CH 112

Supplementary Class Companion

A few days later, Jornwerner immediately conducted his next lecture on magic, and Sheila headed to the laboratory with Zechs in tow.

“Where’s Cody?”

“He said he’s going to read some military tactics books today. There’s quite a lot, but at this rate, he’ll probably finish them before he graduates.”

Zechs answered her question with a nimble gait.

Sheila didn’t invite Cody in the first place because he didn’t need any basic magic education. She was going to explain to Zechs what today’s purpose was along the way.

“He’s already read through the books.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“He’s been reading them since he first entered the academy, and I believe he’s already read all of them three times already. He said that by reading it over and over again, he can deepen his understanding. He says he enjoys it because he can now understand things he couldn’t understand in the lower grades.”

“I’ll never understand….”

“Don’t worry, neither do I.”

While they were conversing, they soon arrived at their destination. The intuitive Zechs instantly began to balk.

“Ah, that’s right, I think there was something I had to do, so I’ll leave you to it….”

“It’s all right, calm down. It’s not a bad deal for you either.”

“No, I just have a bad feeling about this.”

Sheila grabbed Zechs by the arm and held him back. The two were already standing at the entrance of the academic tower.

“I want to go home….”

“Don’t worry. I made him promise not to drain Zechs’ blood.”

“So, that means you’ve had your blood drained! That’s an even more disturbing piece of information!”

“Zechs, you’ve become more sharp-tongued since we went to the pharmacy to discuss business, haven’t you?”

“It’s your fault! I’m begging you, give me back my peace of mind.”

Zechs suddenly withered as if he was tired. Was it because he was emotionally unstable, or was it because he was worried?

“Unlike you, I’m pretty good at all subjects. That’s why I don’t need supplementary lessons.”

“Today’s lecture is about the foundation of magic.”

She stopped Zechs as he was about to leave. He looked back dubiously.

“Magic?”

“Yeah. Since you’re here, I was wondering if Zechs would like to join me. If you know the spells, you can predict what kind of magic is coming, and I think that’s more useful than any classroom lecture. My ultimate goal is to make it possible for commoners to read magic-related books freely, but let’s do our best in the lectures first.”

Sheila casually mentioned the library access request with the intention of getting him involved. Zechs, as expected, had an odd look on his face.

“A request to freely access the library?”

“You know that only nobles can see the books on magic in the library, right? I want to change that system. You might think, ‘Rather than spending all my time studying magic, I might as well just practice diligently to be a knight,’ but this is indirectly a shortcut. When you become a knight, there will come a time when you will have to fight against magic, won’t there? But if you know how to deal with them, it will make a big difference in how you fight.”

Sheila spoke at length to prevent any rebuttal. Her viewpoint would probably be met with rejection from most people, but she wouldn’t be discouraged so easily. She realized during the business meeting that it was reliable if Zechs was on her side. She intended to persuade him with a long-term resolve.

However, he gave an unexpected reaction.

“Surprisingly, you’re also thinking about decent things…”

“Ah, you responded the same way as Jornwerner-sensei.”

“I think anyone would come to the same conclusion on this matter, you know?”

After their light exchange, Zechs fearlessly smirked.

“――I think it might be a good idea.”

“What?”

Sheila blinked in surprise.

“We special students, even if we graduate from here, we’ll still end up, at most, in the Patrol Corps. But if we know how to deal with magic, as you say, we may be able to work in the royal castle, depending on our performance.”

It was completely normal for Sheila, who entered the academy in mid-year, but it seemed that most of the special students were unable to keep up with the magic lectures. Zechs also said that it was inevitable because it was an education for the nobles who already had a foundation on magic.

“All right, I’m not going to start dilly-dallying about it. I’m still not sure about Jornwerner-sensei, but I’ll give it a try.”

Zechs, who was on the verge of running away, made up his mind and knocked on the door.

The way he readily confronted Jornwerner, knowing that she was the one who asked him to come along, was so manly that one couldn’t help but fall for his charm. Maybe he should try to show this side of himself to the girl he was interested in.

