episode_0068

Field Trip.

Gallimard was always infamous 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 was never missed.

It was also a time for students to temporarily set aside their academic burdens.

Naturally, it garnered a lot of anticipation.

‘However.’

Not all students had the same schedule.

As explained before, Gallimard Academy advocated for a strict meritocracy.

A ranking-based allocation system, determined by individual grades.

This applied equally to events like the ‘field trip’.

The destination, cost, and mode of transportation varied greatly depending on each class.

For instance, Class F, which belonged to the lower ranks, would receive a decidedly less desirable resort compared to Class B, which was in the upper ranks.

It could be seen as a mechanism to induce a competitive spirit.

“Heh heh.”

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

The carriage they were currently riding in was proof of that.

On the surface, it looked like an ordinary expensive carriage, but it was actually a magical artifact with countless circuits intricately intertwined.

It was designed to withstand magical effects.

A teleportation portal meticulously managed by the Magic Tower.

This carriage held the sole official license, granted by the notoriously strict elders of the Magic Tower, to use the portal.

In terms of transportation, it was akin to the pinnacle.

To give an example from my previous life, it was like being given a private jet for a mere field trip.

Anyway, there was no greater display of excessive wealth than this.

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

No wonder students were so obsessed with their grades.

As I quietly mumbled, Regia, who was sitting opposite me, softly agreed.

“I-I was really surprised. I had only heard about portal carriages in stories… but t-to actually ride one like this, it’s so amazing!”

It seemed she was deeply impressed by this new marvel.

Her green eyes sparkled purely.

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

She truly couldn’t be cuter.

“I-I think I’m a little too excited…”

The pilot smiled faintly.

Emilia, who was next to him, shrugged and said,

“To be surprised by just this much. I suppose commoners are commoners, after all.”

“P-Princess-nim, are you used to this?”

“Of course. I am a Veneti, after all.”

“As expected of a great noble…!”

“Ahem, you may admire me a little more.”

A total of four people were riding in the carriage.

The Snake, the Pilot, the Vain One, and the Fox.

We chatted amiably, alleviating the boredom.

Even amidst our conversation, the carriage rolled smoothly, and the scenery outside the window sped by.

As time passed like that.

“By the way.”

Emilia subtly opened her mouth.

She was staring at Irene, who was sitting next to me.

“You’re an unfamiliar face? Not completely new, I think I’ve seen you a few times before……”

She seemed interested in the Fox.

“That’s right. She is my attendant.”

“A fox beast-kin, how unusual.”

“Indeed, they’re not a common species. We’ve rarely been together during classes, so it’s natural for Princess-nim to find her unfamiliar.”

“Hmm.”

Her blue pupils slowly scanned the Fox.

A well-balanced, firm physique, a voluptuous chest, and eyes that held a chic aura.

The Vain One subtly mumbled.

“……You said you two live alone in the dormitory, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Just the two of you, then.”

Her blue eyes narrowed.

The girl hinted,

“Still, you won’t be lonely.”

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

“Someone special…?”

“Because it’s an extraordinary relationship.”

An extraordinary relationship.

Emilia tilted her head as if asking what I meant.

I proudly replied,

“You could say I’m taming her.”

“Taming? What’s that?”

“It means forming a relationship.”

“What…?”

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

The girl’s expression became blank.

I continued to explain.

“I’m working hard every day. To establish a proper relationship with Irene-yang.”

“E-E-Every day…?!”

“Hmm? Is something wrong?”

“H-How can you, you, be so shameless…!”

“Huh?”

Had I said something shocking?

Emilia’s reaction was somehow strange. She sputtered as if broken, and eventually, her tongue even twisted.

For some reason, her face was flushed hot.

“……?”

As I stood there with a question mark above my head, Irene, who had been silently observing, suddenly sighed.

Looking at me as if I was pathetic.

“Haa… I told you to fix the way you talk.”

“Suddenly?”

“You’re truly the worst. You, as a person.”

“W-Why is everyone like this to Young Master-nim…?”

It was truly a chaotic scene.

The Fox shaking her head.

The Snake looking flustered.

The Vain One’s face flushed.

And the Pilot, who was the only one unable to follow the conversation, sweating profusely.

The carriage was noisy for a while.

***

After some time passed, the carriage reached its destination.

The first thing that greeted the children was a briny, salty scent.

Following the ocean breeze, the unique fragrance of the coast filled their nostrils.

A refreshing coolness washed away the seasonal heat.

‘Heyron, the City of Blue Light.’

A coastal city situated on the empire’s outskirts.

It was also considered the most popular vacation spot among nobles.

Originally, it was a distance that would take over a week by carriage, but thanks to the portal carriage’s prowess, they arrived in less than half a day.

Indeed, most problems are solved by money.

