Ch.1111. Flowers in Both Hands

After the entrance ceremony ended, all new students had to check which class they were assigned to and move to their respective classrooms.

The assignment results were posted on the bulletin board outside the auditorium, but it was complete chaos with new students swarming around right after the ceremony ended.

Lower class, middle class, upper class. Since academy life would be drastically different depending on where you were assigned, those with uncertain standings had no choice but to check with desperate hearts.

Of course, even those with enough skill to be assigned to the upper class weren’t exactly relaxed about it.

No matter how confident you are, it’s human nature to feel anxious until you confirm with your own eyes. Even people like Harold and Lilith were probably trying to squeeze through that crowd to check their assignments.

Only Celia, who extremely disliked such crowds, was watching from afar without any intention of joining in.

As for Celia… well, she probably knew where she’d be assigned without checking. Though she collapsed during the practical exam without accomplishing much, everyone knew about her talent.

Besides, the person who defeated her had won against all the new students, so no one would nitpick about that. Even if they did, she could just overwhelm them with her skills later.

And as for me… I didn’t need to check either. If I wasn’t assigned to the upper class, who would be?

Sure enough, when I took a quick look after the crowd thinned out, both Celia and I were assigned to the upper class as expected.

Harold and Lilith, who had been eagerly checking the bulletin board, were also in the upper class. The protagonist Artes was… over there. Upper ranks of the lower class isn’t too bad?

Anyway, despite my interference, there weren’t any major changes in the results. They were almost identical to my memories, showing how fair and accurate the original evaluation method was.

Now that I’ve confirmed, should I get going?

By now, some students would have already arrived and taken their seats in the classroom. I needed to hurry since I’d spent too much time waiting for the crowd to disperse.

“Ludion. Let’s go together.”

“Huh? Oh, sure.”

But as I was about to leave, Celia stuck by my side. What? I thought she was going to leave by herself when no one was around since she kept standing there. Was she actually waiting for me?

“Wasn’t it obvious you’d be in the upper class? Did you really need to wait and check?”

“Well, just because.”

I was actually waiting to see the results of the other students, but if I said that straightforwardly, it might come across as stalker-ish, so I just brushed it off.

Anyway, I guess she’s still a student around this age after all.

In the original story, she was a character who went solo without any friends, so I didn’t know, but now that she has a friend, she seems to want to hang out together.

Of course, I don’t know if she considers me a friend…

Anyway, this Celia companion mode is something you’d only experience much later in the game, so this is precious. I’ll work hard to maintain a good relationship going forward.

Even if it’s not just Celia, I should get along well with all the main characters. Since I know their personalities, preferences, and even their deepest secrets, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

“I felt this when we were looking for the Student Council Hall before, but you don’t seem like someone who’s new to the academy.”

“I just did some research on my own. I’m generally good at finding my way around.”

That’s a lie. I’m actually terrible with directions and can only follow routes I’ve memorized.

But since I’m familiar with most of the geography of this world, wouldn’t that make me good at finding my way?

“Still… how should I put it… you seem too at home. Given my status, I’m quick to notice when people are nervous or cautious. But you don’t show any of that.”

“For men, it’s all about confidence.”

“For someone who says that, you were extremely nervous during your speech in the auditorium earlier.”

“No, that’s…”

Come on, Celia. I did that speech in your place, and this is how you repay me?

But was she originally such a talkative character?

In the original story, even when she appeared, she would just resolve the situation and leave. And even when she joined later on, the story had become quite heavy, so she mostly just fought silently without saying much.

Seeing her talk so much with a bright demeanor in the early stages feels different and strange.

…If it weren’t for me, would she have continued to isolate herself from everyone and remain aloof?

This won’t do. You should make lots of friends with me too.

When I get friendly with the others later, I’ll bring Celia along and promote her as a good person who’s just shy.

Thanks to the chatty Celia, we arrived at the first-year upper class building without a moment of boredom.

The reason it was noticeably larger than other buildings was because it was equipped with various training devices.

One might question if it’s fair to provide these only to the upper class, as it could widen the gap with those below, but the truth is, only those with the physical abilities and skills of the upper class could handle them anyway.

Machines that shoot mana bullets that hurt like hell when they hit directly, or mana devices that emit a smell so strong it can make you faint if you don’t quickly solve the mana circuit…

Even upper class students often fail and suffer terribly with these, so what’s the point of providing them to those below?

Of course, similar devices exist for the lower classes too. Basic ball-shooting machines are available even in the lower class.

But since they need to focus on improving their basics and proficiency, they have more direct lectures than training. That’s probably more efficient for improving their stats.

Personal training comes after those basics are properly established; it’s not efficient enough to be prioritized.

Of course, there are those who made it to the upper class based solely on physical abilities and talent, regardless of basics and proficiency…

‘While Celia is one thing, I’m a bit worried about Lilith.’

Based on the duel results, both of them showed quite a lack of proficiency.

Celia has only relied on pushing through with her mana, but that will work for her until the end, so it’s fine.

But not Lilith. Setting aside the fact that she fights as a martial artist despite being a saint who manifests divine power (which was the case in the original story too), her basics themselves were subpar.

‘Originally, she entered during the first semester finals season, so she was far behind the others…’

Back then, she at least showed a fixation on the basics, knowing she was behind due to her late entry.

But now, having entered as a new student from the start… I don’t think she’ll be the same.

Despite her seemingly gentle appearance, she’s like a hot-blooded delinquent.

Given her tendency to charge headfirst into everything, if left alone, she’d definitely get beaten up by mana bullets, covered in bruises, and come to lectures reeking of that terrible smell.

Should I intervene before that happens? While pondering this, we arrived at the classroom.

It seemed everyone had already gathered, as murmuring sounds could be heard from inside.

“Looks like we’re the last ones.”

“We are a bit late. Let’s go in.”

When I opened the door, the murmuring students collectively went quiet.

Did they think we were professors? Sorry to disappoint, but we’re just students.

I thought they’d start chatting among themselves again after confirming this, but… the atmosphere felt strange.

“What were those two doing to be this late?”

“Look at them. I’m telling you, there’s definitely something between them.”

“Shut up. You’re making me see it that way too.”

“You see it that way because that’s how it is.”

“I told you to stop.”

Why are they whispering while looking at us? Do they have something to say?

“Fufu, everyone seems to be having an interesting conversation.”

With her sharp ears, Celia seemed to have heard everything they were saying.

Given her lack of reaction, it probably wasn’t anything significant.

Ignoring them, I glanced around the classroom and spotted a decent seat at the back.

Nice. I immediately headed towards it…

“Hey! Ludion! Come sit here!”

Instead, I ended up going to the seat next to Lilith, who was sitting in the very front row.

Celia followed and sat next to me.

Flowers on both hands, amazing… It would have been better if it wasn’t the front row.

Lilith, who had me sit next to her, started talking.

“Ludion. About yesterday… I’m sorry?”

It seems she was a bit embarrassed about her misconduct yesterday. For that carefree girl to apologize with a blushing face.

With her bright silver hair and innocent appearance, it’s quite stimulating. But inside, she’s still Lilith.

Sigh. Well, she was a newbie who didn’t know better, so I should forgive her.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“That’s a relief, but…”

Lilith seemed to have more to say and hesitated, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Instead, Celia subtly spoke up, making me turn my head.

“Hmm, are you and Lilith close, Ludion?”

“Close? You saw her trying to beat me up yesterday.”

“So you just listen to whatever pretty girls say…”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

That’s definitely not a “nothing” expression right now.

What did I do wrong? I can’t figure it out no matter how much I think about it.