Since my business in Dephel was done, I returned to the Academy the next day.
During the semester, there will hardly be any reason to leave the Academy, so it’s likely that I won’t visit Dephel for about half a year. With her ability to run a general store underground, she should have enough time to thoroughly investigate the Prentz family in that period.
To be honest, the Academy I returned to was too quiet, creating an environment where one could easily become lazy.
Since there’s no need to attend school, I can sleep in as much as I want. All my close friends who always hung out with me are back at their homes, so if I want, I can just stay in my room all day. Also, with the dorm supervisor absent, I could even read novels late into the night.
I don’t even have to pretend to be the epitome of ladylike behavior. There are barely a few people left in the dormitory, and they aren’t especially close to me.
Still, even when I relax unintentionally and act like a noble young lady, I sometimes catch myself and give a little laugh.
Even so, I try my best to maintain a minimum standard of behavior.
The experience of visiting my friends’ homes during the short break was quite helpful. Even now, when I recall those memories, I can feel my swordsmanship improving.
Therefore, even if I wake up late or laze around in my room, or even if I stay up late doing other things, I never skip my daily training.
Though it may be impossible to surpass Selian immediately and take the top spot, I should at least try to catch up with her before I graduate, right?
Besides training, there’s one other thing I don’t skip.
It’s the part-time job helping Presia with her magic research.
Actually, it seems like Presia’s interest in magic research has waned lately. She rarely uses me as a test subject for experiments like she used to.
Nowadays, I mostly go to Magic Building 707 when she calls, drink a cup of tea, and chat about various things.
Spending the summer vacation this way—being somewhat lazy and yet trying hard in some areas—went on for a few weeks, and eventually, a couple of students started returning to the dormitory.
—
“Long time no see, Sel.”
“Well, it really was. I missed you so much.”
Selian arrived exactly at the time written in the letter I sent, without a moment’s delay.
The moment she stepped out of the carriage, she ran toward me to embrace me.
Though it was nice to see Selian again, her behavior wasn’t surprising given how close she feels toward me.
After patting her back a few times, I could finally see her face clearly.
“Hmm? Your under-eye circles are quite dark.”
These dark circles weren’t from just a day or two of tiredness. Based on my experience staying up for several days when I was an assassin, they were the kind that would appear after at least a week of sleepless nights.
“Did you stay up reading novels every night during the break?”
“W-well, yes. With the break, I couldn’t control myself…”
I never thought I’d see this side of Selian, who always sets a good example. We’ve only known each other for half a year, but moments like this keep showing me new facets of her personality.
“If they were that interesting to make you this tired, they must’ve been amazing. Can I borrow them once you’re done?”
“O-of course! I’ll select the best ones for you, so just wait a bit.”
“That’s fine, but the one you’re reading now will do.”
“A-ah… Yes. I’ll lend it to you right after I finish.”
“Alright. Thanks. But try to cut down on the all-nighters.”
Even with heavy under-eye circles, Selian’s natural beauty still shines, adding a different kind of charm.
However, habits that harm one’s health aren’t good, no matter what.
“I never thought I’d be giving advice like this to Sel.”
Originally, the problem with Selian staying up late might be a problem for her, but mine—a result of lazing around too much—should remain her secret.
“Don’t worry. From today, I’ll probably be able to sleep well.”
It seems like she’s nearly finished with her books. She’ll probably lend them to me soon.
—
With Selian back in the dormitory, the period for adjusting second-semester applications is nearing its end.
I offered to help her tidy up, but for some reason, she strongly refused. I sat at a table in the dormitory lounge pondering the matter.
The choice between double and quad rooms still had its pros and cons, which was why my decision remained undecided.
If I had to lean toward one, I was leaning slightly toward the quad room.
Anyway, with carefulness, I could keep my secrets even in a double room. Although the chances of secrets leaking are lower in a double than a quad room, the caution I’d have to take is the same either way.
While I was contemplating saving some money by choosing the quad room…
“What are you doing here?”
Had I been contemplating for too long, or was Selian already done with the packing? She approached me and started a conversation.
“I’m trying to fill out the second semester application form.”
I casually waved the paper in front of her.
“Anyway, I think I’ll need a little more space in the second semester, so I decided between a double and quad room. I’m currently leaning toward the quad…”
“Great news!”
“Huh?”
Startled by Selian’s loud voice, I turned around, but she beamed and explained what she meant.
“Our butler made a mistake in the application and signed me up for a double room.”
“But isn’t the correction period still open, so contacting them would immediately fix it?”
Most students using single rooms come from wealthy families. Therefore, the Academy quickly accommodates corrections in such cases. Even if the Academy is a prestigious institution, they can’t neglect important customers just for money.
While they might not provide special treatment, resolving such cases quickly is within their discretion.
“Yes, but it’s probably troublesome for the staff…”
“That said, sharing a double room with a stranger would be inconvenient…”
“So, wouldn’t you like to share a double room with me?”
Before my sentence was complete, Selian jumped right in.
If I could share a double room with Selian, it would be less of a hassle compared to being with someone I’ve never met before.
Besides, I’ve already shared a room with Selian before, so the burden would be minimal.
“But, aren’t we not allowed to choose our own dorm mates…”
“I read the regulations, and it’s allowed. Actually, during the second semester, many students do this.”
Even though she applied for a double room by mistake this time, what kind of situation would usually make Selian, who only used single rooms, look up dorm regulations?
