Strata Magic School (3-9)
The journey itself went more smoothly than expected.
Those tailing us in secret kept following, disguising themselves as heading to the same places we were, but they didn't charge at us like before.
Their behavior was suspicious, but I couldn't just arbitrarily change direction or slow down because of them.
Best of all, though, was Louis.
Why did I like Louis so much?
"…Don't get any weird ideas just because you're alone with Luna."
"…."
I loved that reaction from him.
Luna hadn't told me exactly what she'd said when she pulled him aside, but she'd assured me with total confidence that he wouldn't be a bother for the time being.
This time, since she'd brought up his family to invite me, he hadn't tried any of his low-level provocations like he did at school.
He treated me with a modicum of respect, in his own way.
It was amusing, aside from being funny.
'Noble kids live such exhausting lives….'
They hated me so much, yet their own pride forced them into even more hateful actions….
As I looked at him with pity in my eyes, he furrowed his brow and started rambling without asking why.
"Luna's heading home to recover from exam fatigue. She told me not to bother her just because we've gotten a bit close lately."
"Bother her…."
I recalled last night—Luna riding my hips, pouring out every ounce of energy in a wild dance before collapsing onto my chest and falling asleep.
She must be tired. After shaking her hips that hard….
"I have no intention of bothering her. I only respond when she approaches me."
"Grind…."
That was me subtly slipping in the fact that Luna had initiated contact with me first.
But even with my provocation, Louis just exuded killing intent without actually bothering me.
"At this pace, we'll cross the border in about three days, then reach the Levin Kingdom two days after that."
Once we crossed the border, merchants wouldn't swarm us like now.
But other annoyances would come instead, he warned.
"Probably… the kingdom will send a delegation."
"A delegation?"
"Yeah, since the Dean is visiting, they're likely preparing even now."
It wouldn't just be preparations.
To the Levin Kingdom right now, this was like the rear guard welcoming a visiting president from my old world.
When someone you'd never see in your lifetime announced they were coming, chaos was inevitable….
But what did a delegation have to do with me?
"The delegation will almost certainly include nobles from our kingdom, all tagging along."
"…?"
"For that moment, at least, I pray you'll mind your manners and keep your mouth shut."
"Haha…."
If Louis just let it slide, I'd be disappointed….
But I understood his point.
From his perspective, I was a commoner who hadn't learned noble etiquette.
If it were just a casual visit, fine—but mingling with nobles would inevitably reflect on Louis's reputation because of his invitation.
"Got it. As your guest, I should show some manners."
"…You mean that?"
After all our bickering, he doubted the sincerity behind my consideration.
"No matter how I won this invitation in a bet, it's still an invitation. Manners are in order."
"Grind…."
I hadn't meant to, but I'd subtly reminded him of my exam victory over him.
This time unintentionally….
Louis ground his teeth for a while before speaking.
"If you have time on the trip, ask Professor Sonya or Karl about etiquette. At least don't get treated like a peasant?"
His intent was clear: perform well enough not to be seen as total trash.
"Sure, sure… I'll ask around. Now stop worrying and do your own thing."
"Hmph…."
Louis snorted and headed to the cafeteria.
I smirked at his manners, which seemed to have gone down the toilet.
"I'll just ask Luna~"
Humming to myself, I headed to the cafeteria where Luna waited.
Like the night before, I went to Luna's lodging and started asking her all sorts of questions.
"Etiquette?"
"Yeah, just the basics, please."
Luna, in her uniform, gazed thoughtfully at me before nodding in agreement.
"True… a casual visit might be fine, but this calls for it."
She quickly grasped the situation from my words.
"Traveling with the Dean means you'll inevitably run into them."
If I were just visiting Louis's home, politeness to his family would suffice.
But accompanying the Dean changed everything.
Not just dukes, but central nobles, fallen houses… everyone would swarm.
And the biggest one….
"Royals will likely be there too."
