A lavish feast is lined up in the dormitory cafeteria to celebrate the new students.
Of course, they had a good selection of drinks.
“Well, it's not a bad meal” (Neush)
“By Neush's standards, it would be.” (Lugh)
It may be a feast for me, but that's how the Dukes of Geffis would feel about it from their perspective.
The banquet seemed to have already started ahead of time and the place was in full swing.
Just by looking at the movement, one could approximate the rank of the house.
One who is obsessed with his first treat.
The one who gets pressurized and is small in the corner.
A person who actively interacts with others in order to form a network of contacts in the moment.
Many people are crowding in on the hero. A neutral, tiny Epona, who may or may not be a man or a woman, appears smaller.
Before the entrance exam, I refrained from a lot of things, and if I had jumped into that crowd, my first impression of the Hero Epona would have been the rest of the world.
However, now there is a sign that states that I am at the top of the list.
In fact, the crowd cracked open as I approached.
...... I kept observing Epona. Throughout the exam.
That is why I know how to deal with Epona.
Now, let's make first contact.
“I'm Lugh Tuathe dé, who is now in the same class. A pleasure to meet you” (Lugh)
I said, and held out my hand.
“Thank you. No, I'm not. My name is Epona. Epona Rhiannon. It's nice to meet you” (Epona)
Epona squeezes my hand tightly.
His skin is thick and hard. But it's not the hardness of handling a sword on a daily basis, as is often the case for those born into a prestigious family of warriors.
This is due to farming. The way his muscles are built up is that of a farmer, and he seems to have done nothing but farm and has no experience in the martial arts.
It seems to be true that Epona, who was born without any magic power, was treated as a failure and was seen as just another workhorse or so.
It's because of such Epona that he's suddenly confused about getting the power of a hero.
“We're now schoolmates. Let's help each other out” (Lugh)
“Ugh, yeah, but there is not much you could learn from me” (Epona)
“No need for modesty. Epona is good at moving your body around. I'll take that as a reference” (Lugh)
“Yeah, right. Then teach me about studying. I don't know anything about the test” (Epona)
“Yeah, I think I can help you on that one” (Lugh)
I smile and talk to him and get the conversation going.
I don't dare to use respectful language, even though I'm dealing with a hero.
And I know that's not what Epona wants.
Epona used to be abused and constantly looked down on by those around him. And as soon as he became a hero, he is now being lifted up.
He is lonely now and always has been, and he is hungry for human warmth.
That’s why he seemed lonely, even with all those people around him.
What Epona wants is an equal, one who can see himself without wearing colored glasses.
Very straightforward. So I can strike along those lines.
I don't treat him as a hero, as Epona wants me to, but only act as a schoolmate with the same perspective.
As expected, I'm not going to be a friend out of the blue, but I made a good first impression.
In fact, since a while ago, the only pattern of catching conversation was me throwing the ball and Epona throwing it back, but he's starting to throw the ball from the other side.
I think it's time to pull out.
The trick to first contact is to pull up when the person is at the stage where he or she is feeling a little left out and wants to talk some more.
Just then, one of the instructors came over to talk to me.
It's time for me to address our new students on behalf of them.
“Sorry, Epona. It looks like I've been called in” (Lugh)
“No, it can't be helped. You're top of the class. Like me, you're from a family of barons......” (Epona)
Somewhere, Epona looks at me with envious eyes. It's amazing to be looked at by a hero like this.
“I can't say that birth has nothing to do with it, but it's not everything. Besides, I got lucky this time. I'm going to do my best to not get bogged down by this greeting” (Lugh)
“Lugh is amazing. He's mature, he's imposing, he's cool. Besides, if it's Lugh... he is unbreakable” (Epona)
The last word, a very small whisper, a very small whisper, if it weren't for my ears, I would have missed it.
"Unbreakable". What on earth does that mean?
◇
As I moved with Neush to the most prominent position in the dormitory cafeteria, all the new students' attention was drawn to me.
Neush first start the talk.
