The next morning, after finishing the tough morning classes, I returned to the dormitory for a while and had lunch with Frank and Cedric.
“What do you guys plan to do this afternoon?”
I ask the two of them.
“We’re going to hang out in the town.”
“I thought about giving you a tour, but…”
“Huh…”
“Now that I think about it, I still haven’t visited the town.”
“Right? That’s why I invited you.”
“Let’s go tomorrow then.”
Tomorrow’s Saturday, so we’re off.
Though there are classes, they’re apparently for working adults or those who want to review.
“I’m good…”
“I need a break.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting my family.”
“I’ll be heading home too. I want to have fun, but I have responsibilities at home as well… Still, I’ll be back on Sunday, so we can go out then.”
Impressive, the time difference between our worlds is tremendous.
“So, can you show me around the town on Sunday?”
“Sure.”
“Alright.”
The two nod in agreement.
“Thanks… Now, let’s see, should I go to Enchanting?”
“Go for it.”
“Of course, it’s normal not to understand since it’s a third-year class. Enchanting’s especially tough, so don’t worry about it.”
With the two seeing me off, I leave the dormitory and descend the hill.
Amid the many students in uniforms, I catch a glimpse of Building C.
Looking at the students entering Building C, no one particularly sticks out. They don’t look any different from the students in Class D.
I continue walking and head toward Building A.
When I approach the notice board near the entrance of Building A about 15 minutes before the arranged time, I find Sharl, dressed in her uniform, already waiting for me.
Seeing Sharl, I quicken my pace to reach her.
“Sorry, sorry.”
I had planned to arrive before her, but it appears I talked to Frank and Cedric for a little too long.
“Hm? It’s not yet time.”
“I just finished eating lunch early.”
“From the dorm?”
“Yes.”
Since Sharl is French, she’s probably a regular boarding student unlike me, who’s a partial boarder.
“Do you mind going to the classroom 15 minutes early?”
“It’s fine. Most third-year students are working adults, so it’s relatively easy to join in. Let’s go.”
Accompanied by Sharl, I enter the school building and climb the stairs.
We ascend to the second and third floors until we reach a certain classroom. Inside, there are nearly 20 students, but over half are not in uniform but dressed in casual clothing or suits.
There are even individuals wearing stereotypical triangular hats.
“Sharl, Sharl, let’s go to the back.”
“Yeah, we’re underclassmen.”
We walk through the classroom and sit in the back row side-by-side.
During this time, a few people glance at us, but generally, no one seems particularly interested.
“It’s easier to join than I expected…”
“Told you. It’s not unusual. I joined a third-year class when I was in middle school, and no one said anything or paid attention.”
“You attended a third-year class during middle school?”
“Alchemy. It’s a course from first year to third year.”
“Huh…”
“Right, there was an alchemy class around Wednesday, wasn’t there? As always, I couldn’t understand anything.”
“I’m not good at science.”
“Science… well, it includes physics and chemistry, too…”
No way…
“Have you earned all the credits?”
“I’ve earned the credits, but I took it mainly out of interest. I enjoy it.”
Of course, I suspected that much.
She gave me that potion after all.
“Are you planning to become an alchemist or something?”
“Nope… though I’ve thought about it several times, I’m the heir to Iver, so…”
That’s tough…
“Sharl, you’ve already decided your path.”
“Yeah, somewhat. How about Tsukasa?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
I have a goal, of course.
To learn Disenchanting and remove the bracelet.
“You’re thinking of disenchanting?”
Well, since I’m attending classes for it, it would naturally seem like that.
“I don’t know. I just became a wizard, and I haven’t even memorized the basic spell formations yet.”
“Ah… Well, if you just started, it’s understandable.”
“By the way, have you memorized all the spell formations in the basic textbook?”
“They were drilled into me during childhood.”
Is that true for everyone…
“Wasn’t it painful?”
“At first, yes. But after I got into alchemy, I wanted to learn as much as possible. In fields like alchemy, you can’t proceed without memorizing spell formations… well, the same applies to Enchanting.”
Wow…
“So, shall we give it a try?”
“Yes. Look, the teacher has arrived.”
As Sharl says, an elderly woman walks into the classroom, and the Enchanting class begins.
