episode_0019
by fnovelpiaHolidays pass slowly, others might think that holidays are faster, but the days with academy classes pass so quickly that you wouldn’t even know when the day ends, so when you come to your senses, it’s already a holiday. It hasn’t been long since I came to the academy, but I’ve never spent a holiday so comfortably.
Maybe it’s because I worked on the holiday, but I didn’t know what to do during this evening time without going to work, and reading books at the library was a bit boring, so until curfew, I decided to take a walk around Ignolia alone.
Normally, I would have gone straight to the tavern, but I suddenly became curious about the person I met yesterday, so I arrived at the same alley as yesterday, but the person was not there. Who could that person be? With that curiosity in mind, I wandered through Ignolia absentmindedly. Sharon said she would eat dinner and study at the library, and Erica senior said she had something to do.
I wanted to handle the wand a little more… It was just regrettable that it didn’t happen. At the moment when I thought I should duel with someone, the cat I met face-to-face was the same cat I always saw behind the tavern.
“Hello.”
I waved my hand and greeted, and the cat looked at me from Ignolia’s alley and wagged its tail as it approached. If it’s to this extent, maybe it understands words. There are cats that can speak in books, could this cat be one of them?
As I petted the approaching cat, I felt a slight gathering of attention around me. It’s not like it’s the first time someone has seen a person petting a cat, but at that moment, when I wondered what it was all about, I raised my head and there was a woman standing there.
“It’s a good night, isn’t it?”
“It’s a night when I have to go back to the dormitory soon.”
Ceresria was looking down at me. I wondered why she came to Ignolia, and as I glanced at her attire, it wasn’t the usual academy uniform but rather casual clothes. Seeing a dress-like one-piece adorned with black and gold, I couldn’t help but smile, feeling as if the garment itself was anything but ordinary.
“The tavern is closed today, I was planning to have dinner there. Astan, did you have your meal?”
“I had it at the academy earlier.”
“That’s a shame. If you hadn’t eaten, I would have suggested having a meal together.”
“Not only did you not eat, what brings you to Ignolia?”
“Originally, I planned to have dinner at the tavern where Astan works, but that plan got derailed.”
As she spoke, I withdrew my hand from petting the cat and scratched my cheek. As my hand stopped petting, the cat let out a small whimper, and Ceresria, with a laugh, stroked the cat.
“Look, since the tavern is closed, Mutton is wandering around like this.”
“Mutton?”
“It’s the name I gave him. Hello, Mutton.”
The cat seemed to purr happily, and I scratched its cheek once again.
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to take him and raise him? Some seniors used to bring their pets.”
“These friends should be left free. If you force them into a leash, they might show their claws to me.”
With those words, Ceresria looked at me, and I cleared my throat softly and spoke up.
“I’m about to head back soon. What are your plans, Ceresria?”
“I should go back too, but before that, there’s one place I need to stop by…”
She held the cat in her arms, then faced me with a bright smile.
“You’ll come with me, right? You wouldn’t leave me alone, I don’t think.”
“No matter how commoner I am, I’m not that ignorant.”
“So, where are you going?”
“To the bookstore.”
“Something… doesn’t seem to fit.”
At my words, she glared at me.
“Why is that?”
“I thought I could have sent my attendants instead of coming here in person.”
“Doesn’t that require the book I want to buy to be perfectly decided?”
“Well… that’s true.”
She turned her head back to the front, and I cautiously followed behind her. I’ve never seen her reading a book, but it would be hasty to judge since I don’t know the layout of the room. But why is she trying to buy a book?
And suddenly, I had such a thought. Can she go alone without any escorts? Of course, as soon as I had that thought, her magic came to mind, and a small bitter smile escaped my lips. Foolish thought. Even most magicians wouldn’t be able to defeat her.
If the magician who attacked me was Ceresria, he would win. I won’t be able to gain the upper hand like Erica-senpai… but he will win. My fist clenched at the momentary feeling of difference in power. Sharon will become stronger, and so will Ceresria.
