"Well then, I'll go and place the orders for all of us."
There was no need for all three of us to line up just to get meal tickets, especially since we were all ordering the same thing. It made more sense for me to go alone, get three steak meal tickets, and save us some time.
But then Irina spoke up out of nowhere.
"Noah, are you looking down on me too? I have money. I can pay for my own meal and place my own order."
"No, of course, you have to pay."
"Huh?"
Did she think I was offering to be their errand boy for free?
"If you give me the money, I'll place the order for all of us. Meanwhile, you two can go ahead and line up at the steak counter."
"...!"
What I meant was that we should divide tasks. Understanding my intention, Irina's face flushed red.
Rudy clapped his hands, clearly impressed.
"As expected, Noah is a genius!"
That's just how food courts work.
In crowded places like this, dividing tasks among the group is the best way to save time.
The Astran Academy cafeteria was both packed with students and heavily skewed in menu popularity.
On one hand, you had commoners who couldn't spare even a single copper coin. On the other, you had nobles who scoffed at a steak priced at one silver coin as "cheap."
As a result, the two most popular items were the cheapest option, the Astran Set Meal, and the most expensive one, the beef steak.
If you wanted steak quickly, you had to line up early.
So my plan was for me to buy the meal tickets while Rudy and Irina saved us spots in the steak line.
Rudy handed me some money and said, "Alright then, I'll leave the ordering to you, Noah! As thanks, you can keep the leftover change!"
He handed me a five-silver coin.
The steak cost 1 silver and 19 copper, so after ordering three meals, there'd be 24 copper left.
But Rudy had said I could keep the change for just placing the order?
Thank you, my dear friend!
Naturally, I didn't refuse.
Honestly, wouldn't anyone be willing to play errand boy for over a silver coin in profit? Especially when my own lunch was already being covered.
After taking Rudy's silver coin, Irina also handed me a five-silver coin.
"Hm?"
"Here, take this and get my meal ticket too. You can also keep the leftover change."
Wait, wasn't Rudy's coin already supposed to cover three meals?
Irina must've misunderstood and thought Rudy's offer was some sort of standard practice here—paying the errand runner with leftover change.
Maybe this is just how rich kids operate.
While I was hesitating whether to accept Irina's money, she pushed it into my hand and said,
"Take it. It's payment for the task. Meanwhile, I'll go wait in line at the steak counter, okay?"
Well… if you insist.
I couldn't bring myself to refuse.
After putting the coin in my pocket, Irina added, "Make sure to come over before it's time to pick up the steak. I don't do 'ladies first.'"
Ah.
She was also implying she wanted me to demonstrate how to redeem the meal ticket for the steak.
Assuring her I'd be there, I headed off to place our orders with a spring in my step.
---
The ordering process went smoothly.
In the end, I earned over 7 silver coins just for placing the order.
Once we got our steaks and sat at a table, even Irina joined us.
Both Irina and I ate without pause, devouring our meals. Surprisingly, Irina had quite an appetite.
Rudy, however, was the complete opposite.
"Hmm. I prefer my steak medium rare, but this one's overcooked," he complained.
Rudy's tastes were as refined as ever, his demeanor resembling a Michelin critic as he closed his eyes and evaluated the steak.
To me, though, it was just a delicious lunch.
Munch munch—
"I think it's fine," I said.
"No, Noah, that's because you've never had a truly good steak. Come visit my house sometime, and I'll treat you to the best steak you've ever had."
So the phrase "you just haven't been to the right places" applies here too, huh?
"If I ever visit, I'll let you know," I said.
"Definitely! Irina, you should come too!"
Hearing her name suddenly mentioned, Irina jerked her head up, cheeks puffed out with steak.
"You'll come, right, Irina?" Rudy asked.
Irina must not have caught the earlier conversation. Glancing around nervously, she eventually nodded slowly.
She has no idea what she just agreed to.
To spare Irina any further awkwardness, I changed the topic.
"So, have you two decided what elective courses you're taking this afternoon?"
Most of the first-year courses were mandatory, but there were a few electives to choose from.
"The core subjects are assigned, but the electives are a bit tricky," Rudy said.
Swallowing a mouthful of steak, Irina's eyes lit up.
"I know exactly how it works!"
She's got steak sauce all over her mouth, but let's not ruin the moment.
Irina continued, "First-years have five mandatory core subjects: Basic Theory of Magic Formula Construction, Fundamentals of Elemental Magic, Introduction to Telekinesis, Basics of Enchantment and Crafting, and Understanding and Practicing Mana Rotation Rings."
The Mana Rotation Rings class was the one we had with the principal during first period, and the Magic Formula Construction class was the one taught by Professor Drehos right before lunch.
This afternoon's classes, however, would be electives.
"First-years must choose two out of six electives: Imperial History, Imperial Culture, Imperial Society, Understanding Other Classes, Horseback Riding and Physical Training, or Basic Geometry. Among these, the most popular is Imperial History."
Imperial History? Most popular?
Why?
History is the hardest subject for me.
Even in my previous life, I'd struggled with history. My grades in that subject had dragged down my GPA.
