Chapter 7. Field Trip on a Clear Day (9)

「I’m not sure if you already know how to use the orb, but I’ll briefly explain, just in case. First of all, it’s a communication orb, so naturally, it can transmit voices. But if you wish, you can also see the other person’s face through video.」

So it’s worth the high price after all. Normally, communication orbs only transmit voices, but this miniature orb lets you see the other person’s face, too… I’d heard that from Vivian before, but it’s still amazing to hear it again.

「And recording! Since this is the latest model, it even has a recording function. Using it is simple: just infuse a bit of mana and tap it, and recording will begin.」

M–mana? The very thing I lacked due to my lack of magical talent was mana. I had so little of it compared to the average student that I once caused multiple classroom explosions by trying to forcibly amplify it to cast spells. And now she’s telling me to use mana?

「Ah, and if you don’t have much mana, don’t worry. Even the tiny amount every person naturally has is enough to use it!」

“Oh, well, that’s fine then.”

According to the Duchess, anyone who’s human should be able to use it. Most people are born with at least a small amount of mana, after all. I figured the orb might be more useful than I thought and walked over to the bed.

「Hmm… That about wraps up the explanation. Communication, recording… Ah, when you record, you can capture video as well. And just like I did, you can send it to others too. So please make good use of it. For example, maybe use it to contact my son or something…」

「Duchess, the Duke of Raven has returned.」

「Oh my, is it that time already? Then, unfortunately, I’ll have to end the recording here. See you next time, Lady Radel!」

She was still the cheerful and lively Duchess as always. After listening to the slightly noisy recording to the end, I placed the orb back onto my palm.

Now that I knew the gift had come from the Duchess, I had to handle it even more carefully. Hmm, I should thank her, right? Maybe I should send a gift in return…

The Duchess told me not to feel burdened, but I was already feeling incredibly pressured, so I fell deep into thought. Ugh, I really need to think hard about what to send. I can’t afford anything fancy like she gave me, but maybe she’d appreciate something heartfelt.

“…I should carry the orb with me at all times.”

If I ever lost it, it would be a total disaster, so I quietly slipped the tiny orb into the pocket of the outfit I planned to wear tomorrow. Keeping it on me at all times would hopefully prevent it from being stolen or misplaced.

“Anyway… what am I going to do about tomorrow?”

Just in time, Peter came running over to try and take Kyle away, but compared to the big, wolf-like Kyle, Peter looked far too small to challenge him with brute strength. Peter was also part of the swordsmanship club and had a good build, but next to Kyle, he still looked tiny…

“We’re supposed to be gathering by groups now!”

He held onto Kyle’s arm and pulled with all his might, but only Peter was left breathless and exhausted. In the end, he huffed, “Fine, I don’t care anymore!” and ran off, leaving Kyle behind. I didn’t know why his back looked so dejected, like someone freshly heartbroken, but for Peter’s sake, I figured I should hurry up and send Kyle over to the group.

Hmm, before that…

“Kyle, could you tell the Duchess thank you for the gift?”

“…Gift?”

When I mentioned the gift to Kyle, he tilted his head like he was hearing it for the first time. Huh? Did the Duchess send it without Kyle knowing? I had no idea why she would send something behind her son’s back, but the serious look on Kyle’s face made it seem like something big had happened.

“You received a gift?”

“Yes, a communication orb…”

Kyle grasped my shoulders with a grave expression, his intense gaze making me flinch. Then he sighed quietly and muttered with regret,

“I was too late.”

“…What?”

“I mean the gift. Is there anything you want?”

I was flustered by the sudden question. More than that, I couldn’t understand why the members of the ducal family kept wanting to give me gifts. Seeing Kyle, who seemed to want to give me something as if he were in competition, only made my confusion worse. Are your family members having some sort of gift-giving contest lately? It’s honestly burdensome for me, so I don’t need anything!

“No, I’ll just pick something myself.”

Before I could even say I didn’t need a gift, Kyle spoke first. With a rather serious expression, he seemed deep in thought before he stepped right up to me.

“Then, look forward to it.”

Then, he lightly kissed my forehead and calmly walked away. What in the world is he planning to give me that he’s acting so solemn about? No, more importantly…

‘Kyle, that man is seriously!‘

He was someone who didn’t listen at all to my rule about no physical contact. After constantly asking me to expand the range of allowed skinship, now he just kissed my forehead on his own and disappeared before I could even complain. Ugh, things like that are only supposed to happen between lovers! All I could do was glare at Kyle’s retreating figure.

“Seriously…”

I gently touched the spot on my forehead where Kyle’s lips had landed. He was always so warm. Only the place he had touched felt especially hot. Ah, maybe it’s just because I’m feeling embarrassed.

“Ah, here you are, Miss Radel.”

