Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Graveda Academy (5)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Kuh-aaang. I don't wanna go in..."
"But now we can meet up inside, right? That's something."
"True, the magic department makes it easier to meet up than the swordsmanship department... The only downside is that I'm a second-year. It'd be great if I were a first-year."
Can't be helped.
Even so, it's not like a monster who tops the ranks like it's nothing could hold back a year and do something insane like that.
No one would accept that kind of stunt anyway.
"Hauu... If we start a club, we could spend more time fooling around together, right?"
"There's a minimum number required. I'll try recruiting some friends from the freshmen."
I think it was at least four people.
Rozaria's close seniors all had their own clubs and were busy anyway.
So we'd have to gather a completely new group, which could turn into a big hassle.
Still, in the early days when club recruitment starts, there should be plenty of kids we can lure in.
'Kids who think joining a club is iffy but want to go out often—we can just tempt them.'
In the end, it's all about what benefits you can offer each other.
Even if we don't do real club activities, as long as we achieve the same goal, we could bring them along.
No need to worry about it this early.
"Most of it'll just be ghost members anyway, right? Normally, it'll just be us two fooling around in the clubroom!"
"Eh... not necessarily. Someone serious might show up."
"Make sure that doesn't happen if possible!"
"You think I can control that?"
And honestly, I wondered if I'd even have the vibe to fool around in the clubroom that much.
To make time for drawing comics, I'd probably need to head back to the dorm early and work alone.
Rozaria was lost in pointless fantasies, and I felt a little bad about that.
But you're important, sure... my work's important too.
"Normally, we could've snuck in to watch the entrance ceremony, but we've got schedules today, so no luck."
"Schedules?"
"They're swapping out uniforms for everyone at once. That's why it's been noisy with sizing and all that."
"Ah, got it."
Originally, they were supposed to change them gradually starting from first-years, but they decided on a full uniform switch for consistency.
After seeing Rozaria off, I headed alone to the building for the entrance ceremony.
Feels kinda weird going back to university.
Truth be told, there wasn't anything special about the entrance ceremony.
Just the basics: congratulations, work hard for the Empire's future, that kind of boilerplate.
At least they didn't tack on gender equality training like at my old college—small mercies.
"Representing the freshmen, top enrollee Nia Hu Altres will now take the pledge."
A school where the crown prince gives the freshman rep pledge?
Man, messing with this place could get you in deep shit.
On the flip side, it might mean you can relax and roam freely... or maybe it's turned into a political arena where you gotta suck up to the prince...
Lots of thoughts swirling around.
'Eh, just avoid bumping into anyone important.'
My goal isn't political success anyway—it's learning magic.
Master recording magic, make computers and tablets with it, save the comic artists.
That's my one and only reason for enrolling...
'Not the time for that kinda thinking.'
The trouble started after the ceremony, when we headed to the dorms.
Graveda Academy's dorms divide zones broadly at first, then narrow it down.
Start with separating by gender, then by year, and finally by swordsmanship or magic department.
They pair you up as two-person roommates in rooms like that...
And one person matched all those criteria for me.
Whether they assigned by grades or whatever, a super familiar face was already in the room when I arrived.
How the hell is my roommate the crown prince?
"Ahaha, hi there."
"...Hello."
I tried greeting him, but his stiff reply left me racking my brain on how to handle this.
Damn it, we're roommates—we'll keep running into each other. How am I supposed to live like this?
No choice but to get somewhat friendly now.
I was scared I'd screw up somehow by saying the wrong thing, which made acting natural tough.
"Haa, no need to be so tense. Actually, this is endless. Relax—it's fine. Use casual speech too."
"B-but..."
"I'm not succeeding my dad right now anyway, and while we're here, we're just students."
He seemed dead serious about hating the special treatment.
Made me think it'd be riskier not to treat him casually.
Well, if that's what he wants...
"Alright, casual it is then. I'm Kali. Nice to meet ya, Nia."
"Sounds good. Nice to meet you too, Kali."
Weird.
I'd heard nobles often use mutual honorifics since there are so many here.
Maybe this guy's just quirky...
Whatever, casual suits me fine.
"Honestly, didn't expect to room with you. Kinda nervous."
"That's a bit too honest, huh?"
"Sharing a room with His Imperial Highness? Anyone not nervous would be the weirdo."
"Like I said, don't overthink it."
If only it were that easy.
But seeing him smile for real, I get why he'd make girls swoon.
Not that cool, aspirational handsome vibe—more like a cute, wholesome idol look.
Slim build, kinda androgynous overall.
Ah, too distracted—haven't even checked the room.
Bedding's high-end with magic applied, plenty of storage space too.
They could've just given us separate rooms at this size. Wonder why cram two into such a big one.
Maybe to fit bathrooms and kitchens?
"Was worried about my drawing tools, but this should be plenty."
"That's a ton of stuff."
"Can't go shopping when I need 'em, so I packed everything I could."
Nearly killed my back hauling it all here.
Sort the luggage, change into issued uniforms, then assemble?
Probably to check uniform sizes, then student council guides us around the school after.
"Guess I should change first..."
"W-wait a sec...!"
"Huh? Did I miss something?"
"N-no, it's nothing... Be right back, gotta hit the bathroom."
Why tell me if you're just going to the bathroom?
As I stripped to change into the uniform, he bolted to the bathroom without looking back.
Was he in a rush?
"Huh?"
Pulled out the uniform— and the more I looked, the weirder it felt.
White dress shirt with red lines on the collar and cuffs.
Red shorts in a non-garish shade.
Not shocked by the clothes themselves.
Problem is, this matches the magic department uniform design I sketched and submitted to the Empire last time.
Figured a single test run at one academy nationwide wouldn't be here.
Caught me off guard.
The men's version actually looks cleaner and nicer than standard uniforms—no big deal there.
But they wouldn't apply it only to guys.
Does that mean Graveda girls are all wearing that pervy women's design I made?
'This is seriously awkward.'
Thinking back, Graveda is the Empire's top academy—makes sense they'd test new stuff here first.
My bad for not preparing mentally.
"What, changed right there?"
"Uh, yeah? Might as well while I was in there."
He came out of the bathroom already changed.
Guessed he'd grabbed the uniform on the way in.
Didn't notice at all.
"Fits me perfect. You?"
"Looks good. How's mine?"
"Spot on. No swaps needed."
Channel magic into the collar tool, and the temp adjusts comfortably warm.
Requested that for weather without changing the design much.
Nice implementation.
"Should head out and wait? Student council's explaining school facilities today, right?"
"Y-yeah."
Excited, but imagining girls in those uniforms en masse? Tough.
Feet wouldn't move, but Nia was giving weird looks, so we headed to the auditorium together.
"Ah..."
Spotted Yuria—that girl from the exam—walking with her chest bouncing.
Buttons strained to bursting, underboob spilling out bare—visual overload.
Even the black panties peeking under the shiny red miniskirt kept drawing my eye.
'This is madness.'
One was overwhelming enough to dizzy me.
Then more girls filed in looking similar—nearly blacked out.
Why'd the first test academy have to be here...!
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