Case 34: Astra Academy class 1-A.

Case 34: Astra Academy class 1-A.

True to Chloe's words, the festival and the speech were only delayed for a day. I had fun playing during the festival, though people were not quite as enthusiastic anymore.

The day quickly passed, and today is the day class 1-A begins.

pack—!

''There we go.''

I can't help but smile proudly, seeing the pile of potato chip bags on my bed surrounding my main body. This should be enough to last for two more weeks or so.

''Aurora...''

Suddenly, a certain ghost girl floats in front of me.

''Ariel?''

''Can I have some of these?''

''You don't have to ask every time. Just don't take all of them.''

''Yay! Aurora is the best!''

Apparently, Ariel can eat stuff, she doesn't need to though. Skely doesn't eat, Smiley prefers fresh meat and bone, while Mister Slen likes devouring animals whole.

And then...

''Peln, what do you eat normally?'' I ask.

We doppelgangers do not eat, master.

My own voice rings inside my head.

''I see... Well, let's go back to the academy.'' I turn around to see my usual members at the table.

I bought quite a lot of books from the library back for the siblings, so now they're reading instead of sleeping like Smiley. Mister Slen is out hunting again.

''I'll go now.''

''Take care~''

''Please take care.''

I nod to them and teleport back to Chloe's room.

The scene abruptly changes, and I'm now standing before Chloe's bed. This girl is still sleeping even though she has class today...

''Wake up.'' I nudge her.

''Mhm... Five more minutes...''

''Wake up.'' I nudge her harder.

''No...'' Chloe rolls away with her blanket. ''If you kiss me on the lips once, I'll wake up.'' She buries her head inside the blanket and says.

''Hah...''

Skipping an empty table, this time is a cold-looking girl with black hair, currently nodding off—Sierra Alaina Astra, Crown Princess of the Astra Empire.

And finally, the closest to us right now is the same girl with pink hair the other day. She has an insidious grin on her face, and even her eyes are smiling—Luxia Neveah, the one and only Saintess of Neveah Church.

All the names were provided by Chloe, of course, and... Hm... All of them are indeed well over level 30. They are strong.

'''' ... ''''

Chloe ignores all of them and walks to her seat, so I just follow her in silence.

...Hm? Why are you not sitting?

Chloe scans around the class a bit before going up the stage and takes the chair from the professor's table down, putting it beside her own chair.

''Sit.'' She turns to me with a soft smile.

...Why would you do something so eye-catching like that? A lady putting a chair for her maid...

We both settle down anyway.

After a brief period of uncomfortable silence, the door finally opens again.

A fierce-looking woman wearing the black uniform for the professor steps in. She quickly gets onto the stage and stands behind the table, looking a bit confused.

''...Where is my chair?'' She looks at me in particular.

I didn't steal it, okay?

''I requested a chair for my maid, but it seems like there was a delay in communication.'' Chloe speaks up with a smile.

''...So you took my chair? For your maid?'' The woman narrows her eyes.

''Yes.'' Chloe replies instantly. ''Is there a problem?''

'''' ... ''''

After a moment of staring, the woman finally retreats, she shakes her head and sighs helplessly.

''Let me introduce myself.'' The woman conjures a fire spell and makes a chair, then sits down and crosses her arms. ''I am Claudia Heisenberg, your homeroom teacher.''

Explains why her hair and eye color are the same as Scarlett's, and... Wow, level 57, that's impressive.

''Let's start right away with the first class—[Introduction to Advanced Combat]. Everyone opens the book, page 3-''

Following a mildly interesting lesson about combat, which lasted around an hour, we are now at Evone Hall to take the first practical lesson. The students are standing in front of Claudia, while I and another female staff member are standing some distance away. Luxia is still glancing at me occasionally though.

And now that the Crown Princess has woken up, I can see that her eyes are silver-colored. She seems quite disinterested, still.

clap—!

''Attention.''

Claudia claps loudly, and the crisp sound echoes through the empty hall.

''Before I can teach you anything, I need to know about how you guys fight.'' She raises her hand to the side, and a ball of flame appears in front of her palm. It then quickly extends to form a long sword. ''Come at me one at a time. Grab any weapon you like.''

Hearing that, every student of class 1-A snaps out of their daydreams, and each of them flashes a smile toward Claudia.