Dr. Karen appeared in the auditorium about half an hour (*15 minutes) later than scheduled.
　She was a calm, oddly aged woman with long black hair, but she seemed to be in a hurry, especially today.

''I'm sorry, I'm a little late. Many of you may not know about this. It's actually the time of year when ice is sold from the north of the Empire. Rodnea's confectionery shop uses it...

　From there, Karen-sensei started the class a full hour late, with another half hour or so, giving an overview of Rodnea's famous ice confectionery and how difficult it was to buy the old confectionery's products and how hard it was for her to get her hands on them.

''Today I'm going to discuss 'curses', which is a rather special field of dark attribute magic. The most famous of which is...

　Dr. Cullen's lecture was quite interesting.

　The 'curses' in this world are said to be classified into two main categories.
　One is the one that implements jutsu on swords, armor, or ornaments to harm the user. They are so-called cursed objects.
　The other is a direct curse on the opponent. A curse mark appears on the target's body, and it usually has a powerful effect.

　........To put it bluntly, both of them seem to be very difficult to handle.

　Cursed objects have existed in previous lives, but most of them are just a coincidence. What are they going to do with them if they're made for a purpose?　Are you giving it to someone you want to curse?
　The latter seems to be strong, but by golly, you have to get close to it to put a curse on it. That's it, just use a bow or a sword. You can kill it physically.

　It's no wonder that the 'curse' in this world is minor.
　In fact, Karen-sensei, who is a dark-attribute magic exercise instructor, also seems to have no expertise in curses.
　The four-attribute magic seems to be too specialized for monsters, and to begin with, the concept of the magic of the previous life is very different from the magic of the previous life.

　In the magic of the previous life, 'curse' was one of the main features of the magic of the previous life.
　From far away, it can disguise itself as a disease and exercise a technique that can reliably kill.
　Although there are some shortcomings, there is no such powerful jutsu as this one if it is limited to interpersonal use.

　I guess different cultures have different magic techniques.

It's about time. I'd like to end the day here for today.''

　The class ended on a good note, but I'm pretty sure it didn't go as planned.

　As everyone started to put away their writing materials for the next class, Ms. Cullen suddenly said, "I have something else to tell you.

I'll let you all know. All lectures for the next ten days will be cancelled. We have to hold an opening ceremony on that day every year, so I guess that means you're all off.

　The auditorium buzzed.
　Some cheered.

　Is it a ceremony? It's probably something for big shots, calling nobles and officials.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this. Amu-san and Yifa-san.
What? Me?

　A startled voice rose next to me.
　Ms. Cullen continues with a smile.

The two students who have been accepted at the top of the class and the two students who have been accepted at the bottom of the class will be asked to bring the parchments (scrolls) with the names of the students who have been accepted this year to the forest in Rodnea, prior to the celebration that day.

　That place in the woods?

As you may know, the origin of the school town of Rodnea lies in the forest of Rodnea, a treasure trove of rare medicinal herbs, and the Great Sage and his disciples who settled beside it. Deep in the forest are the remains of the temples of those who lived here in ancient times, and people have wondered if the various medicinal herbs were artificially collected, or if they were cultivated by some kind of magical source left behind in the ruins.

　The teacher continues.

'In spite of its dubious authenticity, the Great Sage and his disciples paid the greatest respect to the Temple. Eventually, after the school was founded, that philosophy was carried on, and to this day, every year on the occasion of the ceremonies, the highest-achieving new students still go to worship.
What exactly do we do in worship?

　Amu raises his voice with his cheekbones.

'It's just as I said before. The parchment (scroll) with the new students' names on it is placed in the area where the temple remains, and that's it. It's just a formality, you know. Then we take last year's parchment home and that's it.
Where in the forest is the temple?
'It will take a bit of time, but it's within walking distance with no problem. Don't worry about it so much, Amu. It's an annual event.
Yeah. I'm glad to hear it.

　Amu says, closing his eyes.
　What is it, are you surprisingly cautious?

