After the swordsmanship class had ended, the classmates cautiously approached me one by one and started a conversation.
Usually, after exchanging a word or two along with our names, everyone would return to their seats, but there were exceptions.
“Hey, hey, you’re incredibly strong, huh?”
One of those exceptions was right in front of me now.
She was a petite girl with red hair. Even though I had become a woman and had shrunk in height, Selian was slightly shorter than me. However, the girl before me was even shorter than both of us. If we met outside, one might mistake her for being younger than her actual age.
“Ah, thank you.”
I responded with a polite bow. She then giggled and playfully tapped my shoulders.
“Mom? What’s with the formalities between friends? Just talk casually! It’s giving me goosebumps, kid.”
“Okay, well, uh… yeah.”
Truthfully, I found the formal tone of a noble young lady cumbersome too, so it was refreshing to have someone to converse easily with.
However, I wish she’d stop tapping me on the shoulder. Since my senses became heightened, my skin cried out in pain each time she tapped me. My shoulders are probably red by now.
“Stop it, you violent girl! Fix that habit of yours, seriously.”
The other person who intervened and stopped her was a boy standing beside her.
He also had red hair like the girl in front of me, but their builds were entirely different. While the girl was smaller than her peers, this boy was noticeably taller than me when I was a boy and towered over other boys his age.
I distinctly remember these two. Recalling their performance in the sparring earlier, it would be odd not to remember them.
The petite girl used a greatsword, which was as tall as she was, if not taller. Despite her small stature, she skillfully swung the massive sword and pressured her opponents.
On the other hand, the red-haired boy wielded a bastard sword. Though it’s typically a two-handed weapon, he used it single-handedly thanks to his imposing height. The strength he exerted with one hand equaled what most others needed two hands for, leaving his opponents flustered.
They were among the few I couldn’t offer feedback to.
I imagined fighting them with my current body. If I were still in my male body, I might not be certain of victory, but in my current state, I believe I could win about nine out of ten times.
Then, I imagined Selian fighting these two.
In this scenario, Selian’s victory was undeniable. It’s not that the two were weak, it’s just how overwhelmingly talented Selian is. Selian’s skill isn’t just about being excellent in swordsmanship; hers is an unmatched level of experience that doesn’t match her age. Truly, a worthy hero candidate.
“There’s nothing you can’t say to your sister, you brat!”
The girl then lifted her free right hand — since her left was caught — and threw a punch at the boy’s stomach.
Thud!
A perfect straight punch.
“Eek… You shorty… We’re only a minute apart in age anyway…”
“Shorty? You lost to me today, admit it.”
I was busy visualizing a mock duel in my head, and soon enough, they were ready to fight. Leaving them be would surely lead to trouble, so I quickly stepped in and separated them.
Fortunately, they remembered I was there and stopped the impending fight, turning their attention back to me.
“Uh… so…”
“Ian Clein.”
Just as I hesitated on what to call them, the boy introduced himself. Turning to the “shorty” — not the land squatter — the red-haired girl opened her mouth with a surprised look.
“I’m Anne Clein! As you can see, this is my younger brother. We’re twins but don’t really look alike, huh?”
Honestly, wouldn’t Anne look like the younger sibling if I said so? But there’s no reason to walk into that briar patch.
“I… well. I’m Alicia. Call me Alicia.”
“Yep, I know. You’re already famous.”
“Huh?!”
?
“Apparently, you’re known as the troublemaker who sneaked out of the dormitory on the first day of school.”
“What?! How could you…? I made sure nobody noticed me sneaking out the window, and I don’t recall being spotted.”
“But if you need to sneak out of the dorm again, I recommend waiting until the roll call is over!”
Now that I think about it, there was a rule like that in the dormitory regulations, though I didn’t quite realize it.
Wait? If I followed that, wouldn’t it interfere with my scholarship plan?
“Still, luckily, for some reason, the dorm supervisor didn’t deduct any points, so you don’t have to worry. Although, you might get a lecture or two.”
I can endure a lecture anytime. The critical thing is whether points are deducted or not.
“Phew… lucky. But there won’t be a need for that kind of thing anymore.”
“Well, just in case, if you ever need help, feel free to ask me!”
Looking at the small girl puffing her chest while declaring it, there was more cuteness than reliability.
But since I no longer have any place outside the academy related to me, there shouldn’t be any reason to sneak out of the dormitory anymore.
Druruk.
Before I could make an excuse, the door opened, and the next class professor entered the classroom.
“Ah! The professor’s here. Let’s talk again later!”
With a wave of her hand, the girl returned to her seat, dragging Ian along. Thinking about it, was Ian genuinely being dragged, or was he just pretending?
Anne was seated at the front row, likely considering her small stature.
However, even Ian, who is tall, occupied the front row, which could be bothersome for the students behind him, but it somehow passed by unnoticed, especially because he was in the outermost row.
I sighed, only for Selian to come back and move the desks close together.
The history professor who entered the class noticed Selian rearranging the desks but let it slide when Selian claimed she’d left her textbook at home.
Glancing inside Selian’s bag, it seemed like I could spot a history textbook, but surely it must be a mistake.
*
The lunch hour at Griffin Academy is the same for all departments and grades.
There’s an adequately relaxed 90-minute break in which you can choose to eat your packed lunch, use the cafeteria, or visit the snack bar—take care of your meal however you prefer.
The cafeteria offers a wide variety of menu options, ranging from affordable dishes commonly eaten by commoners to high-class meals designed to satisfy noble palates.
Of course, the menu selection is up to you, as is the responsibility for the meal cost.
Given my need to save money, I should naturally opt for the cheaper meal. However, I found myself in the serving line for the most expensive menu, excluding the course meals and special dishes.
It wasn’t because I had an insatiable appetite or a penchant for extravagance—it just so happened that following Selian led me naturally to this line.
I had thought about stepping out of the line, but thanks to Selian’s cheerful chatter while looking at me, I missed the chance to leave.
“I heard from some graduated students that this menu is really delicious.”
“Hah, hahaha… I can’t wait to try it.”
My heart breaks for myself, unable to utter the word “No!”
The line slowly shortened, and finally, five meal tickets left my hand. With five tickets, I could buy the cheapest meal five times. In exchange for these five tickets, I received a tray filled with food I had never tasted before.
Considering the variety, five tickets might seem like a bargain, but to me, every piece of meat, every sprig of greens, even the dessert, just looked like money. The meat alone probably costs three tickets, the greens about one, and the dessert?
It’s done, the water already spilled. I managed to force a smile despite my grimaced face as Selian led me outside with a bright smile.
The weather was pleasant with a gentle breeze, so all the outdoor tables were already occupied.
As Selian and I wandered around, looking for a spot, a group happened to leave their seats, and we quickly claimed their table, placing our trays on it.
“Please sit here, Miss Selian.”
One must know how to score points in situations like this. To win someone’s favor with mere flattery is the lowest form of tactics. Flattery is like seasoning in cooking—it should never be the main course.
Selian’s smile showed me that my action was the right one.
After confirming her seated across from me, I settled down in my spot.
“Bon appétit.”
“Ho ho, you too, Miss Alicia.”
Now it’s time to focus. A five-ticket meal deserves solemn respect.
Slowly, very slowly… one bite at a time… savoring every flavor is the proper way to eat.
Carefully handling my fork and knife, I carefully cut the meat, feeling its grain.
I gently picked up the piece with my fork so as not to lose the juices, and brought it to my mouth.
“Aah! Miss Alicia! Why are you crying?”
Ah… this is what they call tears of joy. No extra salt is needed.
