logo

(EP-197.2) Things #1

197 – Student Things #1

“So, you had your cavity removed?”

Upon hearing my story, Elga burst into laughter, leaning back as if lounging on a bench. How exaggerated. I just had a tooth pulled out and my cheek was painfully swelling, that was all!

“Still, I’m glad the cavity got removed. Nymphs can grow them back, right? You’ll get a new one soon.”

“Well, that’s true….”

As I trailed off, Elga stretched lazily and said.

“Hey, do you really think Aira is going to listen to lectures like other students, or do the assignments given by the professors?”

“…….”

Even Elga, whom I trusted, was making fun of me. But she was right. Right now, Elga herself was skipping her lecture and was leisurely swinging her legs in the park.

How much effort would it take to sit Aira, who was even more unpredictable, in a classroom?

As I pondered for a while, perhaps from seeing my serious expression, Elga seemed to misunderstand and hastily added to justify herself.

“Well, of course, if you work hard, you can make it happen somehow. We can’t lose to Empress Serazade. It’s unthinkable for Angmar to lose to her! With things like this, should I enter the Queen Contest?”

“Elga-nim?”

“That’s right. July Queen… Isn’t it fitting? I was born in August after all, which is still a part of the summer season!”

‘Indeed.’

If Elga entered, she would likely be well-received, her charisma could carry through. Just look at her avid supporters in the Lioness army.

Were the guards called the Lion Corps? Well, the Lion Corps was, in fact, like Elga’s devoted fan club.

With her shining appearance and contributions, Elga was no different than an idol in the military. Participating in the contest would likely yield significant results.

But as the application requirements came to mind, I shook my head.

“You can’t, Elga-nim.”

“… What? Are you saying I’m inferior to Aira or Serazade!?”

Elga deeply frowned, as if she were about to grab me by the collar. It must have been very insulting for her to not be eligible, when even Aira and Serazade joined.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

Elga, this woman, didn’t look at the poster.

Well, the intricate clauses and provisions written in the eligibility requirements couldn’t have caught the eyes of the straightforward Elga.

So I decided to just inform her.

“Elga-nim is incredibly beautiful and charming. But there’s a big reason why you can’t participate in the contest.”

“A big reason? Is it because of my chest?”

“… that.”

Indeed, it was bigger compared to others’. However, that was not the reason.

I shook my head and said.

“Ark, according to Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the church’s Festival Management Regulations, only virgin women can participate in the contest, which will be verified by unicorn.”

“What? A unicorn?”

“That’s right. A single-horned beast, a unicorn.”

“Unicorns are beasts with a horn on their heads and they can check one’s virginity?”

“That’s right.”

“…….”

Elga fell silent. It was probably because she knew best that she was not a virgin anymore. Likewise, Draco’s twins weren’t either.

“… I used to be chaste too. I was more than qualified for the Queen contest.”

“I know.”

“But you made me like this. You jerk…!”

Suddenly blaming me like this.

A woman’s heart was like a sudden drift, unpredictable. But I had to quickly comfort and cheer Elga up, fearing how she might explode.

“If Elga-nim had entered the contest, you would have been chosen for sure. They’re selecting the July Queen, not December or March. It’s practically a seat meant for Elga-nim.”

“Hmph, whatever.”

She was sulking.

Elga had been sulking a lot lately. I’d tried to cheer her up by cracking jokes or patting her head, and it seemed to have worked to some extent.

I wondered if I’d inadvertently encouraged her, but since she was not actually throwing a tantrum, I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

“… Give me one of those Marumaru dolls. Then I’ll forgive you.”

“A Marumaru doll?”

“You said you went out with Mirna yesterday. She bragged all day about you giving her the doll. It was annoying!”

‘I see.’

After Mirna entered her room yesterday, she seemed to have bugged Elga the whole time for getting a doll.

“… Give me a doll too. Got it?”

I thought Elga was past the age of playing with dolls, but she was surprisingly girlish, with a soft spot for cute and pretty things.

“Okay. But in return, Elga-nim and Aira-nim should think about how we can approach the students and gain popularity.”

“Why me?”

“Elga-nim is popular among the guards, the Lion Corps, right? You could share some tips with Aira-nim. Besides, Aira-nim seems to listen to you.”

“That’s true, but Aira’s guards… Those creepy bastards. What were their names?”

Aira’s guards?

As the Queen of a kingdom, Aira naturally had her soldiers. Not the royal guards but her own.

In the original story, they were one ruthless bunch who carried out all sorts of atrocities under Aira’s command.

But I intervened so they were relegated to the background and had very little chance to appear. That was a relief for me, but Elga’s mention of them now sent shivers down my spine.

“Anyway, I would like to ask Elga-nim for a favor. There are some things you can only do when you’re a student, and if you don’t do them now, you might regret it later.”

“Like a classroom date?”

“Well…. Yeah.”

“Hmm~….”

Elga hummed softly, seemingly lost in thought. Then, as if struck by inspiration, she flicked her index finger.

“First, how about getting involved in the student council? The single digit rankers are all part of the student council, actually. Maybe we can start with that?”

“So like Mirna-nim being active in lead inspection?”

“Hey, it’s only the two of us here, so why is Mirna’s name popping up!?”

Spark-.

The stare was sharp. I couldn’t quite tell if Elga was cheering me on with getting Mirna or keeping it in check. Seriously, which tune should I dance to?

With a reluctant air, Elga nodded.

“… But that’s right. I haven’t been active. I’m just the head of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism by name.”

“So Aira-nim is also part of the student council?”

“Seriously, you didn’t know any of this? How unexpected. You always have this stuff in your mind. Hey, you were the one who suggested coming to Ark!”

‘Cause I’d been busy…

There wasn’t much time for school life.

Like being in the military and juggling various part-time jobs during my student days… No, no. It hurt me to think about such.

“So, what responsibilities does Aira-nim have then?”

Edited by: faker