Pineapple Pizza

I headed to the facility to meet monsters.

I came here for the purpose of training.

‘That was the intention, but…’

However, those thoughts and determinations were forgotten shortly after entering Serti’s office.

“Ah, Yena, you’ve come!”

Beyond the familiar face of the research director,

“Who is it?”

None other than Gartel was sitting across the table drinking tea. The man with the elegant mustache showed surprise while holding a teacup in one hand as soon as he met my eyes.

“Y-Yena, do you have business here?”

He frowned as if it was curious that a cadet had personally visited the research director’s office, while also seeming surprised to encounter me in this place.

“…I came to get permission to use the facility.”

And that feeling was mutual,

“Hmm, I see. For now, please sit down comfortably here. It seems better than standing there continuously.”

“Then excuse me…”

“There’s no need to be so formal. We were in the middle of talking about you, Yena, anyway.”

I briefly looked over Serti and Gartel, then carefully moved my body towards the desk they were sitting at.

‘I didn’t know the instructor would be here…’

Inwardly, I expressed surprise at the unexpected encounter. I was going to have a short conversation with Serti and do monster resistance training, but I unexpectedly met Gartel, right?

I couldn’t help but hesitate.

Moreover, aren’t they comfortably chatting and sharing coffee? Weren’t these two people who never met privately in the past?

“Has Yena come before?”

“Yes, hehe. She came almost every day saying she would face monsters. Except for the first day of admission, she probably didn’t miss a single day.”

“Oh, how was her performance?”

“She demonstrated outstanding skills, as you praised just before…”

I was a little confused and in some ways found the current situation interesting. For that reason, I listened intently to the conversation between the instructor and the research director with my lips tightly closed.

‘Well, this isn’t bad either.’

Soon I drew a small curve on my mouth.

If Gartel becomes close with Serti, it might be possible to meet the research director through the instructor someday,

If I use it well, couldn’t it be of great help to me? Even after leaving this Sevirpol training ground, I could continue to keep in touch with the research director in front of me?

I couldn’t dislike it.

So isn’t that why I quickly regained my original bright expression?

I changed my posture to a cheerful attitude different from when I first entered the office. Then, with an expression that anyone would think was an innocent cadet, I opened my mouth.

“Can you tell me what you wanted to say? If there’s nothing in particular, I think it would be more comfortable for both of you if I get up from here.”

While looking at the men chatting in front of me.

“Hm? Ah, let’s do that. It’s not good to just keep you seated, and it seems about time to tell you.”

And finally when one of the two men, Gartel, opened his mouth,

“What on earth did you want to ask…”

“Yena, we’re thinking of changing your training equipment, what do you think?”

“Pardon?”

I flinched and twitched my eyes.

“No need to take it difficultly. I’m just asking how you feel about using something different from the protective gear that was planned for tomorrow’s individual duel.”

“…Why are you doing this?”

“The reason is quite complicated to explain, but for now I’m just asking for your opinion, so feel free to answer.”

Unable to hide my sense of discomfort at Gartel’s subsequent words,

“What?”

I finally spat out a short answer filled with crude emotion. Tilting my head and blinking my eyelids rapidly, I tried to accept the sudden question I had heard.

‘What does this mean?’

But it wasn’t easy to understand.

There hadn’t been any particular problems using the equipment so far. It wasn’t uncomfortable due to ill-fitting sizes, nor were there any issues like the material being different from other cadets’ protective gear.

It’s not like the functions of the gear to be used in individual duels are causing trouble or something in the design is wrong?

“May I ask if you’ve encountered a situation where the equipment is completely difficult to operate?”

“I can give you a definitive answer on that.”

“…Research Director?”

“I quickly asked a researcher to check after the instructor’s sudden visit and words, but no significant damage has occurred. It’s perfectly fine.”

Hearing Serti’s answer, that didn’t seem to be the case either.

‘Then why?’

Why did he propose to change the equipment?

“Still, since it’s an issue related to you, Yena, and it’s a request from Administrator Gartel, not another instructor, if you want to replace the protective gear, I plan to reflect it as much as possible.”

“…Thank you.”

“Of course, since the items normally supplied to cadets are custom-made for each individual, there may be defects such as the item you receive being slightly ill-fitting in size.”

Even while having this private conversation with Serti, who had a smooth bald head reflecting light, I couldn’t erase the doubts lingering inside.

‘Gartel would be a cautious person.’

He never makes claims without basis. Therefore, this opinion must surely have a proper reason too. But what on earth is it…

Click, clatter─

While I was showing reluctance, the room that had been full of voices fell into silence.

