Episode 44: Bam!!

After that turbulent first day ended, time advanced like an arrow of light.

It’s not that the days in the Knight Course are bland by any means.

Classes and training are packed tightly together, and every day is so busy that there’s barely time to catch your breath.

It’s just that compared to the density of that first day, the following days relatively leave a lighter impression.

Well, in any case, about a week has already passed since that day.

“That concludes today’s training! Prepare yourselves for tomorrow’s training by resting properly!”

“Yes!”

Kiril-sensei’s command rang out.

The spirited responses from the entire class echoed in turn.

The sky was already dyed in crimson, and the area around the horizon had already become faintly dark.

“Aaah… I’m exhausted…”

“Finally, one week down…”

“Well, we’ve still got training tomorrow though.”

The posture of my classmates, which had been rigidly straight just moments ago, relaxed as if the plug had been pulled from a balloon.

I, too, was finally able to let my shoulders relax.

In the Knight Course, they even regulate things like posture, so it’s quite demanding.

You can’t let your guard down during training or classes.

“Arcs-kun! Good work!”

As I was wiping the sweat dripping down my cheeks, a cheerful voice called out to me.

“Emma-san, good work.”

“Yep! Today was especially tiring, wasn’t it?”

Despite saying that while showing no fatigue on her face whatsoever was none other than the protagonist, Emma.

Since there weren’t scenes of her moving so vigorously and working up a sweat like this in the original story, as a fan of Celestia Kingdom, this was quite exciting.

That said, showing that excitement outwardly would make me look like a weirdo, and more importantly, having lived in this world for over fifteen years, my perspective as a fan has been gradually fading. There’s no way I’d get excited enough to show it outwardly.

“Ah, that swordsmanship advice you gave me before, when I used it as reference, sensei praised me! Thank you so much!”

With a joyfully triumphant demeanor, she said this with a smile.

Since she’s weak at swordsmanship, Emma had previously consulted me about it.

It seems the advice I gave her at that time bore fruit.

That’s good, that’s good.

“No, I merely did what’s natural as a friend.”

“No no, don’t be so modest!”

When I said that, Emma showed me an exaggerated tone.

Having my inadvertent mannerism mimicked, I gave a wry smile.

“Hey, Arcs!”

While we were doing that, someone called out to me from a little distance away.

When I turned my gaze toward the voice, I saw classmates who had just been training with us gathered there.

“Today, us dorm guys are gonna grab food, you wanna come?”

One person from the group raised their voice with that proposal.

It was certainly an appealing invitation, but just for today, I couldn’t nod in agreement.

“I’m sorry. I have plans after this today, so—”

As I was saying that, someone let out an understanding “Ahhh.”

“Oh yeah, it’s the start of the week, the election.”

“Whoa, already next week?”

“Yo, student council president!”

“I’m voting for Arcs, so do your best! If you win, treat us to something!”

My classmates said these things one after another.

Some made light remarks and jokes here and there.

Only one week had passed, but also, a whole week had passed.

After sharing these tough days seven times, it would be harder not to get along.

“…I’m not running for president. Also, please give me your honest vote.”

I threw in that modest retort.

After exchanging a few more words, I saw them off as they left saying “Well, see you sometime!”

“I see. Actually, I wanted to have dinner with Arcs-kun and Erett-chan too.”

After they were out of sight, Emma said that in a regretful tone.

Erett.

The girl I was grouped with during the cooperative exam.

According to Emma, she had also passed the entrance exam.

I was quite surprised when I learned that all three of us from the same group and all commoners had passed, but I haven’t run into her on campus yet.

I’d like to at least greet her, but unfortunately our schedules haven’t aligned.

“I’m sorry. Let’s do that another time.”

“No! Don’t worry about it! We can meet anytime while we’re at this academy!”

When I expressed my apology, Emma waved her hand exaggeratedly as if to say I didn’t need to worry about it.

I appreciate that, but I’m not so sure about being able to meet anytime.

While the physical distance isn’t that great, when you consider time and availability, the number of times we can actually meet might be surprisingly limited.

Unless we make a specific appointment to meet, I think exchanging conversation will be fairly difficult. Especially since we’re of different genders and in different dorms.

So I hope we can meet soon.

These things get awkward if you drag them out.

“Well then. Emma-san, see you tomorrow.”

“Yep, see you!”

Emma also jogged away and joined the group of girls.

Perhaps because there are so few girls, the bonds among the girls in our class seem quite strong.

It’s not that there’s a wall between the genders, but well, there are probably parts that can only be understood between the same sex. With such a small number, a sense of camaraderie would naturally grow stronger.

Emma is the only girl I can chat casually with yet, so well, it would be nice if I could gradually get along with them too.

While thinking about such things, I realized I was the only one left in the training grounds.

Well, I should get going too.

If I’m too late, she’ll get angry.

With slight concern, I walked toward the exit of the training grounds.

“Ah! Wait a second!”

Her voice stopped me.

“…What is it?”

When I turned around, I saw Emma hurrying back.

She wasn’t out of breath, but her hair was disheveled, probably from running.

“It’s not Emma-san, is it?”

With a grin, she said that.

Ah, right… Understanding dawned on me, and I scratched my cheek with a wry smile.

“…Emma, see you tomorrow.”

When I said that, Emma changed the atmosphere from a grinning smile to a gentle smile.

“That’s right! See you then!”

Bouncing her voice with satisfaction, she left again.

…This was Emma’s proposal that since we’re classmates, we should drop the formalities.

She said it feels like there’s a wall, so let’s start by at least dropping the honorifics.

…But you see.

It’s been fifteen years since I was born into this world.

Though I haven’t been conscious of it, I’ve been using polite speech the whole time.

Well, everyone around me has been older than me, so there’s that…

For that reason, polite speech has soaked into my tongue, and I think correcting this will be quite difficult.

It looks like I’ll end up having this kind of exchange several more times in the future…

Thinking that, I left the training grounds once more.

***

I came to the fountain from that day when I decided to run for student council.

If you drew a line connecting the Noble Course and Knight Course buildings, this plaza would be right about in the middle, making it optimal for meeting up—so much so that I think it might have been designed for this purpose.

That’s why we were supposed to meet here, but unusually, I still couldn’t see her… Eleanore’s figure.

The Noble Course isn’t as hard as the Knight Course.

Which means, did something come up?

I don’t completely know her schedule, and since I have no other option but to wait here, I decided to sit on a bench for now.

…And after doing that for a while, I sensed a presence behind me.

Has Eleanore arrived… I thought, but no, that wasn’t quite wrong, but she wasn’t alone.

When I turned around, I saw a male student who appeared to be from the Noble Course, and Eleanore walking behind him.

I thought he might be a friend, but sensing a strange atmosphere for some reason, I cast concealment magic and hid myself behind cover.

Then the two of them faced each other right in front of the fountain where I had been sitting just moments ago.

While holding my breath and wondering “Just what is about to happen…” I observed the situation…

Suddenly, the man got down on one knee and

“Lady Eleanore. Please, become engaged to me!”

Reflexively, I stood up with a start.