Having recharged my energy during lunch (though technically, I had my energy sapped), I enthusiastically participated in the afternoon classes.
I listened to the lectures with bright eyes, just like when I used to study fervently to stay at the academy, and I even raised my hand to answer the professors’ questions.
While moving between classrooms, the gazes of people, especially the male students, became intense, making me a bit uncomfortable. But as I walked around briskly, it was tolerable.
Right as I was approaching the last class of the day.
“Arthur, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Turning my head at the familiar voice calling me,
“Ilina? What’s up?”
There stood Ilina Frost, the top of our grade.
There was clearly no overlapping class between us, so there must be something.
“There’s going to be a freshman welcome party the day after tomorrow.”
“Oh, it’s about time.”
Freshman welcome party.
Literally, it was a small party to welcome the new students… until recently.
Lately, the meaning has slightly changed.
While it does welcome the freshmen, it’s also about setting the standards, so to speak.
To enter an academy as prestigious as the Royal Academy, one must be either extremely strong, exceptionally intelligent, or both.
Most of the students were on the stronger side.
People like me, who got in purely for being intellectually gifted, were the exception.
But every now and then, a freshman with less intellect would come in.
Because these kids were prodigies in their own hometowns, there were always a few each year who thought they were the best in the world.
To root out these unruly freshmen, a unique rule was added to the freshman welcome party a few years ago.
But… it didn’t really concern me.
When I was a freshman, I didn’t even try to act bold. I just squatted in a corner of the party venue, quietly sipping my drink.
Last year, during my second semester, I stayed locked in my room citing the need to prepare for the midterm exams and avoided being dragged along by Reeti.
This year, I had no intention of going either…
‘But why did Ilina bring it up?’
Before I could think further, Ilina continued.
“To cut to the chase, Arthur, you have to attend the freshman welcome party the day after tomorrow as one of the mandatory attendees.”
…What is she talking about?
“Uh… What did you say?”
“Do you know the rules for the freshman welcome party?”
I shook my head.
“Not really.”
“Do you know about the mandatory attendees?”
I shook my head again.
In fact, I had never even heard the term “mandatory attendees” until now.
“The mandatory attendees include members of the student council, the top and second students of the grade, and high-achieving students.”
“So you and Luke are mandatory attendees?”
“That’s right. And you too.”
“…What does that have to do with anything?”
“High-achieving students aren’t determined solely by overall grades. Of course, those who excel in overall performance qualify, but the top performers in last year’s practical exams from each semester are also included. And Arthur, you…”
Ilina pointed at me with her index finger.
“You were the top performer in last year’s second semester practical exam.”
“…Huh?”
…What about me?
I stared at her, utterly confused, and Ilina’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“Looks like you didn’t know?”
“…I was the top?”
I had no idea.
To be fair, immediately after the exam, I was near death after being stabbed through the heart by Louis.
By the time I woke up, the holidays had already started, and I never received the results.
“The students were gathered in one place, and your strategic judgment in forming a safe zone and decisively helping eliminate the enemy with unconventional tactics was commendable. Without you, we might have struggled to escape the dimensional fissure. Considering that, it’s not surprising that you came out on top.”
It felt surreal.
Me, the person who always gets eliminated first in practical exams, as the top scorer?
“In any case, as a mandatory attendee, you must attend the welcome party.”
I was planning to skip again, but it’s a little disappointing.
“Are there any particular things to keep in mind? Like a dress code?”
“Clothing is casual. Either casual wear or uniforms, it doesn’t matter. Just maintain some formality. You can find more details in the library. The seniors have prepared materials there.”
“Got it, thanks for letting me know.”
“Then… one more thing.”
Ilina moved closer and adopted a solemn expression.
As she approached, Lily hissed from within my coat, but Ilina ignored it and whispered,
“Don’t let the freshmen underestimate you. If possible, it’s also a good idea to bring your companion familiar.”
Is this about fighting, by any chance?
“…Got it.”
“See you then.”
After finishing her words, Ilina turned around with determined strides and left the classroom.
Many eyes followed her as she went.
The position of the top student of the grade, along with her mysterious silver hair, already made Ilina a popular figure among the students, though she was probably unaware of it.
