Chapter 68
School trip.
Though Galimar was always notorious for its fierce competition, even such an academy had vacation seasons that came occasionally.
The school trip was one of the prime examples of this.
An annual event that never missed a year.
For students, it was also a time when they could set aside the burden of studies, if only for a moment.
Naturally, there was a lot of anticipation.
'However.'
Not all students had the same schedule.
As explained before, Galimar Academy advocated thorough meritocracy.
A rank-based distribution system based on individual grades.
This applied equally to the event called 'school trip'.
Depending on each class, the destination, cost, and means of transportation varied greatly.
For example, F class belonging to the lower ranks would receive a considerably less desirable resort compared to B class in the upper ranks.
It could be seen as a device to induce competitiveness.
"Huhu."
According to that rule, Class A received the best treatment.
Even the carriage they were riding in now was clear evidence.
Though it looked like just an expensive carriage on the outside, it was actually a magic tool with numerous circuits intricately intertwined.
It was designed to withstand magical effects.
An instant teleportation portal strictly managed by the Magic Tower.
This carriage was the only official license approved for portal use by the notoriously strict elders of the Magic Tower.
In terms of transportation, it could be considered the ultimate.
If I were to draw an example from my past life, it would be like being given a private jet for a mere school trip.
Anyway, there was no such waste of money like this.
"I'm experiencing all sorts of things in life."
This is why students stake their lives on grades.
As I was quietly muttering, Regia sitting opposite agreed softly.
"I-I was surprised. I had only heard about portal carriages in stories before... It's so amazing to actually ride in one."
It seemed she was impressed by the new technology.
Her green eyes sparkled purely.
Especially when we passed through the portal earlier and the carriage instantly moved to another territory, she even waved her slender arms excitedly.
It was truly impossible not to find it cute.
"I-I think I'm getting a bit excited..."
The pilot smiled faintly.
Emilia beside her shrugged and said:
"To be amazed by just this much. I suppose a commoner is still a commoner after all."
"L-Lady, are you used to this?"
"Of course. I'm a Beniti after all."
"As expected of a great noble...!"
"Ahem, you can look up to me a bit more."
There were a total of 4 people riding in the carriage.
The snake, the pilot, the vain one, and the fox.
We alleviated boredom by chatting pleasantly.
Even amidst that, the carriage rolled smoothly, and the scenery outside passed by quickly.
As time passed like that.
"By the way."
Emilia opened her mouth slightly.
She was staring at Irene sitting next to me.
"It's an unfamiliar face? It's not the first time, I feel like I've encountered you a few times before......"
She seemed to be showing interest in the fox.
"That's right. She's a servant I keep by my side."
"A fox beastkin, how unusual."
"Indeed, it's not a common race. Since we've hardly attended classes together, it's natural for Lady to find her unfamiliar."
"Hmm."
Blue pupils slowly scanned the fox.
A well-balanced figure, voluminous chest, eyes holding a chic atmosphere.
The vain one muttered softly.
"...You said you stay alone together in the dormitory, right?"
"That's correct."
"Alone together."
Blue eyes narrowed slightly.
The girl said casually:
"But you won't be lonely."
"Of course. Spending time with a special person is meaningful."
"A special person...?"
"Because we have an unusual relationship."
An unusual relationship.
Emilia tilted her head as if asking what that meant.
I answered proudly:
"You could say I'm taming her."
"Taming? What's that?"
"It means forming a relationship."
"What...?"
"It's a concept too many people have forgotten recently."
The girl's expression dyed blankly.
I added an explanation:
"I'm making efforts every day. To form a proper relationship with Miss Irene."
"Ev-Ev-Every day...?!"
"Hmm? Is there some problem?"
"H-How can you, s-so shamelessly...!"
"Pardon?"
Had I said something shocking?
Emilia's reaction was somewhat strange. She stuttered as if broken and eventually even her tongue got twisted.
For some reason, her face was flushing red with heat.
"...?"
As I was floating question marks above my head, suddenly Irene who had been keeping silent sighed.
As if looking at me pitifully.
"Haa... I told you to fix how you speak."
"Suddenly?"
"You're really the worst. You as a person."
"Wh-Why are you all treating Young Master like this...?"
It was truly a chaotic scene.
The fox shaking her head.
The snake bewildered.
The vain one blushing.
The pilot alone unable to follow the conversation, only sweating coldly.
It was a noisy carriage for a while.
***
After some time passed, the carriage reached its destination.
What greeted the children first was a fishy salty smell.
Following the sea breeze blowing in, the characteristic scent of the coast dyed the tip of their noses.
A cool refreshing feeling washed away the season.
'The blue city, Heiron.'
A coastal city on the outskirts of the empire.
It was also counted as the most popular resort among nobles.
Originally it was a distance that would take over a week by carriage, but thanks to the portal carriage's performance, they were able to arrive in less than half a day.
Indeed, most problems are solved with money.
-We have arrived at our destination.
-I think everyone will be tired from riding in the carriage for a long time.
