The following Monday.
The fun weekend had come to an end, and today school started again.
Still, with Monday classes ending at noon, it wasn’t too bad. After all, Astral’s afternoon starts at 9 a.m. local time, so there’s nearly a whole day to enjoy.
I thought to myself that I’d give it my best today, passed through the gate, and headed for the dormitory. Leaving my still empty room, I glanced towards the lounge. The only one there was Cedric; Frank didn’t seem to be around yet.
“Morning. Rare for Frank not to be here, huh? Did he sleep in?”
As I approached the lounge, I greeted Cedric.
“Good morning. Frank’s off today. He got back from his hometown this morning and said he’d sleep. This morning, he came by with a sleepy look, saying he was going to bed.”
Ah, there you go, time difference issue.
“Guess he spent too much time at home?”
“Frank is the second son, but he’s got younger siblings, so it was probably that, right?”
I didn’t know much about his family structure.
“Do you have siblings?”
“Me? I’ve got one younger sister.”
“Ah! Same as me.”
Though we’re twins.
“Hehe, I bet your sister looks just like you.”
“Not at all.”
Other than looks and personality, that is.
“Is that so… Maybe we should drop this topic. Let’s go.”
Cedric stood up, and we headed towards the academy. Once we reached Building D, I took my usual seat at the back. Up front sat Toko, resting her cheek on her hand. Diagonally across, Ilmera and Noel were chatting, and Yuika was staring blankly at the ceiling. There were a few other students here and there, and apart from Frank’s absence, it was the usual scene.
We waited, and then Ms. Jenny arrived, starting our foundational studies lecture. It seemed we’d be sitting through lessons all day, so I focused on not losing concentration. Of course, I didn’t take notes. Listening to the lesson as usual, lunchtime arrived, and class ended.
“Ah, I’m tired.”
“You don’t seem to be slacking off as much anymore.”
Cedric chuckled.
“Foundational studies are starting to make sense, bit by bit. Got 86 points, you know?”
“That’s nice. As for me, I scored 96 points.”
Sure, sure.
“Round it off, and we’re on the same page, right?”
“No, 90 points and 100 points… Oh, is that the digit you’re pointing at? That’s pretty bad. Everyone got 100, didn’t they?”
“Oh-oh, top student. There’s someone over there who scored 48 in magical engineering.”
I pointed to Yuika, who was spacing out at the front of the room. She turned around.
“Mm, I thought I heard some trash talk.”
Yuika stood and approached us.
“It wasn’t me. It’s him.”
Cedric pointed at me.
“Tsukasa’s making fun of me again… Even though I only got 51 points in alchemy. By the way, I got 58 points.”
“Even though you only scored 78 in foundational studies. By the way, I scored 86.”
“Mm… Tsukasa fell for my feint trick, so I’m smarter.”
Are we still bringing that up?
“You two, still comparing who’s taller among the peanuts?”
Ilmera, accompanied by Noel, came over looking exasperated.
“You came, the type who seems dumb but is actually smart.”
Yuika said with dissatisfaction. It’s true, Ilmera consistently scores easily over 90.
“Saying someone seems dumb is unnecessary… Wait? Where’s Frank?”
Realized just now, huh?
“He’s sleeping. Jet lag, I guess.”
“Hmph, how troublesome. He should just adjust to Berlin’s time zone already.”
Everyone probably expects others to match their pace, right?
“Well, whatever. I’m hungry, let’s go home.”
“Ah, wait a sec.”
Just as I stood, Ilmera stopped me.
“What?”
“Are you free this afternoon? Want to go on a date? If you go now, I can add another cute girl to the mix.”
As she said this, Ilmera hugged Yuika’s shoulder.
“I’ve got nothing to do, but… a date? With you guys? What about Noel?”
“Noel has class. She’s got herbology in the afternoon.”
Right, that’s true. Same with Cedric and Toko.
“A date, huh… Going out with two girls at once, huh? Though I suspect you two won’t settle for just tea in town…”
Both of you are brawlers, after all.
