"Ugh..."
Upon regaining consciousness, the first thing I felt was a dizzying headache as if my head was about to split open.
The remaining alcohol in my system was causing an unpleasant dizziness that made my facial muscles tense.
"My head..."
Barely holding onto my still groggy consciousness, when I managed to open my eyes, I was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling.
"Where am I...?"
No matter how hard I tried to recall, I was in a place I had never seen before and had no memory of how I ended up here. I had no choice but to speculate based on my last memory. I had met up with Eriana on my way home and agreed to have dinner together... After drinking the cocktail she gave me at the restaurant, I was suddenly overcome with sleepiness...
After that, there was no memory...
What on earth happened? As the confusion from the absence of memories threatened to take over,
"Have you come to your senses?"
A voice, sweet as honey and tickling my ear, reached me. Turning my gaze, there she was, Eriana, caressing my hair and speaking in a whisper.
"Luckily, you don't seem to have any serious issues!"
She smiled brightly, her fingers, which were on my forehead, now softly brushed my cheek.
"Eriana?"
"Have you been tired lately? You suddenly fell asleep at the restaurant, so I hurriedly moved you to a nearby inn."
She tried to calm me with a gentle smile, but her somewhat strange demeanor only made me more anxious.
Wait, what did she just say?
"I fell asleep at the restaurant?"
Trying to stay calm, I expressed my doubts about falling asleep, and she went on to explain the situation in detail.
"Yes... You didn’t suddenly faint; after finishing our meal and sharing stories over cocktails, perhaps you got a bit drunk. Your face turned red, and then you laid your head on the table..."
"Hold on..."
Feeling embarrassed, I couldn’t help but interrupt her.
Wait... seriously? I caused such a scene?
The situation she described felt very different from what I remembered. Considering I had consumed alcohol, and that I indeed passed out in the restaurant, the shame was overwhelming.
No matter how little I drink, how did I manage to not only pass out but also become a burden to the person I was with...
"I'm sorry, Eriana... I never intended to be such a bother..."
Feeling so guilty, I quickly sat up and bowed my head.
"It's okay! Just consider it compensation for our little misunderstanding!"
No matter how you look at it, treating me like this for a small mistake...
Even if it was, she continued to smile, seemingly unbothered.
"Ugh... Even so, I should do something in return..."
But she firmly rejected my offer.
"It's okay! I didn't expect anything in return. Please, don’t worry about it!"
She gestured for me to relax, leaving me with no choice but to stay silent.
Her generosity was truly angelic.
"Well then, Harold, now that I've checked on you, I’ll be on my way. I’ve covered the cost of the inn, so you can rest at ease."
She not only treated me to dinner but also paid for a night at the inn...
I was at a loss for words.
"I’ll go now. If fate wills it, we’ll meet again..."
I wanted to thank her, but before I could find the words, she had already left.
Left alone in the room, the only thing that remained was the deafening silence...
Not being able to properly say goodbye weighed heavily on me.
Feeling like a sinner, the lingering unease wasn't pleasant, but...
"If fate wills it, we’ll meet again..."
I found myself repeating her parting words.
Somehow, I felt that our paths would cross again...
It was just a hunch, an inexplicable confidence. Even I didn't understand why I felt this way, but... I felt a strong bond with her. "Harold!"
The weekend had passed, and it was time to go back to the academy.
"Did you have a fun weekend?"
Upon reuniting in the classroom, Aris, spotting me, approached with a bright smile.
"How was your weekend, Harold?"
Sharing that she had a great weekend, she asked about mine.
"Well, I also―"
?!
Just as I was about to say I enjoyed it too, a piercing and burdensome gaze felt like a needle to the back of my neck, unsettling me.
".....?"
Turning my head stiffly, as if I were frozen in cold weather...
"Hmph..."
Marika was glaring at me, her face clearly expressing, 'I'm upset with you'. She was unapologetically observing me, and when our eyes met, her defiant gaze made me feel even more uncomfortable.
Naturally, memories of my past mistakes resurfaced...
Putting Aris's question on hold, I rose from my seat and approached Marika.
"Um... Good morning, Marika..."
Although a bit awkward, I greeted her warmly. However, she continued to glare without responding.
