Chapter 10: Cultural Festival Day Two
Before I knew it, last night we had spent over two hours discussing magic and educational systems from various countries. Topics about territorial issues and import/export also came up frequently, but those seemed to greatly influence magical development as well, so I made sure to listen carefully.
“…It’s such beautiful weather.”
Squinting at the morning sun, I think about today, the second day of the cultural festival. In the morning, there will be presentations by two faculty members I provided advice to, and around 4 PM, Eliza’s presentation is scheduled. There’s also a student presentation first thing in the afternoon. Considering the final checks, I’d like to arrive at the presentation venue at least an hour early.
“Ah, that’s right, I was invited by the students. They said let’s go around the cultural festival together.”
Remembering this important promise, I hurry to check my bedhead.
It had exploded.
The scale was medium-sized. This should be fixable within five minutes.
“Let’s hurry. Water Ball – Aqua Ball!”
I quickly activate the spell. Above both hands held in front of my face, a basketball-sized sphere of water appears.
Normally, I would place it on my head to wet my hair, but since I’m short on time today, I might as well wash my face too.
With that decision, I close my eyes and mouth and launch the water ball at my face. While experiencing the sensation of having just my face plunged into a pool, I generate a light current. Water swirls around my face, washing away dirt. Since the water is nearly pure, it absorbs and collects all dust and small particles like dirt.
Thinking it’s like a washing machine, I gradually shrink the water ball and then blow a gentle wind. This is a technique I discovered recently—if I blow wind toward the ceiling, my hair dries straight without water dripping. Furthermore, as a time-saver, I lightly apply handmade lotion to my face during this process.
Eliza provided it to me, and indeed, when applied, it makes my skin smooth and feels pleasant.
In this way, my hair and face were set in just five minutes. All that’s left is to change clothes. I quickly take off and fold my nightwear, then put on the pleasant-feeling underwear and undershirt I just purchased in town. The outer garment is my usual one, but I’ve replaced everything else with relatively new items.
My mood feels refreshed and I become a bit cheerful.
After this, I just need to eat the breakfast Grenola makes and my departure preparations will be complete. With light steps, I head to the first-floor dining hall, where two other faculty members besides myself were having breakfast. Grenola pokes her head out from the kitchen, spots me, and walks over.
“Good morning. What will you eat?”
“Good morning. I’d be happy if you could toast some bread for me. Do you have Grenola-san’s homemade jam?”
“I do. In that case, I’ll fry some eggs for you too. Fruit water for your drink, right?”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
With this familiar exchange, breakfast was decided. Since Grenola has completely captured my stomach, just her description of the dishes makes me imagine the taste and feel hungry.
I sit at a seat by the wall and look outside the window to see the academy grounds already bustling with many people.
“Here you go.”
While thanking Grenola who brought the food, I ask about the scene outside.
“Everyone’s quite early. If there are stalls open from early morning, it would be fun to stroll around with a festival mood.”
Saying this, I bite into the freshly baked bread. The fragrant aroma and sweet-sour taste of Grenola’s special jam spread in my mouth, making me feel happy.
Meanwhile, Grenola looks at me with an exasperated expression and tilts her head.
“…The first presentation already happened, apparently. Everyone finished breakfast and left over an hour ago to check preparations and venue conditions. There aren’t many people eating leisurely like you.”
Being pointed out by Grenola, I fall silent. I probably shouldn’t say anything unnecessary. With that thought, I decide to focus on breakfast. The well-fried sunny-side up egg is also delicious.
“You’re surprisingly laid-back, aren’t you, Aoi?”
“Am I? I’m quite busy though.”
“Doesn’t look like it.”
“My goodness.”
While having this morning conversation with Grenola, I finish breakfast a bit quickly and stand up. I need to work on recovering my reputation.
“Today and tomorrow I’m busy. I need to hurry and find Aile-san and the others.”
“Ah, Aile and the others were waiting outside. About an hour ago.”
“…My goodness.”
Recovering my reputation seems quite difficult now. As I stand there stunned, Grenola holds the dishes she prepared for my breakfast in one hand and points outside.
“Come on, go. Apologize and say ‘Sorry for oversleeping.'”
“…I have no excuse. I’ll be going.”
I honestly apologize and bow my head. Grenola nods with a wry smile.
“Alright, alright. Well then, off you go.”
Leaving the dormitory, I head toward the central plaza. The faculty presentations are at 10 and 11 o’clock. The timing is just right, but where are Aile and the others? If it’s just to watch presentations, they might be strolling around somewhere.
