The first day of the Star Moon Festival.
Colorful flags stretched across every road in the Academy, and magic fireworks bloomed in the sky, filling the entire campus with a festive atmosphere.
However, in the corner where the Alchemy Department was located — the first-year Alchemy Department’s open-air maid cafe — the area was currently packed so tightly that not even a drop of water could leak through.
“One cup of Alchemical Workshop afternoon tea!”
The source of all this was simply the poster girl placed in the most prominent position of the shop.
Because Ophelia had to attend an academic seminar today as an Invited Professor and truly could not be in two places at once, the heavy responsibility of taking care of Little Merlin fell onto Orino’s shoulders.
Under a massive white lace parasol, Little Merlin did not serve tea or water like the other busy students. She sat quietly on the tabletop like a doll so exquisite that she seemed unreal.
As if by prior agreement, Little Merlin only needed to sit there. Beside her were books, large plushies, and small snacks that her classmates had specially prepared, fearing she might get bored.
Little Merlin sat perfectly upright. Her short maid outfit, a blend of dark blue and pure white, perfectly outlined her petite frame. The layered lace hem spread out like flower petals, and beneath the skirt were legs tightly wrapped in white transparent pantyhose.
Little Merlin held a wooden sign with the shop’s name tightly in both hands. The sign was a bit large for her, and she rested her chin on the edge, swaying gently with her breathing.
A mane of long, blue gradient hair, as fine as high-quality silk, flowed down Little Merlin’s small back. The tips faded into a transparent sky blue, cascading over the table like a waterfall and reflecting a dreamlike halo under the sunlight. Because she was sitting on a high table, Little Merlin’s feet dangled in the air, her delicate calves encased in high-quality white pantyhose that possessed a rich texture.
The black patent leather French Mary Jane Shoes on her feet occasionally clicked together as her legs swayed, making a crisp sound.
“Wow… is she an angel?”
“What angel… isn’t that Little Merlin?”
“Then isn’t that exactly what an angel is?”
A noblewoman passing through the crowd dropped the items she had just bought onto the ground. Even though she frequently attended banquets and had seen countless noble young ladies, she was completely captivated by Little Merlin.
“That’s the legendary princess from the Alchemy Department, right? This is totally unfair…”
The students nearby were even more affected by Little Merlin’s cuteness, clutching their chests and murmuring quietly, “I want… I really want to be stepped on once by those small feet in white silk…”
“The lunchbox… the Elf Princess’s ice cream lunchbox… I want to bury my face in it…”
“Can I buy the pantyhose Little Merlin wore?”
Some students even made more dangerous remarks.
If Ophelia were present right now, she would definitely teach those people a lesson.
As for Orino? Orino was still busy making her orange-flavored ice cream.
Facing the tidal wave of burning gazes, Little Merlin didn’t seem to care; her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. She just robotically held the sign, occasionally tilting her small head slightly, causing the strand of hair on top of her head to draw the shape of a question mark. Since Little Merlin had promised to help, she felt it was no big deal if she could finish the task just by sitting and holding a sign.
Little Merlin’s unconscious acts of being cute made the spectating crowd even more lively.
“Ahem! Fellow students! Honored guests!”
Just as everyone was immersed in Little Merlin’s cuteness, a high-spirited voice broke the silence.
Orino, also wearing a maid outfit but appearing much more mature, stood beside Little Merlin. She vigilantly blocked some of the more suggestive gazes while waving a spoon in her hand to promote the shop. “This is the Alchemy Department’s special cafe! As long as you enter and make a purchase, you’ll have the chance to appreciate our noble Highness Merlinlia from up close — wait, no, I mean our poster girl, Little Merlin! Additionally! Today’s special — orange-flavored ice cream handmade by the Great Fairy herself!”
“I’ll buy it!”
“Give me ten cups of coffee! I want to sit in the first row!”
“I’ll take the ice cream! Can Little Merlin just look at me once?”
Instantly, the once-hesitant crowd flooded into the shop, and the place immediately became bustling.
A daring senior student walked up to the parasol after placing her order. Summoning all her courage, she reached out toward Little Merlin, who was sitting on the table. “Th-That… Little Merlin… could we shake hands?”
The surrounding air froze instantly, and countless murderous gazes fixed upon that brave soul.
Little Merlin stopped swaying her legs and slowly raised her head. Her water-blue eyes, as clear as ice and devoid of any ripples, quietly watched the other girl. Her gaze was pure and free of impurities, reflecting the girl’s bright red face.
“Handshake?”
She tilted her head, her voice soft and sweet, carrying a hint of confusion.
Under the collective bated breath of everyone watching, she slowly released one hand from the sign and gently, tentatively, placed her small hand into the senior’s palm. It was soft and tiny.
“Hello.” She felt like a weightless cloud.
She responded politely, without any emotional fluctuations, yet she was utterly adorable.
“Hello…”
The senior student looked as if her soul had ascended to heaven. She clutched her nose and retreated on her knees, quickly pulling a handkerchief from her skirt pocket to wipe herself, wearing a blissful expression as if she could die without regrets.
This scene completely ignited the crowd.
“I want a handshake too!”
“Little Merlin! Look over here!”
The atmosphere attracted even more nobles who weren’t students to come and watch.
An elegantly dressed noblewoman was originally just passing by, but her gaze was drawn to Little Merlin. She couldn’t help but step forward and ask gently, “Oh my, what a lovely Elf. Aren’t you tired from sitting here all this time? It must be quite exhausting for a child, isn’t it?”
Little Merlin looked at the noblewoman, blinked, and gave a sweet smile. “I’m not tired.”
She shook her head honestly, then looked down at her Mary Jane Shoes shimmering in the sunlight.
“Although the socks feel a bit slippery and strange… this is a task.”
She hugged the sign in her arms tightly again and said with a serious face, “I am working. Orino said that as long as I sit here and daze off, we can sell a lot of ice cream.”
“Pffft.”
The noblewoman was amused by this overly blunt answer, and the affection in her eyes grew even stronger. “What an honest, good child. Then, as a reward for your hard work, how about I buy a bit more?”
“Wow! Thank you, madam! You truly have great taste!”
Beside them, Orino’s eyes instantly turned into the shape of gold coins as she enthusiastically greeted the woman.
In the center of the excitement, Little Merlin continued to sit there quietly. As the wind blew past, she swung her legs once more, the white pantyhose brushing against the air, stirring her waterfall-like hair and layered skirt. Although the slippery socks made her feel a bit uncomfortable, seeing everyone looking so happy, Little Merlin felt that this wasn’t bad… mhm.