Freshman Welcome Banquet #1
The nightmare came without fail, as always. But tonight, it unfolded a little differently.
The dead squadmates didn't appear. There were no wails of grief, no rough hands clutching at my pant legs.
In their place, a bronze giant—[Libertas]—simply gazed down at me, shedding tears of lava-hot blood.
Yet for some reason, the sight felt far sadder to me than any nightmare before.
I merely sat facing her, silently filling my cup with tears, until dawn snatched the dream away.
The so-called disguised instructor incident involving Nico Muller exceeded all our expectations in results.
First, Isabella had gathered astonishingly detailed information in advance. Nico Muller spilled every last detail without even needing a confession spell. And then there were Professor Georgia, Princess Alessia, and the active involvement of Adria, Belluraca, and Wigrdrasil.
These three factors combined to send Congressman Kedrak—who had orchestrated the whole affair—packing back to his homeland like a dog with its tail between its legs. No, forced repatriation fits better.
Word was, the other congressmen he usually hung around with cut him loose the moment things got fishy. What a flock of fair-weather friends.
We could have dug deeper and ousted a few more, but Professor Georgia, Princess Alessia, and even I didn't want that.
Even a cornered rat will bite a cat—and these weren't just any rats. They were academy congressmen, big shots who could fart loudly back home.
Imagine them sensing danger and banding together. One wrong move, and we'd face a backlash we couldn't handle.
Better to nail one like Kedrak as an example, apply subtle pressure to the rest, and call it a day. That was our consensus.
Hey, you still scheming? Want to end up like 'Kedrak'? No? Good, play nice.
⋯Something like that.
As the first dragon user in 150 years—with that annoying title hanging over me—I needed to set a firm example to deter any meddlers. Our dear Congressman Kedrak filled that role admirably. I almost wanted to applaud him.
Of course.
"Your tie is crooked, young master. Allow me to fix it."
"Yeah, thanks."
The one truly deserving applause was our perfect maid, Isabella.
Without her sacrificing sleep to gather intel, things wouldn't have gone this smoothly.
"In many ways."
My limited vocabulary was a real shame at times like this.
"No need to thank me, young master. This is my joy."
Fortunately, Isabella seemed to grasp my feelings, offering a faint smile. Her lips, tracing smooth curves today, looked especially tempting.
"Be sure to thank the others at the banquet tonight as well."
"Yeah, I know."
A freshman welcome banquet. They wouldn't force booze down our throats till we dropped, right?
It should have happened on the first day of school, but my lingering illness had delayed it until now.
Apparently, the other dorms—Costanzo and Fabio—had theirs ages ago. Felt a bit guilty.
Still, waiting for my recovery showed how much interest they had in me.
"Lady Belluna too."
"Adella? ⋯So Wigrdrasil's move this time was thanks to her?"
"Not entirely her decision, surely. The empire would have weighed your value carefully anyway."
Even so, Isabella paused to gather her words before speaking clearly.
"Lady Belluna did provide a fine pretext for Wigrdrasil."
"Makes sense. Adella is high nobility, after all."
"Yes. A family like Belluna can exert real influence on the empire's decisions."
Isabella's lower lip puffed out just a touch. After over ten years knowing her, it was a change so subtle I'd miss it without close attention.
I chuckled.
"Bothered?"
She flinched.
"⋯What do you mean, young master?"
Playing innocent.
"Me calling Adella by her first name, no family title."
"⋯Of course not. I couldn't care less. My concern is solely your well-being, young master. It's only natural for a maid."
Words tumbling out now, huh, Bell?
"We're friends, aren't we?"
"⋯."
Teasing her like that, Isabella pursed her lips and shot me a petulant glare from below.
"⋯That's the most dangerous part."
"Heh, yeah?"
"There are no friends between men and women⋯ the countess said so."
Mom's got some wild sayings.
"I see."
"⋯Young master."
"Yeah?"
"You are a man, right?"
"⋯Yeah?"
Isabella pressed closer. The soft press of her breasts sent shivers across my skin, her warm scent tickling my nose.
"I'm a woman."
"⋯."
"What a coincidence."
Yeah. I know that better than anyone⋯ er, I mean, I know, Bell.
