Chapter 36
Episode 36: Conversation in the Dining Hall
The discussion about the heavy armor tank between the three of us came to an end, and I returned to the girls’ dormitory and headed to Selen-sama’s room.
『Knock, knock!』
「Come in. It took quite a bit of time, didn’t it?」
「Yeah, I thought it would be just a brief explanation, but it turned into a serious discussion (sweat).」
「Well, we can talk about it over dinner.」
「Yeah, let’s head to the dining hall.♪」
When we arrived at the dining hall and were waiting for dinner to be served, third-year Alice-senpai came over to talk to us.
「Ren-chan♪ Gordon’s been talking about you nonstop since the mock battle.」
「Huh? Should I go apologize?」
「Huh? Apologize?」
「Senpai, Ren is a bit clueless, so she probably doesn’t get it…」
「Oh, really? Well, you see, Gordon’s fallen for you, Ren-chan (laugh).」
I froze in shock… All we did was have a mock battle, and now this?
「Um… Is there some kind of rule where, if you lose in a mock battle to a girl, you fall in love or something?」
「「《《Bursts of laughter》》」」
「Wow, being this clueless makes you a 《《national treasure》》 (laugh).」
「Exactly! That’s why if I don’t keep an eye on her, things could get out of hand (laugh).」
「You must have your hands full with her, Selen-sama (laugh).」
「I think of Ren as a 《《lifelong friend》》, so I’m just enjoying her cluelessness♪」
「I’m jealous of your relationship. Well, if Gordon comes around, just brush him off (laugh).」
「Thank you. I’ll leave that to you!」
For the latter half of the conversation with Alice-senpai, I just ended up listening… I’ll leave dealing with Gordon-senpai to Selen-sama (laugh).
Afterward, we invited Alice-senpai to the large public bath, and we got caught up in girl talk, leading to a long bath.
Even then, it wasn’t enough, so we ended up continuing the conversation in Alice-senpai’s room.
『Click…〘Pink Dress ARank〙』
※Silk party dress
➖➖➖➖Alice’s Perspective➖➖➖➖
When I went to the dining hall, I saw Selen-sama and Ren-chan, so I approached them.
She’s the first-year who beat Gordon, the strongest in 3rd year S-Class.
I was curious what kind of girl she’d be, and she’s this cute, clueless type—such an unfair combo.
Selen-sama is clearly quite fond of her, and now I’m also a fan of Ren-chan. I’ll keep an eye on her growth♪
But still… seeing Ren-chan in the bath… that 《《figure》》 is completely unfair…
She makes the rest of us look so plain (cry).
–
Episode 37: Individual Training
Starting today, for the next two weeks, classes will shift to individual training in preparation for party formations.
At the end of the training period, everyone will showcase their results, and if they’re deemed suitable for a particular team, they can join that team.
Selen-sama’s A-team is looking for two 【Vanguard】 members and one 【Scout】, so anyone who wants to join will need to train with that in mind.
Because this is individual training, it would be inappropriate for me to assist any specific person’s training.
Favoring friends could create a sense of unfairness.
So, Selen-sama and I decided to focus on practicing battle formations for when we engage in subjugation missions and hone our healing magic.
「Hey, once a scout rejoins the party, where do they position themselves?」
「They’ll probably take a mid-position. Since they’ll be relaying information about the terrain and monsters, it’s easiest for them to communicate with both the front and rear.」
「So the vanguard will focus on how to intercept the monster’s attacks, and the rear will think about the most effective ways to attack it?」
「Exactly. I don’t think first-year students will be doing solo scouting for subjugations just yet. Until everyone gains the skills to handle monsters on their own, we’ll likely stick to party formations.」
「That makes sense.」
「We can’t really finalize any more plans until we know who the A-team members will be, so how about we work on healing magic for now?」
「Alright. So, what should I do?」
「The key is to refine your mana control. Monster subjugations often involve continuous battles, so if you don’t heal the wounds properly, they might reopen during combat, which would be a disaster. Plus, reducing mana consumption is essential.」
「Understood. Let’s begin.」
After that, I demonstrated for Selen-sama, and she practiced mana control, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
I’d like to assess Selen-sama’s mana reserves and such, but I’ve been advised not to mention my skills too openly (sweat).
