After all the commotion had finally died down, I arrived at the dormitory with my two unruly apprentices in tow.
It wasn’t my intention, but theirs.
I told them to stop talking nonsense…
But when I saw Senna’s glare as she prepared Heavenly Punishment, I couldn’t help but back off.
“Whoa~ So this is where the faculty members live!”
“It’s surprisingly spacious and nice. Isn’t it better than ours?”
“Please… can you just stay still for a moment?”
As I watched them wander around my room like they owned the place, I sighed inwardly.
How did I end up in this situation?
“So you should’ve remembered your promise to us!”
“Mmm, that’s right.”
“Since you didn’t specify when to come, technically you haven’t broken the promise…”
“What was that?”
“…Never mind. I’m sorry.”
What is it with her preparing Heavenly Punishment every time I say something?
Where did she even learn that spell?
“I learned it while waiting for you at the lectern. Cardinal-sama happened to be there. I sharpened my blade of vengeance.”
“…I’m sorry, alright.”
“Oh, I didn’t actually mean for you to apologize~”
How do I keep stepping on landmines no matter what I say?
I can’t even speak properly.
Still, should I praise her for learning such an impressive spell in such a short time?
“So, what happened that made you forget our precious appointment?”
Ariana, sitting primly in my chair, tilted her head and asked.
What happened…
“There were various things.”
“Confidential matters?”
“Yes.”
It would be best not to reveal Lux’s curse.
She also asked me not to tell anyone.
At my firm reply, Ariana relaxed her legs.
“Hmph, whatever. It must have been something important if you forgot our ‘appointment’, right?”
“Thank you for understanding…”
“Next question: What’s with that ring?”
Following Ariana’s gaze, I noticed the gift from the Helios family.
“Ah, this…”
“Did you promise to marry Amy?”
“…What?”
I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the sudden question.
“What?! Is it true? Gye-ge-ge marriage?! This is breaking news!”
“That’s not it. Sit down first.”
Sena looked ready to bolt any second, so I hurriedly shouted.
What is she thinking?
Does she plan to spread rumors about me marrying Amy?
Before she could act on her strange ideas, I had to explain everything while sighing deeply.
“…So that’s how it is. This is a token of gratitude from Duke Balkan for saving Amy. Absolutely, positively NOT related to marriage! Don’t go spreading useless rumors. Got it?”
“Hmm, I see.”
“I understand what you’re saying.”
After my lengthy explanation, both of them nodded obediently.
Phew, they seem to understand.
With all this effort, there shouldn’t be any more misunderstandings…
“But isn’t it true that the Helios family is targeting you?”
“What?”
“That’s right. If we do nothing, you’ll probably end up marrying Amy soon.”
“That doesn’t make sense…”
“We can’t let that happen. We can’t allow such an excellent teacher to be monopolized by Amy.”
“No matter how precious a friend she is, there are some things we won’t give up!”
“What exactly are you two…”
Ignoring my attempt to intervene, they exchanged glances and continued their conversation as if I weren’t there.
“There’s no way we can lose to Amy.”
“That’s not something worth fueling competition over…”
“I feel the same way. Even if I lose academically, I won’t lose in charm! I’m the Holy Maiden after all!”
“Thinking about competing academically…”
“Can Holy Maidens even get married anyway?”
“Hey, you two…”
“Hmm, it should be fine. Our religion doesn’t particularly value chastity… I think even the Pope is married.”
“Are you not hearing me…?”
“If it’s fine with the Pope…”
“Right?”
“Alright… do as you wish.”
Finally giving up with both hands and feet raised in surrender,
The two suddenly turned to look at me.
Then they spoke with the air of someone who had just struck a deal.
“Really?”
“Seriously?”
“…You troublesome girls.”
All I could do was shake my head – my maximum resistance at this point.
Looks like my Academy life will be anything but smooth…
Watching these two smile at me, that’s all I could think.
***
“Why open the cafeteria during school closure?”
“Well, it’s open even during vacations.”
I headed to the student cafeteria with the two of them.
Why the cafeteria, you ask?
What can I do when they claim they’ll starve waiting for me?
What options do I have right now?
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to eat in the commercial district? I’m paying anyway.”
“Tch, stop complaining and follow us.”
