episode_0052

In a restaurant with a dark brown mood, modern decorations, and frames scattered on the walls.

Luxurious at first glance. The food seemed expensive.

Even as I entered the entrance, I walked through the hall hesitantly, looking around in confusion.

I was there to find someone.

“Over here! Si-an!”

A familiar voice rang out.

It was Lucy.

Seated between the center and the end of the table, Lucy waved her hand at me with a bright smile.

“You’re here!”

I naturally took a seat across from her.

With the 1st rank test approaching, I quickly made plans with her.

I couldn’t keep postponing our dinner promise indefinitely.

When we went to Dordom to rescue Rosaria, the magic sword she had crafted played a significant role.

Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to confirm her safety… So, as soon as I had some free time, I contacted her through Stitch and ended up here at the restaurant.

“They say the lamb main dish here is delicious! I’ve already ordered it. Hehe.”

“That’s great… I really like meat too.”

I had been lacking protein lately.

After training, I had been filling my stomach with cheap chicken skewers. Lamb… It wasn’t a food I particularly enjoyed back in Korea before my transmigration, but it could be a unique experience.

As long as it doesn’t taste gamey. I am a carnivore after all.

Before long, a waiter brought two plates filled with large pieces of meat to the table.

It was lamb steak.

A scent of spices wafted from it, likely heavily seasoned.

“Wow! It looks so appetizing…!”

“….”

My wallet will take a hit today….

I had sensed it since entering the restaurant; the food looked very expensive.

Lucy must be from a noble family. Coming to taste such dishes without hesitation…

But since she had helped me a lot, I didn’t feel regretful.

We started our meal, and as expected, the food was excellent.

There was hardly any gaminess or off-flavors; the juiciness of the unfamiliar lamb filled my mouth with delight.

It was a meal dripping with oil, a rare treat.

While Lucy was enjoying her food,

“By the way, the rank test is coming up. Are you worried, Si-an?”

“…Yes, I am worried. But I’m preparing myself, so I’m confident.”

“Wow! Preparation? What kind…?”

Lucy showed interest, her eyes full of curiosity.

She must be taking the rank test around the same time as me since we are both first-years.

“It’s mostly about the final exam. The rest is individual skill tests, so there’s no need for extensive preparation other than regular training…”

“Can you tell me how you’re preparing?”

“I’m working on improving my meditation proficiency. The final test will likely test mental strength in the traditional way of the Ariel Academy.”

“…! How do you know that?”

“….?”

Does Lucy not have many connections?

The final test is a common test for all departments, so asking senior students would easily provide information.

Then a thought crossed my mind.

“Is sharing test information a violation?”

I had to be cautious.

“It’s not.”

Lucy shook her head and continued.

“Sharing isn’t a violation, but it’s not good for the seniors. They took the test without any help, and unless they really care about their juniors, they won’t share. The academy itself probably doesn’t make it a violation either.”

“I see.”

“Do you have such a senior, Si-an?”

“Well, sort of… There’s one among the graduates.”

I could get caught if I mentioned someone who is currently on leave.

“Graduate senior?! In that case, they might have spoken more openly. …To continue the relationship even after graduation, it seems like that person values Sian a lot.”

Lucy seemed envious.

Not a violation either.

Could it be because one can receive a higher class assignment with preempted information?

Within the assigned class, one must achieve top ranks to move up to a higher class.

However, this was a more challenging task than anticipated, and it was advantageous to enter a high-class first and maintain a mid-tier defense in the upcoming 1st-year ranking test.

Lucy probably wants to receive a high class too. It’s natural since depending on the class after graduation, significant benefits are distributed.

‘…Should I share information with Lucy?’

She is a figure who will become a famous alchemist in the future.

The heroine of Cain….

I am already involved with Heddy and Rosaria. Will anything change if I involve one more person here?

Perhaps maintaining good relationships by looking into the future wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“The final exam will be very difficult if you haven’t practiced mental training.”

I casually mentioned while eating.

“Why is that?”

“Because the exam takes place in an area under mental attack. The location is likely the Forest of Delusions, a restricted area where corrupted spirits reside.”

“…! Is it okay for you to tell me that?!”

Lucy asked, surprised, pausing her meal.

“It’s fine. I’ve been preparing for a long time anyway… Besides, didn’t you help me process the magic sword? It was really helpful. Without that, I might not have survived.”

“I’m grateful that you think that way…. The Forest of Delusions, right? I won’t forget this favor.”

Afterward, we tacitly changed the subject and continued our conversation politely before finishing the meal.

As I took out my wallet at the counter to pay, Lucy stopped me.

“I got valuable information, so let me pay! Please treat me next time, Sian.”

It was Lucy’s natural after-dinner request.

Since getting closer to her wasn’t a bad idea, I expressed my gratitude to her and looked forward to the next meeting.

After dinner with Lucy ended, I returned to the academy.

***

After early evening transitioned into slightly deeper night, it was time to go spar with Heddy as usual before bed.

I was changing into my training clothes and grabbing my wooden sword in the dormitory.

-Tok tok tok.

A stitch flew in and tapped the dormitory window.

“A stitch at this hour? Who could it be?”

Opening the window, the stitch came in and gently landed on the table.

“…Iris?”

It was a stitch sent by Iris.

I unfolded the stitch to check its contents.

The brief and concise message caught my eye.

‘Come out for training.’

“……”

After reading the message, I needed a moment to organize my thoughts.

To come out for training at this hour….

Even within the Brace family, after Sara, my elder sister, finished her lessons, we would meet in the evening after all their tasks were done for Iris’s swordsmanship instruction.

It was a memorable and appreciated offer back then, but it felt too sudden now.

If she had told me around lunchtime, it might have been different, but right now, I had to spar with Heddy.

If you break a promise five minutes before, there would be nothing more disrespectful.

So, regretfully, I thought I should decline and look forward to the next opportunity.

I took out a writing tool and wrote on the stitch.

‘Thank you for remembering and caring. However, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem possible today. I’d love to come out if possible, but I have a prior appointment in 5 minutes. Could we schedule the training for another day?’

After double-checking for any mistakes in the message, I sent the stitch back outside through the window.

Then, not even five minutes passed before another Stitch came flying.

“What kind of challenge is this?”

What’s this about?

Why are they curious?

Hesitantly, he wrote down the fact that there was a duel between Hedy and Deryn in Stitch.

Anticipating that they might not know who Hedy was, he vaguely mentioned having a duel with a friend before sending off the Stitch.

As the promised time was approaching quickly, he was just about to grab his sword and head out when another Stitch arrived.

“What…?”

Did they send a reply agreeing to it?

Scratching his head, he opened the window and caught the Stitch once again.

After reading just this Stitch, he was about to head straight to the training ground… but he couldn’t hide his confusion.

The content of the Stitch made him pause his steps towards the training ground.

“Can I join too?”

His mind became complicated at that moment, unsure of what to do.

*

“Sian… What’s going on here?”

“Hmm, it seems your opponent in the duel is a lady.”

After much thought, Sian decided to bring Iris to the training ground.

Perhaps through the duel with Hedy, they could receive valuable feedback.

And if it could be beneficial for both Hedy and himself.

So he brought her along, but…

Somehow, both of them seemed gloomy.