"Ah, I'm really exhausted."
I boarded the carriage bound for the dormitory.
It had been a hectic day.
"See you tomorrow, Theo~"
Before parting, Siena said that with a aningful smile.
"How am I supposed to see her?"
Today's incident was resolved, and tomorrow is supposed to be a break day.
Of course, during the break period, Professor Rok, the head professor, suggested students attend lectures from other departnts, stating there might be sothing to learn from them.
But it's just a suggestion, not mandatory.
In the original work, most students don't bother attending lectures from other departnts due to the Hero Departnt students' superiority complex.
However, I plan to attend a lecture from the Knight Departnt tomorrow.
Aside from the Hero Departnt, Elinia Academy houses various departnts such as the Knight Departnt, Magic Departnt, Alchemy Departnt, Exploration Departnt, and Managent Departnt.
"Still, the knight departnt suits best."
It will aid in improving my reputation, and I'll be able to observe the skills of students from other departnts.
It's a win-win situation, far more productive than rely lying in bed.
Additionally, tomorrow, there's a gathering for the gourt club.
[Sub Quest: Join at least 2 clubs and participate actively.]
Reward: 2 store gold coins
I can't give up for the sake of the reward.
There's a reason I joined 3 clubs instead of 2 for reputation managent purposes.
Why?
One shouldn't take the quest text in the original work lightly. The stated condition is joining "at least" 2 clubs.
If I join and participate in three clubs, there should be additional rewards. For instance, let's say there's a quest to hunt 100 cockatrices, and I hunt 200.
In that case, the reward isn't just double the stated amount.
It's more than that.
If the system remains the sa as in the original work, I should receive at least 3 store gold coins as a reward.
"I still don't understand what it ans to participate actively."
As long as I attend every gathering, I should et the basic requirents.
Lost in thought, I arrived at the dormitory and imdiately climbed the stairs.
"Welco back, young master. You've returned early today," Amy greeted as usual.
"Yeah, there was a minor incident. Can I ask you to prepare dinner?"
"Of course, young master. Leave it to ."
Amy smiled gently. I had always seen her with a stern expression, but lately, her expressions had beco more diverse.
Just as I was about to enter my room, she asked, "...Young master, was it really just a minor incident?"
In an instant, Amy's expression hardened.
"It was rely a swarm of monsters we encountered during the practical evaluation in the magic dungeon. There were no casualties. Is there anything strange about that?"
"No, not at all. I apologize for asking such a needless question. You must be tired; please get so rest."
"Alright, I understand. Bring dinner to my room as before."
I wanted to ask why, but Amy's expression was so serious that I decided not to.
'But what is this uneasy feeling?'
Did sothing co from the magic dungeon?
Squeak-
After entering my room, I used Magic Nullification on myself as an ergency treatnt.
***
'The thing that was lurking near Theo, no, near Young Master... it was definitely a spirit.'
Amy sat at her desk, deep in thought. She had a high affinity with spirits, so she could at least sense what kind of spirit it was.
It had been visible in the hallway and even when she brought food to the room.
Sotis spirits cling to humans, but she had never seen it happen before, so it seed deliberate.
It was clear that a spirit mage was targeting Young Master.
'Judging by the energy, it was a wind spirit.'
Then who could it be? A few suspects ca to mind.
Even in Elinia Academy, where the best talents from the continent gathered, there were very few spirit mages.
They were as rare as unicorns.
'Could it be the Wood Elf Princess of the Great Forest?'
Siena was the first person that ca to mind. Furthermore, she was a first-year student in the Hero Departnt, just like the Young Master, making her a pri suspect.
'Is the Great Forest targeting the young master?'
The Great Forest, where elves reside, is a powerful entity that even Equilibrium cannot disregard.
As elves live for over a thousand years, their world is surrounded by forests and trees, offering little entertainnt.
As a result, most elves devote their ti to self-improvent.
As a result, each elf warrior was a monster.
There was even a recent incident where an Equilibrium executive who disappeared after a conflict with an elf warrior.
'I didn't expect to contact them so soon.'
Amy picked up a pen and started writing a letter to send to the guild.