“Fine…”
If they really want cafeteria food, then so be it.
“See? They’re operating as usual.”
Sure enough, the cafeteria was surprisingly bustling, just as Senna said.
Now that I think about it, Heinz mentioned that few students return home during closures.
Unless they live very close by, most only go home during vacations.
Since Minerva has all necessary facilities and more, that makes sense.
“Professor Allen?”
“Why is the professor in the student cafeteria…”
“Wasn’t he the one who…”
“Is he feeling alright…”
Whispers from the students were heard everywhere.
Seems like word of the incident on the island has spread.
Well, covering up something that big would be difficult.
Though the Royal Palace managed to prevent it from hitting mainstream media…
“Come on! Let’s go before we lose our seats!”
“I know, I know. No need to drag me.”
Unlike the faculty cafeteria, this one operates buffet-style.
There were quite a variety of dishes, and what caught my eye was the large crab and neatly prepared seafood steamed dish.
It’s been a while since I’ve had some crab.
“Do you like that kind of thing?”
“Eh? Ariana, you’ve never tried it?”
“It looks kinda creepy.”
Is that so?
I guess some people might think that way.
Nodding as I loaded my plate, I replied.
“In my hometown, it was too expensive to try. It’s inconvenient to eat, but that’s what makes it so delicious.”
“Hmm, maybe I should try it once?”
“You won’t regret it. Probably.”
“This looks good too!”
Sena pointed at a dish of grilled eggplant topped with cheese.
“Are you vegetarian?”
“Eh? How did you know? But I do like meat too. Like steak. Got it?”
What does “got it” even mean?
Anyway, it did look delicious, so I added it to my plate as well.
After loading up enough food, we sat down and began our pleasant mealtime.
“Have you heard about the midterm replacement assignment?”
“Yeah. Saw it in the official notice.”
“Oi, don’t talk about work while eating.”
“Stop saying useless things. Have you thought about how to prepare?”
Unlike Senna’s grumbling, Ariana answered while holding a crab leg.
“Is there anything special to prepare? Just continue as usual, right?”
“Nice to see your confident attitude. How about you, Senna?”
“I’m fully prepared too! Since it’s not happening immediately anyway…”
“So, no special training needed then?”
True, it’s something students should prepare for themselves.
Probably not ideal for professors to interfere too much.
While casually erasing thoughts of special training from my mind, I popped a plump shrimp into my mouth.
Ariana blinked after biting into some crab meat.
Fortunately, she seemed to enjoy it and reached for another crab leg.
“Special training? What kind?”
For some reason, Ariana was looking at me with an anticipatory gleam in her eyes.
Does she want special training?
“Just thought… since the Grand Competition is the most important, maybe we could practice some one-on-one sparring.”
“That sounds good! Let’s do it.”
“Eh?”
“I agree! If Professor wins, the other kids will have it easy anyway.”
Even Senna showed unexpected enthusiasm.
Well, if the students want it, it shouldn’t be a problem.
It’s not particularly difficult either.
“If you want to do it, we should. Though you’re aiming to beat me?”
“That’s just how you say it. How can I possibly beat Professor? I’m support staff, meant to be protected from behind.”
“That’s true, but…”
Why does this bother me so much?
I wiped the sour expression from my face and smiled slightly.
“Nice to see your enthusiasm. Since you’re like this, how about… we turn the Grand Competition upside down with my students?”
“Eh…?”
“Tomorrow’s the resumption of classes, right? Look forward to it. I’ll definitely teach you thoroughly.”
At least I’ll ensure you won’t lose to regular students.
I briefly wondered how to conduct the lessons, but watching these earnest faces filled me with teaching passion.
For some reason, the students’ expressions darkened slightly.
“Could you… go a little easier on us?”
“Maybe tone it down…”
“Hm? What was that? You want me to go even harder?”
“…”
They look like they realize they’ve made a big mistake, but it must be my imagination.
It’s been a while since I’ve… uh, disciplined the students.
No, harassed them.
Ah, that’s not right either.
Thinking about teaching them seriously made me happy.
“So why did you say that…”
“You agreed too…”
“Well, I…”
As I watched them whisper-fight, I finished my delicious meal.
Hmm~ The student cafeteria really is quite good.
It’s practically a hidden gem!
