Chapter 102
The day after visiting Rigbed, Iris called me aside before morning class.
We stood facing each other in a quiet corridor with no people. Judging by her expression and atmosphere, it was certain no good news would come.
When a leader quietly calls you to deliver bad news, what else could it be?
I had already prepared my heart.
Perhaps unfamiliar with such situations, Iris hesitated for a while.
"Whatever it is, feel free to say it comfortably."
"Ah, yes... I discussed this with Polson and Lysander at dinner yesterday. We seem to need a spirit summoner in our group after all."
"Go on."
"Since we have two Combat Department students... we decided to remove one... to bring in a spirit summoner."
"You mean you'll remove me to make room?"
"Yes."
"..."
Iris couldn't have been unaware that a spirit summoner was needed. After acting like she'd lead everyone together until yesterday, this sudden change made it clear that Polson or whoever had worked on her.
Though her face was full of guilt, she didn't voice any apology.
I could understand. Bringing in and removing group members was just part of the class too. There was no moral responsibility there. I had no intention of resenting or criticizing that either.
However, my impression of Iris changed slightly. I needed to gradually make reliable companions I could trust and believe in, and had briefly thought Iris might be okay. But seeing how easily she changed her attitude, that feeling disappeared.
"If you follow the plan I told you exactly, you can get good enough grades. And..."
"Well, if we're done, may I go?"
"Ah, yes! G-goodbye."
I left the spot.
If they had expelled me yesterday, joining groups would have been easier, but now with most groups' quotas filled, I was in an awkward position.
Perhaps this was for the better. I'd rather not go through complicated opinion coordination processes in a group. Applying Zverev's theory to practice was a kind of gamble.
Who would want to follow an uncertain path, hunting hard and stuffing unpalatable things into their stomach?
Only one day remained in the practice preparation period. I planned to spend the remaining time memorizing the characteristics of flora and fauna living in the circulatory system by searching through books. Since I was preparing alone, I needed to work twice as hard.
***
The second circulatory system class was scheduled for the morning. Since people gathered in groups of four in the lecture hall, it was easy to see at a glance who was grouped with whom.
Soon after, Trisha came in with her group and looked back and forth between me and Iris' group. Seeing me sitting alone in the back, she seemed to sense the situation and sat down without a word.
Shortly after, when Professor Rakam entered the lecture hall, the noisy atmosphere immediately quieted.
But he hadn't come with just assistants. A female student followed closely behind the professor, and students' eyes widened seeing her.
It was Luna, who they thought would be missing this class.
Fortunately, her condition seemed to have significantly improved.
Rakam added a brief explanation before starting class, "Ah, this friend was delayed in joining due to an external dispatch mission. If there are any groups not fully formed yet, please consider this friend. Well, since she's the top seat of the Magic Department, I trust she'll do well on her own. Go sit down."
It wasn't just consideration. All students were staring intently at Luna's face.
Luna bowed her head to Rakam in greeting then crossed the center of the stepped lecture hall.
Some whispered among themselves watching her. Several girls who knew Luna greeted her as she passed.
Watching this scene, my heart sank.
Because she was coming up to the very back row where I was, avoiding her friends.
While internally repeating, “It must be my imagination,” I turned my head pretending not to see when Luna stopped abruptly in my row.
And bypassing all those seats, Luna sat down three seats away from me.
Luna and I exchanged no greetings, reading the atmosphere. Though it might be my imagination, I felt that sitting near me might be her way of showing gladness.
People around gossiped about it. Fortunately, Sion's name came up rather than mine.
"Perhaps with Sion..."
"As expected, top seats..."
"Isn't Gale more likely..."
Thanks to Sion sitting alone at the opposite end of the same row and other students without groups, they didn't think there was anything between Luna and me. They seemed to think nothing of it, just that she found any empty seat.
Only Trisha thought differently.
While other students turned their attention to the lectern, she alone kept turning back to look up at me.
For some unknown reason, her eyes seemed to blaze with fire. I'd never seen her like this before.
Why is she so angry when she has nothing to do with Luna…? I don’t got a clue.
When Cecil gave her a look, Trisha finally turned forward.
Soon after, the class proceeded beyond the commotion.
This class consisted of simple explanations about Soderton circulatory system geography, some precautions, and delivery of several clues for entering inside.
The first clue was spirits and the second was using an herb called “Blue Soul Herb”.
