Chapter 1: The Fever of the Cultural Festival
Eliza’s presentation ended in a massive success.
Well, the King of her home country did cause some trouble, but even including that, the result was good. Afterward, we spent the rest of the second day of the cultural festival walking around to see the presentations held at various venues.
In the evening, I held a dinner party for Eliza to celebrate her finished presentation. Although I call it a “dinner party,” the location was just the dormitory dining hall.
When I told Grenola that Eliza’s presentation had gone well, she offered to prepare a special meal for us.
“Here you go. That’s everything.”
With those words, Grenola lined up about ten dishes on the table. There were roasted dishes, fried foods, stews, sandwiches, and even dessert. Additionally, hot soup and fruit wine were served.
“Whoa…!”
“This is amazing. It’s so extravagant.”
Looking at the food spread before us, Eliza and I let out voices of admiration together. To begin with, Grenola’s cooking is delicious. Since she was the one saying this was “special,” it would be harder not to have high expectations.
The savory aroma tickled my nostrils, and I found myself naturally swallowing my saliva.
“Itadakimasu.”
While I was putting my hands together for the mealtime greeting, Eliza was already bringing food to her mouth. It seemed the first thing she reached for was a roasted chicken dish.
The moment she tasted it, Eliza’s eyes sparkled, and she looked up at the ceiling.
“…Pure bliss.”
Hearing that, both Grenola and I let our lips curl into a fond smile.
Just as I was about to start eating, Grenola spoke to Eliza.
“Still, to think I’d hear the words ‘the presentation was a success’ from your mouth, Eliza. You’ve certainly changed from the girl who’s usually half-crying and having a gloomy meal.”
As Grenola said this with a laugh, Eliza puffed out her cheeks in embarrassment.
“Please don’t say that! But really, it truly was a huge success! Besides, His Majesty King Grandsans promised to allocate a budget for magic! This is the biggest event in the history of the Dwarf Kingdom! Until now, the Dwarf Kingdom has only focused on blacksmithing. They thought the only use for magic was to add effects to weapons and armor. But because of this incident…”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it! I get it already, so just hurry up and eat so you can sleep today.”
Faced with Eliza, who had started talking rapidly in her excitement, Grenola was the first to give up. Shrugging her shoulders in exasperation, she told Eliza to eat and then looked my way.
“Ah, were you dutifully waiting? You eat too, Aoi.”
“Ah, yes. Then, itadakimasu.”
I replied and began my meal. First, I tasted the soup I had been curious about. Instantly, the scent of spices and a gentle sweetness spread through my mouth. The flavor was similar to a consommé, but very deep. The softly simmered vegetables provided a wonderful texture.
After the soup, I tried what seemed to be a fried pork dish. When I tucked in my knife, the blade sank in with a light, crisp sound. The meat was tender and easy to carve. I brought a bite-sized piece to my mouth with my fork.
As I bit through the freshly fried breading and tender meat, the savory flavors of the meat and fat mingled in my mouth. It had a sweet and salty seasoning, but a slight tingle of spice provided a nice accent. Also, perhaps something had been sprinkled on the meat, as I felt a crunchy texture with every bite. The flavor wasn’t overly strong, but the seasoning, which made the most of the meat’s natural richness, created a deliciousness that I wouldn’t grow tired of.
“…It’s truly delicious. If you opened a restaurant, Grenola, it would surely be a huge success.”
I spoke my honest thoughts. In response, Grenola laughed and slapped me on the back.
“Now that’s a compliment that makes me happy. Want me to add some more wine?”
“N-no, I’m fine.”
Because I was hit on the back when I wasn’t expecting it, I lost my breath for a moment. Even if the large-framed Grenola intends it to be light, her strength is considerable. Perhaps if it came to a fight, she might be stronger than someone like Felter.
While thinking such things, I enjoyed the dinner party with Eliza. I feel like I might have drunk a bit too much while keeping the happy Eliza company, but I’ll probably be fine.
Well then, tomorrow is the final day of the school festival. In particular, the last presentation is important for me as well. I should prepare thoroughly.
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The third day. This was the final day of the cultural festival. For my part, I had wanted to see everyone’s presentations, but I managed to oversleep.
Normally this wouldn’t happen, but it seems I enjoyed the delicious food and wine a bit too much last night. I slept soundly until just before noon. I hurriedly splashed some water on myself, washing my face and fixing my bedhead at the same time. While drying my hair with wind magic, I quickly changed my clothes.
