Chapter 28: First-day Assembly and the Preparation Period
Bonalt: “Leader!? Aren’t you going back to the academy today?”
Razé: “Morning, Captain. Yeah. I’m going to teleport back in another 30 minutes, so I need to finish this by then.”
Razé still had to come to work today even though the first-day assembly at the academy was going to start soon. Bonalt looked at his superior in awe.
She had been working every day throughout the school holiday and she seemed to have lost weight. She was originally small in built, so when she became thinner it made people worried.
Razé: “If I don’t submit the report on new species in Zone 15 to Professor Yor, she might break into the academy.”
Yor Carton Fedrick was a mad scientist who studied monsters. People called her ‘Devil in a Lab Coat’. When Bonalt recalled that name, his face twitching with anxiety.
Bonalt: “I’m not surprise if she does.”
Razé: “Yeah.”
Razé moved her hand silently and wrote the report in as much detail as possible.
Razé: “I’m done. Well then, Captain Bonalt. I’m going to be away for a while again. I’m counting on you.”
Bonalt: “Yes.”
Razé felt glad that she had such a reliable subordinate. She smiled to him and then teleported back home. She changed into a new dress given by her subordinates. She was not used to wearing skirt, but it was a precious gift from her comrades. She swiftly changed her clothes and then checked her appearance in front of the mirror.
“Battle Fiesta is coming soon. I hope nothing would happen.”
Razé braced herself and teleported to Centrior again.
* * *
“Razé-chan!”
When she arrived at Centrior, the first one who called out to her was her angel. When Razé basked in Folia’s divine presence, it was as if they were in a different world. Razé caught Folia as she jumped onto her.
Razé: “It’s been a while. How are you doing?”
Folia: “Great!”
Being hugged by Folia made Razé realized that she had really returned to the academy.
Carna: “Folia-san, Razé looks like she couldn’t breathe.”
Folia: “Oh! Carna-sama!”
The trio had reunited, and Razé was once again holding two pretty ladies on her sides. The three girls went to the dormitory first to change into uniforms. Then they gathered in the hall again.
During the assembly, the teacher explained about Battle Fiesta to them. The tournament match which would be participated by all students would start a week later. For the 3rd Year students, this event would affect their employment prospect so they had more pressure.
When the tournament chart was announced, there were sounds of noises here and there.
The opponent for Razé’s first match was a male student from 2nd Year Class B. She originally thought that she would fight her way through the tournament and then beat Adis. But after discussing with Harlens, Razé had to lose her first match because she needed to joined the security team immediately.
Harlens knew that it would be easy for Razé to win this tournament, so he asked her to refrain herself. Besides, the parents would come to watch the tournament. Due to her profession, she needed to stay low-profile and not attract attentions during the tournament.
“Wuu, I’m so nervous …” Folia had turned pale from anxiety. Razé had noticed the ring on her finger. She looked at Folia like a mother watching over her child.
Razé: “You’ll be fine. You have a special charm.”
Folia: “Hehe. Zale-sama gave it to me. He was busy so we couldn’t meet much during the last half of the holiday. But he said that we would meet again soon.”
Folia smiled happily. Razé felt that the flag had been snapped nicely. She joined Folia and smiled happily too.
Before the tournament started, they would only have practical lessons for the whole week. The large training ground was crowded with students who were practicing their magic. The teachers were also monitoring them while giving the students some advice whenever necessary.
Of course, not all students were practicing diligently. Some of the female students were busy cheering for the good-looking guys. There was nothing new about that. Razé wondered if those girls were hoping to marry into money. Otherwise, why would they neglect their practice just to cheer others?
Hi-yah! (っ`Д´)っっっ)3 `)･∵.
Suddenly, Razé heard a robust female voice coming from close by, so she went to the place where there was a crowd. At the center of it was a familiar red-haired girl. She had punched a 3rd Year male student.
Razé: “A- Alisa-senpai?”
Alisa looked at the boy crouching on the ground and slowly exhale a breath. Razé looked at her with a stunned face.
“As expected from the 2nd year’s seed[1]. Why would anyone pick a fight with her?”
“That guy must be stupid. He must had underestimated her because she is a commoner and younger than him.”
“He wanted to boast around but ended up being embarrassed.”
Razé listened to the other students’ words and was surprised to know another side of Alisa’s. It seemed that the senior who was kind and close to her was not a simple person.
“Huh? Granoli-san?” Razé turned around when she heard someone calling her name.
Razé: “München-senpai.”
Hugh: “Just call me Hugh. And I’ll call you Razé.”
Razé had given her invitation card for Ruben’s birthday party to Hugh and they had become friends since then.
Hugh: “Why are you here? Did you come to watch the commotion caused by Fervor?”
Razé: “Yeah, I got curious.”
Hugh: “The commoners are usually targeted during this period. Normally the aristocrats wouldn’t dare to cause trouble, so they would use this opportunity to vent their anger. Razé, you should be careful too.”
Hugh shrugged his shoulder. “But the reverse could happen too. We don’t have to mind our status or hold back either. Too bad, I’m not good with combat. Hahaha.”
Razé: “Me too. I don’t like getting hurt.”
Hugh: “They won’t overdo it because the audiences and teachers would be watching.”
Razé: “I’m relieved to hear that.”
As the two chatted, Razé saw a student who was in a practice match tried to attack using earth magic but it missed and was heading towards Carna who was standing nearby. Razé immediately activated her magic.
“Carna!” Ruben had noticed it too and rushed over to save Carna. Razé was worried that Ruben would get hurt, so she teleported the ball made of dirt to the hill behind the training ground. All that left was the beautiful scene of Ruben hugging Carna, shielding her from harm.
Is it just an accident? Razé stared at the situation for a while but couldn’t found any suspicious element. This event was not recorded in the Book of Prophecies, so it should be an accident.
Hugh: “Razé?”
Razé: “Yes?”
Hugh: “When I went home during the holiday, I saw a good product delivered to our shop. It’s a cosmetic product. I assume that girls like this kind of things. Will you accept it as a token of our new acquaintanceship. I’ll bring it next time.”
Razé: “You didn’t have to. Wow, thank you!”
Hugh: “Don’t mention it. I have a hunch that you’re going to be big someday.”
As expected from the son of a merchant. You have a good eye.
Razé decided that someday when she could go out shopping without having to mind her identity, she would definitely visit Hugh’s store. After saying good bye to him, Razé went to do some training as preparation for the tournament. She didn’t practice any magic. Instead, she did push-ups, squats, running and suburi[2].
When she was busy training, her homeroom teacher, Hugan came by.
Hugan: “Granoli. You’re the only one who haven’t RSVP for the tournament.”
Razé: “The person who took care of me was unavailable, they couldn’t come.”
Hugan: “… Okay. I understand. I’ll be cheering for you so do your best.”
Razé: “Thank you.”
Razé felt bad for making Hugan worried but there was nothing she could do. While doing suburi, she thought about the souvenirs that she had received from Folia and Carna, and decided to prepare something for them in return.
“It’s so hot.”
Razé squinted her eyes under the harsh sunlight. She produced a towel using her teleportation magic and wiped her sweat.
[1] seed: seed player. Wiki page here. ↩
[2] suburi: practice swing. Refer wiki page here. ↩
