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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
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The Grand Royal Academy.
The sheer scale of the facilities within the Grand Royal Academy, or 'Groa' as it was colloquially known, was colossal, far beyond anything one could imagine when compared to a typical academy.
Convenience facilities such as cafes, clothing stores, general stores, and grocery stores were all present. Beyond that, the academy grounds even housed a blacksmith responsible for various armaments according to student needs, along with a branch of the Magic Tower and alchemists' workshops.
It was no exaggeration to say that any facility one might need to visit in a city was available within Groa's premises.
This was made possible by the Empire's full-fledged support, and the truly 'immense' amount of aid pouring in from various nobles and the imperial family who sent their children to the academy.
Thus, even spaces for a momentary rest, like cafes, boasted an extraordinary level of quality.
...
Jingle.
The cafe door opened, and a bell chimed.
Inside the spacious cafe, numerous students had already filled the seats.
The students inside the cafe naturally found their gazes drawn to the newly arrived group.
—A man and two women.
The gender composition was already a unique combination, but their extraordinary appearances made it impossible not to stare.
Nevertheless, the three of them acted nonchalantly.
Not long after, each holding their own drink, they settled down at a square table.
Cheon-seong picked up his drink and subtly glanced at the two of them.
"..."
They looked at each other, straws in their mouths, but their gazes were distinctly different.
One held favor and goodwill, even tenderness, while the other seemed not just chilly, but outright icy.
Alternating my gaze between Millia and Luna, I cautiously sipped my drink.
After taking a refreshing gulp, I gently opened my mouth.
"Now that we've settled in, I'll formally introduce myself. My name is Han Cheon-seong. My Specialty is Common Spearmanship, and its level is 4. I thought it best to disclose that before we talk further."
"Level 4..."
"..."
While Millia reacted with surprise at the level, Luna simply continued staring at me, straw still in her mouth.
"That's incredible. My Specialty is still only Level 1. Level 4 is amazing."
"I was a bit lucky with that. I gained quite a lot from my spar with Leonhardt."
Without boasting or pretense, I calmly responded, meeting her gaze.
"You don't have to be so modest. Level 4 is undeniably impressive in itself. Then I'll formally introduce myself as well. My name is Millia Ebellon. My Specialty's grade is Rare, and it's called 'Affinity with Water Spirits'. I can summon a little one named Seshi."
As she spoke, Millia extended her left hand, and a pure white light emanated from it.
—!
In an instant, the pure white light vanished, revealing a small bird made of water, as if by magic.
"So this is... a Water Spirit."
I already knew about Millia's Specialty, but seeing a spirit in person for the first time was quite surprising.
Even though spirits aren't ordinary living creatures, this one was clearly existing in this reality. Of all the things I'd seen so far, it felt the most surreal.
"I named this little one Seshi. Don't you think it's rather cute?"
She said it with a hint of pride, and I found myself nodding instinctively as I watched.
Shimmering—
The spirit, its body subtly rippling like small waves, tilted its head, looking around. It was just like watching a curious little bird.
Then, as Millia smiled gently and brought her thumb closer, the spirit pressed its body right against her thumb, expressing affection as if rubbing its head.
'...It's cute.'
Even as I watched, I couldn't help but think it was indeed as cute as she said.
It seemed the spirit was rubbing itself against her as a sign of affinity. While it might not possess great power immediately, its potential for growth was boundless.
And then, as it dissipated like scattering water, I stared blankly at Millia.
"Actually... I kept summoning her all last night. It's a bit taxing to maintain Seshi right now. I still need some time to recover."
She explained it as if embarrassed that the spirit summoning had been dispelled, but I found Millia all the more endearing for it.
It would have been fine if she'd made excuses or equivocated. But she calmly stated her shortcomings directly, and her sincerity was rather remarkable.
"Still, it seems like a really good Specialty. The potential for future development is enormous, isn't it?"
"That's how it looks to you...?"
"Of course. There are countless people with spirit-type Specialties who are highly renowned right now, aren't there?"
The number of Spirit Summoners active on the front lines alone is uncountable. And accordingly, the treatment of Spirit Summoners is almost extraordinary.
In truth, wherever you go, Spirit Summoners are considered elite among elite personnel.
"But I'm... still only Level 1."
"Well, that's because spirits are difficult to bond with... and it's a Specialty that makes emotional connection challenging, isn't it?"
Naturally, I empathized with her words and continued to praise her.
Most likely, even if Millia's Specialty had been just Level 2, it wouldn't have been strange for her to be assigned to Class A. She was assigned to Class C because she was evaluated very low at Level 1 during the entrance exam.
In fact, Millia's level growth was particularly slow even in the novel.
'Is it because she's not the heroine?'
I wondered if it was because she was a character half-abandoned by the author, but in truth, compared to Luna, Millia wasn't mentioned much despite her frequent appearances.
She was always there, like air, but as time passed, she felt like she was becoming just another common supporting character.
Still, looking purely at the Specialty itself, it was correct to consider it quite good.
"..."
Perhaps pleased by my words, Millia gazed at me softly. I returned a gentle smile, but my eyes involuntarily flickered to my side.
—Luna.
To be honest, while Millia was one thing, Luna was the one I understood least right now.
It was almost a miracle that she hadn't refused to join us, but her silence was also strangely peculiar.
