episode_0065

Episode 65. Vacation (1)

Weekend. But not just any weekend, but the weekend after the semester ended.

The first day of vacation was chaotic and noisy with various things to do. The reason, of course, was the announcement of grades.

So, each department’s site where final grades were posted was crowded with people from the morning. With the entire grade gathering in one place, there was barely any room to step.

The notice boards for the 2nd and 3rd grades were relatively less crowded. It’s not like the 1st graders, who are at a time when they’re very interested in grades.

Of course, there were fewer people than in the 1st grade, but the reaction when they checked their grades was much more serious than that of the freshmen.

“Ugh! I’m ruined!”

“Sigh, I’m screwed for getting a scholarship. Do I have to work all vacation…?”

“Wow… 598th place.”

Screams and lamentations were rampant everywhere. Sometimes, soulless words were heard.

It’s a natural thing. Tianis Academy is, after all, a school. Not everyone can get good grades.

I stood at a distance and checked my grades. Ella, who was standing next to me, said.

“The Princess is in first place.”

“I know.”

Of course, Ariel Tianis was in first place for the 2nd grade. Her abilities are well-suited for any task, so it would be strange if she didn’t reach the top.

As I moved my gaze down, I stopped immediately. That’s because my name was right below the Princess.

Valedictorian. I was 2nd in the 2nd grade.

‘Hmm… I didn’t expect it to come out this well.’

The practical exam must be perfect, but I didn’t do well enough on the written exam to get everything right. Besides, there are plenty of students who are good at studying.

After thinking about it for a bit, the answer came quickly.

‘It’s because of the bonus points.’

Then it makes sense.

The scores are not that different from me to 5th place. With the addition of bonus points, my rank jumped significantly.

I was expecting around 10th place. The score came out better than expected. With this, I had nothing to worry about in terms of grades, at least.

Of course, because of that, the justification for refusing to attend the banquet disappeared.

“Congratulations, Young Master.”

“Thank yo—”

“Kyle, Brother!”

At the same time as Ella congratulated me, a familiar voice was heard. Sadly, it was a man’s voice.

I turned my head to look at the owner of the voice.

“…What’s going on from the morning.”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I came to say hello because I saw you, Brother. Did you come to check your score?”

“Yes, I came because I was curious.”

“Ah, I see. Hello, Sister!”

“It’s been a while.”

It had been a while since we hadn’t met because of the exams.

“Ah, do you know? I missed it by a single point this semester….”

“Missed it by a single point?”

“To be the valedictorian. Khee, I thought I could beat Vale and take the top spot, but it’s so disappointing, you know?”

“…Keep that kind of information to yourself. Don’t say it.”

“I’m really sad about it. I should have played my trump card on the last exam…. More than that, how did you do, Brother?”

“Take a look.”

I pointed to the notice board with my head.

“Oh, you’re the valedictorian with me? I knew you would be like this, Brother. Here, Brother!”

“……”

Evan said that and held out both hands for a high five. I stared blankly at it.

“You’re so heartless when I see you like this.”

“Shut up.”

I stopped the useless chatter there and asked Evan a question.

“What are you going to do during vacation?”

“Me? First of all, I think I’ll stop by home. It’s been a while since I’ve been home. After that, I’ll come back to the academy to train, participate in the festival, and train again… That’s about it?”

He seems to be spending it as planned.

“Then don’t get ripped off on the way and go safely. Keep training your magic.”

“Thank you for your words. Ah, I have an appointment, so I’ll be going now.”

“Go.”

After sending Evan away, I left the department. And on the way, Ella spoke to me.

“Now that the semester is over, everyone seems to be going home.”

“I know. Everyone’s going home.”

In fact, many people were leaving the academy after checking their grades from the morning.

Look at it now. The student hall is bursting with people, and there’s a long line to the entrance. They’ve been stressed for the past 4 months, so they want to leave this hellish place as soon as possible.

“Lana left right after the exam, and the Little Young Master said he’s going back tomorrow. Your disciple seems to be leaving within a week.”

“What disciple.”

If you want to be strict, the disciple position is right, but I don’t think it’s that kind of relationship.

“Young Master.”

“Yeah, why?”

“Everyone is returning to their hometowns. But are you really not thinking of returning?”

