Chapter 139 - The Day of the Exchange Meeting (1)

“……I don’t know if I’ve prepared well.”

That was what I muttered while looking at the full-length mirror in my private room in the dormitory, Aurora Hall.

A tailcoat, it was a genre I had never worn once in my life.

Am I wearing this right? I put it on as Regina told me.

“Umm……”

After slowly examining myself in the mirror, my own aesthetic sense told me there didn't seem to be a problem.

My characteristic deep black hair and eyes as dark as my hair, combined with the simple, unadorned black tailcoat, created a rather plausible atmosphere.

The problem was whether I had correctly followed the dress etiquette of noble society… but that wasn't something I could know.

If it really didn't look right, I could ask the guys I was going with. With that in mind, I finished getting ready by adjusting my necktie.

And right at that moment.

Knock, knock-

A knock sounded on my door.

“It’s about time to leave.”

And with it came a deep, low voice that was somehow indifferent.

It was a type of voice I hadn't heard in quite a while.

“Coming out, Khan-ssi.”

Yes, as Khan said, it was about time to leave.

To attend the Exchange Meeting.

Click.

When I opened the door and went outside, Khan, dressed in a suit unlike his usual wild appearance, was leaning against the wall.

“I hear we’re the last ones. Elwin-ssi has already gone to the meeting point.”

“Hmm.”

The Exchange Meeting basically takes place not inside the academy but at a separate location, a banquet hall in downtown Endinium.

Therefore, the students attending the exchange meeting had to leave the academy and travel to the venue, and coincidentally, our group of first-year Combat Department males was the last in order.

Of course, due to the carriage's capacity, even that small number of people would go separately.

“That suit looks good on you.”

As we were walking, Khan said that to me. That it looked good.

‘He’s saying something like this?’

And I couldn't help but be a little surprised to hear that reaction.

Because in Arche, I had never heard him compliment someone's appearance or attire.

“……Thank you for saying so, it looks good on you too, Khan-ssi.”

Khan's appearance was exactly as described and illustrated in Arche.

His wild face, gray hair, and the scar on his face were the same… but just the fact that his intimidating animal-hide coat was gone and replaced by a suit was enough.

Perhaps because the original was so fierce-looking, just dressing up moderately made him look rather softer.

“……It’s good that it looks good, but I hope no more headaches occur. I wonder if it’ll be alright……”

However, as if he wasn't listening to my reply, Khan was lost in deep thought, muttering those words.

A headache-inducing event, I had no idea what he was worried about. There was no description in the original Arche of what Khan would be worried about.

Well, it probably wasn't a big deal. I had no idea what the cause could be either.

The only thing I felt intuitively was that he was worried about me for some reason… but my intuition wasn't a very reliable thing, so I decided to let it be.

Anyway, I got on the carriage right away and left for the venue with the other two male members of the Combat Department, Khan and Elwin.

Naturally, nothing happened in the carriage. Since Khan had just arrived from his hometown yesterday, we just spent the time talking about what had happened to each other.

Of course, I knew everything that Khan had been through, but it was a way of confirming.

And as if to prove that meaning, everything was flowing as expected.

‘Encountered Akmandar, and spoke with an ancient spirit, huh……’

Khan had faced his arch-enemy and also encountered an event that would become the pretext for his awakening in the final part.

Only after confirming that fact could I finally lean back comfortably.

“……”

Now I'm a little relieved. I can relax for a while without having to worry too much. That was the thought.

Yes. After that, I leisurely chatted and occasionally looked at the scenery outside the carriage.

The scenery of the glamorous Endinium at sunset. Watching it from a carriage could be said to have a certain elegance.

And I thought that leisure would continue until we entered the venue.

So I thought… but there was one minor problem. Right in front of the venue where the exchange meeting would be held.

Soon, the carriage arrived at its destination, and a large-scale Gothic-style banquet hall came into my view.

What was there to delay? Elwin, Khan, and I disembarked lightly.

All that was left was to walk into the hall. No one would deny that it was an act so simple it was embarrassing to call it a task.

However, I had to stop my light steps and stand still.

The front of the banquet hall was bustling with a considerable crowd.

Just counting the top 10 from each of the three departments for years 1-4 of the academy would be 120 people, and considering the significant number of active knights attending the exchange meeting, other high-society figures, and event staff, it was a very natural sight.

In such an environment, I stopped in my tracks because I had spotted a certain person among the crowd.

‘……That’s.’

