Chapter 60: The Battle for Seats (Preparation Phase)
[May 26 — you and Artoria Caster become seatmates.]
[In the upcoming student journey this year, if you get along well with her, she may become a very reliable companion.]
[However, her arrival also brings not a few troubles...]
"I object, Scathach-sensei!"
During the third period in the morning, a late dragon-girl strolled into the classroom.
Hearing the bad news that her seat had been taken, Melusine immediately displayed anguish as if she'd lost her whole world, but then she objected.
"I was only slightly late, why was the seat next to Eikou snatched! That's practically my personal leyline, an important place to replenish Eikou Energy!"
At that objection, Scathach-sensei merely glanced at her coldly:
"Your excuses are countless — skipping class, shirking lessons, being late, unexcused absences, you're lucky I haven't expelled you yet."
"Anyway I'm very strong; even without studying to recharge mana I can perform quite well."
Melusine said confidently.
Although she looked small and fragile, she gave off an unshakable aura of strength — the characteristic aura of an outstanding dragonkin.
"But your lazy attitude has seriously affected others' learning,"
Scathach said coldly,
"You're always whispering to Eikou; do you think I've never noticed those little antics during class? I won't let you sit next to him and disturb others' studies."
"Uhm uhm..."
Melusine looked displeased, but was silenced by that remark.
If this were in private, she'd probably roll on the floor like a stubborn child to act spoiled, but now that the whole class was watching, she had to keep the dignity of a Fairy Knight.
Her porcelain-white, exquisite face showed thoughtfulness, then she suddenly raised her head sharply.
"Wait a moment..."
Melusine's golden (golden) eyes flashed with seriousness,
"If I study well — if I just score higher than the person sitting next to Eikou — and demonstrate learning ability like a class representative, then wouldn't I be able to sit next to Eikou to tutor him?"
Eikou, who was sitting beside and eavesdropping, was startled.
She actually wants to tutor me? I'm embarrassed, I can't bring myself to expose her!
"..."
Scathach's red eyes glanced at Melusine with a hidden meaning.
"If that can awaken your motivation to study… then fine."
"Alright,"
Melusine nodded seriously,
"This is what you said, you can't go back on your word!"
"I've never broken a promise." — Scathach replied.
While Melusine was burning with fighting spirit, determined to return to her new seat and study hard—
"Wait, Scathach-sensei,"
Barghest, who was diligently reviewing beside her, suddenly lifted her head from the pile of books,
"What you mean is… as long as we're good at studying, we can freely choose the seat we want?"
Barghest's heterochromatic blue and green eyes suddenly turned sharp, like the gaze of a large golden-furred predator.
"???"
Eikou thought to himself: Barghest, don't tell me you want to join the battle too?
"Oh?"
Scathach looked at her with interest:
"You want to fight for a seat too? I thought you always presented yourself as the model student of the class."
"That's right, but I don't find that shameful. The weak are eliminated, and the strong claim the spoils first — that's the natural and logical law of survival." Barghest replied calmly.
"!"
That statement seemed to strike a chord with Scathach, making her smile with deep approval.
"Well said. Exams are exactly like that — if you can't hold your rank, others will trample you down. The victor naturally has the right to choose their seat!"
The Queen of the Land of Shadows declared loudly:
"That's right! Whoever gets the highest scores has the right to choose their seat in class! This is a privilege reserved only for excellent students! If you want to sit where you desire, then give it your all in the midterm exams!"
"Let's fight!"
The fighting spirit in the classroom was ignited, and the students couldn't help but cheer in unison.
"Ehm, Eikou-san…"
Artoria carefully leaned toward Eikou, her eyes sparkling with pure curiosity:
"That thing she just said, the 'Eikou Energy'… is that the energy system here? Did you invent it? Which is stronger, it or Mana? I didn't expect to be occupying such an important leyline!"
"Don't think too much about it, or you'll end up becoming an idiot like them."
Eikou was speechless.
[Under Scathach's instigation, the studying atmosphere in the Britain class has become more heated than ever.]
[But the side effect of everyone studying enthusiastically is that the average score of the grade will rise, increasing the distance between you and your target.]
[Barghest and Melusine have started seriously reviewing, eager to take back the seat beside you.]
[Those girls are about to wage a fierce battle in the exam room for the seat next to you.]
[Sensing their intense studying spirit, it might not be wise to ask them out to play during this time…]
[...]
[You focus on the lesson, and your academic ability increases a little.]
[Artoria, your seatmate, seems eager to teach you, but she's shy and clumsy…]
[It seems this Artoria is still a bit timid.]
Time passed quickly, and the clock's hands pointed to the late afternoon after school.
The warm, lazy golden sunset shone into the classroom, making the chipped paint on the desks shimmer with a strange light.
The sound of the dismissal bell rang, and Artoria hurriedly packed up her textbooks and materials into her bag.
"..."
She planned to quietly return to the dorm — too shy to linger here.
"Artoria,"
Eikou called out to her just at that moment, making her ahoge twitch.
"W-what is it, Eikou-san?"
Artoria forced out a polite but slightly stiff smile as she turned her head back.
"You just transferred in, so of course we have to hold a welcome party for you."
He smiled and said:
"We're planning to take you to the shopping district for a delicious meal!"
The nearby Round Table Knights also looked at her with warm, welcoming gazes, clearly intending to treat her well.
"No need, to hold such a thing just for someone like me…"
Artoria gently refused,
"Besides, I can't handle spicy food, and alcohol… I've never drunk it before."
"Ehm, the Mapo Tofu and Oolong tea thing was just an accident… This time we're really going to treat you to something good. Hey, Oberon, don't sneak off, you're coming too!"
"Huh, you're calling me too?"
Oberon froze for a second, then laughed and refused:
"...Honestly, it's a bit embarrassing, but my wallet's kind of tight lately. If it's the kind of gathering where the average spending is over 15 QP, don't count me in."
"No worries, no worries, it's on me today,"
Eikou proudly said,
"Not to brag, but the school mission bonus just came in, I'm only waiting to buy a motorbike now. I'm seriously rich right now!"
"Alright then, how about lending me 1000 QP first, I'll pay you back at the end of next month?" Oberon asked with a hopeful look.
"...."