Only the sound of glass cups with eagles drawn symbolizing the Empire colliding with the oak desk finished with a smooth surface filled this now calm office.

And not long after,

“Ah.”

I let out a single exclamation while coming up with one assumption, breaking the messy atmosphere in the room.

“Hm? Yena, have you decided?”

Then I shifted my gaze to Gartel, who was twisting his mustache with his fingers.

‘Could it be.’

Has he noticed that the diving equipment malfunction incident wasn’t a simple accident, but a kind of threat aimed at me by someone? Is that why he’s making this proposal for my safety?

It was very plausible. Although it was the only hypothesis that flashed in my mind, if I thought based on this, I could fully understand the aspects Gartel had shown so far.

‘Then it’s unexpected.’

As far as I haven’t been called separately, it seems the military academy isn’t officially investigating, but he’s reached this conclusion now? And he’s trying to protect me based on that?

I secretly raised the corners of my mouth while staring at Gartel, amused by this interesting reality.

The instructor has grasped part of the truth with his great deductive skills. And through that, he’s trying to protect me. He’s taking an active stance rather than trying to quietly bury the incident.

How could I not be pleased? Following the unexpected encounter with Gartel, I’ve received shocking news.

I no longer remembered the monster resistance training.

Focusing only on this moment,

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that will be possible.”

“Hm?”

I began to test Gartel.

“Since it’s not equipment provided by the military academy, wouldn’t it not fit properly? I think that would be inappropriate for properly conducting the training evaluation.”

“Hmm…”

“Of course, I think it’s better to maintain the current state rather than choosing an option with the possibility of wearing outdated or damaged protective gear.”

I expounded on a few factors for why I couldn’t agree with the instructor’s advice, such as saying that only using the existing equipment could fully confirm my performance, and that it must fit my body perfectly.

After that,

“Forgive me for saying this, but I can’t understand without hearing a proper reason.”

Finally, I straightened my back, raised my neck upright, and planted one sentence to decorate the end of my words in Gartel’s ear.

‘First I need to find out how much investigation has progressed.’

To do that, I need to make Gartel reveal the story he’s keeping tightly hidden. Since my claim was still just a simple guess, I need to confirm it through this man’s words.

Isn’t that why I said this?

If I show an attitude of not budging without a proper reason, Gartel might open his mouth. I continued the conversation based on such judgment.

“Hmm, then I’ll tell you. Why I want to change your equipment as much as possible, that is.”

And that action was not in vain.

“Really?”

“Yes, but it seems we need to talk quietly to avoid the risk of sound leaking outside. Please understand as I want to eliminate any risk of this being disclosed.”

Gartel finally accepted my view.

“Director Serti, it may be rude, but could you leave here for a moment? It seems I need to have a private interview with Yena.”

“Ah, please feel comfortable! I’m not that uncomfortable, so please have a relaxed conversation and call me back afterwards.”

“Hehe, thank you for your kindness.”

Inside the office where only the faint bitter scent of coffee spread,

Click─!

He finally spoke after Serti went out into the hallway.

“You said you were curious?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It’s a very shocking content, so it would be good to listen calmly.”

Moving his body to the spot opposite me that was originally Serti’s seat in an instant, holding a cup of warm coffee in one hand, Gartel gradually moved his lips.

“Actually, the diving equipment incident was caused by intentional damage…”

“Moreover, since the person inferred to be the culprit is one of the high-ranking officials in charge of tomorrow’s training, there is danger…”

“As it’s an undisclosed investigation in progress, you must absolutely not reveal it outside, so please understand…”

An explanation lasting a full twenty minutes.

Gartel spent dozens of minutes pouring out all the thoughts he had, as if trying to expel everything he possessed.

There is potential danger until we arrest the maintenance officer and prove the truth of the incident, for your safety, I hope you wouldn’t use your own equipment…

This was his argument.

‘He’s already completed it.’

And after exchanging a few words related to this, I realized that he had figured out the cause of the past diving equipment malfunction incident and its real culprit quite some time ago.

I could confirm that almost all investigations had been carried out, except for the fact that Wolf was behind all the crimes.

So I didn’t yield my intention.

“It must be shocking, but I hope you won’t be disheartened. You may be afraid to train from now on, but I hope you’ll do your best to overcome that fear.”

“…Yes.”

I looked at Gartel’s solemn face and showed gestures commonly known as being discouraged, such as covering my face with my hands and dropping my head.

But my inner feelings were different.

No matter how much Gartel continued his endless persuasion, I didn’t blink an eye. Rather, recalling Wolf, who was not yet a suspect, I curved the corners of my eyes deeply and smiled.

