“By the way, are you really saying that the students prepared all of this at the Academy?”
“Well, basically, yes.”
Dayton was secretly impressed. He had come to the academy festival without any particular expectations, but he did not think it would be to this extent.
Since he had been living almost entirely in the forest after getting a job, he had never had a chance to participate in such festivals, and of course, he had no way of knowing.
With work and rest being his immediate priorities, when would he have the time to go to a festival?
“It’s so different from what I expected…”
Although the festival was student-led, Tig Academy’s festival was fundamentally different from a typical academy festival.
There was a stark difference in investment scale compared to general festivals, and the wealthy offspring who had close relationships cooperatively engaged in various demonstrative projects, making Tig Academy’s festival reminiscent of a full-fledged ‘corporate expo’ or ‘guerrilla business.’
The café where Luke was currently located was no exception.
It was assumed that a café would just be a food stall at best, but this was almost on par with mainstream cafés.
From the inside, the quality was so high that one could hardly tell it was part of the academy.
The interior was neat and unified, and everything from the lighting to the dishes and the decorations and pots on the tables fit the maid theme wonderfully, creating a quite appropriate atmosphere.
Given that quite a few families actually had maids, children serving like maids was rather realistic.
Not only that, but the taste of the desserts was also good enough to fulfill the essence of a café.
In every possible way, the quality was unbelievable for something created by students.
“And I nearly had my eyes popped out. They had all sorts of things… Oh, over there, the magic research club made a huge golem! Luke, did you see that?”
“Ah, the transforming golem? Of course, I saw it. For something the kids made, the quality was quite impressive.”
As Luke recalled the impressive golem crafted by the children, a subtle smile appeared on his face.
When the unique and fresh imagination of children merges with capital and professional design, could such results emerge?
The mechanism that allowed it to transform from a cart into a humanoid wood golem in an instant was incredibly impressive.
If the mages of the magic tower 5000 years ago saw it, they would have been driven mad, claiming there was no room for improvement and demanding to dissect the designer’s brain.
Of course, that was based on the magical standards of that time, and through the lens of modern magic, Luke did not see it as entirely without the possibility of improvement.
Just as he thought while looking at toys back in the day, it seemed somewhat inefficient, and the transformation gimmick made it appear fragile.
But he didn’t dislike that kind of creative thinking.
Well, after all, he had written down some improvement points on a small memo and stuck it on, so surely they would take note for the next creation.
Later, when the magic research department found that memo, there was a buzz about who left such a note at the ‘festival preparation stage only filled with students.’ However, Luke, who had hurriedly left after only leaving the memo, remained unaware of that.
“By the way, where are the kids?”
“Yeah, Pyris is napping, so I left her be, and Diana doesn’t like the cold, so she said she’s staying home.”
Pyris was exhausted from using her powers to quell the heavy rain that had fallen that morning and was taking a nap, and Diana did not come out because she disliked the cold weather.
It seemed that after having just recently started working as a Forest Keeper, Dayton had become traumatized after being left alone outside in front of a broken home key and catching a cold, leading him to dread going outside in cold weather.
It was unfortunate.
Dayton said with a bittersweet smile, likely recalling an unfortunate memory. “Today, with the rain in the morning, the weather is quite chilly, huh? I assumed they would come once it warms up a bit later.”
“Hmm, I see.”
For some reason, spring came early this year, making the weather tolerable for Diana, but now winter was coming again.
Still, it was disappointing.
If they came when the guests started arriving in earnest, he wouldn’t be able to care for them properly.
But if they hated the cold weather, he couldn’t force them.
While Dayton tasted various desserts and teas prepared at the café, Luke ate the lunch he had brought.
Due to unfortunate events throughout the day, he had almost skipped breakfast, so it was fortunate that Dayton had thoughtfully prepared a packed lunch.
‘Well, honestly, I don’t feel that my efficiency drops from hunger anyway, but it’s still better to be somewhat full.’
When he opened the lunchbox, the menu was filled with grilled skewers and bibimbap with canned goods, which were some of Luke’s favorites.
