Volume 5 Chapter 42 Cardboard Is Recommended For Laying On The Floor
If you're going to lay something down, cardboard is recommended.
A few days after Randy was attacked... There hadn't been any significant changes since that day ── in the end, the exam that day had been a failure ── but by the start of the new week, Randy had finally passed all his exams.
According to the plan, Liz was supposed to pick him up the day after tomorrow, so it was pretty tight.
Still, after passing his exams and advancing to the next grade, Randy decided to drop by the academy for the first time in a while, even though attendance wasn't required.
To put it simply, he had nothing to do alone.
At the academy, there were Luke, Cecilia, and others like Wayne and the second group students.
With the grade change, Annabelle and Cory were among the unexpectedly increasing friends.
Randy had thought he'd enjoy a bit of free academy life with them...
"But this was a mistake. I shouldn't have come."
...He regretted coming to the academy now.
After all, the entire academy had shifted into exam study mode in preparation for the end-of-year assessments.
In this situation, it was hard to enjoy freedom in a flashy way.
Usually a sparkling place, the academy would have a grim atmosphere for the next 2 weeks.
Everyone was focused on studying everywhere, even club and circle activities were suspended.
Some were memorizing magic theory on the terrace.
Others were exchanging problems in the classroom.
Some were reading reference books on a bench with a sandwich in hand.
Amidst the studying frenzy, only Randy remained relaxed.
It felt a bit like before an entrance exam where he passed solely on recommendation.
Even Wayne, who was coming towards him, was muttering about magic theories.
Their eyes met—Randy and Wayne locking gazes for a brief moment.
──You did a great job.
──You too, do your best.
That was the silent message exchanged between them.
Wayne, who must have received the cheer, chuckled softly, "Huff," and then he bowed his head again, muttering to himself about magic theories, before leaving.
"Hmm. From the outside, he looks like a zombie..."
But when he thinks about how his friend sees him, even Randy can't bring himself to disturb a friend.
Even so, everyone supported Randy until he passed the exam.
(What should I do? I could go home, but I need lunch.)
Randy's confusion stems from the fact that he planned to have lunch at the cafeteria.
In fact, his mouth is already craving the cafeteria's hamburger.
(Well, I guess I should find some time to kill somewhere)
Normally, it would be fine to waste time chatting with Luke, who has no exams, but Luke is with Cecilia.
At that point, there's a high chance it would disrupt Cecilia.
No matter how talented Cecilia is, it would be unacceptable to inconvenience her after all the help she's given.
So, trying to spend some time in a less crowded place, he wandered around the school building for a bit.
"Oh right, there was that place"
What Randy remembered was the corridor he used to skip classes.
The corridor facing the academy's backyard is usually quiet, and unless someone looks closely, they won't notice it.
It's also out of sight from below, making it an ideal spot to skip.
Once he decided, Randy acted fast.
He stopped by the student office to grab a rental blanket and borrowed 2, claiming he needed them due to his size, carrying them under his arm as he quickly headed to the north building.
Having spent so much time with Liz recently, the place he hadn't visited remained as quiet as it was that day.
Of course, people pass through the corridor, and downstairs──being another corridor──students occasionally walk by.
However, everyone just rushes past, unaware of Randy's favorite spot.
──This is good, I can do this slowly, Randy thought, taking out the usual iron block from his magic bag and using Craft to make a simple box on the edge.
It may look like an iron coffin, but to Randy it is a practical form that also serves as a windbreak.
He put one blanket on the coffin, covered himself with another, and lay down.
"My back is still cold even after this"
No wonder.
Although February is almost over, the temperature is still not rising.
In addition, this is the back side of the school building, which means it doesn't get much sunlight.
The cold stone edge transmits the cold air through the thin iron plate.
He tried to protect himself from that by using a blanket sandwich, but the cold on his back was stronger than he had imagined.
That said, it was only cold at first.
Randy's body warmed by the heat-retaining innerwear developed during winter vacation and 2 blankets gradually heated his back.
"I'm glad I made this heat-retaining innerwear..."
Moreover, the coffin keeps out the north wind, making it warmer than expected.
As the cozy warmth wrapped around him, sleepiness beckoned Randy like a gentle embrace.
Exhausted from days of studying, Randy drifted into pleasant drowsiness... How long had he closed his eyes?
Suddenly sensing a presence, Randy opened his eyes.
Feeling a familiar presence unlike the other students, Randy sat up and looked down.
There stood Annabelle, walking closely with Cory.
While passing through the corridor is one thing, the two of them seemed to be heading to the backyard, almost hand in hand.
"Oh wow. Looks like they're having fun."
Randy thought he shouldn't peek at their rendezvous and planned to lie back down in the coffin when he suddenly realized something.
