'This is a fake. So what do they use this for anyways?'
He frowned, thinking back to how that elf scammed him to acquire an item so rare.
"Are you still thinking about that?" Schwii asked, staring at the black cement inside the box molded into a horn.
"I heard from that guy that high demon horns are especially potent in magic. But, what exactly do they need that magic for? These days we use generators to run most of the magic appliances."
"I may be wrong about this. I feel that it serves more as an ingredient in the creation of something, likely a potion of sorts."
"Hm.."
Sequencee brooded. All of a sudden he felt his hand being grabbed by a smaller one.
"The group will leave us behind if we stay too long. Let's go," Schwii said.
"???"
Sequencee looked around to realize the gazes on them had magically evaded themselves.
'Huh..'
"Alright," Sequencee squeezed her hands.
They left the museum and headed to the lake-side park where they saw many senior campus students frolicking about. Some were training with wooden swords at the plaza, others were enjoying a picnic over the view of the lake with the grand pagoda as the backdrop. A recreational space with willow trees, pink lotus and lilies, plenty of food stalls could be found interspersed around the campus.
Schwii got everyone what they call a corn dog, Gibera included. They enjoyed the little tidbit as they tailed the group from behind.
"This tastes goooood!" Lilian said with stuffed cheeks.
"I don't understand the logic behind using sticks. It reminds me of the kebab we had a long time ago. Do the heroes have a culture of eating off sticks?" Ro stared at the corn dog he had.
"If you think about it, food on a stick does make it nicely portable," Sequencee said.
"This sauce too. I don't know how to describe its flavor but it's nice," Ro said.
"It's tomato sauce with mustard," Gibera said.
"Tomato and mustard?" Ro stared at the criss-crossing red and yellow across the cylindrical body of the food.
As they neared the cafeteria, the crowd around them increased in proportion. Many of them would peek at Schwii, creating this somewhat unsettling atmosphere.
Schwii ate the last bite of the stick and burned it up with red flames. She then wrapped her hands around his arms and leaned in closer to Sequencee. He who was about to take another bite stopped and turned to her.
"I'm trying to turn them off. Isn't it alright if I put it that way? I wouldn't want people hitting on me."
'Is there something we can do about this I wonder? Use [Illusion Magic: Universal Haze] on her? No way, that'll make her look like she has two heads.'
Sequencee could feel the crowd stare at them less, but it was clear that they were trying their hardest to not make it obvious. Reasoning that it can't be helped, Sequencee shoved the rest of the corn dog down his mouth and turned the stick into ash.
"Then stay close," he pulled his arms around her waist.
Schwii blushed silently.
===
Lunch at the cafeteria, second tier access.
The tour guide Loki had reserved seats for everyone so there wasn't a need to fight with the other students. Sequencee seated beside Schwii and around them was Ro, Lilian and Gibera.
The menu changes twice a day at fixed intervals, students are allowed to take however much they want and drinks are on refill. So for lunch, they had a box set with rice with seaweed flakes, karaage over cheese, grilled fish of some kind and a side of salad with bright cherry tomatoes.
"Do you think it's worth it to get the monthly pass?" Gibera asked, dabbing her cheeks with the napkin.
"If you're planning to eat here then perhaps. Otherwise, it might not be worth it," Sequencee responded.
"I think it's a good idea for me and Ro though. Since we can eat all we want with the pass, right?"
"It's kind of pricey though.." Ro mulled.
If they had the pass, they would have to eat at the cafeteria almost every day just so it would be worth the amount spent. Otherwise, if they didn't get the pass and ate at the cafeteria having to pay each time, the total cost would be much greater than if they had the pass. A money saving trick sure but..
"Those konbini, or convenient stores around the campus also sell food don't they? If I may suggest, it would be good to compare the prices first if you intend to reduce spendings," Schwii said.
"Oh right, the konbini. Seems like there's everything you need here you know?" Ro muttered.
"Ah, they also have part time jobs there don't they?" Lilian said with chopsticks in her mouth.
"We should go ask about it."
Ro and Lilian nodded to each other.
"You two don't seem to be bothered as much?" Gibera turned to Sequencee and Schwii.
"We're somewhat better off," Schwii stated simply.
