Not long after, the class ended. Although since I had gone and done something outrageous again, not much progress was made in class by the other students. However, since our second class for the day was over, it was time for lunch. After lunch, there would be no more classes. It was usually reserved for extracurriculars and noble socialisation. Social events were extremely important in noble society. It was the stage upon which people made contacts, forged networks, found spouses, and established hierarchy and factions.
Of course, since it was the first day of school, not too many social events were being held. To join a social event, one had to be invited. Usually, such a social event would be in the form of a tea setting. Nobles would gather over tea and snacks, and speak with each other on various subjects. Of course, such social events could eventually develop into genuine friendships and even romantic relationships, and people could keep meeting just because they wanted to, rather than for the sake of networking and faction politics.
Lunchtime, however, was a different beast altogether. While I had not been afraid of going up on stage to speak to the student body, lunchtime would place us all in a relatively confined space. The Academy cafeteria was by no means small, but there was a lot of proximity involved. The five of us received our food, and then found an empty table to sit at, in a slightly isolated area.
"Ne, everyone, are you sure that it's alright to be seen as being so friendly with me?" I asked. I wasn't insecure. I simply thought that if they were around me, trouble would soon approach them as well. Like I had resolved before, kindness is to be paid in kindness. Since they were so kind to me from the beginning without holding onto any kinds of outdated and condescending notions, I would like, as much as possible, to spare them from getting caught up in issues that my presence would bring.
"What are you saying, Ava-sama. Isn't it obvious that we should all be together as dormmates?" Delmia asked, fluttering her lashes and deliberately avoiding the crux of my question as if to say that it should not be brought up anymore.
"Un, un, we haven't even spent much time together as dormmates yet!" Miszia eagerly agreed.
"Shouldn't we grasp the opportunity to become closer?" Eliszia affirmed her sister's opinion.
Simarel looked over everyone, then smiled. Ah, this girl... she seems to be plotting something.
"Well then, why don't we hold a tea party in the afternoon? As a welcome party for everyone?" she grinned mischievously.
"Umu umu, that's a great idea!"
"Seconded!"
"Me three!"
"So, Ava-sama, what do you say?"
Four pairs of expectant eyes turned my way. Ah, so this was her plot, huh. I have to say, it was probably one of the nicest plots ever. She wanted to tell me that I was welcome here and that I did not have to worry about them sticking by me. Honestly, as someone who always feared not being accepted and being thought of as crazy, weird, or otherwise... it was kinda nice being accepted with open arms and being treated no different than anyone. Therefore, there was only one answer.
"Of course. That sounds like a splendid idea."
By the way, our retainers would be eating in rotation in a separate cafeteria, with at least two of our retainers nearby at any one time. Although, in such a confined space, it was somewhat comical to see a curtain of people standing around each table. As I looked over, I could see some curious and some hostile faces looking my way. Although it seemed like forever, it really was only the first day. Those unfamiliar with me would still be curious, and those with ill intentions would no doubt still be hostile. In fact, the curiosity would fade far quicker than the hostility. Going by what happened in the classroom, there would certainly be another scenario here, huh...
As we ate, we chatted about idle things, such as the upcoming First-Year social. This was an event that would happen at the end of our first month, and naturally as women, gowns and accessories were being prepared. I didn't intend to prepare something specially for this event. Freya and I had done a lot of groundwork before coming here. I had a few sets of clothes in store for such fancy events. However, for nobles of the Kingdom, this was an incredibly important event. It marked their debut into the public. While closed-door debuts were often done at a much earlier age, this was the first time that every noble who had just reached a marriageable age would come together and witness each other.
Of course, in the world of nobility, such a social event was once again another outlet for establishing networks, reaffirming factions, and meeting potential suitors. As such, the topic was discussed with great gusto, since it would set the tone for the year ahead, and potentially even further. In the middle of our discussion, another group of girls took a table close to us, and struck up their own conversation. However, as bits and pieces of their conversation flowed towards us, an irritated expression began forming on everyone's faces.
"Ah, just who does that transfer student think she is, cozying up to Simarel-sama and Delmia-sama?"
"Low-borns will be low-borns. I bet she's just aiming for their protection."
"Kufufu, it won't be long till they tire of her."