Thinking this, I observe the stalls and see young people from the Nevis family frying bread. It looks quite delicious, but having just eaten breakfast, I don’t think I could eat any.
“Excuse me, could I ask you something?”
“Yes! One piece for one iron coin… Big sister Aoi!? Wh-what can I do for you!?”
When I call out, the lanky young man’s eyes widen in surprise. I have some dissatisfaction with his way of being surprised as if a demon appeared, but I’ll set that aside for now.
“Um, have you seen a female student with vermillion, or rather, slightly reddish pink hair? I think she’s traveling with a blonde girl and a girl with light blue hair.”
When I tell him this, the young man immediately nods.
“Ah, that noisy… I mean, lovely trio! The three of them bought bread from us! I think they said something about going to the southern plaza first and then coming back here would be just right…”
“The southern plaza… I understand. Thank you.”
After expressing my thanks, I move toward the southern plaza. Since I’m short on time, I decide to use flight magic. I stopped at about the height of a second-floor roof and flew around the academy grounds, but on the ground, children who spotted me were cheering and making a commotion.
Arriving at the southern plaza in one or two minutes, I found the three girls making noise in front of a stall selling leather bags.
“Aile-san, Liz-san, Bell-san.”
Calling their names while landing nearby, Liz notices me first.
“Aoi-sensei!”
“You finally came!”
“You’re late!”
Suddenly it becomes noisy with their chatter. Smiling wryly at this scene, I bow lightly.
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“Good morning. I apologize. I was late.”
When I say this, Aile laughs in a carefree manner and waves one hand.
“It’s fine! Yesterday, I heard from Father. He said you were dining with Father and the others until late at night.”
“Aile’s father? Then, with the legislators from Court-Highland?”
“No, no. The kings of various countries and such, right?”
When Bell asks, Aile makes her eyebrows form a ‘ハ’ shape in denial and confirms with me.
“Ah, yes. That’s right. However, from my perspective, they’re Rocks-kun’s father, Felter-kun’s father, and Aile-san’s father.”
When I answer this way, Aile laughs in a troubled manner.
“Only Aoi-sensei can talk like that! Any other teacher would definitely get nervous and unable to speak around such important people, right? Well, my father is just one of the representative legislators, so it’s not that bad.”
When Aile says this with a wry smile, Liz vigorously shakes her head left and right.
“Isaac-sama is the head of the senior legislators and has been a representative legislator the longest! I think he’s as important as dukes from other countries!”
She passionately explains while looking at me. Apparently, the Court-Highland Federation’s class system is complex. Whether it’s senior or representative, I don’t understand the system well, so I’m troubled about how to respond.
While my head was troubled by Court-Highland’s system, Aile makes an “ah” sound and looks up.
“Come to think of it, I heard that Barrel-kun’s father came this year.”
“Barrel-kun’s? Um, the Carvan Kingdom, was it?”
When I ask this, Aile blinks her eyes.
“Aoi-sensei, you haven’t met him? It’s Duke Lorette-Black! He’s the king’s brother and a great lord who owns vast lands in the north. Father wanted to talk with him but was dejected that they haven’t been able to converse much yet.”
“Ah, Lorette-san. That’s right. They have the same Black surname. Huh? However, Lorette-san didn’t mention Barrel-kun.”
When I answer this way, Aile and the others all look at each other.
“…Well, Barrel-kun’s family has various issues.”
“Succession disputes… My family has nothing to do with that story.”
“It must be tough.”
The three of them inform me about the Black ducal family’s situation before I even ask. However, the content is clearly not something an outsider should get involved in.
“That’s a difficult problem.”
So I decide to limit myself to that level of comment. Then Aile claps her hands in front of her chest as if remembering something.
“Also, speaking of the Carvan Kingdom, I heard Dean-kun’s mother has come to observe as well.”
“Dean-kun’s? Then I should greet her once. There’s also a presentation on the final day.”
When I say this, Liz raises one hand.
“Ah, if it’s Dean-kun, I saw him at the central plaza! There was a woman with the same green hair as Dean-kun next to him, so maybe that person is his mother?”
“Isn’t that right?”
Aile responds to Liz’s words.
The lightning magic that the students will present this time could be said to have Dean as the main character. Perhaps because his image is so clear, Dean is the most skilled at lightning magic. However, I’m concerned that he lacks confidence in himself.
I’d definitely like to ask about what kind of lifestyle he has at home.
“Well then, let’s all go together. It’s almost time for presentations at the central plaza too.”
When I say this, all three give good responses.
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