Lina ended up working as a maid at our place.
Personally, I wouldn't have minded leaving her to fend for herself.
But when you get right down to it, Lina is my friend.
When a friend's in trouble, you help them out. That's just basic decency.
Sure, I did try to abandon her for a split second, but I ultimately didn't, so no harm no foul.
Besides,
She said it was out of the question to kick out someone I'd just paid fifteen hundred
"Big brother, your earnings are nice and all, but money is important!
Lina-san will work here until she's paid back every last coin!"
Big brother did indeed receive irregular pay from
Magic items, magic stones — things like that.
Because of the loops, Orsted knows what's where in this world.
So he can easily produce enough money to cover my living expenses for life.
Well, even so, fifteen hundred Asura Gold Coins is a massive sum for me.
I mean, that's worth more than the house itself.
"That's right. Even if she is
Those were
From the very start, Eris had no intention of handing Lina over to anyone else.
If I had even considered choosing the option of giving Lina to the slave merchant on the spot, she would have marched out with her hip sword rattling and mass-produced corpses in the blink of an eye. No question.
I did scold her for cutting people down — slave merchant or not.
I couldn't care less how many slave merchants die, but Eris is heavily pregnant, and something going wrong would be terrible.
There are superstitions about evil spirits attaching to you if you kill during pregnancy, or something like that.
So I told her that next time, she should try to use my name or Ariel's to smooth things over instead.
But knowing Eris, her hands would probably move before her mouth anyway.
That's just the kind of woman Eris is.
I've more or less given up trying to change that.
"I think it's a good idea. It's very Rudeus-like."
That was
She didn't oppose hiring Lina either.
Sylphie knew that Lina and I had been friends, and she actually praised me for valuing that friendship.
"Roof!"
That was Leo, the sacred beast.
I have no idea what it was saying.
Only Lina understood.
"Ah, yes, Lord Leo. Of course, I'm perfectly happy to work on the lower level, meow. I'll do whatever you say, meow. Put me to work, meow."
Lina didn't seem at all confused about the sacred beast being here. Apparently Leo had explained things to her personally when they first met.
I don't know what exactly it told her, but she never came to me asking for details about the sacred beast.
Anyway, in the pecking order, Lina apparently falls below Leo.
Beneath a dog — how the mighty have fallen.
Lina's salary was set at two Asura Silver Coins per month, but half went toward repayment, so effectively one silver coin.
Three meals and a bed included.
As for the bed, Eris declared she'd keep Lina in her own room.
On paper she'd be Aisha's subordinate, but in practice it would be like Eris having a pet companion.
Still, just one Asura Silver Coin per month.
That came out to roughly 1.2 Asura Gold Coins per year.
It would take over a thousand years to pay off the debt at that rate.
"Lina, are you okay with this?"
"Nn... I can't exactly be picky when you saved my life, meow... I hope you'll keep treating me kindly forever, meow..."
Lina already seemed resigned to her fate.
Like an impala with a cheetah's jaws clamped on its neck, she sat on Eris's lap with a listless expression while having her tail rubbed.
Well, if she's fine with it, then so be it.
Later,
Like Sylphie, she praised me for paying to help a friend.
Though when she heard the amount and the reason, she shot me a deeply suspicious look.
"Is having a virgin princess and first-time experience really that important to you?"
It didn't take long to clear up the misunderstanding.
But apparently, my lower half still had zero credibility.
--- The next morning.
I headed to the Magic University with Roxy.
Just the two of us — no Ghirou today, we went on foot.
Crunching through the snow-packed roads.
I hadn't attended classes at the Magic University in ages, and I'd even been excused from the monthly homeroom.
So technically there was no reason to go, but today I had business with
I made my way past the row of trees lined with mana-resistant bricks and walked to the bronze statue of the first headmaster.
Looking at the fortress-like cluster of school buildings filled me with a deep sense of nostalgia.
The first time I came here, I was impotent.
"Well then, Rudy. I'll be heading this way."
"Right, Roxy. Good luck today."
"Rudeus, you too—"
"Oh! Roxy-sensei is with a man!"
Just as I was about to part from Roxy, a chorus of high-pitched voices erupted from somewhere.
Looking over, a group heading from the dormitories to the main building were pointing our way.
"That must be Roxy-sensei's husband!"
"Huh? So that's the legendary one?
"First time seeing him! He's surprisingly handsome!"
Apparently I was being treated like some kind of rare exotic creature.
