4.3.

"Dorry, how long have you been cooking?"

"Why do you ask?"

"From outside appearance, you don't look like someone who knows how to cook," Schwii remarked, hands focused on cutting the Tare beets. Each time her hands moved to push down the knife, her hair would bounce in response.

"That's what most people say," Dorry responded nonchalantly. He understood what she was getting at. After all, the big scar running along his right eye came across as vagrant or wild.

"Is this good enough?" Schwii asked.

"It's good enough."

Dorry took the cutting board from Schwii and slid the Tare beets into the pot. Adding spices and seasoning to the bubbling meat broth, a nice smell began to perfuse into the air.

"There's still some leftover batter. Do you have any more bread on your side?" Leticia asked, her green hair swayed as she turned, a pair of heterochromic eyes met his.

"I think we have some back in our room. I'll go get it, hold on," Sequencee finished up the coating of bread dust on the corndogs.

He cleaned his hands at the sink before rushing out of the apartment unit A317 to enter his own apartment unit A312.

Sequence went to dig the cupboard for the leftovers. With spatial magic, he assessed that Iona remained in her room.

Grabbing the paper bag, Sequence returned to Leticia's unit.

Leticia took the bread, dipped it in the salted egg batter before placing it on top of the heated pan.

"This does seem to take a lot of time," Schwii said as she observed Leticia's handiwork.

"We have to do the pieces one by one, so it's inevitable."

"How about two? You could fit another here right?"

"Are the other's not up yet?" Sequencee asked Dorry.

"No. They usually sleep in late."

'It's almost noon..'

"So why do you wake up so early then?" Schwii asked.

"No clue."

'Sure thing man.. sure thing..'

"Sequencee, did Iona go anywhere?" Schwii asked.

"No. She's still resting in her room."

"Bless her," Schwii sighed.

"Did something happen to your maid?" Dorry asked.

"No.. just, I wished I could show my appreciation for everything she has done for us so I thought maybe to prepare something for her. All this time, she was the one who made food for us,"

Genuinely, she wanted to let Iona know that she was grateful for everything she had done.

"I understand."

And so, it was Iona's first brunch created by someone else.

===

"Here you go," Schwii served with a smile.

"Master.. I don't think you need to go that far.." Iona's expression stiffened. Instead of her maid uniform, she was in a loose shirt and hot pants, the kind of dressing style where one hadn't taken a bath after just waking up from bed.

After some discussion, Schwii and Sequencee came to consensus that it was right to allow Iona to rest a little. She had been particularly busy during the nights to keep enemies at bay. While it wasn't like there were no other assassins protecting Rika Nation from enemy attacks, Iona couldn't take for granted the possibility of any leaks.

"No. I'm doing this for my selfish satisfaction. Please enjoy yourself," Schwii said.

"Sequencee. Do you like these kinds of things?" Leticia queried.

"I never said anything.." he groaned.

'I didn't know Schwii had her own set of maid clothes.. it fits her perfectly.'

"Then does it not suit me?" Schwii asked, picking up the fringes of her maid dress and raising it slightly.

The slight exposure of her skin between the high black stocking and dress naturally drew one's eyes into the abyss. It gave her a ravishing appearance, tickling the desires of men. When her skirt fluttered to the sudden motion, Sequencee and Dorry turned away. Dorry had even fake a cough.

"It's not that it doesn't suit you.. well.. it.." Sequencee stuttered.

"Then?"

"In my opinion, it's making men want to push you down." Dorry said bluntly.

"I see. Then I should wear this more often when I'm alone with Sequencee then," with a sweet smile, the succubus twirled around once.

"..."

"You like this right? Right?" She leaned in and whispered seductively into his ear.

"S-Schwii.. we're in the middle of a meal.. aren't you supposed to attend Iona?" Sequencee panicked, feeling the heat in his cheeks.

"Oh. M-My bad! Sorry Iona, uh, please begin eating everyone," Schwii tried to mimic Iona's usual stiff bow.

"Master, please sit. I can't bear to eat if you are not joining us.." Iona drawled.

"Oh, okay."

French toast, corn dogs, tofu chicken soup with sticky Tare beets among other ingredients, and a side of bean sprouts.

"Where did you get this? It's crunchy for some reason," Sequencee asked, looking at the sprouts.

