From Armin's house to the school, Shirone and his friends walked with anxious expressions on their faces.
Things had been calm at home, but there was no telling when Siana might change her mind again.
Shirone glanced at her. She was quietly walking with her head down, eyes fixed on the ground. Her downcast figure weighed heavily on his heart.
If that childhood accident hadn't happened, maybe he and Armin could've gotten along better. But he didn't blame Armin for the sudden marriage — he understood that Armin had chosen to step away from Siana to ease her guilt.
Neid muttered under his breath.
"Man, even if you know someone well, it's still hard to tell what's going on between a guy and a girl."
Iruki replied with a shrug.
"Life doesn't always go the way you want. Things just… happen."
"I know, but still. I'd rather she just yelled at us like she did at school instead of staying all quiet."
Neid quickly caught up to Siana.
"Hey, teacher."
"Huh? What?"
"We're hungry. Since we're already here, how about buying us something to eat?"
Siana shot him a look of disbelief.
They had just caused trouble, and now they were asking for food?
"You're seriously asking me to feed you in this situation?"
"Why not? We gotta eat to live, right? Even if we get punished when we go back, I'd rather do it on a full stomach."
Shirone chimed in.
"He's got a point, teacher. Let's eat something. I'm starving."
Iruki added, "In that case, may I suggest we head to the noble district? It's nearby, and I know a really great — and pretty expensive — restaurant."
Siana didn't even have the energy to be annoyed.
Despite their cheeky attitude, she had a feeling she knew why they were acting this way. And truthfully, she didn't feel like walking into school like this. After all, it was the last day of school.
"…Fine. You must be exhausted from all the nonsense you've pulled. Let's eat. But once we're back, be ready."
"Hehehe! Yes, ma'am!"
Neid flashed a mischievous grin. The goal was to lift Siana's spirits — and if that meant her anger cooled a little, all the better.
Once they reached the noble district, Iruki led them to a restaurant glowing with warm golden lights.
Shirone's eyes widened at the sight of the six-story building.
Even the entrance was something else — white ivory pillars held up the balcony, and majestic stone beasts guarded the doorway on either side like silent sentinels.
The sign read: Gold Cupid.
It was one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city, where every dish came with a premium price tag.
"Wow! I've never been to a place like this before. I'm going all in today! Come on, Shirone, let's go!"
"Wait, hold on…"
Shirone glanced nervously at Siana. As expected, she was staring at the sign, clearly taken aback.
It made sense — unless you were planning to really take advantage of your teacher, no student would suggest a place like this.
With a sigh, Siana said, "Alright. We'll eat here."
"Oh! That's our teacher! Bold and generous!"
Iruki joined in with a playful smirk.
"You're underestimating her. A certified sixth-class mage could treat a place like this as her personal kitchen. Isn't that right, teacher?"
"Just hurry up and go inside already. But remember — we eat, then go straight to school."
Shirone had never been to a noble-only restaurant before, and the inside was even more spacious and luxurious than he imagined. The tables were spread far apart, almost like they were wasting space, and one entire side was a shimmering crystal-decorated bar.
All the guests were clearly nobles — Shirone could tell just by the fine accessories they wore.
"Shirone! Over here!"
He joined the others at the table. Neid and Iruki looked around, but neither of them seemed the least bit nervous.
Then came the server. His sharp eyes kept flicking toward Siana — far more than appropriate.
It was obvious he didn't take them seriously. Probably thought they were just kids, even with Siana there.
"Welcome. Thank you for visiting Gold Cupid. I'm honored someone so beautiful has graced our restaurant."
Neid frowned.
"Pfft, this is a top-class restaurant? Then why's the service feel so cheap?"
Determined to get even, he opened the menu, intent on ordering the most expensive thing he could find.
After Neid ordered a full-course meal, Iruki followed suit. Shirone, unsure of what half the menu even meant — Was Olaris stew meat, fish, or monster tongue? — decided to stick with something similar to Neid's order. Iruki's choice seemed too risky.
The moment the VIP-only items started rolling in, the server's expression began to shift. The staff clearly started wondering — Can these kids actually pay for all this?
The price gap between the cheapest and most expensive meals was triple, and if these students were clueless, they might've unknowingly ordered a meal worth twelve times what they expected.
The staff eyed Siana with growing concern. But she was too busy choosing her own dish.
"I'll have the Dasco course. And a bottle of Limones."
Though she rarely drank, she did enjoy a glass of cognac when feeling down.
"Huh? You're drinking, teacher?"