But wait — surprisingly handsome, you say?
Heh heh heh.
"......"
I noticed Roxy gazing up at me with a flat, unamused expression.
No, no — I wasn't actually preening.
I just got a little carried away being complimented by young girls.
"If you'll excuse me."
With that, Roxy looped her arm through mine, linking herself to me.
Then she flashed a peace sign toward the students.
"Ahhhh!"
Screaming with delight, the students disappeared into the main building.
"It's an announcement that you're mine."
"......"
That was all Roxy said before she quickly let go of my arm.
Her ears were red.
Embarrassed despite being the one who'd done it.
"Is... is that not okay?"
"......"
How could it not be?
I'm Roxy's property — she should show me off whenever she can.
Besides, my heart was practically fluttering like a maiden's.
Thinking that, I planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
Mmm — soft and squishy cheeks.
"W-what are you doing, suddenly, in a place like this..."
"It's a 'see you later' kiss."
"Ah, ah, I see... Yes! I've duly received it! Well then, Rudeus, I'm off!"
Roxy strode off toward the faculty building with an air of elegance, stepping forward with her right hand and right foot simultaneously.
I watched her go before heading to the research building.
--- "Am I too early?"
I arrived at the research building, but Cliff hadn't shown up yet.
He'd just had a child himself, so he was probably busy with all sorts of things.
Incidentally, when Elinarese had her baby, she dropped out of the Magic University without a second thought.
She'd enrolled in the first place to find a husband — once she'd found one and had a child, it was "sayonara."
I'm sure plenty of people frowned upon it, but everyone has their own way of using a university's facilities.
I'll respect Elinarese for that.
Anyway, now I had time to kill.
I could go see Zanoba first, but...
Showing up while the usually-punctual Cliff hadn't arrived yet would probably be a bother.
Hmm — I'd visit Zanoba in the afternoon.
Dropping in on him without an appointment was usually awkward anyway.
Today, I'd follow the plan: Cliff first, then Zanoba.
With those thoughts in mind, I wandered around aimlessly.
Crunching along the snow-dusted paths, I spotted a crowd gathered in the schoolyard.
Wondering what was going on, I walked closer and saw the headmaster delivering a speech from a brick podium.
"——But magic is different! There is a future in magic!
We shall reclaim the lost magical systems, combine them with current incantation formulas, and bring about a new evolution that will benefit the people of ————"
A speech I'd heard somewhere before.
I didn't even need to rack my brain trying to remember where.
The enrollment ceremony.
So that season had rolled around already.
What year was I in now?
Fifth... no, sixth.
I'd only attended classes for the first year or two, but I did want to attend the graduation ceremony.
Sylphie had dropped out and always seemed to regret it too.
Oh wait — if I was in my sixth year, had the Silent Seven Stars senior already graduated?
Would that guy even show up to a graduation ceremony?
Probably not.
The Seven Stars had been busy learning summoning magic these past few years.
As far as I knew, they hadn't asked me for help either.
Maybe they were getting enough support from Perugius, or maybe they were still in the early experimental stages.
Well, I heard they'd only enrolled to use the school's facilities, so maybe they didn't care one way or the other.
Or maybe they wanted their graduation ceremony at a school from their original world.
Anyway, the Seven Stars still worried me a little.
My future self had apparently ended things with ambiguous words.
If I had time, I should check on them.
Maybe bring some rice balls and potato chips.
"And now, a message to the new students from the Student Council President."
While I was lost in thought, the headmaster's speech had already ended.
He held down his wig as he walked back to the line of faculty.
Wait — looking closer, I spotted Roxy sitting right in the middle of that line.
Ah, Roxy, sitting there with perfect teacher-like composure.
So nice...
I wanted to run up to the new students and brag, "That blue-haired beauty? She's my wife, you know?"
What should I do? Maybe I should just go brag.
"——chan, though..."
"That's the famous—"
"She's tiny, isn't she? Still prepubescent, I bet."
"Probably doesn't even know what men are."
The headmaster's speech ended, and the new students began murmuring among themselves.
What was going on?
I looked up at the podium and saw Norn standing there.
Flanked by a tall demon girl and a sturdy beast-race young man.
She stood right in the center.
"Everyone, please welcome this year's Student Council President — fifth-year student Norn Greyrat."
Norn as Student Council President.
This was news to me.
I'd heard she was part of the student council, sure.
But had this been decided just recently?
"I'm still inexperienced, but I intend to do my very best."