“I don't want to talk too long, so I'll tell you what I want to tell you the most. I want to compete with everyone here. Otherwise, there's no point in being here. I came to the school to compete and grow. I want everyone to catch up to me so that I can grow and my place at the top of the class is threatened! Let's be strong together. That's all” (Neush)
Everyone was speechless at his too manly words, and then the applause exploded.
That's cool.
Thank to that, it is a bit difficult for me to handle.
Neush looks at me with a mischievous look.
This guy's doing it on purpose.
But he didn't say those words just to liven up the place, he truly meant them. I know that, so I can't have any bad feelings about it.
Let's change my feeling. Now it's my turn.
After a short pause, I begin to speak.
“We're here, away from our respective territories. Honestly, two years is a long time. And many of us would rather spend those two years building our domain than learning here I think” (Lugh)
At my words, a few people let out a laugh.
“Still, I answered the call as one who is loyal to the Kingdom of Alvan. I swear that if I don't make my two years here a detour, I will surely gain more in these two years. And I hope everyone else does as well. Because this country needs us to grow up for it to prosper. Let's work together so that two years from now, we can say that I'm glad I came here.” (Lugh)
Dia and Talt were the first to applaud loudly, and then the applause spread up the chain.
I've said some pretty stinky things, but that's about as good as it gets for this occasion.
The instructor sends his closing remarks and me and Neush go back.
Then Dia and Talt came to me.
“Lugh, that was cool.” (Neush)
“Yes, I felt like it was the lead of the class! Too bad there's no magic to record the sound” (Dia)
“Thanks. It makes me feel a bit embracing through” (Lugh)
“And since Lugh-sama doesn't seem to be eating food at all, I've secured your favorite food! Go ahead” (Talt)
Talt hands me a plate of beautifully arranged food.
Like she said, the food choices and quantities are to my liking.
“Thank you. There's no good food anymore. As expected, everyone eats well as they grow up” (Lugh)
I'm grateful that I get food when I just gave up on dinner today.
“Hey, aren't you going to work today?” (Dia)
“Yeah, I made contact with Epona. And they'll be looking for us, just as we were looking for them. The moment the conversation ends, he'll come to us.” (Lugh)
Saying that, I look around.
Quickly, one of them is walking towards us.
Then I saw Neush talking to Epona.
He's getting into Epona in a different way than I am.
There's no mistake.
The higher up the aristocracy, the more skillful they need to be in dealing with people rather than their own excellence, and they receive a specialized education from an early age.
For him, this would be the least of his worries.
The only thing that bothers me when I see it is that Neush is treating Epona as a woman. She's supposed to be a man on the family register.
........I'll have to look into this again. Since he's only a duke, he might have information on a hero who knows more than I do.
That being said, I have to deal with the students who are headed our way.
“Dia, Talt. The respective identities are supposed to be irrelevant here. But .....” (Lugh)
“I know that. I know it's just a formality” (Dia)
“I'll do my best not to embarrass Lugh-sama” (Talt)
It going to fine if you understand that much.
The man who was born into a prestigious knight's family and ripped off the S class has arrived.
I'd like to get to know him better.
◇
After the welcome party was over, they were shown to their respective dorms.
“It's a wonder there are three dorms for only a hundred people” (Talt)
“It would have been definitely less of a hassle to have one” (Dia)
The two of them looked at each other in wonder.
“It makes sense that we're dividing it up. Well, you'll know it when you see it” (Lugh)
There are only S class students and their servants in this group.
Talt's eyes widen when she sees the dormitory she has finally reached.
“That's a mansion, not a dormitory” (Talt)
“I told you. Each class treats you very differently. It's not just the classes. It's not just the classes, but also the living environment.” (Lugh)
Once inside the dormitory, we are shown to our respective rooms.
I leave Dia and go into the room that me and Talt have been assigned to.
The living room, kitchen and even three other rooms can be used at one wish.
The furniture and furnishings are first class. They can also provide additional furniture if requested.
In addition, cleaning and laundry will be done for you if you request it.
The room layout is 3LDK and obviously too big for a student to live in. (TLN: LDK meaning living, dinning and kitchen.)
