The time for double moon tickets is here—a massive shout out begging for your moon tickets!!! "Now, the 78th Mahoraba Academy Festival... officially begins!!" As the clear, resonant announcement echoed throughout Academy City, the bustling Mahoraba Festival finally kicked off.

The Mahoraba Academy Festival wasn't just for the middle school division; it involved the entire university, high school, and elementary school divisions, drawing in every institution within Academy City. It was less a mere school festival and more a city-wide carnival. As the annual celebration, this moment was undoubtedly the most vibrant day on the Mahoraba campus.

High above, circling the massive World Tree, an airship drifted slowly, showering countless balloons and streamers. On the other side, several airplanes flew in formation—a display put on by the University Aviation Club, whose precise and dazzling aerial skills were in no way inferior to those of regular military pilots. If the sky was this lively, the ground was even more so.

The streets were packed, a human tide flowing like water. The opening ceremony’s most spectacular event, the parade, was already underway. Giant balloons, woven into all manner of shapes, advanced slowly with the marchers.

There were knightly armies composed of students, a colorful variety of circus troupes, and theatrical performances everywhere. People cheered with excitement and passion; at this moment, even the most reclusive individuals had left their homes to join the festival's celebration, which was overflowing with song and laughter. "This festival is seriously over the top." Standing amidst the crowd, even Lin Luo was astonished by the sheer spectacle.

Seeing it in a manga was one thing, but the feeling of being immersed in it was incredible, as if the entire world were celebrating this single moment. "It's magnificent. When I saw those planes and tanks just now, I thought it was a military drill.

I never expected it to be an event organized solely by students. Even our Great Star Festival back home isn't this lively," Misaka remarked in surprise, her face alight with excitement. She had attended the Great Star Festival several times and thought it was already grand and breathtaking, but compared to the Mahoraba Festival, the difference was vast.

"Of course it is. This is a joint school event hosted by one of the world's foremost academic cities. Forget the residents of Academy City; the sheer number of outside visitors over the three days reaches nearly four hundred thousand.

During these three days, everyone revels day and night, and since people can cross-dress, there are countless interesting sights just within the school grounds," the Library Triumvirate, clad in clerical attire, enthusiastically explained to Lin Luo and his group. Lin Luo had originally planned to attend the Mahoraba Festival with Misaka, Suigintou’s group, forming a quartet. He had considered inviting Evangeline and Menoka as well, but Evangeline had already left with Chachamaru, and Menoka and Setsuna had disappeared off somewhere in a romantic outing, so he had to drop the idea.

Since the three of them were novices and unfamiliar with the festival's layout, the crush of the crowd quickly turned them into headless flies, unable to proceed with any plan. Just as they were feeling lost, they bumped into the Library Triumvirate, who had just finished changing out of their costumes at a dressing shop. Naturally, the two groups merged into a party of seven.

With these three seasoned veterans leading the way, tackling the dungeons... no, navigating the festival became much easier. "When Mahoraba Academy holds its anniversary celebration, it transforms into something like a theme park.

Vibrant students within the school use their skills and passion to design activities and attractions that draw countless tourists from the Kanto region. Furthermore, as many clubs have become more commercialized over the last decade or so, about 260 million yen flows through the campus daily during the festival, turning many students into instant festival millionaires," Yuuhi explained, sipping her strange beverage as she toured and informed Lin Luo and the others about the festival's features and points of interest. "Oh, right, Teacher Lin Luo, here is the guide map for the Mahoraba Festival." Bookworm pulled a colored sheet from her clothes and handed it to Lin Luo.

After the recent events, she seemed quite natural in his presence now. "Mm, thank you," Lin Luo replied with a smile, accepting it. "Father, look, there's such a huge dinosaur over there!" At that moment, Suigintou, perched on Lin Luo’s shoulder, suddenly pointed in one direction with a gasp.

Lin Luo instinctively followed her gaze and indeed saw a gigantic Tyrannosaurus Rex parading unrestrained down the street. He instantly grimaced. "Haha, that’s part of the costume parade.

