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“Damn it… Next time, for sure…!”
“Ugh, how long are you going to sulk, Master? I even gave you a bite!”
“It was just one bite!!”

That night, after returning to the inn, frustration kept me trembling in bed, unable to sleep.

If it weren’t for those unnecessary interruptions, I would’ve bought the meal ticket without any problems. Mark my words, Umravolf Konis…!

“But still, running into Stell and Konis here of all places—that’s quite the coincidence, huh?”
“Have you still not figured it out? This is all Axio’s scheme. There’s no way this is just a coincidence.”
“Wait, seriously!?”
“Well, Konis might actually be a coincidence. He probably left Aldebaran before us anyway.”

The plan to have Stell and me cross paths was surprisingly improvised.

After all, the Saint’s decision to send us to Rigel happened in an instant. Stell’s transfer process must have been expedited at an incredible pace.

“So, what are you going to do, Master? That kid really hates you…”
“There’s nothing I can do. It’s true that I indirectly caused his mother’s death.”
“But you’ll be seeing him at the academy, right? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Momo, do you seriously think I’d lose to a wizard of that level?”
“You’d lose in a fistfight.”
“What the hell, Momo!?”

Surely, I’m not that frail that I’d lose to a kid… right?

Well, worst case scenario, I can always detonate my own magic power and take him down with me.

That’s technically not losing. Totally fine. Totally.

“If you ever need help, just call for me! I work as a cleaner here, after all!”
“If anything, I feel like you’ll be calling for me more often. Just go to sleep already—we have an early morning ahead.”

Starting tomorrow, classes would begin in earnest.

Neither of us would be of any use if we were sleep-deprived.

Ignoring Momo, who still looked like she had more to say, I reached for the magic lamp in the room and extinguished its light, forcibly ending the conversation.

“Huh? The bed is over here, you know?”
“I’m sleeping on the floor. The bed’s too soft—I can’t relax. That guildmaster went overboard getting us a fancy room.”

The two beds provided weren’t the usual cheap straw mats, but plush mattresses crafted with Outlander techniques.

I tried lying down on one, but the sensation was so far removed from what I was used to that I couldn’t imagine falling asleep.

“Aww, then let’s sleep together! If you use me as a pillow, it should be just the right amount of uncomfortable!”
“I refuse. That’s not a sleep I think I could wake up from. Ignore me and just use the bed.”

Ignoring Momo’s ridiculous suggestion, I spread a thin blanket on the floor and lay down.

Compared to my days in the slums, this was luxury. A roof over my head and protection from the wind and rain—it was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

“Hmm… how can I get Master to sleep with m… zzZ…”
“…That was fast.”

Out like a light in mere seconds.

As always, I had to admire her ability to fall asleep instantly.

…Though her complete lack of caution was a bit concerning.

“You outside—did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
“……!”
“Don’t bother. I don’t know who hired you, but you lot aren’t up for this. Or do you want to test your luck?”
“…………”

They weren’t foolish enough to take the bait.

Without a sound, the figures lurking outside withdrew.

Since returning to this city, the only incident that might’ve put a target on my back was the Konis affair. But given his family’s downfall, I doubted he had the means to hire assassins. Which meant…

“…Figures. I brought this on myself.”

✦✧✦✧✦

“…Well then, Lady Laika, I’m counting on you.”
“Yeah, just sit tight like you’re on a sinking ship.”

The next day at the academy. As the bell signaling the start of the school day rang, the Guildmaster sent me off.

I opened the classroom door slightly ajar… and at the same time, I deflected a bundle of knives falling from above with an air bullet.

The knives I deflected happened to land in Konis’ seat, but he only let out a small scream, and there were no injuries. Thank goodness for that.

“Stop fussing, stop fussing. Hee, hoo… Everyone’s here, right? It’s good to see some enthusiasm for learning.”

Matching the number of seats occupied with the roster in my hand, no one was absent.

With Stell and Konis included, there were 11 students. For such a large classroom, the number seemed small, but it was much better than having too many students to manage.

“Hey, that’s the one from yesterday.”
“The one that humbled Konis…?”
“The pudding ghost…”
“That granny-like hair… Is she a transfer student?”

Without intending to, my entrance had been quite flashy, and all eyes in the classroom turned to me at once.

Whoever called me the “pudding ghost” will regret it later; they’ve got guts.

“Nice to meet you all. From today, I’ll be your temporary instructor. I’m Laika Galactica. It’s a short time, but I look forward to working with you.”

“Clap clap clap…!”

I tried my best to bow politely, but the only one who clapped back was Stell.

The reactions from the other students were a mix of 50% confusion, 30% rejection, and 20% of other emotions.

It was understandable. If you’re told to learn from someone who looks about the same age as you, I didn’t expect anyone to respond willingly.

“……Hey, hey, what’s going on with this academy’s education?!”

Among the indistinct murmurs, the first to speak up was a red-haired boy. He arrogantly ran his hand through his long hair and posed with his legs up on the desk in a thoroughly disrespectful manner.

“We came here because we were told we would receive the best magecraft education! But what’s the deal with that white-haired girl over there?! This has to be some kind of joke!”
“Ah, you must be… Plerion, right?”
“Plerion Guster. Don’t bother remembering it. We have nothing to learn from you!”

Plerion Guster. The word ‘Caution’ was written by the Guildmaster beside his name on the roster.

He looked every bit the prideful and arrogant type. And next to him, there was Konis, clinging to him as if buttering him up.

“……I see, it’s this guy.”

Right now, Konis didn’t have the money to hire people. Since there was always a chance that he might rebel against Stell, it was unlikely that Axio had given him more money than necessary.

So, who hired those assassins yesterday? It’s simple. Someone with money and pride who would attach themselves to him, acting as a subordinate and playing the part of the wounded underling.

Konis… While he wasn’t fit to lead, it seems he had talent in following others.

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