“So, this is my room and Lugh-sama' room.” (Talt)
“If you use a servant's quota, you get to use one of the rooms as a servant. Sorry about that” (Lugh)
“Well, Lugh-sama, I will be in your care. I don't know what to do, I'm already living in the same house as you, but I'm getting nervous about sharing a room with you, Lugh-sama... how should I do? I have been living in the same house before, and now I'm getting nervous.” (Talt)
In Talt's case, it's an S class, even on merit, so she could have used a private room if she had been admitted in the general classification.
“There's no way it's bad! I'm so, so happy to be in a room with Lugh-sama!” (Talt)
She clenched her fists in front of her chest and snorted.
It's a bit scary.
As I'm watching in such Talt, I hear a knock at the door and open it.
“Lugh, you haven't been assaulted to Talt yet, have you?” (Dia)
“Oh, what do you say!?” (Lugh)
“Huh, I'm worried about the two of you being alone in this tiny room. Maybe I should move in here. There are three more rooms besides the living room, so each of us can have our own room.” (Dia)
“What would you do with your room then?” (Lugh)
“I'll turn it into a warehouse. I mean, it's a good size.” (Dia)
As expected, the one who get rise up in the castle.
The scale is different in many ways.
“By the way, how serious are you?” (Lugh)
“That's right. About 10%. I wouldn't mind you getting into a relationship with Talt, but I wouldn't want to be the one that left out” (Dia)
“I see. Well, I don't mind.” (Lugh)
“I'm fine too. It's easier for me to take care of Dia-sama. And honestly, I'm relieved. If things are as it is, when I will ... suddenly” (Talt)
“Then I'll bring my stuff back later” (Dia)
Dia seems to be completely serious.
Well, we can use one room per person, so it won't be a problem.
........Apart from the size, if this gets out to my classmates, I'm likely to be ridiculed as a harem bastard, but I'm nominally a sister and a servant.
“But it's amazingly luxurious. A room like this for each student. This is indeed a school for people with magic powers!” (Dia)
“Well, only S class is this messed up, while A class is given a private room. It's a lot of space with a bed, a desk, and a storage cabinet, and from B to the rest, they'll be sharing a room and doing their own housework. You have to do it or use a servant.... so, they're desperate to pull down the guys in the class above them on every regular exam.” (Lugh)
It also gives good motivation.
Especially one at the lower end, they will want to get a private room at all costs.
“Wait a minute, how do the people who share a room are going to take care of the servants?” (Dia)
“All servants, except for the S class servants, are provided with a servant's dormitory in the C class dormitory, where they have a shared room for servants. From there, they'd go to the master's dormitory.” (Lugh)
“In other words, if I fail the class, I'll be separated from Lugh-sama and I'm not going to let that happen. For the sake of living together, I'm going to do my best!” (Talt)
Dia opens her mouth with a sidelong glance at Talt, who is more motivated than ever before.
“I don't think it's necessary to work hard in the case of Talt, because it depends on Lugh's performance. I agree in a way. And if it comes down to it, I'll just have to give up the storage room.” (Dia)
“Even if we both don't have that kind of immediate benefit, it's still an asset if we study it well. Don't give up on it.” (Lugh)
I mutter with a bitter smile.
“Yes! But a really nice room. Even the kitchen. I'll be able to bake a cake to celebrate Lugh-sama being made the first of the class” (Talt)
“Indeed, it's nice to have Talt's confectionery. But we'll have to wait until after training for the celebration cake. The S class dorms have a training room. It's a locked room by appointment only. I'm sure we can teach Tuathe Dé skills there.” (Lugh)
“It's really all there is to it, isn't it? Well, we'll have the cake after we work out. It tastes better that way” (Dia)
“That's right. Starting today, every day and every night, I can study, train, and sleep in the same room with Lugh-sama...I'm too happy. I'm so sorry for Maha-chan” (Talt)
Maha was it?
She would still be working hard at the store.
I'll send her a request for additional research on Epona.
There's something about the Rhiannon family.
That should lead to Epona's weaknesses.
The three of us headed to the training room, and even there we were amazed at how well equipped and spacious it was.
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