‘You haven’t caught Wolf yet, right?’

So the operation he was plotting will proceed as originally planned? Only after that will additional investigations be conducted, and Wolf’s rights and wrongs can be questioned?

What does that mean?

At least the operation Wolf planned with the maintenance officer can be carried out without a hitch, bringing me great joy!

I absolutely didn’t want Wolf to be caught.

The maintenance officer must not be arrested.

I hoped those two could roam freely at least until tomorrow. Only then can the conspiracy, which is a ‘great undertaking’ from their perspective, planned over four long days be implemented normally.

‘It absolutely must be so…’

How long have I been waiting for tomorrow? How curious have I been every night before closing my eyes about what plan they would carry out!

I couldn’t let Wolf’s scheme turn to bubbles with just one day left.

Even though my life was in danger, I didn’t reveal the details of what happened during the diving training to anyone because I wanted to enjoy the moments that would unfold in tomorrow’s individual duel.

And now all that effort goes to waste because of the instructor’s untimely deduction? That was unacceptable under any circumstances.

“Th-Then perhaps…”

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

Trembling shoulders.

A face turned pale to match.

To make the speculation clearer fact, I took on typical appearances of a cadet who was scared and,

“Have you ever found any abnormalities in my equipment? I-If it’s as you say, there should be problems.”

Asked in a gentle voice.

“…Unfortunately, no.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s why I’m asking for your permission. I’ve already inspected your equipment, but there were no visible defects.”

And from Gartel’s subsequent words, I could perfectly figure it out.

That he still only has suspicions and hasn’t secured proper physical evidence. Only now did it make sense that he was earnestly asking me to change equipment.

“Then isn’t it fine?”

“No, we don’t know that.”

“What?”

“What we’ve looked at now is just checking for simple structural issues, there could be functional problems.”

“Then can’t we check?”

“Yes, as I’ve told you, this incident is being investigated personally, so it’s impossible. To do that, we’d need to get permission from the principal and deploy professional personnel.”

It must be an action that came out because he’s convinced something big will happen, even though he doesn’t have any special evidence.

‘I guess that’s fortunate.’

I gave such an impression after listening to Gartel’s opinion to the end.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I was relieved.

It’s true that he dug into the diving training and came close to the full story of the incident, but he still hasn’t properly figured out the inside story, so he couldn’t carelessly tamper with the equipment.

There’s nothing to worry about, right?

About the possibility of Wolf and the maintenance officer being caught right away today, leading to a disappointing future.

“So have you made a decision, Yena?”

“Yes.”

Having confirmed Gartel’s true feelings and found out everything I needed to know, I finally opened my mouth to put a period on this conversation.

“I think it’s better to just use it as is.”

“I thought you’d say that… Huh?”

I faced his dumbfounded appearance squarely.

“You’re not going to change your mind even though it’s this dangerous?”

“If I use items other than my own as you say, instructor, wouldn’t I fall behind in training? Also, no structural damage was found this time.”

Click─!

I spoke in a calm tone while picking up the teacup,

‘It’s warm.’

And took a sip of the espresso the research director had provided.

“You won’t bend your will just because of that, aren’t you afraid of what situation you might end up in?”

“Of course I’m afraid. Having already been in a life-threatening situation once, there is anxiety settled in one corner of my heart.”

“Then why…”

“But isn’t overcoming that fear the right way for an officer? There’s no guarantee that an incident will occur either.”

In contrast to Gartel, who showed reluctance with his mouth agape,

“As an Imperial mage officer, it’s proper to have such courage and values, I think avoiding and trembling at intangible threats is exactly the result desired by the person targeting me.”

“Hmm…”

“It’s not a conclusion drawn simply from emotion. There’s no physical evidence, and since the results of tomorrow’s training will be reflected in the qualification screening, I made a careful decision.”

I spoke with a gentle smile while politely holding the teacup with both hands and leaning my upper body forward.

I even showed a weighty gaze as if there was a noble cause, as if it was a grave decision to maintain dignity.

‘There must be no disruption to the plan.’

Of course, my true feelings were the opposite.

There was no such thing as a sacred ceremony, nor was it an attitude determined for the purpose of maintaining an officer’s virtues. I was just moving my mouth to fill my own satisfaction.

If I follow Gartel’s will here?

Then various operations prepared by Wolf could turn to bubbles in an instant, right? Accordingly, the probability of the individual duel passing by ordinarily and blandly increases?

‘That can’t happen.’

I absolutely could not allow that.

