Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

When the clock at Professor Landry's house struck three in the afternoon, the Great Monastery bell of the Cerryti Empire's capital simultaneously chimed. The Moon Goddess Festival had reached its peak.

"It's time to head to the Main Hall."

Lanci rose from his study, gazing out at the snow-free campus scenery, stretching wearily.

He screwed the cap back onto his pen, tidied the documents on the desk, and organized them neatly.

Today's workload had concluded, and the next major event would nearly be the grand showdown.

Meanwhile, the activity at the Main Hall he was about to attend would fulfill his duties as a professor, and also serve as a rare, leisurely moment.

I wonder where Tolyado and Cat Boss have wandered off to.

Lanci pondered.

For now, the only ones confirmed to be hanging around near Saint Kray Monastery were Tolyado and Cat Boss.

Antanas and the others were likely at the city center where the Brielda Opera House stood, planning to return later, while Sigrid was probably at the Temple of Gods. Hyperion's group, on the other hand, could be anywhere.

The group would probably only be able to gather together later tonight for the floating lanterns event.

But no matter what, Lanci reckoned he would only have time to focus on his own tasks today. Whether he'd run into friends was purely a matter of chance—besides, he didn't have the time to join them anyway.

Being alone isn't so bad.

Right now though, rumors about him throughout the campus were more than plentiful, leaving him rather distressed.

"It'll fall apart on its own eventually."

Lanci's thoughts and gaze drifted along with the occasional bursts of lively voices outside the window.

After midday, countless devout citizens had swarmed into Saint Kray Monastery, planning to pay their respects at the Moon Goddess's Altar and seek the Goddess's blessing.

Of course, tonight's highlight would be the Moon God High Priest's Blessing Dance. Those who arrived early to secure a good spot would get the chance to witness the performance of Violet, the Sixth Army God of Aquamarine.

Meanwhile, at another site.

Several kilometers away from the residential district, in the center of the Great Monastery's Elliot Square, a sea of people bustled. The open-air colonnade of pale chalkstone was adorned with pennants featuring laurel floral patterns that fluttered and waved in the wind.

In a massive incense burner five meters tall, sacred incense was being burned, its curling white smoke diffusing, seemingly striving to carry the will and prayers of the people to divine ears.

In the center of Elliot Square, a towering pure-white obelisk several stories tall stood majestically. The four sides of the obelisk bore engraved maxims from ancient prophets, while the empire's devout citizens solemnly stood before it, praying to the Elseya Holy Domain's edicts and seeking enlightenment.

The chime of Elliot Building's clock resonated, rippling through the air and mist.

"I come here often, meow. Inside's like a maze, and Aran was always reminding Sikder not to venture inside alone."

Cat Boss looked at the building Lanci often visited for his classes, introducing it to Tolyado.

"But without a professor leading us, it seems we can't enter the building to explore. We can only linger around the public shops and buy some Moon Goddess Festival commemorative goods."

Tolyado was showing Cat Boss around, amusing themselves with the various sights.

Not far from the square in front of the building, there was the central area of Saint Kray Monastery's campus, adjacent to the iconic Vennard Library and Grand Auditorium.

This five-story towering main building was constructed out of red bricks and gray stones, its outer walls adorned with holy white decorative lines. On the triangular pediment of its facade was inlaid the ancient insignia of Saint Kray Monastery.

Beneath the pediment were three arched grand doors, the central entrance embossed with the words "Saint Kray Elliot Building."

From the outside, one could see a ceiling at the entrance hall paved with black-and-white marble tiles, hanging brass chandeliers. It was said that the entire building housed 121 classrooms and seminar rooms used primarily for undergraduate students studying magic theory and magitech engineering courses.

"Will Lanlan come over later, meow?"

They guessed that after finishing his work at home, Lanci would head to the Main Hall for the event, and might pass by Elliot Building and this square on his way from the residential district to the center area. Staying here to play might just give them an opportunity to meet Lanci.

"I guess I don't want to leave that guy behind after all. Everyone else is resting during the Moon Goddess Festival, while he's been working non-stop all day."

Tolyado sighed, petting Cat Boss affectionately.

He'd already realized that Cat Boss simply didn't understand the principles of Space Magic.

Perhaps stroking its head might somehow miraculously inspire it to grasp Space Magic.

"Even if we manage to run into him, meow, he'd probably be too busy to stick around and have fun. Still, maybe we can sneak him a snack, meow."

Cat Boss sniffed the barbecue aroma wafting through the square from the temporary shops, its mouth watering.

These were barbecue chefs of outstanding skill.

With Saint Kray Monastery's exceptionally high-quality, self-sourced ingredients, paired with imperial-style seasoning, these dishes—usually considered loss-leading items—were snapped up instantly by students during normal times. Only today, during the festival, were they supplied in unlimited quantities.

Plus, Cat Boss caught the enticing scent of grilled fish.

Its absolute favorite—grilled fish!

"This line is ridiculously long."

Tolyado tried standing on tiptoe but still couldn't see how much further they'd have to wait.

On the eastern side of the monastery near Elliot Building, the popular temporary shops had queues stretching far.

These were establishments run by the Saint Cret Alchemy Magic Cooking Institute, offering specialty dishes made specifically for the Moon Goddess Festival. Among them, the aroma from the barbecue shop where Tolyado and Cat Boss queued was the most enticing, with sizzling sounds from the grill drawing eager diners into the lines.

"Seduo Miao, do you remember the small town of Lilom we docked at after surviving the shipwreck on the Northern Continent? The dried fish there was absolutely delicious. I've never had such mouthwatering dried fish."