episode_0318

Despite causing quite a commotion with Edan over the subject of Arcane Arts exploration, I ultimately decided to take it to overcome my weaknesses.

The last class Edan carefully chose was a subject titled ‘Marine Exploration.’

“Let’s go with this for the last one.”

“Are you talking about Marine Exploration?”

“Yeah. There was a time when things got dicey with the Kraken, so I thought it might be good to tackle this area this time.”

“I think it’s not a bad idea.”

My swimming skills are still lacking… but I can learn something from this class.

And there was another name for the Marine Exploration subject, so I naturally had to agree to Edan’s suggestion, having roughly caught onto his intentions.

“It’s called ‘Marine Exploration,’ but in reality, it’s not much different from a ‘Beach Math Trip.’”

I never expected Edan to ask me out on a date like this.

I should probably get a swimsuit soon. There must be a variety of swimsuits that fit Lilith’s chest size, so I’ll buy a subtle black one and customize it with maid frills.

Who knew he would mention wanting to see me in a swimsuit. It just goes to show that Edan has a subtly mischievous side.

“It seems like we’ll be taking the same classes this semester, Edan.”

“…Yes. I’ll rely on you, Lilith.”

Anyway, with five subjects now scheduled, the timetable for the second semester was roughly set.

I should ask Agnes later how many classes overlap with hers. Agnes’s timetable will essentially become the party’s timetable, so it would be good to know which events she’ll be participating in this semester.

***

The day after Edan and I finished registering for classes.

Sitting on a bench in the central square, Agnes and I casually shared some information about next semester’s classes.

“Natural Sciences Exploration? We didn’t sign up for that.”

“Really? Then what class is Agnes taking during this time slot?”

“Well? I heard the hero saying something about going to a desert.”

“Ah, is it Solar Studies Exploration?”

“I think that’s what it was. This semester, he insisted on making his own schedule, took all of our registration forms, wrote down a bunch of things, and then returned them.”

“I see.”

It seems like the hero is sticking to his plan to continue nurturing the hero party in a conventional way this semester.

It might seem strange that a character as proud as Agnes doesn’t object to someone else planning their schedule, but in fact, this wasn’t much different from the original work’s authenticity.

Agnes was the type to act without hesitation if she thought it would benefit her. More accurately, it would be if it benefited her in the competition for succession.

Her compliance with my orders in Elemental Studies and her initial positive reception of the interaction with Prince Antonio were all results of this aspect of Agnes’s personality.

And since the hero has already secured two hunting competition victories for Agnes, she must have built up enough trust. It seems she believes it’s better to listen to the hero’s words in order to enhance her own achievements for the succession competition.

Thanks to this, I was able to confirm the hero’s class schedule in this manner, which was beneficial for me as well.

“Solar Studies, huh. That’s a good choice.”

Originally, I chose Natural Sciences for the sake of experience points, but in the main story, the more conventional choice for a subject was Solar Studies Exploration.

By taking Solar Studies, I could farm ancient relics in desert temples and even receive a new skill by receiving a revelation from the Sun God.

Of course, the story didn’t apply to me. I didn’t want to get in the way of the guy’s conquest just because I happened to acquire an ancient relic, and getting new skills was an event only applicable to hero characters.

Once I obtained information on the first subject, Solar Studies, I inquired about the remaining subjects as well.

“So, do you also take the Geology Exploration course?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Great. I just finished the Geology Exploration course myself.”

“Oh, really? What else?”

“For the third week, do you take the Humanities Exploration course?”

“I do. Do you also take that?”

“Yes. I took it because I judged that I couldn’t become stronger just by fighting monsters that move as predetermined.”

Since Geology and Humanities overlapped with mine, it didn’t matter. For the fourth week, the hero and Agnes chose Demonology Exploration instead of Strategy Exploration.

Actually, the fourth week was pretty much the same no matter what I took, so I wasn’t too concerned.

