Chapter 7. Field Trip on a Clear Day(1)

When I returned home with my injured leg, Vivian took one look at my knee and let out a deep sigh.

“What on earth happened at the academy?”

“I tripped and fell.”

Vivian’s scolding, laced with concern, didn’t last long. She was too busy packing for the upcoming two-night, three-day field trip that starts tomorrow.

She filled a large bag with clothes, toiletries, a self-defense sword, various emergency medications, and bug spray.

Looking down at the bag—which was nearly half my height—it seemed way too big.

“Vivian, why does it look like this bag is about to burst?”

“I think I might’ve packed too many snacks.”

Vivian’s hands busily pulled out countless snacks from the bag.

What the heck, why did she pack so much! The bag was practically filled with just snacks. When did she even put all this in?

“I was worried in case you might go hungry…”

“They serve meals there, you know?”

Anyone would think I was going on a survival expedition. Feeling like Vivian’s overprotectiveness was getting worse, I shoved the bag to the side.

“By the way, my lady, you received a gift.”

“A gift?”

There’s no way a gift would be delivered to me—so where could it be from? I shook the small box Vivian handed me and heard something rattle inside. Rattle, rattle. Something like a stone rolled around inside the small box, no larger than my palm.

Frowning, I opened the box, half-suspecting someone was playing a prank.

Inside the paper box was another, more elegantly wrapped smaller box. Hmm, is it an actual gift? If they went through all this wrapping just to stick a rock in here, then the sender seriously has too much free time.

I somewhat roughly unwrapped the packaging and opened the box.

“A marble?”

What rolled into my hand was a small, blue marble. It looked quite valuable, so I carefully picked it up with my fingers and peered at it. Hm, what could this be?

“What is this?”

“That’s probably a communication orb.”

“A… communication orb?”

Gasp. That means it’s ridiculously expensive. I suddenly straightened up and became very polite. Sorry, communication orb—I had no idea you were fancy and handled you so carelessly.

I’d never seen such a small and beautiful communication orb before. The last time I went shopping, the only ones I saw were the size of my palm and a murky shade of purple. So the new models are this pretty now?

“I believe it’s a miniature communication orb. They’re pricier than regular ones and supposedly capable of recording and video calling.”

Even regular communication orbs were outrageously expensive, and if this was pricier, I couldn’t even imagine the cost.

Handling the orb even more cautiously, I examined it from different angles. Ugh, no good—I feel like I’d break it if I dropped it. Being the coward I am, I asked Vivian to bring me a small case. Expensive things should be handled with care.

“Who in the world sent this?”

“I’m not sure. A man who looked like an attendant came by this evening and dropped it off. He left before I could ask anything, so I wasn’t able to find out much.”

Hmm, the source of the gift was becoming more and more of a mystery. For a moment, I wondered if I’d won some kind of giveaway or event, but then I remembered I hadn’t entered anything like that.

“But that attendant…”

“Hm?”

“I really didn’t like him.”

It was the first time I’d heard Vivian say she didn’t like someone. Worried she might have been harassed or something, I carefully asked,

“Was he weird?”

“No, but he was… extremely unusual.”

“Hmm, I see.”

At least nothing bad had happened. I stared at the expensive-looking communication orb for a moment, then quietly slipped it into my bag. Just in case I ended up needing it.

“You’re taking it with you?”

“It’s suspicious, sure, but there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with it. And it might come in handy in an emergency.”

“That’s a good idea.”

In the end, I still didn’t know who had sent the gift, but since it didn’t seem particularly dangerous, I decided to bring it along. Vivian also said it seemed fine, so I felt reassured.

I put off dealing with the mysterious communication orb and decided to sleep instead. Lying in bed, I blinked up at the ceiling. Come to think of it, I had taken a nap earlier today…

Even when I forced my eyes shut, sleep wouldn’t come. Just as Vivian was about to leave the room, she came back over to me. After clearing her throat a couple of times, she asked kindly,

“I suppose there’s no helping it. Shall I sing you a lullaby?”

“I’ll pass.”

Vivian, how old do you think I am?

She replied with a “Is that so?” and walked out of the room, looking a little disappointed. I guess she really did want to sing me a lullaby.

***

The field trip would last three days and two nights. On the first day, we’d tour the famous Dedelia Forest in the Empire. The second day was a visit to the Mage Tower, and the final day would be free time. Honestly, it sounded more like a vacation than an academic trip.

The academy was bustling in the morning, filled with students gathered in the auditorium. With the entire student body assembled, it was almost as loud as a festival.

A magic circle had already been drawn on the floor of the auditorium. Once the time came, the professors and mages from the Mage Tower would chant spells to teleport the entire student body to Dedelia Forest.

“Gasp, Dedelia Forest? That place crawling with monsters!”

Next to me, Alec was stiff with tension. Reading the field trip guide booklet, his complexion turned even paler, and cold sweat was dripping down his forehead.

“It’s okay. The professors are coming with us, and they said the monsters are weak.”

