Every six years, the competition, also known as the Firework Hex Festival, tests magic, artistry, painting, equestrianism, archery, and swordsmanship.

It is not only an opportunity for young people to sweat and demonstrate their determination.

It is also a topic of conversation for adults after dinner and tea time.

The people of Acadia would not want to miss such a grand and magnificent visual feast, because not witnessing the competition in recent years means being left behind.

It means being speechless during the next bragging chat.

There are no restrictions on whether the participants in the competition should be nobles or commoners.

In theory, as long as recommended by the academy, anyone qualifies to participate.

If a commoner achieves the top score in all six categories of the Firework Hex Festival, they will be awarded the Bouquet ceremony.

Although she herself married a god and disappeared from the mortal world, her close relatives have now become prominent families.

So, the prominent families wholeheartedly support those newly promoted nobles. Wooden tobacco pipes have been replaced with gold ones, and hairbands and hairpins have been replaced with golden hairpins and silver hair combs.

What an impact this must be on those commoners who do not understand progress!

The distant relatives of the girls participating in the Bouquet ceremony rely on the financial support of their close relatives to take over many large and small industries, becoming new middle-class families and gradually awakening the desires that the Acadia nobles should have.

The dazzling power is handed over and transferred in the cycle of the Firework Hex Festival in Acadia.

This year is the opening year of the Firework Festival. Would it be appropriate to start with a magic competition, which is the foundation of the country built on magic?

Everyone thinks so.

"Last time, there were quite a few children of commoners who made it to the final round of the magic competition. It was truly spectacular."

"That's right, in my opinion, even including the past and the next few years, there will be few that can surpass that time."

"You kids wouldn't understand this. Just twenty years ago, the Miss of the Altria Family, who is now the head of the family..."

Grandfathers bragged while smoking under a carriage in the central city, but this was just a glimpse of the Firework Festival in Acadia.

Long pipes, short pipes, light-colored smoke, dark-colored smoke, those who like to blow smoke rings, those who don't, people from all directions on the street mingled together.

No sound of breathing, just constant laughter, constant smoking.

Suddenly, in a corner of the central city, a bill collector bumped into someone who used a chicken as collateral, even though the person used a duck last time, and a goose the time before that - none of which were enough to repay the debt.

But looking at the awkward expression of the person in front of him, he smiled and cancelled the debt.

Those were just trivial matters compared to the upcoming magic competition in the central city.

—————————————————————

Final day of the Magic Festival, Morning, Participant's Preparation Room

Oedipus had entered for quite some time now. However, it was apparent that Turing's complexion wasn't good.

Ever since their last secret getaway with Merka, for some unknown reason, Turing couldn't act as natural as before in front of Oedipus.

"This year, the rankings will be determined by one-on-one magical battles. The winners will face each other, and then the winners of those matches will face each other until the first place is determined."

Leaning against a giant white round table, Oedipus looked at Turing, who was seated in a chair, with a sideways glance.

"In other words, it's simply a test of strength. The competition only ends when one side can no longer stand up or surrenders."

"Mom was worried that you might dislike this violent competition format."

"So she secured a place for you in the finals."

"So you only need to win the last three matches."

"The first match is against someone from the McNew Society, the second is against a child from a welfare home, and then it's Diana..."

[Why does mom always know everything?]

[Do I know who will win and who I will battle against?]

Turing wasn't particularly surprised, just sighing."You seem a little worried. What's wrong?" Oedipus leaned in closer, like a lion checking if its prey is still alive, as if wanting to taste Turing's temperature.

"Well... my mom can predict my future opponents, so if she says I'll win, then I'm sure I'll win..."

"I don't think there's anything to be afraid of, right?"

"No, I'm not afraid, just a little nervous, I've been like this for a few days."

"I see. Turing, maybe you just need a bit more courage to win."

"Alright, if Turing wins this competition, I'll give you a chance to make a request."

"Any request?"

"This... my mom actually made this promise herself."

"Really, any request?" Turing asked without realizing Oedipus' intention, like a dangerous snake, spitting out venomous words from her innocent lips.

"Oh, so you actually have a wish."

Oedipus narrowed her beautiful eyes.

"Tell me about it."

"I want to see Merka without relying on Uncle Wednesday anymore, so I won't burden his work."

"I can only rely on myself."

"Then, I want to have the opportunity to go out and paint once a week." Turing said.

"Mom knows that there will be more art competitions about painting in the future."

"We will definitely lack new ideas if we keep depicting the same flowers and vases at home."

"I was thinking if I could find some inspiration in nature."

"The art teacher also said that nature's scenery is a complete work of art, so..." Turing explained.

"Sure, I promise you." Oedipus slowly stood up from leaning against the table and began to walk towards the door.

"She agreed so easily?"

"It's a fairly reasonable wish, isn't it?"

"So, the other contestants will be here soon, I'll be on my way."

"I'll be waiting for your good news." Oedipus didn't look at Turing's almost uncontrollable smile, she pushed the door and walked out.

However, the door was stopped by a weak force.

"Oh, please come in." Oedipus' voice once again attracted Turing's attention. Turing who was slightly bowing and suppressing laughter raised her head to look towards the door.

A girl who looked older than Turing—probably similar in age to Merka—stood at the door, with one hand casually on her waist, looking unhappy.

She was just 5'5" tall, wearing a small noble hat, her elaborate outfit adorned with many unknown artifacts, her cute face slightly marred by pursed lips.

Her strawberry curls flowed down from her shoulders and neck like a spring—yet all of this was less attractive than the dark golden crown she wore around her neck.

"Greetings, my esteemed lord. Sabrael McNewdeau greets you." Impeccable etiquette, impeccable words.

But this girl named Sabrael's face still seemed unhappy.

"She's the genius Sabrael from the West Court, I've heard about her."

"She's the sister of McNewdeau from the East Court, the legitimate daughter of the McNewdeau family..."

"Mom was right, she's my opponent later."

"Oh, good child." Oedipus didn't even take off her gloves, and she petted Sabrael's head as if she hadn't noticed her unhappiness, who remained silent and let Oedipus touch her head. Once Oedipus finished, Sabrael sent her off.

"It seems like they don't have a very harmonious relationship, right?" After sending Oedipus away, Sabrael casually closed the door and walked up to Turing.

"Did she hear my conversation with Mom...? How much did she hear?""A smart person knows how to ask the right questions, listen carefully, and respond cautiously. When there is nothing more to say, they immediately close their mouth and stop babbling."

The calm and serious expression on Raphael's face both relaxed and intimidated Turing.

"You are certainly a smart person, and I am glad."

[The McNoodles family is skilled in various types of magic. It's possible that they have some ulterior motive for coming to the preparation room only now.]

"But you know there are only two hours left until the competition. Why is nobody in the preparation room?"

Turing activated a series of detection spells, such as the Mage's Eye and Clairvoyance, and stared intently at Raphael.

However, there was no sign of any magical fluctuations from him.

"Because you are just sitting here. If they came, they would only feel flustered and lose their composure."

[What did she say?]

"You are such a creature, scaring away others and sitting here cluelessly without self-awareness. Even your supposed magical detection is a complete failure."

"Of course, I am the same as them. I wouldn't want to stay with you. I just came here to see a joke."

"After all, it's just you and your daughter here, talking, just like a shepherd telling his sheep how to grow."

"It's quite amusing as a joke."

[Why is she so hostile? Did her sister say something about me?]

Turing felt a bit discouraged.

[She certainly didn't say anything nice.]