Chapter 41 – We’re Friends, Right?

Among the many buildings sprawling across the academy grounds, two stood out: the main Frunt Hall and the special Signia Hall.

Both were not only magnificent but enormous. While Signia Hall housed barely a hundred students—just twenty per year plus those repeating—it was only slightly smaller than Frunt Hall.

Far too spacious for such numbers.

The professor-to-student ratio was equally puzzling. The teaching staff for first-years alone outnumbered the students.

Why do they need so many? What happens to professors whose courses aren’t selected?

These thoughts lingered as Adelia led me to her private office.

“Nice and quiet here, isn’t it?”

“…I suppose.”

While being alone with Adelia made me uneasy, it beat enduring all those stares in the staff room.

She’d likely shown me that contrast deliberately.

How calculating.

“Have a seat. Coffee, juice, or milk?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“Milk it is.”

“Why ask if you’re deciding anyway?”

“Just being polite.”

Chuckling, Adelia fetched refreshments herself instead of using magic.

Sensing my unspoken question, she handed me chocolate milk with another laugh.

“I deliberately avoided using magic. Sometimes a personal touch feels more sincere, don’t you think?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Besides, since I specialize in illusion magic, people tend to get nervous if I use it too much. Hehe.”

Shrugging, I popped a smooth white peppermint candy into my mouth.

The mint was richer than usual store-bought candies. Its perfect balance of sweetness and freshness spoke of quality.

“Good, right? Made from peppermint grown at the western edge. Nothing like mass-produced ones.”

“It’s fine.”

“Want more? Take the whole plate if you’d like.”

“House Eustetia isn’t hurting for money.”

“Oh my… hehe. Indeed.”

Adelia smiled, savoring her coffee’s aroma before speaking.

Meanwhile, I mixed the chocolate milk with my peppermint candy, creating an impromptu mint-chocolate drink.

Not bad. Should try that mint-chocolate latte they sell at the academy café.

“I called you here about your class schedule.”

Schedule?

I quickly swallowed and looked at her.

“Rather than explaining myself—”

At that moment—

BANG!

The office door burst open.

“ELIARNESS!!”

A clear voice rang out.

“…Haah.”

I sighed involuntarily. Adelia chuckled, snapping her fingers. A sofa materialized with a thump.

The voice’s owner threw herself onto it, unfazed, shouting my name again.

“ELLIE!! ARNESS!!”

Dragging my hand down my face in despair, I slowly turned.

Of course.

Vice Principal Leona sat there, beaming.

“Vice Principal, I was wondering—”

“That’s right! You’re taking my class! Not every day, but at least once a week! Plus after-school sessions!”

I glanced at Adelia. She just shrugged and sipped her coffee, clearly staying out of it.

“…You teach regular classes too?”

“Hmm? No?”

“Then wouldn’t giving me special treatment cause problems?”

“Why would it?”

“Well, since I’m from House Eustetia… People might talk about favoritism.”

Leona dismissed this without thought.

“Don’t worry! Classes will be private, and nobody cares what you do anyway.”

“…That’s true, but…”

“Exactly! You’re not the center of the universe!”

“I wasn’t suggesting that…”

Her cheery voice grated on my nerves as I rolled the peppermint candy in my mouth.

“Anyway! Keep your Friday afternoons clear!”

“…Fine.”

“Hehe.”

Giggling, Leona grabbed a handful of cookies before standing.

“See you later! I’ll come get you.”

“No need. Just tell me when and where.”

“Nope, can’t do that.”

“…Why not?”

“Never know when I’ll feel like it! I have your number now, so I’ll call! Bye!”

SLAM!

She left without even acknowledging Adelia.

“‘When she feels like it’… seriously.”

Mulling over her words, I sank into the sofa with a sigh.

“My, you’re quite popular, Eliarness. I’m jealous.”

“Too popular is exhausting.”

“Hahaha! I expected embarrassment, but you sound like an old man.”

“…Old man?”

“Yes, that expression. Always so stiff, but when caught off guard? Quite adorable.”

Her voice slithered across my skin, raising goosebumps.

“Are you actually flirting with me?”

“I, Adelia Baros, am nothing if not an honest homeroom professor.”

