filled with exquisite dishes and carefully arranged desserts, wine and rare drinks placed neatly as if waiting for someone important to claim them.

"…Uhm," Kagami muttered, scratching the back of his head. "Clara, are you sure inviting us here was the right call?"

No matter how he looked at it, he felt completely out of place. Lucas nodded beside him, clearly thinking the same thing.

Even Janica—despite her excitement—stood out among the refined guests.

Clara, standing calmly beside them, tilted her head slightly. Her neutral expression softened, and she hid a small smile behind her fan.

"My, why wouldn't it be?" she replied lightly. "You're all perfectly worthy of being invited here~ Trust me."

"But you said this party gathers some of the most influential people around, right?" Lucas asked, lowering his voice. "Then… why exactly are we here?"

His concern mirrored Kagami's. Janica might have been eager to mingle, but Lucas could feel it—eyes were already drifting their way, subtle glances filled with curiosity and quiet judgment. Their presence didn't exactly blend in.

Clara's fan snapped shut with a soft click as she looked ahead, her gaze calm and confident.

"Because," Clara said simply, closing her fan with a soft snap, "this world is going to be mingling with your names sooner or later. Trust me—it's better you get used to it now rather than learning the hard way."

She glanced at the three of them, her gaze calm but certain.

"And besides," she continued lightly, "didn't you ask me to do something fun while the academy was on break? Just yesterday, in fact. Don't worry, it only feels overwhelming at first. You three have far more prestige and reputation than you realize. The moment you step forward, people will start buzzing around you like flies, all eager to get your attention."

Lucas frowned slightly. "But… we don't really need that much attention."

"Fufu~ you might say that now, dear Lucas," Clara replied, turning her eyes to him, "but connections like these matter. Especially if you plan on becoming a knight one day. Some very powerful houses are present here tonight—houses you might end up serving in the future."

She paused, then added teasingly, "Unless you've already been secretly scouted~?"

Lucas stiffened.

"N-No, I haven't."

Though he did secretly wanted to sere a very specific one, the thought of serving a household never really occurred to Lucas much lately, as his mind assumed he was set in stone for THAT family…

But at the same time he also needs to set aside ambitions and dreams when he had to face reality, after all there was also a chance that person won't accept him.

"Then everything's perfect, isn't it? and trust me you'll enjoy it much more than you realize~" Clara smiled.

Her gaze shifted to Kagami.

"And you as well. If you want to raise the honor of your household and make sure your dojo back home becomes known beyond its region, then building connections is unavoidable."

She subtly gestured toward a group at the far right corner of the hall.

"See that man over there—Lueve Salien. He's quite famous for spreading reliable information and stories that stick. If you leave a good impression, he could be a big help for you in the future."

Kagami followed her gaze, swallowing a little.

Clara opened her fan again, hiding a knowing smile.

"Tonight isn't just a party," she said softly. "It's your first step into a much larger world."

"Even if you say that…" Kagami scratched the back of his head, clearly unconvinced. Even if he did go talk to that guy, he seriously doubted someone so influential would care about a small dojo from his clan.

"Don't worry," Clara said smoothly, stepping beside him. "I'll tag along and help you out. My words still carry quite a bit of weight in this world—you can consider that a guarantee."

She then glanced at Lucas and Janica.

"As for you two…" she smiled faintly, "…you'll stand out no matter what you do. So just be yourselves and greet everyone."

The two exchanged uneasy looks.

Seeing their reactions, Clara chuckled. "Or," she added lightly, "you can ignore everyone completely and just have fun. The dance floor's open, the music's good, and the food is excellent. Eat, relax, enjoy yourselves. Trust me—you won't regret it. Now then, go on~"

The moment she finished speaking, an invisible force gently but firmly grabbed Janica and Lucas and pulled them forward.

"W-Wait—!" Lucas tried to resist, but before he could do anything, his feet were already moving on their own, carrying him straight into the center of the grand hall.

"Sigh… looks like we're going to have to—"

"My, aren't you Lucas? That Lucas?"

"Oh? If it isn't the most promising knight prospect in decades."

"Kid, have you thought about joining a knight order recently?"

"No, no, the Adventurer's Guild would suit your talents far better. I heard you've cleared S-rank dungeons already, is that true?"

"Has anyone sponsored you yet? If not, how about joining the Silva Company—"

Before Lucas could even process what was happening, people swarmed him from all directions.

He glanced to the side—and Janica was already gone, completely swallowed by the crowd.

"J-Janica…?"

Surrounded by eager smiles and rapid questions, Lucas could only give a stiff, nervous grin as the voices closed in around him.

'I should've just stuck to training…...'

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