Is this something even the model student knows thoroughly?
“Hmm… Okay. I’m fine, but are you…?”
“Of course, I’m fine! Let’s apply right away, shall we?”
After seeing each other after such a long time, Selian seemed more excited than usual today.
Selian picked up my application form from the table with one hand and grabbed my hand with the other to pull me along.
Since staying there would only lead to more deliberation over the double versus quad room decision, letting someone else decide for me wasn’t a bad idea.
Thus, partially dragged by Selian, I made my way to the Academy office.
—
On the last day of the application and correction period, Anne and Yuli returned to the Academy, having fully utilized their summer vacation.
We finished tidying their belongings and gathered at our favorite café near the Academy, sitting around a table and sipping drinks.
“It seems like the vacation is truly over.”
“Right? Ugh… Starting those boring studies again…”
Anne grabbed her head and groaned, already expressing her dread.
Anne, you’ve never been that diligent in your studies, though.
Of course, I wouldn’t point that out aloud, even though it’s true.
“Ah, that reminds me. I should have packed up my things while you two were unpacking.”
With the application period ending and grace period over, Selian and I will soon have to move into the double room we applied for.
Although I don’t have many belongings and it won’t take long to pack, I figured it’s better to take care of it when I think of it and have some free time.
However, upon hearing this, Yuli raised an eyebrow.
“Hmm? What do you mean by packing up?”
“Ah, now I remember, I didn’t tell you guys. For the second semester, Selian and I applied for a double room…”
“Wow! This coffee is really good. Here, El, try it!”
“Wait? You got the same drink as me… Hey!”
I knew Selian ordered the same thing as me, yet she acted as though she forgot, pushing her straw into my mouth half-forcibly.
After taking a sip, it was indeed identical to the coffee I had before.
“Sel? I’d like to hear more about that…”
“W-well… Haha…”
In the meantime, Yuli was interrogating Selian, while Anne, disinterested in their conversation, stared at the straw currently in my mouth.
“Hey? Anne, do you want to try?”
I pulled the straw away from my mouth and extended it toward Anne.
Selian’s coffee, but only one sip, right? No harm in sharing.
“Uh! W-well…”
“No need to force yourself.”
Just as I was about to bring it back to my side, somehow Anne leaned onto the table and grabbed my wrist.
“No! I-I’ll drink it!”
Even though I was bringing it back, her reaction made it seem like I was snatching it away, which put me off balance.
Moreover, Anne is rather petite, making me feel guilty as though I was taking something from a younger sibling.
Upon receiving the drink from me, Anne took a deep breath and slowly sipped it through the straw.
“Sel? Don’t cut in next time!”
“Yes…”
I turned and saw Selian slightly pouting and lowering her head, as if being scolded by Yuli.
What did they talk about while I was talking to Anne? I vaguely heard it was about the dormitory.
“Uh… What time does the dorm application correction deadline end?”
“From what I know, it’s until the staff’s quitting time, which is 5 p.m.…”
Before I finished, Yuli sprang up from her seat and glanced at the clock on the café wall.
4:30 p.m.
“Wait… Yuli, did you also mistakenly apply for a double room like Selian? If you have to go back to the dormitory, it’ll take at least 20 minutes, so we’d better hurry…”
“Selin! Bring Anne and follow quickly!”
Though Yuli is often cautious, she displayed an energetic side as she commanded Selian, leading the way toward the Academy.
Confused by the situation, I followed her lead, dragged by her hand. Meanwhile, Anne, who seemed to enjoy the coffee, held on to the straw even as Selian tugged her along behind me.
Even after losing the coffee, Anne continued to hold the straw in her mouth.
—
“Yes. The application is complete. All four of you are now registered for one quad room.”
Without any idea how we got there, when I finally regained my senses, it was settled: Selian, Yuli, Anne, and I were all assigned to the quad room.
“Huff, Huff…”
After the run, Yuli, the least fit among us, was catching her breath. Selian still had her lips pouted out slightly, and Anne—for some reason—still held the straw in her mouth.
Sigh, I don’t understand any of this. But things will work out somehow.
—
“Among the first-year students of the Department of Swordsmanship, is there someone named Elysia Frentz?”
Presia asked a teaching assistant in the department office. Since Presia is a professor in the Department of Magic, the assistant belongs to the same department.
Thus, the assistant had to search through the department’s list for a while before finding Elysia’s name.
“Yes. She’s in the first year, first class. Is there something you need?”
At the assistant’s words, Presia recalled an event from two days ago in Elysia’s room.
“Miow. Starting tomorrow, I won’t be coming here because I’m sharing a quad room with friends.”
Indeed, when Presia visited last night, another student occupied Elysia’s room.
According to what Elysia had lamented to her cat, the reason seemed financial.
“Can I use my discretion to allocate her a single dormitory room? We could label it as a scholarship.”
“Hmm… The school’s scholarship program has already been fully selected…”
“Fine, you can deduct it from my salary.”
Since Presia doesn’t indulge in luxury, a single dorm fee wouldn’t be a burden at all.
If using some extra money could secure Elysia her single room, it was no big deal.
“Just a moment.”
But Presia’s wish was soon dashed.
“Ah, the adjustment period has already ended. It seems moving dorms isn’t possible. Perhaps you should explore other options?”
That night, the muffled cries of a cat outside the quad room where Elysia stayed became another story.