Even as Norn began speaking, the murmuring wouldn't stop.
Unlike Ariel, Norn apparently lacked the charisma to silence a crowd simply by speaking.
Fine, I'd use a little magic to quiet everyone down.
Then I noticed someone nearby watching Norn with a warm, indulgent expression.
That face looked familiar.
I was pretty sure this was one of the members of the Personal Guard.
What was this guy doing here? He wasn't even a new student...
"QUIIIIEEEEEET!"
The next instant.
The burly beast-race young man on the podium let out a thunderous roar.
His voice swept across the entire crowd of new students in an instant, silencing everything.
"Thank you, Gilbert."
"Not at all."
Norn gave the beast-race man a brief word of thanks and continued.
"All of you have gathered here from around the world.
Some of you may have led lives that others can scarcely imagine.
But this is the Magic University, and you are now its students.
Having become students of the Magic University, you must follow its rules."
The content sounded familiar, as expected.
About school rules — that even if something seemed different from your own common sense, you should still follow the rules.
It was what Ariel had told me at my own enrollment ceremony.
It seemed the topic the Student Council President was expected to cover at these ceremonies was set in stone.
"——That is all. I wish you all a wonderful school life."
Norn bowed with a slight dip of her head and stepped down from the podium.
Her steps were steady, and she seemed almost regal — oh, our eyes met.
In that instant, Norn stumbled on the steps and flopped down onto the ground.
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Ah well — if she'd just held it together a little longer, she'd have been recognized as a cool student council president...
Or so I thought, but the looks directed at her actually seemed to warm with sympathy.
Even that Personal Guard guy wore a satisfied expression.
So clumsy girls had their fans in this world too.
Still — a fifth-year student council president, huh.
Norn was really working hard.
Your big brother's proud of you.
Somewhere beyond the grave,
I was deeply moved.
In academics, in swordsmanship, in the student council.
Norn was giving it her all.
All right, I'd step it up too.
I'd keep working hard to protect my family from the hands of human-gods.
"Hmph. So that's the rumored Norn Greyrat. C... no, B-tier if you include expected potential."
A voice from right beside me shattered my sentimental moment.
What the hell, guy.
I looked over and saw a handsome young man standing there.
He looked about fifteen years old.
Long-ear race, blond hair...
Devastatingly handsome.
On par with Ariel, even.
He was so good-looking his face practically glowed — I worried I might go blind just looking at him.
Well... yeah.
With a face like that, it made sense that he was a bit full of himself.
In terms of looks, he might even surpass Luke, the undisputed top
That about said it all.
If this guy was S-rank, Luke would be A, and Norn about B.
"I was told this school's top student, so I had expectations... but that was it?"
But even if it was true, saying something like that in a setting like this wasn't exactly wise.
Sure, I thought the guy was handsome, but not everyone in the world would agree.
See — over there, that scary-looking upperclassman was glaring at him.
The people who considered Norn the best in the world.
Oh look, he called over his buddies.
Where had they been hiding? Three of them materialized.
They kept glancing over here while whispering.
"Senpai, this guy's for real."
"For real? He dissed little Norn-chan? Seriously?"
"For real."
Or at least, that's the conversation I imagined.
Well, the inner monologue was mine, but still.
The handsome guy was a first-year, and I hated bullying.
But still — the Personal Guard hated me and wouldn't listen to anything I said.
See — he was looking at me with an expression that screamed "Don't stop me, I'm about to teach this punk a lesson..."
They'd drag me to the rooftop or something and I'd have a terrible time.
"If that's the case, then that Rudeus guy — his brother — can't be much either."
Well, I wouldn't deny that one.
Rudeus is nothing special.
But leave me out of it.
I never said I could beat you in the looks department.
As I stared at him, our eyes met.
"You think so too, right?"
He looked at me, asking for my agreement.
Huh? Me?
"...Well, yeah, kinda. Rudeus is... nothing too impressive. But Norn is trying really hard."
"Hah."
At a loss for what to say, I went with that, and he sniffed dismissively.
"Ah, sorry about that. People in this town all fear Rudeus, don't they?
But don't worry.
My name is Reifort.
I'm the son of Magnaforte, chief of the Long-Ear clan.
Rudeus will never oppress anyone with brute force again."
Ah, thanks for that lovely little introduction.
But in a situation like this, it was hard to introduce myself too.
What should I do? I'd just go with Rude the Nameless for now, maybe.
"I am nothing like you, or that Norn.