Again, I decide to focus on listening instead of taking notes, but as with other classes, I can’t understand a single word of what she’s saying at all.
Ugh… Maybe this is too much for me.
I think I’d be better off attending basic classes in another class…
Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at Sharl beside me and see her diligently listening to the teacher while taking notes.
Even though she only came to keep me company, she’s genuinely taking the lesson seriously and taking notes…
I’m under so much pressure…
I continue listening to the class in admiration, and after the long two-hour class ends…
“How was it?”
Sharl asks.
“Uhh… well…”
I can’t say anything.
“It must’ve been difficult. As expected, third-year Enchanting classes are challenging.”
Really…
“Sorry. Can I be straightforward?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Even the difficulty level was beyond me. It’s the same as the other classes I’ve attended this week.”
“Well, there’s not much else to say about that.”
Expected, right?
“I feel like I don’t belong at all…”
“I think everyone felt the same way at the start. It’s completely different from the classes you did in elementary and middle school. It’s like starting primary school and immediately jumping into high school or university classes.”
Impossible, right?
“It depends on you, Tsukasa. To put it in Japanese terms, even a speck of dust accumulates to form a mountain. There are no shortcuts.”
I see…
“Understood. Thank you for today.”
“Not at all. Anyway, I’ll be taking this class two years from now, so consider it prep. So, what’s the plan for next week? Will you attempt the class again?”
Should I..?
Clearly, this isn’t my level.
But this is where my goal lies.
“I’ll give it another shot, even though I probably won’t understand anything…”
“You might get used to it eventually. If you want to learn Enchanting, I think it’s a good idea. There are quite a few specialized students in these classes.”
“What do you mean by ‘specialized’?”
“For example, people from apothecary families take those classes to inherit the family business. In contrast, such individuals often struggle with combat magic or classes unrelated to their field, even at the first-year level.”
I see.
Indeed, apothecaries wouldn’t need reinforcement spells.
“There are cases like that too…”
“Yes. If you want to try again next week, I’ll keep you company.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll attend it two years from now anyway, and I’ve already taken notes.”
This girl doesn’t seem like the kind to cause trouble at all.
It’s definitely Toko’s fault.
Absolutely.
Because her smile is just too cute.
“It’s lonely alone, so can you come with me?”
“Of course. Let’s attend next week too.”
What a good person.
I’m from the La Folle family, but I might just switch to Iver’s side.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. Shall we head back? Oh, by the way, I should give you this.”
She takes out a piece of paper.
“What’s that?”
“A map of the town of Ein. Didn’t I say I’d give it to you?”
Sharl unfolds the map while sighing.
Looking at the map, the town of Ein appears to be circular.
“Thanks!”
“Not at all. This is a quite extensive map and rather rough. That’s the school district—where this school is located—up there.”
She points toward the north of the map.
“So it’s divided into districts?”
“Yes. Broadly speaking, it’s divided into the School District, Residential District, Industrial District, and Commercial District. Of course, you’d want to head to the Commercial District for some fun.”
Mm, it’s hard to imagine playing around in the Residential or Industrial Districts.
“Shopping?”
“Something like that. It’s enjoyable.”
They sell magical items, don’t they?
“Hmm… I’ll check it out since I’m heading to town on Sunday.”
“Really?”
“Frank and Cedric offered to take me around.”
“Oh, Hegerich and Seager.”
Frank, Cedric… Sorry.
I completely forgot your last names.
“Right, right. We’re in the same class, and our rooms are next to each other in the dormitory.”
“That’s great. Having good neighbors is a blessing.”
“Who’s Sharl’s neighbor?”
At this question, Sharl freezes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah, sorry. It’s Toko.”
That person…
“Oh, poor you..”
“Huh?”
“Eh? Sorry. Aren’t you a La Folle? Do you not get along?”
Since we’re at it, might as well ask her.
“Umm… maybe? No, sort of… but, uhh…”
Sharl’s eyes dart around while she seems conflicted.
It seems I asked something I shouldn’t have.
“Sorry, forget it. Let’s go back.”
“Y-yeah.”
We decide to walk together up to the point where the dormitory paths diverge.
Thank you for reading!
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