Chapter 40 – We’re Friends, Right?

Entering the classroom, I spotted Yurasia by the window, chin propped on her hand, staring into space.

Thank goodness.

I walked straight to her desk.

“Yurasia, good morning.”

“Ah, oh… L-Lady Ellie. Yes… good morning.”

She avoided my eyes, her gaze darting around as her face turned bright red. Strange little gasps escaped her: “Hup, huhh…”

She must still be hung up about yesterday.

Well… better to act normal than bring it up and make things more awkward.

I simply held out my hand.

“Card, please.”

“What?”

“The card from yesterday. I couldn’t eat breakfast without it, and I’m starving.”

“Breakfast… oh, hehe.”

Yurasia grinned and pulled something from the paper bag beside her.

“I thought this might happen, so I bought yours too.”

A pork cutlet sandwich and milk.

“Oh?”

“You seemed tired yesterday and probably didn’t sleep, so I figured you’d want something simple today… Is that okay?”

“No, it’s perfect. That’s exactly what I was planning to get.”

“Really? Hehe… that’s great.”

Yurasia beamed and pulled out my chair.

“Please, sit. You’ve got 15 minutes, so you can eat at your leisure.”

“Thanks.”

I dropped into the chair and unwrapped the sandwich. The aroma of freshly fried cutlet and sweet sauce wafted up immediately.

The vegetables looked morning-fresh, and the bread had that perfect crispy-yet-fluffy texture from proper toasting.

“Thanks for the food.”

“Hehe. Enjoy!”

After swallowing back my excessive saliva, I took a huge bite.

Juices from the cutlet flooded my tongue. The tender meat melted before I could properly chew it, and the sweet sauce made my mouth water so much it almost hurt.

“Mmm… mmm… delicious…”

The bread was so perfectly moist I didn’t even need the milk. The vegetables cut through any potential greasiness while adding freshness that complemented the sauce.

I licked the sauce from my lips before taking another massive bite.

Nom nom nom.

Mouth stuffed so full I could barely breathe, I noticed Yurasia watching me.

…No, not watching me.

She was staring at my chest.

After thoroughly chewing and swallowing, I spoke up.

“Yurasia?”

“Eep?! Y-yes?!”

“Um, well…”

I washed down the remaining cutlet with milk before continuing.

“Don’t worry about it so much.”

“No, I… that’s… ah…”

“Besides, like I said, we’re both girls. So it’s not a big deal.”

Yurasia tilted her head, confusion blooming across her face as uncertainty clouded her eyes.

“R-really…? It’s really… not a problem?”

“Yeah. Since the person being seen doesn’t mind, you don’t need to stress about it.”

With that, I took another bite of the sandwich.

Having cleared up that awkward business, with this delicious sandwich, my hunger satisfied, and the fresh breeze from the window…

My lips curled into a smile as my eyes softened.

This is the life.

“Hm, hmm.”

Swinging my legs that barely touched the ground, I stuffed the remaining sandwich into my mouth.

The last bite always tastes best when you fill your mouth completely.

After wiping my hands clean with a wet tissue, I dug around in my pocket for a post-meal mint and my hair tie.

Just as I finished tying up my hair…

Click-clack, click-clack

“Good morning, everyone.”

Adelia entered the classroom.

“Did you all sleep well last night? Hehe. Some of you look like you had trouble sleeping. That’s natural—you were probably excited, nervous, and worried.”

Her voice, clear as rolling glass beads, and gentle tone smoothly shifted the classroom atmosphere.

With a mischievous smile, she snapped her fingers.

Swoosh—!

Over a dozen sheets of paper materialized from thin air, arranging themselves neatly on each desk.

Some students jumped in surprise, others gasped in admiration, a few shrieked as if seeing ghosts, while others showed keen interest in this unusual magic.

Amused by the various reactions, Adelia chuckled and clapped her hands.

“Still, we have work to do. Today marks the beginning of regular classes. Usually, you’d start your electives today, but since we haven’t set your schedules yet, we’ll spend today organizing them and exploring various clubs.”

With her clap, the papers on each desk unfolded neatly.

Wondering if it was illusion magic, I touched them. The surface felt rough yet generally smooth, suggesting they’d tear easily under pressure.

What happens if I channel mana into them?

Crackle—

“What.”

It tore.

Why?

“…Lady Ellie…?”

“No, I didn’t mean to tear it…”

The classroom fell silent. Looking around, I found everyone staring at me. Their eyes filled with shock and horror.

“This, I just… mana… damn…”

Scratching my head in frustration, I stared at the torn paper.