No way was I voluntarily signing up for history again.
While I was still mulling it over, Irina looked at me with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Noah, you're taking Imperial History, right?"
"No."
My short and firm rejection seemed to shock her.
"W-why not?"
"It's boring. Plus, I haven't done any prior studying. Competing with students who've already prepared would only hurt my grades."
"I… I could help you with it."
"I'm not interested."
Irina clearly wanted to tutor me, but I just couldn't muster any interest in history.
As Irina fell silent, Rudy asked, "Then what are you going to pick?"
Hmm, what should I choose?
History, culture, and society were off the table.
Understanding Other Classes?
That probably covered knights, priests, and other roles.
No thanks. I don't want to get dragged into a war.
That left…
"Horseback Riding and Physical Training?"
"Ah, that's a popular choice," Irina chimed in.
"Horseback riding is a noble's virtue. Many students even bring their own horses from home."
Another disadvantage for me, then. But I've been keeping up with exercise.
Plus,
After grad school, I realized how important physical fitness is.
Back in my early twenties, I could party all night and still make it to morning lectures. But sitting at a desk all day, every day, took its toll as I hit my thirties.
Even for mages, mental work starts with a healthy body.
Since my reincarnation, I'd been exercising regularly. So I felt confident about the physical training part.
"And the other elective will be Basic Geometry."
"Basic Geometry?"
"Really?"
Both Irina and Rudy looked surprised.
"Why?" they asked in unison.
"That class is only useful for drawing magic circles…"
"Exactly. That's why I'm taking it."
You guys have no idea.
Creating magic circles and crafting artifacts are lucrative jobs.
"Anyway, that's my decision."
"Geometry seems so…" Rudy trailed off, clearly displeased.
He must've wanted to take the same classes as me, but geometry was out of the question for him.
"How about at least taking Horseback Riding with me?" I suggested.
"Eh… I don't like horseback riding either…"
If he didn't like either option, what was he planning to do?
"I was thinking of taking Imperial History and Imperial Culture…"
So you're sticking to the easiest path, huh?
"You're going to gain weight and ruin your health that way," I warned.
"You should try horseback riding. It's a popular class among nobles, and it'd be good for your family's Brightstone Trading Company too."
"Hmm…"
"And for your own future."
Rudy's cheeks were already a little chubby. For the sake of his health, I firmly recommended horseback riding.
Irina chimed in, "I'm taking Imperial History and Horseback Riding."
"You too, Irina?" Rudy asked, now visibly pressured.
Finally, he relented.
"Alright, I'll take Horseback Riding and Imperial Society…"
"So we're all taking Horseback Riding together?"
Just like that, the three of us ended up in the same horseback riding class.
Somehow, Irina had naturally joined our little group.
Finishing her steak, Irina wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, "The horseback riding class starts at 3 p.m."
It was just past 2 p.m., so we had some time to relax after lunch.
Or so I thought.
"By the way, the class is held at the riding grounds past the northern fields. It takes 45 minutes to get there on foot."
Hearing this, Rudy hastily shoved the rest of his steak into his mouth.
---
Horseback Riding and Physical Training.
Astran Magic Academy's reputation matched its sheer size. Reaching the riding grounds at the northernmost edge of the campus took quite a while.
Just getting there is a workout.
By the time we arrived, we were early. At first, there weren't many students, but more trickled in as time passed.
Everyone's faces were flushed from the long walk.
"There are more students than I expected…" Rudy noted.
"Most of them are nobles," Irina replied.
Unsurprisingly, horseback riding attracted many noble students, along with a few commoner servants accompanying them.
This is basically a class for nobles.
Some students even came dressed in full riding gear, complete with riding crops.
They'd clearly done this before.
However, the professor who entered the riding grounds looked nothing like I'd expected.
He was a dwarf.
With short, stocky limbs and a thick, bushy beard, he seemed entirely unrelated to horseback riding.
Stroking his black beard, the dwarf introduced himself.
"Greetings. I'm Mukali, your instructor for Horseback Riding and Physical Training."
His voice was deep and booming.
Scanning the group of students, Mukali smirked and said,
"Just as I thought! Another semester full of weaklings."
Uneasy expressions spread among the students. Even Rudy, usually oblivious, seemed to sense the tension.
Their concerns were valid. Mukali glared up at us and declared,
"If you think you'll be riding horses this semester, abandon that idea. At your current level, you're not even fit to mount a foal!"
"But, Professor, I've trained in advanced riding techniques with my family—"
"That kind of noble hobby riding is useless here!"
Mukali shouted the student down, seemingly sealing their lips with a magical force.
Without chanting or using a staff, he had cast a spell effortlessly, showcasing his incredible skill.
Mukali continued scolding us.
"For mages, horseback riding isn't just about sitting on a horse. You need to be able to construct magic formulas and cast spells while riding! And what's more, if you ever reach the point of mana exhaustion, your horse will be the one to save your life. That's why you must master riding to the point where you can eat, sleep, and even dance on horseback!"
He then pointed to the far end of the field.
"Now, run there and back. Move!"