Just two days ago, at the entrance ceremony, we had felt so negatively towards each other. Honestly, I didn't have good feelings for Luna either... but she was a major heroine.
Perhaps interpreting my gaze differently, Luna abruptly opened her mouth.
"Luna. Specialty: Battle Cure. Level 2."
She spoke in clipped, broken tones, only saying what was necessary before averting her gaze from me. Her demeanor, again, was fascinating.
At least she was showing the minimum courtesy of participating in our conversation.
"I'm sorry. Luna is actually quite unfamiliar with others, except for me. So, Han Cheon-seong, I hope you don't take Luna's attitude the wrong way. Luna... I wish you'd speak a little more gently. It's rare for you to be with another student like this."
"I *am* speaking... gently right now. Millia, I'm truly doing my best."
Then, a chuckle inadvertently escaped me at the exchange between the two of them.
Now, I felt like I wouldn't harbor any strong feelings towards Luna anymore. Rather, I just found this situation acceptable.
Honestly, I knew.
How arrogant and condescending Luna was towards others. And also, that what she'd just said was truly her 'best' effort.
'Good thing I spoke to them.'
Honestly, I'd wondered if I should even approach them, but now I felt it had worked out so well that I was glad I did.
The gears of Luna and I, which would never normally mesh, were somehow turning for now. Of course, that was only possible with Millia as the lubricant.
That it was working at all was something.
"..."
As I gently smiled and brought the straw to my lips, I suddenly felt a gaze.
I followed that gaze with my eyes, and naturally, our eyes met.
"..."
Millia was looking at me.
And I inadvertently sensed that her gaze was not merely an ordinary one.
"Millia."
"Oh, um...?"
Then. At Luna's voice, Millia, looking slightly flustered, immediately turned her head away from me.
"The desserts here are quite good too. I was hoping we could go order together."
As Luna calmly continued, Millia gave an awkward laugh and nodded.
I immediately added.
"I'll have the apple pie, please."
I subtly hinted that if they were going, they might as well order for me too.
"..."
Luna shot me a glare and silently rose from her seat.
"Okay. I'll do that. But is one apple pie enough? I can order more if you want."
"...Then, Millia. Order another dessert that you like."
"Got it."
Millia smiled softly and left the table with Luna.
Left alone, I unconsciously mumbled to myself.
"...This."
Even as I murmured quietly, my heart began to pound.
'Isn't this a green light?'
No matter how I looked at it, Millia seemed to be clearly giving me a signal.
Her gentle tone, her subtle gaze directed at me, and even her consideration for me just now—every single detail felt nuanced.
As if she truly had an interest in me...
'Could this be my imagination?'
Even so, I found myself thinking it over slowly again.
After being dropped into this world, I had never once indulged in self-consciousness. I knew full well that my appearance felt alien here and looked peculiar to others.
Anyone could see that I, an East Asian, was amidst Westerners. How could that not be strange?
And besides, Leonhardt was the protagonist of this world. It was only natural, given that the setting was a medieval Western world.
But...
Yet, this strange feeling persisted. Even if I told myself it was baseless, I couldn't help but feel this way.
"..."
When I thought about it, it had been strange from the very beginning.
The conversation had unfolded more easily than expected. And at the same time, Millia had responded to me so warmly first. I even felt a little comfortable being in this spot.
'Right. Millia is too different.'
It was because she was showing me such clear favor that I was currently with them in this cafe.
...As various circumstances knocked on my heart, giving rise to a strange feeling.
"First, I need to think this through slowly."
For now, I pushed my feelings aside.
Receiving someone's goodwill or affection was always a pleasant thing.
And if an attractive woman like Millia showed me favor, it would be stranger *not* to feel my heart flutter.
But if I was just imagining things and getting ahead of myself... then this relationship would truly become awkward, so I needed to be cautious for now.
Thump.
Even so, once I realized I was interested, my heart foolishly pounded.
...
Not long after, the two returned with desserts.
"Han Cheon-seong. Did you wait long?"
Millia, carrying several desserts on a tray, asked with a soft smile, and I shook my head.
"No, not at all."
Even as I said that, I found myself unnecessarily meeting her gaze.
Because a person's eyes don't lie.
Even now, Millia's pale blue eyes still seemed full of goodwill. While her gaze was too subtle to call it affection, it was certainly enough to confidently say she didn't dislike me.
Slide.
As the two sat down, Millia personally offered me an apple pie and a chocolate dessert. Even that gesture felt strangely nuanced.
...Come to think of it.
'Millia is close to my ideal type.'
She's warm and affectionate, treating me with a gentle, sweet voice.
Her cute features and her tear-mole gave her a diverse charm.
The more I thought about it... Millia was indeed the woman closest to my ideal type.
And the more I entertained such frivolous thoughts, the more I tried to steady my heart.
'Slowly.'
Don't rush things. I'll just confirm her feelings little by little.
Just as I picked up my fork to cut into the apple pie.
Tap.
Suddenly, I felt something on my knee.
It was a light touch, but the sharp point caused a small pang of pain.
"...?"
Dumbfounded by what had just happened, I looked straight ahead.
Luna was staring at me with utterly indifferent eyes.
Immediately after, Luna's lips moved silently, and I involuntarily found my gaze drawn to them.