Chapter 49

### Chapter 49: A Chance Encounter (1)

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#1

I got off the tram and returned to the dormitory.

It was around midday, and the sun was high in the sky, so there were quite a few people outside. It was the middle of lunchtime.

Of course, "quite a few" is a relative term; the entire school had fewer than a hundred students, so it wasn't particularly crowded.

However, it wasn't as if people were just milling about aimlessly.

Primarily, seniors with three or four stars on their chest were scattered around the park, holding pamphlets and promoting something to freshmen like me.

Some seniors even had bizarre concepts for their promotional activities. The performances were so flashy that they naturally drew attention.

Anyway.

It turned out to be club promotion activities.

Yes, clubs (Circles).

To build individual skills through training, to enjoy hobbies in a healthy group setting, or simply to socialize and enjoy a relaxed time together... regardless of the purpose, clubs are where students gather to spend a significant part of their youth.

I had seen them occasionally during the first week after enrollment, but after my three-day hospital stay, they seemed to have reached their peak by the second week.

I didn't have any particular interest, so I tried to avoid unnecessary invitations by walking around the park. However, a few seniors who spotted me from a distance immediately ran over and handed me pamphlets. Most of them seemed to already know me, probably due to the impact of the previous incident.

Such invitations were quite frequent.

I received them about three times before reaching the dormitory.

I took the pamphlets, saying I would think about it, but I wasn't particularly interested.

If it had been something I was interested in, like fashion, board games, or magic, I might have considered it, but I wasn't particularly drawn to those activities...

—Tap, tap.

I had a magic major class in the afternoon.

Before that, I entered the dormitory lobby to grab something to eat, and someone there waved at me with a friendly smile.

"Hey! Edgio, it's been a while, huh?"

A green-haired squinty-eyed muscular guy. It was Gabriel.

"Hey, it's been a while."

"Yep."

After a quick fist bump, Gabriel asked, "I heard the rumors. They said you almost kicked the bucket. Are you okay now?"

"Other than a headache, I'm fine. The doctor said I'm healthier than before, but I'm not sure about that."

"...What? Really? That makes no sense. Is this like the saying, 'After the rain, the earth hardens'?"

"I don't know. That's what they said. But I can move without any trouble, so that's a good sign."

"Hmm... That's amazing. It does feel different, but I'm not sure how..."

Gabriel, who had been observing my face, which had no scars, nodded and gave a thumbs-up toward the dormitory entrance.

"Good to see you're alive. Haven't eaten yet, right?"

"Yeah."

That was the end of our conversation.

Without even suggesting we go eat, we walked out the door together.

#2

The day's schedule on Wednesday was over.

Back in the dormitory, I lay on my bed and organized my notes from today's magic major class.

'Just one day can make such a big difference...'

The lectures were on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so I was a day behind.

It was only a one-hour lecture, but the level of the Frontier—especially the Epic class—was not to be underestimated.

It was nothing like the Lorson Academy days. That was just a joke in comparison. Of course, I was in the integrated department, not the magic department, so I couldn't know the exact curriculum differences, but it seemed that I wasn't the only one struggling among the students.

Understanding the core content and taking notes was already a challenge, and then we were instructed to implement the magic theory we learned right there on the spot.

When we managed to succeed, they would present a more advanced theory they hadn't taught us and ask us to apply what we just learned.

In my case, I barely passed the first stage. The result was a bit imperfect, but I managed to achieve the purpose, so I felt a sense of accomplishment.

The second stage required an unbelievable level of concentration, where you could enter a state of no-mind just by closing your eyes, and a high mana sensitivity far beyond the fourth tier.

Only Stella and Rubia passed the sudden test cleanly.

"..."

Thinking of Stella and Rubia...

I remembered what happened at the end of today's class.

'Rubia.'

'...Huh? Huh?'

'What's wrong? Why are you so surprised?'

'Ah, no. What's up?'

About five minutes before the class ended.

I quietly moved to Rubia's side, who was sitting next to Stella, and whispered in her ear.

"Sorry, but can you tell me what was covered in Monday's lecture? I missed that class..."

Rubia, who seemed flustered, rolled her eyes around, avoiding mine, and scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.

"Ah, um... Well, I... I'm sorry. I didn't take notes that day. I couldn't focus on the class, and I don't remember much... Sorry..."

It was quite surprising.

For the diligent Rubia to miss a class.

Before I could ask why, the professor announced the end of the lecture, and I nodded, gathered my things, and was about to leave the classroom.

"Shall I... tell you?"

"..."

It was Stella.

She had been listening to our conversation and was gently brushing her hair behind her ear, looking down.

"I... I have... some notes..."

"Notes?"

"Yes, yes..."

I had no reason to refuse.

"Thanks. Can I borrow them for an hour? I'll copy them quickly and return them. You'll need them too, Stella."

"..."

Stella, who had been listening to me, closed her mouth and smoothed her silver hair, which curled at the ends.

"No, no. These are... just summaries... You might need more detailed explanations..."

"..."

Stella bowed her head even lower.

"I can... tell you in the library... if... you're okay with it, Edgio..."

Her voice was so soft it was hard to hear, but I understood what she was saying.

In other words, she was offering to give me private tutoring.

Of course, Stella was likely to have well-organized notes, but there's a big difference between reading them and having someone explain them simply and clearly.

However, I was a bit hesitant about whether Stella was suitable as a teacher.

The biggest issue was that her head naturally lowered when she saw me, and she blushed and couldn't meet my eyes.

Every time, she acted like this, so I was quite surprised when she boldly suggested tutoring me.

It was a good opportunity to get closer to Stella, so I saw no reason to refuse.

"Of course, I'm fine with it. Are you okay with it, Stella? I don't want to interfere with your schedule..."

"No, no... It's... fine..."

Stella interrupted me.

"Even if... there is... I won't... mind..."

"Huh? What did you say?"

"Ah, nothing... Nothing..."

Stella was almost staring at her neatly folded thighs, a natural and smooth flow.

"Then, shall we meet in the library after dinner? ...Or should we go somewhere we can talk more freely?"

The library was supposed to be quiet, and it wasn't just for us.

There were individual study rooms, but they were for one person. It would be a bit cramped for two people and inconvenient in many ways.

After a long conversation with Stella...

I suddenly noticed Rubia, who was sitting between us.

Rubia, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, seemed to be waiting for the right moment to speak. Her lips kept opening and closing.

At that moment, I remembered that Rubia also hadn't taken notes on Monday.

She seemed to want to join us.

I tried to treat Rubia as a normal friend, but there was still some awkwardness. Rubia also didn't seem entirely comfortable with me.

So, we could gradually work on improving our relationship.

...As my closest friend.

Anyway.

If she wanted to join, she could have just said so. I wasn't sure why she was hesitating. She wasn't usually one to struggle with expressing her thoughts.

Stella, sensing something odd, glanced at Rubia. Just as I was about to speak up...

—Creak.

"I'll... go now... See you later, guys."

With a slightly forced smile, she grabbed her bag and left the classroom.

I wondered why she did that.

Looking back, the most accurate answer was that she felt uncomfortable.

I also clearly remembered what happened on the night walk. She had hugged me and cried. It had only been about a week since then.

From Rubia's perspective, my suddenly warmer attitude might be making her uncomfortable.

...Anyway.

I made plans to meet Stella at 8 PM tonight, about two hours from now.

The library was ruled out as a meeting place for the reasons mentioned, and we discussed for about five minutes to reach an agreement.

Considering various factors, we decided to meet in Stella's room.

So.

I have to go to the girls' dormitory after dinner.

"..."

Hmm.

...How did it come to this?

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