"It's from my garden. I picked the best ones for today," Leticia said.

"Which one did milady cook?" Iona asked.

"I helped with the soup, and maybe a little of the french toast."

"I'm grateful for this."

"I'm glad it didn't turn out inedible thanks to Leticia and Dorry. Sequencee too."

With a nod, Iona brought the spoon of soup to her mouth and savored food made by the princess. What a privilege– she thought.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As they were enjoying the meal, amidst their light banter, loud knocks resounded at the door.

"Who is it.." Schwii groaned.

"I'll go get it.." Sequencee heaved a sigh. He had an inkling to who it was but.. as for why the person was here, he didn't know.

Opening the door, his guess wasn't off mark. Risa Takashi, the female hero summoned to save the world.

"Sequencee. You're hired," she pointed at him.

"What?"

===

The second semester was entering its third week. Exchange students from all over the continent were beginning to pour in from the gates. Many carriages could be seen at the entrance, students wearing unique uniforms crowded Sage's Hall.

Many of them harbored expectations towards meeting the heroes, from among the many were also those that had hopes to win a spot into the heroes' party.

While it was known to everyone that the winner of this year's New Dawn Series would get a chance to stay with the hero for a period of time, they knew that this was just one of many ways to get in on their party.

It's usually those that use unconventional means that ended up as the hero's accomplice, not the other way around. It was difficult enough to handle the people in Riestallia Academy, what's more to say the top students from other academies.

Lancet Estia, student of Eluive's Prestigious Academy for Heroes, sat amidst the crowd. His fiance Rose Stravince sat to the right of him, his sister-in-law Azaleas Stravince sat to the left.

Rose and Azaleas were twins. Both had blazing red hair and indigo coloured irises. While they look identical, one could easily tell apart the two from the way their eyebrows were arched.

Rose was a fierce girl with a fiery temperament, while Azaleas was more of the gentle type, always hanging a smile on her face.

A little further away at the dignitary seats sat Titania Eluive, the elven princess and Nearl Rayon, her best friend and guardian knight.

Wearing a traditional dress, the princess's verdant hair stood out, glimmering slightly to the faint light of the pyrite crystals that could be seen growing from the pillars in the hall. Her aquamarine eyes were fixed intently upon the stage, and the tattoo below her right eye represented her kingdom and culture.

Nearl wore light mythril armor, sharp crimson eyes scanned the hall. Her blazing blonde hair tied into a neat ponytail, held together by a red ribbon with small flowers weaved into it.

The speech began with congratulatory introductions of the head of the various departments in the academy, followed by the speech from some of the student representatives. Nothing too noteworthy here except for the regulations which should be kept front and center at all times.

"Let us invite the hero to speak to everyone."

It was only at this point that the crowd went crazy.

Those among them who had the privilege to be chosen as exchange students were the cream of the crop in their own academy. Unlike Riestallia Academy where the students had the opportunity to openly volunteer to go to the other academies, those from outside had to earn their way into Riestallia.

So when Shiro Takashi stepped up on stage, a roaring applause accompanied a heightened tension. Black hair, black eyes– the unique trait of a hero.

Unlike the first time, he gave his speech with much more verve. Learning from his past experiences and having gained confidence from the many trials he had been through, the fear of standing before an audience of thousands now seemed fickle.

Following that was the speech from Her Imperial Highness Evelyn. Her silver hair and amethyst eyes swept over the crowd, an amiable smile decorated her face as she wished every student a wonderful stay in the academy.

Her words riled up the fighting spirit within Lancet. Though he knew it was unlikely that he'd actually clinch victory, he was still the backup should anything happen during the New Dawn Series.

Then the lights in the hall dimmed. The students wondered what was going on when smoke covered the stage.

"Don't forget I exist too!!"

A girl's shout echoed across the hall.

Those who knew the person would place their hands on their faces, but for those who didn't know..

As the smoke subsided, a girl wearing a puffy white dress adorned with everything from ribbons, to frills, to sparkling fabric– she was holding an amplification device along with a band of musicians behind her.

A large projection appeared in the air, her wink sent the crowd into a frenzy. The encore to her song began.

Risa Takashi, the second hero– was going to be performing an idol song for everyone.

It was the craziest concert to have ever graced the hall.. at least, that was what the backstage special effects artist Sequencee, thought.

