It took me half the night to dispel Elena's desire to offer herself.
When I saw her the next morning, she was already in high spirits assigning tasks to the maidservants in the inn. She even revealed her smooth neck that was usually tightly covered.
On the other hand, I wasn't doing so well.
With only three hours of sleep, I was rather sleep deprived. I appeared on the street with two dark circles under my eyes.
As agreed yesterday, I was going to the various shops to retrieve the rifle parts today.
Although I knew that getting multiple shops to forge a rifle might result in larger tolerances, it would maximize confidentiality.
Fortunately, I know an outstanding Mage blacksmith and she is my classmate. The problems that may arise can be easily resolved now.
"Will, you look very tired. Did you not sleep well last night?"
"That's right. I didn't sleep well."
"Then you have to rest well today. The boss is still resting, but the parts you need have been forged. I'll bring them over. We'd agreed that I would bring them to school for you tonight. I didn't expect you to come personally."
Evelyn smiled at me and turned to go to the back to get my parts.
"No, I'm here to ask you for help. Originally, I needed the President to find someone to help me adjust these parts, but with you around, there's no need to trouble others."
I explained the purpose of my visit and removed a large packet of parts from the bag.
"Oh, I see. I didn't expect to be the first person to see what the rifle looks like. I'm very honored. Let's begin."
Evelyn brought the parts and laughed at the package I'd left on the counter.
"Alright!"
We went to the forging area and I began assembling the components in the bag one by one. I picked out the components with the wrong measurements and asked Evelyn to modify them.
Nearly two hours later, a bolt-action rifle laid quietly in front of Evelyn and me.
"Evelyn, do you want to give it a try first?"
I deftly demonstrated pulling the bolt. I took a bullet from my pocket and asked Evelyn.
"No, Will, I have to remind you that President Leah doesn't like her toys to be touched by others first, especially when she hasn't permitted it. I suggest you keep it well. We can play it openly when you demonstrate for the President tomorrow."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes as she reminded me.
"Thank you for your reminder, Senior Evelyn. I will remember it."
I put the rifle away in a cloth sheath that I had prepared earlier.
I didn't doubt Evelyn's description of President Leah's personality.
Especially since I didn't know anything about her. There was nothing wrong with being careful.
"Haha, I didn't expect you to be so humorous. President Leah is a very good person. She just has a strong personality. Will, don't misunderstand her because of what I said," Evelyn laughed and explained.
"Mm, mm. That won't happen. See you tomorrow, Evelyn."
I shouldered my rifle and bade Evelyn farewell.
"See you tomorrow."
…
The bell rang.
The usual day passed. I shouldered my wrapped rifle and headed for the classroom door, where Sephone was already waiting for me.
"Will, here, here!"
"I'm here, Sephone. How was your weekend?"
After our previous conversation, my relationship with Sephone improved.
"Not bad. I just didn't leave the campus and explored the entire academy with two of my classmates. Now I don't have to ask others for directions wherever I go. What about you, Will?" Sephone raised her head proudly and turned to look at me.
"I had a good weekend too. I spent two days heading to more than ten weapon shops in the city and made this." I patted the cloth bag on my shoulder.
"This? Is this the rifle President Leah entrusted you to forge?" Sephone reached out to touch it and asked curiously.
"That's right. I plan to hand it over to the President as soon as possible so that it won't keep weighing on my heart."
"Yes, that's indeed the case. Let's go. I'll come with you."
"Okay."
I headed to the Student Council Room with Sephone.
In the month after school officially started, we had already been there three times. We knew that the members would gather here every Monday after class.
"Ah! It's Sephone and Will! You two are the latest again, but you're still so close. How enviable."
As soon as we pushed open the door, Angelina's teasing voice came from the front.
In the room, Vice President Matthew and Secretary Evelyn were sitting quietly in their seats. Senior Elsa was sleeping soundly on the long table. Only Angelina had her arms crossed and was looking at me and Sephone with a teasing expression.
"Senior Angelina, you only need to attend two classes a day. Don't make it sound so easy." Sephone rolled her eyes and retorted.
"Hehe, who's the one in the first grade? Everyone has been through this. But I wasn't wrong to praise your good relationship." Angelina smiled.
I only found out last week that the higher the level, the less classes you attend.
There were six classes a day in the first grade, but after the second grade, there were only four classes a day. As a third grader, Angelina only had two classes a day.
"Hey, I can't outtalk you. Anyway, you've always got a reason to tease me and Will." Sephone sat down sulkily.
I looked at the end of the long table. Usually, President Leah would be sitting there at this time, but today, that seat was empty.
"Senior Angelina, where's President Leah?" I asked.
"The academy called her over for a meeting. Maybe something happened."
Angelina shrugged nonchalantly.
"Is that so…"
I pulled out a chair and was about to sit down.
Creak~
The door of the Student Council Room opened again.
Just as I turned my head, Elsa, who was sleeping soundly, had already gotten up and sat quietly in her seat.
"Everyone, let me tell you a piece of bad news. The kingdom has decided to hold a magic competition between the three academies in four months. The venue will be at Olgus Academy. There will be participants from the first to fourth grades. The Student Council will be busy."
President Leah announced the news and returned to her seat.
"Magic competition?! Both academies are sending people over. Oh my god! We've already hiding at the border. Why is there still a magic competition?!"
Senior Sister Elsa was like a frightened cat whose fur stood on end.
"President, this is the first time in 20 years that the three academies are jointly organizing a magic competition. What exactly happened?"
Angelina frowned and asked. She was completely different from when she teased me and Sephone.
"I'm afraid it's pressure from outside. The Dean didn't tell me in detail. I'm just guessing. Just prepare well," President Leah said casually.
Her gaze shifted to the cloth bag I had leaning against the table and her eyes instantly lit up.
"Will, is this the rifle you made for me?"
"That's right, President."