"Ahhh! Finally, it's over!"
As I handed in my test and left the classroom, Annie—who had rushed out first—welcomed me with a triumphant shout. Her excitement wasn't about how many questions she got right but simply that the exams were over.
At times like this, instead of pointing it out, it's better to silently hope that Annie at least passed and didn't fail any subjects.
Cilly and Yuri, who were waiting with her, must have had similar thoughts. They simply looked at Annie without saying anything.
Both Cilly and Yuri had already left the classroom long before me, as they had finished their tests earlier while I had stayed until the end, contemplating my answers.
If someone were to ask what the difference was between Annie, Cilly, and Yuri, all of whom finished early, they clearly wouldn't know Annie well.
In any case, as Annie said, the first semester had officially come to an end. Now, until the second semester starts in September, we have a completely free period with no classes, assignments, or exams. From the window, I could already see some students packing up and leaving the dormitories, heading back to their hometowns. Those are some swift movers.
Of course, staying at the academy dorms is an option, but with no official activities, few would choose to remain here.
"So, is everyone heading home? When do you plan to leave?"
Given that all three were from noble families, they'd likely spend their break at home, either relaxing or attending to family matters.
"I'll rest today and then leave once Ian finishes preparing everything. Probably tomorrow or the day after."
I could imagine Ian's preparations involved handling various tasks, but there was no need to say it out loud. I was certain Ian would, as usual, grumble while managing Annie's responsibilities.
"My family already sent people to pick me up, so I'm leaving tomorrow morning," Yuri chimed in.
It seemed Yuri's family had arranged for a carriage and attendants to pick her up as soon as the academy's schedule allowed. I'd heard from a certain professor that Yuri's father was particularly fond of her. Although I couldn't say for sure, sending people to fetch her so quickly might be a sign that he missed her.
"As for me... I'll probably head home next week. What about you, Elys?"
Out of the three, Cilly seemed to be returning home the latest. As for me? There was no 'home' to return to. Having been kidnapped at a young age, I had no memories of my life before the assassin guild, so I didn't even know where I was from. And the territory of Elysia, the identity I was now using, had been destroyed by the demons. Although it had been partially restored, it wasn't a place I could visit.
If I were to go there, I risked encountering someone who knew the real Elysia, which would be a problem. While I managed to muddle through with Yuri, I couldn't count on being that lucky again.
So, returning home wasn't an option for me. Instead, I'm planning to visit the assassin guild's hideout where I was raised. Months had passed since I last visited, so there might not be much left, but that also meant security would be lax. If there were still undiscovered secret areas, I could find something useful—whether it be money or something else.
"I'm not going anywhere in particular, so I'll be staying in the dorms."
Of course, I didn't share my true plans. I didn't feel too guilty, as the hideout was just a day's journey away. The search wouldn't take long—two days at most. Out of a two-month break, two days is like a quick errand.
"Then, you'll come visit us during break like we talked about, right?"
We'd talked about this after midterms. Since I had nowhere to go, they had invited me to visit their homes during the break. Of course, I hadn't forgotten. I just didn't want to bring it up first.
"Of course. I hope I'm not imposing by visiting."
"Don't be silly."
"Then, how about coming with me tomorrow?" Yuri suggested. "It'd be nice to travel together."
"That sounds good. So, we'll visit Yuri's place first. Where should we go next?"
Annie quickly raised her hand in response to my question.
"Our house!"
"Then, save my place for last," Cilly added. "After you've relaxed at my home, you can head back to the academy."
"Well, it seems like we've got the general plan sorted. Let's discuss the details over lunch?"
The final exams were scheduled to end by noon, giving students enough time to prepare for their departure. It seemed unnecessary, but it was a considerate gesture from the academy, so I couldn't complain.
We all headed off to lunch, where we worked out the specifics of my stay at each of their homes during the break.
* * * *
"So, I came to let you know that I won't be able to visit for a while during break."
I sat in Room 707 of the Magic Building, drinking tea that the teddy bear had prepared, just like last time, as I explained the situation to Fresia.
"What about you, Boss? Are you going anywhere during break?"
"Not really..."
I could already imagine what Fresia's break would look like—she'd likely spend the entire time in Room 707, sleeping on the sofa day in and day out. While she had a few tasks here and there during the semester, with higher-ups giving her occasional work and me visiting for experiments, once break started, the higher-ups would leave, and I wouldn't be around either.
"Oh...!"
As I was considering whether to skip visiting my friends and stay here, Fresia suddenly let out a small exclamation, as if something had just occurred to her.
"Now that I think about it, the emperor did ask me to visit during the break. I nearly forgot."
"How do you forget something like that?"
At least now I didn't have to worry about her wasting away in the lab all break. And since she'd be visiting the imperial palace, it wasn't a short trip. That was a relief.
Though, I couldn't help but wonder if she'd still end up sleeping the entire time once she got there... Hopefully, not in front of the emperor.
....probably not.
* * * *
Since I'd be leaving the dorms tomorrow, I made sure to tidy everything up. While no one was likely to enter my room, I didn't want to take any chances, so I packed away anything suspicious and hid a few items securely.
After that, I gathered my clothes and personal items. By the time I finished, it was almost curfew. However, there was no announcement for roll call. Many students had already left, and with exams over, it seemed the academy was giving us some freedom. I remembered how, on the first day of the semester, I had missed roll call and gotten scolded for it.
Tap tap.
As I reminisced, I heard a tapping at the window. I wasn't startled this time. Opening it, the familiar sound of soft footsteps padded into the room as the cat entered. Ever since the first time it had stayed in my room, it will occasionally come by to sleep on my bed.
"You're here again."
The cat, now curled up on the bed like a loaf of bread, responded with a flick of it's tail.
Well, if you're going to respond so nonchalantly, I have my ways too.
Thwack!
I playfully gave it a light smack on the rear.
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
Of course, one wasn't enough—I swiftly followed up with a flurry of gentle smacks.
Clearly, even cats can't resist certain instincts. it didn't run away but instead raised it's rear higher as if asking for more. I obliged with enthusiasm, giving it a thorough patting.
Although it had once been startled by this, it now seemed to enjoy it so much that it eagerly anticipated it.
Whap!
Of course, it still had the habit of swatting at my cheek once I was done. it acted all dignified, but it was obvious it was just embarrassed after showing such vulnerability.
After our little routine, we both lay down on the bed together.
"But starting tomorrow, I won't be here. What will you do? Don't get upset if no one opens the window, okay? It's not that I won't open it—I just won't be here."
I wasn't sure how the cat always managed to find my room, but the thought of it tapping at the window with no one to let it in made me feel bad.
"Mew."
As if understanding my words, it let out a short meow and closed it's eyes. Now that I thought about it, it always seemed to understand me. Then again, if there are goblins who can read, why not a cat that can understand human speech? I guess there's no need to worry about it.
I should just make sure to bring it a gift when I get back.