“Eek… still, it’s my first time seeing real monsters.”

No matter how much I tried to reassure him, Alec couldn’t relax. I began rummaging through my bag, wondering if I should give him a calming pill.

“Gasp, it’s Seria.”

But fortunately—or maybe unfortunately—when Alec spotted Seria in the distance, a relaxed smile spread across his face. So Seria is his cure-all, huh.

I glanced at Alec with a bit of a deadpan look, then shifted my gaze to Seria as well.

She was still beautiful. Even in a crowd, she stood out so much that you could spot her instantly. Last time, she had acted oddly after finding out I had taken the top score, but now she seemed the same as always.

“Hm? But who’s that next to Seria?”

“David Edwin.”

Huan suddenly appeared and pointed at the tall man with navy blue hair standing next to Seria.

“That man is Marquis David Edwin.”

Ah, so that’s David Edwin. It was my first time seeing him in person, but I had heard a bit about the marquis. He had been from a rather average noble house, but after buying a mine for cheap and discovering a wealth of minerals, he was now considered a lucky tycoon.

He’s a rich man and Seria’s sponsor.

He’d been mentioned a few times in the original story as well. The Marquis of Edwin, who made an enormous fortune from the mines, declared that he would use his wealth for good causes. Thanks to that statement, he had a good reputation in high society.

Apparently, a few years ago, he discovered Seria’s talent by chance and decided to sponsor her, even though she was a commoner. Judging by the fact that he’s still supporting her, he seems to be a responsible and kind-hearted person.

‘But why is he mingling with the academy students?’

The academy strictly prohibited outsiders, so I couldn’t understand why a marquis was here. It’s not like he came as Seria’s guardian. Why would someone as well-regarded as the Marquis be present here?

Thankfully, Huan provided a clear answer.

“The Marquis of Edwin is also known for his magic. He’s famous for liking students… So apparently, he personally volunteered to be part of the security detail.”

“The marquis?”

Hmm, he must really care about students. But still, it’s odd. A man with the title of marquis stepping up to guard students himself… Wouldn’t most people just hire professional escorts?

I stared at Edwin suspiciously, and Huan added another explanation.

“He used to be a professor at the academy, it seems. He said he wanted to see the students again after a long time.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Even so, I found it hard not to be suspicious. His pleasant face looked a bit too much like Seria’s—it made me uneasy.

As I continued to eye the marquis with doubt, our gazes locked. Since a few seconds had already passed, it was too awkward to look away. As I kept eye contact, the marquis gave me a slight smile and waved in greeting.

Hmm, something still feels off.

He’s one of those people that make you uneasy for no clear reason. I couldn’t completely ignore his greeting, so I gave a half-hearted wave and quickly turned my head. But the discomfort lingered in the back of my mind.

“As expected, she’s beautiful today too.”

Leaving Alec to continue swooning over Seria, I turned my attention back to people-watching, and then I spotted black hair.

‘Ah, it’s Kyle.’

To explain the current situation between Kyle and me—Kyle couldn’t approach me because of my issued restraining order, and I still couldn’t bring myself to approach him due to lingering embarrassment.

…Even though I had decided to get along with Kyle again, I was frustrated because I still couldn’t bring myself to go near him. I didn’t realize I was this shy.

“Oh, there you are.”

“Oh, the school nurse?”

The school nurse approached lazily, yawning as he walked over to where Huan and I were standing. Alec had already run off long ago to say hi to Seria. He’s the kind of guy who never gives up, even when he’s bound to be rejected.

“Rejoice, students. I’m your assigned supervisor.”

“Ugh, why you of all people…”

Huan let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face wearily.

Wait, what do you mean, assigned supervisor? Caught off guard by this unfamiliar concept, I quickly flipped through the field trip guide Alec had left behind.

“What the—!”

“Students will operate in teams of four, with a supervising professor assigned to each group to ensure their safety.”

…My eyes couldn’t leave that sentence.

I didn’t even know we were supposed to be in teams, much less that our supervisor would be the school nurse.

Wait, are you telling me he’s not just the lazy guy who lounges around in the infirmary all day?

“I’ll have you know, I am officially the health and safety professor.”

The nurse gave me a sly smile. Professor, my foot! Other than the one health class we get per year, all he does is loaf around in the infirmary!

Since most academy students are pretty healthy, there isn’t much work for the school nurse. Honestly, I’m probably the only one who ever visits.

Ugh, kind of hurts my pride…

“Then, who’s in my group?”

“You, Huan, Alec, and…”

The school nurse pulled out a small slip of paper and began reading off the names. Oh, so Huan is in my group too. It seemed like the teams were mixed regardless of year or department.

Relieved to be with Huan, I waited for the final name. But as soon as I heard it, my eyes went wide in shock.

“And lastly, Seria.”

…What? Seria?

Not believing my ears, I snatched the paper from the nurse’s hands to check for myself.

There it was—Seria’s name, written plainly and clearly.

I let out a hollow laugh.