“I told you. I have things to do. More than anything, I’m satisfied with now.”

“……”

She was silent for a moment.

Anyway, that’s that.

Now is the beginning of the full-fledged vacation. So I had to bring up the postponed story, but… I couldn’t bring myself to say it easily.

I was reluctant to tell my sister this, and it hurt to let her go. So I decided to test the waters a bit.

“Ella. What about you?”

“What are you talking about?”

My sister’s eyes turn to me. A gaze full of kindness that has changed a long time ago. She doesn’t hate the act of calling her name and seems to welcome it.

That stimulates my heart again. Nevertheless, I brought up the words. Sadly, it was time to get out of that relationship and slowly break away.

“I’m talking about the dispatch life. It’s already been 4 months.”

It’s been a short but long time. When I stayed like that, my sister scratched her cheek.

“Actually, it’s more comfortable than when I was in the family. Because I just have to stick by your side, Young Master.”

“Because it doesn’t require a lot of ability.”

“That’s right. In vulgar terms, I even think, ‘Is it okay to get away with this so easily?’”

Even if she says that, she doesn’t seem to be comfortable.

I always feel it, but she’s really sincere. She wouldn’t have had a day off like this in the family with missions and training.

I think that’s why I liked her more.

“It’s okay. My sister always works hard. Think of it as a rest period now.”

“Yes.”

She nodded. I asked the next question.

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“Not really. The accommodation prepared by the academy is clean, and they provide various conveniences. The mission funds are more than enough for me to use alone.”

She seemed satisfied with her life. But it won’t be 100% satisfactory.

“Isn’t it hard to train?”

“I can’t say the environment is good. Because I don’t have as much time as I did in the family.”

I knew it. How can she have time when she’s chasing after me every day.

I spar with her every morning and evening, but that’s not enough. So, after the sparring, she made an unsatisfactory expression.

Of course, I’m not satisfied with sparring alone, but at least I had class time. But she has nothing. She just waited until I was done.

As we kept walking, we arrived near the lowest-grade dormitory. I asked quietly.

“Sister. Don’t you miss home?”

At my question, my sister answered with a nostalgic face.

“I can’t say I don’t miss it. Because I haven’t seen my family and the people of the territory, and my parents for a long time.”

“That’s how it is when you get away from home.”

Originally, the familiar place is the most comfortable. Homesickness doesn’t come for nothing.

“But why are you asking that?”

“Well….”

But when I tried to say it, the words were stuck in my throat. My heart is heavy with sadness in my voice if I relax.

So I….

“Just, I was curious.”

In the end, I couldn’t say it and lied.

And that evening.

“…How should I write it?”

Dear Father? Hmm, I don’t think so.

Then, Respected Father? No, this is a little bit….

My father was not on good terms with me as much as my brother, so I had difficulty writing a letter.

I repeated writing and erasing the first sentence several times. I decided not to do anything useless.

Thus, I.

[Father]

I started writing a letter with the simplest word.

Still hiding this fact from Ella.

***

The next day.

I received a call that the commissioned item was completed. It was something I had been looking forward to, so I immediately ran to the workshop.

“Hoo….”

Arrived at the senior’s workshop. I took a deep breath and calmed my mind. And the moment I was about to knock on the door.

The door burst open, and the senior, who was emitting a slightly triumphant air, greeted me.

“I’ve been waiting. Come in.”

I sensed it from that appearance. The commissioned item was completed beyond imagination. Otherwise, the senior would not be so confident.

“Is the perfection very high?”

“Yeah. It’s my masterpiece.”

To be called a masterpiece. Even in the novel, she rarely said this.

“Can I check it quickly?”

“It’s here.”

The senior ran to the workbench and brought the box.

An ordinary wooden box. However, the magic circles and engravings engraved in various places were protecting the stored items from the outside.

“Open it.”

“Then….”

I received the box handed by the senior and opened it slowly. And after checking the contents inside, I couldn’t close my mouth.

“Senior, this is….”

“I made it well, right?”

“Yes. You made it really well….”

The placement of the materials, the mana conductivity of the magic tools, and the combination ratio of each substance. The senior put everything I asked for and completed the magic tool. There was not a single flaw, and the finishing was perfect.

If you look closely, there were some slight differences, but there was nothing to be concerned about. Rather, the senior had upgraded it in a better direction. As a result, it produced a better effect.

