Ch.68School Trip (2)

“Field Trip.

Gallimar was always notorious for its fierce competition, but even such an academy had occasional vacation periods.

The field trip was one of the prime examples.

An annual event that never missed a year.

For students, it was also a time to temporarily set aside the burden of academics.

Naturally, it attracted a lot of expectations.

‘However.’

Not all students follow the same schedule.

As explained before, Gallimar Academy advocates strict meritocracy.

A ranking-based distribution system based on individual grades.

This applies equally to the event called ‘field trip.’

Depending on each class, destinations, costs, and means of transportation vary tremendously.

For example, the lower-ranked F class receives absolutely disappointing vacation spots compared to the upper-ranked B class.

It can be seen as a device to provoke competitive spirit.

“Hehe.”

According to that rule, A class received the best treatment.

Even the carriage we’re riding in now made that clear.

On the outside, it might look like just an expensive carriage, but in reality, it was a magical device with numerous circuits intricately intertwined.

It was designed to withstand magical operations.

An instantaneous teleportation portal strictly managed by the Magic Tower.

This carriage was the only official license approved for portal use by the notoriously strict elders of the Magic Tower.

In terms of transportation, it was practically the ultimate.

If I had to draw an example from my previous life, it would be like being given a private jet for a mere field trip.

Anyway, this was an absurd display of wealth.

“I’m experiencing all sorts of things in life.”

This is why students are so desperate for good grades.

While I was muttering quietly, Lezia, sitting across from me, softly agrees.

“I-I was so surprised. I’ve only heard about portal carriages until now… but actually riding one is so amazing.”

She seemed impressed by this new technology.

Her green eyes sparkle with pure wonder.

Especially when we passed through the portal earlier and the carriage instantly moved to another territory, she even waved her slender arms excitedly.

It was impossible not to find her adorable.

“I-I think I’m getting a bit too excited…”

The snake handler smiles faintly.

Amelia, sitting beside her, shrugs and says:

“To be amazed by something this trivial. I suppose commoners will be commoners.”

“A-Are you used to this, Your Highness?”

“Of course. I am a Venatti after all.”

“As expected of a high noble…!”

“Hmm, you may admire me a bit more if you’d like.”

There were four people riding in the carriage.

The snake, the snake handler, the vain girl, and the fox.

We chat casually to alleviate boredom.

Meanwhile, the carriage rolls smoothly, and the scenery outside passes by quickly.

As time passed like that.

“By the way.”

Amelia opens her mouth subtly.

She’s staring at Irene sitting next to me.

“That’s an unfamiliar face? Not for the first time, I think I remember seeing you a few times…”

She seemed to be showing interest in the fox.

“That’s right. She’s a servant I keep by my side.”

“A fox beastkin, how unusual.”

“Indeed, they’re not a common race. Since we’ve rarely attended classes together, it’s natural that Your Highness isn’t familiar with her.”

“Hmm.”

Blue pupils slowly scan the fox.

A well-balanced figure, voluptuous chest, and eyes containing a chic atmosphere.

The vain girl mutters softly.

“…You said you two stay in the dormitory alone?”

“That’s right.”

“Just the two of you.”

Her blue eyes narrow.

The girl casually says:

“At least you won’t be lonely.”

“Of course. Being with someone special is meaningful.”

“Someone special…?”

“Because we have a unique relationship.”

A unique relationship.

Amelia tilts her head as if asking what that means.

I answer proudly.

“You could say I’m taming her.”

“Taming? What’s that?”

“It means forming a relationship.”

“What…?”

“It’s a concept too many people have forgotten recently.”

The girl’s expression becomes blank.

I add further explanation.

“I’m making efforts every day. To form a proper relationship with Miss Irene.”

“E-E-Every day…?!”

“Hmm? Is there a problem?”

“H-How can you be so, so shameless…!”

“Pardon?”

Was it such a shocking statement?

Amelia’s reaction was somehow strange. She stuttered as if malfunctioning and eventually even her tongue got tied.

For some reason, her face was flushing red with heat.

“…?”

While I’m floating a question mark above my head, Irene, who had been silent until now, suddenly sighs.

As if looking at me with contempt.

“Haah… I told you to fix the way you speak.”

“All of a sudden?”

“You’re really the worst. You as a person.”

“W-Why is everyone being like this to the young master…?”

It was truly a chaotic scene.

The fox shaking her head.

The snake being flustered.

The vain girl blushing.

The snake handler sweating nervously, unable to follow the conversation.

It was a noisy carriage for a while.

***

After some time passed, the carriage reached its destination.

The first thing to greet the children was a fishy, salty smell.

Following the sea breeze, the distinctive scent of the coast colors the tip of the nose.

A refreshing coolness washes away the season.

‘The Blue City, Heiron.’

A coastal city on the outskirts of the Empire.

It was also considered the most popular resort among nobles.

Originally, it would have taken over a week by carriage, but thanks to the portal carriage, we were able to arrive in less than half a day.

Indeed, most problems can be solved with money.

-We have arrived at our destination.

-I believe everyone must be tired after being in the carriage for so long.