It made sense in hindsight.
Knowing the Dean was coming, royals would probably flutter their eyebrows in frenzy to greet him.
And since I was with the Dean, I'd have to face them whether I liked it or not.
The Dean himself was walking etiquette.
Even his casual greeting felt like a blessing to those around him.
But me? At best… top student of Strata's spring semester?
"I'll start with etiquette for dukes. When you meet one…."
Royals were a 'maybe,' but Louis's parents were inevitable.
To be treated well, you had to show respect.
I listened intently to Luna's explanations.
She focused on basics upon meeting and absolute no-nos.
For dukes, their wives, royals, and so on….
The etiquette wasn't as complex or difficult as I'd feared.
My old world valued basic manners too.
But so much was unfamiliar—it would take time to master.
Absorbing everything from greetings to conversation tips, bedtime snuck up.
"Next is table manners…."
"Tomorrow? Dinner time's long past."
We'd already eaten. No need to force food for practice.
But Luna thought differently.
"Table manners just need utensils. One moment."
She picked up the golden bell on the table, opened the door, and rang it lightly in the hall.
A clear, serene chime echoed softly.
Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle~
After three rings, a female staffer rushed over.
"What can I do for you?"
"Basic full-course utensils, please."
"Utensils…?"
"Yes, no food. And…."
Luna whispered something inaudible to me; the staffer nodded.
"Understood. I'll bring them right away."
As the staffer left, Luna returned, doffing her cloak.
"Su-ho, change clothes. Bathroom first?"
"Nah, you go."
"Okay, I'll go first. If utensils arrive, just set them on the table."
"Sure."
Luna grabbed pajamas and headed to the bathroom in her uniform.
We were at the naked-sex stage, but changing in front of me embarrassed her.
Amusingly….
'She's assuming I'll stay over.'
Luna was convinced I'd sleep here.
Unlike yesterday, I'd planned to learn etiquette and return to my room.
She'd looked a bit fatigued today.
'Won't she be tired?'
[Armonia]
No need to worry about that. If Luna Staatfeld disliked it, she would have refused outright from the start.
True… given our recent relationship, this felt more natural.
Water splashing and Luna's shower sounds soon came from the bathroom.
Wonder what she looks like… As her lover, peeking's fine, right?
That very thought crossed my mind.
[Armonia]
I do not recommend peeking.
'…What?'
[Armonia]
Anyone could see your expression is that of a man dying to peek.
'….'
You're too perceptive for your own good… I like that.
Despite Armonia's advice, my gaze kept drifting to the bathroom.
Then Luna's voice echoed from inside….
(And just so you know, don't peek.)
"…."
How had my image led her to say that without even looking?
I sat at the table, imagining her showering body.
Soon, knocks sounded at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
(Your requested items have arrived.)
Hearing the staff clearly, I opened the door.
"The utensils… Eh!? This room…."
The woman appeared late teens to early twenties.
Just… average.
Seeing me, she startled and double-checked the room number.
I calmly told her,
"The room's owner stepped out briefly, so I'm receiving them. It's fine."
"Ah…."
Her eyes flicked to the bathroom door.
Splash, splash….
Faint water sounds leaked out; she seemed to get it.
Face flushing, fidgeting, I said to the young staffer,
"Set what you brought on the table there."
"Y-yes!"
She hurriedly placed the utensils.
I sighed watching them pile up.
'Why so many knives….'
[Armonia]
Each has a specific use.
'Aigoo… this'll be a hassle.'
Nothing more annoying than fussing over utensils while eating….
Once all utensils were set, something unexpected joined them.
"Hm?"
"Full course set, as requested. Call if you need more. Then…."
Flushed at the man-woman scene, she fled.
But I barely noticed her.
Average looks… My eyes were on the purple bottle atop the table.
As I stared silently, the bathroom door cracked open with Luna's voice.
"Is… wine okay?"