“I guess Oceanography Exploration for the fifth week…probably not.”

Since I was told that I wouldn’t be given any responsibilities in this world, I had no intention of participating in the swimsuit event that would unnecessarily trouble the hero’s mind.

And the fifth-week lecture was really no different from a field trip, so it didn’t matter much which one I chose. It just depended on whether the field trip location was the sea or the mountains.

“For the fifth week, it’s Forestry Exploration, right? Got it, Agnes.”

“Huh? I have Oceanography for the fifth week.”

“…Really?”

“What’s wrong? Are you in Forestry?”

“No, I’m also in Oceanography.”

“Thank goodness. We’re in the same class again.”

…Oceanography? Really?

Although the hero’s judgment was somewhat puzzling, I just nodded to Agnes, who had passed on the information, as a sign of acknowledgment.

“Well…I can’t resist seeing the female characters in swimsuits.”

If it was just watching, would it be considered an innocent pleasure? Maybe it was okay.

While I was somewhat curious about the modest Luke and Agnes, I was also curious about the swimsuits of Seraphine, Natalie, and Selena.

In a way, it might turn out well. I had always been curious about how a swimsuit scene from the original work would feel in real life.

“Oh, by the way, do you know who besides Agnes has helped arrange the timetable for the hero?”

“Besides me, there’s Natalie, Thomas, Selena, and Cerista…I’m not sure about Seraphine.”

“Oh, thank you for letting me know.”

“…It’s a bit late to ask now, but is my timetable such an important topic?”

“If it’s important, it’s important, and if it’s not, it’s not. Still, thanks to Agnes, it was helpful in many ways.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Seraphine would have arranged her timetable the same way as the hero, and Luke, being a guy similar to Seraphine, would probably stick with her throughout this semester when they could finally attend the same classes.

Including the hero, Seraphine, and Luke in the group Agnes mentioned, there were a total of eight people.

And excluding Cerista as a bonus member, if we added Orion, who had already graduated, we would have a complete party of eight people plus one hero.

“Good balance. They’re all main characters. Except for Seraphine, Selena, and Cerista, there’s no romantic interest in the hero.”

He had laid the foundation for a serious conquest of the Demon King, so now it was my turn.

The remaining heroines of “Luminor Academy” whose partners had not yet been decided. From now on, my role was to support their romantic endeavors.

“Oh, and just so you know, it seems that Ethan also takes the same five exploration courses as me…”

“I don’t need to say it. We’re just a stupid couple who can’t live without fighting.”

“….”

…It doesn’t seem to be that serious.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Based on the original work of ‘Luminor Academy,’ there are still four heroines whose fate has not been determined.

First, there is Kael, a second-year combat student who has been at the academy from the beginning.

And from the new students entering the academy this year, there are three more individuals.

Angela, the newly appointed professor at the academy.

Mezlen, the fourth princess of the Hwang Kingdom who may have been mentioned as a potential fiancée for Ethan.

And even Princess Rainy of the Deprin Kingdom, who may also be a potential fiancée for Ethan. These four individuals have not yet been paired up.

Naturally, the later mentioned individuals are becoming increasingly difficult to connect with someone from my side. Even though I can build a relationship with Kael as a senior, it would be inappropriate for me to approach the professor, the princess, and the princess from another country with ulterior motives.

So, while starting with the easy-going Kael may seem like the right choice… there was one thing I needed to do first in order to get involved with Mezlen.

That was to make a strong impression as soon as Mezlen, the fourth princess and a new student this year, arrived at the academy.

With that thought in mind, I was waiting for her at the academy gate when a magnificent royal carriage quietly stopped in front of the gate, and two nobles cautiously stepped out from inside.

“Give me the luggage here. I’ll carry it from here.”

Prince Antonio, who seemed a bit more sturdy than in the original work, said.

“….”

And following behind him was the appearance of Princess Mezlen, with her red twin tails flowing behind her.