[30.1] The Brightest and the Dullest Minds

I clasped my hands together.

"Dear Lucifer, Buddha, Hades, or whoever is available. Please PLEASE be on my side during this troubling time. I don't ask you for much, but today I ask for your help. I can offer my soul or a sacrifice, whichever payment you require."

Cyrus sat next to me unamused, "It's not that big of a deal."

I glared at him, "It is so! Maybe it's not a big deal for a genius like you, but it is for me!"

Felix rubbed my back to pacify me, "It's okay, Reika. I'm sure you passed the test."

The teacher handed back the tests as she spoke, "I am disappointed in what I was told was the brightest minds of the Academy. I can't believe that less than half of you were able to pass."

My expression paled.

Felix pulled his hand back, "Or maybe you didn't."

The teacher handed the test to Cyrus, "I am very impressed, Prince Cyrus. You truly are a worthy candidate for the throne."

I peeked at his paper and noticed he had gotten every question correct. I narrowed my eyes, "Teacher's pet."

The teacher then gave back a test to Felix, "Mr. Newman. You did good, but you can do better. If you study harder, I think you can catch up to Prince Cyrus."

Felix let out a laugh, "I doubt that."

The teacher handed me my test with an unimpressed look, "Hm."

I grabbed the test and closed my eyes.

I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

I slowly opened one eye to see my fate.

I stood up and shouted, "I PASSED!"

Cyrus looked over at it with disinterest and hummed, "By one point."

I smiled, feeling proud of myself, and spoke in a sing-songy voice, "Still passing."

Felix clapped, "Good job! I guess our last-minute studying paid off."

I nodded, "I agree! We should go out to celebrate!"

Felix grinned, "What about the Lunar festival? The first night is tonight. I heard there's a lot of fun to be had there."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, "Isn't that festival only for children?"

He shook his head, "Not at all! Children might be the target audience, but adults can go and have fun too. They have fortune tellers, demonstrations, lanterns, and great food!"

My eyes lit up, "Food?! Let's go!"

Felix spoke, "Let's go after we finish our classes today."

"Sounds good!" I looked over at Cyrus, "You're coming too, right?"

He pursed his lips, "I don't know. We haven't made much progress on our investigation. I should probably focus on that instead of going out and having fun."

I clicked my tongue, "Come on! You spend every day trying to figure out that case. It might help if you take a step back, have some fun, then look at it with fresh eyes."

He didn't look convinced, "It seems more like a waste of time."

I nudged him playfully, "Who knows. Maybe something big will happen while we are there. Criminals always come out to cause trouble during festivals."

Felix leaned in with a playful grin, "If he doesn't want to go, then we should just go together Reika." He emphasized, "Me. And you. No one else."

I rolled my eyes.

There's no way that will work-

Cyrus looked at me with a firm gaze, "I will go."

…

I went home to drop off my things and noticed the Headmaster getting a shoulder massage at the table as he looked over documents. Since my Mother moved in, I've noticed he's been bringing his work home instead of staying in his office.

My mother smiled, "Reika! My darling. You seem happy today. Did you pass your test?"

I grinned, "I did! Felix, Cyrus, and I are all going to go to the Lunar Festival tonight to celebrate. Apparently, there is a tradition where you release lanterns AND there will be tons of great food!"

"Food!?" Zephyr ran over to me, "Can I go?!"

I nodded, "Of course."

The Headmaster looked at me in disapproval, "I don't think it's safe to be out that late… Especially with boys."

My mother spoke up, "Oh, I think she's fine. She's very mature for her age."

I put my hands on my hips proudly, "I am!"

He shook his head, "I'm not sure."

My mother leaned near his face with a sly smile. Her hand slowly teased his neck, "What if you and I also went? I've heard that couples who release lanterns with each other will stay together forever. Doesn't that sound romantic?"

The documents in his hand turned into blocks of ice.

She stood up with a grin and walked over to me, "It's settled! Let's go get ready!"

"Haah?" I looked at her with surprise, "Get ready for what?"

"We have to look our best for our dates."

Eh? Dates?

I looked down at myself, "I think I look good enough."

She looked at my uniform, "Please don't tell me you plan on going in that."

I pursed my lips, "What's wrong with this? It's comfortable."

She sighed and shook her head, "My oh my. Reika, you really do lack awareness. Come on. Mummy will pick out a nice outfit for you~"

Zephyr rushed after us, "I can do her hair!"

After being pampered, I was standing in front of a mirror staring at my reflection. The pale blue dress I was in was extremely beautiful, but I held mixed feelings. I shifted uncomfortably as I stared.

My mother looked at me worried, "What's wrong?"

I pursed my lips, "Don't you think… It's a bit much?"

"What do you mean?"

"My shoulders are showing and the dress goes a bit low… Isn't it a bit revealing?"

Zephyr snickered, "I think that blonde-haired brat will faint from joy if he sees you in that."

I looked away from my reflection, "I highly doubt that."

Although…

I am a bit curious about what his reaction will be.

My mother reached out and squeezed my cheeks, "My little girl is getting so old! I-I think I'm going to cry-"

My eyes started tearing up, "Don't cry because then I will start crying!"

"Don't even think about crying." Zephyr pushed us apart, "I just did her makeup. I didn't spend all that time just for it to be ruined."

My mother laughed, "Alright, I will stop. But my darling fox, how did you get so good at hair and makeup?"

He smiled proudly, "My sisters always made me do their hair and makeup. Now I'm a professional."

My Mother smiled and rubbed the top of his head, "Such a good boy."

He grinned toothily as his tail wagged from her reinforcement.

I went to my door, "Come on. I bet Goldilocks and Crybaby are already waiting for me and are getting impatient."

We walked down the stairs to see the Headmaster waiting by the door in a new suit and tie. He looked over at me and smiled, "You look very nice."

I smiled back at him, "You don't think it's too much?"

"Not at all." His expression darkened, "But if either of those boys dares touch you-"

I laughed, "They won't."

Zephyr ran over, "I will bite their hands if they try!"

The Headmaster nodded, "Good. If they even make a slight move on her-"

His words abruptly stopped as he stared at the stairs with his mouth slightly open. I turned to see my mother standing on the stairs in a lovely sundress, smiling warmly at him. She batted her eyes, "Aldrich. How do I look?"

He closed his mouth and spun around in his spot, quickly rushing to the door.

She ran after him, "Aldrich! Don't run away! Come look at me!"

She pounced on him, but he forcefully shut his eyes and tried to remain stonefaced, "Why do you need me to look at you!?"

Zephyr snickered, "It's always funny when the snowman gets embarrassed."

The Headmaster glared at him, "Who said I was embarrassed?"

Zephyr pointed, "The frost on the windows."