"I see.. makes me wonder if they would be able to cope. I hear that enforcer classes are quite heavy on the individual. Having to worry about money and aggregates at the same time may be quite taxing on them."
Gibera didn't mean to undermine them. In fact, knowing that Ro and Lilian were able to enter such an expensive course despite not having the money to easily afford their meals did not make a lot of sense. There must be some backing behind them, otherwise they wouldn't have possibly entered the academy. And Gibera guessed that their backing is either Sequencee or Schwii.
"I can't deny that it isn't a possibility. Nevertheless, everyone has a responsibility to take care of themselves," Schwii's brought a small piece of karaage to her small mouth.
"She's right. We have to learn how to take care of ourselves eventually," Lilian said.
Gibera merely nodded, thinking how fortunate these two commoners are to catch the attention of the more affluent Schwii– or was it Sequencee?
"Pardon me for asking, but are you two engaged?" Gibera couldn't help but notice their proximity with each other. At this moment, the ears in their surroundings were perked up.
"We're engaged," Sequencee confirmed at once.
"Huh?" Lilian muttered dumbfoundedly.
"Sequencee, you didn't tell me that!" Ro roared– of course he took care not to disturb the other tables. Even so, just that short answer from Sequencee had traveled far into the surroundings, leaving most of the males wishing they had a girl like Schwii.
"Y-You.." Schwii lightly punched Sequencee.
"What?"
Schwii looked painfully adorable doing so, Sequencee's brows twitched.
"N-Nothing.." she pressed her head against his shoulders.
"No wonder. Seeing you two makes me rather jealous," Gibera chuckled.
"..."
"Sequencee, take care of your words next time," Schwii returned to sitting proper and said with a pout.
'What did I say wrong? You're the one who's trying to cut people away right?'
To Sequencee's quizical gaze, Schwii turned away.
'I-I can't look at him.. if not I won't be able to hold back from pushing him down tonight..'
===
"Wait what?" no matter how many times Lilian blinked, the list didn't change.
"W-Why are we getting the premium room?" Ro was taken aback.
"Schwii.. this is.." Sequencee had mixed feelings.
"For convenience sake. Don't worry about it, I've properly paid for the upgrade."
There were three tiers to the dormitory types. The lowest tier dorm is shared by 8 individuals consisting of 4 bunk beds in two rooms, 2 toilets and a living space. The middle tier room is shared by 4 individuals, similar to the lowest tier room except that the bunk beds were replaced with normal beds. The middle tier room is the normal offering included as part of the second class enforcer course.
However, Schwii paid extra for an upgrade which meant that they were going to stay at the highest tier dorm which had 5 individual rooms, 2 toilets furnished with bathtubs, a living space and even a kitchen for cooking. Taking it one step further, Schwii paid for the extra empty room saying that no one may occupy it.
Of course, there were dormitories more lavish than this, but those were reserved for VVIP individuals. Either way–
"Schwii, you didn't need to go so far.. is there a reason why you made this decision?"
"For convenience sake. And yes, I have my personal reasons as to why I chose this."
"Schwii.. thank you.." Lilian lowered her head.
"T-Thank you?" Ro quickly copied.
"It's my selfish wish. Please do your best in the academy."
"Yes!"
"Definitely."
As the entire group had gathered at the lobby of the dormitory, the conversation had been heard by a few people, causing them to snicker out of jealousy. Schwii assumed those people didn't exist. After all, no matter how disgusting a cockroach was, it can be killed.
"With this, I end the tour today. Everyone have a pleasant evening. I wish everyone a festive New Dawn. Don't forget to arrive at your respective classes on time as it's going to decide where you end up, make a good impression. If anyone gets pregnant, the academy does not hold responsibility alright? Use contraceptives. See you."
He waved as he left, leaving laughter behind.
"I've got the key, let's go," Sequencee passed everyone their student IDs after activation. Their room number was punched into the upper right corner.
"Ah, you're going already?" Gibera quickly intercepted.
"H-Hello. Nice to meet you I'm Andy Doew from the nearby kingdom of.."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Caityln, daughter of viscount Winson!"
"My name is Trevor Francis. I come from–"
…
..
.