-For today, we will stay at the lodging and rest.

There were no special activities on the first day.

It was just about bringing luggage to the reserved hotel and lying in bed to recover from travel fatigue.

We also took a light tour of the internal facilities.

A hotel boasting a splendid atmosphere.

I heard that the academy rented the entire facility, which made for a very pleasant environment.

The absence of outsiders except for staff was also quite appealing.

It felt somewhat excessive for just around twenty students to stay… but still, good is good, right?

Since it wasn’t my wallet anyway, I decided to enjoy it with peace of mind.

“Hmm hmm.”

Anyway.

The real field trip would begin the next day.

Students were free to move around.

They could engage in individual activities without being bound to a group.

If desired, one could even stay cooped up in the hotel and leisurely kill time.

It was literally a ‘vacation’ after all.

I decided to relax a bit too.

The members who rode the carriage together yesterday. We left the lodging early in the morning.

We fill our stomachs lightly at a nearby restaurant.

“How was it for everyone? The fish dish that was recommended as Heiron’s specialty.”

“I enjoyed it!”

“Yeah. Not bad.”

Two people with positive responses.

On the other hand, Amelia’s expression wasn’t very good.

“…Seafood still doesn’t suit my taste.”

“Oh dear.”

It seemed seafood was difficult for the villainess’s palate.

The girl with a sullen gaze.

I smile slightly and say:

“Everyone has different tastes.”

“It seems there are only seafood restaurants around the hotel… I’m worried about the next week.”

“Cooking yourself might be good too.”

“Cooking, you say…?”

“If Your Highness wishes.”

I speak confidently.

“I can serve you.”

“My taste is picky.”

“I have the skills to match that level.”

“You’re strangely confident. Yet your hands look clean and pretty as if they’ve never touched water.”

“I didn’t know you’d see my hands as so pretty.”

“…That wasn’t what I meant at all.”

In the end, I agreed to show my skills in the evening.

Was it because of her doubtful gaze?

I was thinking of preparing a dish that would surprise everyone.

We chatted pleasantly.

Trudge, trudge-.

A steady path forward.

Perhaps because it was summer, the sweltering heat was no joke.

Although we seemed to be getting tired from the hot weather, we didn’t stop walking in between.

We were planning to cool off sufficiently at our next destination.

As we continued walking for a while, before long, a blue background came into view.

“We’ve arrived.”

It was none other than the sea.

The coast located near our lodging.

We slowly stepped in.

Crunch, crunch-.

The feeling of sand being stepped on with each step.

The wide beach was empty.

Perhaps Gallimar had reserved this place in advance as well, as no other people could be found.

In other words, it was just us.

“Wow…!”

Lezia, looking around, lets out a small exclamation.

A beautiful scenery awaits before our eyes.

Swoosh-.

The emerald-colored water surface, water so transparent that the bottom is visible, and the golden sand spread on the ground.

The beating sunlight shines particularly brilliantly.

We listen to the sound of the waves for a moment.

“Hehe, shall we go?”

“Yes…!”

We take steps, leaving the fluttering summer behind.

A path crossing the wide sandy beach.

Not far away, a changing room was visible. Upon discovering it, the villainess and the protagonist immediately entered to change.

The two seemed to have brought swimsuits to wear at the beach.

“Swimsuits… I didn’t think of that.”

“Indeed.”

Meanwhile, Irene and I, who hadn’t brought anything.

We just sat blankly.

As we waited for the group to return, before long, the two approached with changed attire.

“W-We’re back… Did you wait long?”

“It took longer than expected.”

Both were wearing cardigans over their swimsuits.

Thanks to that, most of their skin was covered.

They must have coordinated their outfits.

The children were slowly preparing to enter the water.

“Make sure to stretch properly. We don’t want any accidents.”

“You’re thorough as always.”

“Hehe… Actually, I once almost had a big problem when I got a cramp.”

First, Lezia loosens up with light stretching.

She stimulates her muscles by extending her arms.

While quietly watching her wobbling movements, suddenly I hear the sound of a zipper being pulled down from the side.

“Phew.”

It was none other than Amelia.

She was crouching under the shade.

Zip-.

Carefully opening the zipper.

Between the gradually lowering outer garment, fair skin that had been hidden gradually reveals itself.

In her other hand, she was holding a bottle of sunscreen.

She seemed to want to block UV rays before entering the sea.

“Ugh… it’s cold.”

She carefully spreads the contents.

But since both hands weren’t free, it didn’t seem to move as she intended.

Especially the back area was impossible to reach.

She seemed to need help.

I readily approach the girl.

“Your Highness.”

“Ugh… why are you calling me so suddenly.”

“May I offer my assistance?”

“What?”

Amelia furrows her brow as if asking what I mean.

I calmly add:

“It seems difficult to handle alone. I was wondering if I could lend you a hand.”

“…?”

Amelia looks up at me blankly.

She seemed to be pondering my words.

And before long, the girl realizes the meaning of the words.

A tremor appears beyond her blue pupils.

“What do you say?”

I asked with a faint smile.