In the meantime, the design is also excellent. It is not too excessive or luxurious, and it is a practical form as an accessory.

I couldn’t help but admire it.

“Do you know that sometimes you don’t seem like a human?”

The senior suddenly startled like a cat. She said in a very small voice.

“I, I’m human….”

Ah, that’s right. I realized my mistake late. I said to her with a face that said, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Of course you’re human. I mean, your alchemy skills don’t seem human. Where does it look like a skill that a human can do?”

“U, uh. Alchemy, good at it.”

“Oh, my. You’re taking it too seriously, so I can’t even joke.”

Then the senior protested.

“No. Good at jokes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

She nodded slightly. I said to her.

“Then would you like to try?”

“……”

The senior was silent for a while, and after a long time, she opened her mouth.

“…I don’t like it. I won’t do it.”

“See that. Senior, it’s better to just admit it than to be stubborn at times like this.”

“…You’re talking a lot today. Be quiet.”

She turned her head as if she was sulking. I looked at her and said.

“Don’t be sulky. It’s because it’s made too well.”

When I said that, she moved her neck slightly to look at me.

“…Really?”

“Yes. To be honest, I didn’t know it would be made with this level of perfection.”

An object beyond imagination was born. So, as the person who commissioned it, I couldn’t help but feel good.

Besides, it’s a magic tool that’s really well made to the point of being comparable to Karsa, and it’s hard to see this level of object even now.

“But why is there one more?”

As I was looking at the commissioned item, a question arose.

The accessories I commissioned were three. Bracelet, earrings, and ring. But there was a small hairpin next to it.

Of course, this also had all my requirements, so it was the same as the other accessories, but… It wasn’t a very necessary item.

“Materials left over.”

“To the point where you couldn’t handle it?”

“I told you. It was too much.”

I thought I had designed it on a scale that was just right. I guess it couldn’t be done.

Well, it’s difficult to put everything in this small size. The senior shook her head, so this seems to be the limit. Even after looking at it for a moment, there’s no room to put it in.

“There were no blueprints either. Wasn’t it difficult?”

“I grasped the structure. So, making it is easy.”

“I guess so.”

I agreed with the senior’s words.

The important thing is the structure inside, not the design on the outside. The form is for the convenience of use.

“Did I, make it unnecessarily…?”

At that time, the senior asked in an uneasy voice. I quickly corrected the misunderstanding.

“No. You did a good job. There was no place to use the materials even if they were left over.”

After all, you can’t even make a simple weapon with this weight. It’s much better to use it this way. At least you can put a magic engraving on it.

The problem is who to give this to….

“More than that, senior. Aren’t you going anywhere during vacation?”

“I’m not going. I’m going to be here.”

“Because of the Philosopher’s Stone?”

“Yeah.”

Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to be leaving the academy during vacation. Then I’m grateful.

“Then can I use the workshop for the next few days?”

“Do you have anything to do?”

“Yes. I have to put magic engravings on the accessories.”

It’s something that can be done when I go back to the dormitory, but it’s more comfortable and safer to have a quiet and clean workshop.

“It doesn’t matter. Will it be done soon?”

“I think it will take about a week at the longest.”

If I had enough mana, I could handle it in one day. But I don’t have enough mana, so it takes that long at the least.

“It’s okay. Nothing to do.”

She said she has refused requests for the time being for a break and for the Philosopher’s Stone. So she has nothing to do.

“Then would you like to watch my work?”

I suggested to the senior.

Her living radius is really simple. Workshop, dormitory, lecture room. That’s it. Even then, she spends more than half of her time in the workshop.

Is there a separate place to go? That’s not it either.

She’s not an active person, and she only stays in the area she’s decided on. She doesn’t go out to the point of ordering food or cake.

Make such a person go out? The result is obvious.

“Is it okay?”

“It’s obvious that it doesn’t matter.”

The senior was sensitive, but I wasn’t. My concentration doesn’t scatter easily enough to talk to me during work.

“Then I’ll watch.”

“Go ahead.”

I took a seat at the senior’s workbench. The senior pulled up a chair and sat next to me.

So I did the magic engraving work, and the senior watched my work.

After that, on the way back to the dormitory after finishing work, I sent a letter to the territory.