Despite the vacation, some students are attending school today.
School of Guidance and Knowledge to Survive, or SGKS.
"Now that I think about it, why is the school called that? Why not call it Adventurer School? It is much simpler, right?"
Alicia is currently eating lunch with a friend under the tree.
"Sssshhh! Fortunately, there are no people around us. If not, something bad could happen to our club."
Katarina Kanar Kurbata.
A tanned girl wearing glasses that makes her appear studious.
"Is that really a big deal?"
Alicia is perplexed, but she does not seem to care and keeps eating her lunch box.
"Somewhat. If the headmaster finds out about this and becomes enraged, she may order the student council to cut our club budget."
"No way! Our headmaster is very mature, so how could she be so childish?"
"Well, that is what the rumors say. Although it is just a rumor, there is no smoke without fire, so be cautious."
Katarina keeps munching her sandwich.
"Hmm?"
Because they were eating, the conversation abruptly came to an end.
After their break, they must resume what they were doing before: Study
"Hey Alicia, did you read the summary that I gave you?
"Yeah. To avoid being ungrateful, I even spent yesterday doing independent research at the library."
"Wait a minute; you are not Alicia! Where is the real Alicia?! There is no way she will go to the library! Are you her double? clone? Released her immediately!"
Katarina's exaggerating tone caused Alicia to frown for a second.
'Am I allergic to studying or being in the library?'
After the vacation, her final year begins, so she wanted to be among the top ten students or at least remain in the top ten for her brother's sake.
As top students, they will be assigned to the front lines following graduation.
It is extremely dangerous, but she pursues both money and strength.
The salary is very high because the front line is where people die at any time, and monsters are quite powerful there, so she can fight with her heart there as well.
This is a dream job for a battle junkie like her.
"Anyway, are we going to start?"
"Yeah, yeah, I am not going to play around anymore. It is just that… you are usually the one who plays around. Anyway, let us stop talking and begin with a simple topic."
She thinks for a moment and throws the first question.
"What do you call the modern magic system?"
"You are going to start off easy, huh... The answer is "The Weaving Laws of Magic" by Great Mage Aleister Liebes."
"You even added the creator. Seriously, did you eat anything unusual today?"
"Apart from the lunch box I bought at the convenience store, I did not eat anything unusual today."
"Whatever. Question number two: If I am going to use a burst magic, what kind of mana weave will I use?
"Crossing Mana."
"How about physical defense magic?"
"Chain Mana."
"Magical Defense Magic?"
"Running Mana."
"Projectile creation?"
"Chain Mana, but running mana can also be used depending on the spells and commands you choose."
"Body Enhancements?"
"Running Mana, but Crossing Mana can also be used with few side effects such as self-harm in exchange for high maintenance."
Katarina abruptly stops asking questions and smiles at her.
"Are you in love?"
"W-W-WHAT?!!!! What are you talking about?"
She blushed at her sudden question.
"Well, I can see your motivation today, and it is strange that you asked me to help you study despite the fact that it is still vacation, so I assumed you met someone and wanted to impress that person before school started, am I correct?"
Katarina sighs with relief.
"You have finally let go of your brother complex."
Katarina is happy for her friend, but Alicia is unable to express that her feelings for her brother are more than just complex.
Academy City has a five-year schooling curriculum.
Everyone will attend the general education school for the first two years.
There, they will learn to read and write, as well as other fundamental knowledge and skills.
Some people come from wealthy families, so the majority of student applicants can read and write before coming here.
Alex recently completed his general education years, and the following school year will mark his first day at SGKS.
This was the reason she wanted to study.
She wanted to show that she was not only a good fighter but also a smart person.
She said nothing about the topic Katarina mentioned and was forced to continue studying.
Katarina wanted to continue their love conversation, but she could not because Alicia was being very forceful today.
'She is very bashful… So it means she truly falls in love, right? Yes, that is right.'
She sighs once again.
'I am quite jealous, but I hope that person feels the same way about you.'
She did not try to start a conversation about it and instead continued to help her friend study today.
…
After their study, she went straight to their club room.
Okie Dokie Literature Club.
Despite her disinterest in books, Alicia can eat and sleep in this clubroom whenever lunch arrives.
Apart from helping her friend, this is the only reason she joined the club in the first place.
When they opened the door, Alicia and Katarina were surprised to see a person inside.
Remember, it was summer vacation and there were no classes, so they assumed it was an unknown student attempting to steal something, but when they looked at the person, their eyes showed a surprised expression.
"President, why are you here? I thought you would go back to your hometown?"
Monica Ashford
Brown haired girl with a ponytail and a red ribbon in her hair.
"Oh, Katarina, Alicia. I did not expect to see you here today. I did go back, but my family did not expect me to return this year. It was supposed to be a surprise for them, but I was surprised to learn that they were also on vacation. Anyway, I returned here yesterday and have decided to read some books today."
"That is… Unfortunate…"
Katarina is sorry about her experience.
When she sees their expression, Alicia pauses for a moment and comes up with an idea.
"I plan to go to the beach next week. Are you interested in coming? It would be more fun if both of you came."
"Well, if you do not mind, I can come."
Monica agreed.
"I don't have anything to do so yeah, I can go too."
Katarina also agreed.
"If we are going together, let us also invite her."
"Oh, Schwartz? We are going to her ball party later, right? We can ask her later."
Someone barges into the room while they are talking.
"Alicia, let us finish our duel!"
"Oh, Yan. Here for another duel? I am sorry, but could we move this to next time?
"Huh? Are you feeling scared right now?"
"No, we are talking about going to the beach next week. It is summer vacation, so let us enjoy our final year. Would you like to join us?"
Yan pauses for a moment, unsure how to respond.
"A-are you sure a-about that?"
Despite her stutter, Alicia did not notice her excitement and responded normally to her.
"Yeah. Then it is settled. We are all going to the beach next week!"
"Oh!" 2×
Katarina and Monica punch upwards, shouting with delight.
"O-oh!"
Yan has no idea why she participated in their shout.