School Trip (2)
School trip.
Gallimard Academy was always notorious for its fierce competition, but even such a school had occasional breaks.
The school trip was one of the prime examples.
An annual event that never failed to take place.
It was a time for students to momentarily relieve the burden of their studies.
Naturally, expectations ran high.
'However.'
Not all students had the same itinerary.
As explained before, Gallimard Academy advocated a thorough meritocracy.
A distribution system based on individual rankings.
This applied equally to the 'school trip' event.
The destination, cost, and means of transportation varied greatly depending on each class.
For example, Class F, which was in the lower ranks, would receive a decidedly less desirable vacation spot compared to Class B, which was in the upper ranks.
It could be seen as a device to stimulate competitiveness.
"Hehe."
According to that rule, Class A received the best treatment.
The carriage we were currently riding in was proof enough.
On the outside, it looked like just an expensive carriage, but in reality, it was a magic tool with countless circuits intricately intertwined.
It was designed to withstand magical effects.
The teleportation portal, strictly managed by the Magic Tower.
This carriage was the only officially licensed vehicle permitted to use the portal by the notoriously strict elders of the Magic Tower.
It was like the ultimate boss when it came to transportation.
To give an example from my past life, it was like being flown on a private jet for a mere school trip.
Anyway, it was the epitome of extravagance.
"I'm experiencing all sorts of things in this life."
This was why students were obsessed with their grades.
As I muttered to myself, Regia, who was sitting across from me, quietly agreed.
"I, I was so surprised. I've only heard stories about portal carriages... It's, it's so amazing to actually ride one."
It seemed she was impressed by the new technology.
Her green eyes sparkled with pure wonder.
Especially when we passed through the portal earlier and the carriage instantly moved to another territory, she even swung her slender arms around.
It was truly adorable.
"I, I feel a little giddy..."
The pilot smiled faintly.
Emilia, who was sitting next to her, shrugged.
"To be surprised by something like this. As expected of a commoner, I guess."
"A, Are you used to it, Princess?"
"Of course. I'm a Vanity."
"As expected of a high-ranking noble...!"
"Ahem, ahem, you can admire me a little more."
There were a total of four people in the carriage.
The Snake, the pilot, the Vain Woman, and the Fox.
We chatted amongst ourselves, alleviating the boredom.
Meanwhile, the carriage rolled smoothly, and the scenery outside the window sped by.
As time passed like this.
"By the way."
Emilia slowly opened her mouth.
She was staring at Irene, who was sitting next to me.
"You're a new face, aren't you? It's not the first time, I think I've seen you a few times before..."
She seemed to be interested in the Fox.
"That's correct. She's a servant I keep by my side."
"A fox beastkin, how unusual."
"Indeed, it's not a common race. We haven't been together much in class, so it's natural that you're not familiar with her, Princess."
"Hmm."
Her blue eyes slowly scanned the Fox.
Her well-balanced physique, her voluptuous chest, her eyes that held a hint of chicness.
The Vain Woman muttered softly.
"...You said you two live alone in the dormitory, right?"
"That's correct."
"Just the two of you."
Her blue eyes narrowed slightly.
The girl said insinuatingly.
"At least you won't be lonely."
"Of course. Being with someone special is meaningful."
"Someone special...?"
"It's because we have a unique relationship."
A unique relationship.
Emilia tilted her head as if asking what it meant.
I answered proudly.
"You could say I'm taming her."
"Taming? What's that?"
"It means to form a relationship."
"Yes...?"
The girl's expression became blank.
I continued to explain.
"I'm making an effort every day. To properly form a relationship with Miss Irene."
"E, E, Every day you say...?!"
"Hmm? Is there a problem?"
"H, How can you, so, so shamelessly...!"
"Huh?"
Did I say something shocking?
Emilia's reaction was strange. She stuttered like a broken machine and eventually even her tongue got twisted.
For some reason, her face was flushed red.
"...?"
As I tilted my head in confusion, Irene, who had been silent, suddenly sighed.
She looked at me as if I was pathetic.
"Sigh... I told you to fix the way you talk."
"Suddenly?"
"You're really the worst. You, as a person."
"W, Why is everyone being like this to Young Master...?"
It was a truly chaotic scene.
The Fox shaking her head.
The Snake bewildered.
The Vain Woman blushing.
And the Pilot, alone, unable to follow the conversation, just sweating profusely.
The carriage was noisy for a while.
***
Some time passed, and the carriage reached its destination.
The first thing that greeted the children was the salty smell of the sea.
The unique scent of the coast filled our noses, carried by the sea breeze.
The cool, refreshing air washed away the heat of the season.
'The Blue City, Heron.'
A coastal city tucked away on the outskirts of the Empire.
It was also considered the most popular vacation spot among nobles.
Originally, it would have taken more than a week to travel by carriage, but thanks to the portal carriage, we arrived in less than half a day.
As expected, most problems could be solved with money.
-We have arrived at our destination.
-I believe everyone must be tired after the long carriage ride.
-For now, we will rest at the accommodation and relax.
