Episode 34: Unexpected Reunion Part 2

“I’m Kiril Geister, and I’ll be in charge of this class. I’m also a graduate of this academy, so I’m your senior before being your teacher. Please feel free to talk to me. My subject is swordsmanship, and I’ll be working you hard, so you better prepare yourself now, got it?”

Homeroom time began, and the woman who introduced herself as Kiril started her self-introduction.

Her hair was cut short, with absolutely no atmosphere of dressing up fashionably.

She possessed a well-trained body visible even through her clothes, and an overflowing fighting spirit.

She was truly a model knight… no, a model warrior of a teacher.

“…The teacher has such an intense presence…!”

“She’s probably an active knight. It must be the fighting spirit of a veteran”

According to materials I’d seen before, most of the teachers in the Knight Course are active or former knights.

In her case, she seems young so she’s probably an active career woman.

“Ugh… will I be able to become like that teacher…? I’m starting to feel anxious…”

“Well, I think you’ll change whether you like it or not in three years. Even if you don’t become a swordsman like Kiril-sensei, there’s also the path of a magic knight”

Naturally, knights aren’t just all about the sword.

There are also roles like mages and rear support that don’t need to be that muscular.

Everyone doesn’t need to be the same.

“You’re right, it’s not time to be anxious yet… but still, any path seems really hard”

“There’s no easy path in the way of the knight”

“Hey you there!! What nerve to be chatting!!”

It wasn’t an angry shout.

If anything, it was a tone with more of a playful color.

But the vigor, or whatever you’d call it, was real, making my hair stand on end.

“…Hmm? You, are you Arcs?”

Or so I thought, when she looked at me intently.

“Yes, that’s right”

“…Hahaha! I see!! So you’re Arcs!”

When I confirmed it, our homeroom teacher burst into hearty laughter.

It’s not like the name Arcs was particularly funny.

In that case, well… the reason for her laughter is probably the same as my classmates’.

“I’ve heard a lot about you!! My colleague was crying about getting beaten up by you!”

She says with a laugh… so that examiner was her colleague.

And “beaten up”… I didn’t win that overwhelmingly though.

Well, I suppose the sentiment is “to think he lost to an examinee.”

At this rate, word has probably spread to the other teachers too. Though that feels pretty natural.

“Kuku, I see. Your name seems to be early in the order anyway, so you give your self-introduction first!!”

“Starting with me?”

“Yeah! Talk about yourself as the top student!!”

I was assigned to be the top batter.

It’s decided that the first homeroom is for self-introductions, so it’s not like I wasn’t expecting it.

Now, what should I say?

There’s no need to say anything eccentric for something like this.

I don’t have the sense to say such things anyway.

Let’s go with the safe route here.

“…My name is Arcs Leefort. Let’s work hard together in our studies and training this year. I look forward to working with you all”

I lined up words befitting a model student.

This kind of format makes it easier for those who follow.

I also don’t embarrass myself in particular.

It’s killing two birds with one stone.

“Mm! Not very interesting, but exemplary!! I’ll look forward to seeing your true ability during the actual lessons!!”

No, don’t ask knights for entertainment value.

And she’s placing weird expectations on me.

Even my classmates’ gazes feel somewhat filled with anticipation.

…This year seems like it’s going to be tough.

***

Starting with me at the front, self-introductions began one after another.

Through that, I feel I’ve grasped the characteristics of this class somewhat.

First, the class consists of 13 people: 9 boys and 4 girls.

The male bias is probably due to the gender ratio in the knight profession.

After all, it has strong aspects of physical labor…

Considering knights from my previous world, even this is probably on the higher side though.

Also, listening to the self-introductions, as expected, there seem to be few commoners.

In this class’s case, it’s just me and Emma.

The others are mostly from the upper classes, like provincial nobles or third and fourth sons of families.

It’s understandable considering living standards and environmental factors… but let’s hope there won’t be any clashes of values from here on.

Honestly, I still haven’t memorized all the names and faces yet.

Since they’re nobles, some people have long names, so it can’t be helped. Yeah.

For now, I hope to memorize everyone within about a month.

“—Then, this concludes homeroom. Classes will start tomorrow right away. You may not be used to the new environment, but make sure to prepare properly. That’s all!!”

Saying that crisply, Kiril-sensei left the classroom.

She’s someone who embodies immediate decision and immediate action…

Well, today’s homeroom is just explanations about classes and various things, and there’s nothing in particular to ask questions about, so it’s probably fine.

“Mmm. It’s only been homeroom, but it really feels like we’ve become students”

“Indeed, that’s true”

Perhaps the tension broke with the teacher’s departure, as Emma said that while stretching.

After all, wearing a uniform, sitting at a classroom desk, and listening to talk makes you feel self-aware.

Classes start tomorrow already.

They’ll probably be simplified, but that’s quite early. Is this what a prestigious school is like?

“Hey Arcs-kun, are you going to join any committees?”

The word that appeared in the teacher’s explanation earlier came out of her mouth.

