Chapter 17: Summer Incident

Noa PoV

“It’s summer!” Miyuki said happily.

“It’s my first time going to the beach too,” Taka replied.

It’s summer, and our school is hosting a summer event in collaboration with Laburtia National Academy. We’re now inside the Duchy of Laburtia's capital, Tristar—a busy port town near the Laburtia Sea. We’re given a room at their dormitory.

“This boarding school looks expensive,” I said.

“Surprise, it’s not. When I talk to students here, they say everything is free and provided by the state!” Taka said proudly. “I want to copy it and implement it in our country. The current model education system is neither bad and not good, but we can improve it by this!”

“All students, please go to your group!” our teachers said.

Miyuki parted with us and went with her group. I’m in the same group as Taka and Princess Sera. I have a new rival now; my window to try snatching Taka into my arms is closing with Princess Sera showing up.

I was reincarnated in this world to find my true love. That’s my major quest besides surviving here. I found it, but he’s already on someone else’s. I was a lonely salarywoman living hopelessly on Earth. Consider myself lucky that I got reincarnated here after picking up that mysterious book.

But I know one fact: those three are reincarnators too. Based on everyone's reaction while hearing their debate on the first day at school. The others are just NPCs. I can confirm Taka, Miyuki, and Princess Sera are like me.

I just played it low and acted like an NPC to observe the situation. Or maybe I should team up with them to win this world?

“Noa, are you listening?” Princess Sera asked.

“Yes,” hearing her voice, I broke my daydream. “Actually, not. I’ve been distracted by the food smells since I’m hungry.”

“Classic Noa,” Taka giggled.

“We’ll take teaching how to write and read to people in remote villages as our summer project event. Do you agree with that, Noa?” Princess Sera asked.

“Agree. Taka and I already have experience in teaching, too.” I answered.

“You’re pretty close with my step—err, I mean Taka.” Princess Seraphina said.

“Noa, do you want to go to the stage to take the draw, or do I?” Suiren, my classmate in our group, asked.

My group consists of four students: Taka, I, Princess Sera, and Suiren. Suiren is male; besides Taka, he’s a pretty smart character and quite strong. I am focusing on Princess Sera now and answering her statement.

“Of course. Before we came here, Taka was my savior while I was on the brink of death. I still remember how he healed my arms and our first meeting in the forest.” I said. Almost said that I was a deserter to my noble former country.

“He has healing power?” Princess Sera said and took a look at Taka.

“I have,” Taka answered curtly. “But I’m not going to use it on you! Only Noa, Miyuki, and people who are in need.”

“Hmmmm, let’s see.” Princess Sera said it with a full tone of intimidation.

Suiren is back, bringing number 11 that belongs to the student group from Laburtia National Academy. We’re waiting for the drawing event to finish to search for our counterpart. The Miyuki group is departing from this academy hall with their Laburtia Group.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“Em, excuse me.” A timid elf girl asked me in a human language.

“Yes?” I replied in elf language. “Don’t worry, I can speak Elvenslied.”

“That’s impressive.” Princess Sera was praised.

“We’re your company. Nice to meet you!” she said and called her friends.

Three elves, two men, and one girl came at us. We exchange our names and let them sit near us. The man with a muscular build is Trentan, the other with a nerdy look is Tristan, and the girl with a gal look is Achiel. They are twins. The timid girl asking me is Ayu.

“R-really?! One group with Princess Seraphina from Eturuks?!” Achiel said in disbelief. “I’m your huge fan! Your method of bringing change in your empire is impressive!”

“Thanks.” Princess Sera replied.

We decided to spend this day getting to know each other before discussing how to go to our target village. I got along well with them, but Taka does not; he’s having a hard time talking with them. Maybe it’s because of Princess Sera’s aura, or he’s too tired to continue.

“Ayu, Taka is the same tribe as you!” Achiel said.

“I’m only half elf. Only my mom is from the M-magro tribe.” Ayu replied. “Based on the Margo tribe laws, I’m excluded from the tribe.”

