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Chapter 33. Idle Chat

One way or another, between classes and studying grimoires, outdoor training crept up on us before I knew it. I remembered reading in past-life research that time seems to accelerate as you get older. According to that study, by the age of 19, you've already experienced half of your life's perceived time. Isn't that terrifying? Well, I wasn't a genius in my past life, so I can't fully grasp it even if I think deeply about it.

Speaking of past lives, I never had a proper relationship with a woman. It's not like I didn't have female friends, but I was utterly powerless when it came to women.

"See, I told you. That professor is all theory and no practical skills."

"Please stop, Nina. It's quite rude."

"Geez, Ivy, you're so uptight."

"No, you're just being disrespectful."

I've said it multiple times, but I'm powerless against women. So, please stop having conversations over my head.

I glance at Ash for help, but he's too busy taking notes to notice. Elixira is reading an old book she snuck in, skipping the lecture entirely. And why is Ivy taking notes like a meeting minutes while chatting with Nina? Does she have multiple brains?

"Hey, Theo."

"Huh? Oh... I don't know."

"You always give a vague agreement before denying it when you're not listening, Theodore."

Scary.

"Are you not listening to me?"

"No, that conversation had no substance. Don't drag me into it."

It had less substance than the idle chat of high school boys killing time.

"More importantly, how flashy will the outdoor training be?"

"You should ask Elixira, the head of our faction."

"Huh!? Me!?"

"Quiet during lectures."

Nina, Ash will scold you if you raise your voice.

Also, hiding a book under your desk and pretending to listen to the lecture. Are you an unmotivated college student? Like those who just attend to swipe their attendance card and then play with their phone during the lecture.

"By the way, what do you mean by 'how flashy'?"

"Of course, whether we will outdo all the other students and hunt down all the target monsters, or if we will only hunt the minimum to test the other students' skills."

"Training only has meaning when done with full effort. Staying passive is not an option."

"I agree with Ash. I don't think I can hold back anyway."

"No, Ash wants to train seriously, while Nina just wants to rampage."

This violent woman.

"I-I think... we should probably do it seriously."

"Then let's crush them."

"Huh? Crush?"

"Well, okay."

"What!?"

If Elixira says so and Ivy agrees, I have no reason to oppose it. Like Nina, I'm not good at holding back. It's more satisfying to go all out, and getting results in training is important anyway.

"Elixira."

"Y-yes."

"Raise your rank to around 200. The curriculum for the second half of the first year changes based on rank, so it's more efficient if everyone in the faction is at a similar level."

"Does that include me?"

"Of course."

I figured... what should I do?

Catching up from the lowest rank, where I started my academy life, isn't difficult. In fact, I could highlight the dramatic rise from the bottom for impact. But my low rank was due to slacking off.

"It's simple. Theo and Elixira just need to challenge the higher-ranked students."

"It's barbaric, but it's the most effective way to raise our ranks."

It's nice that Magic Knights operate on a meritocracy, but the academy's system is utterly barbaric. It's like a tribe where the strongest becomes the leader.

"Now that you mention it, are there factions within the Magic Knights too?"

"Yes, there are."

Ugh... that's disheartening.

"Well, the factions within the Magic Knights are different from the academy. The main factions are those supporting the first and second princes."

"Oh, that makes sense."

Of course, supporters of the next king would gain significant benefits once the next king is decided.

"More importantly, let's focus on the upcoming outdoor training."

"Nina doesn't care about the Magic Knights. I'm starting to get interested, so let me listen."

"Theodore is interested in the Magic Knights!?"

"Really?"

"No way, Theo. Aren't we supposed to be adventurers together in the future?"

"I understand how you all see me now."

Even Elixira is surprised, and Ash has stopped taking notes to look at me.

People's interests can change over time, and I don't remember making such a promise to Nina.

"Forget about me. We're talking about outdoor training now, right?"

"Y-yes, that's right."

I felt a bit hurt seeing Ivy, who usually wears a shady smile, look so shaken. Do I seem that unserious?

As we listened to the lecture while discussing within the faction, I suddenly locked eyes with a student I didn't know. She was glaring at me intensely... but I remembered that glare.

Distinctive blue hair and deep ocean-like blue eyes. No doubt, it's Hilalda Miesis, the second-ranked student. During the midterm exam, she glared at me fiercely when Jeremiah spoke to me.

"I feel like I've caught the attention of someone troublesome..."

But Ivy and Nina are also troublesome, so it's probably fine. Besides, Hilalda seems to be a lone wolf, unlike Jeremiah who forms factions. She has a sharp gaze, but she's likely okay, right?

"Are you listening, Theodore?"

"Huh? Oh... whatever."

"See, that's your habit when you're not listening."

Suddenly snapped back to reality, I gave a random response, and Ivy instantly caught on again.