-For now, we'll rest at the lodgings today.
There were no particular activities on the first day.
It was just bringing luggage to the reserved hotel, lying on the bed and recovering from travel fatigue.
They also lightly looked around the internal facilities.
A hotel boasting a splendid atmosphere.
I heard the academy had rented the entire facility, so it was a very pleasant environment thanks to that.
The fact that there were no outsiders except for staff was quite pleasing too.
Though it felt somewhat excessive for just about twenty students to stay... still, good things are good, right?
It wasn't my wallet anyway, so I decided to just enjoy it comfortably.
"Ahem."
Anyway.
The full-fledged school trip would start from the next day.
Students could move freely.
Individual activities were possible without being bound to the group particularly.
If desired, it was even allowed to just stay cooped up in the hotel and leisurely kill time.
It was literally a 'vacation' after all.
I decided to relax a bit too.
The members who rode the carriage together yesterday. We left the lodgings from early morning.
We filled our stomachs simply at a nearby restaurant.
"How was it for everyone? The fish dish recommended as Heiron's specialty."
"I found it delicious!"
"Mm. It wasn't bad."
Two people with positive reactions.
On the other hand, Emilia's expression wasn't very good.
"...Seafood still doesn't suit my taste after all."
"Oh my."
It seemed seafood was difficult for the villainess's palate.
The girl with a sullen gaze.
I smiled slightly and said:
"Everyone has different tastes."
"It seems there are only seafood restaurants around the hotel... I'm worried about the next week."
"I think cooking yourself would be fine too."
"Cooking...?"
"If Lady wishes."
I spoke confidently:
"I can serve you."
"My palate is picky."
"I have the skills to match that level."
"You're strangely full of confidence. Yet your hands look clean and pretty as if they've never touched water."
"I didn't know you'd see my hands as so pretty."
"...That's not really what I meant?"
In the end, I decided to show my skills in the evening.
Was it because of her doubtful gaze?
I was thinking of preparing a dish that would surprise everyone.
We conversed pleasantly.
Trudge trudge-.
A path advancing steadily.
Perhaps because it was summer, the sweltering heat was no joke.
Though we seemed to be tiring from the hot weather, we didn't stop walking in the middle.
We were thinking of cooling off sufficiently at our next destination.
As we kept walking like that for a while, before long a blue background appeared in view.
"We've arrived."
It was none other than the sea.
A coast located near the lodgings.
We slowly set foot on it.
Rustle rustle-.
The sensation of sand being stepped on with each step.
The wide beach was empty.
Perhaps Galimar had reserved this place in advance too, as no other people could be found.
In short, it was just us.
"Wow...!"
Regia who had been looking around let out a small exclamation.
A beautiful scenery awaited before our eyes.
Whoosh-.
An emerald-colored sparkling water surface, water so transparent the bottom could be seen, a golden sand beach spread on the ground.
The beating sunlight shone especially brilliantly.
We listened to the sound of waves ringing for a moment.
"Huhu, shall we go?"
"Yes...!"
We took steps leaving the fluttering summer behind.
A path crossing the wide sandy beach.
Not far away, a changing room could be seen. The villainess and protagonist who discovered it immediately entered to change clothes.
The two seemed to have brought swimsuits to wear at the sea.
"Swimsuits... I didn't think of that."
"Me neither."
On the other hand, I and Irene who hadn't brought anything.
We just sat blankly.
As we were waiting for our companions to return like that, before long the two approached with changed outfits.
"W-We're back... Did you wait long?"
"It took longer than expected."
Both were wearing cardigans over their swimsuits.
Thanks to that, most of their skin was covered.
They must have matched their outfits too.
The children slowly prepared to enter the water.
"Make sure to stretch properly. We don't want any accidents to happen."
"You're thorough as expected."
"Hehe... Actually, I once almost had a big problem when I got a cramp."
First Regia loosened her body with light stretching.
She stimulated her muscles by stretching both arms out.
As I was quietly watching her swaying movements, suddenly the sound of a zipper being lowered was heard from beside me.
"Phew."
It was none other than Emilia.
She was crouching in the shade.
Zip-.
Hands carefully opening the zipper.
Between the outer clothes gradually lowering, hidden fair skin slowly revealed itself.
In her other hand, she was holding a bottle of sunscreen.
It seemed she was trying to block UV rays before entering the sea.
"Ugh... it's cold."
She carefully spread the contents.
But perhaps because both hands weren't free, it seemed she couldn't move as she wanted.
Especially her back was impossible.
She seemed to need help.
I readily approached the girl.
"Lady."
"Uugh... why are you calling me suddenly."
"May I perhaps offer my assistance?"
"What?"
Emilia frowned as if asking what I meant.
I added nonchalantly:
"It seems difficult to handle alone. I was wondering if I could lend a hand."
"...?"
Emilia looking up at me blankly.
She seemed to be chewing over my words just now.
And before long, the girl realized the meaning of the words.
A wavering arose beyond her blue pupils.
"How about it?"
I asked with a faint smile.