Strata Magic Academy (3-12)
"Is it because of that merchant leader you met earlier?"
"Huh?"
I snapped to attention and turned toward the voice.
Luna's delicate face greeted me, softly illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window.
Just like the night before, I'd learned etiquette from her, then calmly made love atop the bed, our bodies entwining.
Normally, I'd have fucked her fiercely, leaving her mind blank with pleasure, but tonight I couldn't muster it.
These off nights happen, but my lack of focus played a part too.
I pulled Luna, nestled in my arms under the covers, even closer and murmured.
"Yeah... just some scattered thoughts..."
In truth, I'd completely forgotten about that merchant leader.
What was really on my mind was Karl's request.
(I'd meant to give it to you sooner, but it felt too revealing, so here it is now.)
(Karl, you didn't have to give me something like this...)
(Please accept it. And... I have a favor to ask.)
(...)
I already knew what Karl's request was.
In fact, everything had been sorted out among us.
Karl knew more than anyone and had even orchestrated this situation. Luna had heard everything from him and declared she'd understand me.
The only one in the dark—the one handling the most crucial part—was Sonya herself...
'But...'
I unconsciously thought of Sonya and hugged Luna tighter.
Luna looked at me curiously for a moment, then relaxed her expression, burying her face in my chest as she spoke.
"Don't overthink it."
"Huh?"
As I voiced my confusion, Luna whispered with her eyes closed.
"Once you've decided, pushing forward without hesitation—that's a man's charm."
"Decided...? You mean..."
I thought she was talking about the merchant leader and was about to explain when—
"I already told you. It's hard for me as a woman to bring it up again after saying it once."
"Ah... sorry."
Luna had seen right through my worries.
She'd previously declared she'd allow me to be with other women.
Not that she wanted me to be a playboy, but she'd implicitly approved my relationship with Sonya.
Still, the timing being what it was, my attempts to be considerate of Luna had ended up rubbing her the wrong way.
I hugged her tightly, burying my face in her silver hair, and whispered.
"I love you."
"Hehe... that's enough."
With that, Luna and I drifted off to sleep in each other's arms, silent and content.
..
..
As soon as the sun rose the next morning, I got an earful.
"Hey, where the hell do you wander off to every night?"
"..."
This annoying guy suddenly approached and started nagging.
Not Luna or Sonya—why did I have to put up with him?
I ignored him, but he furrowed his brows even deeper and kept at it.
"Ignoring me? Where do you go wandering?!"
"Ah... just sightseeing. You think I'd report every little thing?"
"Hmph."
Louis snorted, glaring at me as he muttered.
"I told you. Watch your behavior."
"What does wandering at night have to do with my behavior?"
Travel was my main goal from the start.
So there was no reason for him to lecture me on propriety just because I roamed at night.
But I already knew what was eating at him.
"I don't care about anything else, but don't get caught doing something shady once we reach Levin."
"Something shady?"
I played dumb, so Louis gave me a disdainful look and grumbled.
"Don't play innocent..."
"No, what are you even talking about..."
"Anyway!"
Louis cut me off and spat out his point.
"Whatever else, be careful after running into the delegation. Your behavior could tarnish not just my reputation, but Luna's too."
He rambled to himself like that, then spun on his heel and left.
I watched the back of his head as he walked away, thinking.
'Isn't this straight-up stalking? That time he grabbed my sleeve... maybe he's gay after all?'
[Then the mission could get much easier...]
'Hey, can't even joke around?'
Just imagining it was horrifying, so don't say that like you mean it...
I brushed the goosebumps off my arms and headed to the cafeteria.
Sonya was there, giving instructions to the staff.
"Breakfast is bread, soup, and milk—that's plenty. Half portions are fine, and like yesterday, I'll check here and take it myself."
"Ma'am, we can deliver it directly..."
"No. I'll handle everything. Just prepare the food."
From day one, Sonya had taken it upon herself to act as the dean's secretary and aide.
