[Eon's POV: ]
We finished the basic little chat and after hearing the rules and all that stuff about how the houses and the extracurricular activities work, everyone was seeing the school in new lights.
But, that was obviously expected considering how generous this academy is when rewarding the students for their achievements.
And as I said, just participation is rewarded so for the common students and students in need of financial support, these competitions, tests, and activities are nothing less than a great opportunity.
"Alright then. Listen here, everyone."
A while has passed since we were sitting in this room and there were only a few things remaining from our side for today.
"First of all, the famous familiar bonding event will take place next week. So I request you read about it in the official forum and gain at least a basic understanding of it.
For the mages, it is obviously a great opportunity but for the weapon wielders and others, it is also a chance to see and experience many energy beasts and their powers.
It is going to be a great event so I suggest you all look forward to it."
It really was a big thing and most of the people here already had a little idea what I was talking about. So, it was fine.
"After that, the famous annual alchemy competition of the Principality of Lakmer will be the first event we, as students, would be able to attend.
It is a good learning opportunity as people from all around the continent will participate in it, so those interested, please inform me anytime three days before the scheduled date.
Not many would be interested in alchemy but I would suggest Miss Granbell, Mister Fang, Lady Persephone, and Sir Kuro to consider participating. You might end up finding the things you were looking for."
They were talented people and had unique skills with good application compatibility with alchemical works. If they could realize their true usage through this competition, it would be better for our house.
"After that, there are a few events that would take place outside the academy, but not just anyone will be able to attend them.
There will be a test to select individuals that would represent the academy and these tests would be carefully examined by the representative teacher of the respective subjects."
These competitions were a good opportunity but, Rein and I weren't going to attend any of them anytime soon so we had to do all we can to prepare those who would actually participate.
Academy was the best institution in the world but it wasn't the only institute. There were many different nations with many hidden talents and then there are people from different planets too so some of the special competitions are more difficult to win than one can think.
"That is that for the activities outside the academy, but the ones that would start inside the academy from tomorrow, the famous club activities, famous sports, and ones unique to this academy, as well as the mandatory weekend activities, which would also start from the following day, are also important.
President Zodiac is the one in charge of the clubs so those interested can talk to him after this or you can tell me and I will deliver your message.
But, if you want to talk about the house activities, house-related things, or discuss something with me or Captain Zoe directly, just check the link I sent to you all just now and you will see a personal chatroom forum. It is unique only to our house so it will surely be helpful to everyone.
There are some useful resources there too, so explore that place extensively. You will find good and unique things."
Looking at everyone with a smile that was the usual one they all recognized, I took a deep breath and addressed them for the last time for today.
"Lastly, I know I have been harsh at the start today and there are a few things I really don't like.
But, they are few, and I don't like getting angry either.
Captain Zoe is friendly and most, if not all of you, will inevitably end up becoming her friend sooner or later. And though not as well versed in the art of friendship, I wish to at least have enough closeness with everyone here to communicate about the basic things properly.
For that, we will all have a house lunch every now and then so I hope you attend it.
I'm not very special, but people have surely praised my cooking on many occasions. So I wish to share some meals with you all too.
I'm dearly looking forward to working with you all, so I hope we all take care of each other."
Yes, only speeches have been going on since the last few chapters but it is what it is. Everyone is bound by the circumstances after all. We are no exception to that.
[[ *Master. I finished analyzing the rest of the elemental properties of that elixir and I think I was successful in extracting the purification and extraction method the president might have used.
I have prepared the simulation so you can check it whenever you want.* ]]
Lucy has grown up quite well in these years so she knew how to use her powers well.
And throughout these past years, I have wondered many times just how great her potential and limitations are but, I still couldn't figure out even a fraction of it.
She surprises me every time with every other task we share, and the notion that she is a separate entity that resides within me turns out to be an actual fact.
She's amazing…
'Thanks, Lucy. We will examine that later.'
[[ *Yes master. And that boy is not present here. Do you think he is the type to just skip a meeting like this?* ]]
'That's a mystery to me too dear. After all, considering what Zoe did for him during and after the entrance exam, I thought he would be doing his best to repay her.
Looks like he got intertwined into something bad. We will have to look into this.'
It was really strange how that boy wasn't here. I think you should take a look at
He should have been here from what I thought but, he wasn't here. And I needed him as one of the wings of this house so I had to look into him more.
[[ "Celes? Do you see him anywhere?" ]]
[[ Hmm? Do you mean the healthy boy master? ]]
She was playing with little San-San. But of course, I knew the smart president must have figured out what she was actually doing there.
[[ "Yes. That one." ]]
Calling anyone fat was bad manners and so she called him healthy. Something she picked up from mom… cute little one.
[[ I did see him a while back in the garden master. But then there was a cool-looking creature at the edges of the island so I sent them to observe it.
We also saw the little fairy from before with him. So I think that biiiiiig and scarrrrrrrry and stroooooong creature is her familiar. ]]
It was her habit to say things longer when she wants to comically emphasize something.
And it was certainly cute from my perspective whenever she did that, considering how she was mocking those strong creatures that were still below her.
She was a good one like Lucy and Rein. And definitely, a fun person to have around.
[[ "That must be the rumored guardian holy beast that bonded with her. We will meet it soon so please leave him for now and look for that boy." ]]
[[ Yes~ master. ]]
The number of clones she could maintain has increased significantly in these past few years but it was still not even close to uncountable.
Yes, she has learned a few tricks that make her an even greater survival expert but she still isn't close to the level at which she can show her true potential.
She needs more time and my growth. So, I have to grow stronger, and she still has a great more of this world to see.
"Alright, captain. Then I will take my leave."
"Take care, vice-captain, Lucifer~. And give my warm regards to Uriel."
"Of course. You take care of yourself as well as others too."
I bowed towards her respectfully and turned around.
My work here was done and Rein was done with her work too. So… a little skip, and now Rein and I were standing in the garden before each other.
...
"How did it go?" I asked as I sat down on the grassy park of the garden. And she also sat down, on my lap.
"They were no fun. I thought they will at least have something if they had the balls to say that shit but they were all shit themselves."
She put her head on my chest, closed her eyes, and continued feeling the fresh breeze of twilight.
"You still beat them up. Well, how did other things go? How's Nebula?"
She was tired. I can feel it.
The day had been long and we did many things that were tiring so it was natural that even she would get tired.
"She's better than I expected. She does her work well and follows whatever I say.
It's just as you said. She treats me like someone with higher status that she has to follow unconditionally."
I thought as much. She really feels the same kind of attraction from her as the goddess she follows.
"Haaa... well, it's fine actually. She's good. Take care of her."
"Of course..."
She hugged me, as she sat there, and we talked about the worldly stuff and things that happened during our personal classes.
It was peaceful, but how can the main characters enjoy their momentary peace?
[[ Master! That boy...! ]]
Celes shouted and immediately showed me something that was happening in this very garden.
"Shit..."
And it wasn't something that we can take lightly at all...
