They walked around the area briefly before slipping through the gaps between the gathered characters to exit the central plaza. Surprisingly, there was hardly any feeling of congestion. Kana glanced at Kiriel, who was lightly moving his hand.

“Did you use magic?”

“Yes.”

“I thought it felt surprisingly comfortable. It was thanks to you, Lord Kiriel. Thank you for your consideration.”

“It’s nothing.”

Kiriel brushed it off as if it were a matter of course. Even while under his protection, Kana’s mind was racing.

‘I shouldn’t overlap with the scene where the female lead and male lead are dating. It would be better to move in a different direction or maintain enough distance not to run into them. I should speak up when he seems to be in a good mood.’

She glanced at his face as he whistled lightly and carefully broached the subject.

“Lord Kiriel, would it be alright if I lead the way today?”

“Do as you please.”

He agreed readily, contrary to her worries. It was unexpected, as characters set to have picky personalities usually disliked being led by others. Kana blinked.

“Ah, if you had something in mind…”

“No matter what I think of, it’s useless if the other person isn’t satisfied. Besides, you probably know better than me, who’s been staying in the south and then cooped up in the Magic Tower working in the capital.”

Kiriel pointed at her with his finger. From the start, he cared more about being with Kana than enjoying the Founding Festival, so he had no complaints about her leading the way.

Although he had heard some stories from Kanto and other mages at the Magic Tower the day before, he judged it better to do as she wished.

‘Phew, I’m glad he’s not being difficult. If he had insisted on going only to places he wanted, it would have been troublesome for me.’

Kana spoke softly with a more relaxed expression.

“Thank you. If you feel uncomfortable or have a place you want to go, please feel free to tell me.”

“Okay.”

Kiriel nodded docilely.

Kana led him, moving slowly while engaging in light conversation. Kiriel focused more on the atmosphere and her occasional chatter than on the festival itself.

Meanwhile, they noticed four robed spirit summoners summoning low-grade elemental spirits in a place slightly away from the shopping district.

Two women were saying something to two nervous-looking men. As Kana’s gaze naturally turned towards them, he smirked.

“They seem to be spirit summoners from a small guild. Want to take a look?”

“Sure.”

He skillfully maneuvered through the gaps, securing a spot while taking good care of her.

The spirit summoners from the guild began to showcase their spirit magic after exaggeratedly greeting the people who had gathered.

Every time traces of colorful spirit magic unfolded in the air, the gathered characters cheered. Unlike Kana, who was carefully observing their spirit magic operation, Kiriel was unimpressed.

“Hmm, it looks flashy but lacks substance.”

“It seems like spirit magic meant for show. Probably for the purpose of promoting their guild.”

Kana’s gaze turned to the square badges on their robes. As if inspired by the elements of spirits, each of the four leaf patterns attached was a different color. Red, green, blue, and yellow.

Kiriel shook his head.

“It would be more beneficial to watch the spirit summoners in the Hail family.”

“The Hail family is too large to compare with small, scattered spirit summoner guilds. Besides, I think there’s something to learn from all of them, regardless of rank or skill level in spirit magic.”

“Really?”

Kiriel tilted his head. Kana laughed lightly and replied.

“Yes. Even with spirits of the same element, the ways of utilizing them vary greatly. And I started from the lower ranks too.”

“Isn’t it faster to observe and reference the operation of high-grade spirits and highly skilled spirit magic, or to create it yourself?”

It was something only Kiriel, with his exceptional talent, could say. Kana smiled bitterly, recalling her past struggles to learn anything she could.

“I can’t do that.”

“Well, you look quite skilled when operating your abilities. Even Young Marquis Hail was impressed by your spirit magic skill relative to your rank. I’m sure you can do it.”

“Thank you for the encouragement. I hope so too.”

Kana responded with a faint smile.

By the time they finished their conversation, the show had ended. The spirit summoners spotted Kiriel and Kana among the dispersing characters and their eyes widened.

“Oh, it’s the Tower Master and Lady Round!”

“I understand Lord Kiriel, but you know me too?”

Kana was puzzled that strangers recognized her. One of the female spirit summoners clenched her fist and nodded repeatedly.

“Of course! Lady Round is also a spirit summoner. We heard about you through rumors. News travels fast among spirit summoners.”

“I see.”

“Lady Round, how was our spirit magic?”

“Considering it was for promotional purposes, it was excellent.”

Kana gave kind words to the unnamed spirit summoners who were trembling slightly from nervousness. In reality, their skill level was quite decent.