If I use them without permission and she notices, it might make her uncomfortable… It’s tricky.
With that, the morning session came to an end.
As usual, Selen-sama and I were heading to the courtyard for lunch when Stratos-kun called out to us.
「May I join you for lunch?」
「I don’t mind.」
「Thank you!」
So Stratos-kun joined us for lunch.
He’s already trying to make a good impression before joining Selen-sama’s team. Stratos-kun is the kind of guy who really goes after what he wants (laugh).
※ Selen, being clueless, hadn’t realized that Stratos’ actions were directed at her, not Selen-sama…
➖➖➖➖Stratos’ Perspective➖➖➖➖
Alright! While Selen-sama is here, I get to have lunch with Selen!
From here on out, I need to be more proactive, get closer to her, and maybe I can even ask her out to dinner?
I’m sure there are many rivals, with Slaine-sama being the biggest threat, so I’ll need to craft a solid strategy and execute it flawlessly!
The only one fit to stand by my side is Selen.
※ Stratos, in his efforts to win Selen over, would eventually awaken his talent as a 【Tactician】, but that’s a story for another time.
–
Episode 38: Selen the Iron Wall
The three of us were chatting while eating.
「Selen, what do you usually do after class?」
「Ren and I usually spend time in my room, talking or studying.」
「Why do you call her Ren?」
「It’s a nickname for Selen. Since our names are similar, it could get confusing, so I decided to call her Ren.」
「I-I see… (sweat).」
Before I could answer, Selen-sama had already explained everything…
「Stratos-kun, do you want to be a soldier in the future?」
「I’ll be in the military for a while, but eventually, I’ll have to take over the Barrios family estate. So, I’ll be more of a temporary soldier, and eventually, I’ll move on to running the territory.」
「That’s the fate of a noble’s eldest son.」
「It’s different for royalty though.」
「Royalty governs the entire country. If a fool like my brother becomes emperor, the nation would collapse, don’t you think?」
「「No comment on that one (laugh).」」
I finally managed to join in on the conversation, but…
「Ren, where are you from?」
「From Spica City, in the Sirius territory. It’s pretty rural.」
「So you were doing hunter work there? Since there’s a dungeon, it must’ve been a good place for that.」
「That experience is what makes Ren so strong!」
「There’s a dungeon in the Barrios territory too. I’d love to invite you to visit during the long vacation.」
「Too bad. Ren and I will be going on a vacation together, so that’s not happening!」
In the end, it turned into a conversation between Selen-sama and Stratos-kun.
They seem to get along well♪
As lunch came to an end and the afternoon classes were about to start, we decided to head back to the classroom.
「Selen-sama, Ren, I had a great time. May I join you again?」
「Sure, that’d be nice♪」
「Next time, make sure to bring lunch boxes for all of us. And you can just call me Selen.」
「Thank you, Selen-sama. Ren, just call me Stratos. No need for formalities. After all, we’re 【friends】, right?♪」
「Good luck with your individual training, Stratos (smile).」
「Th-thanks!」
In the afternoon, Selen-sama and I continued practicing mana control and studied human anatomy in the library.
➖➖➖➖Selen’s Perspective➖➖➖➖
Stratos is really persistent, isn’t he?
I managed to block him with my iron wall of defense, but he’s definitely not giving up easily.
From now on, I should invite Slaine to lunch as well, and let those two naturally keep each other in check (smirk).
Our academy life has only just begun, and there’s plenty of time to figure out who’s truly worthy of Ren.
In the meantime, it’s my job to protect her.
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