Last Gun Alchemist

The next day arrived.

The entire Mix Arena was still packed with people.

Actually...

All the students were there.

They were busy dismantling the club booths and they hadn’t finished packing away the previous day, since it had already become late, and many of them had wanted to return to their residence and rest instead of continuing until the night grew even deeper.

Ezra walked out of the Mini Streamliner he, Lucy, and Cyrus had boarded to reach the Mix Arena.

The three had barely taken a few steps away from the mini train when...

”Ah... it’s Sir Ezra Ashenlocke.”

A group of girls nearby noticed him.

Their whispers were supposed to be quiet, but their excitement made them louder than they probably realized.

”His piece was really heartwarming. I couldn’t stop thinking about it even after going to sleep.”

”You can say that again.”

They kept glancing at Ezra as he walked beside Lucy and Cyrus toward the direction of their club booth.

The events of yesterday had clearly not faded from the minds and hearts of the students.

Well, that was to be expected.

The Club Tournament hadn’t simply been about students working before relaxing and enjoying themselves afterward.

They had watched Vera, one of the Flowers of Britannia, openly go on a date with Ezra Ashenlocke.

And that same Ezra Ashenlocke had later played an amazing piano piece.

He had displayed a talent for the piano that had almost reached the level of Selena Galehart.

There had been many other events during the Club Tournament.

But these were clearly among the ones people had enjoyed the most.

”You must really be enjoying yourself.”

Cyrus said with a smirk.

He wanted to tease Ezra when...

”Ahhhhhhh...”

Lucy sighed heavily.

Her entire face looked deeply sad.

”What happened to you, Miss Maid?”

Cyrus asked curiously as he looked at her.

”She is still down because she couldn’t see me play my piece.”

Ezra answered flatly before Lucy could open her mouth.

”You don’t understand how much it means to me.”

Lucy turned toward her master with a sulking expression.

Her cheeks puffed up slightly.

”Where were you when all of this happened?”

Cyrus asked.

”I was at the restaurant booth area.”

Lucy answered with a serious expression.

”Ehn?”

Cyrus blinked.

”She spent so much money on food that I’m now sure her savings have gone down the drain.”

Ezra narrowed his eyes on Lucy.

He sounded like he was scolding her.

”No... Lenny used Mrs. Rena’s Black Finance Card.”

Lucy immediately tried to defend herself.

At least, she didn’t need to spend her own money.

Ezra’s eyes narrowed further.

Lucy immediately shrank under the oppressive pressure of her master’s gaze.

”I didn’t want to rely on Lenny. So, I spent my own money on most of the food I ate, especially the desserts I bought and kept in the cold storage room in our residence.”

She lowered her head.

For some reason, she could no longer look Ezra directly in the eyes.

”Hahahahaha...”

Cyrus laughed lightly.

”You could have just made use of the Lenny kid’s Black Card. I mean, he was ready to give you a free food experience.”

He said while continuing to laugh.

”I really don’t understand the righteous behavior when something free is involved.”

Ezra said plainly as he lightly shook his head.

Lucy puffed her cheeks again.

”I’m not wicked like you two.”

”Then I guess we are wicked.”

Cyrus shrugged as he looked at Ezra.

The two boys continued walking ahead of Lucy.

She remained behind them for a few seconds, staring at their backs with her cheeks still puffed.

Then she sighed.

A small laugh escaped her lips.

The three finally reached the club booth.

Many of the club members were already arriving, while President Luke and Vice President Latisha stood with several senior members who had come earlier.

Those who had attendants were also receiving help from them.

Vera and Diane were already around, while Hermione helped clean out the area surrounding their club booth.

The Mix Arena was filled with similar scenes.

Students from different clubs moved around with boxes, tools, and dismantled pieces of their booths as everyone continued working on packing away what remained from the tournament.

”Good morning, Seniors.”

Ezra, Lucy, and Cyrus greeted the upperclassmen.

Cyrus greeted them in his relaxed manner.

Lucy properly bowed as a maid.

Ezra gave his greeting in his usual mix of politeness and plainness.

”Good morning, Ezra Ashenlocke.”

”Good morning, Sir Cyrus Burnwick.”

The seniors greeted them back.

The attendants also greeted them respectfully.

Several of them smiled and waved toward Lucy.

Lucy quickly joined Hermione and the rest of the attendants as they continued cleaning the area.

”Hey, flowers.”

Cyrus said as he pointed toward Vera and Diane.

”Good morning, Cy...”

Diane paused.

She tried to remember his name.

”Cyrus.”

She finally remembered.

”Good morning.”

Vera replied calmly.

Her dull black eyes then landed on Ezra.

”Hey, musician.”

She spoke, apparently deciding that Ezra had gained a new nickname.

”Good morning.”

Ezra greeted Vera and Diane at the same time.

”Good morning, guys!”

More voices echoed from behind them as many members of the Craft & Research Seekers Club began arriving at the booth.

And like that...

The cleaning began.

Everyone worked together to dismantle the club booth before carefully packing the various parts and materials back toward their main club building.

Everything that could be reused was returned to the club’s old storage.

For this Club Tournament...

The club had actually sold every display they had brought out.

Much of that was thanks to Vera’s handling of the marketing and her ability to convince guests to purchase the products displayed at the booth.

Because of that, they didn’t have as much to clean up as they normally would have.

Hours passed.

The Mix Arena was now almost completely cleared of the club booths that had filled the place the previous day.

Inside the Craft & Research Seekers Club building...

”Alright, guys, gather around.”

Luke clapped his hands together.

A warm smile rested on his face.

”Before the time for the winner announcement begins, which should be very soon...”

He glanced at the clock.

It was already close to twelve o’clock.

”We first have to congratulate all our MVPs from this Club Tournament.”

He looked toward the seated club members.

They had gathered inside the meeting room after finishing the work outside.

”Alright.”

The conversations spreading around the room gradually became quieter as everyone turned their attention toward Luke.

”Please... Vera Ashenlocke, stand up.”

Luke moved his right hand toward Vera, who was seated with her legs crossed.

Vera tilted her head slightly.

”If you don’t want to stand, you can continue sitting.”

Luke quickly added.

He spoke calmly, but there was a hint of nervousness beneath his words.

Vera simply stood up, arms folded, looking bored already from just standing up.

Some of the club members laughed lightly.

”Agnes Scarlet, Ezra Ashenlocke, Diane Bergwyn, Cyrus Burnwick, Jeremy Rowe, Maxwell...”

Luke continued calling the names of the club members who had done the most for the club during the tournament.

They came from the first years, the second years, and even the third years.

”And finally, Latisha Grey.”

Luke moved his hand toward Latisha, who was standing at his side.

Latisha blinked slightly before moving a little forward.

”Let’s clap for every one of them. They really pulled their weight during the Club Tournament.”

Luke said as he began clapping with a pleased smile.

The club members also began clapping.

Everyone looked satisfied with the appreciation being given.

After all, they all knew that the members Luke had called out had done more than enough for the club during the tournament.

So, no one could really argue with the choices.

Cherry clapped with a pleased expression.

However, while making sure no one noticed her...

Her eyes secretly moved toward Maxwell.

Lucy and Hermione also clapped happily as they looked toward their master and mistress.

After the applause ended...

The members who had stood up sat back down.

”Everyone should also clap for a job well done.”

Luke looked around the meeting room.

”We all did well, honestly.”

He spoke with genuine happiness.

”Now... it’s time for me to reveal the total amount of money we gained from the second phase of the tournament.”

He said calmly.

And immediately...

The atmosphere inside the meeting room changed.

The air became filled with anticipation as everyone’s attention moved completely back toward Luke.