I’d heard four tearing sounds. Yet there were clearly over twenty pieces. How could a little mana do this?

“My… Eliaernes? No matter how much you dislike classes, tearing up registration forms isn’t appropriate.”

“I… that’s not… sigh… I’m sorry.”

Not wanting to waste time with explanations or draw more attention, I offered a quick apology.

“Hehe. Yes. Everyone, remember this. No matter how much you dislike certain classes, you must meet the required credits. If you don’t want to repeat a year, think carefully and organize your schedule well.”

Snap! Adelia’s fingers flicked, and new papers appeared on my desk.

“I won’t replace them again if you tear them, understand?”

“…Yes.”

But I didn’t tear them on purpose.

Grumbling internally, I looked through the neatly arranged papers.

[Smile, don’t crumple that pretty face^^]

The elegant handwriting caught my eye.

“…Hell.”

“Gasp… Lady Ellie! Mind your language…!”

Yurasia smacked my thigh. Ignoring her, I glared at Adelia in the classroom’s center.

Meeting my gaze, she flashed a seductive smile before looking away.

“Now, let’s continue the explanation. First is your registration form. Fill in your desired classes according to the schedule. Instructions are below. You should manage fine with just these, but there’s also a guide on your Terminal if needed.”

Looking past that irritating message, I focused on the blank fields below.

Mondays and Wednesdays: common courses. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: electives.

There was even space to list club activities.

Common courses covered mana-related topics and dry theory.

Below that, three tracks diverged: Hierarchy and Circles.

Under Hierarchy: Vanguard and Archer courses. Under Circles: Magician courses.

“Shall we move to the next page?”

The papers turned themselves over at Adelia’s words.

“Our class is Combat Division, right? You’ll see appropriate courses listed here. Left side for vanguard, right for rear guard. There’s no enrollment limit—even if everyone picks the same course, all Signia students can attend. So don’t hesitate—take whatever interests you.”

I ignored the right side, scanning the left column quickly.

Even sword courses varied greatly. Spear, axe, shield—each had distinct courses. Different professors, different styles, different focuses based on student goals.

It felt like… They’d included everything possible, not knowing what students might want.

The sheer number of options made me dizzy.

Of course, I didn’t need weapon training courses. But I was curious—some instructor names caught my eye.

Names of heroes active 400 years ago. I wondered how they compared. Had they reached their ancestors’ level? Maybe even surpassed them.

Could I sample a class? I’m curious…

As I licked my lips browsing the categories, Adelia continued:

“Overwhelming, isn’t it? Choosing classes and times can be daunting. That’s why Signia class gets ample planning time. Today’s Friday, so you have until Monday. If you’re still stuck after careful consideration, come see me. I’m your friendly homeroom professor, available even weekends.”

Adelia crossed her arms beneath her chest, strutting amid admiring gazes.

“Now for some unwritten rules.”

Her footsteps grew heavier. Chilling mana filled the room, dampening spirits.

Even Yurasia instinctively reached for her waist, sensing the threat.

“Students admitted to Karela Academy are considered talented. You Signia students especially so.”

Click-clack continued—front, back, sides, even seemingly above.

“However, don’t take classes beyond your comprehension. Wasting your Signia opportunity would be unfortunate. Some second and third-years are still here because they attempted this.”

The footsteps stopped. Adelia now stood at the front, surveying us all.

“And please, don’t let talent, pride, or honor drive you to foolishness. If you must settle things, Karela Academy has a duel system. While killing is forbidden, it can release frustrations.”

In other words…

“Don’t handle things privately.”

Her blood-red eyes gleamed. Her crimson tongue moistened her lips as she whispered spine-tingling words:

“Karela Academy professors have authority to execute students on the spot if they determine lives are at risk.”

The blood-scented whisper turned students pale.

After maintaining this grip awhile, Adelia suddenly smiled brightly, withdrawing all mana.

“Oh my… It’s been so long since I tried being intimidating, I’m quite rusty! Anyway, you understand, right? If anything troubles you here, don’t suffer alone—come to me, Adelia Baros. I’ll always welcome you. Any questions?”

Students remained mouse-quiet, avoiding her gaze.

No one dared ask. How could they?

“If not, I’ll take my leave.”

I gently patted Yurasia’s back as she remained alert, watching the terrified students.

“Ah, right. Eliaernes?”

Suddenly, Adelia called my name.

“Please come with me for a moment.”

All eyes turned to me.

“Sigh…“

Two days since enrollment.

Everyone probably thinks I’m a troublemaker now.