92 – Sepia Rebidden 2
“Clara, it’s been a while.”
Entering the special class, I exchanged brief greetings with other students and spoke to Clara, who was reading a book alone today.
“What do you mean it’s been a while.”
Clara looked up from the book she was reading and spoke while staring at me.
The book Clara was reading was the old book I subtly left at the library last time.
“By the way, it’s an unusual book.”
“Are you reading an old book to Clara by any chance…”
“I didn’t know Clara had a hobby of reading old books.”
Pretending not to know anything, I interrupted Clara.
“Sigh… So, what’s the reason for talking to me?”
As I pretended not to know anything, Clara let out a deep sigh.
“Oh, you know? Congratulations on being first in the midterms!”
I clapped my hands suddenly and said.
Suddenly hearing applause, other special class students began to look in my direction.
“This is a gift from me.”
I created a banner-like thing with my imagination.
[Congratulations to Clara for 1st place. ദ്ദി ˃ ᴗ ˂ )]
“Tsk.”
-Bang.
Of course, the banner I painstakingly made disappeared disappointingly due to the magic Clara used.
“hehehe, I worked so hard, and you just ruined it!”
I was the first in the practical part, but Clara ultimately took the 1st place in the mid-term exams.
No matter how overwhelmingly I took the 1st place in the practical part, my written exam was 0 points, and Clara scored 100 in the written and was 2nd in the practical.
“Do you have no intention of studying?”
When I was about to slowly return to my seat. Clara said.
After the exam yesterday, she told the special class students that I didn’t get 0 points because I didn’t write my name, but because I got all the answers wrong.
Thinking about the reactions the kids showed at that time still makes me laugh.
Professor Elysia said that even if I got only 50 points on the written exam, I would have been 1st in the mid-term exams.
“Yes? I didn’t plan to study at all… I was going to guess on the next test too.”
I said, waving my hand dismissively.
It’s not like I didn’t intend to study from the beginning.
Honestly, how would I know the history of the continent.
And running for even a second was more important than looking at one page of a book.
When Clara saw that I didn’t like the word “study,” she didn’t say anything more.
“Clara, aren’t you happy to be in 1st place?”
“No, why bother emphasizing who’s first or second?”
Clara sarcastically retorted, seemingly annoyed by my words from yesterday.
Pretending to be surprised, I covered my mouth with both hands.
“Gasp! Could it be, Clara, are you the kind of person who divides and evaluates things childishly as first or second? If so, I’m a bit disappointed…”
Huffing.
Clara wordlessly showed me a ball of flames hovering over her hand.
“Eek! Lately, Clara seems to get angry too easily.”
“Full of energy again today.”
Fortunately, Clara’s magic disappeared as Professor Elysia entered.
“Roki.”
“Yes!”
I loudly responded to Professor Elysia, who had saved me.
“Expect more next time you take a shot.”
It seems like she heard what I said earlier.
Professor, if you’re going to smile, please let your eyes join in as well.
It’s scarier when only your mouth is smiling.
* * *
During lunch, while resting in the special class.
“Fool.”
Someone’s voice came from behind.
The voice alone was enough to identify who it was, but there was only one person who called me by that title from the beginning.
“Sephia.”
“What are you doing now?”
I was lying on a makeshift bed made by stacking several desks.
“I’m photosynthesizing because the fight with Professor Elysia earlier was too exhausting.”
“But we’re underground?”
“Do you think that being underground means you can’t photosynthesize? Isn’t that a prejudice you have, Sephia?”
“Cut the crap.”
It was always an unexpectedly tough tone, fitting for a rough artist.
Sephia walked towards me, her pink hair fluttering.
“Our next class, we have it together.”
“Really? Then we can go together later.”
-Thud.
Sephia sat on my makeshift bed.
[Squeak.]
And the spirits that were on Sephia’s shoulders climbed up over my head.
Now, both Sephia and I were used to spirits coming to us.
“Sephia, want to photosynthesize together?”
Sephia opened her mouth while poking my side with her finger.
“Nonsense.”
-Thunk.
“Sure.”
-Thunk.
“Stop it.”
-Thunk.
“I told you.”
“hahahahaha! It tickles, Sepia.”
“Why are you telling me to stop?”
That’s how I ended up falling asleep while talking to Sepia.
* * *
“eeek.”
I was walking, scratching my waist and neck with my hands.
“Tsk tsk, sleeping at the desk gives you a sore back and neck. Fool, are you?”
Sepia’s teasing voice came from the side.
During the last practical test, I confirmed that I could avoid nightmares even without Eirika.
Perhaps it was because it was a nap after a long time, but I slept deeply.
It would have been better if I hadn’t fallen asleep at the desk.
“eeek.”
“Sigh… Hoku, take off your clothes.”
Startled by Sepia’s words, I covered my body with both hands.
“Could it be that no one around is taking advantage of the opportunity to ambush me… Eek! No! I don’t want this! Please, don’t!”
“I told you not to spout nonsense! I’m trying to apply the medicine. Just hurry up and take off your upper clothes!”
Upon hearing Sepia’s words, I took off my upper clothes.