“Tea’s fine with me. If you want, I’ll treat you to some canned drinks.”
Yuika chimed in.
“That sounds good.”
“Sure, if we manage to land something nice.”
Ilmera patted the shorter Yuika’s head.
“Outside?”
“Yeah. I’ll take you to a pretty lake.”
“Didn’t have any practical exercises today, so let’s exercise.”
Of course, they’re heading to Lake Forest…
Probably believing the rumor Toko mentioned yesterday—something about magical power attracting monsters.
“Are three of us okay?”
“We’re fine.”
“I’ll scout ahead. If you two do your thing, that’ll work. I’ll wing it anyway.”
Yuika flashed the peace sign, and Ilmera nodded.
“…Do you think it’ll be alright?”
I glanced at Noel and Cedric.
“As long as Ilmera’s there, I think we’ll be fine. She has plenty of experience, after all.”
“You guys can just go your own way, and even if you get separated, you’ll manage, right?”
If these two say it’s okay, it’s probably fine. Though it’d be nice if one of them could come along, it’s hard to ask them to skip class.
“Well, I’ve got nothing to do, so let’s go.”
“Nice. So, meet at the safety point by the lake this afternoon.”
“Alright. Around 1 p.m., I guess.”
Grab lunch and prep, that’ll take about that long.
“Sure. Let’s go, Yuika, it’s time to eat.”
“Alright. I’ll eat a cutlet bowl.”
Don’t eat something so heavy…
Wait, does she even have it?
We left the classroom and started climbing the hill to the dormitory. At the fork in the road, we parted ways with the three girls, and Cedric and I continued towards the boys’ dormitory.
“Tsukasa, are you enjoying the academy?”
“Are you my dad? I’m having fun.”
“Who do you like?”
Huh?
“Among the girls?”
“Yup.”
“I did not expect that question from you. By any chance, trying to check up on someone you like?”
“Nope. I just thought I’d give you a little advice, or maybe even a warning.”
Advice from Cedric…
From the heir to one of the top five most prestigious families in the world could be important.
“What? What?”
“You’ve got a lot of magical power, you know. That’s quite impressive.”
“Thanks. That’s my forte.”
And martial arts, too.
“That forte is something everyone wants. You understand that, right?”
“I think so…
It reminded me of my conversation with the Principal the other day, the one who said he’d trade an arm for my magical power.
“Still, no one can just take your power, right?”
“Don’t know about that, but if you say so, I’ll trust you.”
Though the bracelet is kinda doing that right now…
“But you know, it’s possible to pass it on.”
“Pass it on?”
“Meaning, your children stand a good chance of being powerful wizards.”
Hmm…oh…
“Heard that from father. Grandma on mother’s side is already arranging a suitable bride for me or something.”
“Exactly, that’s what I mean. You should be careful; some might target you.”
“Target? Doesn’t sound bad…”
Does this mean I’ll be very popular?
“Take it seriously. Not everyone’s good. Some might try to trick you.”
“Hmm… How about you?”
“The heir of the world’s foremost Seager family wouldn’t trick a friend, would he? Though if you like five-year-olds, I can introduce my sister.”
Cedric and his sister seem to have quite a large age gap.
“Pass.”
“Right.”
Cedric chuckled.
“Hey, quit saying that kind of stuff before a date with two girls.”
“Is that even a date? Besides, Ilmera and Yuika should be fine anyway.”
“What makes you think so?”
“They’re people more likely to act first and think later.”
True…
Seems like there won’t be any sinister plans.
“So, how about Noel?”
“Haha, she’s the one I’d worry least about. Maybe after Toko?”
Toko doesn’t really matter, but why is he so confident?
“Because she’s a good person?”
“That’s part of it, but really, it’s fine to just know that she’s alright, no need for reasons.”
Don’t be cryptic…
“Hmm… What about Sharl?”
At this, Cedric smiled.
“No comment on that.”
“Eh? Give me an answer!”
“You really are an idiot.”
“Shut up, you’re such a pain in the neck.”
You casually mentioned being the Seager family heir just now, didn’t you?
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