“You’re getting along well with the students from the Magic Department lately.”
After a long absence, I attended a class, and Yukina-san, who was sitting next to me, murmured softly.
I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed silent.
“Did you know that the Magic Sword Department and the Magic Department don’t get along?”
“Well, sort of.”
Rather than thinking of each other as comrades from the academy, both sides view each other as something separate.
The Magic Sword Department is primarily composed of students from the Kingdom, while the Magic Department is mostly from the Empire. Before the formation of the Three-Nation Alliance, these two nations had been adversaries for a long time.
Though things have calmed down significantly now, they are not exactly on friendly terms. The Three-Nation Alliance only exists because the Grand Duchy mediates between them.
The King of the Kingdom, Albert, is one of the most moderate rulers in history. He personally doesn’t harbor ill feelings towards the Empire, but just because the king feels that way doesn’t mean the people do.
Because of this background, there’s a rivalry between the Magic Sword Department and the Magic Department, which the academy encourages as it leads to healthy competition.
Indeed, compared to war, it’s like child’s play.
“So, why did you introduce a training ground to someone from the Magic Department?”
“How did you know about that…?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I was observing.”
Yukina-san smiled for a change.
That smile was terrifying.
No way… Was she watching me?
From a distance where I wouldn’t notice?
If there were any killing intent, I would have sensed it even from far away, but if she was just watching, I wouldn’t have noticed unless I was on guard.
And I wasn’t on guard at all.
I never imagined she’d be watching.
As expected of the Tenrougan. I didn’t notice at all.
But using it to monitor me seems like a waste of such a valuable asset. Although… it’s not entirely incorrect.
In fact, it means she has an eye for various things.
“She was in trouble…”
I averted my gaze awkwardly as I answered.
In response, Yukina-san maintained her calm demeanor and said,
“A high-concentration mana vein area. It’s quite valuable. It was mentioned in old documents. It’s rare enough that it’s difficult to find.”
“You overheard that?!”
Thinking it was impossible, I shifted my gaze back to Yukina-san.
Yukina-san looked at me with a serious expression.
Then,
“Of course not. I heard it directly from Annette. She happily told me after I treated her to tea. She’s quite charming, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, she is… Good…”
After muttering that, I realized this was not good at all.
Yukina-san’s eyes were full of suspicion.
This could be bad…
“Why does Roy-kun know about such a valuable place?”
“I just happened to find it… The place was so unusual that even the animals avoided it. So…”
I hesitated with my words.
Yukina-san mentioned old documents.
That means she researched it in the academy’s library.
It suggests the document was stored deep within and had not been seen by anyone for some time before Yukina-san found it.
So, claiming to have found it in the library wouldn’t work. Therefore…
“And?”
“When I went home, I looked it up out of boredom. My father and Rena both love books. We have quite a collection.”
Perfect. That was close.
Yukina-san seemed disappointed for some reason.
It seems I was being tested.
“I see. Then let’s leave it at that.”
Phew.
Yukina-san’s scariness isn’t just her good eyesight or sharp intuition; it’s her persistence.
She never gives up.
She’s convinced I’m hiding something and tries to uncover it.
She’s truly scary.
It’s best to stay away from her…
“Train with me today. It’s been a while.”
“What? I have plans…”
“You’ll join me, right? Or can’t you train with me after showing Annette the training ground? Is it because she’s a cute and charming girl? Or is it her feminine appeal? I don’t have any charm, do I? Should I just give up?”
“No, it’s not that…”
“If that’s not the case, then train with me.”
“Alright…”
I nodded, succumbing to the pressure.
Why am I so weak against women?
Normally, having a sister should give you some resistance, right?
After thinking for a while, I reached a conclusion.
The women in the world are harsher than my sister.
My standard is set by Rena, who is sweet to me. And the women in the world are stricter than Rena. At least towards me.
That’s why I always end up giving in.
Wishing to become stronger, I silently followed Yukina-san.