I'm a Special Student — the only one enrolled in recent years.
I've been trained in the ways of a Long-Ear clan chief. Naturally."
Oh.
So the same tier as Lina Purusena, then.
A prince from the Great Forest who'd traveled a great distance to learn about human society.
"I will absolutely rise to the top of this university.
And that Norn — I'll make her my woman."
Nope. Not happening.
I didn't care how tough his circumstances were — trying to claim Norn for a reason like that?
Big brother says no.
"So, you should follow me. I'll show you something worth seeing."
"...Uh, sure?"
Had that just been a recruitment speech for gathering followers?
After that performance, I doubted anyone would come crawling after him.
But there were quite a few people looking at him with envy in their eyes.
Over time, he might end up as Norn's rival.
...In this situation, as her big brother, what should I do?
Should I try to defuse the situation before he and Norn ended up in conflict?
Would that be meddling?
Was it too overprotective?
Norn had firmly established her own position at school.
This Reifort guy was supposedly a candidate for clan chief, but he didn't have political power in this country...
Even if he tried something against Norn, she had the Personal Guard to back her up.
I felt like it might be fine to just leave it alone.
What to do...
"Now that's something I can't just let slide."
That was when someone else called out to us.
Someone to save the day.
With that hope in my heart, I turned around — then took one look at the newcomer and thought: "My name is Mii Nal. Son of Vii Nal, chief of the Small Race."
Who the hell was this guy?
Another new student, apparently.
His attitude was enormous, but he stood only about half our height.
But his face was unmistakably that of a grown man, complete with a neatly trimmed goatee.
Just as you'd expect from the Small Race.
"So there's only one Special Student...?
Give me a break.
I'm also a Special Student this year, you know?"
Ah — so that was the part about "something I can't let slide."
Reifort looked surprised as he stared down at the Small Race newcomer.
"Oh, if it isn't Mii!"
"Long time no see, Reif."
They apparently knew each other.
The Long-Ear and Small Race territories were close together.
As sons of their respective chiefs, they must have met before.
"So this year, there are two of us who are Special Students?"
"No, that's not it either."
Mii Nal flashed a grin and pushed out the figure who'd been hiding behind him.
A boy small enough to be concealed behind the diminutive Mii Nal.
So he was also Small Race... no, that wasn't right.
Probably a human child. A young human.
About seven years old, maybe.
His features were of Asura descent... and his face looked oddly familiar.
"Go on, introduce yourself."
The boy spoke in a trembling voice.
"My name is... Granell.
Granell Zaphin Asura.
I'm the second son of Gravell Zaphin Asura, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Asura."
I was stunned.
Gravell's son?
A kid like this...?
What was he doing here?
Was it revenge? For what happened with the Kingdom of Asura?
Or was he an assassin sent for our household... at this point?
Sending a child this small?
"My... my father said there was a chance he'd lose the political struggle, and that our lives would be in danger, so..."
Oh!
So that's how it was.
Gravell had sent his son away, anticipating that Ariel might have him killed.
Being the second son meant the firstborn had been sent to a different country?
...No, that wasn't right either.
This kingdom — the Kingdom of
Sending the boy here meant he'd been placed under Ariel's watch, essentially as a hostage.
Also, a minor point, but in this world, was there really some unwritten rule that important men's sons had to recite their father's name like a title?
"I see — a safety measure, then. I was also cast out of my clan for various reasons, so I suppose the three of us are all in the same boat."
"I wasn't exactly cast out for any special reason... it's just that as the third son, I had no shot at inheriting, so I decided to take the plunge..."
"I know, I know. Everyone has things they don't want to talk about. You've heard the rumors too, right?"
"You as well...!"
The handsome Long-Ear... what was his name again?
He threw his arms around the shoulders of both Mii Nal and Granell.
"Well, as fellow Special Students, let's look out for each other.
If we band together, being number one in this school isn't just a dream... right?"
"Uh..."
"H-hello, nice to meet you."
I wasn't sure what was happening, but the new student had apparently made friends at the enrollment ceremony.
A beautiful sight.
As for the whole dissing-Norn incident... well, let's let it slide this time.
Everyone wants to project a cool persona when they first enroll, after all.
And the whole "B-rank" thing from earlier — thinking of it as nothing more than edgy middle-schooler talk made it funny rather than offensive.
Well, either way, I hoped they'd do their best.
"Oy oy, they've gathered again this year, meow!"
