Chapter 106
At the end of the day off, the mood in the Academy was somewhat relaxed compared to last week.
But, it wasn't because there had been some progress. It was just that everyone had gotten used to it. That was something expected from the people of the Royal Academy.
Perhaps, although they were having day off in that kind of mood, it could be said that they were able to relieve the stress by doing their own things.
"There is a person among them who is like that. It's pretty obvious." (Soma)
"…Yeah." (Aina)
After school hours, Soma had such a conversation with Aina while somewhat watching everyone dispersed.
Beyond their line of sight, which actually wasn't directed next to them, was Sylvia, and she was sitting in a remote place. Just before the day off, they thought that her condition had become considerably better, but for some reason, she was showing a face which implied that she was thinking hard about something. It was difficult not to worry.
In fact, when the cla.s.smates left the cla.s.sroom one after another, they went past her and sending a caring look. That was same as Carine, who gave the last lesson for today. It seemed that she was aware to a certain extent.
Nevertheless, Sylvia only looked but she didn't talk to anyone. They could feel that she was rejecting others for some reason. Despite being worried about her, it seemed better to leave her alone for now. That was what everyone thought. As expected, the Royal Academy wasn't something ordinary.
Anyhow…
"Well, I guess we have to go for the time being. Aina, are you going to the training ground as usual?" (Soma)
"Yes. Is that alright?" (Aina)
"What do you mean?" (Soma)
"You can't ask me about training, you know." (Aina)
"I guess I am unable to read the mood, huh? No, in fact, I am someone who is more considerate. Of course, I understand what I should do for the time being." (Soma)
Soma didn't understand why she turned a doubtful look, but he just shrugged his shoulders to retaliate. Just as it was, Aina turned a scornful eyes and she kept staring him for a while. Eventually, she gave up first.
"…Oh well. As always, I don't know what you are thinking. I guess it's going to work." (Aina)
While watching the rear appearance of Aina who left while sighing, Soma let out a bitter smile. Should he think that she understood him or was it so easy to understand him?
Well, it didn't really matter to him, so he also left his seat. It was meaningless to remain here any longer.
Then, just before he went past Sylvia who was in a deep thought, he decided to stop his feet. Sylvia suddenly raised her face and their eyes met. No, to be exact… he instantaneously felt a question floating in her eyes.
"…Ah." (Sylvia)
"Hmm? What is it?" (Soma)
Her mouth opened, but it closed immediately. For a few seconds, she sat while doing nothing as if she was holding back. Then, a bitter smile appeared on that face.
"…Yeah,
"No, why did you apologize twice?" (Soma)
"I can understand that I have a depressing face. It may be that, I think? …Well, I have something to tell you." (Sylvia)
"I don't think so, really. Don't you like your face like that?" (Soma)
"Yeah… that's who I am." (Sylvia)
"If you are in hurry, then, there's a meaning. I think that you should worry as much as you like. I am willing to help if there are things I can do." (Soma)
"…Is that so? Yeah, thanks. But, it's alright. I'll do something about it." (Sylvia)
She put up a smile as she said so, but no matter how he looked at her, it was impossible. But, even if he asked her, Sylvia wouldn't answer.
"Hmm… I got it." (Soma)
After Soma looked at her eyes for a while, he nodded.
"Yes, thank you very much. Aah, sorry for stopping you. You got something else to do, right?" (Sylvia)
"No, either way, I feel like stopping my feet. You don't have to worry about it. Well, I do have things to do, but I'm not in a hurry anyway." (Soma)
"…Really? But after all, it feels bad to disturb you more than this. So, it's fine if you go ahead." (Sylvia)
"Is that so? Well, if that's the case, please excuse me." (Soma)
"Sure. Well, see… see you again." (Sylvia)
"Hmm, see you." (Soma)
As they exchanged farewell, Soma resumed walking, and… before he left the cla.s.sroom, he gave a final look and he saw Sylvia had changed back to the previous condition. She was thinking about it and apparently, she seemed to have made a firm resolve.
"Hmm…" (Soma)
However, after Soma muttered that, he returned his eyes to the original position and left the cla.s.sroom as it was.
—
The place Soma headed after leaving the cla.s.sroom was the headmaster's room. He had a business here…
"…I was thinking about this a while ago, but why do I feel like you are a person who have a lot of free time?" (Hildegard)
When he stepped in, the words uttered at the beginning made Soma frowned. Although his expression saying that he was unwilling to accept the words, he felt that that was actually his line instead of her.
"Well, didn't you say that you were working hard? But, I don't really think so, you know?" (Soma)
"Why do I feel like you are coming here just to ask whether I'm free…" (Hildegard)
"If you're not free, you're not supposed to be here, right?" (Soma)
"You're paying attention to something unnecessary… Haa, fine. So, what do you want?" (Hildegard)
"Hmm, well, I want to know how free you are now." (Soma)
"As you can see, I'm working now, so I'm not really free. Anyhow, I'm going to finish this soon, but… well it depend on your business here." (Hildegard)
"Hmm… then, there's nothing to worry about." (Soma)
"Your business is… huh? So you come here because of that, right?" (Hildegard)
"Oh, you realized that. Well, in short, the preparation is completed." (Soma)
"…I've expected that, but you are quick as always. Well, it's probably just in time for that." (Hildegard)
Then, even while grumbling something, Hildegard stood up. When the information exchange was firmly done, it was convenient enough since he didn't have to explain every time, just like now.
He would like to hurry if possible.
"Aah, no… hmmm." (Soma)
"Hmm? What's wrong? Aren't you going to hurry?" (Hildegard)
"Well, you are right, but I was wondering whether I should go there first. I guess it's fine to do that after we finish with this." (Soma)
"There… aah, yeah, you don't have to stop just because I am here." (Hildegard)
It seemed that Soma didn't need to explain that too. While thinking again that this was convenient, he murmured.
"…Alright. I'll go ahead. I want to go there after everything is done." (Soma)
"Well, I leave the matters around here to you. …Nevertheless, it feels a bit strange because I want to say either 'Finally' or 'Oh, come on'. If I were in the olden days, I would say the latter." (Hildegard)
"Is there a difference in the sense of time between people and dragons? Are you feeling that because you are a Dragonkin now?" (Soma)
"Even though I have the knowledge, it is the first time I've been able to do that. In fact, I have never seen anything else besides myself. Well, I etched myself into this world to become a Dragonkin. Normally, I would be erased from the world, so it's natural." (Hildegard)
"Hmm… anyhow, shall we go now?" (Soma)
"Hmm, yeah. Let's go." (Hildegard)
The place they should go was the Academy's dungeon. But, there was somewhere they need to go before that, but… if they finished their business in the dungeon, the rest would be straight forward. As for Soma, he couldn't say either 'Finally' or 'Oh come on', but he knew that the end was almost there.
Yeah, the end.
Yesterday, Soma and Hildegard finally reached the innermost part of the 99th layer. And today, they were planning to end it while embracing emotions such as this had taken short time or long time.
For the sake of accomplish that purpose, they left the Academy's office.
—
TLN: