Chapter 397

The next day, during the Marine Studies class, began in full swing.

It was as if they wanted to reveal who owned the carriage that had quietly tagged along yesterday. This time, an unexpected guest was included in the class.

“Oh, there’s also Lord Blackwood and Lady Rosewood. It’s been a while, both of you.”

“...Prince Antonio?”

“...It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

Approaching the hero’s party, there he was—Prince Antonio, the fifth prince—lingering as though he had been a part of the group all along, casually greeting them. Out of curiosity, I quietly asked Agnes why the prince had shown up.

“Did you invite him, Agnes?”

“Are you crazy? Do you think I’m you?”

“Alright then.”@@novelbin@@

“He followed us on his own. I only mentioned that I’d be going to Plyana Beach for the Marine Studies class.”

“So, you did mention it, huh?”

“I told you I didn’t invite him.”

...Alright, fine, so Agnes didn’t specifically ask him to come. But realistically, if she even mentioned it to Antonio, it wasn’t that surprising for him to tag along.

Considering the Marine Studies class takes place in the last week of the semester, many lectures are either finished or wrapping up, so students have more free time. Even so, it was odd for him to follow us all the way to Plyana Beach, which takes an entire day’s travel from the academy.

“I only found out last night. I noticed a royal carriage behind us and assumed it was Seraphine’s. But then he stepped out and casually wandered into our lodging.”

And so, the hero’s party at the beachside villa had gained an unexpected guest, Prince Antonio. If Ethan and I had stayed there, the house would have felt cramped, so securing a room at a nearby inn had been a wise choice.

‘While having an extra hand for the boss fight in Marine Studies class isn’t exactly bad news...’

The biggest variable would be Antonio’s abilities. If he performed at the level I saw in the Witch’s Forest, he’d be more of a hindrance than help. But according to Harold’s recent report, he’d been deemed somewhat capable.

I could only hope he wouldn’t hold us back too much.

“Everyone~. I need to explain the class, so please gather over here~.”

Before I knew it, the blonde, busty professor had appeared in the middle of the beach. She was dressed in a revealing sling-shot swimsuit, and several male students, seemingly entranced, stared at her.

“……”

“Huh? What’s wrong, Lilith?”

“...It’s nothing.”

Well, it’s not like Ethan would suddenly start gawking at other women’s bodies. I just glanced to make sure—just in case. Thomas, who was head over heels for Natalie, and Antonio, who seemed to only care about Agnes, were similarly uninterested.

However, Geitma, who was momentarily entranced by the professor’s revealing outfit, quickly regained his composure and suppressed his instincts.

‘As expected of a popular class, there are quite a few students here.’

If I remember correctly, Marine Studies was the most popular elective of the semester. Though it was technically labeled as an exploratory class, it was pretty much an excuse to goof off.

Even the orientation went something like, “Have fun near the sea for five days, and if any monsters show up, take them down as a team~.” Nothing more needed to be said.

If no monsters appeared, students would just hang out in their swimsuits, enjoy the company of the opposite sex, and get credits by the end of it—no wonder it was so popular.

“You can spend the class however you like~, but if you get caught doing anything naughty under the rocks or in the shade, you’ll be punished, okay~?”

“Yes!!!”

For reference, the “punishment” meant getting a failing grade. Some students, mesmerized by her appearance, often ignored the warning and ended up failing the class.

“Everyone brought their swimsuits, right~? I’ll be watching to make sure you’re all having fun~. Since it’s the last class of the semester, let’s make it exciting….”

After enduring the professor’s flashy but otherwise content-light orientation, Ethan and I headed to our respective changing rooms. In front of the crowded ladies’ changing room, I spotted Natalie and Agnes waiting, so I quickly joined them.

“Natalie, Agnes, here to change into your swimsuits too?”

“That’s right, Lady Lilith!”

“What kind did you bring? I hope you didn’t choose anything other than the one I picked out for you?”

“Yes, yes! I have the white bikini that Lady Lilith chose for me!”

“So you’re here just to check?”

“Well, after we all picked out swimsuits together, it would be a waste not to wear the ones we chose together, right? Or did you bring a different one, Agnes?”

“I’m wearing the one you chose, so don’t worry about it.”

Of course, that’s how it should be. We spent two hours trying on different ones, finally picking the best—no way was it going unworn. Plus, this was a good chance for Natalie to impress Thomas, and for Agnes to, well, showcase herself to Antonio, whether she planned to or not.

“So what about you? Are you really going to wear that swimsuit?”

“Huh? Obviously. We picked it out together, didn’t we?”

“Are you serious, Lady Lilith?! Although… the one you chose seemed a bit bold….”

“Might as well be naked instead. What were you thinking?”

“What do you two mean…?”

It took a moment for me to realize they were talking about the first swimsuit I tried on. While it was an unusual design, I thought it was fine, especially considering the setting.

“It’s not that one! You two must’ve missed it while dozing off—I picked out a perfectly suitable swimsuit for the beach!”

“Ah, I see! Well, I did think that swimsuit was a bit… daring.”

“…Like any other swimsuit you’d pick would be any different. Pervert.”

“It’s not anything weird, alright?”

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

After a brief squabble, we all went inside to change. I emerged in the maid-style swimsuit Ligeia had chosen, and sure enough, Natalie and Agnes were sporting the ones I picked for them—a simple white string bikini for Natalie, perfectly complementing her fit physique, and a cute pink frilled one-piece for petite Agnes.

Natalie, you look great in your swimsuit.”

“Ah, Lady Lilith! You look wonderful too!”

“Agnes, you look nice as well. It must’ve been tiring picking them out, but you have to admit they suit you, right?”

“…Whatever. It doesn’t matter to me. I only wore it because you insisted, so don’t read into it.”

Agnes’s usual defiant tone was surprisingly endearing when paired with her swimsuit. Clothes really do make a difference.

She eyed my maid-themed bikini with mild disdain, and I could see her recalling her initial impressions back at the shop.

“Still wearing maid outfits? Don’t you ever get tired of them?”

“This isn’t a maid outfit, Agnes. It’s a maid-style bikini.”

“Same difference. And the headdress?”

“Of course! You still have your hair tied back, don’t you?”

“……”

Agnes gave me a skeptical look, as if to say, “Why bother?” but had no retort. Meanwhile, Natalie was swinging a stick she’d picked up somewhere, seemingly practicing her swordsmanship.

“...Lady Natalie? What are you doing?”

“Sword training, Lady Lilith! Even without my sword, I can’t slack off!”

“…Please stop. Moving around like that is a bit risky in that outfit.”

“Huh? Oh, but I’m always careful—”

“…That’s not the kind of ‘risky’ I meant.”

The strings on her white bikini had begun to loosen, and with every swing, the situation became increasingly precarious. Luckily, the men’s changing room was far away, or else this could turn into a disaster.

“Your swimsuit’s coming loose. Let me tighten it before something happens.”

“Oh, thank you!”

“Also, let’s find something other than swinging sticks for fun. Since we’re at the beach, why not try a sport you can only do here?”

“Swimming, perhaps?”

“That’s fine, but…”

Since we’re at the beach, we might as well play something iconic. Especially with these beauties from Luminar Academy—it’s the perfect setting.

“How about beach volleyball instead?”