The dean hadn't eaten in the cafeteria since arrival.
Sonya would bring food to his room, and that was it.
She didn't even deliver it straight away.
She'd take small bites of the food from the cafeteria to taste it first.
"Good. Thank you."
It wasn't just quality control for the dean.
She was checking for poisons or contaminants.
'Wouldn't the dean survive poison anyway?'
[Poisoning is probably impossible.]
If poison worked, she'd just eat it herself and die...
As Sonya carried the food, our eyes met, and she gave a soft smile before quietly heading to the dean's room.
Troublesome.
'...Nothing I can do right now. I'll talk to her when she has some downtime.'
Sonya was swamped assisting the dean.
Showing interest now could backfire if it caused her trouble with him—I'd lose face.
From the routine, our chances to talk were mealtimes or evenings after duties.
Mealtimes weren't for heart-to-hearts.
So...
'Once we reach the next village and she loosens up, I'll strike up a conversation.'
Chatting lightly over meals was fun, but nothing beat alone time with a woman.
..
..
It was definitely different.
'The farther from Strata, the worse the villages get.'
My impression upon arriving at the fourth village.
The coachmen had warned me conditions would deteriorate farther out.
Even prepared, I was disappointed by how bad it was.
As our carriage entered, villagers whispered, eyeing us.
(Oh... nobles?)
(This time of year? Must be Strata students heading home.)
(That carriage... not your average student.)
(Oh, should I say hi?)
Luckily, despite the sketchy vibe, they just stared admiringly—no funny business.
Listening to their murmurs as we toured the village, the carriage soon stopped at the inn.
I hadn't expected much from the inn.
In a dump like this, even "luxury" rooms would be rough.
But I was surprised.
'Village is a shithole, but the inn's nice?'
Smaller than previous ones, but it rivaled high-end establishments.
The coachman explained as he helped us down.
"This inn was built directly by our company for long-distance carriage customers."
Long-haul riders were inevitably wealthy.
Proper accommodations for them were key to the company's success.
You couldn't expect luxury rooms in backwaters like this, nor would nobles slum it or camp.
That meticulous service explained the high fares.
They provided top inns even in places without them.
'So that's baked into the cost? Louis... guy's loaded.'
Under the coachman's guidance, we entered and got more details.
"This village is in worse shape than the last. If you need to go out, please let us know."
No Strata student would run into trouble, but safety was their job, so he insisted.
The village vibe had changed, but our routine hadn't.
The dean headed to his room, lips pursed, focused on dismantling my magic circle.
Luna, Karl, and Louis sat for dinner.
And Sonya...
"I'll eat later. Go ahead."
She bustled off to handle the dean's meal.
At first, everyone tiptoed around her actions, but now they understood and ate leisurely.
After eating, Louis glanced at me, snorted, and headed to his room.
'Does he think I'm sneaking out again?'
He already assumed I was up to no good outside.
Even in this backwater, I'd find a woman...
'Wonder what face he'd make knowing it's Luna.'
A smile crept onto my face unbidden as I slowly made for my room.
One worry nagged me the whole way.
'How do I break the ice?'
Sonya would respond warmly if I approached now.
But she was busy, and since learning about me and Luna, she treated me with extra caution.
I wanted Sonya.
Before Luna, she'd have welcomed me innocently, like a kid.
But now? Play too flirty, and I'd get scolded, hands up in surrender.
'I'll rest in my room and time it right.'
Assisting the dean meant she'd eat late.
I'd wait for that and head to my room to relax.
..
..
The sun had just set, darkness falling.
I stared at the chandelier awhile, then bolted up from bed, donning my cloak.
"About time for dinner. Let's go..."
I was heading out to meet Sonya when—
Knock, knock, knock.
An unexpected visitor—I lowered my voice warily.
"Who is it?"
Hearing my guarded tone, the voice outside replied in a barely audible whisper.
It slithered under the door like a shadow, reaching my ears.
(It's me. Student Su-ho.)
It was Sonya.