A week has passed since Operation Deceive.
Ever since then, Silvia and I have fulfillingly spent our days selling the 『Flame Wolf Fur』, and earning experience on the side.
The experience we earned was mainly by killing slimes. If you go deep into the 『Slime Forest』 that is located on the road from the capital to the mine, you can find a rare slime that earns you a good amount of experience.
From it all, the best harvest was the 『Wand of Recovery Magic ・ Medium』 that dropped from a holy slime. It's a super rare item with a drop rate of only 0.05%.
This 『Wand of Recovery Magic ・ Medium』 is a convenient wand because long as it is equipped, anyone is able to use the [Healing Magic] "Medium Recovery". In particular, it demonstrates its true value by having a character specialized in the growth type of the healer system use it. That is because the effect 「＋＋（plus plus）」is added only when healer-type users handle it. ＋＋ is a double reinforcement, and with it, it can be expected to exert 2.5 times the usual effect. With a "Medium Recovery"reinforced with ＋＋, you can roughly recover around 50% of the HP of an intermediate player. As you can see, the added effect is quite powerful.
Unfortunately, neither me nor Silvia are the healer type, so the ＋＋ reinforcement cannot be used, however, it's great to be able to use "Medium Recovery" without any restriction. Thank you, Holy Slime. You gave us a wonderful gift. I wonder if it would go "Piki! " and be happy to receive my thanks?
——-
And thus, the day to go to the Royal Magic Academy arrived.
"Is it really okay? "
Bringing her face close to me, Silvia asked. She's been like that since a while ago.
"It's fine, since you killed half of them, I've already told you that's your fair share."
No matter what, after giving her half of the gold from selling the Flame Wolf Fur, she's been spouting "This is too much for someone like me".
We had 120 pieces of fur and they sold for 1 million a piece. 1 million x 120 is 120 million CL, of which half of it, 60 million CL, is Silvia's share.
"I wonder if it's okay for me to get such a large sum of gold in addition to the Bow of the Blazing Wolf...?"
She's quite hesitant and with a gloomy atmosphere.
Right now what should be important is to infiltrate the Magic Academy, but as is, it wouldn't be weird if we're made light of by the teachers or students. I need to convince her somehow that this is normal.
"Listen here, Silvia. 60 million is something you can earn in a day. Small change is small change. Remember we're aiming to be the world's top. Stop complaining about some measly 60 million."
"But even 10 million in a day..."
Oh no, at this rate.
"You're setting the bar too low. You're already part of the team that will become the world's top. Don't forget it."
"...Team? "
"Yeah, team. I'll form it soon."
In Mobius, a group created by players was called 『Team』. A minimum of three people is required and a quest for the team formation needed to be completed. But it was so easy that virtually anyone could create a team without problems and play with other players.
I'm not sure if the same system exists in this world, but it would be safer to aim for the world's top by creating a team. Because of the Team's Master authority, it made it very efficient. It was very convenient to be able to freely see the stats and skill list of team members without needing their permission and to give instructions from remote locations using the Team-limited communication function. By all means, I want to create one when the number of companions increases.
"I am... a member of Second-dono's team...? "
Silvia muttered as her eyes incessantly blinked.
Seems like her confidence is gradually rising and the idea is finally beginning to settle in her mind.
"Umu, that's right! I am the first team member of the man who'll become the world's top! I can't be some delicate flower! "
She got full of spirit suddenly. She also emphasized "First". Are you trying to place ranks in the members?
Well, apparently she already forgot about the 60 million at least. This awkward girl is pretty cute.
————–
Having such a conversation, Silvia and I arrived at the Royal Magic Academy.
Located about an hour away from the middle of the capital by horse, the school is a huge castle-like building, so big that you have to look up.
"Welcome, we've been expecting you."
As we got down from the horses, two people received us, a young man apparently in his twenties and a woman who looked like she was in her late thirties.
"Thank you for taking the trouble of personally receiving us, teachers."
I answered using the best speech that I could think of. As expected, some level of courtesy is required when you are a student and are talking to a teacher. As I bowed, I poked Silvia with my elbow, whom was just standing surprised next to me.
"You are Second, right…? Don't worry about it. "
The young man asked me. Right, I haven't introduced myself yet.
"Yeah. I am Second and next to me is Silvia. I thank you in advance for taking care of us these next two weeks."
After I said so with a smile, the man and woman exchanged glances, and then the woman began to speak.
"I'm Paula Memento, the headmaster. Nice to meet you. And this here is."