There were no particular activities on the first day.
We simply brought our luggage to the reserved hotel and rested in our beds, recovering from the journey.
We also took a brief tour of the facilities.
The hotel boasted a luxurious atmosphere.
I heard that the academy had rented the entire facility, so the environment was very comfortable.
The fact that there were no outsiders except for the staff was also quite appealing.
It felt somewhat excessive for just twenty or so students, but... well, it's better to have it good than not.
It wasn't my wallet anyway, so I decided to just enjoy it comfortably.
"Ahem."
Anyway.
The school trip officially started the next day.
Students were free to move around as they pleased.
They didn't have to be tied to a group and could engage in individual activities.
If they wanted, they were even allowed to just stay cooped up in the hotel and leisurely kill time.
It was literally a 'vacation'.
I decided to take it easy as well.
The members who rode the carriage with me yesterday. We left the accommodation early in the morning.
We had a simple breakfast at a nearby restaurant.
"How was it, everyone? The fish dish I recommended, a specialty of Heron."
"It was delicious!"
"Yeah, not bad."
Two people with positive reactions.
On the other hand, Emilia's expression wasn't very good.
"...I guess seafood doesn't suit my taste after all."
"Oh dear."
It seemed seafood was a challenge for the villainess's palate.
The girl with a sullen look.
I chuckled and said,
"Everyone has different tastes."
"It seems like there are only seafood restaurants around the hotel... I'm worried about the next week."
"I think it's okay to cook for yourself."
"Cook...?"
"If the Princess wishes."
I spoke confidently.
"I can treat you to a meal."
"My taste is picky."
"I have the skills to meet that level."
"You're strangely confident. Your hands are so clean and pretty, like you've never touched water before."
"I didn't know you would find my hands so beautiful."
"...I didn't mean it like that!"
In the end, I decided to show off my skills in the evening.
Perhaps it was because of her doubtful gaze.
I thought I would prepare a dish that would surprise everyone.
We chatted amicably.
Thump, thump-.
The path we walked on was steady.
Perhaps because it was summer, the sweltering heat was no joke.
Although we seemed to be tired from the hot weather, we didn't stop walking.
We planned to cool off sufficiently at our next destination.
After walking for a while, a blue backdrop came into view.
"We've arrived."
It was none other than the sea.
The coast located near the accommodation.
We slowly stepped onto it.
Swish, swish-.
The sensation of sand under our feet with each step.
The wide beach was empty.
As if Gallimard had also made reservations here, there were no other people to be seen.
In other words, it was just us.
"Wow...!"
Regia let out a small exclamation as she looked around.
A beautiful landscape awaited us.
Whoosh, whoosh-.
The emerald green surface of the water shimmered, the water was so clear that you could see the bottom, and the golden sand spread out like a carpet.
The sunlight shone down with a particularly dazzling brilliance.
We listened to the sound of the waves for a moment.
"Hehe, shall we go?"
"Yes...!"
We took a step forward, leaving the fluttering summer behind us.
We walked across the wide sandy beach.
Not far away, we spotted a changing room. Upon seeing it, the Villainess and the Heroine immediately went inside to change clothes.
It seemed they had brought swimsuits to wear at the beach.
"Swimsuits... I didn't think of that."
"Me neither."
On the other hand, Irene and I, who hadn't brought anything, just sat there blankly.
As we waited for the others to return, the two of them soon approached us, dressed in different clothes.
"W, We're back... Did you wait long?"
"It took longer than I thought."
Both of them were wearing cardigans over their swimsuits.
Thanks to that, most of their skin was covered.
Now that their outfits were coordinated, the girls prepared to enter the water.
"Let's properly warm up our bodies. We don't want any accidents."
"As expected, you're thorough."
"Hehe... Actually, I once had a cramp and almost had a big, big problem."
Regia started with light stretching to warm up her body.
She stretched her arms out, stimulating her muscles.
As I quietly watched her swaying movements, I suddenly heard the sound of a zipper being pulled down from beside me.
"Phew."
It was none other than Emilia.
She was crouching under the shade.
Ziip-.
The careful movement of her hand opening the zipper.
Little by little, the hidden fair skin revealed itself through the descending outerwear.
In her other hand, she held a bottle of sunscreen.
It seemed she was trying to block the UV rays before entering the sea.
"Ugh... It's cold."
She carefully applied the contents.
However, since both of her hands weren't free, it seemed like it wasn't moving as she wanted.
Especially her back was out of reach.
It looked like she needed help.
I readily approached the girl.
"Princess."
"Ugh... Why are you calling me suddenly?"
"Would it be alright if I helped you?"
"Huh?"
Emilia furrowed her brows as if asking what I meant.
I added calmly,
"It seems like it would be difficult to handle alone. I was wondering if I could lend you a hand."
"...?"
Emilia stared up at me blankly.
She seemed to be pondering my words.
And after a while, the girl realized the meaning of my words.
A flicker of hesitation appeared in her blue eyes.
"What do you say?"
I asked with a faint smile.
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