Chapter 216: Small Tea Party

"My, welcome home, Arthur."

"Hmm, welcome."

I did say I wanted to ask Alesia about something related to what she said last night. However, I'd never expected to find her sitting in my garden, around an elegant round chair with a warm light ball floating around, with Vivian.

Various snacks and a cup of tea for each were on top of the table. My gaze then went to Eliza, who sat between the two on a chair. Her bitter smile told me she also just went with the flow and sat with them.

Milea smiled cheekily in the distance, standing at attention with Lisa and Lara. The twins bowed when they saw me and glanced at Vivian.

"I hope you don't mind us having a small tea party in your beautiful garden, Arthur."

Vivian smiled softly at me and pointed at the empty chair with her hand.

"And we have prepared a chair for you if you want to join. Silly me, this is your mansion, but I was the one who invited you, fufufu."

That giggle was unfair. She knew that I wouldn't be able to refuse her invitation, and she also knew that Alesia was the owner of this mansion before. I also told them to consider this place their new home, allowing them to hold anything but a big party without my permission.

"Please don't mind me then. I am also thirsty after having a conversation with Archbishop Sana."

As I sat down, Eliza's lips moved, making the 'I am sorry' movement. I just smiled at her without saying anything, showing that I didn't mind it too much.

"Oh?" Alesia raised her voice slightly, turning toward me. "About last night?"

"Yes." I nodded in confirmation, looking at the headmistress.

"The Kingdom covered what happened last night as a Half-Vampire rampaging due to the effect of the full moon. My interference or Milea's kidnapping has been completely erased in their story."

"Interesting. It sounds like they are trying to get the credit for solving the problem instantly and saving the church's image from being tarnished by this incident. Though you would feel bad about it, you can't protest at all."

The headmistress immediately arrived at the same conclusion as me. Indeed. If I went there and said that I was the one who solved the incident last night, Mia and Milea's presence would also be exposed, leading to the idea of 'The church harboring Half-Vampire and letting her go on a rampage.'

I did solve the incident, but I created some stir due to my impatience too.

"I still need to learn a lot." I scratched my cheek and smiled wryly.

At that moment, Vivian served me tea she poured secretly.

"Enjoy it, Arthur."

"Thank you, Madam Vivian."

"Fufufu, you're welcome. Also, you can call me Mama, you know? Just like Eliza."

"Mama!"

Being teased, Eliza shouted with a bright red face. She puckered her lips, pouting.

Vivian just giggled at her daughter, giving her a cookie to calm the pouting tsundere. Both had a great relationship as a family, and they exuded a warm atmosphere.

Alesia's lips also curled up slightly. But it quickly disappeared just as usual, returning to her poker face. Nothing out of the ordinary. This tea party was perfect for me to rest after everything that had happened lately.

Probably, Vivian heard it from Alesia and prepared this for me. Or she just wanted to have a talk with her former teacher. I didn't know.

Anyway, we just enjoyed the small talk and forgot about the matter in the Capital City. This momentary peace reminded me of my goal in this world once again.

I chose this world to rest and enjoy my life. Moving slowly without getting rushed by anything was my dream.

However, that goal and dream seemed to be distant lately with everything going on.

'I should enjoy this more.'

Of course, I would still be careful and not get involved in whatever that crazy Princess planned. After getting back at her and showing her that she shouldn't mess with me any longer, I planned to have a little adventure around the Virtue Kingdom while waiting for the second event.

The sky turned dark, and the nuns retreated inside to prepare for dinner. Lisa and Lara went to the backyard and fed Astro, just like usual.

Seeing them leaving, Eliza rose from her seat and followed suit. It seemed like my childhood friend had taken a liking to feeding Astro. That was good. After all, I tamed that little tiger to become her partner and protect her.

Only the three of us were left. Vivian began to recall her experience and memories with the headmistress, and the older elf just listened in silence while giving a comment a few times.

It only lasted a few minutes before Eliza's mother rose from her seat too. The reason? It was because of Eliza's scream.

"Mama! Help me!!"

Her voice came from the backyard, followed by Lisa and Lara, who tried to calm her down.

"It can't be helped. Please excuse me, teacher. My daughter seems to have been bitten by Astro again. That little guy will only release her when I ask him nicely... It's a problem."

The way she spoke was as if this wasn't the first time Astro bit Eliza. Why? And for what reason? That brought questions to me.

However, Vivian just left like that. Her hips swayed as she walked away, and I was left with Alesia alone.

"So..."

The headmistress spoke in a serious tone, totally different from her previous indifferent one. Her blue eyes focused on me.

"What question do you have for me? It seems you wanted to ask something."

"You're really a good observer, headmistress." I chuckled and dropped my smile, forming a small one.

"I didn't live for more than 300 years for nothing."

Sipping the last tea in her cup, she spoke with a long-expression as if she was trying to remember something in her life.

"Age gives you wisdom and the ability to know something hidden, no matter how small it is. And I do have a title [Observer] thanks to observing my students for 200 years."

"Figures."

[Observer] title was not something rare in Horizon Online. Primarily those who specialized in tracking and investigating had them.

The effect was simple, to make them more observant and enhance their tracking-based skills. And I wouldn't be surprised if she knew the secret in Capital City by now.

"So my question, headmistress. Will you be willing to answer it honestly? Just think it's for your student."

"My, but the Princess is a student in my Academy too." A mischievous smirk appeared on her face. "However, if you promise me one thing, I will answer one question honestly." She raised her index finger and put it on her cheek.

I faked a sigh of exasperation and answered, "Fine. We have a deal."

Looking at the headmistress, it seemed my fake reaction didn't convince her. But she just smiled at me.

"Great." She said, "Then promise me that you will win the Annual Tournament. This year, the tournament is a bit different and will have all Academies participate. I wanted the Royal Academy to be the best in all aspects. Can you do it?"

'Annual Tournament, huh?' I thought in my mind. 'So the second event also started sooner than back in the game.'

How convenient. If she brought it up, that meant this tournament would be held sooner than what I remembered too.

Noticing my curious expression, Alesia continued, "It will be held in 7 days."

I planned to have a little adventure first, but it seemed like it wouldn't be possible. Seven days was not that long of a time.

Well, that wasn't much of a problem.

Without a doubt, that tournament probably was the best place if that crazy Princess wanted to make a move, as many important people, including King Cassius and the Pope, would attend the final.

Given that the rule had changed and apparently all Academies would compete with each other, the venue would probably also be bigger.

I observed the headmistress, and she still smiled like before.

'She's also planning something, huh?'

At least I knew why there was a sudden change.

I nodded at her, "Very well. I swear with my name, Arthur Vainglory, that I will win that Tournament."

"How dependable." Alesia laughed in a low voice. "Now, what's your question, student Arthur? I will answer it as the headmistress of the Royal Virtue Academy."