Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Red is Busy
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After classes at the academy ended, this should have been the moment when everyone felt a sense of liberation and joy.
"Hmph!"
Seria walked through the capital with her lips pursed out like a duck's beak.
It had already been quite some time since she'd eaten dinner with Rike.
She'd thought about inviting her to dinner today, but Rike had already vanished.
Lately, Rike seemed aware of Seria's efforts to subtly keep Robert in check. Unlike before, she always made sure to eat lunch with Seria and even brought packed lunches big enough for both of them sometimes.
They were surprisingly delicious, making Seria think she'd love packed lunches again tomorrow.
'No, no!'
The thought of Rike waking up at dawn to prepare them melted away any lingering resentment.
'She still won't tell me in the end...'
Something was definitely up with her friend.
With all the circumstantial evidence piling up like this, it would be weirder if she didn't notice.
They'd definitely grown closer than before, but it stung that Rike wouldn't share her inner thoughts.
It might be circumstances she truly couldn't talk about...
'Still, it hurts, and that's that!'
For that reason, Seria decided today was the day to indulge in all the desserts she'd been holding back on.
She huffed determinedly and headed to a shop that was pricey but worth every coin.
She was always the only one who came alone, but after trying it once, it already felt routine.
The shop's sign came into view, and sweetness flooded her mouth in anticipation.
"Eek?"
Seria's brisk steps halted.
In front of the shop stood a woman pacing in circles like a lost giant dog.
Especially eye-catching was her academy uniform, which immediately drew Seria's gaze.
She had a massive chest that even Seria, a woman, was curious about, along with gray hair reaching her waist and impressive height.
It was a Knight Department student she'd seen multiple times during practical classes.
'What is she doing?'
Seria considered ignoring her and going in, but...
Her dejected expression from the side reminded Seria of Rike from before, in a different way.
"...Aren't you going in?"
"Hic?!"
Seria had only spoken lightly since she was loitering, but the woman jumped as if struck by a sword.
It even startled Seria.
"I didn't mean to scare you... Sorry."
"N-No! I'm sorry..."
Seeing her fix her gaze on the ground, Seria quickly grasped her personality.
It was pieced together from what she'd observed in academy classes so far.
"If you're alone, want to eat together?"
"P-Pardon...?"
Seria tugged at the sleeve of Chloe, who was hesitating, and she began following stealthily, glancing around.
"My philosophy is that good food tastes even better when shared."
Seria led Chloe inside, saying she wanted to enjoy her cake more today and needed company.
When her heart felt stuffy and her mind was full of mental fatigue, she craved something specific.
Lately, she'd only been eating low-sodium health meals prepared by her sister, so sugary desserts kept tempting her to the point her mouth watered.
Then, starting from the talk of marriage proposals, her precarious situation—unsure when she'd be shipped off—became too much to bear, and Chloe boldly ventured out alone.
Coming out was fine. Great, even—up to the point of actually leaving!
In front of the famous dessert shop where she'd once been dragged by the female Knight Department students under the guise of a social gathering after enrolling.
Unable to forget the taste, she reached for the door handle as if entranced, only to snap to her senses.
'Wh-What do I do?'
Inside, people were gathered cozily at tables with their acquaintances, chatting away.
Not a single soul like her, alone.
'I want to eat, though...'
Having come this far, turning back felt wrong with the desserts shimmering right there.
Unable to decide, she just paced in front of the shop.
Then, a red rope of salvation descended from the heavens.
"...Aren't you going in?"
-
"The Mont Blanc here is really delicious."
"Y-Yes, it is!"
Chloe agreed with Seria as she carefully transferred a slice of cake from the tray.
Seria, belying her small frame, crammed in an astonishing amount of sugar.
'Amazing...'
Not just her eating—she meant that too, but...
It had been ages—no, this was the first time she'd met someone so easy to talk to on a first meeting.
She'd seen Seria during practical classes, but this was a world away from her fierce, combative vibe then.
Now, she seemed like a small forest creature that had wandered down from the hills.
And since they only talked about desserts, Chloe could keep the conversation going without overthinking.
"Can you eat more?"