How long have I been waiting for this event! It’s expected to be the most heart-pounding and bring the happiness of battle during the joint training period!

Now, with less than 24 hours, no, even less time left, give up all that and confess the secret to Gartel? I won’t allow it even if I really fall into crisis.

‘Of course, that won’t really happen.’

I could be confident that I wouldn’t fall for Wolf’s tricks in any way. That’s why I could casually brush off Gartel’s worried concerns.

The diving training incident was just an accident that happened due to being insensitive to safety. This time, I was going to thoroughly inspect the equipment in advance, so I could rest easy.

‘I can detect problems with training equipment even with my eyes closed in the first place.’

How many years have I lived as an officer to not be able to do that one thing?

I knew the related parts structure perfectly. Moreover, even against the promising young talent of the Streman family, I already have a record of overwhelming victory in a duel against him.

There was not a single thing to worry about.

“Are, are you really okay with this?”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to prepare anyway?”

“It’s fine. I want to go on like this.”

But Gartel, who had no way of knowing my inner thoughts, must have been at a loss, as he asked several questions again trying to change my answer.

“Even if the research director provides the best possible item?”

“Yes.”

But that was as far as it went.

“So your main argument is an attitude befitting the position of mage officer… Can you be confident that you won’t overturn that resolve?”

“Yes.”

“Then I understand.”

“Are you allowing it?”

Gartel no longer showed any will to refute my consistent responses and,

“What is there for me to allow or not, if you’re an officer candidate, you take responsibility for your own choices, since you show such firmness, Yena, I have no choice but to acknowledge it.”

He made his fierce gaze more gentle and stroked his mustache.

He had no physical evidence and couldn’t obtain evidence to definitively call someone the culprit. Objectively speaking, Gartel’s reality was that there was nothing but suspicion.

It was natural in a way that he had no means to force me.

‘If he had already caught Manfred, it might be different…’

What can he do when it seems he hasn’t even received official permission to investigate from the military academy? The only thing possible for him was to try to persuade me by moving his tongue.

But even that didn’t work.

For Gartel, there was nothing more he could do except to progress the investigation further and obtain evidence worthy of being called evidence.

“Still, it would be good to be careful. Always pay attention to your surroundings, and if you feel any sense of discomfort, leave that area immediately.”

“I understand.”

“If you feel anything strange with the equipment before tomorrow’s individual duel, call me right away.”

“Yes, sir.”

The most he could do was to give various pieces of advice like this now and instill a sense of caution in me.

“Then sit here for a moment.”

Finally, the long discussion came to an end.

Click, squeak─!

Gartel patted my shoulder where long hair fell, gave encouragement until the end, and then moved his feet to bring Serti who would be in the hallway.

And I,

“Can I come in now?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you for your understanding. Thanks to you, I feel much better now, haha!”

“I’m glad to hear that. So do we not need to make preparations for Yena…”

“Yes, that’s right…”

I put down the teacup I was holding with a thud while expressing surprise at the scene in front of me as the two men appeared with casual chatter not long after.

‘Th-That is.’

More precisely,

“Well, it’s about time to feel hungry, isn’t it? So I brought some food to eat while we talk comfortably.”

“No, it’s not that, the appearance of the food is a bit…”

“Ah, this might be a foreign cuisine Yena is seeing for the first time.”

After examining one food item held in the research director’s hand.

“It’s pizza (пицца) born from the hands of a chef from the Kingdom of Itria, and an exotic food with pineapple on top at that!”

Swish─

Serti brought a unique-looking Western dish, commonly called pineapple pizza, with yellowish fruit sparsely embedded on the dough, with a light movement.

“I-I’m full, haha…”

“That’s a shame, it’s delicious.”

“…”

Thanks to Gartel’s reaction, the food seemed to glow even more.

But it wasn’t that I became interested because the instructor’s expression gradually darkened and the pizza’s appearance was strange.

‘How did they know I like this…’

That they brought this pineapple pizza. Some might view it as an odd taste, but anyway, this food was one of my most preferred dishes.

“I have a few things I’d like to exchange with you too, Yena, though not as much as the instructor here. I brought this because it would be boring to just drink coffee, what do you think?”

“…It’s very good.”

“Hoho, I’m glad you say so!”

For that reason, I answered Serti with a broad smile on my face.

“Then let’s sit here! Instructor, please sit here too. We should have a long farewell since we may not be able to see each other again.”

And I sat down in the chair.

‘I guess it’s okay to eat a little and then go to monster resistance training… It’s not like it’s evening approaching night right now.’

While listening to Serti’s voice in front of me.