04 – Iria’s Invitation

Magic trains.
They had been invented nearly a century ago.
While they resembled steam-powered trains, there was very little smoke. They likely used a completely different kind of fuel.

And they were reasonably comfortable to ride as well.
While it wasn’t the same as a modern bullet train, it did not shake much more than ordinary trains either.
Besides, everyone sat in private booths. A kind of sleeper train, if you will.

“It is supposed to take about four days to reach the capital, teacher.”

Yukito nodded as he turned to look at the girl who was sitting next to him as if it was the most natural thing.

“Um…so. Why are you here, Ms. Iria?”

Iria Orlando laughed quietly with a voice that sounded like a bell’s chime.

“Family business. I already notified the academy.”

“Ah. I did hear about that from the president.”

What he really meant to ask was why she was in his particular room.
Four students occupied one room, except for Yukito, who only had one person with him. The reason was—because he was the instructor. It might feel stifling for the students to have to stay in a room with him.
However, Iria was not included with the other students. As she was not fighting in the tournament, she must have taken a separate room somewhere.

So, Daniel was supposed to be sharing this room with Yukito.
He was also entering the city a little early. This was in order to ‘pay a visit’ to the army.
After all, he had been sent from there. It was where he actually belonged, not the school.

“I wanted to say hello. Is that a problem?”

“No…”

Yukito glanced towards Daniel, who was sitting on the bed.
He was smiling, as if misunderstanding something.
Yukito sighed and touched his forehead.

“Oh, don’t worry about me. Enjoy your time. I can even leave if you want.”

“Please don’t…”

Even if Yukito was inadequate as a teacher in many ways, he still wanted to do his best.

“…So? What is your real business?”

He asked with narrowed eyes. She smiled at his ability to see through her.

She was the type who could distinguish between private and public matters. Sometimes she seemed much older than him. She was a noblewoman, after all.
And so there must be an important reason that she had decided to come to see him in this room.

“Actually, I have a request to make.”

“To me?”

“Yes. To be precise, the request is from me and my father…”

She said, and then averted her eyes.
Her porcelain cheeks flushed with red for some reason.

“…We want you to attend a certain party.”

“A party?”

He immediately thought of that kind of extravagant dance party that nobles were so known for throwing.
Yukito scowled. Obviously, he could not dance at all.

“If Count Orlando is there, I doubt it’s anything like a ball.”

Teacher Daniela said with a laugh.

In fact, there had been a time in the past where balls were restricted in the empire.
During the dark ages, as the commoners struggled in poverty, the nobles continued to throw balls nearly every night. The emperor at the time did not look kindly on this, and decided to restrict them—by taxing them heavily.

“Military men aim for simplicity and strength. And so it’s rare for nobles like him to attend balls.”

Ms. Iria nodded in agreement.

“Yes. It is a buffet style event, really. And since you are a fighter in the tournament, they will not judge you harshly when it comes to manners.”

“I ssee. But why me?”

“Well…”

She looked down and hesitated.
But then Daniel quickly interjected.

“I suppose it’s like a formal introduction for the tournament. As the person that the Count recommended, he would probably want to introduce you to others in his faction.”

Yukito nodded understandingly.
While he didn’t know much of noble society, he supposed that to others, he was now a close associate of the Count. Like family.

“If that’s the case, then I will go.”

“…Are you sure, teacher?”

Indeed, it would not feel good to be treated like an object on display. That being said, he also did not want to do anything to negatively affect the Count’s reputation.
Ms. Iria thanked him and bowed her head. She even thanked Teacher Daniel.
And while he smiled back at her, Yukito felt like it was for a different reason.

Next Chapter

Ken yo, kaku katariki ~ Ken to mahō no isekai ni tensei shita noni jitsu wa bunmei ga gendai reberu datta ken