Although it looks incredibly real, it’s just a prop, not a real dinosaur," Konoe cheerfully explained. "What costume? It looks just like the real thing," Misaka couldn't help but grumble; she had been startled herself when she first saw it.

"It’s fake? It’s remarkably lifelike," Suigintou praised. Her appearance had once greatly astonished the Library Triumvirate, especially when they heard Suigintou call Lin Luo 'Father.' They nearly dropped their jaws.

Since explaining the situation would be too complicated, Lin Luo told them the truth: Suigintou was his doll. The three instantly relaxed; since they already had that inexplicable creature around, having one more—Suigintou—was hardly strange. "Teacher, why don't we check out our classroom?

They should have started activities there too," Unna suggested with a smile after they had wandered aimlessly for a while. "Sounds good," Lin Luo nodded. Since he had nothing pressing in the morning, taking a look wouldn't hurt.

And so, the party of seven headed toward Class Three. When they reached the corridor leading to the third-year wing, they found a long queue already formed in the hallway. Upon closer inspection, they realized the classrooms of Class Three had been transformed into a haunted house—specifically, a Beautiful Woman Haunted House, a profitable attraction.

The length of the line indicated that quite a few people enjoyed the macabre. Lin Luo wasn't interested in the morbid, and initially intended to skip it, but unable to resist the students' persistent pleading, he eventually went through. Besides the students playing corpses and ghosts, he spotted Chiya making a cameo appearance inside.

However, her nonexistent ghost presence was far less terrifying than the fake ghouls beside her. After passing through the haunted house unscathed, the Library Triumvirate had other engagements, so the two groups parted ways again. Soon after, Lin Luo encountered Negi, who was exploring alone.

"Master, the festival is so hard work," Negi immediately complained, his face screwed up, the moment he saw Lin Luo. "What's wrong? No one is touring with you?" Lin Luo asked with a smile.

"No, I barely managed to escape," Negi replied, his face showing lingering fear, trembling slightly. "First, I was dragged into the haunted house, then the Headmaster died, and Asuna's head fell off—it was terrifying!" Lin Luo couldn't help but smile wryly. Well, for a ten-year-old child, that haunted house was a bit too scary.

In that regard, the clueless idiots in Class Three were certainly dedicated to their roles. "Oh, Master, you also have to take responsibility for a portion of these schedules." Lin Luo seemed to suddenly remember something, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket and handing it to Negi. "I simply can't manage all of this by myself." "Schedules?" Lin Luo took the paper and saw it filled with various activities.

Aside from guarding the World Tree, nearly everything listed involved the programs put on by the Class Three students: attending Chiyuu's ball, a date with Bookworm, visiting Ryugu Shrine, giving guidance to the swimming club, and so on. Although the tasks were spread over three days, some activities overlapped in time—it was simply too much for one person to handle. But...

"Aren't these all your events?" Lin Luo asked, amused. He certainly couldn't be expected to go on a date with Bookworm in Negi's stead. "No, while some absolutely require my presence, you can handle most of them!

Master, you must save me! Besides, you are also a teacher of Class Three; you have an obligation," Negi pleaded, looking as if he might cry from desperation. "Well, since you put it that way, it would be hard for me to refuse to take on a portion of the load," Lin Luo conceded.

If anyone else saw this, they might think he was bullying a child. Moreover, regardless of the circumstances, his current status was that of a teacher, and he did have that duty. "That's wonderful, Master!

Then you'll take responsibility for this, and this, and this, and that one... these are all assigned to you. What do you think?" Negi pointed to over a dozen overlapping activities.

Since he had already agreed, there was no need to drag his feet. Furthermore, these activities wouldn't consume too much time. Lin Luo nodded his assent, but then a sudden thought struck him, and he quickly inquired, "Negi, where is your Cassiopeia?" "Cassiopeia?

What's that?" Negi looked completely bewildered. "That machine that looks like a pocket watch." "I don't have anything like that." "You don't?" Lin Luo froze. "Didn't you meet Asuna yesterday?" "Classmate Asuna?