***
The following day, Thursday morning, Irene awaited the school carriage at the station.
'I hope everything is alright...'
She knew about the incident in the Hero Departnt yesterday, where the magic dungeon reportedly malfunctioned.
The Hero Departnt announced it as such, but rumors suggest that external, unscrupulous forces were involved.
It was a relief that no casualties occurred.
'I hope no one is seriously injured. After all, healers can't treat old wounds.'
Irene's heart grew heavy.
'Until the incident is resolved, the Hero Departnt is suspending all classes.'
At least that was a relief.
Irene felt irritated for no reason. As his fiancée, shouldn't he at least show his face if he's safe? He was causing her worry.
'In the northern magic city, they say crystal orbs that enable long-distance communication are sold...'
She thought she should obtain one.
Communication crystal orbs were rumored to be quite expensive. However, she would have an opportunity to acquire one soon.
But she'd have a chance to get one soon.
It was the third-place prize in the martial arts tournant held after the midterm exams during the Academy Festival.
Considering fairness, for Hero Departnt students, only those ranked 100th or below among the first-year students can participate.
It's worth a shot.
While Irene was lost in her thoughts,
Creak─.
The carriage stopped at the station.
Co to think of it, she hadn't seen Theo in the carriage recently.
In a way, it was a frequent eting place for them.
The brief ti they'd spent together felt much longer.
As Irene followed the other students onto the carriage,
"!"
To the right, diagonally behind.
At the seat she always checked first when boarding the carriage.
There was Theo, gazing out the window with a calm expression.
Irene hurried over and sat down next to Theo.
But what should she say? She sat down, but her mouth wouldn't open.
Aren't you hurt anywhere?
As a fiancé, shouldn't you at least show your face to your worried fiancée?
Or, as he had said before... did you want to see ?
Mina said it's good to speak gently to a lover when you et them after a long ti...
"What's with you? How are you feeling?"
In the end, her words ca out sowhat harsh. Theo, who had been lost in thought looking out the window, turned to Irene after a brief pause.
"I'm fine. Thanks for your concern, Irene."
I'm glad to hear that..."
"It's been a while since I've seen you on the carriage."
"Y-yeah, it has."
Irene answered with a stiff nod.
After that, she and Theo had an awkward conversation.
But it wasn't all bad.
Ten minutes felt like one minute.
Ti flew by so quickly.
[Attention passengers, the next stop is the Knight Departnt. I repeat, the next stop is the Knight Departnt. Please make sure to take your belongings with you when disembarking.]
Before they knew it, the carriage had arrived at the Knight Departnt.
'Ah, stupid, idiot.'
Irene scolded herself.
She hadn't asked Theo why he took the carriage, or where he was going.
Asking now would hurt her pride.
'Now that I think about it, they ntioned that Hero Departnt lectures were being substituted with visits to other departnts.'
Naturally, she knew it wasn't mandatory.
At that mont, an idea crossed Irene's mind.
Could he be coming to the Knight Departnt?
However, the probability was low.
She had never seen a Hero Departnt student attend a lecture in another departnt.
Higher expectations only led to greater disappointnt.
Soon, the students started to disembark from the carriage.
Regrettably, it was ti to part ways.
"Well... see you later, Theo. I'm going now."
As Irene said her farewells and stepped off the carriage—
Clack, clack.
Theo got off with her.
"Huh?"
Irene looked at Theo, her eyes filled with question marks.
"I'm planning to attend a lecture at the Knight Departnt today too. If it's alright, let's go together."
"Uh, uh, uh..."
Irene couldn't form a coherent sentence in response to the unexpected situation.
Theo appeared sowhat gloomy.
"···Do you still find awkward?"
"No, no, not at all! Let's go together!"
Finally, Irene cracked a small smile.
***
Bonus 3/6! Thank you Khuyen and Travis! The next three will be released tomorrow!
and in case you missed it: New version of the site is up. Might need a refresh if it's not there on the initial load. Biggest thing is light mode, it's a sun icon next to the navigation bar.
-Gotta fix google translate formatting, update should be tomorrow.
Enjoy the chappy!
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