One of the male spirit summoners subtly promoted their guild.

“Lady Round, if you’re not affiliated with any group, perhaps our guild…”

Before he could finish, another male spirit summoner gave him a light tap on the head and bowed deeply.

“This guy, what nonsense are you spouting to people who are clearly out on a date during the Founding Festival? We apologize. We’d be grateful if you could at least remember that there’s a guild called ‘Four-Colored Leaf Guild’.”

“Sure.”

Kana nodded, caught off guard. Kiriel, who initially intended to stop them, also became docile at the mention of a date.

The spirit summoners of the ‘Four-Colored Leaf Guild’ bowed their heads in greeting before leisurely leaving the place.

‘Now that I’ve heard the name, it’s not a guild mentioned in the original work.’

In ‘Fake Saint’, spirit summoner guilds were mentioned, but since the female protagonist wasn’t a spirit summoner, they didn’t play a significant role. It was just a brief mention that spirit summoner guilds helped when something happened.

As she was lost in thought, Kiriel’s slightly surprised voice reached her ears.

“Miss Kana, are you thinking of joining a spirit summoner guild?”

“No, I prefer being on my own.”

Kana shook her head. To be precise, she disliked increasing her workload. If necessary, she was willing to join, but there weren’t any particular benefits for her work through guild activities.

Kiriel nodded and added.

“Right, it’s better than being tied down unnecessarily. If you ever think about it, let me know. I should be aware in advance.”

“Okay.”

Although she couldn’t understand why he needed to know in advance, she calmly agreed.

They naturally moved to the nearby shopping district.

Kana was lost in memories as she looked at the dart game stall. Kiriel didn’t miss her gaze. He casually asked after watching people throw dart arrows.

“Miss Kana, are you interested in that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much. I just remembered winning prize dolls for some close ladies on the first day of the Founding Festival here.”

Kana covered her mouth and smiled softly. Recalling Kanto’s advice to respond positively to others’ words, Kiriel exclaimed in admiration.

“That’s impressive. Did you win one for yourself too?”

“No. I just happened to pass by and helped them, so I excluded myself.”

“Then I’ll win one for you, Miss Kana.”

“Yes?”

Before the surprised Kana could say it wasn’t necessary, Kiriel had already found an empty spot and casually picked up a dart arrow.

He twirled the dart arrow in his hand before throwing it swiftly. As expected of a capable sub male lead, he hit the target in one go. He insisted on placing the prize doll in Kana’s arms.

She silently fiddled with the soft teddy bear before managing to speak.

“…Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. If it’s inconvenient to carry, put it in your subspace.”

“Okay.”

Kana carefully placed the doll she was holding into her ring’s subspace. Just as a warm atmosphere began to envelop the two, an uninvited guest intervened.

“Lady Round, you’re not alone today.”

“Yes.”

“Young Duke Serade.”

Kana responded indifferently, but Kiriel’s eyes turned sharp. He was irritated by the man casually addressing her.

Dain bluntly said to Kiriel.

“Tower Master, I heard you were busy, but it seems you have time to play.”

“Young Duke, I heard your half-sister collapsed, but you seem quite leisurely yourself.”

Kiriel retaliated curtly. Dain pretended not to hear and shifted his gaze to the quiet Kana.

“Lady Round, didn’t you say you didn’t care about the Tower Master? I didn’t expect to see you together.”

“I never said such a thing. I only asked you to be careful with words that might be disrespectful to each other.”

Kana corrected Dain’s statement in a cool tone. She didn’t like him inducing misunderstandings, especially when she was with the Master of the Magic Tower. Even without considering work, Kiriel was more important to her.

Kiriel, who momentarily felt his heart sink, quickly regained confidence and snapped back.

“It’s absurd to distort others’ words. Why are you meddling with us being together in the first place?”

“I just happened to see and thought I’d say something.”

Dain shrugged as he took a step back. Kana, who knew he would leave after encountering the protagonists anyway, casually gestured.

“Then Young Duke Serade should be on his way. Shall we go, Lord Kiriel?”

“Yes.”

Kiriel firmly held her hand, as if to show off. While Dain let out a hollow laugh, Kana led him away and turned around.

They walked quickly and soon distanced themselves from the female protagonist’s brother.

Unlike Kana, who had put thoughts of Dain aside, Kiriel was still bothered that such a stiff and meticulous person had deliberately approached her.

“Miss Kana, are you perhaps acquainted with Young Duke Serade?”