CH 97

Approaching Farewells

As the second autumn month came to a close, the atmosphere in the dormitory was hectic.

“The sixth years seem busy these days.”

In the common room after school, the sixth years were almost nowhere to be seen.

Sheila looked around as she drank a cup of tea with plenty of milk, honey, and a little ginger. Zechs, sitting next to her, answered while munching on his snacks.

“It’s because graduation is coming up. I hear there are exams and other stuff.”

Zechs said while eating mashed sweet potatoes, stretched flat and deep-fried. It was a very common food for commoners, as it was fried to evaporate the moisture and could be kept for a long time.

The boys were always hungry before dinner, so the ladies at the cafeteria often gave them snacks. Recently, Toldrid had also become addicted to the extent that he kept checking in on Zechs.

Sheila, too, tilted her head as she also stretched out her hand from the side.

“Exams?”

“There’s a graduation exam, you know. I don’t know what it’s about, but it’s a practical and written exam.”

“Practical exams are fine, but written exams too…?”

Sheila had caught up to a certain extent, but her grades were still at the bottom of the class. She began to worry whether she would be able to graduate successfully.

This time, Cody opened his mouth while smiling wryly at Sheila, who was looking dazed.

“If I remember correctly, there is some kind of practical training before we are officially assigned. The duration and content of the training may vary depending on where you are assigned.”

“Practical training. It’s like a training program.”

“I guess it’s necessary to get used to it. It’s also a way for the higher-ups to get to know you.”

“I see.”

Was that the reason why Sheila wasn’t seeing any of the sixth graders these days?

Thanks to Claushezade, she was able to organize my feelings recently.

Sheila was able to talk leisurely about Seiryuu’s and the other sixth graders’ graduation now. Of course, that didn’t mean the loneliness was gone.

Zechs placed five to six fried potatoes in his mouth. Hyderion looked at him and raised his eyebrows.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to be judged on your etiquette rather than your practical and written skills?”

There was a possibility that a knight could catch the eye of a noble family and served them. In this regard, Hyderion was probably concerned that Zechs’ poor conduct would put him at a disadvantage.

Sheila was sure that Hyderion was probably aware that Cody was a man of civility to all but his friends, though.

Zechs shrugged.

“Is there a need to maintain my face here? I haven’t forgotten the way you were smiling at the technique showcase competition.”

“…. It’s been a while since then, and you’re still saying that?”

Hyderion frowned clearly at the painful reminder.

It seemed that revealing his joy at the competition was a blemish on his reputation.

“Even though it’s a shameful thing to express emotions… I was lured by you all at that time.”

“But you were so happy, weren’t you? I know you cheered before I did. You were even cheering louder than I was.”

Sheila’s question, which she posed purely without any intention of making fun of him, made him feel more and more depressed. Hyderion turned his head down in shame.

Most of the aristocrats, including Toldrid, didn’t seem to care, so it could be said that Hyderion was a serious person.

Suddenly, Sheila’s eyes meet Zechs and she chuckled.

“By the way, Zechs, when did you stop addressing Toldrid without honorifics?”

For some reason, Zechs choked profusely on his fried potatoes. Cody, who was acting like his wife, quickly offered him a cup of tea from the side, and he was able to get over it.

Zechs glared at Sheila while wiping his mouth. His cheeks were dyed red.

“…. That’s just how it is between friends.”

Toldrid also turned red as Zechs looked away in embarrassment, and his gaze wandered.

“E-Even if someone like you called me a friend, I wouldn’t be happy.”

“Huh. I didn’t explicitly say I was talking about Toldrid, though?”

“Wha―! I’m just guessing from the flow of the conversation!?”

People around them looked at them warmly as they turned bright red and argued.

It seemed that the process of confirming a friendship was embarrassing regardless of gender, but objectively speaking, it was extremely funny. Sheila bit back the laughter that welled up in her.

“Ah, that’s right, Sheila.”

Zechs changed the subject deceptively.

“I’m staying in the dorm. For winter break.”

“――Eh.”

The unexpected declaration caused not only Sheila but also Hyderion to freeze. Cody was the only one who seemed to know in advance and didn’t appear particularly surprised.

“Zechs, didn’t you say you were going home? If I remember correctly, you’re going to help out with the family business.”

“My older siblings are doing well, so there’s already enough manpower. But my father doesn’t think I can be a knight. He’s probably just trying to get me into the family business as soon as possible.”

Zechs had said that it was his dream to become a knight, but he probably had his own circumstances. It was the same with Leidyrune’s problem, there seemed to be a lot of obligation expected in a well-established family.

“Has your father forgiven you? Doesn’t that mean he wants you to come back even more?”

Sheila asked him anxiously, but Zechs didn’t care. Zechs smiled, his sharp eyes narrowing fearlessly.

“I don’t care. He has already given his word that I’m free to do as I please while I’m at the academy, and I have no intention of bending my will.”

Sheila returned a dubious look. He seemed to be saying something cool about his free will, but she always saw him act as a merchant in the academy.

“… What about your habit of showing your business mind, such as the exclusive sales of medicinal herb tea….”

“That’s just the merchant spirit that’s become ingrained in me. I’m telling you, I haven’t given up yet.”

“You really are a businessman at heart, aren’t you?”

Cody laughed.

“Zechs was a big daredevil when he enrolled in the academy. He used to say, ‘If I enter the academy, I might be able to make connections with nobles and become a royal warrant merchant.’”

“Wow~ He has some guts….”

Royal warrant merchants were the most prestigious type of merchants, so to speak, because they must be highly trusted in addition to having good quality and lineup of goods. They could also gain a social status equivalent to that of an aristocrat, and they would have a stronger voice in the royal capital.

Zechs’ family, the Gallant, were apparently a well-known merchant family, judging from Amy’s reaction, but such titles were necessary to be called first-class.

Although Sheila had never met him, she could easily imagine that Zechs’ father must have been shrewd as well, which was why he allowed his fourth son to enter the academy.

“…. Zechs is the kind of person who doesn’t get up for free even if he falls down.”

“…. Actually, it’s frightening because you’re close to more than one aristocrat.”

Seeing Sheila and Toldrid whispering to each other in hushed tones, Zechs took offense.

“No merchant will work for you unless you offer them a profit. I myself see a profit in being a knight.”

Zechs smiled sharply as he slurped down the last of the fried potatoes left on his plate.

“In order to do that, I have to become stronger. That’s why the winter break is the perfect time to get some one-on-one tutoring from Claushezade-sensei. Unlike the nobles, I don’t have any obligations to fulfill.”

Hyderion and Toldrid were probably tied up with family-related matters, just as Zechs said. They seemed frustrated when they heard about the tutoring, but they didn’t say they would stay in the dorms either.

Even Zechs must have clashed with his family quite a bit. It looked like he took the time to persuade them to give him permission to stay.

‘Zechs is amazing. He’s really thinking ahead.’

Seeing her friend’s dazzling appearance, Sheila got a little frustrated. Her anxiety again reared its head as she wondered if she was making progress.

‘I have to look forward, too. This is no time to stop.’

Sheila stood up as Cody left to clear his plate.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“… Yeah. I’m going to the training hall for a bit.”

Sheila nodded at Hyderion’s question and smiled, trying not to worry him.

When in doubt, just swing your sword recklessly.

Sheila left the common room while being careful not to let her jittery frustration showed on her face.