Both of them will grow rapidly and reach heights I cannot reach. They will excel in Rune Combat, gain recognition, and their titles will resonate throughout the continent.
“You think too much, Astan.”
At that moment, when I turned to Ceresria’s voice, she was turning to look at me.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not bad to think a lot, but should you be thinking so much while I’m right here next to you?”
“I think more because you’re here.”
At my words, she burst into laughter.
“Then I guess I’ll have to get closer from now on?”
What a strange person, really. Why are there only strange people around me? Normally, in this kind of situation, I’d be considered strange too. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by that thought, I silently followed her to the bookstore, opened the door, and went inside, looking at her familiarizing herself with the bookstore and starting to choose books, while I looked outside at the sky, realizing it might take a while.
It won’t be long before curfew. While thinking about that, someone passed by me. There was a faint scent lingering in the air. I couldn’t exactly describe the scent, but it felt familiar. It was a strong, captivating scent that seemed to linger even without focusing on it, a strange scent.
I naturally turned my head. No one was there. A ghost? Perhaps.
“Is that person.”
I couldn’t be sure if it was the person I encountered in the alley, but my instincts pointed to that person.
As I pondered this, the sound of the bookstore door opening accompanied Ceresia’s voice.
“Shall we go back?”
“Yes, it’s getting close to curfew.”
“Should we hurry?”
“Not yet.”
I slowly walked with her towards the academy. As we walked, I glanced around the bookstore, but there was no one there.
Perhaps I did encounter a ghost after all.
“Good morning, Astan.”
Putting down the potato I was eating, I wiped my mouth with a napkin and looked at Sharon, who was sitting with food and a smile.
“Feeling okay?”
“I didn’t get hit anywhere. Just feel tired even after sleeping, probably because I’ve been using a lot of mana.”
“I’m feeling the same way.”
“By the way, do you know? Astan, it seems like you’re going to get a title.”
“It’s not some strange title you’re giving me, is it?”
“You know as well as I do, titles aren’t given just because someone wants to call you that.”
“I know, but I haven’t done anything to deserve a title.”
“Rumors spread fast, including the fact that you recently refused a duel.”
My head throbbed at that moment. Was that included in the reason for getting a title? If I had accepted the duel, I would have received the title faster. Either way, isn’t it just that I want a title?
“So, what do you think it will be?”
“The biggest one would be rebel; if not, it would probably be troublemaker.”
“I didn’t cause any trouble or rebellion…?”
“We can’t stop the rumors.”
At Sharen’s words, I grabbed my head with my right hand. It’s nonsense.
“Of course, it’s a joke.”
“If you joke one more time, I can hit you with a shock spell.”
“The biggest thing is the blizzard.”
“It’s an unnecessarily grand title. It wouldn’t matter if it were more appropriate like everyone else.”
“Aren’t others appropriate either?”
At that, I looked at Sharen and chuckled.
“Miss Froststorm?”
“What, Mr. Froststorm.”
“Ugh, don’t call me that. It makes me want to throw up.”
At my reaction, Sharen smiled faintly and started eating, and I sighed inwardly and looked out the window.
Froststorm is just Froststorm. I didn’t cause a storm. Can’t I just not take the title? I wanted it, but if I’m really called that, I’ll feel sick every time I pass by. Why not give me something cool like everyone else, Froststorm? Just imagining it made me want to throw up.
Princess of Flames, Manifestation of Light, Witch of Thunder, Jester of Wind, Apothecary. First years aren’t given such grand titles. I’d rather be an Ice Jester or something.
Of course, as I thought of such titles, one title came to mind lightly and the words disappeared. Denatus’s Rebirth.
How strong must one be to earn such a title? The reincarnation of the one who reaps life, if such a title were given, honestly, I think I would feel good.
So please, I hope a more appropriate title is given.
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