While I stood there blankly for a while, Edwin the Marquis—whom I had seen yesterday—appeared before me. He was holding a rolled-up piece of paper in his hand, which looked like a map.

“You’re the team leader, Miss Radel. Here, take the map and the guidebook.”

…Why am I the team leader? I don’t know when I was chosen for this, but it was incredibly bothersome. Ugh, being the leader or the vice-leader always means more work… But since it was already decided, I couldn’t change it. I sighed inwardly and took the map and guidebook from the marquis.

“…Miss Radel, you’re truly beautiful.”

“What did you say?”

I was focused on the map, spreading it out and scanning it carefully, when a greasy voice whispered near my ear. For a second, I thought I misheard and looked up to ask again, but the marquis replied with a completely nonchalant face.

“Your skin is so fair, and you’re really quite pretty.”

“Ah, yes… Thank you for the compliment.”

It was definitely a compliment, but it didn’t feel good. I turned my eyes back to the map and responded halfheartedly. This man really gives me the creeps. I’m sure he’s the kind of person who’s going to do something shady. Of course, that’s just my suspicion…

“Heh, are you shy? That’s adorable.”

“Ah, tha—…”

…You’ve got to be kidding me. What the hell is this guy saying? He’s of a higher social rank than me, so I can’t exactly curse him out, but as he kept lathering on those greasy compliments like he had buttered his lips, I seriously wanted to punch him. Oh my, is that a compliment? You’re disgusting—was what I wanted to say. But instead, I just smiled and walked away from him.

I felt like if I stayed there any longer, I’d have murderous urges.

“Edwin Marquis is a weird and greasy bastard,” I said to myself as I dashed off to where our group was gathering.

“Oh, you’re finally here.”

Our supervisor, the school nurse, spotted me and checked something off on a small piece of paper. It looked like they were doing a head count. I quickly went to stand next to Huan, almost as if hiding. I didn’t want to talk to Seria for no reason… but—

“Hm?”

Seria was strangely quiet. I sensed something was off and peeked around to look in her direction. I saw her leaning against Alec’s shoulder.

“What the, is Seria sick or something…?”

“Don’t care.”

I could understand being indifferent toward Seria, but Huan’s reaction felt especially odd. Hey, Mr. Orange-Haired Boy. I just said Seria’s sick, you know? When I gave him a questioning look, Huan let out a deep sigh. Did something happen while I wasn’t around?

“If you’re really feeling unwell, just stay behind and rest.”

“No, I’m okay, sir. I want to go with everyone.”

Seria gave a weak, pitiful smile as she replied to the nurse’s suggestion. Her cheeks were flushed, and beads of sweat clung to her forehead—she really did seem sick. I narrowed my eyes as I watched Alec gently wipe her forehead with a towel.

Is she really sick, or…?

If she is, then I feel bad for doubting her, but maybe because of how she usually acts, even when she seems ill, it just feels like she’s faking it. Hmm, but that wouldn’t make any sense—what would she gain from pretending to be sick now?

“Are you okay?”

No matter how much I disliked her, I didn’t have the heart to be cruel to someone who was sick. It was the first time I’d seen Seria this ill, so I let my guard down a little and asked her a short question.

“…Thank you for your concern. But I’m fine.”

Seria answered with a faint smile. Even her voice trembled slightly—it didn’t seem like she was faking it. Hmm, but if she’s really sick, why doesn’t she just rest?

“Anyway, even though someone’s sick, the exploration will proceed as planned.”

The school nurse said that and began handing out guidebooks. I opened the one I’d already received and quickly skimmed through the densely packed text. Why were there so many words…? My eyes were starting to hurt.

To briefly explain the exploration: we’re supposed to wander through the forest and transcribe the academy’s prepared markings into our guidebooks. The group that collects all the markings first will receive a special prize prepared by the headmaster. Wow, sounds exciting. Clap clap clap.

“You got the map from the marquis, right? Just use that to find the markings.”

“I have a question. I heard Dedelia Forest is like a maze and full of monsters—what do we do if we run into danger?”

Timid Alec quickly raised his hand and asked a question. Student safety was one of the top priorities for this field trip. Originally, the students were supposed to explore alone, but the headmaster had been so worried about our safety that he even assigned a professor to each group. That alone showed how much he cared.

“Hmm, if you’re in danger, just run.”

The school nurse answered Alec’s question without a second thought.

Oh, running away sounds fine… Wait, no it doesn’t! If the teacher says something that ridiculous, Alec is going to cry! I looked at Alec, who was on the verge of tears saying, “I’m not good at running…” and glared at the teacher as I shouted.

“Give a proper answer! You’re making Alec cry!”

“I’m not crying!”

“Oh dear, sorry about that. I made you cry, didn’t I?”

“I said I’m not crying! Huuung!”