True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

?Chapter 63 - A Moment Of..... Confusion

Rimuru Pov

I narrowed my eyes at Cynthia, as I asked with a tinge of skepticism, "Are you serious now?" The warm lighting of her office cast flickering shadows across her composed features as she delicately sipped her steaming Earl Grey tea.

Cynthia set her cup down with a soft clink, the aroma of bergamot filling the tense air between us. "I'm completely serious, Rimuru," she replied, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering conviction. A small, knowing smile played on her lips, betraying her confidence in this proposal and, I had to admit, irritating me further. "This festival could be exactly what we need to bring the academy together."

I sighed heavily, running my fingers through my hair. The weight of recent events pressed down on me, making Cynthia's suggestion seem like a pipe dream at best, and a disaster waiting to happen at worst. "Where did you even get this idea?" I questioned, leaning back in my chair. "It seems... risky, given the current climate."

Cynthia's smile widened, clearly sensing my reluctance. "Well, that's because of your girlfriend, actually. She and Sylvia came to me with this suggestion, and I thought it was a wonderful idea, so I agreed." Her eyes sparkled with amusement, probably at my shocked expression.

My brow furrowed as I processed this information, a mix of surprise and concern washing over me. The academy had been a powder keg of tension lately, with clashes between noble human students and their elven and dwarven peers. The memory of shouting matches in the hallways and barely-avoided fistfights in the courtyard was still fresh in my mind.

"What's the problem with that, Captain?" Claire chimed in, her expression thoughtful but her eyes sharp. "Sounds like a great idea to me."

I turned to Claire, surprised by her support. Usually, she was the voice of caution in our group. "You can't be serious, Claire. You've seen how bad things have gotten. What if the festival just gives them another excuse to fight?"

Lily nodded enthusiastically, her optimism shining through despite the recent troubles. "I think Claire's right, Rimuru. A festival could be just what the academy needs right now. It might help everyone remember why we're all here together."

I felt a twinge of frustration. Didn't they understand the risks? "Lily, I appreciate your optimism, but-"

Tess cut me off, her voice soft but firm, "Exactly. It would be a great opportunity for the students to relax and take their minds off the recent incidents." I could see the worry in her eyes, remembering how she'd had to break up a particularly nasty argument between students just last week. "Maybe if they're having fun together, they'll forget about their differences for a while."

I crossed my arms, still feeling uneasy about the proposal. The knot in my stomach tightened as I thought about all the ways this could go wrong. "Ugh, seriously guys? With the recent events, I don't think we should be doing something like this." The memory of tearful students, accusations of prejudice, and the disappointed faces of teachers weighed heavily on my mind. "What if it backfires? We could end up making things worse."

Cynthia's expression hardened with resolve, her earlier playfulness giving way to determination. "On the contrary, Rimuru. With the recent events, we have to do this to lift the students' spirits and help them move past the incidents." Her words carried the weight of her years of experience, making me question my own judgment. "Sometimes, the riskiest move is the one that pays off the most."

I felt torn. Part of me wanted to believe in Cynthia's vision, to hope that this festival could be the turning point we needed. But another part of me, the part that had seen the worst of the recent conflicts, was terrified of what could go wrong.