episode_0048

Rustling――

“… … Ah.”

It’s a ceiling you couldn’t see.

As soon as I woke up, I thought about that and stared blankly at the ceiling before yawning and stretching.

okay… … . This was the academy. For some reason, I didn’t feel familiar with the ceiling. I brushed my bangs back and leaned on the side to get out of bed, when my hand touched something warm and soft.

“Ugh… … . now… … . Stop, galae… … .”

I blinked blankly at the sight of a lump of blanket that made a strange sound as soon as it touched it, like a doll that makes a sound when its stomach is pressed, and then took a quick look at the blanket.

“Umm… … .”

There, curled up and sleeping, was Hermel. Maybe it was because I stayed up all night, but my head wasn’t working well. I sighed and got out of bed and pulled back the curtain covering the window.

I relieved my sore right wrist as I watched the sun just beginning to rise in the distance. I was worried that I might have overslept, but I’m glad I did.

“Oh, that’s right.”

As soon as I snapped my finger, the silent curse hanging in the room stopped functioning at once. I’m tired, but I should get ready soon. I missed a lot of classes on the first day, and it would be difficult if I started late the next day as well.

Swoosh, swoosh――

I put my nightgown and pajamas back on, took my change of underwear, school uniform, and towel, and was about to head to the public bath when I heard a rustling sound coming from behind, so I stopped.

Oh, we have to wake up Hermel too. After sighing, he put down the towel and clothes nearby and lifted the blanket that Hermel was covering.

When I took off the blanket, which had become damp from having fun all night, a strange smell tickled my nose along with the heat. And as I slowly lowered my gaze, I caught sight of the naked Hermel, who was still radiating warm heat.

“… … Ugh, it’s cold.”

Seeing Hermel trembling and curling up a little more, he chuckled and stretched out his finger to press firmly on Hermel’s stomach.

Maybe it was because my stomach had been tormented so persistently all night that it had become sensitive, but it showed a strong reaction even when I only pressed it with my fingers rather than my palm.

“Sigh… … !?”

“Hehehe, that’s a cute moan.”

Hermel, who closed his legs and covered his stomach with both hands, blinked and looked at me, perhaps surprised by the sudden situation, but did not say anything.

He smiled and patted my head to help me come to my senses.

“Good morning.”

“What’s going on… … ? It’s not over yet… … ?”

Hermel trembled as he said that.

“If you want, it’s not difficult to do more. But unfortunately, the day has already dawned.”

“Ah――No way, you’re late!?”

Hermel tried to get up from his seat, but his legs seemed to have lost their strength and he fell towards me, and I hugged him tightly.

“There is no need to be so embarrassed. If I was really late, there’s no way I could have been this relaxed.”

“Ah… … . That’s right.”

“Hehe, I think I’ve come to my senses, so I’ll go take a shower first.”

“Wait a minute! Let’s go together!”

After getting out of my arms, Hermel gathered a change of underwear, school uniform, and towel and stood in front of me.

“… … Let’s go!”

When I saw him standing with his legs shaking, I thought it was amazing. Like Mel, there seems to be a difference even though the person who trained his body is different.

I laughed and took my clothes and towel and opened the door, making eye contact with Mel who was standing quietly in front of the door.

“Good morning. Miss.”

“Yes, good morning Mel.”

As I greeted him with a grin, Hermel, who was standing behind me, spoke in a rough voice.

“… … Why did a commoner come here?”

“I came to help Miss Charlotte.”

“Do you not know that Charles may be ignored by other nobles because of you, or do you know that and still cling to Charles?”

Mel quietly closed her eyes and lowered her head, and Hermel frowned and tried to approach Mel.

“Hermel.”

“… … Why are you like that?”

“The reason Mel stays next to me is because I told her to stay.”

“You… … .”

I left Hermel behind and walked up to Mel and stroked her cheek.

“Mel is my servant before he is a commoner. There was no influence from anyone else. There was no recommendation from anyone. She is my maid whom I chose solely of my own will.”

“… … .”

“I mean that. As long as it’s my choice, I don’t care what it is or who it is. Because I am the person and object I chose.”

“Charles, I understand what you mean. but… … . If you have Mel by your side, nobles will insult you behind your back, and commoners will show hostility towards you for using a commoner as a servant. I’m worried about you… … .”

“I understand how Hermel is worried about me. But I mean it.”

Before Hermel finished speaking, he looked back and said.

