“…That will conclude today’s class! As with last week, there will be an assignment, so please check the course bulletin board!”
Professor Bariyes’s class has ended.
‘He teaches better than I expected… except for the amount of homework.’
Perhaps because he was a former S-ranked adventurer, his experience and examples were plentiful. He also did a good job of keeping the students engaged.
…I hope Professor Lunia learns a thing or two from his teaching skills.
“Oh, by the way! Group 4!”
“…Yes?”
“Hmm, it seems that Bisil from earlier is also in Group 4. Please come to the front. The rest of you may disperse.”
As one or two students packed their things and left the classroom, Professor Bariyes called Sion.
What’s this? Does he have something else to say?
With a confused look on his face, Sion approached the front, where Bariyes handed him some documents.
“What is this…?”
“This is today’s class content. I tend to plan my lessons thoroughly! Hmph!”
The document appeared to be a syllabus written by him. Today’s class content was well-organized from explanations to examples.
Nobody in my previous life prepared for class this meticulously….
So, Professor Bariyes is quite the diligent one.
“Why are you giving this to me…?”
“Could you deliver this to Esroja from your group?”
“…Yes?”
Sion’s eyes widened in surprise. Who am I supposed to deliver this to…?
“You know well that Esroja didn’t come to class today. So, I’m asking you to deliver today’s lesson content and assignment to her.”
“Why do I have to…?”
“Because you’re in the same team!”
Bariyes said this while placing a hand on Sion’s shoulder.
…Maybe because he’s a dwarf, it felt a bit heavier than expected.
“Before you go, I have something to say.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“In reality, Esroja hasn’t been participating actively in the group project. You’ll understand if you check the assignments posted on the course bulletin board.”
Sion decided to tell the truth since he was at it. He wanted Bariyes to see how uncooperative Esroja had been in their group.
He even showed the professor the group chat on their student IDs.
‘It feels a bit unfair, but it can’t be helped. You started it first.’
Though he felt some remorse for Esroja, that was that.
‘Coming back a day before the deadline, demanding the team members gather… If I let that slide, wouldn’t that make me a saint?’
The group project with Esroja was the worst.
It would have been better if she had at least pretended to be engaged like she was attending a grandmother’s funeral.
To suddenly command Sion to gather team members after going off the radar until the day before was infuriating.
Sion had no intention of letting Esroja off the hook.
“I understand why you’re angry. However, I heard that she’s really sick.”
“…How can I believe that, Professor?”
“To use sick leave, it requires a signature from the Academy’s Health Room. Naturally, the health teacher isn’t someone who would accept a few bribes from students.”
“……”
So, I have to go to the health room to get sick leave?
That means I would have to meet Maguniria-sensei.
…I doubt a health teacher would take bribes for sick leave.
The income of health teachers wouldn’t compare to the bribes given by students.
‘So, she really is sick…?’
The thought of her being sick made him hesitate.
If it were just an act, he would have felt much freer to criticize her.
“I understand your feelings well. Every year, when I teach this class, students often complain about the group projects.”
“……”
“But I think this.”
Bariyes wiped his nose with his index finger.
“Your group was decided by drawing lots. Therefore, it is a connection blessed by the goddess of luck!”
“That’s true, but…”
“So do your best. Try to persuade her to work on the group project together, or if that doesn’t work, you could threaten her. You can also appeal to her emotions.”
“……”
“If that doesn’t work… Come to me.”
Thud!
He pounded his chest as he said this.
“If you have concrete evidence of your efforts, and if you believe your group member’s laziness goes beyond limits! Then I shall punish her, risking my title as an S-ranked adventurer!”
“…Really?”
“A man never says it twice. Now go!”
With a grand stride, Professor Bariyes left the classroom.
Sion stood there, watching him until he disappeared.
Though he was short, he was a strong-willed person.
‘…Well, this isn’t bad. If I have enough evidence, he’ll handle it.’
At least Bariyes was somewhat reasonable.
Some professors don’t care about student circumstances at all, grading solely based on the quality of group projects.
…Sion certainly had memories of being subjected to such professors.
Just thinking back on it made Sion’s teeth clench in anger.
“Hey! Sion, what were you talking about with the professor?”
“…Patrick.”
“Hmm? What’s that paper?”
Patrick appeared, wrapping an arm around Sion’s shoulder, showing interest in the document he held.
It was the syllabus that Professor Bariyes had given him.
Sion casually handed the document to Patrick.
“Take a look.”
“Oh! Is this a summary note from the professor? You already got points for this?”
“…I was told to pass it on to Esroja.”
Flutter.
As soon as Sion finished speaking, Patrick dropped the paper from his hands.
The paper fluttered to the ground.
Patrick stepped back with a shocked expression as if he had touched something he shouldn’t.
“R-right! Since it was given to you, you should be responsible for delivering it!”
“…No, that’s not it. We’re supposed to discuss it among the team—”
“Ah! Now that I think about it, I have an urgent appointment… Sorry, Sion!! I’ll buy you dinner later!”
Whoosh!
Quick on the uptake, Patrick grabbed his things and dashed out of the classroom.
He made a judgment about the unfolding situation just by hearing the mention of the document and Esroja.
‘That guy… I’ll see him later in the dorm.’
Sion didn’t think that this perceptive guy would accompany him.
Patrick was just as reluctant to become entangled with Esroja.
But Sion still had one steadfast team member remaining.
…He should have, at least.
“Geivolg? Where did he go?”
“Yeah, Geivolg already left when you were talking with the professor.”
“…Serenne?”
