After spending a bit of time, they found a clothes store that let him come in with animals.
It was a small but highly decorated building. Other than them, there were few customers today, and they had the opportunity to browse in peace.
Thinking it might be a good idea, they've begun looking for something for the coming Hollowing.
The attendants only followed them at a distance, nervously eyeing the sleepy tiger cub on his shoulder and even more nervously a certain standoffish butterfly.
The selection here was quite good, with many costumes enhanced by magic. Like a dress with a special texture, appearing as if made out of a flowing starry river. Or a white suit whose patterns sparkled as if made out of real gold.
What's more, they were even enchanted with the newly developed magic that allowed the outfit to adapt to the wearer's size.
What is this?
He frowned as he observed the gaudy selection here.Whoever made these definitely didn't know the word restraint. Some shined so brightly, Cyril felt that the person wearing it could replace a light source in a room.
"Yes, they are quite ugly... Oh, what about that one?" Rhamn excitedly pointed to a mannequin.
On it was a luxurious black tailcoat paired with leather gloves, its buttons engraved with a bat motif. At the mannequin's feet was awkwardly placed a golden goblet, painted red inside, and to the side lay a pair of fake fangs.
From the looks of it, this was a vampire costume.
...Really?
"Yeah." Rhamn nodded without any shame.
"I think it's funny. You know, to show we are not afraid."
"..."
...
"Thank you for your purchase." The attendant politely bowed to him.
Cyril held the bag with his purchase, nodded, and stepped away.
He ended up buying it, as well as a replacement for his torn uniform jacket that he wore immediately.
With bored Tigris and Morpho on his shoulders, Cyril walked up to his companions, who had failed to buy anything for themselves so far.
Cyril approached Myra first, who was looking at a female knight costume with a struggling expression.
"You are thinking of taking that?"
Myra almost jumped in place, turning to look at him in a startle.
"Y-Yeah, it's not bad," she said, her face turning slightly red.
The costume differed a little from the actual armor Cyril saw. The creators clearly took a few liberties so that it outlines the figure of the wearer more.
"I think it's good because of the enchantment on it!" Myra quickly said in defense.
With her words, Cyril focused a bit more and realized that the magic here made it almost legitimate armor. Who knows why a Hollowing suit needed to have its protection enhanced, but such was indeed the case.
The price was suitably much higher than the others around it, but Myra didn't seem bothered by it.
"It certainly looks good." Cyril nodded in understanding.
At his words, Myra's face became brighter. "Then I am taking it."
With that, she quickly went to buy it, not a single doubt on her face.
"Who does she think she is? She doesn't even have the body for that kind of costume," Rhamn said in contempt, looking at Myra's athletic but rather modest body.
I think it fits...
"You are both done already?" Rose walked in too, looking at the optimistic Myra over at the counter.
"Yes, I got a vampire suit and this knight one is Myra's choice," Cyril said while showing her the outfits.
"Vampire...?" Rose raised her brow, blankly staring at him for a second.
His face remained calm as ever.
Rose cleared her throat and looked away, pointing at the mannequin wearing a white coat in the corner. "I am also done. I will take that scientist uniform."
"...Isn't it a bit too normal?"
This seemed like something Rose would normally wear in the future.
"I'll think of something else to add," Rose calmly said and went to the counter as well.
...
They ended up buying the costumes and a few other clothes without issues and were now on their route back to the academy.
The manarail's magic hummed ever so imperceptibly as it quickly took them from the center back to the edge.
"Rose I can understand, but how is the dog-like Myra not suffering from poverty?"
Maybe seeing the future brings not just anxiety...
He glanced at Myra to the side, who hummed while the bag with her purchases lay on her knees.
She quickly noticed his glance and tilted her head.
"What?"
"...Do you have the time after this to meet Selene?"
Myra froze, then sheepishly scratched her head.
"Does it have to be today? I mean, I totally can if it's today."
Her face might no longer have been carrying that emptiness he saw back at the hotel, but it still seemed like she was tired.
She needs rest.
Cyril nodded and looked away.
"Let's do it tomorrow."
Myra breathed a sigh of relief and resumed waiting.