Similar to schools in my previous life, in this academy—or rather the Knight Course—there are committee activities.

The Disciplinary Committee that maintains public order

The Library Committee that handles part of the management of libraries and research materials

The Environment Committee that manages the academy’s sanitation and facilities

The Executive Committee that handles events

The Monastery Committee that performs religious ceremonies

These five committees exist and carry out various activities.

The Disciplinary Committee and Library Committee had characters who were frequently talked about among the game’s capture targets, but the others don’t leave much of an impression.

They felt like components that make up the world setting.

In this life… who knows what will happen.

I don’t particularly…

“…No, I don’t plan on joining”

“Ehhh! Really? I feel like Arcs-kun would be active in any committee though”

Emma shows exaggerated surprise, but… yes, I don’t intend to join a committee.

I only picked out the main points from the teacher’s talk earlier and let the rest flow past.

There are various reasons, but to put it simply, I don’t have the leeway.

Studying is important since I can’t let my grades drop as a special student.

I can’t skip daily training either, and I have the job of being a butler.

After school is quite busy, so I don’t have time to engage in committee activities.

“Are you joining, Emma-san?”

“Yeah! I’m thinking the Executive Committee would be good. Running various events definitely seems fun!”

She says with a grin.

It’s a very characteristic reason for her.

In the game she was unaffiliated for sure, so this could be called a change here too.

…Well, the her in the main story stuck her nose into various places despite being unaffiliated.

“I wish you’d join together with me though”

“Me too?”

“Yeah. Because, you know. Like during the cooperative exam, you seem like you’d come up with good ideas in a flash, right? I think you’d definitely be reliable”

“Strategies and event management are quite different in direction though…”

It’s nice that she’s buying into me, but that’s that and this is this.

Besides… after the birthday party incident, I’m fed up with leading events.

“Well, if you change your mind, try joining. I think it’ll definitely be fun”

“…No, Emma-san hasn’t joined yet either, and we don’t even know if you can yet, right?”

“Ah, true”

Saying that, she laughs “ehehe.”

Well, committee membership seems to be a done deal in her mind.

I don’t really understand events in the Knight Course yet, but she’ll probably manage somehow.

…I wonder if Eleanore will join a committee somewhere.

In the main story she was unaffiliated, but various things have changed this time.

Her choices aren’t something I can predict.

Maybe I’ll ask after school.

“Speaking of which, what are you doing after this, Arcs-kun?”

“After this… I have business to attend to. I’ll return to the dorm once and then handle that business”

“I see. I wanted to talk more… but see you tomorrow”

“…Right. Let’s do our best again tomorrow”

Sensing the time to end the conversation, I stood up from my seat.

The other classmates are also starting to move about.

I feel glances sneaking looks at me here and there, but perhaps because we still don’t have a relationship and the earlier excitement has cooled, they don’t seem eager to actively talk to me.

Well, building relationships with them is for the future.

“Well then, see you—”

“…Arcs-kun”

As I gathered my things and was about to leave, Emma called out to stop me.

“I forgot to say it, but from now on, let’s get along, okay?”

She pierced through me with utterly guileless eyes.

“That’s so unnecessary…” I was at a loss for words for a moment, but immediately a smile spilled out.

She’s this kind of person.

“Yes. I look forward to working with you”

“…Yeah, then see you tomorrow again!!”

I waved back modestly to her as she waved with a smile.

With the still-occupied classroom at my back, I opened the door.

“Whoa!, …oops”

“Whoa?!”

Right after passing through the door, I collided with someone.

Both of our voices rose, and from the impact I dropped the bag I was holding.

“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention”

“My bad too”

Me, with my Japanese mannerisms coming out and bowing repeatedly, and the other person, gruffly apologizing and picking up my dropped bag.

“Ah, sorry”

“No… I’m sorry too”

They handed me the bag they picked up.

I’m glad the other person was polite.

If they’d gotten angry here like “Hey, watch where you’re going!”, that would have been terrible.

…Well, I don’t think there are thugs like that at this school.

The hand gripping the handle is quite rough.

It’s the hand of someone who fights.

Probably someone who has gripped a sword many times.

Come to think of it, though they had an apologetic atmosphere, their voice also exudes a dignified presence.

“Thank you”

I gripped the open part of the handle and received the bag.

I bent my arm to pull it toward me.

…But I can’t.

Feeling an unexpected resistance with a “ngh,” I ultimately can’t pull the bag closer.

Huh? Why?

Just as that momentary question mark appeared.

“You, are you Anciness’s guy?”

With a surprised tone, the other person said such a thing.

Why would they know something like that?

It’s not like I’m hiding it, but it’s not something I’ve spread around to many people either.

“…I am—”

While thinking it strange, I affirm.

And once more, clearly, I captured the face of the man before me in my vision.

Dull golden short hair.

Golden eyes currently showing an emotion of surprise.

There are various differences like a scar by the eye, but those features matched with a person in my memory.

“Razer…?”

Almost simultaneously with me muttering that.

The former problem child raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

While harboring somewhat combative emotions.