Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 31: Opening ceremony – Prelude.

There is a saying—time passes quickly like a dog running in the field. 

Who said that? I don't even know.

But it has been two weeks since school officially started. I've been supervising practical classes for more than half a month, and I'm quite glad I chose this job.

Watching the students fighting clumsily was neither helpful nor entertaining, but watching the professors teaching them certainly was. My combat skills right now are currently all system-based, which means that they lack actual proficiency. By observing the professors, I was able to learn a lot of things regarding swordplay and magic.

But of course, some students had actual skills.

''Hey, pretty maid, what do you think I should do to fight better?''

Like this girl for example. Scarlett Heisenberg—number one of class B. She has been following me since I defeated her in the duel, always trying to either fight me or ask for advice, sometimes inviting me to eat as well.

''I would say think more before acting something out.'' I reply before throwing a potato chip into my mouth.

The best thing about working as Chloe's maid is that I get paid. This body doesn't need to consume anything, so I just buy a bunch of potato chips and seasonings to send back to my main body, leaving some of the chips behind to snack with this body as well. Right now is snack time, and I'm sitting on a bench with Scarlett.

''...Why do I feel like you're insulting my intelligence?''

''You are imagining things, Lady Scarlett. I recommend checking at the infirmary, if you are interested.'' I toss another piece of potato chip into my mouth. As expected, the slight salt flavor is still the best.

''?!''

''Hah! Very bold, I like it.'' Scarlett casually steals a chip from my bag and eats it, casually.

''...''

This blockhead...

''Either way, it's pretty crowded here, huh?'' Scarlett tries to steal another piece, but I put it to the other side before she can reach my bag. ''...I guess they're not the Saint and the Crown Princess for nothing.''

''I suppose.''

Tomorrow is the Opening Ceremony, and needless to say, everybody is running around, setting up things for it. Even classes are canceled today.

There are two parts to this according to the game—the festival half and the speech half. The festival will be attended by outsiders, as well as sponsors from around the world. The latter will try to scout the talents as earliest as possible. After that, the principal and the representative of the freshmen—Chloe, will each give their own speech.

And because the one and only Saintess from the Holy Land, as well as the notorious Crown Princess, will arrive at the same time, the preparations need to be perfect.

''Hm... Lady Scarlett.''

''What?''

''Do you know anything about the Saintess and the Crown Princess?''

I only heard that they're deranged lunatics from Chloe.

''They're...'' Scarlett lets out a sigh and furrows her eyebrows. ''Crazy.''

''I know that.''

''You're unhinged, you know that?'' She looks at me with a worried expression. ''Anyway, the fact that they're both cold-blooded is confirmed. Other than that, the Saintess is said to have an uncanny ability to read people, and is clinically insane, while the Crown Princess is ruthless and ferocious like a wolf.''

''Sounds like a pain to deal with.''

''No, you will be the one supervising them, you know that?''

''...Really?''

''You're the only supervisor qualified.''

''...''

Well, I suppose that's fine. There's Chloe in class A, after all, so it'll be fine... Probably.

End of October, 1834.

The cold season is in full swing, the temperature has turned from mildly chilly to shivery cold. On the academy ground, the trees are barren of leaves, and snow just begins to fall. Despite that, the atmosphere here seems to be on a rather warmer side as people of all classes are touring the academy, enjoying the little festival during the rare period in which the prestigious education institution opens.

''Phew...'' I sigh lightly and look at the passersby, my breath visible in the cold.

''It's warm...'' 

The girl with pale blonde hair mutters, her face melting while hovering her hands before the fire.

''I'm glad it helps.''

The girl with black hair and black wings smiles softly.

Right now, Nydia and I are sandwiching Claire on the bench, hugging her with our wings. Nydia is also casting a fire to warm us.

We decided to enjoy the festival first as the work only starts when the speech happens. Chloe unfortunately has to prepare for her speech, so there are only us here.

''...Want to eat something?'' I speak up, eyeing the potato tornado stand in the distance.

''Sorry, I'm kinda short on money...'' Claire scratches her cheek and smiles awkwardly.

Chloe didn't give you an allowance? I'll have to complain to her later.

''Don't worry, it's my treat.'' I reply calmly.

''Hm? Didn't you use all of your wages to buy potato chips the other day...?'' Nydia chimes in.

''I'll use Lady Luminous's money.'' I say while slowly rising from my seat. ''Let's go.''

''Is that allowed?!'' Claire asks and stands up with me. 

''Yes, she won't mind. So let's go.'' I adjust my blazer and... Hm?

Why is Nydia staring at my hand with that bitter expression?

''Nydia?''

''...Ah! Sorry, I was dazed for a bit.''

''...?''

Either way, we proceed to go to the stand after deciding on the potato tornados.

''Four potato tornados, please.'' 

''Yes! That would be ten dollars, dear customer.''

''Send the bill to Lady Amelia Luminous.'' I raise the seal with Amelia's name that Chloe gave me the other day.

''L-Luminous...! Understood!''

Needless to say, that unnecessary shout garners us quite a lot of attention. But I ignore that and take the skews, giving one each to Claire and Nydia, the remaining two are mine, heheheh...

''Oh, they're here!''

''Really?! Where??''

''It's real! That's the Imperial emblem!''

''The car behind it is the Saintess's!''

Suddenly, I can hear the crowd around us getting a bit loud. From the direction of the front gate, two luxurious-looking cars are advancing slowly toward the HQ castle at the center of the academy, passing through the people. 

The leading black car has the Imperial emblem on it, while the one behind it is white and has the emblem of the Holy Land. Their windows are all heavily tinted, obstructing our view of the insides entirely.

''Woah...'' Claire exclaims, staring at the passing vehicles, eyes twinkling. Nydia also has the same expression.

Me? I'm busy eating my potato tornados, it's so good.

''?!''

Suddenly, my body shudders lightly, and a cold feeling runs lightly through my spine.

''What in the world was that...'' I mutter, taking another bite of the potato with narrowed eyes.

''Aurora?''

''Nothing, eat yours before it goes cold.''

''Ah, alright.''

Either way, if they're here, then there's only two hours before the speech starts. I should finish this and bring Claire there as soon as possible.