Sparkles, glitter, small fireworks and bubbles made using mana gave her performance that extra spice. While Sequencee knew the source of these effects was himself, he wondered if Risa had acquired some system gift which aided in the process of preparing for the concert. Trying to coordinate something so complex in such a short notice should've been impossible.

'Or maybe this is part of the protagonist's correction thing Risa told me about..?'

There were three songs in total. Choreographers came on stage to dance while Risa's melodious voice rang out. The crowd swayed like waves, cheered like beasts.. This was the first time Sequencee exhausted his magic in this way. Truly, life is a box of chocolates.

Lancet, who was totally drawn in by the mood, came back to reality when Rose pinched his clothes.

"The butterflies.." she said with awe.

"Yes. They're really pretty.." Lancet muttered.

The explosion of butterflies which fluttered towards the crowd, confetti and fireworks sparked into the sky, lights flashed and voices sored. They relished in the epilogue of the performance.

Seated beside the two, Azaleas thought deeply about what she had witnessed–

And further away, Titania and Nearl applauded the performance greatly.

===

"Yeah!! That was great, everyone, good job!" Risa yelled when she got down backstage.

"Thank you for this opportunity Hero Risa!"

"This is nothin'!"

"Hell yeah! It's finally over!"

"That's gotta be one of the most amazing things they've ever seen in their life.. probably."

Her team of musicians and dancers bubbled up in self-satisfaction. A sense of achievement filled their hearts, they engraved this moment into their memory forevermore.

"Thanks for this Sequencee," Shiro said.

"No problem. I'm just glad it all went well," Sequence said.

As the buzzing crowd settled, the speech from the representatives of the various academies commenced.

"Linzy is not here?"

"She is.. Evelyn just took her to the washroom."

'That sounds like you're taking care of a kid..'

"I hope things will clear up soon between us. Not sure if she's still hostile towards me," Sequencee muttered.

Shiro nodded.

"Then, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first," Sequencee ready to go off.

"Eh? My sister hasn't cut the cake yet."

"Cut the cake?"

"We're going to host a small party at Mochi Corner for everyone. You're included, you know right?"

'Is that how it works..?'

"I mean, Schwii is at home so.."

"I don't think it's a problem if you add a person or two. Maybe just bring them along.. I don't know how much food Risa ordered. Probably a lot," Shiro scratched his cheeks.

"Hm.. then is it alright If Iona joined?"

"Sure thing. Feel free to bring whoever. Of course, don't bring a crowd."

'I don't think she'll deny it but..'

Sequencee noticed how Shiro's gaze fell on Risa. He couldn't put a finger on what exactly about it was off, but there certainly was something up between the two.

"Stay safe. With so many new students, I think there are going to be a lot of eyes on you two," Sequencee said.

"You don't need to remind me that.." Shiro sighed.

"I'll go ask Schwii if she wants to join. Then I'll meet you up at Mochi Corner later then," raising his hands as a gesture of goodbye, Sequencee quickly left through the back exit. He came out the side of the busy colonnade pathway and pushing past the sardine of people, began walking towards the main campus area.

'Those two feel distant.'

Over the past two short weeks of late-night practices with Risa, Sequencee had noticed a sort of drift between them. Sequencee often found Shiro looking longingly at Risa.

"Eh? It's you!"

"Hm?"

Sequencee turned around to the familiar voice.

Whitishish blue hair, crimson eyes. It was Linton, the beastkin he saved around two weeks ago.

"Do you remember me?"

"Linton. Yes, I do."

"Uh.. yeah. Thank you for back then.."

"Sure.. so are you still being chased?"

"Uh, I don't know.."

'Seriously?'

"Normally, you should've stayed for the guards to investigate the situation. That way, they know how to better prepare themselves should something like this happen again. Why is she chasing you anyways?"

"..."

"???"

"..."

"So why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be there with the rest," Sequencee pointed towards the hall.

"I went to the washroom."

"Oh."

"..."

"..."

'Does he not want to talk about it? Why is he so silent? Why standing there silently? Why is his tail wagging? People are staring, you know?'

"Then, I'll be going back first.." Sequencee started.

"Um.. sure."

Linton bowed and left. Sequence took a few steps forward and stopped.

'Should I have asked about it?'

He turned around.

But Linton had already disappeared into the crowd.

'I'll ask if I have the chance next time..'