-1463- Want it or not?

The setting sun marked the quiet arrival of dusk, painting the clouds on the horizon in a warm red hue.

Typically, living at an altitude of 3,000 meters comes with numerous challenges, such as thin air and low temperatures. However, due to the self-regulating system of the floating city, these issues were no longer concerns. As a result, even with the onset of evening, the temperature did not drop significantly. The mild warmth in the air persisted, allowing students dressed in uniforms to walk out of the school gates, chatting and laughing with each other.

Rozen also exited the school gate, yawning as he did so.

Along the way, many students paused when they saw Rozen, their faces filled with excitement, admiration, and longing. Some of the girls even blushed and secretly squealed, as if they were seeing a celebrity.

In truth, in this place, Rozen was indeed akin to a celebrity, perhaps even the most famous and dazzling one.

However, Rozen had experienced similar treatment back at Saikai Academy, so he no longer found it strange.

In fact, Rozen actually preferred the current situation over his time at Saikai Academy.

It's not that Saikai Academy was bad, but because at that time, he was honing his mindset and receiving constant guidance from Natsuki, urging him to maintain a perfect image in public. This led to him being courteous and smiling all the time, which made the girls in school adore him and constantly hover around him. Sometimes, it was indeed exhausting.

But now, Rozen could yawn whenever he wanted, avoid interactions if he didn't feel like it, and maintain a lazy demeanor, yet people still screamed for him. The best part was that no one would randomly crowd around him, forcing him to politely respond to every single person. This was the most comfortable situation for him.

Therefore, Rozen was quite content with his life in Mistgun. Otherwise, he wouldn't have provided so much magical technology, not only because he saw how unstable life was for the people of this world and wanted to help but also because he truly considered Mistgun his place of refuge.

As a result, Rozen didn't dislike his current life at all. Sometimes attending classes, sometimes mentoring juniors, and sometimes focusing on research—it all gave him a sense of freedom and comfort.

Of course, the most important thing was that here, he could still work towards the goals he had set when he arrived in this world, completing his tasks diligently.

Achieving his objectives while living comfortably—who wouldn't enjoy such a life?

Thus, Rozen arrived at the school gate and leaned against the wall next to it, waiting for the person he was supposed to meet.

That being said…

"You're already here, so what's this all about?" Rozen couldn't help but tease.

In front of him, behind a tree, a small head cautiously peeked out, causing the dark blue twin tails to sway slightly, giving off a lively impression.

It seemed like the person was hesitating about whether to come out or how to explain once they did. She was stuck in indecision, making Rozen almost roll his eyes.

At that moment, Rozen's eyes shifted slightly, and an idea popped into his head.

"Oh no! My bag! It has the lemon pie I just made!" Rozen dramatically yelled, pretending to accidentally let go of his bag, which then flew out of his hand.

It was clearly an act, and a poorly executed one at that.

But someone fell for it.

"Lemon pie...!?"

The girl who had been hiding behind the tree widened her eyes in panic, and without a second thought, activated her flying magic, darting out.

"Whoosh!"

Like a gust of wind, the dark blue figure swiftly dashed out, catching the flying bag in her arms as if it had been snatched away by a shadow, instantly disappearing.

"Whew..."

Yuri floated in mid-air, holding the bag like it was a precious treasure, letting out a sigh of relief.

But soon, Yuri realized what had just happened.

"Oh no...!"

Yuri quickly turned her head, looking towards Rozen.

The next moment, a teasing expression filled with amusement entered her sight.

"Thanks a lot, Yuri. You were a big help."

Rozen, far from being flustered, wore a completely unconcerned expression, as if everything had gone exactly as planned.

Seeing this, Yuri understood.

"You... You tricked me, didn't you, Rozen-senpai!"

Yuri was instantly furious.

But Rozen remained completely calm.

"No, no, no. There really is a lemon pie inside. You can check if you don't believe me."

Hearing this, Yuri did check Rozen's bag, and sure enough, she found lemon pie inside.

Judging by its still warm appearance, Yuri could tell that it had been made not too long ago and that Rozen had made it himself.

"You're still as defenseless against sweets as ever."

Rozen chuckled.

It wasn't just Yuri; Chloe was the same.

Girls, perhaps, had an inexplicable attachment to sweets.

However, Yuri and Chloe were more obsessed with sweets than the average person, almost comparable to Edelweiss.

Because of this, Yuri and Chloe had little resistance to Rozen's homemade sweets, and at one point, their weight even skyrocketed, nearly causing a crisis between the two girls.

And ever since Rozen decided to transfer to the Alchemist Division in their first year, Yuri hadn't tasted his sweets again.

For this reason, Rozen was certain this would lure her out.

Sure enough, Yuri now looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole.

"Did you know it would be me from the start?"

Yuri bit her lip.

Perhaps even Yuri hadn't expected this?

Unfortunately...

"I've been around Kanata for years. You think I wouldn't notice what he's up to?"

Rozen shrugged.

It was precisely because he noticed something that Rozen had prepared the lemon pie in advance, right?

"I've seen you working hard lately, so I wanted to reward you a little. Consider it a senpai's kindness, okay?"

Rozen said with a smile.

"I don't need any kindness from a lying senpai!"

Yuri didn't appreciate it at all.

"Really?" Rozen remained indifferent. "In that case, I'll just get rid of the lemon pie. No one wants it anyway."

As he spoke, Rozen reached for the lemon pie in Yuri's hands.

"Whoosh!"

In almost an instant, Yuri dodged Rozen's hand with a speed that was nearly akin to teleportation.

"It's not like no one wants it!" Yuri fumed. "Wouldn't it be a shame to waste something like this?"

Rozen was speechless.

"So, do you want it or not?"

Rozen finally couldn't hold back and rolled his eyes.

Yuri became conflicted again. After a while, she muttered under her breath.

"The lemon pie is innocent..."

There was no need to say what that implied.

"You're still as untruthful as ever." Rozen took back the bag from Yuri's arms and said, "Alright, let's go."

"W-wait!" Yuri hurriedly followed him.

Neither of them noticed the numerous figures that had appeared behind them.

Moreover, one after another, they began following Rozen and Yuri.