"Taking advantage of their kindness like that, what a lowly act!"
"I just hope she doesn't taint them with her lowliness."
"Ara, that would be the worst, wouldn't it?"
Ah, the event came? I simply smiled at everyone and waved my hand to signal that I didn't care. However, seeing as we were not reacting, the neighbouring group started speaking louder and louder.
"It seems that she's an appointed noble. Doesn't that mean she was a commoner?"
"Oya? What's a filthy commoner doing in our illustrious institution?"
"That's right, that's right! She'll only sully it with her dirty hands!"
And so on. By now, everyone at my table had faces dark with restrained anger, and one could just about make out the veins on their temples pulsing with rage. In order to diffuse the situation, I simply said, "sigh...Simarel-sama, Delmia-sama, it seems that I am clinging onto the both of you for protection. Wherever shall I go once you are bored of me? Oh, the woes of a low-born transfer student are unworthy of you..."
"Bufuh!" Delmia could not restrain her laugh. Following that, the mood lightened considerably at our table.
"Un, certainly. Once we tire of Ava-sama, just where will she find protection from the insipid ramblings of mangy curs?"
Once again, Simarel spoke such cutting words. What is with this girl and her likening of everyone she doesn't like to dogs...?
Delmia chimed in with "it is exactly as you say, Simarel-sama. Our dear Ava-sama is so frail and fragile that the idle antics of toothless mice will threaten her very existence. Ohohoho~"
"Nn, exactly. I woe the day you tire of me."
Hearing our dramatic playacting, the girls sitting at the other table shot me nasty looks.
"Shall we leave, Ava-sama? I have lost quite the appetite, being forced to be in such close proximity to such unsightly actions." Simarel suddenly stood up.
"I too am quite done eating. We should head back to our dormitory if we are to be in time to prepare for our tea party," Delmia added.
"Certainly. We would not want to be late for our first tea party as a dormitory." I concluded.
"Transfer student. We are not done with you." A spiteful voice rang out.
"Ah, so you finally address me directly. How may I help you?"
"You don't belong here. I'm warning you, leave."
"Ara, is that so? I suppose you might want to take this up with the Archdean, then. After all, it's his decision you're calling into question, you know?"
The girl's expression faltered as I said that. Clearly, she hadn't expected me to simply deflect her jab and tell her to go and look for someone else. However, as if she had been given a mission, she pulled her expression back together and smirked at me, and continued her tirade.
"What nonsense. You're just a low-born commoner who deceived her way up to becoming an appointed noble. There's no way you could be a good fit for this Academy."
"Nn, you're certainly right. The material taught at the Academy is simply too easy."
"Wha-"
"Why, it's just simple history, geography, politics, and economics, right? How could a noble who's lived here all their life find it any more challenging than I, a transfer student?"
"Y-you! How dare you!"
"Nn?" I put my hand over my mouth, faking shock and concern. "Ara, miss, are you perchance having trouble with the material? Oh dear, that certainly is worrying. In that case, please allow me to refrain from disturbing your precious study time. It is after all important to do well in our classes."
So I said, but in all honesty I really didn't care about grades and such. Since she seemed to take pride in her noble status, I simply used it against her. In fact, these kinds of juvenile arguments were really exhausting. Not only did I have to dumb myself down to their level in order to converse with them in language they would understand, I also had to think of insults in language that would never be overtly offensive. Although I had never received such concern myself from them, it would only confirm their impression that foreign nobility were uncouth and uncultured. While I hated playing their games, I was still here as a representative of the Empire of Daceli. It would be best if I responded with witty barbs and perfect politeness than cause an international incident.
Still...it would be so much easier if I just released my [Haki] and made some people faint. In fact, if I did that, I would probably get more people staying away from me out of fear, too. That would certainly make things much easier. However... I still needed to be patient. I could not risk either the position as a research assistant or my presence here. Before getting what I needed, I had to at least hold onto the higher moral ground, no matter how little I cared for it. Hey, look, her face is turning an amazing shade of red. I didn't know people could get that red.
"Ara, are you alright? You seem to be running a fever. Perhaps that is the reason for your academic struggles? Please, do take this time to rest."
Leaving the cafeteria, we headed back to our dormitory, laughing at how unsightly those girls were.