"Kevin. I'm the homeroom teacher of the first year's class A, where we will be welcoming Second-kun. Nice to meet you."
I shook hands with the two people. So, the headmaster is a woman, huh? Unexpected. And Kevin-san seems like he's the elf Noir-san was talking about.
Similarly, the two people exchanged greeting with Silvia. By the way, I wonder what kind of treatment would Silvia get?
"I'm sorry for the sudden question but, will Silvia be also in class A? "
"Yes, she will. The accommodations during the study abroad period will not be a dormitory but an inn, therefore you won't be separated."
Paula was the one who answered.
I see, Silvia is supposed to be my personal guard. Damn, was my question weird?
"Alright, shall we go?"
We entered the school building while being guided by Kevin-san.
They don't seem to be suspicious of me right now, but... I need to keep my act together for the next two weeks.
—————–
"I'm thinking for today, I'll have you attend classes in the morning and give you some guidance about the school building in the afternoon. How does that sound? "
"Will you be the guide, Kevin-sensei? "
"No, a student will. I asked in class A for someone, so it's already been decided whom will. The afternoon is basically self-study and homework time, but if you're an excellent student you'll find yourself with some free time."
"Is that so? You have my thanks."
Alright. Let's kill some time in class for now and squeeze information from the kid who will be my guide in the afternoon. Although I say that, all I care is finding the location of the Grimoires.
"Okay, we've arrived. This is the class A."
While I was laughing in my mind, we've apparently arrived at the classroom.
Kevin-san opened the door without hesitation. The inside of the classroom was structured in the shape of a fan, similar to the university lecture rooms, and desks were lined up horizontally like steps. So, there are around 30 students, huh? All of them were seated in silence.
"Good morning everyone. Well, as was announced the other day, two transfer students will be spending two weeks with class A starting today. Let me introduced them to you. Second-kun, Silvisan, come in."
Kevin-san spoke indifferently and then called out to us. Seems like it's our turn.
Silvia and I stepped into the classroom.
In that moment.
"――――っ"
All the students breathed in at the same time, then it suddenly became noisy.
It's now been a while since I came to this different world, so by now I know the reason.
I think, maybe it's because of my appearance. Mine is a beautiful figure that is impossible to exist in reality. Really, as expected from the One-Time Premium store avatar.
"Alright then, introduce yourselves."
Having reached the teaching platform, Kevin-san urged us.
"I've come visiting from the island nation of Zipang, my name is Second. Nice to meet you all."
"Si-Silvia Virginia. Thank you for your consideration."
When I gracefully made a light, elegant bow, the mellow voice of some girls could be heard. The male students, on the other hand, are dead quiet. Seems like they're in a trance looking at Silvia's lovely face.
"Thank you. You two can go ahead and take a seat."
Our seats were in the front row, right in the middle. I can feel a lot of stares directed at us.
"Since we have some new faces today, let's start by reviewing the basics."
After making sure we were on our seats, Kevin-san immediately began the class.
This would probably be quite boring for me. With that idea in mind, I decided to half listen to the lecture.
———————-
The morning class was finally over.
The contents of the class were shockingly unexpected.
I mean, what's up with「A deep understanding in important in exercising Magic」 and 「In order to deepen such knowledge, all magicians aim to enter the school」.
...It's my first time hearing such a thing.
Can they not learn magic after reading a Grimoire?
Understanding magic and deepening such understanding... I have no idea what that's about.
While listening to such a class, I gradually began to grow anxious and even started to wonder "I might not be able to learn what I need by reading a book". I, who was having such an internal conflict, came to Kevin-san at the end of the class.
"I'd love if you could introduce me the person who will be my guide. I'd like to have lunch together and deepen our friendship."
Those were the words I came up with since I was quite impatient.
Afterwards, Kevin-san's eyes rounded as if surprised for just a moment, then he spoke.
"Sure, I don't mind. Uh, there he is. Maine-kun."
"Ah...here. Did you call for me, Sensei? "
A male student named Maine came after being called out by Kevin-san. His appearance was closer to a beautiful boy (Bishounen) rather than a beautiful young man (Biseinen). His height was slightly lower than Silvia at around 160 cm and had a very thin complexion, giving off a timid impression. Maybe because he looked up to me due to our height difference, with his pretty face, he looked closer to a girl than a boy.
"Are your preparations for the afternoon guidance ready? Second-kun here would like to have lunch with you in order to break the ice earlier. It's a bit sooner than I told you, but could you take him to the cafeteria? "
"Ah, yes. It's fine by me."