“Your mom came from the Magro tribe? Can I meet her?” Taka asked enthusiastically.

“Sadly, she passed away two years ago,” Ayu replied.

“There goes my hope of meeting another person from my tribe,” Taka said with disappointment on his face.

“Well, I’m sorry for that. Because of my father’s stupid laws, your tribe is almost extinct.” Princess Sera said. “Gladly that law is now abolished, and we’re trying to make amends for it.”

“Are you guys hungry? Let’s take lunch at the academy cafeteria. Indulge yourselves, guys; don’t be shy, it’s free.” Trentan said.

“Good idea,” I said and flew to the cafeteria first. The other was tailing me behind. I’m curious what kind of food Laburtia has. It’s the same as what we have in Nekalma, but it’s more vegetables here, while in Nekalma, meat is everything in their dish.

Taka's face became excited seeing that the menu was full of vegetables. He even ordered extra vegetables with it. Same with Ayu, maybe because she has the blood of the Taka tribe. Miyuki is here eating alone, not with her group.

“Ummm, can I go have lunch with my girlfriends, guys? I’m sorry, but seeing her alone, I can’t stand it.” Taka said and grabbed his plate. “But I also want to know you guys.”

“You already have a girlfriend?” Achiel asked.

“Yeah,” Taka answered. “And she’s a strong one! Maybe you already heard about Miyuki Scarlett, the Junior Knight Championships winner.”

“Really?!” Trentan is in disbelief.

“You can go, Taka.” I gave him the permissions. “Go have your lunch with her.”

“Thank you, Noa.” Taka nodded. “See you later, my friends.”

“Argh, my idol already has a boyfriend,” Trentan said.

“If you want to win her, it’s impossible, Trentan. Their relationship is already strong. And nobody can separate them. Taka was brain-dead and almost crazy while separated from her.” I joined in. “Since his tribe is extinct and the Karasuma tribe is the closest relative of the Magro tribe, they will get married after graduating to ensure the Magro tribe is not extinct.”

“That’s good for her and Taka. As long as my idols are happy, I’m happy too.” Trentan said. “But I wonder why a strong woman like her agreed to marry a seemingly weak boy like him?”

“Well, if you said that, you will retract your words when you need his magic support later. He has, like, an overpowered support magic.” I answered.

“Even stronger than Ayu?” Achiel is joining in.

“Looks like it. Since with his support magic I can defeat an A-rank monster easily, even though I’m a C-rank adventurer.” I recall my memories.

Princess Seraphina carefully observes our dialogue. She doesn't want to join in; maybe it's against her etiquette to talk while having lunch. But I can see a smirk on her face and her sharp gaze towards Miyuki and Taka's backs.

After lunch, we’re free to prepare our plans for our designated remote village. Taka is not joining us because Miyuki asked us to let him go with him. Rather than seeing Miyuki go on a full rage because I’m not allowing it, I just let it go.

“Seeing my idol like this is quite far from my expectations,” Trentan said after seeing our conversations.

“That’s how she is. Don't stand in her way or get crushed. I already adapted to her characters.” I said. “She takes it seriously, taking care of Taka. So I’m asking you guys, don’t do anything weird to him that makes her angry.”

“I agree with that. She once almost killed a bully trying to harass Taka.” Princess Seraphina said. “I still remember how she repairs our class wall after she throws the bully outside. Her powers can’t be described by words.”

“Seems they are a deadly combo if at a party. Why are they not in the same group or class?” Achiel asked.

“Because of the balancing policy of our school.” Princess Seraphina said.

“I still wonder why you chose to attend our school instead of Eturuks Imperial Noble Academy, Princess Sera,” I asked.

“It’s part of our diplomatic strategy of rebuilding trust. I know most of the elf tribe still hates us for breaking the neutrality pact, how 80 years ago we invaded the Nekalma Federation without a warning, or how we raided granaries and farms inside Nekalma lands.” Princess Sera answered.

“The past remains the past; a new era has arrived at Eturuks' Empire now. We move forward despite our history being pretty dark.”