Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart – Student Cafeteria
This was a cafeteria located in the central area of the academy's main street.
Although each dormitory had its own mess hall, the meals and menus there were fixed and limited in quantity. Except for the top-tier Raphael Men's Dorm and Griffon Women's Dorm, most students didn't enjoy dining in their dorm mess halls. Even the elite students from those privileged dorms often preferred not to eat there. As a result, this central cafeteria was very popular and would become extremely lively during mealtimes.
Moreover, the central cafeteria had an excellent environment. It was housed in a modern building with one wall entirely made of glass. The interior was spacious, the ceiling high, and the open layout was bright and airy. The cafeteria was lined with sleek, white tables of modern design, giving it a clean and tidy look.
The meals and dishes here were diverse. Along the wall near the kitchen, a wide array of food was laid out—large platters and metal containers were filled with all kinds of meat, fish, salads, bread, and more. Students lined up neatly, serving themselves from the spread, then heading to the cashier to pay. The scene was rather pleasing to the eye.
Rozen didn't usually come here, since the food in the Raphael Men's Dorm mess hall was decent and, more importantly, free. Now that he had Irori—a doll girl skilled in cooking and all household chores—who prepared all his meals, Rozen had even less reason to visit this place.
But today, Rozen had come.
"Hey, look over there."
"Is that really him?"
"He came to this cafeteria?"
"That's rare."
The students in the cafeteria noticed Rozen's arrival, and surprise quickly spread among them, sparking chatter and turning the atmosphere lively.
Many seemed eager to approach and socialize with him, but a single glare from Irori and Yaya quickly made them abandon the thought.
As for Komurasaki, upon seeing the students lining up for food, her heart instantly became lively. Volunteering to get food for everyone, she ran off to join the line, which startled the other students into an awkward stiffness. But soon, her eager and adorable demeanor won them over, and they relaxed, some even showing fond expressions.
The three sisters of Setsugetsuka were all designed to be breathtakingly beautiful, each looking like a work of art that could stir the heart. Among them, Komurasaki was the most cheerful, lovable, and approachable. It was only natural people were drawn to her.
However, Irori was clearly overly concerned, worried that someone with bad intentions might try something in the crowd. Unable to hold back, she rushed over to take Komurasaki's hand, intent on protecting her. Yet, she didn't realize that her presence caused even more of a stir.
After all, Komurasaki had the appearance of a child. Unless someone had very specific tastes, no normal person would harbor inappropriate thoughts toward her. Irori, on the other hand, was a mature, elegant Yamato Nadeshiko. As a Snow Maiden, she had a uniquely refined aura, easily captivating onlookers.
Such a young woman arriving only heightened the temptation for anyone with less-than-honorable thoughts.
Fortunately, everyone knew exactly who these Automaton Dolls belonged to. Trying anything with them would be akin to signing one's death warrant.
Thus, Irori and Komurasaki smoothly got their food and returned to Rozen, sitting down at a table Yaya had selected. They began chatting and waiting.
Then, that person arrived at the cafeteria.
The students immediately erupted in murmurs.
Because the person who entered was far too unexpected.
"Magnus!"
"Magnus came too?"
"What's going on?"
"Doesn't the 'Marshal' never eat in the student cafeteria?"
"Wait, could it be..."
"No way..."
Amidst the shocked and confused stares of the students, a masked male student walked into the cafeteria, flanked by all six of his Automaton Dolls.
His gaze immediately locked onto Rozen's direction.
Rozen, as if sensing something, lifted his head and looked back.
Their gazes met mid-air, a silent exchange of unspoken meaning.
Then, Magnus began walking toward Rozen, with the girls behind him following closely. Their wariness toward Rozen was so palpable, it was practically visible.
Clearly, the girls still regarded Rozen as their greatest threat. If circumstances had allowed, they might have rushed in to try eliminating him and removing this dangerous obstacle from Magnus's path.
Unfortunately for them, Rozen's own Automaton Dolls were no less vigilant. They stepped behind him, eyes locked onto Magnus and his team, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Both sides' Automaton Dolls entered a mutual state of tension.
In contrast, Rozen and Magnus acted as if nothing was happening—one calm, one composed—as they met across the table.
"You're here."
Rozen greeted him like a friend.
"I'm here."
Magnus replied coolly, extending his hand to reveal a sparrow perched on his fingertip.
Rozen reached out his hand and beckoned to the tiny sparrow. It chirped sweetly, then took flight and turned into a talisman, landing gently in Rozen's palm.
That sparrow had been Rozen's shikigami.
Rozen had used it to send an invitation to Magnus.
However...
"Your power has truly grown stronger in these past two months. To think that shikigami could breach my workshop's barrier... Impressive."
Magnus said, his eyes glinting.
"You flatter me," Rozen replied casually. "Now that you're here, take a seat."
Magnus was silent for a moment, then sat down across from Rozen.
Seeing this, the surrounding students held their breath.
After all, both Rozen and Magnus were the academy's top figures. One was the first-ranked student, the other the runner-up. One was the most brilliant genius since the academy's founding, the other someone who had defeated even the strongest magus of the 19th century. The two had always been rivals and had even clashed before. Now they sat face to face, seemingly preparing to talk—how could the students not be curious?
Even their Automatons were still fully tense, glaring at each other and not letting their guard down.
Anyone witnessing this scene would surely be curious about the conversation between Rozen and Magnus.
But since Rozen chose this location for their meeting, he clearly wasn't worried about eavesdropping.
In fact, he had already erected a soundproof barrier and even cast illusions to obscure any attempts to spy on them.
To outsiders, it looked like the two were in a silent standoff. But in truth, their conversation had already begun.