The person in question was a girl with short black hair and golden eyes, with an impression that resembled a cat.

She was a very familiar face, but if there was one thing different from usual, it was that she was wearing a navy dress with frills, something she had probably never worn before.

What more is there to say? What I found was Yuna. In the dress that Regina had given her as a gift. It just caught my eye.

Well, if it had been just that, I wouldn't have stopped walking. I could just meet her inside the hall and say hello.

However, there was that one problem I mentioned earlier.

‘……Looks like she’s too scared to go in.’

Yes. She wasn't going in but loitering at the entrance. Was Serene, who was in the same

Combat Department, busy?

“Haaah……”

Seeing that, I couldn't help but let out a sigh. Even after spending a semester with children from high-ranking families, and even the princess, she was still intimidated.

‘Just in case, I thought.’

There was a scene like this in the original work, so I had a feeling, and I was right.

“Rain-ssi?”

And it was inevitable that Khan and Elwin, who were walking with me, would turn around to look at me who had suddenly stopped. They were probably wondering what was wrong.

Therefore, I replied.

“……Please go in ahead. Something has come up.”

“……?”

“……?”

Hearing my words, Khan and Elwin looked at each other with puzzled expressions. Did they not see Yuna?

“Well… alright. Just don’t be late.”

Leaving those words, the two went into the hall. So what was left for me to do?

“Good grief.”

I muttered with a hollow laugh and then slowly walked in a direction away from the entrance.

My target was the lost child.

It didn't particularly feel bothersome or unpleasant. It was just a thought that she was still the same.

‘It’s a wonder I spotted her at a glance in that huge crowd.’

And the reason for my hollow laugh was also due to my admiration for such a coincidence.

***

5 hours before the start of the Exchange Meeting.

Shasha, Kaylee, and Michel were gathered in Yuna's room.

The purpose was clear. To help their friend get ready for the exchange meeting.

And, after that arduous time passed…….

“……Perfect.”

Just as Michel muttered while lifting his glasses with difficulty, a masterpiece had been born from their hands.

A navy dress that wasn't overly frilly, as if considering Yuna's physique and unique atmosphere, and facial features that even gave a sophisticated impression, tidied up by delicate makeup, unlike her usual lively look.

There was definitely a reward for the three of them clinging to Yuna for a long time.

“Done!!”

“Wow……!”

Moved by the fruition of their efforts, the girls hugged each other in front of their creation.

But even in that scene of emotion, there was one girl who was still bewildered…….

“……This is so awkward I could die……”

Yes, just as she said, the person in question, Yuna, felt incredibly awkward with her current self.

Although it was a dress that wasn't frilly, it was true that it was completely different from the activity-oriented clothes she usually wore, and she couldn't even tell if the fancy makeup suited her.

Of course, her friends didn't just stand by and watch Yuna's hesitation.

“Yuna, it really suits you.”

“Have some confidence! With this, you won’t be outshone anywhere at the exchange meeting… no, you’ll be able to overwhelm everyone!”

“You know, we’re pretty used to high society too. We’re saying this, so just believe us.”

The three, who had mastered Yuna's user manual over the semester, boosted her self-esteem with a barrage of compliments and…….

“Hehe… if that’s the case, well……!”

Yuna was able to head to the venue with a rather confident stride.

“I, I want to go home……”

…But that was it.

Her bolstered confidence was immediately broken upon arriving at the venue and meeting various nobles and knights.

It would have been her misfortune that she couldn't be with Serene, with whom she had become acquainted in the same Combat Department, due to their carriages being separated, as she could have been somewhat confident then.

Of course, objectively speaking, Yuna had no disqualifications in terms of her qualifications or her attire. In fact, she stood out, if anything.

However, the unfamiliar attire and makeup further cast her into the outfield of daily life.

“I just have to walk in……”

Numerous thoughts crossed her mind. What do I do when I get in? How do I find the people I know? What do you do at a social gathering?

It might be daily life for others, but for Yuna, it was a situation where she was thrown into an unfamiliar situation in unfamiliar clothes.

“Ugh……”

And just as time was being delayed like that, something came to Yuna's ears.

“……What on earth are you doing here.”

It was a deep, low voice that was familiar to Yuna's ears.

The owner of the voice would often make that kind of exasperated sound when the girl was doing something embarrassing.

Hearing that voice was a bit embarrassing, but the girl could not deny that it was a voice that was always familiar and, at the same time, even reassuring.