"Why not? You guys break into houses, but I can't have a drink?"
Neid chuckled, tail wagging.
"Haha, true. And you're off duty today, right?"
The server bowed.
"I'll bring everything out shortly."
Shirone and the others chuckled at the retreating server — but then it hit them. All four of them had ordered course meals. They remembered the price tags… but Siana didn't seem fazed.
Right. She's a certified sixth-class mage.
Even among nobles, that kind of title put her income in the top ten percent. And as an instructor at Alpheas Magic Academy, one of the kingdom's top five schools, she didn't need to rely on anyone's money.
Now that I think about it… Teacher's really made it far.
Of course, Siana had always chased dreams, not money. But Shirone — who'd grown up the son of a humble mountaineer — knew better than most how hard that path could be.
Soon, food filled the table, dish after elegant dish arriving in succession.
Other guests occasionally glanced their way in surprise.
But Shirone and his friends didn't care. They were too busy laughing, sharing bites of each other's meals, and comparing flavors.
Among friends, etiquette took a back seat to fun.
As their bellies filled, their movements regained a bit of nobility. Soon, talk shifted to magic — a topic they all enjoyed.
Siana listened closely. It was rare for her to hear her students' casual conversations like this. The gloomy air from earlier began to lift. Neid's plan was working.
"Hehehe. Teacher, your humble disciple would like to offer you a drink."
"Oh, I'll let that slide for now. But once we're back at school, you're done."
"Yes, yes, of course. Here you go."
Even Neid's shamelessness had its charm. Siana didn't seem to mind, accepting the glass.
Shirone leaned forward, concerned.
"Teacher, isn't that a bit much?"
"I'm fine. This is nothing."
"Of course! A sixth-class mage wouldn't be taken down by a little alcohol!"
Siana smirked.
"Now you're just trying too hard. But I appreciate it."
She downed the strong liquor without hesitation.
—
One hour later…
"You… You there! Neid!"
"Yes, teacher?"
Siana, red-faced and leaning on the table, looked like she was about to cry.
Meanwhile, Shirone and the others sat up ramrod straight, cold sweat trickling down their backs.
The bottle was completely empty, and Siana's eyes were starting to glaze over.
Shirone and his friends sat stiffly, exchanging anxious glances without turning their heads.
"Is… is the teacher drunk?"
"Uh… yeah…"
Siana, mumbling to herself in a barely audible voice, suddenly slumped forward.
"Whoa, Teacher!" Neid quickly caught her before she slid off the chair.
"I think we should head back now," he said carefully.
"You little troublemaker!"
Suddenly lifting her head, Siana grabbed Neid's cheek and pinched it hard. His face scrunched in pain, but he didn't dare push her hand away.
"Ow, ow, ow! That hurts!"
"Listen to me!" she shouted. "I want to be a good teacher—just like Miss Etella! So stop getting distracted by nonsense and focus on your studies!"
"Okay, okay! I get it! Please let go—it really hurts!"
Then she turned to Shirone and Iruki.
"And you two."
"Yes, ma'am."
Both of them immediately sat up straighter, shoulders tense.
"You're the same. If you slack off and start relying only on talent, I won't forgive you. Even if you end up thinking I'm a terrible teacher—I won't let it slide."
"Nobody thinks that," Shirone said. "Please pull yourself together."
Siana sighed deeply. "Yeah, yeah… Why did I even start drinking? What a mess…"
Her eyelids drooped, and she buried her face in her folded arms on the table.
Neid looked at her in disbelief. "Teacher? We still haven't figured anything out yet!"
"Sleep on it. It'll come to you," she muttered.
Her slow, steady breathing followed, and Neid turned back to the others, at a loss for what to do. None of them had a solution, and things were clearly going off the rails.
As they sat in silence, two men from a nearby table who had been watching them stood up and approached.
"My lady," one of them said smoothly, "you seem to have had a bit too much. Need help getting home? Should I have a carriage brought around?"
The man looked clean-cut and polite, but the way he spoke—and the smirk on the man behind him—sent warning bells through the group.
Shirone and his friends all instinctively tensed, their eyes growing cold.
It was clear now: these men had been watching Siana from the moment they entered the place, whispering and making crude comments. And now, they were actually making a move.
These guys… Neid clenched his fists, trying to keep his temper in check. They didn't want any trouble—not tonight.
He leaned down and gently shook Siana.
"Teacher? Please, wake up."
"Hm?" Siana stirred, then suddenly stood up, glancing around the room before her expression settled into a calm, laid-back gaze again.
"What, already? I can still drink more."