After a brief moment of turmoil, Isabella and I arrived at the banquet hall.
Guided by attendants through a vast hall and grand double doors, the venue was more fantastical than anywhere I'd seen.
It could seat hundreds easily. The ceiling—so high you had to crane your neck—was draped with blue flags symbolizing Nicola Class, reaching to the floor.
Luxurious chandeliers of the finest gems cast otherworldly glows without number. Five long tables floated thousands of magical candles overhead. Golden plates, goblets, and cutlery gleamed brighter in their light.
But even that splendor seemed mere decoration for the dishes on the plates. I'd never seen so much exquisite food arrayed like this—not in my past life, nor as the son of a count now. No scene more fitting for a banquet.
"Ah, there you are, Bardi."
"Rogers."
As I struggled not to gulp audibly, Eden approached.
His usual rigid demeanor intact, he checked on me first.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah. All good now."
"Glad to hear it. Eat up tonight and regain your strength."
"Will do. Haven't forgotten our promise."
"Good."
Eden grinned. A spark of fighting spirit flashed beneath his angular eyes. He was still eager for our duel.
But why? I caught a shadow on his stern face.
"Rogers."
"Hm?"
"Something wrong?"
His eyes widened briefly before a wry smile formed.
"Caught me. Wasn't planning on it."
"What is it? Spill."
"Nothing major. Just⋯ got me thinking after this mess."
"Thinking?"
"Yeah."
Eden nodded gravely.
"An academy congressman must make the wisest, most just decisions. They're human, sure, mistakes happen⋯ but this wasn't a mistake."
"True."
"So, I'm going to work harder from now on. That's it."
"Huh?"
The context felt off. As I frowned, Eden met my eyes squarely.
"I'll keep building my skills until I become headmaster someday. Then I'll ensure Federico Academy's glory doesn't fade over base greed."
⋯Ah, got it. Nodding in understanding, Eden flashed another competitive grin.
"To do that, Bardi, I need to beat you first—the strongest first-year."
"Oh ho. Not holding back?"
"Naturally. I'll go all out too."
Our fiery gazes locked briefly before Eden shrugged toward the banquet tables.
"But tonight, enjoy the feast over duels. I'd recommend it."
"Thanks."
"No trouble. Come on. Others are waiting besides me."
Eden suppressed his zeal with disciplined reason, raising his golden goblet in farewell.
"Here you are, young master."
"Ah, thanks, Isabella."
"My pleasure."
She handed me a goblet brimming with grape juice.
A sip, and I surveyed the hall slowly. Eyes converged on me alone now. Burdensome? Sure, but I'd steeled myself, so I played it cool.
The gazes held a rainbow of emotions, as varied as the dishes before us.
Admiration, wariness, envy, curiosity, rivalry⋯.
One standout: more goodwill from the women.
Jealousy and fire burned hotter among the men.
Two especially conspicuous: Diego and Erhun.
Diego scowled at me and chugged his drink. But that was it—no sign of trouble. Almost pitiful, alone without his usual lackeys.
Erhun, though⋯ gloomy as ever. Face like a storm cloud, she stared oddly before shuffling off somewhere.
Hmm, nagging feeling.
"Ah, Ricaaaardo~. Hi~."
Then Adella appeared. She wore a dress baring her shoulders. Back cut low too? Probably imagination.
"Oh, cuuurious~?"
Somehow reading my mind, she spun with a sly smile. I felt Isabella tense beside me.
Frankly, me too. Who knew dresses could plunge that low? Awe-inspiring.
"Whaddya thiiink~?"
"⋯Beautiful."
"Hmm~ Feels a bit short, but I'll take it~."
A radiant smile bloomed over her drowsy face. I rolled my eyes awkwardly and thanked her.
"Thanks for the help, Adella."
"Yeeah~? Oh, thaaat~?"
Giggling, she stepped closer, hands behind back, rising on tiptoe. A fresh forest scent wafted over—like with Isabella earlier, ironically. Not as close, though.
"Friends help friends~. Natural~?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Dunno how long we'll stay just friends, though~."
"⋯Huh?"
Adella's eyes curved seductively, face full of mischief.
"⋯."
⋯I could guess Isabella's expression without looking.