“Zechs is now my supplementary lesson companion.”

“It’s not because I’m an idiot, you know!?”

“….. Still, I think girls won’t like that kind of detail.”

“Whose fault do you think it is that I’m in this situation?”

The conversation was interrupted there because the door opened from the inside. It was, of course, Jornwerner, the owner of this room, who opened it.

“Oh? It seems that we have a rare guest today.”

“I’m sorry to intrude on you so suddenly. I was told that you’re going to give us a lecture on the foundation of magic today.”

“You’re very polite for a friend of Sheila-kun’s, aren’t you? But there’s no need for a formal greeting. Feel free to come in, Zechs-kun.”

Bowing his head respectfully, Zechs entered the room.

Sheila was somewhat amused because she knew he had a hard time with Jornwerner, but he wasn’t so foolish as to show his attitude in front of him.

Sheila’s eyes were slightly downcast as she watched his back as he disappeared into the room.

‘Maybe I should tell Zechs about the spirit arts.’

Zechs never slackened in his efforts to grow. He never denied things that anyone would avoid, but tried to face them with sincerity.

A thought that once crossed her mind comes back to her.

“If we make it a habit to thank the gods and spirits, won’t anyone be able to use the spirit arts?”

Zechs had helped Sheila many times when she entered the academy in the middle of the school year. More than once he helped her with her homework in the common room.

She was hiding something from such an important friend. What’s more, it was a means to obtain enormous power.

Sheila felt that her attitude was too cowardly compared to her friend who freely exposed his hands.

“What’s wrong, Sheila?”

Zechs peeked out curiously from the other side of the door.

“…. No. It’s nothing.”

Sheila responded with a smile.

‘I’ll tell you soon. I want Zechs and Cody to hear it from me more than anything.’

She hoped that one day she could tell them the secret of her being a woman.

With a small determination in her heart, Sheila started walking.

Luckily, Jornwerner wasn’t in a bad mood even when she suddenly brought Zechs. She was inwardly relieved for that.

She was offered a cup of tea, which he had probably brewed while Sheila was lost in thought, in a surprisingly pleasant manner.

“Here you go. I’ve put a near-lethal amount of honey in it.”

“…. It’s creepy that you are so familiar with my preferences, and the way you say it sounds like you’re harassing me, but anyway, thank you.”

It was true that Sheila put in an astonishing amount of honey, enough to make the surroundings’ faces twitch, in order to disguise the astringent taste of the black tea, but it was by no means a lethal dose.

She put her mouth on the slightly rounded teacup and was surprised to find it hotter than she had expected.

“Huh?”

Sympathizing with Sheila, Zechs nodded his head vigorously.

“It’s still hot, isn’t it? I’ve been trying to cool it down since a while ago, but it just won’t cool down.”

“I’m surprised that you drank what Jornwerner-sensei served you, Zechs. You’re a brave man.”

“Oh, well, as they say, if you’ve already eaten the poison, you might as well lick the plate.”

“…. I wonder if you two realize that you’re having an incredibly rude conversation~?”

Jornwerner, who had taken his place at the front of the table, which was still cluttered, rested his chin on his cheekbones and was dismayed. Zechs hurriedly tried to make up for it, but was quieted by her gaze and withdrew.

“You know that I study magic tools, don’t you? This is a specially made teacup that keeps your drink warm.”

“Wow, that’s very convenient.”

Since inexpensive magic stones were used as the core, it was apparently usable even by commoners without magical powers.

Jornwerner wasn’t exactly a good person, but Sheila admired the fact that he was devoted to researching magical tools that could be used even by those without magical powers.

“In addition, I’m also developing a magic tool that’ll allow us to talk to people who are far away. I’m in the middle of various experiments to see if it might be possible by converting the voice into a signal.”

“That’s amazing. So, Jornwerner-sensei isn’t just experimenting on people.”

“That’s the last thing you should say in front of him….”

Sheila’s attitude was making Zechs feel more at ease. The atmosphere was completely relaxed.

“Now, let me explain about magic stones.”

Jornwerner laughed good-naturedly.