I Own the Evolution Domain

The sun continues to traverse its path as three students stand out amongst the crowd, the composition of their group being the largest reason as to why they are pulling quite the attention onto themselves right now.

There is the youngest, the sole male of the group, a freshman infamous for his mediocrity and incompetence in magic.

Which also made him the very subject of jealousy and envy as the two walking along with him are arguably among the most reputable senior students within the academy

One of them being the calm and collected lady whose very presence evokes tranquility around her, and the other one being the most respected symbol of true ability among the students, the mage whose sole presence suppresses even those of higher year level around her during her younger years.

While attention was pointed towards their direction more often than not, the three doesn't really seem to concern themselves too much about the gazes as they focus solely on their task at hand.

And as funny as it might sound, said task being enjoying the very first day of the Great Talent Festival.

"Well, that's about all that is going to happen in the first day."

Elena told the other two as their group moved to yet another stall operated by fellow students, her reputation, along with Medea's making it so that other students couldn't help but show a modest bow of respect most of the time.

"Elena's right, the real shows are only going to start the second day~"

Finding something that piqued her interest, Medea pulled the card containing her student points without hesitation, paying for yet another one of the foods that she can rarely eat outside of festivals like this one.

And admittedly, it was the right decision on her part as her eyes glowed with joy the moment that the food came in contact with her mouth, her tongue licking her lips in succession as if she doesn't want to waste any of the flavor the food has to present.

The gentle, peaceful Elena followed suit, and even when just eating snacks, that graceful, tranquil air never disappears, appearing truly lady-like despite the alarming speed that she consumed the snack.

Meanwhile, Novus just watched these two, the short amount of time he had spent with Elena making it more and more obvious to him why such person is friend with the Sword Princess herself.

'Birds of the same feather flocks together huh… I guess the old man's words are really true…'

He thought to himself in amusement, and without the awareness of the fact that those very words reflect the reason as to why he can hang out and get along well with these two people right now.

Truly, time passes faster when one is spending in on things that they find enjoyable, or at the very least, this reflects true for the three right now, who abruptly stopped on their tracks as it is only now that it dawned upon them something that changed in their surroundings.

Gone was the heat and light provided by the sun as it hid behind the horizon, replacing it in the skies being the bright moon accompanied by the glittering stars.

The festival goes on lively nonetheless, with the not only the stalls, but also the floating lights made by the Environment Manipulation classes previously lit up the academy's nighttime streets.

There is a different feel and atmosphere to the surroundings the moment that the sun finished its travel in the high skies, the faint cool of the night, paired with the lighting's artificial warmth giving off a dreamy feel to everything, as if one is traversing between reality and dream.

Having satisfied themselves with all the exploration, checking out stalls one after another without a care for the thought of everyone else around them, the trio also indulged in this dreamy warmth, giggling and laughter of ladies echoing in the air as they felt all too entertained with their company.

"Time really flew past us, it's a pity that it's already late in the night…"

Elena revealed a genuine smile as she looked at her two companions during the entire first day of the festival, her heart still feeling warm and fuzzy as she looked back upon the truly enjoyable experience she had with these two.

"Then, how about going with us tomorrow too? Although we won't explore much since we're checking the Alchemy Class's competition~~"

Medea asked cheerfully as she took a step closer towards her friend, and Elena, hearing the Sword Princess' words, couldn't help but reveal a playful smile as she teases.

"That would be a problem, won't it? I wouldn't want to be the third party on your dates with Junior Novus…"

The ever-so-tranquil Elena reveals a sharp, cheeky edge as her languid eyes closes with the end of her words, words that caught the always confident Sword Princess completely off-guard.

"D-d-date!!?? Th-This is not a DATE you know!!??"

Medea stuttered in an attempt to reply, forcing a laugh out of Elena's lips as her giggling was carried by the cool night wind, a gaze of both interest and amusement landing upon the Sword Princess, and ever-so-often, upon the interesting freshman as well.

"Junior Novus doesn't seem to deny it though~"

Elena pointed out as she took a few steps ahead of the two of them, taking a good, long look at the two with a knowing smile on her face, before matching their pace once more.

There are only occasional talks as the atmosphere of the small group seems to change with that one final thing that Elena pointed out, yet even then, the three still felt truly comfortable and warm during their walk back to the dormitories.

"Then, we'll be expecting you tomorrow as well, Junior Novus."

Elena said as she gestured a graceful bow before turning around, looking at her dear friend before winking at her, moving first and leaving the two to themselves.

"I… uh—"

"Medea, I—"

Few moments of silence passed before the two of them finally gathered themselves enough to speak, to talk to each other.

And the moment that they interrupted each other's words, their gaze, once averted away from each other for reasons unknown to both themselves, find each other once more.

They stare at each other's face for a while, listless, both waiting for each other to speak once more, and once silence engulfs the two of them once more, their lips cracked, into a smile, and before long, the lady giggled and the young man laughed.

"Sorry about Elena, she's quite easygoing and all, but she can also be quite pushy sometimes…"

As she wept the tears from laughing too much, Medea explained, earning a smile from Novus as he dismissed the apology, pointing out how he enjoyed the easygoing senior's company as well.

"You're both amazing peoples, I can see why you're friends with Senior Elena, Medea…"

He added with a faint smile on his face, something that the Sword Princess took the liberty of staring for just a moment longer before returning a warm smile as well, grinning with her eyes turning crescent as she spoke.

"Hehe~~ is dear Junior Novus here learning to throw compliments now~~?"

"Enjoy it while it last, it's only once in a while."

"Come on~~ you can spare some praises for this big sister every now and then you know~~?"

Witnessed by nothing else but the night sky, their relation seems to grow a bit deeper than it was before.