Chapter 12.1 - Thousand Blade Academy and The Big Five Holy Festival [2] – part 1 (1/2)

Thousand Blade Academy and The Big Five Holy Festival [2] – part 1

The day after I was officially recognized as a participating member in the Big Five Holy Festival, it was a day off due to the anniversary of the founding of the Thousand Blade Academy.

Although it is the founding anniversary, all the school facilities are open.

For this reason, many students will crowd into the training and exercise areas today.

The time is 7:00 in the morning.

I ate a simple meal with Ria, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and got ready in the morning.

In the meantime, she sat on a dressing table chair and tied her long beautiful blonde hair with an elegant wine red ribbon into the usual twin tails.

When I was changing from sleepwear to academy uniform in the dressing room, I heard Ria humming. Apparently, she’s in a good mood today.

When I looked out of the window, I could see warm sunlight illuminating the ground.

(…Nice weather. It’s the perfect weather for training)

It feels like it’s been a long time since I wasn’t disturbed by anyone and quietly swung my sword.

Recently, I had a duel with Ria, a mock fight with the trio, and the practical test.

For that reason, I had little time to swing alone and felt a little stressed.

(Fufu, should I just swing straight from morning to night?)

Then, when I fastened the sword to my waist, I realized I had forgotten the water bottle in the refrigerator.

(Oops, don’t forget)

As I picked up the water bottle that has been cooled overnight, for today

「Nee nee, Allen. Are you free today?」

Ria asked with a happy smile.

(… Honestly, it is very difficult to answer when she asks such a question)

That’s because whether I’m free or not depends on what she plans to do.

If possible, I would like her to ask me after stating what she plans to do first.

(How should I answer this…)

Guessing from her good mood… this is definitely an invitation to go somewhere. I don’t know if it’s to a training center or shopping in the city…

(…just how should I answer)

While I was racking my brain,

「…S-Sorry, are you perhaps busy?」

She apologized with a dispirited look.

(Surely, swinging is important, but… Spending time with Ria – with my friend is also important.)

If you have a sword, you can swing anywhere anytime.

But hanging out with Ria is not always possible.

(In the first place she is a princess… I don’t know when she will return to her home country, Vesteria)

After considering everything, I said tenderly to blow away her anxiety.

「-I’m free. My schedule is open for the whole day.」

She heard the response and clapped her hands together.

「Yay! Well then let’s go eat Ramzac together today!」

「…Ramzac?」

I’ve heard that name before…

「Did you forget it already? Hey, I told you about it a few days ago. My home country – Vesteria’s traditional food!」

Ah… I remember now.

Speaking of which, we did talk about it a few days ago.

「There’s a delicious Ramzac restaurant nearby, so let’s have lunch there!」

「Sure, I don’t mind.」

Thus, today’s lunch schedule was decided.

After lunch, we would probably go shopping somewhere together.

Unfortunately, it is still not possible to train today.

(But… it might be good to enjoy a holiday like this)

As I fleetingly looked at Ria with a sidelong glance – she looked very happy.

So we lay back and spent time alone in the room until noon.

■

About three hours later.

The time is 12pm.

We ventured out into the town to eat Ramzac.

We were both wearing Thousand Blade Academy uniforms.

This is not to say that it is troublesome to change to personal clothes, but Five Academy students are basically encouraged to go out in uniform.

Recognizing ourselves as a member of Five Academy, and being an example of a fine swordsman at all times in society – seems to be the meaning behind it.

As expected, the Five Academy which values tradition and formality, it is quite strict.

(Well, it is ultimately『recommended』and not『duty』)

Therefore, wearing plain clothes wouldn’t have been a problem, but…

「Allen, let’s go in uniform today!」

It was a strong request from Ria, so both of us went out in uniform.

She said「Because there isn’t much time in life, when we can wear a uniform and walk around in public unreservedly.」

Certainly, that sort of perspective also makes sense.

Then while we were walking on the main street together,

「Yeah…it’s very good weather today!」

Ria said with a smile, holding out her right hand towards the sun.

「Aa, perfect for trai- an outing.」

For a moment my『training desire』overflowed, so I hurriedly rephrased.

However,

「…Just now, didn’t you say training?」

Ria, who didn’t miss my slipped word, stared straight at my face.

I don’t avert my gaze and looked straight into her eyes too.

「It’s just your imagination. I don’t even think about swordsmanship when I go out together with Ria.」

This was not a lie.

I really didn’t have a single thought about『swordsmanship』.

Just that,『swing the sword』movement, crossed my mind for a brief moment.

I’m wondering if it’s an after-effect of unconsciously swinging the sword for over a billion years, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I end up thinking「let’s swing the sword.」

This might already be something of a sickness…

Then, for 4 to 5 seconds, we looked at each other straight.

As we did,

「I-I see… sorry for doubting.」

She blushed and looked away.

It seems that she believed me.

「Aa, don’t worry. More importantly, is this the right way?」

「Y-Yes, I have already been there a few times!」

「I see, that’s reassuring.」

After that, while we were having a pleasant chat while heading to the Ramzac shop,

「…Ah」