As if to pour cold water on the heartwarming scene, a voice came from outside the crowd.
The voice of the student who, just a few years ago, had been the worst delinquent in the school.
I looked over and saw a single pair of cat ears parting the crowd, hands shoved in pockets, radiating intimidation as the figure headed straight for me.
It was Lina.
She was supposed to be working as a maid at home — what was she doing here?
"Wait, isn't that Senior Lina?"
"Who?"
"Last year's top-ranked student, remember?"
"The one who was a delinquent...?"
"Isn't she supposed to have graduated...?"
The crowd buzzed with confusion.
She walked straight up to me.
"Yo, Boss."
"Yeah. What are you doing here?"
"Roxy-sama forgot her lunch, so I came to deliver it, meow. I went to the faculty room and they said she headed this way."
Ah, so that was it.
Given that it wasn't even lunchtime yet, the speed spoke volumes about Aisha's efficiency.
Or maybe Roxy had a habit of forgetting her lunch on a regular basis.
Incidentally, there was no lunch for me.
It wasn't that I didn't want a homemade meal, but eating out with friends was part of bonding too, so I'd pass today.
"......"
"......"
I noticed the two who'd been strutting around moments ago had gone silent, avoiding my gaze and staring at the ground.
"Hey, what are you doing here? Didn't you hear she went back to the Great Forest?"
"That's what I heard too..."
"Huh? What?"
Only little Granell looked confused, glancing around nervously at the two whispering.
"Hm?"
That was when Lina noticed them.
The two from the Great Forest.
She raised a hand in a casual, easygoing greeting.
"Oh hey, it's Reif and Mii."
The two of them trembled as they turned their backs.
Apparently they knew each other.
"So when did you guys come back from the Great Forest, meow?
Been about ten years, right?
Man, this brings back memories, meow. You guys been doing all right?
Hey, why are you looking away? Face me, meow!"
No good — she was completely on them.
Lina had that look in her eyes — the one she got when she was looking for a fight.
And poor little Granell looked thoroughly terrified.
"I think you've got the wrong people..."
"We're... we're not those names..."
"Huh?"
Lina grabbed both of them by the tops of their heads and twisted them to face her, her voice dropping to a menacing register.
At this point, she practically screamed "Hey, lend me your lunch money, would ya?"
"Could it be you've forgotten about me, meow? It has been a while. I see... memory's gone bad, huh, you two..."
Then I more or less figured out the three's relationship.
Lina and Purusena had been the boss and the second-in-command; these two had been the underlings.
Still, she was technically a slave now, so why was she acting so high and mighty?
"N-no, of course not...! It's just, we heard you'd returned to the Great Forest, so we assumed you were someone else..."
"M-Miss Purusena aside, Miss Lina was truly so beautiful when she wasn't around that I couldn't tell who it was for a second... so, please, spare us..."
Okay, time to step in.
The first-year students nearby were watching from a distance, frozen with fear.
If the new students thought our school was ruled by violence, that would be terrible.
The Magic University was Roxy's alma mater.
It wasn't exactly a stepping-stone school — there was nowhere higher to transfer to — but it was a distinguished place.
Just as I resolved to play the hero and rescue the poor frightened underclassmen from the big bad delinquent— "Hey, you — come here."
"Why..."
"Ah, that's..."
The crowd suddenly grew noisy.
People were parting ways.
Someone was heading toward me.
Before long, the figure appeared.
Bright blond hair inherited from her mother, sharp brows.
Norn.
Norn Greyrat, Student Council President.
Right behind her trailed the beast-race young man and the demon-race girl.
Seeing the two at her back reminded me of Ariel.
All right, Norn.
Last time you stumbled, but this time your opponent is Lina.
Show them what a Student Council President is made of. Lay down the law.
It'll be fine — I won't let Lina get a word in. Big brother's right behind you, giving you the glare of support!
"Sister!"
— But before I knew it, Norn had slipped right past Lina and marched up to me.
Hands on her hips, she glared up at me.
"Why are you here mixing in with the enrollment ceremony?!"
...Was Lina just going to be ignored?
Well, I wasn't going to let anyone bully her, so I guess it was fine.
"Just... had a feeling."
"You made me fall during my speech! Aaargh, so embarrassing..."
"No, no, it was great. Really impressive speech. Dad must be smiling down from heaven—"
"That's not what I want to hear!"
I'd praised her and still got yelled at.
Deflated.
"Why are you bullying the new students here?!"
"Huh?"
Bullying?