Serenne came up behind Sion, explaining why Geivolg wasn’t there.
…To be abandoned by two group members simultaneously, what a coincidence.
“Do you need help?”
Serenne tilted her head while asking.
Yeah, she would be more helpful than two unreliable team members.
The top student of the Magic Department would be of more assistance.
“…Could you help me?”
“If Sion wants it.”
“I think I would really appreciate it if you helped.”
Sion silently cheered inside. Having a woman like Serenne involved would make things easier.
All academy students live in the dorms.
“Do you happen to know which room Esroja is in?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Then could you deliver this document? The professor asked me to pass it along since we are in the same group.”
“But she probably won’t be in the dorm.”
“…Huh?”
Serenne rubbed her sleepy eyes and spoke.
“I heard she’s being transferred to her mansion in the academy shopping district because she’s sick.”
“…Mansion?”
“You didn’t know? People from wealthy families usually own a villa in the academy shopping district. It’s a kind of real estate investment.”
Sion pictured the academy shopping district.
Sure enough, it would be bustling like college streets, filled with various shops.
But a few blocks away, there were many houses.
There were even neighborhoods with huge mansions clustered together.
…Esroja was probably resting in that noble area villa.
That means I have to go there directly?
‘Should I just wait until tomorrow or next week during class?… No, I don’t know when she’ll recover. It might be better to deliver it directly….’
If it were in the dorm, he could ask Serenne to deliver it for him.
But since she was at the villa, it felt a bit troublesome to ask Serenne.
It would basically mean assigning her the task of delivering the document.
“…Do you know where that villa is?”
“No. But if it’s in the noble district, it should be easy to spot. A mansion belonging to the Parawell family would be huge and extravagant.”
“……Ha. Thanks.”
As Sion gathered his belongings, he realized he learned a lot thanks to Serenne’s information.
It would be a good idea to quickly run over there before the afternoon class with Professor Shabrina.
“Can’t I go with you?”
“I can’t trouble you too much. I’m grateful for the information you gave me.”
“Yeah, but… Okay.”
Serenne nodded sleepily.
She seemed like she wanted to say something more, but time was limited before the afternoon class, and he had to go to the mansion.
He had to walk quickly from now on.
‘Then… Let’s go.’
Sion left the classroom and began walking toward the academy shopping district.
*
About 30 minutes later.
“…Is this the Parawell family villa?”
Following Serenne’s words, it wasn’t difficult to find the Parawell family mansion.
Despite being such prime real estate close to the academy, it was a two-story mansion.
It even had a small pond and garden in the yard.
‘This is making me nervous.’
Entering such a large mansion was a first for him, even including his previous life.
Being anxious was unavoidable.
After taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart, he pressed the doorbell.
Ding-dong!
‘…Did it work?’
He thought he had pressed the doorbell, but there was no sound.
Could the sound be only heard inside the mansion? Or was it not a doorbell but rather a different button?
While various thoughts filled his mind, suddenly…
‘…A real maid.’
A middle-aged woman dressed in a maid outfit approached from the mansion’s front gate.
She was exactly as one would envision a maid, neat and radiating elegance.
She gave a noble greeting as if straight out of a painting.
“Good day. What brings you to the Parawell family villa?”
“Um… Well, I heard that Esroja, Lady Parawell, is sick. I…”
“Oh my.”
She covered her mouth with her hand while gazing at Sion.
And then…
“Are you perhaps the young lady’s boyfriend?”
“…Yes?”
“Now isn’t the time for that. Please come in. The young lady is inside right now.”
Clang!
The huge door made of wrought iron swung open.
What lingered in his mind more than entering was the word “boyfriend.”
Am I Esroja’s… boyfriend?
“I’m sorry, but I’m not her boyfriend…”
“You’ve brought a boyfriend so early in the first semester… Anna! Please show him in. I will prepare lunch right away.”
“Uh?”
“I’m sorry. I should have asked first… Have you had lunch yet?”
“No, I haven’t eaten….”
“Then you’re in for a treat.”
She looked at Sion and smiled brightly.
“I have a special menu I was planning to serve when the young lady finally brought a man home.”
“……”
“Hehe, you can look forward to it.”
“Head maid! I’m back!”
“Please take care of this gentleman. Lead him directly to the room.”
“Of course!”
“Um…”
Patter!
Before Sion could correct any misconceptions,
the head maid dashed inside the mansion.
Before he knew it, he felt like he had crossed an irretrievable river.
“Shall we go inside? The young lady is in the room on the second floor!”
“……”
“Wow! I can’t believe the young lady has a boyfriend…. Everyone will certainly be thrilled! Secretly, we all worry about the young lady!”
“……”
“Oh! I’m sorry. I’m being too talkative, aren’t I? Come on in!”
“Wait? Oh, okay….”
A young maid, called Anna, beckoned Sion and he awkwardly followed her into the mansion.
As soon as he stepped through the front door, eyes were upon him.
“Is this the young lady’s boyfriend…?”
“He’s not overly masculine but has a cute side to him.”
“Well, the young lady has liked art since she was young. It seems she prefers pretty boys.”
“The young lady has finally found someone she can rely on!”
“Today, we must really showcase our skills. Hey! We’re going to make the best lunch today!”
“Yeah!!”
Chatter!
Various individuals—maids, gardeners, and chefs—gathered and began having conversations about Sion.
Maybe because it was a villa, the atmosphere was quite free, and everyone seemed to care for Esroja.
‘…What should I do?’
Feeling like he couldn’t say ‘I’m not her boyfriend,’ Sion broke out in a cold sweat.
