After the documents were successfully submitted and the registration gates fully activated—
Caelum and Arin began their return to the palace.
The city was more lively now.
Participants discussing strategies.
Vendors preparing for the upcoming festival.
Banners slowly being hung between structures.
As they walked through one of the outer plazas—
Arin suddenly stopped.
"…Voo."
Caelum continued walking.
"…Voo."
No response.
"…Caelum."
A pause.
Caelum turned slightly.
Arin was not beside him anymore.
He was standing in front of a small floating stall.
A heavenly ice cream vendor.
Swirls of glowing pastel colors rotated slowly in crystal containers.
Mana-infused frost drifting gently around them.
Arin slowly turned his head toward Caelum.
His eyes—
Sparkling.
Absolutely sparkling.
"…I want one."
Caelum stared at him.
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"It's educational."
"…How?"
"I need to understand civilian morale during festival season."
Caelum closed his eyes briefly.
"…No."
Arin clasped his hands together dramatically.
"Just one."
Silence.
A long silence.
Five minutes later—
Arin was happily walking back toward the palace.
Holding a glowing swirl of celestial ice cream.
Caelum walking beside him.
Expression exhausted.
"You are insufferable."
Arin took a dramatic bite.
"Worth it."
---
When they returned—
The Goddess was in the garden.
Under a delicate white pavilion that filtered sunlight into soft golden strands.
A small table before her.
Porcelain teacup in hand.
Steam rising gently.
She looked calm.
Composed.
Untouchable.
Arin and Caelum approached.
Both knelt.
Caelum began his report.
"The authorization has been accepted."
"Registration is proceeding efficiently."
"The crowd shows significant enthusiasm."
"Projected participation exceeds prior cycle estimates."
He continued detailing numbers.
Logistics.
Mana stabilizers.
Security enchantments.
While he reported—
Arin knelt with his head respectfully lowered.
But his mind?
Not present.
"…Should I have added the crystal flakes topping?"
"…Or maybe the double mana swirl?"
"…Next time I should try the silver frost flavor…"
Completely gone.
As Caelum finished—
Silence settled.
Then—
He felt it.
A gaze.
Arin's body stiffened slightly.
He knew that gaze.
Slowly—
He raised his eyes.
The Goddess was looking at him.
Calmly.
Almost thoughtfully.
Then she spoke.
"Human."
Her voice was smooth.
"What are your thoughts on what you witnessed today?"
She was toying with him.
He knew it.
But he was used to this.
He remained composed.
"My Lady,"
"It was an honor to witness such vibrant determination."
"The participants carried ambition in their eyes."
"The atmosphere itself felt alive with aspiration."
He paused slightly.
"It was… impressive."
The Goddess took a slow sip of tea.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, my Lady."
A small pause.
Then—
"Then why do you not participate?"
Arin did not flinch.
He had anticipated this possibility.
He bowed his head slightly deeper.
"My Lady…"
"I am grateful that you consider this human worthy of such a stage."
"But I lack qualification."
"I possess neither celestial standing nor formal recognition."
"And I am certain the regulations do not permit an unranked outsider to enter."
His tone was humble.
Perfectly constructed.
Inside—
He had a small smug smile.
There's no way she'll override the system for me.
That would be excessive.
The Goddess tilted her head slightly.
Her fingers rested under her chin.
"Oh?"
"I can make an exception."
Silence.
Arin's brain froze.
…What?
He lifted his head slightly.
"…My Lady?"
She looked at him.
Amused.
Interested.
Dangerously calm.
"Would you refuse?"
Arin opened his mouth.
Prepared to begin a long, respectful rant of self-deprecation and logical defense.
But then—
Their eyes met.
Her expression changed.
Subtle.
Cold.
"Are you refusing me?"
The air shifted.
Just slightly.
But enough.
Arin immediately understood.
This was a trap.
A perfectly set trap.
And he had walked into it smiling.
If he refused—
That would be direct rejection.
If he argued—
That would be defiance.
If he hesitated—
That would be disrespect.
He lowered his head obediently.
"As you wish, my Lady."
Calm voice.
Perfectly steady.
Inside?
Absolute chaos.
Why did I open my mouth?
Why did I ask about the tournament?
Why did I exist today?
Caelum remained silent beside him.
But he noticed the slight tremor in Arin's shoulders.
The Goddess leaned back slightly.
Satisfied.
"Very well."
"You shall participate."
Her tea cup returned to the table.
"Let us see…"
"How far a human may stand."
Arin kept his head down.
But somewhere behind him—
A faint glow flickered.
Cutie.
Quiet.
Watching.
And the Goddess—
Noticed.
Just slightly.
Her smile deepened.