Rose, on the side, was reading her notebook, though her ears were obviously perked up, paying attention to their conversation. She didn't ask anything in the end.
...
The sun was high in the sky when they said goodbye to each other and separated at the academy gates.
Cyril held his purchases and walked back towards his dorm, overall in a pleasant mood.
"What should we do today?" He whispered towards the creatures on his shoulders.
The day was still young, and there was plenty of free time left.
Tigris opened his mouth with a dreamy expression and swallowed, clearly thinking about food.
But Morpho touched the side of his head with some force, as if trying to remind him of something.
What?
Just as he was contemplating, someone dashed out from the bushes on the way, obstructing his path.
"An ambush?!"
A girl with a forgettable face and black hair and eyes vigilantly blocked his path.
Jack's sister…
"Are you free right now, Cyril?" she vigilantly said, looking at him as at some terrible dragon guarding a treasure she desired.
"..."
"Were you waiting for me here the whole day?"
Emily slowly nodded, the solemnity of her face not diminishing one bit.
She is really determined.
On his shoulder, Morpho's wings twitched in annoyance, staring at the girl like at an obstacle.
I just reached the academy…
Perhaps feeling something from him, Emily took a step back, her brave face taking a crack.
"Who cares about your siblings' drama?" Rhamn pointed at the nervous Emily, her face showing contempt. "We have far more important matters to attend to! Tigris wants to sleep!"
Cyril glanced at her demeanor and quickly found his answer slowly changing.
"Huh?"
"Hey, I was just joking, we actually have other matters. You promised Morpho, remember? Or do you want to postpone her wish yet again?"
Ah.
He froze. Morpho's intense gaze all this while finally made sense to him. Somehow, it slipped his mind completely.
"...I'll find you when I have the time for it."
Emily's face showed obvious disappointment, her hands clenching into fists.
"...Don't forget about it."
"I won't."
She still didn't move out of his way, digging a hole in his face with her gaze, as if trying to make sure he was speaking the truth.
Cyril was about to go around her when a cold female voice interrupted them both.
"Miss, you've been given your answer. You must leave now."
"Who?!" Emily jumped away, turning around in a fluster.
Suddenly, behind where she just was, stood a completely expressionless woman in a maid uniform, her pitch-black eyes staring unflinchingly at her.
Under that emotionless gaze, Emily's back hunched over, and her eyes widened. She looked at the maid, then glanced at Cyril, all while slowly moving backwards.
"You promised me!" she said and broke into a run, away from here.
Ophelia almost imperceptibly nodded and turned to face Cyril.
"Welcome back, Master. How was your trip?" she said as she bowed, her back straight. Her face still lacked any expression, but somehow in her eyes appeared to him a spark of satisfaction after a successful task.
"Good job!" Rhamn gave the maid a thumbs-up, though there was a frown on his face.
"Hello, Ophelia. I believe Cosmas should've told you already," he replied and immediately went past her.
Ophelia remained silent, only following his departure with her eyes.
…
Without looking back, Cyril finally reached his dorm.
There Tigris immediately escaped towards the bed, curling up there with a blissful expression.
Cyril stored his new purchase, while Morpho's gaze pierced him all the while. The red butterfly eagerly awaited the fulfillment of her wish. She's been patiently waiting for more than a day already, and she could suffer no more.
"We'll start soon. Don't worry."
He sighed, readied himself, and went towards the bathroom.
Even Tigris raised his head, cautiously staring in his direction. He abandoned the soft bed, sneakily following after them.
As if a creditor about to receive her dues, Morpho landed on the sink and glared at Cyril, making sure the deed was done.
Cyril sighed again, took off his shirt, and stood in front of the mirror.
Here we go again...
"I'll do my best, Morpho!"
Rhamn rolled up her sleeves and made a fist pump, her eyes burning with energy.
"I have so many ideas after our trip! Let's see..."
Cyril blankly observed his reflection, waiting until it was all over. Though he would be lying if he said he wasn't looking forward to this at least a little bit.
With Morpho and Tigris, his life became livelier than it was before. He didn't even realize how quiet his surroundings were before they arrived.
"Hehe."