“I don’t care about the looks of idiots who can’t even stand in front of me. How many enemies can there be at most? Even if God came and told me to break up with Mel, I would politely refuse. Because that is my belief.”

“… … .”

He smiled brightly, looking at the dumbfounded Hermel.

“I don’t give up on my choices. So, I hope you don’t feel too uncomfortable when Mel is around me.”

“――Okay. If you say that much, I can’t say any more.”

“Thank you. Oh, if I don’t move quickly, I might be late for my first class. Let’s go.”

Hermel responded by nodding his head. I smiled with satisfaction and whispered into Mel’s ear.

“Mel, I would like you to clean my room.”

“Yes. Miss.”

I left Mel behind as she entered the room, and headed to the large bath with Hermel.

Hermel must have been gathering his thoughts, but he didn’t say anything until he went into the large bath, washed himself, and changed into his school uniform.

Hermel, who had been contemplating something with his mouth shut, opened his mouth after arriving at the magic classroom where the first class of the day was being held.

“Charles.”

“Yes, why are you doing that?”

“I thought about what you said earlier.”

Hermel looked at me with calmer eyes than ever.

“Charles is really strong.”

“… … ?”

“It’s not a story of strength, but a story of how strong the mindset and will are.”

Hermel smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“No… … . I didn’t mean to say this. Ahaha, sorry. This isn’t like me… … .”

Hermel, who patted his cheek, grinned as usual and came next to me.

“Hihihi, pretend you didn’t hear what I just said.”

“… … What did you say?”

When I said that with a small smile, Hermel shook his head.

“It’s nothing!”

Shortly after Hermel spoke with a playful smile, a man’s voice rang out in the classroom.

[Everyone, please take your seats.]

The classroom, startled by that voice, instantly became quiet, and only after the chattering students had taken their seats did the classroom door open and the professor walk in.

The person who opened the door and came in was a man who looked quite gloomy and tired, with unkempt hair and deep dark circles.

I placed the basic magic book I had brought with me on the desk and looked around.

‘Why are Sera and Seria not there…? … ?’

Have you already done your job? Then it’s a bit difficult.

“Everyone in their seats… … . I don’t think there is one. okay. The sea I expected. ha… … .”

“Sorry for being late!”

Grrr!

The two people who burst open the door and came in were Seria and Sera, who would shatter my worries.

“Okay… … . Class hasn’t started yet, so take your seats.”

Perhaps because scolding them was too much of a hassle, the magic professor waved his hand and sent the two away. Seria and Sera smiled awkwardly and sat in the empty seat.

I was worried what would happen if he went crazy and stabbed Ceria to death just one day after they were separated. I’m glad I don’t have anything to worry about.

As I rested my chin and looked at the two people, before I knew it, class had started and I quietly opened my book. Yeah, it would have been fine if he hadn’t died. With that in mind, I quietly listened to class.

.

.

.

“――Because. The most important basic element in magic… … .”

Grumbling――

“Professor, time――”

“Wow, has it already been this long… … .”

As I was absent-mindedly listening to a boring class that I had listened to over and over again, a person who appeared to be an assistant came in and whispered something. The professor sighed and closed the book.

“This is the end of today’s class. Everything I learned in class today will appear on the exam, so I hope you took good notes. then… … .”

The professor said that and left the classroom, and most of the students who had been dozing off woke up looking groggy.

And it was the same for Hermel, who sat next to me.

“Haaam… … . Tsk… … . what… … ? When did class end… … ?”

“It’s just finished. I heard you were sleeping well, even drooling. I guess you are very tired?”

When I said that with a chuckle, Hermel, who was blushing, puffed out his cheeks and avoided my gaze.

“That’s right… … . I did that much yesterday… … .”

“Hehe, now that I think about it, it was my fault. As an apology, I will let you rest well tonight.”

Saying that, he patted Hermel’s head and stood up.

“Next class… … . It was definitely cursed science, right? I wasn’t told to bring anything special, so let’s go――”

Kuuk――

When I saw Hermel’s hand holding his collar, I smiled to myself and tilted my head.

Then Hermel, whose face was red, mumbled in a low voice that sounded like an ant crawling.

“Today too… … . You can do it… … .”

“Fuhu… … . Yes, got it. Okay, everyone else has already gone to the next classroom, let’s go quickly too.”

“Ah, yes.”

I smiled at Sarah, who was flinching as she looked at me from the bottom of the classroom, and left the classroom.

How many days will Sarah be able to survive? With that in mind, I walked towards the next classroom.