"I... I'm sorry about last time... I wanted to have a moment just with you..."
But before I could finish, she covered my mouth with her hand.
"Don't speak. I don't even want to hear your voice right now."
She seemed genuinely upset...
She had expected a private meeting with me, but in reality, it was a gathering of three, including Aris...
"I don't even want to see you, just go away."
It was clear that Marika, having expected a private encounter, was more than just disappointed; she was furious.
"Really... I was a fool to expect anything from you..."
I'm not sure if she said this for me to hear or if I overheard her muttering to herself... but her voice filled with dissatisfaction gave away her feelings.
"Look, Marika..."
"Address me as Princess."
I felt compelled to make amends...
"Is there anything you'd like me to do?"
Wondering what could possibly appease her, I cautiously asked, but her response was cold.
"Why would I expect anything from you? Just go."
Her words were dismissive, but I was determined to make amends.
"I’ll do whatever you want."
Suddenly!
At my words, as if spurred on by some stimuli, she abruptly stood up, her eyes, now filled with a mix of suspicion and a hint of hope, stared directly at me.
"Really...?"
Caught in her intense gaze, I felt the weight of her doubt and a sliver of hope.
"Yes... I'll grant you one absolute favor, whatever it is, just tell me."
Her previously dishappy face now bore a faint smile.
"Hmph... Trying to win over the Princess's heart like that? You're quite naive."
Although her words were negative, there was a short pause...
"If you're that insistent... I'll give you one last chance to earn my trust."
It seemed she was willing to forgive, or at least, give me another chance.
"Anytime... any request..."
But then, why was she blushing and lost in thought after our conversation?
"In that case... When the time comes..."
Her voice, though a bit vexed, left a lingering feeling of regret in the air. I felt a pang of regret for offering so impulsively, but what's done was done. I just hoped her request wouldn't be too demanding. Bang! Whack! Sizzle!
Various magics unfurled before my eyes, accompanied by a cacophony of sounds.
It was the training time for magic practice.
Many students came to the training grounds, each starting their own regimen.
Some were casting magic at targets while others were engaging in duels by mutual agreement.
However, one question arose amidst this spectacle.
"Why does it seem so crowded?"
Indeed, there were too many people.
Even before our arrival, many students were already training, and notably, there were students wearing uniforms similar yet distinct from ours. "This is a combined training ground, different from last week. Not only other classes, but even 2nd and 3rd-year students use this place."
No wonder there were so many people... So other students also used this place.
"Unlike last time, we have some freedom here. Even if you just observe others without practicing, it's not a problem."
Marika added as she took a moment to survey the bustling scene of magical activity.
"Marika?"
But since earlier, her mood seemed off, which was concerning.
Her face expressed an anxious search, as if she desperately wished not to find something, yet couldn't help but look...
"Marika... why do you look like that? You look a bit pale."
I noticed her mood and asked her about it, but she just shook her head gently without answering.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it. You should practice instead."
Though she said that, she kept her gaze primarily on the students wearing different uniforms, likely the 2nd-year students, as if searching for something or someone. Even though she told me not to worry, her constant anxious scanning was concerning.
Aris, perhaps feeling the same as I did, looked at Marika with a concerned expression.
Why is she acting like this? Did she see someone she knows or -
"What are you doing here, Marika?"
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice addressed her.
"Huh?!"
Startled by the voice, Marika turned to see...
"Are you slacking off during practice?"
A man with sharp, intimidating eyes was staring at her. Judging by his uniform, he was from a different grade than us.
Mature... or rather, a man with a gaze that seemed to hold some grudge.
"Big brother..."
And then, Marika's shocking mutter...
What did she just say?
Big brother...?
A man with short golden hair, similar to Marika's, was speaking to her in a reprimanding tone.
"I've heard about you doing well in practice, but that doesn't mean you can slack off like this."
The senior student spoke sternly, cornering her and stripping away her confidence.
With her head bowed in response to the male student's words, she looked as if she felt guilty, hugging herself with a somber expression.
"Excuse me."
Why did I say that?
I could somewhat understand who this man was from Marika's words, but my concern for her, who seemed wounded in pride, made me speak up.
"Who are you to scold Marika?"