No Peaceful Days in Sight
The next morning, right after arriving at school, I headed straight for Class A's classroom. Nothing quite as awkward as poking around someone else's homeroom looking for a person. Luckily, a Class A student happened to pass by, so I asked them to call out for me, and soon enough, Lady Bronheim stepped out.
The moment she saw my face, surprise flickered across that icy expression of hers.
"I wondered who was looking for me, and it turns out to be you."
"Sorry I couldn't stop by yesterday. I owed you at least a proper thank-you for visiting me while I was laid up."
"No need. Think nothing of it. More importantly, are you feeling alright? I figured you'd take a few more days to recover."
"As you can see, I'm right as rain. I've always prided myself on my sturdy build."
I flexed my arm a bit, showing off like it was something special. Not that there was much muscle to brag about, really. Despite all my training over the years, I never bulked up into that hulking, brutish look. Maybe it was just how men's bodies worked in this world.
"I've seen my share of northern warriors, but you're the toughest one yet."
"You think so? Aw, shucks."
I scratched the back of my head with a sheepish grin.
"So, what's this about? You didn't come just to check in, did you?"
Of course she wouldn't beat around the bush. I'd planned to chat idly about this and that before casually bringing it up, but she beat me to the punch.
"Nothing major. I heard there's this inter-class competition coming up soon?"
"That's right. It's already stirring up a storm in the class."
"A storm?"
"Everyone's clamoring to participate. And wouldn't you know it, the decision falls to me. What a headache."
Lady Bronheim grimaced faintly and shook her head, clearly annoyed. Honestly, I was surprised. Why bother with all that hassle? Couldn't she just cheer from the sidelines and enjoy the holiday? From what I'd heard, winners didn't even get any real perks—no grade boosts, no special privileges. Just empty glory. What were they all so hung up on? Nobles and their obsession with honor, I guess. A world apart from mine.
"So, you've got some people in mind?"
"A few. Each class needs at least one, so one from C and one from B, then two more from ours. That seems fair."
"Makes sense. Any outlines shaping up?"
She nodded lightly at my question. Looked like she'd already picked her favorites.
"For A Class, it'll be me, Dorna Astrel, and Lesila Copen. B Class has this promising guy named Kali Yubel."
"Familiar names. I've heard them around."
Our class had buzzed with talk of who got along with whom or which hotshot from a sword family was in which class. Those three were probably the standouts.
"What about C Class?"
Trish, no doubt. The guy's outgoing, gets along with everyone across classes, and he's got solid skills. No one else came to mind, so I half-assumed as much when I asked...
"Who else but you?"
"...Pardon?"
Her response was so matter-of-fact, like I'd asked something obvious, that my brain short-circuited for a second. For real? She was picking me as one of the knight class reps? What the hell for?
"You're serious?"
"Of course I am."
"I'm just some C Class nobody."
"Overlooking a Sword Expert just because of their class? That'd be the real stupidity. Especially the hero who saved the princess."
Oh, right. She knew I could wield sword aura. Mock battles in the academy banned it, so my classmates were clueless, but the recent incident had apparently boosted my rep in weird places.
Damn. Her reasoning was so solid, it'd be weirder not to pick me.
"Can I opt out?"
"You could. But I'd like to hear why."
I figured she'd shut me down hard, but her calm reply left me scratching my cheek awkwardly.
"Uh... the wounds from the labyrinth haven't healed yet. Might ache for at least two weeks."
"That's the most creative excuse I've ever heard. Not a doctor, and you're self-diagnosing that precisely?"
"Probably?"
As if. She knew it was bullshit and was just playing along with a chuckle. I'd literally just said I was fine, so no way it'd fly.
"Heh, you."
Come to think of it, she could smile like that? From afar in outdoor classes, her face barely moved. Maybe she was in an extra good mood today. If so, now was my shot at negotiating.
"Straight up—if I say no, will you drop it?"
"Let's hear it."
"Too much hassle."
"Consider yourself on the list starting today."
I barely grabbed her as she turned to leave, like my words weren't worth the time.
"Hey, come on. You said you'd listen."
"First time hearing you whine like this."
"Does that matter right now?"
"I listened. Never said I'd do it. Might've considered if you'd given a decent reason."
Even a good reason probably wouldn't have worked—she'd just find excuses. Or maybe that was my imagination. The glint in her eyes reminded me of anime protagonists claiming their captured monsters: "You're mine!"
"Kidding. If you're that set against it, I can't force you."
As we locked eyes in a standoff, she shrugged like releasing a taut rope, and the tension melted away.
Wait. This woman didn't...
"...So, you couldn't put me on the list if I refused anyway?"
"That's right."
"Then what was with that act earlier...?"
She'd talked like she had full say and turned away like she was done. I'd assumed it was her call. Stunned, I asked, and she smirked with one corner of her mouth up.
"Figured you'd fold quick if I bluffed no veto power. My mistake—you're stubborn as hell."
"Stubborn's my middle name."
Relief brought a smile to my face, but a question lingered. If she wanted me that bad, why tip her hand? A full bluff would've locked me in.
"Lady Bronheim."
"Yes?"
"Why tell me the truth? Hiding it would've been better."
"...Hmm, true."
She stroked her chin, gazing into the distance. No special reason? As puzzlement crossed my face, she turned toward the classroom but angled her head back with a smile. Like she wanted only me to see it. It left me a bit dazed.
"More than wanting to fight alongside you... I just didn't want to lie to you."
"......"
That confession-like line had me awkwardly averting my eyes. She watched me a moment, then murmured "Well then" and vanished back into the classroom.
Man, she's tough to read.
＊
Dodging that chore left me feeling light as air afterward. Not that I disliked our class guys, but no reason to take on extra bullshit. Besides, Trish had decent skills for C Class—no issues there. Not confirmed yet, but he'd probably join. I'd cheer him on then.
Speaking of...
Screeech.
...Libraries just never sat right with me. I'd visited a few in my past life, but it always felt like wearing ill-fitting clothes. That musty paper smell and deathly silence triggered some primal aversion.
Come to think of it, this was my first time in the academy library. Why would I ever come? Only because the young miss urgently asked for a book today.
Grab it quick and bounce.
"Excuse me, where's The Branches and History of Spirits?"
"C-13 shelf over there."
"Thanks."
The librarian at the entrance pointed me right to it. Whew, no one had checked it out. Now, C-13... C-13... Ah, over there.
Realizing I'd gone the wrong way, I rounded the corner to head back—
Thud!
And bumped right into someone coming from the opposite side. Not a hard crash, just a light jostle.
Still, I looked down to apologize, and a massive witch's hat wobbled into view. Followed by a sharp voice.
"Ow! Where are your eyes, you idiot?!"
"......"
There stood a familiar face I'd glimpsed from afar at the entrance ceremony. Disciple of the Magic Tower lord and top of the first-year mages: Neriel Marit.