<...Unfortunately. I had plans to skip this one too.>
Even though I was just planning to play with Lily in the room.
<Well, there's nothing to be done about it, I guess. By the way, didn't you mention it was a party?>
“Yes.”
Lily, peeking out from my coat, locked eyes with me.
<Then we should get a tuxedo!>
<...Huh?>
Doesn’t that sound like an uncomfortable suit?
<Well... I thought I could just go in my school uniform.>
No way! I can’t let my man be disrespected by others. You have to look your best!
From the look in her eyes, it was clear that trying to persuade her would be futile.
I let out an exhausted sigh as I nodded.
<After classes, I should stop by the library for a bit.>
<Looking for more information?>
<Yes, I at least want to know how the event will proceed.>
That’s right. Lily was right.
If I’m going, I at least don’t want to be disrespected.
—-
When all the classes were over, I headed to the library.
Just as I was about to enter, I paused mid-step struck by a sudden thought.
<What's wrong? Is there a problem?>
If you could call it a problem…
I looked down at Lily nestled in my coat.
<...Pets aren't allowed in the library.>
<Oh no...>
No animal entry is permitted due to concerns about fur contaminating the books and potential mischief or damage by unruly animals.
Moreover, the librarian had a severe allergy to animals.
If I brought Lily in, the librarian would surely notice…
<Do you think you could keep your fur from shedding?>
Of course.
Hearing my doubt, Lily’s confident answer followed.
<...Arthur, have you ever seen my fur float around?>
Now that she mentions it…
Even though I’ve carried her everywhere, I’ve never found a single black hair on my school uniform.
<My fur never sheds.>
Wow, such a magical trait exists…
When Reeti played with her cat even for a while, her clothes were completely covered in fur. Could a magic-using cat be the easiest pet to take care of in the world?
<And how about making yourself invisible?>
Understood.
Lily closed her eyes tightly, and in a moment, she returned to her human form.
<Done.>
I bundled Lily snugly into my coat and buttoned it up, allowing only her face to peek out.
It looked like I was carrying a baby, which felt a little odd.
With Lily thus secured, I entered the library.
The librarian greeted me with a nod, seemingly unaware of the being hidden in my arms.
Having passed the librarian unnoticed, I eventually found the material Ilina had mentioned among the academy-related books.
<Here it is. The rules for the academy freshman welcome party.>
Turning the pages, the text appeared without a table of contents.
-Dress Code: Formal wear such as a tuxedo or party dress, but school uniforms are also acceptable.
<Of course, a tuxedo!>
…
Looks like I’ll have to prepare a tuxedo after all.
-The schedule is generally similar, though it varies each time.
Greetings from the freshman representative followed by a response from the returning student representative.
The freshman representative is chosen based on the entrance exam results, while the returning student representative is the student council president.
After that, the party continues.
One notable point is…
<Here it is.>
-Freshman morale-breaking.
The junior students engage in sparring matches with freshmen.
It’s to make the freshmen realize the gap between them and the seniors, reinforcing discipline.
‘Wait, people just suddenly start fighting at the party?’
After finishing the material, I was truly shocked.
-A freshman can challenge any upperclassman they like, but not just anyone qualifies.
The challenge targets are limited to “high-achieving students among the seniors.”
If challenged, the duel takes place on the Saturday of the week of the welcoming party, after the morning classes.
<High-achieving students... >
Hey, wasn’t that you?
I clutched my head and groaned.
“Ugh…”
So mandatory attendees means you’re supposed to go and fight?
‘This is insane… really…’
—-
“Ugh…”
<Are you okay, Arthur?>
“Yes… No… Yes…”
<You're not fine.>
“No, I thought being a mandatory attendee meant I’d receive some sort of an award… Who fights randomly like this?”
“At least no one might challenge you, right?”
“Please, I hope no one does…”
Thankfully, most freshmen only challenge second-year students.
Third-year and fourth-year students are generally left alone.
But there’s always an exception…
Walking back to the dorm with heavy steps after leaving the library, I thought,
‘Why does this happen to me?’