"...Yes!"
Another three-tiered tray arrived, and only after polishing it off did they look satisfied.
"Whew! No room for dinner now... I'd have gotten an earful from Sis if she were here today."
At Seria's mutter, Chloe naturally thought of Eclair.
What would she say if she knew Chloe had eaten desserts like this instead of a proper meal?
Would she get mad, sigh, or just indifferently say whatever?
"..."
"If you ever come again, let's go together! Rike can't eat this much... She just watches while I devour it alone every time."
They were always stuck together at the academy, for sure.
The image of Rike mercilessly wielding her staff in practical class was deeply etched in Chloe's mind.
Unable to refuse, Chloe nodded for now.
It wasn't a day for practical classes at the academy.
She'd been asked to stop by if she had time, so she sat in the dean's office facing Doran.
"What do you think?"
I skimmed through the stack of papers Doran handed me, chuckling softly.
"Anonymous, but the reactions are milder than expected."
"Hahaha!!"
Doran laughed heartily at my response.
He'd collected mid-term impressions and evaluations for the provisional class 'Practical Combat 1' from the Knight and Swordsmanship Departments.
I already knew from Rike.
Seizing the chance, most were packed with complaints like it being too violent or why only first-years, but unexpectedly, some were positive.
Rike's was an embarrassingly glowing praise—I could tell at a glance.
"I expected plenty of complaints from the start, when we drafted it over drinks at the tavern."
"Well, wouldn't you?"
What was the current perception of the academy among noble offspring?
A place to enjoy one's fleeting youth and build connections for a bright future.
Second- and third-years, out of Doran's favor, continued unchanged.
The second-years, who directly caused the practical class's creation, weren't having it, so first-years might see it as harsh despite the golden opportunity.
Once a week, some non-noble adventurer comes and beats them bloody—hard not to complain.
"The more these greenhouse flowers rebel, the better we're doing. This is the academy's true essence and purpose."
Doran muttered gratefully that they had a chance to correct it now.
"From the reactions, we could ramp it up or keep it as is."
"Mm-hm. And since it's not a regular class, no separate exams needed. We'll handle it with attendance."
"Understood."
"...And this is feedback from Roland."
I took the document Doran offered and scanned it briefly.
"Outdoor classes... Is that okay?"
I figured the previous incident's trauma lingered, but Doran's face was calm.
"What mages fear most is the unprepared moment. If we prepare properly, there's no need to worry—that's my belief. Cowering because it happened once invites finger-pointing, so we need to push through."
Doran stroked his beard with his remaining arm.
"The Church won't turn away if we request cooperation in advance... According to Roland, many Knight Department graduates struggle as squires without camping knowledge."
I didn't know knights' systems, but adventurers struggled with camping at first too.
"Hmm..."
"Of course, your opinion matters most. The academy won't dictate."
"I'll think it over. I like the idea."
Rike had camped with me before, so she'd know the basics and might even enjoy it.
Despite her noble upbringing, she didn't seem averse to sleeping outdoors.
"Thank you... I always feel bad monopolizing Platinum's time like this."
"Don't worry. It's good experience for me too."
Truth be told, for Rike's sake, working here for free till death wouldn't be enough.
"Heh-heh, you keep shattering my image of adventurers."
"...Flatter me too much, and I get embarrassed."
"No empty words. More dignity and common sense than that noble Roland."
"..."
I didn't reply to that.
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"I'll drop by before the next class then."
"Thanks for making time despite your busy work. Safe travels."
Creak—
After a brief meeting with Doran, I left the academy.
Rike was tied up with theory classes now, so I'd handle other tasks.
-
I headed to the slums to check for messages from the Information Guild.
"Tch."
Nothing.
Maybe head home and stretch till academy ends.
The path from slums to my outskirts home was quiet.
The back alley, shadowed by buildings, was dim even in daylight.
..
..
'...Am I feeling off lately?'
Must've been seeing things.
I tried to walk past ignoring it.
"Not that you didn't see me... Even if it's not business, no greeting? Isn't that too stingy?"
A face full of pure, innocent bewilderment, as if she truly couldn't understand.