Her expression radiated sincerity.

I barely suppressed a string of curses. Is this how it feels to be hit on by a cockroach?

Scowling, I stood.

“…If that’s all, I’ll go.”

“You’re welcome to stay longer.”

Ignoring her, I reached for the door handle.

Rattle. Rattle.

“It’s locked.”

“Oh? That can’t be right.”

“…I’ll open it myself.”

What childish games.

Grinding my teeth, I spread my mana.

Click!

Not enough. More.

“Huff…”

Cherry-blossom colored mana swirled around me with my hot breath.

Then—

Click-clack.

Heels approached from behind. Right behind me. I hadn’t sensed her move.

“Let me get that for you.”

A gentle voice. Black hair curtained my peripheral vision. Expensive perfume wafted past as something soft pressed against my head.

Then—

Crunch—an odd sound from the door.

Creeak—

It opened.

Releasing my held breath, I stepped forward.

“Eliarness, someone seems to have pranked my office door. Can you believe it?”

I glanced back at her troubled expression.

“…Seems so.”

“Oh? You believe me?”

“…Not particularly.”

I’d seen it myself—the spell around the door just before it opened, its mana remnants distinctly different from what Adelia had shown in class.

Rolling the peppermint candy thoughtfully, I wondered.

Is she being bullied by other professors?

“I’m not being bullied.”

“I said nothing. Goodbye.”

“Take care. Visit anytime with questions. Or use your Terminal—my number’s saved.”

I nodded curtly and left.

Adelia stood watching the door for a while after.

***

“I’m starting a club.”

I’d brought Stella, who’d been hovering awkwardly outside our classroom, to the café.

That was her opening line.

“Hmm? We can make clubs?”

Too busy with my mint-chocolate latte, I let Yurasia answer.

Much better than my improvised version. Definitely sticking with mint-chocolate from now on.

“Yes. Since you, me, and Lady Ellie are…” Stella glanced around furtively, lowering her voice. “Special admits, we can start clubs.”

“I see… What kind of club?”

“A Gevihenum Exploration Club.”

“…Huh?”

I swallowed my latte and stared at her.

“A demon realm expedition club.”

“…Ha ha. Will that even get approved?”

“I asked our homeroom professor. We just need minimum members and a supervising professor.”

She held up an application form. Her name filled the “President” spot, but “Members” and “Supervising Professor” remained blank.

“What’s the minimum?”

“Four.”

“You have that many friends?”

“We’re friends… I mean, I’ll find some!”

Looking like an abandoned kitten, she yelped before casting hopeful glances at Yurasia and me.

“So… um…”

Yurasia immediately caught on, looking at me with eyes pleading to help Stella.

Taking another long sip, I preempted her. “Couldn’t you visit during breaks without a club?”

“Well… yes. But with a club, we might go once or twice during term.”

“Might?”

“…Yeah. Professor said this kind of club’s new, so she’s unsure. We’d officially study demon realm geography while looking for expedition opportunities.”

Stella clenched her fists, determination clear on her face.

“So… would you join?”

Yurasia looked at me again.

“Speak for yourself,” I told her.

“Um… I want to join,” she said softly.

“Perfect. Count me in too.”

Stella’s face lit up as she tried hiding her smile.

“…Really? No joke?”

“Yeah.”

“Hehe… No backing out later!”

Despite her doubts, she pulled out a pen and started writing our names.

Sipping my latte, I gazed out the window at the clear sky and manicured lawns.

Students in Frunt uniforms milled about—some chatting with friends, others absorbed in their Terminals.

Would any of them join Stella’s club? Could our prickly Stella even make friends? What if she invites someone weird and gets ostracized? Hope the club gets approved so we can visit Gevihenum early…

As I swung my legs, which didn’t quite reach the floor, something caught my eye.

Among the crowds… A solitary figure sat on a bench, nibbling rye bread.

Cute round ears and fluffy squirrel tail. Their relaxed expression suggested comfort in solitude. Bright eyes and nibbling cheeks completed the picture.

“Heh…”

I couldn’t help smiling.

“Yurasia, how do you make calls on this thing?”

Time to contact my new ‘friend’ from this morning.