6

“Well, during the time before the exam I was taught various things about magic and managed to improve this much… so I thought I should thank you.”

“Eh!? Even you, Laika, can think about thanking someone like a normal person!?”

Ains couldn’t hide his surprise at Laika speaking shyly out of character.

But Laika was not gentle enough to laugh off such a remark, and as expected she stepped on Ains’s foot.

“I was certain I would pass, so after seeing the results I thought I’d treat you to whatever you like as thanks.”

“Oh my!” Kirishiya felt happy seeing this side of Laika for the first time.

“Laika, may I join you? Since we’ve met, I also want to talk with Ains-san.”

“Eh, Kirishiya too? I don’t mind at all, but…”

Even as she said it, Laika looked at Seidel. The decision about the princess’s actions was not hers alone.

Seidel looked reluctant, but chances for Kirishiya to freely walk around town were rare. He seemed to want her to stretch her wings.

“I will accompany you, so it should be fine, but I will inform His Majesty.”

Saying that, Seidel stepped aside and contacted someone with a communication magic device.

Ains only had a rough understanding of Kirk and was not as familiar as Laika or Kirishiya.

While waiting for Seidel to return, Laika and Kirishiya discussed where to go.

Better than wandering aimlessly, and recommended by refined noble ladies, it couldn’t possibly be bad food.

After Seidel returned, they headed to the general district — a place Ains had avoided due to crowds — since their recommended spot was there.

Enjoying delicious food and lively conversation, time flew by, and by the time Ains and Laika returned to the mansion the sky had turned orange with sunset.

Several days later.

“Well then, Father, I’m off.”

Laika wore the Sorcery Academy uniform, and Ains wore his usual clothes, though his long silver hair had been neatly combed by Sophia.

“Take care, Laika. Ains-dono, I entrust my daughter to you.”

Kansas lightly bowed at the entrance.

“Please don’t, Kansas-san. I was the one who wanted to visit the academy. I’ll do what I can for Laika.”

Ains replied.

Kansas hoped to keep Ains’s attention on Laika and avoid trouble, but Ains seemed unaware.

“Ains-sama, about when will you return?”

Sophia had come to see him off.

Beside her stood Talidge rubbing his sleepy eyes.

“…Tch, he’s not a kid on errands. He’ll come back on his own. Besides, he’s not the type to get caught in incidents — he causes them.”

Talidge spoke irritably after waking.

Sophia glared and jabbed his side with her elbow.

But the tree-like Talidge barely reacted, only yawning and saying “ow.”

“Don’t worry, Sophia. Talidge’s right.”

After speaking with her, Ains left the mansion with Laika.

Many new students walked the road in pristine uniforms like Laika’s. Breathing in the fresh morning air, she naturally felt energized.

Still, few had attendants like her.

The uniform was a white blazer. Both genders wore ties, with colors indicating grade.

New first-year students like Laika and Kirishiya wore blue ties.

Even without the tie, the crisp folds of new blazers easily distinguished freshmen from upperclassmen from behind.

Passing through the academy gate, the vast grounds looked even larger now compared to the crowded entrance exam.

“So where’s Laika’s Class A?”

“This way.”

Laika walked ahead guiding Ains toward the building.

“Hm? What’s that?”

Ains noticed something glinting in the sunlight across the large training field.

It wasn’t just one; fragments were scattered everywhere, even on the ground they walked on.

He looked at a piece near his feet and examined it.

“What’s wrong, Ains? Over here.”

Laika beckoned from ahead.

“Sorry. Coming, wait a moment.”

Ains dismissed the fragments, thinking it normal for a magic academy.

He caught up to Laika and reached the Class A classroom.

Laika opened the sliding door and entered first.

Though it was the first day and there was time, more than half the students were already seated.

“Let’s see, my seat…”

Laika followed the seating chart with her eyes.

She climbed the tiered seats while Ains followed without thinking.

“…Hey, isn’t that the one amazing during the practical magic exam?”

“…I heard she cast three intermediate spells with abbreviated chanting.”

“No way…”

Some students recognized Laika’s performance and whispered.

Laika heard them but did not react.

Not long ago she had been at their level herself.

Without Ains behind her thinking only “these stairs are long,” she might have gazed at others with admiration too.

(I’m not special, so I shouldn’t get conceited…)