CH 3

Chapter 3 : Preparation to start school

“I’ve been waiting for you, Orphan-sama.”

“…Sorry to trouble you.”

When Razé left Welrian’s office, she was led away by a lady who was waiting outside the office to take her measurement for the school uniform.

In a separate room, Razé stood quietly wrapped in a measure tape as she calmly realized that her enrollment to Centrior was already confirmed.

“You will be a student at Centrior this spring, right?”

“Yes. I never thought I could go to school.”

Razé felt a bit embarrassed when the lady who was taking the measurement smiled at her. She had never dreamed that she would be able to go to school wearing a cute uniform. She felt like she was going to another world.

“Congratulations. The uniform will be delivered to your office after a week. You can choose the design from this list. Please take a look.”

As expected from the school of the nobles’ kids, it seems that even their uniform can be customized. Looking at the material given to her, Razé felt like she wanted to choose pants style, but she didn’t want to stand out conspicuously, so she chose a one-piece type that was easy to wear.

In the end, the uniform she chose in overall was basically a high defense customization.

The lady recommended her to use ribbon or frills. But if she wore such a cute thing, she would be exhilarated, so she rejected them.

It would be better if she didn’t grow tall. And also, no matter what she chose, it would be cute compared to a military uniform anyway.

“It will be delivered once it is ready.”

“Thank you.”

Razé said goodbye to the lady. She decided to work on her hair cuticles, and took care of her tanned skin before she started school.

She has nothing more to do at the headquarters so she returned to her office. She came empty handed, but when she teleported back, she had envelope of documents in her hand.

Razé: “I’m back.”

Bonalt: “Welcome back.”

Captain Bonalt, who was working on a desk placed perpendicular to Raze’s desk, pushed up his glasses and observed her expression.

Let’s see, what kind of mission was assigned this time?

The girl who was about 20 years younger than him, has a much heavier responsibility than himself. When did he start to not find it ridiculous that the girl who wasn’t even an adult was receiving mission directly from the Prime Minister of the country?

Captain Bonalt assumed that Razé would start her complain soon, so he sat down silently, watching her opened the envelope and read the documents.

“Leader?” he called out when Razé’s eyes stopped chasing the letters. Perhaps she has been given an extremely tough mission.

Razé: “Ah, hmm. Sorry. I was a bit flustered.”

The leader is getting flustered by the mission? Bonalt became increasingly worried about Razé’s mission.

When she noticed his gaze, she embarrassedly laughed, “This time it is a long-term solo mission.”

Bonalt: “Long-term, solo?”

“Un” Razé nodded her head. Centrior was a full boarding school and the education period was 3 years. She could return to the military during long term holidays, but other than that she would be away most of the time.

Razé: “In the meantime, you will be in charge to lead the battalion. I’m counting on you.”

Bonalt: “What! Leader, what do you mean by long-term?”

Razé: “It could be up to 3 years.”

Bonalt: “3 years?!”

Captain Bonalt was stunned. Leading the 537th Special Attack Battalion, which was full of battle freaks made him feel very uneasy. On top of that, it was for 3 years. He was so worried about the future …

“Lea- Leader. What kind of mission have you been given? I am not confident to lead that unit for three years.” Bonalt couldn’t help himself, so he stood up and went out in front of Razé.

The badges on her uniform’s chest made a small noise.

Razé: “Well, I’m going to enter Centrior Imperial Magic Academy starting from this spring.”

Bonalt: “…… what?”

Captain Bonalt’s reply was exactly the same as Razé’s reaction to His Excellency Welrian.

Razé: “Oh, I’ve passed the exam properly, so don’t worry about that. I’ll be a student at the school where the prince and the nobles’ kids are studying, so that I can watch over them. His Excellency has even told me to enjoy my school life.”

Bonalt: “I see. I got it. It reminds me that you were born in the Year of Seira too.”

Unexpectedly, Captain Bonalt accepted her mission easily. He assumed that His Majesty and His Excellency would be relieved if the military ace entered the school.

Bonalt: “That’s great. I seriously thought that you would be asked to infiltrate the enemy empire.”

Razé: “……un”

Bonalt was puzzled looking at Raze, who seems to be not in the mood for some reason.

Bonalt: “What’s the matter? You look depressed.”

Razé: “No, I never thought I could go to school with children of the same age. I’m not taking the mission lightly, but I’m a bit worried to receive such a favorable mission.”

Raze took out the school pamphlet from the envelope and stared at it. Captain Bonalt glanced at the document underneath the pamphlet that stick out.

Bonalt: “Acceptance letter … Leader! You are a scholarship student!”

Razé: “Ah, yeah. It seems so. The tuition and dormitory fees are completely exempted. Well, all the commoners who got in receive scholarship. So, it’s not a big deal.”

It was a mystery to Captain Bonart which part of it was not a big deal. It seemed like she never had time to study, but she was really brilliant. As a fellow commoner, she who mastered both literary and martial arts was more than worthy to be respected.

In fact, she was too good that she was sought after by everyone. Once she got back from an expedition, she would go to the Weapons Development Department to give advices, or she would be quarrelling with the Safety Department to make complain. As her identity hasn’t been exposed yet, sometime she was sent to another country as a spy. Or she was rushed on a highly difficult mission as Shadow’s Eye.

In the last two years, Captain Bonalt had never seen her took a long vacation for more than three days.

Bonalt: “Leader, leave it to me. I will lead the unit responsibly.”

Razé: “U- Un?”

Raze tilted her neck as she looked at the captain who suddenly became serious unlike his uneasy face a while ago.

Bonalt: “Therefore, please enjoy your school life. I’m sure this is a reward for you because you have been devoting yourself to Shian all this time.”

Razé: “Huh?”

Bonalt: “Even His Excellency told you to go and have fun, didn’t he?”

Razé: “Ah…yeah.”

Bonalt: “Then Leader, you should enjoy your school life just like he said.”

Raze blinked her eyes.

Well, was it that simple?

Don’t know if it was really a reward, but His Excellency did say to enjoy.

Then, just like his words, I should just enjoy at the school.

Razé: “Thank you, Captain. I’m so relieved. I’m counting on you then while I’m gone. I will come back during the long holiday. Wish you all the best. And please don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Will do,” replied Bonalt with a salute. Although he was a bit conservative, he was a very good subordinate.

Razé: “There are still 2 months until the school start. It’s going to be busy.”

Bonalt: “I’ll go and make some coffee.”

Razé: “Un. Thank you”

Since everything had been decided, she had to start preparing for the handover as soon as possible. The pile of accumulated documents made her worried about the future, but she couldn’t leave any work behind, so she slowly started to clear up the works day after day.