Study and Notes (1)
A small voice slipped from Ronari's lips as she faced the end of the match.
"Whoa! We won...! Oops...!"
Realizing she'd let it escape without thinking, Ronari hurriedly clamped her hand over her mouth. She quickly glanced around, pretending nothing had happened.
Fortunately, no one was looking her way. That was all thanks to Ilsea Alerzar.
Just seconds after switching to offense, he'd demolished Lorband Arni. The spectator stands erupted in chaos—but the jeers were aimed at Ilsea.
That coward!
Winning with cheap tricks!
Ronari thought as she watched those guys.
No such thing as tricks in the world of competition, is there?
From what she'd seen, Ilsea's moves were pretty precise. Just like when he'd tripped her at the front door last time. No wasted motion, that's how it felt. No wonder his opponent couldn't react.
Come to think of it, that Lorband guy had a solid Ranking Tournament record too... What was his rank again?
Ronari fiddled with the bracket sheet she'd brought and unfolded it.
Lorband's rank there wasn't just "pretty high"—it was impressive.
"7th!?"
Ronari shouted again.
"Oops!"
She slapped her hand over her mouth once more, but this time, eyes were turning her way.
"Ahaha..."
Ronari laughed it off to deflect the stares and checked the bracket again.
Real deal—7th in the year. Out of 262 second-years total. Meanwhile, Ilsea was 131st. Smack in the middle.
Even if the guy got cocky, was this a matchup you could win by luck?
Ronari alternated glances between Ilsea walking off the arena stage without a word and the bracket.
What's with that guy... Does he actually have some skills?
Ronari rubbed her chin, eyes narrowing.
She knew he was a magic swordsman, but... did this lend some credence to the idea that his nightly jaunts weren't flights of fancy but actual training? For her sake, even...?
And come to think of it, didn't he kinda get mad on my behalf right before the match?
Yeah, right. Crazy thought.
"Pfft. As if~ That idiot."
No way. No way at all. That punk training? Yeah right.
I've been spouting nonsense in my head more lately~
Training or whatever, just do it openly during the day. What else would someone sneak around at night for but bad stuff?
And even if he did have hidden talent, it didn't excuse him to her. Breaking curfew like some delinquent? No forgiveness there.
Ronari fanned herself vigorously, shaking off the silly thoughts, and headed out of the arena.
"Try coming in late again. I'll smash you flat, you punk!"
But for the next few days, Ilsea didn't break curfew once.
What the heck.
Ronari frowned at his empty spot. He still skipped classes a lot, but weirdly, he stuck to curfew.
Coming back properly in the evenings... no sneaking out at night...
Some change of heart? Decided to ditch the thug life and turn over a new leaf?
"As if..."
She muttered just as the classroom door burst open.
In strode Ruda Riplir, their homeroom teacher.
"Sit down, you lot. Important announcement."
Ruda smacked the blackboard to get their attention.
She pulled a small slip of paper from her pocket. Students groaned, recognizing it.
Ughhh...
Here it comes...
"Yup, it's here. Last quiz results. I even ranked 'em for you. Stick it on your forehead and show it off."
Only if it's worth bragging about...
Haha...
"Quiet. Come up when called."
Students went up one by one to grab their grade slips from Ruda.
Soon it was Ronari's turn.
"Ronari Sharino."
"Yes."
Ronari stood and approached. But Ruda handed her two slips.
"Professor, this is..."
"Shh."
Ruda grabbed her shoulder and whispered.
"Take it to that guy."
Then she announced loudly to the class.
"Congrats on 1st place. Rest of you, study like Ronari."
Impossible...
How do you beat that study bug...?
Back at her seat, Ronari checked the second slip. Someone else's name was on it—Ilsea Alerzar, naturally.
Bet his scores were a mess. She could check the back, but... no point. Academy was elite stock. No way a slacker who skipped class got top marks.
Right then, Ilsea slipped in through the back door.
Ronari called him out.
"Hey. You. Delinquent Ilsea Alerzar."
"?"
"What took you so long? Afternoon classes are almost over."
She strode up and shoved the slip at him.
"Here."
"What."
"Your quiz grade. Study harder."
"You saw it?"
"Nah. Yours, obviously trash."
"Got it."
Ilsea pocketed it without looking and went to his seat.
Still a long way to reform, that one.
Ronari shook her head.
After class, I was in the academy library. Along with the old lecture hall practice room, it was one of the few spots I actually liked.
Packed bookshelves. Faint wood and paper scents. Studying here in the quiet always wrapped me in a tight, secure feeling.
Libraries rock.
Just...
...if only this one wasn't here.
"Whoa~ Totally doesn't suit you. Ilsea Alerzar studying in a library? Like some cult art piece on contradiction and absurdity."
Belica had been glued to my side for minutes, just snarking.
"Shut it. You're here too—study."
"Says the guy who skips class?"
"Gotta finish work daytime to make curfew at the dorm. No choice."
"Aww~ Tough life, minding pretty Ronari's watchful eye~"
"Don't mock. I skip 'cause I don't need to go. You dummy? Skip and you're failing for sure."
"Psh~ Not that bad."
"Nah, you are that—"
"Shut it!"
Belica shoulder-checked me and leaned in, peeking.
"Hehe. Way more fun than class here. How could I listen to boring prof droning? No respect for fun."
"Worry 'bout respecting profs first."
"Not from chronic skipper. Nyah."
Grind.
I clenched my teeth. Dummy, but expert at pissing people off.
I swallowed my anger.
"Not studying? Beat it."
"Whose notes you copying?"
I shoved my copied notes her way.
"Fuck it, take 'em back."
"Nah, wasn't asking for that~ So inflexible."
She shoved her notes back.
Damn. I'd punch a guy. Hating myself for needing her notes.
Back to copying. Ignore all attacks.
"Hehe, see? Fate—you gotta copy mine."
"..."
"Said you hate owing me. This counts."
"..."
"And now, hierarchy's set. Don't doubt Lady Belica's superiority. You, of all people."
"..."
"Punk who grovels 'round girls like Ronari, dummy, Ilsea~"
"Seriously, one hit."
Belica bolted back lightning-fast, sliding to the opposite seat. Propped her chin, grinning.
"Hehe. You can't touch me."
Grind.
Teeth wouldn't last at this rate.
"Then check yours."
"Check what?"
Belica blinked.
"Grades. You got 'em too."
"Oh~ Wiped it from memory right after."
She thumbs-upped, beaming. So her.
Ridiculously.
"Something to brag?"
"Yours must be great~ Show it!"
I tossed my crumpled grade slip on the desk.
Belica eagerly unfolded it, then grimaced hard.
"Eww... Fixed?"
She spread it before me.
"No way."
"Eww, Ilsea... skipping class and all..."
I folded her notes and dangled them.
"Borrowing these."
"What? Already are."
"Taking 'em. Gonna study in my room."
I stuffed them in my bag.
Belica shot up, slamming the desk.
"Why! You always stayed till closing! Where's that gritty, persistent, dream-filled Ilsea?! Monster! Ate my friend and impersonating! Justice strike!"
Her chop flew—I blocked easy.
"You being loud embarrasses me. Can't stay."
"I'll be quiet now!"
"Too late, dummy."
"Waaah."
I packed up. Belica trailed, swinging fists I ignored.
Room meant swapping Belica torment for Ronari... but study quietly, she'd leave me be. Show good grades long-term, maybe no more hassle.
Perfect plan, even to me.
Then Belica, still following, piped up.
"Ah! Great idea!"
Knowing her "great ideas" were never sane, I walked faster.
But out it came.
"Study together in your room!"
I shut my eyes in despair.