“Good morning.”
As I went downstairs and tried to head to the dining hall, Grenola peeked her head out from the entrance.
“…Don’t tell me you just woke up?”
She said this with her eyes wide in surprise.
“That is exactly the case.”
When I answered feeling quite sad about it, she gave me an exasperated look. Then, she pointed behind me.
“Weren’t those kids waiting for you?”
“Eh?”
When I turned around as she suggested, there were four silhouettes peeking in from outside the dormitory entrance. It was the four of them: Shenley, Aile, Liz, and Belle. Since it’s the faculty dormitory, they probably couldn’t come inside.
“Good morning.”
When I gave a morning greeting and bowed, Aile opened her mouth with her eyebrows slanted in a troubled ‘V’ shape.
“You’re late, Aoi-sensei! Please come to the backyard quickly!”
“Eh? The backyard?”
As I tilted my head, Aile raised both hands and took a pose like a cat trying to look intimidating.
“Everyone is anxious since it’s their first presentation, so please help us practice until the start!”
“There’s only a little over an hour left, and I think you’ve practiced enough. I’ll be at the venue thirty minutes early, so can’t I eat something first?”
“No!”
Permission to eat was not granted by Aile. It couldn’t be helped. It was my own fault for oversleeping.
“I understand. I’ll have lunch after the presentation is over.”
When I said that and nodded to Grenola, she crossed her arms with a wry smile and jerked her chin, telling me to go quickly. The world is a harsh place.
When I went to the backyard, I saw everyone practicing magic in the shadow of the school building.
“The chanting times are different. Match the slowest person.”
“It’s quite difficult. If I concentrate on that, there’s a risk the magic itself will fail…”
Rocks was giving instructions to everyone, but Court was groaning with a difficult expression.
“U-um… conversely, how about the people who are fast at activating start their chants first, and we show off the lightning magic in order?”
That was Dean speaking up. Despite being a boy who usually hides in people’s shadows and doesn’t stand out, he had voiced his own opinion during a discussion between upperclassmen. Not only Court, but even Rocks was surprised by this.
Choosing to continue, perhaps taking their attention as encouragement, Dean went on.
“For a week, we’ve worked hard to activate the lightning magic all at once, but we still haven’t perfectly synchronized. If that’s the case, I feel it’s better to treat it as a performance and show the magic one by one…”
Though timidly, Dean was properly speaking an opinion he had thought of himself.
This was exactly the sight I wanted to show his mother, Tis. Seeing this unexpected side of Dean, she would surely feel her son’s growth.
Feeling deeply moved, I joined the practice area along with Aile and the others.
“Good work, everyone. How are the preparations?”
As I popped my head in while saying this, everyone turned toward me. Then, Rocks crossed his arms and let out a sigh.
“The activation of the magic has become quite synchronized, but I just received an opinion that it might be better to change the method. I don’t think we’ll make it in time if we start now, but what do you think?”
Being asked, I traced my chin with my finger and thought about it. The students lining up in a row and activating lightning magic in sequence. It would be like a firework display.
“…I think it’s good. If we do that, a slight desync won’t matter. Since you’ve practiced many times already, you should know about how long it takes for each person to finish their chant. Please line up in order of chanting speed.”
When I announced that, everyone made a fuss and formed a line.
“Hey, who’s faster than me?”
When Rocks spoke with a hint of irritation, Court nodded with a wry smile.
“I’m sorry, but I think my magic activation is faster. I’d like to be modest, but I can’t tell a lie for the sake of the presentation.”
Court answered with a rare display of competitiveness toward Rocks. Rocks’s face turned red at that, and he looked like he was about to blow up. However, perhaps because I, their teacher, was present, he said nothing and merely glared in silence.
Rocks silently crossed his arms and stood like a guardian statue in front of Court. Apparently, he wouldn’t back down on the part about being fast at chanting magic. While giving a wry smile at his childish stubbornness, I looked at Court. Court shrugged his shoulders and shook his head left and right. It seemed he had no intention of arguing any further.
While finding their relationship interesting, Dean took his place at the front. When it comes specifically to lightning magic, Dean is the best among the students. Perhaps everyone was aware of that, as no one said a word.
“…This makes me look forward to Tis’s reaction.”
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