"Good to hear. Then, I leave him in your hands."
Maine nodded to Kevin-san's words. His blonde hair swung smoothly like silk.
"Excuse me. Is it alright to ask him questions regarding magic? "
I stopped Kevin-san and asked if I could get that sort of information from Maine before he left. I don't want it to be misunderstood.
"...No problem. He is the top of the first graders."
"I see. It was a silly question."
I laughed at myself as I smiled and turned back.
He is the top! And I'm free to ask him anything? What a great luck.
"Maine, thanks for showing me around."
When I said so while smiling, Maine stared at me in puzzlement for a second, then he smiled too.
"Yeah! Leave it to me, Second-san."
Good, good. He's not suspicious of me. If he's like this, I should be able to easily find out where the Grimoire are.
...Oops, before that.
"Silvia, let's go to the cafeteria."
"Hmm, o-okay! Excuse me, can you let me through? Sorry."
I gave a helping hand to Silvia, who was being bombarded by questions by the female students who had her surrounded.
Right after the class ended Kevin-san left as if he was in a hurry and had forgotten there was somewhere he needed to be, or at least that's how he tried to make it look. Seems like I'll need to take some measures just in case.
"Sorry, I kept you wa――"
After rushing here, Silvia suddenly stopped. Her sight was turned towards Maine.
"Prince Ma, MMMa, Maine? "
......Eh? Prince?
"There is no difference in our rank inside the school. Please treat me as your equal."
Maine, whom until just a moment ago was smiling cheerfully, suddenly turned expressionless as he replied.
Prince, prince... In other words, Maine is a prince of the Castall Kingdom?
"Fo-forgive me for my rude beha... I'm sorry. Maine-dono."
Silvia bowed back and immediately apologized. It was the movements of a person accustomed to being yelled at.
Anyway, a prince, huh? …This is my first time seeing one. Somehow, he looks different from the image I had.
"Kneel before me! " feels more like it than "Please treat me as your equal". Well, let's do as he says and treat him as my equal.
"Anyway, Second-san. Let me take you to the cafeteria."
Suddenly, Maine pulled me by the hand. He sure is assertive.
Although he was cold to a beauty like Silvia, he is assertive with me.
...This guy, can't be, right?
No, wait. No, no, no, but what if... hmm? No, but maybe. But I heard that in older times, kings and nobles had that sort of disposition... Argh, what is this? It really bothers me... But that's exactly why I have to be serious about this. If there comes a day when this prince aims for my back hole... Could I refuse such authority at that time...?
...Alright. Let's ask him straight up.
"Hey, Maine. Are you gay? "
"EEEEHHH!? Of course not! Why are you suddenly asking that!? "
" "
Maine denied it while his face was red as a tomato. Silvia's jaw seemed to be disjointed since her mouth was fully agape and her eyes rounded in shock.
"Because, you seem to favor me way more than Silvia, so I thought... Maybe you like, 'that', you know?"
"What do you mean by 'that'!? You got it wrong! I like girls! "
"Is that so? You know you don't have to hide it, right? Hey Silvia, you too say something."
"M-me?? No, His Highness Maine is probably just wary of women, after all he is the second prince."
"I'm asking you in all seriousness!"
"Ouch!? Do you really need to hit me!? "
I spent the rest of the road to the cafeteria arguing with this girl.
By the time we arrived at the cafeteria, we three had already opened our hearts to each other.
"How was it?"
Headmaster's office.
Kevin answered Paula's question.
"He is outrageous. He didn't even know the second prince. And those weren't lies."
"Ara... that is."
"It's incredible how much 'composure' overflows from his whole body. Just where is a royal family like that...?"
Remembering the unique atmosphere Second was clad in, Kevin sighed.
What he perceived as "Composure" were remnants of "Second seeing this world still as a game" since he was aiming to the world's top, but Kevin would never be able to understand it as such.
Even if he had lived for over a hundred years, there was no way for him to know the thoughts of a man who had bet everything in his life into that game.
"Speaking of which, he said he came from an island nation called Zipang. Could he be the King of Zipang? "
"It is not good to try to guess. But well, in any case, he probably has a standing higher than the second prince..."
He didn't know the second prince of a country he came to visit. Or in other words, he had no need to know of him.
Therefore, it could be inferred that Zipang was above the Castall Kingdom.
"Zipang... I've never heard of it before. I'll look into it."
"Please do."
After such conversation, they both returned to their respective jobs.
And the two weeks where these two people's stomach would hurt had begun...