No, did something happen to her?" Negi was even more confused. Seeing Negi's expression, Lin Luo did not think he was lying. He stopped pursuing the matter.

"No, it's nothing, just asking casually. Since the assignments are done, let’s both get on with our own tasks." "Okay," Negi agreed, then departed. After Negi left, Lin Luo frowned.

In the plot he knew, Cassiopeia was the time machine given to Negi by Asuna. Negi used it to eventually defeat Asuna and manage to attend to every student during the festival. But now, Negi hadn't received Cassiopeia, which meant what?

Was Asuna not going to carry out that plan? No, impossible! Asuna had traveled from the future and prepared for a full two years; her resolve was unshakable.

The plan must proceed as scheduled. Although he couldn't recall the exact reason why she gave Cassiopeia to Negi, it was definitely intrinsically linked to her plan. Not giving it to Negi implied that it was no longer necessary...

Had she found a new source of power?! If so, what was her new power? Evangeline couldn't possibly help her, and Lin Luo hadn't interacted with her significantly.

The new power she could find within Mahoraba Academy... Sakuya Izayoi! At this realization, Lin Luo's expression shifted.

While he couldn't be one hundred percent certain, if his guess was correct, Asuna had most likely joined forces with Sakuya. There was no doubt about it. Although Sakuya appeared calm on the surface, due to Remilia's power, she absolutely could not abandon the Scarlet Devil Mansion and must be seeking a way back—like the incident on Library Island recently, which must have been for that purpose.

Of course, relying solely on her own strength to return to Gensokyo was virtually impossible. But with the assistance of Asuna, someone from the future... whether they could succeed was another question, but Sakuya certainly wouldn't pass up the opportunity.

Likewise, if Asuna helped Sakuya find a way back, Sakuya would certainly help Asuna complete her plan. The two must already be linked! "What's wrong?" Noticing the change in Lin Luo’s expression, Misaka inquired.

Suigintou also looked worried. "Has Father encountered some trouble?" "No, nothing. I just suddenly thought of something interesting.

Heh heh, this Mahoraba Festival is going to be quite eventful," Lin Luo laughed. If the perfect maid and the strongest intellect truly joined forces, then Mahoraba Academy was certainly destined to lose this battle. "Huh?" Misaka and Suigintou exchanged glances, unsure what he meant.

Lin Luo didn't elaborate. Discussing such matters ruined the fun; it was better to enjoy the unfolding events, as there might be unexpected gains. "Let's go.

Let’s take a good look around the festival and take care of what needs to be done." ... On another side of Academy City, moving past the dense crowds, a blonde girl around eleven or twelve years old walked side-by-side with a silver-haired girl around sixteen or seventeen. The blonde girl was dressed in an exquisite Western-style dress, wearing a white top hat and red leather boots.

Strands of silk ribbon tied her golden hair, which fluttered slightly in the breeze. She held several plush animal toys in her arms, looking every bit like a doll—lovely, yet maintaining an air of respect and elegance. The silver-haired girl was clad in a blue-and-white maid outfit.

Her long hair was braided into two long plaits hanging over her chest, and a white kerchief was tied around her head. The slightly snug uniform accentuated her perfect figure, making her look quite alluring. A gentle smile graced her flawless, beautiful face as she stood with her arms crossed, looking composed and serene.

"I never thought you'd ask me to go shopping with you," the silver-haired girl said with a smile. The blonde girl smiled back, "Isn't it nice? Before the battle begins, we should savor this lively atmosphere as an interlude." "That’s true.

But speaking of which, you look quite like a princess in that attire." "You're hardly in a position to comment on my appearance. You like the maid profession that much?" "Heh heh, it’s just a habit." "I’m only indulging in nostalgia occasionally." "It suits you well." "You too." The two walked and talked like intimate friends. Beside the blonde girl, a doll wearing a black hat held dual blades, a predatory smile on its face.

"So many people! I really want to kill..." A

For more novels, visit storyread.net.