-1470- The intriguing meeting

It was a day like any other; the morning indoor classes were still ongoing.

Each student was in their respective classroom, making the entire Mistgun feel empty.

More than 90% of the population here are students, so when everyone is in class, the place naturally feels deserted. Even the shops run by those in the Economics Division and Rear Support Division close their doors, so students rarely skip class. After all, even if they did, they'd have nowhere to go but back to their dorms, with nothing to do but idle away.

Rozen, though, never idles away time; even when he has nothing to do, he can always find some magic or jutsuryoku to study. And then there are the endless reports from the Alchemist Division—one batch after another. But rather than being cooped up at home reading reports, he prefers coming to school.

After all, he has the freedom to attend any class in the Sky Wizard Division or Alchemist Division. Even if he spends the class time doing his own thing, with his grades and status, no one would dare say a word.

However, these days, Rozen has been somewhat concerned about Yuri.

According to Kanata and Chloe, Yuri was fine, though still a bit downcast. At the very least, she seems to have pulled herself together and isn't as agitated as she was yesterday.

"Yuri is just a bit too serious, but she's a good kid at heart. You don't need to worry," Chloe had said.

"It's rare for her to open up like this. We should be happy. If you see her, be nice to her, okay?"

With these reassurances from Kanata and Chloe, Rozen felt somewhat relieved.

After all, Yuri has been his junior for more than three years now, and Rozen does care about her.

"Let's hope she can get over it," Rozen sighed, continuing to read the report in his hand while the instructor droned on.

At that moment...

"Attention, please. Attention, please. Rorelai Arneet from the S128 Special Unit, 2nd Year of the Sky Wizard Division. Upon hearing this announcement, please proceed immediately to the Sky Wizard Division Director's office."

"I repeat, S128 Special Unit..."

Such an announcement suddenly echoed through the school, reaching everyone's ears.

"A summons?"

"They're actually summoning Rozen-senpai?"

"That's quite rare..."

The students, who had been quietly attending their classes, were taken aback, then began murmuring in surprise, their gazes turning towards Rozen.

"Me?" Rozen frowned.

He had no choice.

"A summons from the Director of the Sky Wizard Division? Usually, they just call for Chloe, don't they?" Kanata, who was sitting next to Rozen, was a bit surprised.

"Indeed..." Chloe, sitting on Rozen's other side, was equally shocked.

Since Rozen had delegated most of his responsibilities to Chloe, even if there was something important to discuss, Freon would typically summon Chloe rather than Rozen.

So, hearing a broadcast summoning Rozen was something that hadn't happened in quite some time.

"It seems there's something special going on," Rozen thought, standing up.

"Do you need me to go with you?" Chloe asked immediately.

"No, you guys continue with the class," Rozen shook his head.

"Then take care, and try not to argue with the Director, okay?" Kanata waved casually.

"I'll try," Rozen shrugged, then left the classroom, heading for the Sky Wizard Division Director's office.

...

Not long after, Rozen arrived at the office.

"I'm Rorelai Arneet," he announced after knocking.

"Come in," Freon's deep voice came through, reaching Rozen's ears.

Only then did Rozen open the door and walk in.

As soon as he entered, Rozen was taken aback.

Because, besides Freon, there were two other people in the room—two girls whom Rozen did not recognize.

They were two extremely beautiful young ladies.

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Rorelai Arneet," said one of them in a serious tone. She was holding a book and had her long silver-purple hair braided at the back, giving her an intellectual air.

"So, you are Rorelai Arneet?" The other, who was smiling as she looked at Rozen, was like a carefully crafted doll. She wore a pure white dress, with long golden hair, exuding both cuteness and elegance.

Rozen looked at these two girls, his eyes narrowing slightly.

For good reason. The two girls' reactions upon seeing him were entirely different.

The former, as if finally unable to avoid this meeting, closed her eyes with an indifferent expression.

The latter was the complete opposite. Her eyes were full of interest as she observed Rozen, brimming with scrutiny and curiosity, with a hint of playful coldness.

As for Freon, she was quietly observing, seemingly unaware of the situation.

In a single glance, Rozen took in the expressions of everyone in the room before walking in.

"And you are...?" Rozen asked, at least trying to be polite.

To this, Elis responded first.

"I'm Elis Wiegert, an Armored Beetles researcher from Vebel. Pleased to meet you," Elis said with a smile, lifting her skirt slightly as she gave Rozen a graceful bow.

"An Armored Beetles researcher from Vebel, huh?" Rozen looked at her deeply.

Rozen had already heard from Kanata and Chloe that someone from Vebel would be coming and that the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival would be held soon.

So, Rozen already had an idea of what was going on.

However, he didn't say much more and instead turned his attention to the other girl.

Seeing this, the girl introduced herself.

"I'm Cristine Barkhorn, a second-year student in the Intelligence Technology Division and also the Academy's Chief Executive of Mistgun. You should know of me."

Cristine gave Rozen a slight nod.

Hearing this, Rozen was genuinely surprised.

"So, you're the Chief Executive, huh?" Rozen looked at Cristine, then smiled. "I've been at Mistgun for so many years, and I've finally met you."

His words carried a hint of mockery.

The reason was simple.

"I thought the Chief Executive wasn't very keen on meeting me."

Rozen said this with a bit of sarcasm.

Given Rozen's influence, many members of the Floating City Alliance Council had sought him out, and even Zeth had once tried to meet him, only to be turned away.

In such circumstances, the highest authority at Mistgun, the Chief Executive, should have sought Rozen out long ago, both publicly and privately.

Yet, over all these years, Rozen had never once met Cristine.

What does this imply?

It implies that Cristine had been deliberately avoiding meeting him, until today.

For this reason, Rozen's words carried a slight edge.

But Cristine remained silent, saying nothing in response.

Instead, Elis smiled and stepped in to defuse the situation.

"Cris is just a bit shy. After all, you're a great hero, and for girls like us, it takes a bit of courage to meet you face-to-face."

Elis said this, yet she showed no signs of being shy herself.

Watching this, Rozen began to think deeply.