I was surprised when told to undress so suddenly.
“You should have spoken like that from the beginning.”
Smack!
Sepia struck my back with her palm.
“Ahh!”
“So noisy! You’re the weird one for taking it that way in the first place!”
Sepia began applying medicine to my neck and waist.
“It should be fine now. So, quickly put your clothes back on.”
Certainly, it felt a bit better after applying the medicine.
“If you fall asleep on the desk again next time, ask Sepia to apply the medicine.”
“Isn’t it abnormal to think you won’t sleep on the desk next time?”
This class was conducted outdoors.
When I arrived at the location of the class, Professor Gedra and other students were visible.
“This class pairs up two people to practice simple combat with weapons. Even magic users and summoners benefit from learning close combat, so focus.”
It seemed to be the same class that Johanna was doing when we visited last time.
“Now, go ahead and form pairs. It doesn’t matter who you pair up with, but it’s best for someone practicing close combat to pair with a mage.”
Most students quickly approached someone they were friendly with to form pairs.
Around Sepia, numerous people had gathered.
The background of a viscountess, a genius talent for spirits, and even beautiful looks.
Ironically, it would have been stranger if they hadn’t gathered like this.
“Revaidein Yeong-ae, if you don’t have a partner yet, how about with me…”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Would you like to partner with me? I am the Count Kramo’s…”
“I ranked 27th in this midterm exam…”
Watching students vying for Sepia’s favor, I couldn’t help but burst into a bitter laugh.
Whether it was a guy bragging about being a count to Sepia, the viscount boasting to Sepia, who ranked 4th in the midterm exam, about ranking 27th.
-Drip, drip.
Ignoring the people surrounding her and chatting, Sepia walked toward me.
Other students who had been eyeing Sepia also turned their gaze toward me as she approached.
“You don’t have anyone to partner with, right? I’ll do it with you.”
Sepia extended her hand to me, saying as if she was doing me a favor.
“It’s an honor, but the attention is quite intense. The duel hasn’t even started, but it feels like sweat is already dripping.”
Probably students trying to build friendship with Sepia at this moment.
Since the special class was located underground unlike other classes, afternoon classes were the only opportunity for special class students to interact with students from other classes.
“So, are you not going to do it?”
“That’s not the case. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
I said while shaking Sepia’s extended hand.
“We don’t have to duel today. Instead, let’s do the partner declaration or share as many stories as possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s about the weapons we use or anything else.”
After listening to Professor Gedra’s words, I politely asked Sepia.
“It’s nice to meet you. My name is Loki. May I ask what your name is?”
“…………….”
Silence.
“Don’t play games with me.”
Professor Gedra lightly tapped my head and left after giving me a stern look.
He may look like it, but he’s truly an irritating professor.
But still, he’s a good professor.
Among the paired students, there were some who exchanged awkward greetings as if meeting for the first time.
But Sepia and I simply spent time chatting casually.
“Starting from the next class, partners will spar with wooden swords. Today, let me explain the basic stances and simple characteristics based on the weapons.”
While Professor Gedra’s explanation continued, I turned my head to look at Sepia beside me.
Unaware that I was staring at her, Sepia was focused on listening to Professor Gedra.
It seems like she’s bothered by what happened with Lucas yesterday.
“Basically, the spear is used to compensate for the weakness in close combat due to being a spirit…………”
It might be a suitable choice for an ordinary spirit user, but it doesn’t match with Sepia.
The reason why Sepia is working so hard must be to kill the person who killed her parents.
As I listened to the professor’s words, I pondered seriously.
After Gedra’s class, Loki approached Sepia, who was about to go to the special class.
“Sepia, someone asked me to deliver this earlier. Do you know what it is?”
Loki handed her a elegantly packaged letter envelope.
With a tense expression, Sepia tore open the envelope and checked the letter.
[…………….I’ll be waiting at the after-school training ground.]
The letter contained cheesy lines that could only be found in third-rate romance novels, along with the message that they would be waiting at the after-school training ground.
“Tsk.”
Sepia crumpled the letter in her hand with force.
Receiving such letters was not uncommon for her. Normally, she would have just ignored it, but she didn’t like that it was delivered through Loki.
“What does it say?”
“I don’t know!”
Sepia, shouting at Loki, who was oblivious to others’ feelings, walked towards the training ground, ready to unleash a string of curses.
“Sigh…”
Heading towards the after-school training ground, Sepia sighed deeply upon seeing someone alone inside.
Academy uniform. A red cape that somehow clashed with the academy uniform. And a mask that was only different in color from the usual one.
“Sigh… Fool, did you call me?”
“Huh? I’m not that handsome Loki, you know?”
At least make an effort to change your voice.
Apart from the black mask, Loki looked just like his usual self.
“So, what’s the sucker calling me after school for?”
“It’s not Loki,” Loki replied.
Sephia, who was about to say something to Loki, shook her eyes at Loki’s words.
“…………………….”
Looking at Loki with her shaking eyes, Sephia grabbed Loki by the collar and shouted.
“What did you just say?”
Loki, looking spiritedly at Sephia, repeated what he had just said.
“I know who killed Sephia’s parents.”