Ch.145Chapter 145

The study group now had five members. No, if I only counted those who were actually studying, excluding myself, it was four people.

It felt a bit strange to call Ouro a member of the study group, and I seriously wondered whether I should include myself since I wasn’t actually studying at the Academy either.

I narrowed my eyebrows and watched them quietly with an “Hmm.”

The atmosphere quickly became lively. Maybe it was because they were all girls, or perhaps because they were already friends with just one newcomer, so there wasn’t much awkwardness.

“…By the way, do we always meet in the Professor’s research lab like this?”

Iris cautiously raised her hand, questioning the current situation.

She looked uncertain whether it was appropriate to occupy the Professor’s research lab for studying, even if studying itself was a good thing.

“Ah, we actually had a club room before, but it was temporary. We only used it for the first semester and need to find a new one for the second semester.”

Sera was the first to answer her question. Though they hadn’t officially decided, she was a third-year student who took initiative and had received a lot of information from the Professor.

With her knowledge, she could quickly answer Iris’s question. However, a quick answer wasn’t necessarily the desired one.

“So we’re a study group without a room now…? Will we use empty classrooms when there are no lectures?”

“That would work, but then you might catch other students’ attention. It would be better to have a separate room. Just don’t spread the word to others.”

The Professor answered her next question directly.

“I’ve already found a room for you. There are no restrictions on which days or times you can use it, so feel free to use it whenever.”

She then showed us the location of the room, as if she had been looking for it for three weeks. Everyone seemed pleased with how close it was.

I could feel the Professor’s thoughtfulness in choosing a location close to both the Demon God Research Department and the Magic Composition Department.

Karen stared at the room’s location, seemingly trying to memorize it, then quietly raised her hand.

“But why is the room’s location a secret?”

“It’s not exactly a secret. I just don’t want random people finding out about it. It’s fine for people who know about it to come, but it would be awkward if strangers suddenly showed up.”

This was a familiar approach.

People who know people who know people. Only allowing those with connections to join.

I thought it was a good idea. Though it was a study group, it wasn’t solely for studying. It was also a gathering to chat and build closer relationships, so having friends around seemed beneficial.

Well, they could share study methods and know-how on their own.

That didn’t mean they were just gathering to hang out. They would study, share information, and that wasn’t a bad thing.

The third-year students, who had more knowledge to share, could help the first and second-years while also receiving help from the Professor, which was good for them.

As I nodded in agreement, my eyes met the Professor’s. She stared at me and gave a bitter smile.

I just blinked. I didn’t know what she wanted to say, and since she didn’t tell me, I remained in the dark. The Professor turned away and continued discussing the study group’s room before wrapping up.

“Let’s dismiss for today. Next time, you can study in that room. I’ll drop by when I have time.”

With that, the Professor clapped her hands.

It was a signal that they no longer needed to gather in her research lab. As everyone was saying goodbye and about to leave, Iris approached me discreetly.

“Next time, do I just go there?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Is there a set time for meetings? I’d feel a bit awkward if I was the only one there…”

Iris seemed a bit worried, as she wasn’t close with the third-years Sera and Aria, nor with the first-year Karen.

Perhaps she felt like she was joining an already established group and worried about being left out?

Oh Iris, you don’t need to worry about that.

I think they’re all good friends, so such concerns are unnecessary. But I nodded, understanding that being from a different year and feeling like an outsider could make her feel that way.

“You’re right. Should we exchange contact information before we go?”

Hearing this, Sera, who had been walking ahead, turned back and took out her phone.

“Ah, yes…! I’m sorry. I should have mentioned it.”

“No, no. Here’s my number.”

“I saved it!”

“Now I should invite you to our study group chat.”

Sera said this and quickly moved her fingers. Her rapid tapping soon sent notifications to everyone else’s phones.

Ding. The soft sound indicated that Iris had joined the chat.

“In the study group chat, we talk about where everyone is, whether we’re studying today, schedules, and just casual chat. If you want to focus on studying, you can just check the announcements.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’ll send my number in the chat.”

Aria said this and posted her contact information in the chat. Iris did the same.

“I sent mine too.”

“Got it. Looking forward to working with you.”

“Yes!”

Iris responded stiffly, seeming quite tense, which made Karen beside her look tense as well.

Being the youngest as a first-year, she couldn’t help but feel nervous when seeing a second-year act that way.

“…Um, this is my number.”

Karen hesitantly showed her number. She apparently didn’t think she could post her contact in the chat like Aria did.

“Ah, yes, I’ve saved Karen’s too.”

“Yes, looking forward to working with you.”

“Yes, looking forward to it too.”

Seeing them exchange greetings energetically and becoming friends made me feel at ease.

It was surprising how adding just one person could create such a commotion, and it felt good to see them trying to become friends quickly without any sense of distance.

A warm, cozy atmosphere. I found myself unconsciously drawn to the feeling of wanting to join in.

“Come to think of it, you must have Ourr’s number?”

“Yes, I have Ourr’s number. But not Ouro’s.”

“Ouro doesn’t have a phone.”

Iris answered Sera’s question, and I directly informed them that Ouro didn’t have a phone.

Hearing her name mentioned, Ouro blinked and stared at me. Her expression seemed to demand a quick explanation, so I took out my phone from my pocket and held it up to her.

“This. Ouro doesn’t have one.”

“…Professor.”

Realizing she didn’t have something that others had, Ouro immediately turned to the Professor.

She might be wondering why she didn’t have one when I did, or perhaps she felt left out since everyone else had one and wanted to resolve that.

“Ah… Ouro will be with the Professor, so it’s fine. Besides, since Ourr has a phone, Ouro, who’s always with her, doesn’t really need one, right?”

“……”

Even though I had a phone, I didn’t need to contact the Professor since I was always with her like glue. So the phone’s purpose was mainly for contacting friends.

But Ouro was devoted to the Professor and didn’t really need to contact anyone else.

Knowing this, the Professor probably thought a phone would be excessive for Ouro. Her judgment was certainly correct.

Buying a phone involves the cost of the device, plus monthly fees for the service. That would be too much to pay for three people.

“Here, Ouro, you can use mine too.”

There was nothing to hide. It’s good for friends to chat together, so I didn’t mind sharing with Ouro.

I didn’t spend much time on my phone during the day anyway, often barely using it, so I didn’t mind handing it over to Ouro during those times.

Ouro quietly took the phone I offered.

“…Mmm. Ugh.”

Ouro immediately faced a challenge. Since she hadn’t properly learned to read, she only recognized familiar characters or apps she frequently used. Even with the phone in hand, she hesitated, not knowing how to use it.

“Ouro, you’ll need to learn letters with me during the study group.”

“…Difficult.”

“It’s always like that. I’ll teach you.”

I said confidently, puffing out my chest.

Although I occasionally got help from the Professor, she was busy writing papers, so it was inevitable that I would have to help instead.

I patted my chest as if to say “leave it to me.” Then Karen, who was beside me, patted my head.

“Ourr has become smart enough to teach Ouro letters now?”

“Hehe. It’s because you and I taught me well.”

“I’m happy to hear you say that.”

Karen chuckled and continued patting my head.

Watching this intently, Ouro seemed to lose interest in the phone and handed it back to me before returning to the Professor.

“Professor, me too.”

It seemed like she wanted the Professor to pat her head like Karen was patting mine. I wondered again if Ouro’s interests were simply swayed by the atmosphere of the moment.