"Wild animals in the circulatory system will become hostile if their territory is invaded. But not every being will be hostile. Keep this in mind. The spirits there are very curious about humans."
If nothing else, this certainly raised Luna the spirit summoner's value.
He explained the second clue like this, "Blue Soul Herb is a strange herb that blooms from dead animal corpses. That herb can be quite useful in finding entrance paths."
This was an option for groups without spirit summoners.
He didn't tell the specifics of where to get it or its exact usage. Figuring that out seemed to be part of the assignment.
Professor Rakam briefly added about group formation, "Ah, and know that changed group charts will be made private. I'm not sure if it's because you're not yet familiar with each other so have no wariness, but every year there are types who target weak groups and plunder supplies. I urge you not to openly reveal group compositions."
He was giving warning, not prohibiting plundering. Students huddled in front rows flinched upon hearing this.
There were slightly over sixty students sitting alone without groups. I had thought the number strange, but understanding some were disguised made sense.
Now looking, Sion was looking down at others like prey. Even I found it chilling. Some who noticed her gaze whispered that Sion would probably solve all food supply through plunder.
Before class, there had been some views treating this section as a line of stragglers without groups, but now with Sion, Varianne, and Luna joining the back seats, there was a sense of elevation to dangerous figures harboring schemes.
When class ended, Luna silently stood up and followed the professor out of the lecture hall.
Several followed her like fans. Iris' group was among them.
The remaining groups were chattering about Blue Soul Herb. Each group leader urged that they needed to get it before it was too late since it was being cultivated in Rigbed.
When one group left first, as if sheep mentality had activated, they rushed out of the lecture hall in crowds.
Though I had no plans to go to Rigbed, thinking I should pretend to have a group, I came outside.
While heading to the library to find the exact usage of Blue Soul Herb, a familiar bird caught my eye.
It was the ethereal spirit I had contracted with.
How did this guy come when I didn’t even summon it?
The spirit fluttered its wings in front of my face. For some reason, it had a note in its beak.
"..."
This is my spirit, so why is it acting as someone else's messenger?
Well, I can guess one person who might be behind this.
Indeed, opening the note and checking its contents, it contained Luna's message.
[I'll wait in front of the Guardian Tree.]
***
Eternia's Guardian Tree looked different from when I last came.
The blackened dying leaves had all fallen as autumn leaves and gray new buds had sprouted from the branches in their place.
A blonde girl stood with her back to me under the tree's shade.
Though Luna never turned around, keeping her gaze fixed on the Guardian Tree, she sensed my presence by my aura and spoke, "...The curse is all gone now. The Guardian Tree is recovering quickly too."
Her voice carried lightness.
"I'm glad it's better."
I felt more at ease too, confirming my efforts weren't in vain.
"But... there's still something remaining."
"...Are thought entities still tormenting you?"
"Yes..."
Blood surged instantly. I calmed my anger and spoke steadily, "Wait a moment. Practice or whatever, today I need to completely root out—"
When I started to draw my sword, Luna hurriedly corrected her words.
"No, it's not thought entities. Um... it's something similar that keeps following me around asking to group up."
"..."
"So... I still need your help. You haven't decided on a group yet...?"
Though her gestures seemed tense and stiff, there was smoothness in her tone. It felt like prepared lines.
"I was expelled this morning."
As if gaining courage, Luna suddenly whirled around and extended her hand for a handshake. She squeezed out a few words, "Then, will you group with me?"
I stared blankly at Luna's hand. Though her face was composed, her arm was full of tension and her fingertips trembled slightly. An awkward air lingered around.
"If you team with me, you'll have to half give up on grades, is that okay?"
"I don't mind."
"Camping will be uncomfortable too."
"It's fine."
That was enough. I was curious how she would react if I rejected once playfully, but held back thinking she might hate men forever if I did.
There was no reason to refuse the best spirit summoner. I also liked how she proposed it as if she needed help, probably being considerate of my burden.
I also extended my hand to accept her handshake.
However, when our hands touched, Luna squeezed her eyes shut and made a grimacing expression.
Sensing strange energy, I narrowed my eyes.
I had seen this expression quite a lot when young. Girls made this exact face when forced to touch frogs after losing bets.
Unable to bear it, Luna suddenly pulled away mid-handshake and turned her back to me.
"..."
Worried, I asked, "Did someone above order you to group with me or—"
Luna cut me off firmly, "Absolutely not."
Though suspicious, I decided to just believe... it was because she wasn't yet used to men.