How to Enjoy Vacation (1): Summer
Summer. For some, it's followed by "break," a time for rest. For others, it's tagged with "semester," meaning nonstop study and research. The special class in the Old School Building had planned to embrace a "trial" semester, but the entrance cutoff dashed those hopes, leaving them to enjoy vacation instead.
"...Why is everyone so down in the dumps?"
Yurha Silverstar, the senior who'd brought the golden carriage and even picked out swimsuits, scanned the group's outfits as they gathered on the appointed day. Dressed not in academy uniform but in Silverstar's navy suit, she looked like a hotelier or tour guide.
"Who knows. Probably because it's tricky to just go on a pure vacation trip."
I pointed to the magic panel on my wrist.
"They don't need to treat the special class this specially."
"That's a tracker, right?"
"Yep."
No point hiding it. Everyone in the Old School Building special class, myself included, wore identical bracelets on our wrists—same specs as the two instructors'. They relayed our location to the academy staff and admins in near real-time. If the wearer removed it for over an hour or the mana signal cut out, academy personnel would dispatch immediately to track us down. Even at a five-star resort managed by Silverstar in the southern Ludbekia Marquisate.
"The academy must really cherish us."
"Can't say it was because someone submitted research on 500-year-old books from the High Library, huh?"
"It's fine. Nothing problematic about it. And it's not just me—everyone here's important."
Unia, Rydmila, Evangeline—each was a person of interest at the academy. Not in the "troublemaker" sense, but as figures they absolutely had to protect. I'd submitted plenty of academic materials myself, from Magic Pants onward, so the staff viewed me favorably too.
"Tell that Phoenix undergrad! If he comes to our lab, I'll set up a special sleeping area in the research room for him to crash anytime!! Summer semester classes are always open—audit them, please!!"
Some professors had even pressured Esta and Cardisha to pass on messages like, "Even if it's late, just come to my lab or lecture hall once." Of course, Cardisha had shut that down, but academics' interest in my "Magic Pants" and such never waned.
And that led to...
"They can see video feeds almost in real-time, right?"
"Yes. The magic panel streams surrounding footage continuously. It's recorded with recording magic and sent to the instructors' panels every hour."
Essentially, we were heading to the resort with CCTV strapped to our wrists. Unlike the Old School Building's hidden environment, every move would be exposed to others—and archived on video.
"No way everyone's bummed just because they can't wear swimsuits, right?"
"Swimsuits are one thing, but not being able to wear our Grand Martial Tournament training gear is another."
"Oh? Why's that? Embarrassed to show off?"
"Kinda, yeah. Plus, that gear's been the talk of the academy. Whether we can layer stuff over it or not."
I glanced under Yurha's clothes.
"You're wearing Grand Martial Tournament sparring gear underneath too, right, Senior?"
"Well... yeah. But like this..."
She slipped it off with a rustle.
"It lets you show personal flair, but the outer gear's designed not to break and expose your underwear in embarrassing spots."
"No need to demonstrate it personally, though."
"Oh, but you like it?"
"I do, but the stares from over there get prickly, so please hold off."
"Hehehe."
Yurha waved cheerfully at the three boarding the carriage, flashing a grin.
"Looks like Unia's super jealous of me. 'Cause we're both blondes?"
"I just click better with you on certain things. Financially speaking."
I pulled a gold coin from my pocket, spun it on my finger, and handed it to her.
"Oh, freebie?"
"Service for keeping quiet on the ride. Everyone's seriously sleep-deprived."
I pointed to an approaching woman.
"Especially Instructor Esta—she looks wiped."
"...Oh my."
Yurha was genuinely shocked at Esta's dragging steps, not feigning it.
"Did someone sneak into her room last night and keep her up?"
"Not her room, but I borrowed some time in the Old School Building library to study academic materials."
"Ahh..."
Yurha nodded in understanding. Esta looked just like a university prof who'd gotten tangled with a mad undergrad and pulled all-nighters on research.
"Instructor Esta? Riding shotgun like last time? Or inside the carriage?"
"...I'll rest inside for about three hours."
Esta sought Yurha's permission with bloodshot eyes. She looked so exhausted that Yurha nodded instinctively.
"If danger pops up en route, I'll wake you... but we'll move quietly, avoiding others. Hop in, Instructor."
"Mm."
Esta boarded. Then...
"Hey, Junior Phoenix?"
I got Yurha's stern gaze.
"Research is great, but don't overwork Instructor Esta."
"Because she's your secret contractor?"
Yurha smirked, one eyebrow arched.
"If I called her a secret contractor, you'd know to keep it hush, right?"
"Of course. But this time, blame her more than me—don't chew me out too hard."
"Her?"
"Yes."
Right before departure.
She'd revisited the High Library, requesting another crack at the Four Founders' trials. Solo, she'd cleared up to the third floor—conquering a thousand A-rank mana beasts from floors one through three, plus three S-rank bosses in sequence, proving her S-rank Swordmaster status. She quit at the fourth, regrettably. Not due to skill, but the trial's "quest clear conditions." Esdinas of the Skies was a party-based game; the Earth Tower's fourth floor required two parties to activate devices simultaneously. With another S-rank like her—capable of soloing to three—she could've done it.
"You wanna try?"
...A sharp question flew at me, but I just shrugged at Esta.
"Fine. Soloing to three's satisfying enough anyway."
She was tired now, sure. But more satisfied than anyone, brimming with confidence to face any foe. Just mentally drained—from trying to blitz three floors in the short time since entering the High Library.
"Time to head out, Senior. I'll take the driver's seat this time."
"Sure... But you know?"
Yurha pointed outside.
"The undergrads always eyeing the Old School special class are camped out everywhere?"
One sad academy tale. The special class was so elite that some undergrads skipped going home for break, lurking instead.
"Beat an Old School special class undergrad one-on-one, and you might join the new 'other special class' next semester."
There'd been rumors before, but now they were blatant.
"Who spread that rumor?"
"Heh, who knows? Board of directors? Or staff leaks?"
"The company handling Old School bedding."
"How'd you guess?"
"Obvious."
I pointed to workers in Silverstar-marked clothes hauling "furniture" into the Old School Building behind the golden carriage.
"New furniture for five rooms? Info's bound to leak. Anyway—"
"Relax."
Yurha pointed ahead with a firm tone.
"Cardisha's watching, barriers are up, Dean Ederson Lionheart's overseeing. Construction'll finish while you're gone, furniture sorted—your rooms untouched."
While we vacationed at the resort, the Old School Building would prep for new residents.
"Go enjoy the pool, gym, whatever. That style... it'll all be in the Old School Building here."
After summer. Second semester. New facilities would sprout in the Old School Building.
"A legal spot for swimsuits? Sounds good, right, Junior Phoenix?"
"Wouldn't leave otherwise."
Second semester. A swimming pool—in the Old School Building.