　But ... it's understandable.
　A forest is an inherently dangerous place.
　The managed Rodnea Forest is probably one of the few exceptions.
　However, just now, there was an attack by the demon race. I had a bad feeling about entering that forest where Galeos' base was at such a time.

　And there are some things I am concerned about in the first place.

　That's right. This place is.........

'But it's a traditional event and it's a great honor. On the day....
"Sir.

　I raised my hand and interrupted him.

Oh, yes. What is it, Mr. Lamprog?
'If one of you declines, does one of you go into the woods alone?
There are weak monsters inhabiting the Rodnea Forest as well, so being alone is.......
'I see. Thank you.

　I turned to Yifa and said, "Yifa, I dare you to speak in a voice that everyone can hear.

Yifa. Decline.

　The auditorium buzzed.
　Yifa pouted for a moment, thought for a moment, and then said in a sad sounding voice.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time. I would like to, if I could....
'Didn't you hear that?　I told him to turn it down.
Okay.

　Yifa stands up and bows her head towards Dr. Karen.

''Sir, I'm sorry. That's why I can't accept it.''

...What's that?" "Do you really want to go to a ceremony so badly?" "You're just frustrated that you lost to a slave?" "You're an embarrassment to the nobility." "You're a concubine without the magic of a mistress...

　The murmur grows louder.
　Even Dr. Cullen frowned.

'Mr. Lamprog. I'm not very impressed with such an act.'
It's a tradition, isn't it?　Then you shouldn't have a slave do it. I'll take over for the third seat, sir.

　I got up from my seat and left the auditorium.
　Yifa hurriedly followed behind me.


****


I'm sorry, Yifa. Did you want to go to the ceremony?
No. Nothing.

　I asked Yifa as we walked, and she shook her head in her usual fashion.

'It seemed like Seika-kun was looking bad, so I just got on board.
Oh, I knew you'd get it.

　I've been thinking about him since I taught him to study, but he's so smart.

'Hey, why did you do that?　Seika, you don't give a d*mn about the ceremony.
Was I supposed to be like that?　It's true, though.
I knew it... for Amu-chan?

　Yifa says.

'Did you deliberately make yourself look bad so that Amu wouldn't say any more things to you?
Well, maybe that's part of the reason.
....

　Yifa was silent for a bit, then asked raggedly.

''........Seika-kun, did you like girls like that?''
What?
'I've always been obsessed with Amu-chan she's beautiful. She's sleek, and her hair is beautiful....

　I was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

No, no, no. I'm just trying to be your friend.
Why?　She's not a great aristocrat, and she says terrible things...
It's...

　I was a little confused, and I decided to be honest.

"I'm strong.
....
'Yifa saw it too, right?　You should have seen her beat the Lesser Demon. There are probably very few people in this world with that kind of talent. I want to be a part of it. I'd love to be a part of it.
Why not me?
Hmm?

　Yifa said thoughtfully.

'I can be strong too!　I have a feeling that's what it's all about. The spirits are slowly gathering together, and they're starting to listen to my difficult requests. I have a feeling that one day, I will be able to do something amazing. I won't lose to Amu-chan either...

　I stopped and smiled at Yifa and said, "I'm sorry, but I don't think you're strong enough.

I'm sorry, but Yifa isn't strong enough for you.
.........
Can you imagine?　He saw himself being admired and feared by many, and being worn down by his strength. That boy will be, eventually. That's how talented he is.
I see.

　Yifa muttered softly and gave her usual smile.

''........Then I'll help you too. Since we're in the girls' dormitory together, there might be a chance for us to get a chance to do something about it.
Yeah. Please.
But.........I wish you wouldn't do anything like that again if you could. It makes me feel uncomfortable when I hear people say bad things about you, Seika...
Hmm ... okay. It's all about Yifa's reputation.

　Then I stroke her soft blonde hair.

　I don't actually dislike that kind of flaunting, but it's a bad habit of mine.

What's the rest of it, by the way?
'Yeah. I wanted to make sure that Yifa wouldn't complain if he refused and to get the conversation over with right then and there. And also.....

　I say, "I just have a feeling it's gonna happen again.

"I got a feeling it's gonna happen again.