Magic Item Research Club

Swordsmanship class was over, and Ronnie and I had returned to the classroom. Huh? I just realized, but maybe we didn't need to come back to the classroom...

"Ronnie, why did we come back to the classroom again?"

"Huh? Why did we...? ...Why did we?"

"We probably didn't need to come back, right?"

"Maybe not... We're allowed to go home after class ends, right?"

I came back to the classroom out of habit from Japan. Since we'd be moving all our belongings to the training grounds anyway, I guess we could just go home from there.

"We came all the way back here, so shall we go home?"

"Yeah. Do you have plans after this, Leon?"

We continued talking as we walked toward the entrance.

"Yeah. I'm planning to go to the Magic Item Research Club."

"You're joining a club?"

"Yeah. I'm interested in magic items. Aren't you joining a club, Ronnie?"

"No. There isn't anything in particular I'm interested in, and I'd rather work during that time to earn money."

"I see. Then we'd better get started on the stall as soon as possible."

"I'm counting on you."

"It's something I wanted to do too, so I'll get on it right away."

"Leon, thank you so much. I'll definitely repay you someday."

"It's only natural to help a friend, so don't worry about it."

"But... if you're ever in trouble, Leon, I'll help you next time."

"That sounds good. Thanks."

As we talked, we soon reached the entrance. Lucien and the others hadn't arrived yet.

"I'm meeting them here."

"Oh, I see. Then see you tomorrow!"

"Yeah! See you tomorrow!"

Once Ronnie left, the sparsely populated entrance hall felt a little lonely. Unlike in Japanese schools, students could enter the school building in their outdoor shoes, so quite a few people probably didn't use the entrance hall. Everyone who had been in class earlier had probably gone straight home from the training grounds.

I had never taken a good look around the school before, so I decided to take this opportunity to look around the entrance hall. Seeing it properly like this, it didn't feel like a school at all.

There were lots of decorations on display, giving the place a very luxurious atmosphere.

It was really something, when I thought about it. I had come from Japan to this world and was now standing here. It was true that you never knew what life had in store.

A school was a place that made me think of Japan whether I wanted to or not. I'd been in this world for over a year now, but I'd been desperately occupied with all sorts of things and had tried not to think about Japan. But when I had free time at school like this, I couldn't help remembering it.

...Japan really was a wonderful country. And I had been surrounded by wonderful people there, too. I loved my family and friends.

Would I never see them again...? This was the first time I had truly felt it sink in. I was starting to feel as though I was all alone in the world. I was lonely.

I couldn't see my family in Japan anymore, but I could see my family in this world! That's right—I should cherish my family in this world for the sake of my family in Japan too.

I was starting to miss Mom, Dad, and Marie. Maybe I should go home as soon as I had a break.

"Leon, have I kept you waiting?"

As I was thinking that and feeling a little lonely, someone called out to me from behind.

That startled me a little.

"Lucien-sama, I just arrived too."

"Leon...? What's wrong?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You haven't noticed? You're crying."

Huh? I'm crying...?

I hurriedly touched my cheek, and sure enough, it was wet. I hadn't noticed at all. I'd been feeling lonely thinking about Japan, but I hadn't meant to cry.

"Th-this is... I just got something in my eye. Please don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?"

"I am! I'm fine now."

"I see. In that case, that's good."

Somehow, he seemed convinced... Thank goodness. I need to be more careful from now on.

"More importantly, where are Stephan-sama and Martine-sama?"

"Oh, the two of them are already with Rongo-sensei. I ran into them in the hallway a little while ago. I came to get you."

"I see. Thank you. Then let's go as well."

I followed Lucien to Rongo-sensei's room.

"Rongo-sensei, this is Lucien Townsend. May I come in?"

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

When we entered, there was a desk at the back, and in front of it were a table and sofas that seemed to make up a sitting area.

There were floor-to-ceiling shelves on both sides of the room, filled with books, magic items, magic iron, magic stones, and more.

Amazing... You could tell at a glance that this was the room of a teacher who specialized in magic items. It was kind of exciting.

Rongo-sensei was sitting at his desk, while Stephan and Martine were seated on the sofa to the left.

What should I say as a greeting? Was this my first time meeting Rongo-sensei, as far as he was concerned?

I hesitated, but settled for a safe, inoffensive greeting.

"Rongo-sensei, my name is Leon. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Ah, you were in the class I taught today, weren't you? Have a seat for now. Lucien-sama, please take a seat as well."

He remembered me. I was a little surprised, but I sat down on the sofa to the right with Lucien.

"So, what brings you here today?"

Rongo-sensei asked Stephan.

"Before we discuss that, may I say one thing? Since Rongo-sensei is our teacher, there is no need to use polite language or honorific titles within the school."

"But... I would use them during class, but it's after school now."

"If that's what Rongo-sensei says, then that's fine, but I just wanted to tell you that it's unnecessary."

"Understood. From my perspective, it would be far too presumptuous for Stephan-sama to use polite language with me, though..."

"That's because the Royal Academy has a rule that students must respect their teachers."

Schools in a world with a social class system were such a hassle. A student who was a prince and a teacher whose social status was lower—it was such an awkward relationship. I had it easy in that regard. As long as I showed everyone respect, I couldn't go wrong.

"Brother, wouldn't it be fine if we simply treated each other with respect? More importantly, I think we should get to the main topic."

"Martine, you're right. I'm sorry for getting sidetracked. Today's main topic is that the four of us here would like to join the Magic Item Research Club."

"Huh? St-Stephan-sama, Martine-sama, and Lucien-sama are joining the Magic Item Research Club?"

"We would like to join. Leon will be joining us as well."

He forgot about me... Well, compared to these three joining, my joining was hardly a big deal.

...That was a little sad.

"Um... Of course, we'd be grateful to have you join, but why would you like to join the Magic Item Research Club? To be honest, there are currently only two students in the club, so it's a very small club."

There are only two!? Are there really so few people who study magic items? I thought it sounded like something with a lot of potential.

"The reason is that Leon is joining, so we thought we'd join him."

"Leon..."

It was only then that Rongo-sensei really looked at me. Until then, his attention had been focused on the other three. Please remember I'm here too, Sensei.