Chapter 38 – We’ve never met before.

It seemed that we are going to hold joint training with Celestia-san’s seminar.

“Joint training?”
“Sounds interesting!”
“I’ll get to meet Her Highness…….”

There were many people who had never heard of it before, causing the classroom to erupt in excitement.

“I heard that the rumored first-year students are also participating in Her Highness’ independent seminar. In other words, if Ark-kun participates, then we’ll have both.”

A joint training huh…….
Of course, Celestia-san will be there.

We met again in a terrible way, and what kind of face should I show?
I don’t even know what she thinks of me.

I was much more concerned about Celestia-san than about Layla.

The day of the joint training arrived in no time.
It was a day off from classes at the academy, as we were going on an expedition outside the city.

First, the participants of the martial arts department were to assemble and depart, and then meet up with the participants of the magic department at their destination.
There were five fourth-year students, three third-year students, three second-year students, and one first-year student, for a total of twelve participants.
Probably about the same number as the magic department.

I was told that one teacher would be assigned to accompany each seminar.

“Is everyone ready?” (Diaz)

Diaz-san explained again the outline of the training.

“For this training, we’ll be exploring the druid forest that stretches across the western part of the royal capital.” (Diaz)

The druid forest is that forest that I visited the other day in the magic department seminar.
It was said to have been named after the nature-worshipping shaman who once lived there.
Currently, no one lives there, and the only inhabitants are monsters.

“As I said the other day, the theme is cooperation with the magic department. It is important to be able to fight while complementing each other. Refrain from acting on your own, and watch the situation around you more closely than usual.” (Diaz)

Everyone listened to Diaz-san’s words with a serious look on their faces.

“But on top of that, let’s show Her Highness how skilled we the martial arts department students are!” (Diaz)
“””Yes!”””

The carriage came to a stop not far from the druid forest.
Incidentally, since we had burned incense to avoid monsters, so far we hadn’t encountered any monster even once.

After waiting for a while, the magic department’s carriage arrived.
People I knew were coming down from inside.
Of course, most of them I only know one-sidedly, since I was participating in the place of Layla.

“Your Highness…….”
“She’s always beautiful…….”
“I’m jealous of those in the magic department……”

While the participants of the martial arts department were admiring her, Diaz-san stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for your time today, Your Highness.” (Diaz)
“This is not the royal palace, so don’t be so formal, Diaz. Let’s do our best as students of the same academy.” (Celes)
“Thank you very much.” (Diaz)

Diaz-san raised her head.

“Waa~i, it’s Ark~!” (Layla)
“Wai-?” (Ark)

Suddenly, I received a shock from the side.
The cause was Layla who was hugging me.

“Stop it, it’s hot.” (Ark)
“Eeeh, Why?” (Layla)

Perhaps she was happy to be able to go on an adventure with me like this for the first time in a long time, but she was too excited.
Everyone was looking at me warmly, and I really wanted them to stop it.

And then I opened my eyes widely.
Because there was a petite girl with bobbed hair.

“Nice to meet you. Layla has told you all about me, right?” (Rikka)

It was Rikka, smiling at me wickedly.

“What are you doing here?” (Ark)
“I’m here because I’m also a participant.” (Rikka)
“……” (Ark)
“Why do you look so uncomfortable? Although we’ve never met before.” (Rikka)

Right, I and Ricca have never met before.
…….This should be our first meeting.

“Hee, so he is Layla’s twin brother?”
“They sure do look alike.”
“They have the exact same hair color.”

The students from the magic department look at me and Layla and say so.

“You wouldn’t even recognize them if both were swapped, would you?” (Rikka)

O, oi, Rikka!
Don’t say anything unnecessary……!

When I glared at her, Ricca chuckled nastily.
I feel very anxious when she’s around…..

As expected, once we were in the forest, Rikka stopped calling out to me.
She was walking diligently at her pos.

“Nee, Ark, Is Papa doing well~?” (Layla)

Layla, on the other hand, had been talking to me since a while ago.
It’s partly because this site was close, but also because I was used to exploring forests like this, so I don’t feel any tension.

“Layla-san, you should be more focused.” (Alisa)
“Ee? I always do, you know?” (Layla)

Layla’s pouted as she was warned by Alisa-san.

In fact, even while talking, we can naturally sense for the presence of the surroundings.
After all, it’s so ingrained in my body that I can do it even when I’m asleep.

“Ah, there’s a monster approaching from over there.” (Layla)

Layla pointed in the northwest direction.
Of course, I’m aware of it.
The strength of this presence, it’s not a very strong monster.

It seems that no one around can sense the presence of the monster yet, “Really?” “How can you tell?” such questions were floated on their faces.

“Layla-san, do you know how strong the monster is?” (Celes)
“It’s not that strong! Maybe. Right, Ark?” (Layla)
“U, unn” (Ark)
“~~~~~~” (Celes)

Celestia-san, who was looking at me, for some reason immediately turned her face away when our eyes met.
A, as I thought, it’s because of the duel the other day now she hates me, right……?

I glared at Layla.

“Fue. Why do you look so angry?” (Layla)
“Ask yourself (Listen to your chest).” (Ark)
“……? All I can hear is my heartbeat.” (Layla)