Me...?
No way.
I looked around and saw everyone's attention focused on Norn and me.
Norn's admirers looked at her with trust, and at me with fear.
Something was wrong here — I was being made out to be the villain.
"What exactly did you do to these children?!"
"N-nothing... We just said a few unkind things about Norn..."
Something about B-rank, was it?
Yeah.
...Wait?
"I've heard about things like that, and I want them to stop! Can't you see how scared they are?!"
"Well, the one who was scared was Lina..."
"You were the one who set Lina-senpai on them, weren't you!"
Oh — shit!
So that's what this was.
From everyone else's perspective, that's how it looked.
I was the gang leader, and Lina was my thug enforcer.
Damn it.
Was this karma for my past behavior?
"Also, I heard something from Roxy-nee earlier!"
"From Roxy? About what?"
Your big brother was at his wit's end and on the verge of tears.
What more could he possibly be hit with?
"That you made Lina-senpai your — your slave! What are you thinking?!"
Oh, that.
"She may technically be a slave.
I'm covering her debt, and in exchange she works at our place.
There's nothing shady about it."
When I stated that firmly, Norn furrowed her brows and pouted.
That's right — I saved Lina.
I didn't do anything wrong.
"Norn-chan. Everything the Boss said is true, meow. It's like my life was saved, meow."
Lina chimed in as well, hands clasped together.
The two first-years looked relieved.
Seeing this, Norn let out a sigh.
"...Is that so? Well, Lina-senpai doesn't seem all that distressed, so it does seem to be true."
She believed me.
"But Lina-senpai is a graduate now, so please don't cause trouble at school!"
"Trouble, meow? I was just saying hello to some old acquaintances..."
"............"
"Fine, my bad, meow. I just got a little attention and let it go to my head, meow."
Norn's withering upward glare was too much, and Lina scratched her head apologetically.
Seeing this side of her, maybe she really hadn't been intending to intimidate anyone.
Give it a few more minutes and she probably would've said something like "Meow-nyway! You guys work hard too, meow!" and ended the conversation.
But the two on the receiving end had been genuinely terrified.
Norn turned away from Lina and looked back at me.
"And you too, Brother. I appreciate that you want to protect me, but please don't go too far. I can handle my own affairs."
"Yes, ma'am. Message received."
When I bowed my head, a wave of "Ooooh!" rose from the crowd around us.
"He actually bowed to Rudeus!"
"As expected of the Student Council President!"
"Norn-chan is so cute..."
Was me bowing my head really that rare?
I apologized and bowed to people on a daily basis...
Well, whatever.
If my bowing helped boost Norn's reputation, nothing made me happier.
"......"
I noticed the three first-year students standing frozen, staring our way.
Norn noticed them too.
"So, who are they?"
"Apparently they're all Special Students this year."
"Oh, I heard. Three of them this year."
Norn cleared her throat with a small "ahem."
She lifted the hem of her skirt, drew one foot back, and gave the three a graceful bow.
"Welcome, all of you.
I am Norn Greyrat, your Student Council President.
It's a pleasure to meet you."
The one who answered was the smallest of the three.
"Ah, I'm Granell Zaphin Asura, second son of the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Asura..."
"Thank you for the kind introduction.
I'm sure it's difficult being in an unfamiliar foreign land, Granell-senpai.
I'm sure people will have things to say about your background, but please don't worry about it.
If you ever feel uneasy, please come to the student council.
Regardless of your background, once you're at the Magic University, the student council stands with the students.
We will support you so that no matter what your circumstances may be, you can focus on your studies with peace of mind."
Flawless. Not a single hesitation.
As though she'd rehearsed the lines, Norn straightened and gave them another elegant bow.
"Ah, yes."
"Well then, I wish you all a wonderful school life..."
Norn delivered a perfect farewell and departed.
Granell and the others watched her go with dazed, starry-eyed expressions.
I hadn't seen her in a little while, and Norn had really grown into her own.
Was she taking etiquette classes or something?
Either way, with that kind of composure, it was hard to imagine any first-year pulling off a coup against her.
And Reifort had been watching me with a nervous look ever since.
I didn't want anyone thinking I was still causing trouble either.
So I took Lina and left the scene.
I'd leave the lunch at Roxy's desk in the faculty room later.
Three Special Students and Norn as Student Council President.
The Magic University had entered a new generation, and a fresh wind was beginning to blow.
With that thought, I parted ways with Lina and headed off to find Cliff.