The Princess and Academy City -1-

Phew.

The aftereffects of mana exhaustion were gone by the time I woke up the next day.

The sticky, damp status ailment that I'd worried might linger had lifted.

Whether it was thanks to the bright blue IV drip from the infirmary, or the hearty meal—the most filling one I'd had since ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠arriving in Academy City.

Either way, I owed Juyeon my thanks once more.

At least I can train properly now.

I slowly sat up in bed.

My head was still fuzzy from just waking up, but it was fine.

After a quick prep,

I opened the dorm door to head to the Orion Academy training room.

Stepping outside, I walked down the street and glanced up at the sky.

The weather's easing up a bit, huh?

The early morning chill, which hit the same every day, felt subdued today.

Spring was subtly scenting the air of Academy City Elysium.

The moment I arrived at the training room and set down my bag,

Ichinose called out from behind me.

Seeing her in short sleeves instead of her usual long ones really drove home how much warmer it was.

"Didn't expect you to show up today. Aren't you pushing it?"

"Slept it off. I'm good as new."

"Hmm... Your recovery is impressive."

Ichinose and I had exchanged brief messages yesterday.

She was the friend who'd checked on me first, after all.

"Theory's the only thing bugging me a bit. Couldn't focus enough to review properly."

"Mana exhaustion makes it hard to even hold a pen. I've been there, so I get it."

After stretching and chatting,

Rohan and Ichinose headed to the treadmills together.

It was practically a fixed routine now.

"Rohan. Want me to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tell you something fun?"

"What?"

"Noah started studying yesterday."

"...!"

The very day we'd made the promise for her to work on theory, and she jumped right in.

What an honest girl. That's what made her amazing.

Noah Frozenheart at a desk, studying.

I'd never even seen that in the flood of fan art proving her popularity.

To me, a guy who'd enjoyed Abyss City, it felt that alien.

"The instructors must be thrilled."

"Right? I told her it's fine to ask me, but she should check with them too if she's got questions."

"Oh... Guess I better step it up, or I'll end up dead last."

Hearing rare tension in Rohan's voice,

Ichinose smiled faintly without a sound.

"How's it been lately? Getting into studying at all?"

"Thanks to someone teaching me well."

"Hehe."

Rohan and Ichinose kept talking as they ran on the machines, speed ramping up.

After finishing the workout, we headed to the academy.

Gilbert's fierce mug greeted Rohan as he opened Class 1's door.

"ROHAAAAN!!!!!!!"

"Whoa, nearly decked you, you maniac."

It startled me so bad my heart hurt a little.

My ears were ringing from the volume.

"What! Scared that bad... Mana exhaustion aftereffects, huh?"

A student from another class passing by even tripped, legs giving out from the shock.

Rohan helped the unfamiliar student up with an apology,

then approached Gilbert again.

This guy's voice is seriously something else.

No point saying anything; it wouldn't change.

Hell, I kinda saw it as his charm.

"I'm fine. Move aside so I can get in."

"Umm!!!"

Gilbert stepping aside looked like a pillar shifting.

Rohan set his bag down, greeted Dick and the other friends in the back,

then let out a long breath as he sat.

Maybe overdid the morning training, thinking I hadn't done squat yesterday.

"Hoo."

At Rohan's sigh, sigh-sniffing bloodhound Gilbert's eyes flashed as he approached.

"A sigh!? See, pretending to be fine, but mana exhaustion aftereffects...!"

"I said no. Why the fuss?"

"Gah—!!! Rohan, self-diagnose now! Don't get cocky just 'cause you're young!"

"Driving me nuts."

Amazingly, Class 1 had adapted to his racket now.

Most just shrugged it off or did their own thing.

"Fact is, Rohan wasn't the only one who collapsed from mana exhaustion yesterday. He carried some shield-lunatic who passed out first."

Dick Wikitree's tackle made Gilbert's head creak around.

Sensing a noisy back-and-forth brewing, Rohan tried to slip away—

But Gilbert and Dick shut up.

"... ."

Juyeon was click-clacking in for morning assembly.

...

...

Juyeon's class was as focused as ever. Time flew.

If I had to pick something special today, maybe seeing Noah struggle with theory for the first time.

Practical went as usual, but with formation training proficiency rising, she'd gradually up the sparring frequency.

After a fulfilling academy day, Rohan grabbed a cheap meal at the cafeteria,

then headed to Flower Lily Bookstore as always.

En route, the worries continued.

Need to power up faster.

Once I saved for a decent sword, I'd roam outside the city.

Already decided for points.

If I find monsters whose parts sell well, that could earn some cash too.

With finances tight, thoughts turned there.

Couldn't just chase points carefree.

"Boss. I'm here."

"Ah, Rohan. Right on time."

Lost in thought, work arrived quick.

Rohan stashed his bag in the corner and tied on the apron.

"That stuff on the table."

"Got it."

"Gift snacks, eat 'em while working. Me and the old lady can't chew hard stuff anymore."

"Thanks! Dig in!"

Rohan bowed,

and the boss shuffled into retirement prep with wrinkled hands.

"Hold the fort then."

"Safe trip!"

With the boss gone, Rohan manned Flower Lily Bookstore's counter.

How much time passed?

Clara showed up later than usual today.

As always, during a lull with no customers.

Rohan lightly asked the girl whose eyes met his. Her trembling from yesterday still fresh.

"Feeling better?"

"...Y-Yeah."

Recalling yesterday's mess, Clara averted her eyes and nodded faintly.

Predicting the hesitant girl's words, Rohan cut in first.

"No 'sorry's between us. You already messaged it."

"Ah!"

Clara, at a loss, fidgeted before vanishing between shelves.

Raising his head, Clara was peeking this way.

"Th-the weekly boss... stage 5 cleared?"

"Level's too low; only up to 3 so far. Planning to grind levels this week and try 4 on Sunday."

"Uh-huh... Really?"

"Even with support, my chars lack specs. Kinda tough."

The girl nodded and slipped away again.

Rohan wasn't sure if that satisfied her.

Bzzzt—!!!

Phone out—Clara? No, unknown number call. Rohan picked up just in case.

"Hello?"

—Ahem...

The voice gave it away instantly.

The princess!

Rohan spun from the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠counter, lowering his voice.

"Was wondering when you'd call."

—I'm in Academy City now. Name time and place.

"Takes about two hours. Meet near Zone 2."

—Good.

"Got a spot worth waiting?"

—Doesn't matter. I'll call back in two hours.

Click! The payphone hung up.

Rohan pocketed his phone after a glance.

Gotta think how much to tell her.

Head churning while checking new book lists.

After ringing up a magazine buyer and stepping out to tidy shelves,

"Um, hey..."

"Yes?"

Clara approached silently again.

Rohan paused, straightened, and met her eyes.

"Uh..."

"Take your time."

No rush; he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sorted protruding books while waiting.

The girl, steeling herself, sat in the corner and spoke her prepared line.

"T-Today! After work... wanna push the weekly boss together?"

Rohan's eyes widened at Clara's offer.

What joyful progress.

But.

"Thing is... got plans tonight."

"...!"

What vast social circle.

Clara's jaw dropped at the unexpected turn.