A small pile of fresh salad was tucked away in the corner for a palate cleanser.
This small happiness, tucked in amidst a day filled with unfortunate events, struck Luke emotionally.
“It’s delicious. I think these packed lunches are just fine sometimes.”
As Luke enjoyed the lunch, he smiled and said, and Dayton grinned in response.
“Oh, if our lovely daughter wants it, I’ll prepare as many as necessary.”
“Cough!”
As soon as Dayton opened his mouth, Luke began coughing incessantly as if he had choked.
It was because Dayton’s way of referring to him felt incredibly awkward.
After calming down a bit, Luke bluntly said, “Could you drop the adjective ‘lovely’? Just getting used to you calling me ‘daughter’ is already hard enough…”
“Haha! If a father calls his lovely daughter anything else, wouldn’t that be upsetting? Our little darling. If you keep saying that, this father will be sad!”
“Dayton, please! Do you enjoy teasing me that much?”
“Oh, it’s just too fun.”
“Dayton!! You may be old, but you’re still nothing but a child at heart!”
“And you seem just like a daughter who is unquestionably in her teenage years.”
“Ahhh!”
Dayton continued calling Luke “lovely daughter” or “our little darling,” making Luke squirm and practically scream each time.
But was it said that up close it looked tragic while from afar it seemed comedic?
In this tragic situation for Luke, Kaila, who was watching from a distance, could only find it amusing.
“Hahaha! Luke is definitely a girl after all! Right?”
“Seriously!”
Watching them bicker, it was clear there was a warm bond between a good father and daughter.
—–
“Thanks for the meal. Well, I’m going now.”
“Yeah, see you safely on your way, hurry along.”
“Hey, I’m really going, you don’t have to push me!”
“You said that before and ended up messing around again. I’m not falling for it this time.”
“Got caught there.”
Luke gently pushed Dayton away into the crowd as a send-off.
In fact, his actions were more akin to chasing him away than sending him off.
“I’ll come back with the kids afterward.”
“No, you should not come back.”
“Our daughter is being too harsh on her dad.”
Even while being pushed away, Dayton kept calling him daughter.
It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; besides, he genuinely had a cute daughter.
Moreover, Luke’s fresh reactions provided Dayton with unparalleled rewards and joy!
Seeing Luke’s embarrassed expression released a rush of endorphins and nearly triggered an adrenaline rush for Dayton.
Well, considering how many times Luke had gotten back at him, this level of revenge seemed entirely justified.
Gratitude and grievances were separate matters.
“Ugh…!!”
At that moment, Luke’s push grew even stronger.
As much as he wanted to push straight and knock Dayton down, if that happened, not only would Dayton get hurt, but there would be issues with the people falling beneath him, leaving him no choice but to refrain.
“Hurry up! And don’t come back!”
“Okay, okay. I’m really going! Have a good business.”
Though blending into the crowd, it was not difficult to spot Dayton due to his distinctive physique.
So, if he didn’t see him anymore, it definitely meant he had left.
Luke turned away only after confirming that Dayton’s figure had completely vanished from his view.
Then he noticed Kaila, wearing an expression of sheer delight.
“What’s with that look?”
“Oh, nothing. You just seem to have a good relationship with your dad! I’m jealous~.”
“Hmmm…”
Honestly, Luke found Dayton’s frivolous demeanor off-putting, but…
‘…Still, he can be serious when the time calls for it.’
Luke recalled how Dayton had boldively stood in front of Yerna without a moment’s hesitation when he had turned into a dragon.
As someone who could sense magic, he would have understood his power better than anyone, yet he resolutely confronted Yerna.
All without proper preparation.
That image reminded him of Kail standing defiantly before the Demon King.
Although, at that time, his attire was far from heroic…
“…”
As Luke became lost in sentiment, it seemed everyone else also began to recall their own sentimental family stories, filling the café with a warm atmosphere.
At that moment, Kaila clapped her hands, breaking the mood.
“Alright! Now, shall we actually open the café? Luke, flip the sign!”
“Got it.”
Luke flipped the sign to read ‘Now Open!’
Thus, the café officially began its operations.