-We have arrived at our destination.

-I imagine everyone is tired from the long carriage ride.

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

There were no special activities on the first day.

It was merely a matter of bringing their luggage into the reserved hotel and lying down on the beds to rest from the journey.

They also took a light tour of the internal facilities.

A hotel boasting a magnificent atmosphere.

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

The absence of outsiders, apart from the staff, was also quite to my liking.

It felt somewhat excessive for only about twenty students to stay there… but isn’t it true that what’s good is good?

Since it wasn’t my money, I decided to simply enjoy it at ease.

“Ahem.”

Anyway.

The main part of the field trip began the next day.

Students were free to move about.

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

If they wished, they were allowed to simply stay cooped up in the hotel and leisurely pass the time.

It was literally a ‘vacation’.

I also decided to relax a bit.

The members who rode the carriage with me yesterday. We left the accommodation early in the morning.

We quickly filled our stomachs at a nearby restaurant.

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

“It was delicious for me!”

“Yeah. Not bad.”

The two had positive reactions.

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

“……Seafood just doesn’t seem to suit my palate, after all.”

“Oh dear.”

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

The girl with a sulky look in her eyes.

I let out a small laugh and said,

“Everyone has different preferences, after all.”

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

“I think cooking for ourselves wouldn’t be bad either.”

“Cooking…?”

“If Princess-nim wishes it, that is.”

I spoke confidently.

“I can prepare a meal for you.”

“My palate is quite picky.”

“I’m skilled enough to match that.”

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

“I didn’t know you’d find my hands that pretty.”

“……That’s not what I meant at all, you know?”

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

Perhaps it was because of her doubtful gaze.

I intended to prepare a dish that would surprise everyone.

We chatted harmoniously.

Plod plod—.

The path we steadily walked.

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

Though we seemed to tire from the hot weather, we didn’t stop walking midway.

Because we planned to cool off sufficiently at the next place we’d visit.

After walking for a while, a blue backdrop soon came into view.

“We’ve arrived.”

It was none other than the sea.

The coast located near the accommodation.

We slowly stepped onto it.

Soft footsteps—.

The sensation of sand underfoot with every step.

The wide beach was empty.

It seemed Gallimard had reserved this place in advance as well, as no other people could be seen.

In a word, it was just us.

“Wow…!”

Regia, looking around, let out a small gasp of admiration.

A beautiful scenery awaited before our eyes.

Whoosh whoosh—.

The emerald-colored shimmering surface, water so transparent that the bottom was visible, and a sandy beach spread out like gold.

The scorching sunlight shone particularly brilliantly.

We listened for a moment to the roaring sound of the waves.

“Heh heh, shall we go?”

“Yes…!”

Leaving the swaying summer behind, we set off.

The path cutting across the wide sandy beach.

Not far away, a changing room was visible. Upon seeing it, the villainess and the protagonist immediately went inside to change.

It seemed the two had brought swimsuits to wear in the ocean.

“Swimsuits… I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Me neither.”

On the other hand, Irene and I hadn’t brought anything.

We just sat there blankly.

As we waited for the others to return, the two soon approached us in different outfits.

“W-We’re back… You didn’t wait long, did you?”

“It took longer than we thought.”

Both of them were wearing cardigans over their swimsuits.

Thanks to that, most of their skin was covered.

With their outfits coordinated too, the children slowly prepared to enter the water.

“We have to properly stretch our bodies. Just in case an accident happens.”

“As thorough as ever.”

“Heh heh… Actually, I once got a cramp before, and almost, almost had a big problem.”

First, Regia loosened her body with light stretches.

She stretched her arms, stimulating her muscles.

As I quietly watched her swaying movements, suddenly, I heard the sound of a zipper being lowered nearby.

“Hoo.”

It was none other than Emilia.

She was squatting in the shade.

Zip—.

Her hands carefully unzipped it.

Between the slowly descending outer garment, her hidden, fair skin gradually revealed itself.

In her other hand, she held a bottle of sunscreen.

It seemed she intended to block UV rays before entering the sea.

“Ugh… Cold.”

She carefully spread the contents.

However, because both of her hands weren’t free, she seemed unable to move as she wished.

Especially her back, it was impossible.

She seemed to need help.

I readily approached the girl.

“Princess-nim.”

“Ugh… Why are you calling me all of a sudden?”

“May I offer you some assistance?”

“What?”

Emilia furrowed her brow as if asking what I meant.

I calmly added,

“It seems it would be difficult for you to do it alone. I was wondering if I could lend you a hand.”

“……?”

Emilia stared up at me blankly.

She seemed to be replaying my recent words in her mind.

And then, after a short while, the girl understood the meaning of my words.

A flicker appeared in her blue pupils.

“What do you say?”

I asked with a faint smile.