<Don't worry, if someone challenges you, I'll handle it.>
“…Thanks, Lily.”
As I hugged the cat tucked in my coat, I started to feel a little better as I opened the door.
Simultaneously, Lily who had stayed in her feline form morphed back into her human appearance mid-hug, maintaining the same embrace.
The problem was…
“Hack…”
As she suddenly grew, something exerted a firm pressure on my face.
“Ri, Lily… Just a moment…”
If the land were to be compared, Lily’s bosom was not a flat plain but closer to a valley of milk and honey.
Imagine if that valley suddenly pressed against your face.
…To be honest, it wasn’t an entirely bad feeling.
“Oh, dear~”
Lily slightly backed off, lowering her gaze with a mischievous look.
“Um… Lily?”
“Yeah?”
“If you could step back, I might be able to move…”
Again, she was only “slightly” back, just within arm’s reach.
With the view of the deep cleavage obstructing my vision, it felt like my mind was drifting away.
To avoid my breath touching that sacred space, I tried to hold my breath while looking up at Lily.
Lily had a look on her face as if she was concocting some wicked plan.
“…Lily?”
“Want to take a big breath, Arthur?”
“Huh?”
Though curious, since it was Lily speaking, I took a deep breath.
Then…
“Pfft!”
“Wha—?!”
Suddenly, Lily thrust her body forward.
My head got pushed into the valley formed by the two mountains before my eyes.
‘What… what kind of sensation is this?!’
Even though we often slept in each other’s arms, I had never been directly buried in this way.
It was an unearthly softness that made me question its authenticity.
The sensation was different from when she’d let me playfully touch her before—this was something else.
The pressure coming from all sides felt like I might lose consciousness.
‘…If I die like this, it wouldn’t be so bad… or perhaps I’m already in heaven?’
That was the thought that crossed my mind right before…
Perhaps due to lack of breath, or maybe embarrassment, it felt like my head was spinning.
“Alright, done!”
“Phooaaaaa!”
As the mountains withdrew and allowed me to escape the valley, I greedily gulped air.
“Cough… cough!”
As the oxygen rushed back into my emptied lungs, my throat produced a cough.
Lily adjusted her position toward me, ensuring an appropriate amount of oxygen entered my wide-open mouth.
Her thoughtful kiss of shared breath.
After regaining my breathing thanks to Lily’s oxygen supply, I separated from her.
“What… what is this?!”
What had just happened?
Taken by surprise due to its suddenness, my face became warm.
Lily merely smiled at my stunned expression.
“To change your mood a bit. You’ve had a gloomy look since coming back from the library.”
“Does that mean you… you…?”
“Oh dear, why can’t you speak?”
She tilted her head with a seemingly innocent question.
“Did it help change your mood, at least?”
“…”
Too perfect… to the point of speechlessness.
Seeing the answer in my expression, Lily grinned and headed toward the living room cheerfully.
“Since dinner is still a while away, freshen up a bit.”
“…Alright.”
Replied with a deflated voice, I walked toward the restroom—
‘hmm? What’s this?’
Something was lying on the entrance floor.
Upon inspection, it was an envelope used for letters.
‘A letter for me? Is it from Reeti?’
“Arthur? What are you doing there?”
Heeding Lily’s call, I stuffed the letter into my pocket for now and finally headed to the restroom.
First things first, I needed to take care of something else.
—-
While washing my hands and dazingly staring at the mirror, my thoughts drifted back to the letter in my pocket.
After roughly drying my hands on my clothes, I retrieved the letter.
Flipping it over, there was no indication of who had sent it.
“Isn’t a letter usually just delivered to the dorm’s mailbox? Why is it here?”
It was riddled with questions, but opening it would surely provide answers.
Inside the envelope were two sheets: a torn piece of newspaper and another that seemed like the actual letter.
I carefully examined the contents. Then…
“…Huh?”
I stared blankly at the contents until…
“Aack!!”
I tore them into shreds violently.
Dumping the shredded pieces of paper into the trash bin, I struggled to suppress the rising heat starting from my chest.
However, eventually,
Bang!
Striking the sink forcefully, I growled through clenched teeth,
“…Which damn bastard dared…”
