Chapter 51

Thank you for your evaluation.

My school life at Areios began.

From the very start, I didn't have to fight in the arena with seniors, nor did I have to embarrass myself by dropping my weapon. I was delighted with the surprisingly peaceful life.

Of course, as a transfer student, I did attract some attention at first, but I managed the practical magic exercises in class without any trouble, and gradually, the rumors about me at Solos subsided, and my reputation settled into a normal evaluation.

(Perfect, this is exactly the life I wanted!)

Today, as usual, I was sitting in the Areios common room, sipping the tea that Tütte had prepared, and feeling elated inside.

The Areios common room was no different from those of other classes, with a spacious area divided into many sections, each with simple wooden tables, chairs, and sofas. I was taught by Magilka to sit in the best corner where the sun shines, and I often sit there whenever I have free time. Currently, Magilka and I were sitting on four-legged chairs arranged around a round table.

"What type of magic will we practice tomorrow?"

"Fire magic."

After taking a sip of tea, I enjoyed its aroma while asking Magilka, who responded with a similar gesture, enjoying her tea.

"Fire, that sounds exciting."

I almost broke into a silly grin, so I composed my expression.

(Well, it can't be helped. It's magic, after all. I can finally use magic. A different kind of joy wells up, making me grin.)

Without explaining to anyone, I justified it in my mind, recalling the recent training in offensive magic. It was an incredibly enjoyable class. Just by raising my hand, I could produce flames and ice, things that were mere fantasies in my previous life, now possible as a matter of course. It's no wonder my heart trembled with excitement. Moreover, the variety of spells I could use increased day by day, making it hard to stop smiling.

"Still, you're truly remarkable, Miss Mary. To learn half the magic that new students learn in such a short time. Your learning speed has impressed everyone, from the teachers and seniors to your classmates."

"Huh? Really? That's not good."

"Not good?"

"No, it's nothing. Just talking to myself."

Magilka, who had a question mark floating above her head, asked me, so I laughed it off. Realizing that I was about to repeat the mistake of getting too excited and overdoing it, as I did last year, I resolved to be more restrained in the future. I really wanted to learn and use more, but...

"Miss Mary!"

Just as I was repeating the word "restraint" in my mind, hoping it would sink in, I heard Safina's voice running towards us from the entrance of the common room, and my resolve instantly vanished. Behind her, Zaha was walking with a carefree expression. We were attracting attention from the Areios students.

(Well, it's no wonder. After all, Safina and Zaha, who are quite famous now, are visiting the Areios common room.)

They had both performed magic in their first year, making them quite well-known even in Areios. Magilka, who had family issues and had excelled in Areios last year, was also a top student. With such a group gathered in one place, it was no wonder we stood out. The curious gazes from the sidelines after everyone gathered were a current issue for me.

"Is there a good place somewhere?"

"What do you mean?"

Safina, who had just sat down next to me, tilted her head in confusion at my muttering.

"Well, we're a bit noticeable, right? The gazes of everyone are bothering me. I was just wondering if there's a place where we can all gather and relax."

"Indeed, I also feel uncomfortable with the gazes from other classes and get nervous."

I said what I was thinking, and Safina nodded in agreement.

"In that case, why don't we apply to the teacher for an empty room?"

"Really? Is that possible?"

Thanks to Magilka's surprising suggestion, which she made as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I raised my voice a bit, drawing more attention, and I awkwardly lowered my head to avoid the gazes.

"As you can see, this school is unnecessarily large. There are probably plenty of unused rooms. However, you can only borrow a room if the teachers agree with the reason for its use, and you need at least five people to use it."

(So, they lend rooms for club activities like research groups or hobby clubs, I see.)

"Me, Safina, Zaha, and Magilka... oh, Tütte is also here, so that makes five of us."

"Unfortunately, non-students don't count towards the number."

I tried to force the number to meet the requirement, but Magilka rejected it, and I slumped in disappointment.

"Then, why don't we ask the prince? That would make five of us."

Zaha, who had been listening half-heartedly, suddenly said something outrageous, causing me, Magilka, and Safina to freeze in shock.

"Then, what will be the reason for using the room? Are you going to say, 'We want to drink tea and chat, so please lend us a room'?"

This K.Y. (Know-Your-Place) guy continued without understanding the tension in the room.

"That would never be approved. Even for chatting, you need a reasonable reason."

"Then, how about this: Let's involve Lord Reiforce and make it a place for information exchange among the three classes?"

Magilka, who had been frozen by Zaha's comment, started talking, and I, who had been in a daze, also began to think and came up with a rather contrived idea.

"Indeed, it would be unprecedented for students from Solos, Areios, and Laris to gather and do something together. The teachers would likely agree."

Magilka clapped her hands lightly and agreed with my suggestion.

"Alright, now that it's decided, let's get started."

I stood up and walked towards the entrance of the common room, not even knowing where I was going.

"By the way, who will talk to the prince about this?"

Safina, who had stood up to follow me, suddenly realized the biggest problem, turned pale, and muttered. My steps came to a halt.

"Of course, Magil—"

"Of course, Miss Mary, who suggested it, will be responsible for persuading the prince, right, Miss Mary?"

Before I could pass the responsibility, Magilka quickly spoke, and she began to prepare and stand up.

"I'll go ask the teacher how to apply for the room. Please excuse me."

With that, Magilka hurriedly left the common room. Stunned by her seamless action, I could only slump onto the table a few seconds later, realizing I had been tricked.

"What's wrong? We're going to the prince, right?"

Zaha, who seemed completely unaffected by the pressure, walked towards the entrance of the common room as if it were the most natural thing. Noticing that Safina and I weren't following, he turned around and urged us to hurry. I took a deep breath, gathered my courage, and raised my head.

(All for the sake of finding a peaceful place! Mary)

Despite the immense pressure of involving the prince for a very impure reason, I held a faint hope that he would laugh and agree. I took Safina's arm, who was shaking her head vigorously, and started walking.

---

"Sure, that's fine."

A few minutes later, the prince, with a bright smile, readily agreed to our proposal, which was filled with determination and anxiety.

"I've often wondered why there isn't a place for exchanging opinions with students from other classes. There are things about magic and combat that I can't understand just from Laris. It's much better to hear from experts. Thinking that various people, starting with top students like you, will gather there, it sounds very appealing. As expected of Miss Mary, you have a broad perspective and act quickly. I'm truly impressed."

"Th-thank you, Lord Reiforce, but... it's nothing..."

I could only respond with a strained smile and cold sweat, as the prince, who was genuinely impressed, spoke about something I had never thought of. Around us, people were murmuring in surprise and admiration, but I had no time to deny it.

(Ah, I hope no strange rumors about me spread again.)

I continued to pray to God in my mind, maintaining a strained smile.

"Then, we'll need a large space like an auditorium to gather people."

"N-no, if I may, since it's the first time, perhaps a smaller scale would be better."

Feeling that we were straying from our original purpose, I humbly tried to steer the prince's idea back on track.

"I see, then let's get started right away. Magilka is preparing the application, right?"

Unaware of my feelings, the prince, now full of enthusiasm, began to take action, with Zaha following. I sighed deeply, watching their backs, and patted Safina's head, who had clung to me the entire time, trying not to faint.

Thank you for reading.