(Come to think of it, the security around the Cathedral has been unusually tight since that day.)
What comes to mind is the placement of Knights and guards in town, as well as the presence of the dark side.
It feels rather subtle, but the security around the Cathedral is more severe than ever.
At first, he thought it was just a coincidence, but each time he went to town for dinner, the security seemed to increase.
The number of security guards is gradually increasing, but not so that ordinary people can notice.
When he asked at the cafeteria, he was only told that it was a precaution against bombers.
That's certainly what you'd expect, but the area around the church is particularly strict.
Rather than catching them, they don't want to let even one mouse in.
That expression is so close.
(The reason for going north... They came to ask about Sir Cedric──)
Looking down, Annabelle and Cory are happily strolling through the backyard.
He wonders why Annabelle hasn't taken any action regarding Saint.
The reason for that strict security is probably because they once approached Annabelle.
Thinking that way, Randy felt guilty toward the two of them, but he grabbed the blanket and jumped down from the spot with the coffin.
"Lady Annabelle, Cory too──"
When Randy appeared from above, the two briefly showed surprised faces, but soon turned them into smiles.
"Senior Randolph, it's been a while"
"I-I heard you passed the exam"
Feeling a bit guilty as they welcomed him, Randy raised his hand and approached.
"Sorry to interrupt your moment. I have a couple of things I want to ask"
Seeing Randy's serious expression, the two exchanged glances and tilted their heads, asking, "What do you want to ask?"
From their reactions, both Annabelle and Cory seem to be out of the chaos for now.
In other words, that heavy security is unrelated to them.
Randy hesitated whether to discuss the turmoil with the two.
He worried it might add unnecessary stress to them.
Though Annabelle and Cory have adventured together, they are completely unrelated to what Randy and Cedric are involved in now.
Randy couldn't possibly drag them into the center of all that...
"No, I just wanted to meet your father about some business"
...He decided to scratch his head and dodge the topic.
That said, he actually wanted to discuss hiring personnel who had been left out from the Church's estate proposal he suggested to Catherine.
"I-I understand..."
Annabelle looks puzzled and suggests that she show him around since classes are over for the day.
"No, thanks..."
Randy looked apologetic at Cory, who tilted his head in confusion.
Randy feels uncomfortable having interrupted their time together, but Cory doesn't seem to mind at all.
"Is it okay?"
Randy couldn't help but ask Cory, "What is it?" Cory tilted his head even further.
"No, you see...Lady Annabelle and something──"
"Oh. Is that so? It doesn't have to be today. Right, Anna?"
Annabelle, who was addressed by Cory, nodded and said, "That's true."
Then the two talked about how they only came here today to collect plants──clovers.
As expected of an otome game, pressed clovers are famous as good luck charms, and they planned to make some together to send to Catherine.
(T-Their innocent is bright... I'm a bit embarrassed for having such indecent thoughts.)
After all, they were just two young people standing quietly in the backyard... Randy felt ashamed for briefly thinking it might be something inappropriate, and he covered his face, saying, "No, sorry about that."
"Um, I don't really understand, but should we get going?"
Led by the wryly smiling Annabelle and Cory, Randy left the backyard.
* * *
After Randy departed the academy with Annabelle and Cory, a girl was walking alone along the side road toward the academy.
She seemed to be about the same age as Randy and the others.
Her silvery hair, which could be described as whiter than Liz's, was trimmed to shoulder length, and her deep ocean-blue eyes darted around curiously.
With an innocent smile, she murmured "Wow" and "Oh" while her azure eyes sparkled, completely showing her naivety.
From her long black robe, one could see a light silver armor, and the single sword hanging at her waist convinced passersby that she was an adventurer from the countryside.
The area behind the academy was quiet with little foot traffic, but the girl walked down the street in a skipping manner as if enjoying it.
"Wow! It's big. Is that the school?"
What came into view was the wall surrounding the school, and beyond it the school buildings and dormitories.
"There's a [Red Battle Demon] over there. I'm looking forward to it."
The woman trembled and clenched her fists, and then a shadow appeared behind her.
"L-Lady Livia..."
"What? Livia is in a hurry right now."
Livia puffed out her cheeks and looked back at the shadow.
Her tone and mannerisms were like those of a little girl, but the murderous intent in her eyes made her step back slightly.
"S-Sorry. Just a quick message-──"
The shadow that whispered this conveyed that it was still not the time to kill, and that Livia was assigned to guard a certain person.
Additionally, after finishing her business at the academy, she was told to ask about a certain place and informed about meeting up with the target.
"Ugh. I really don't want to be a guard."
Despite her complaints, the shadow handed Livia a sheet of paper, saying, "The target is Sir Julius."
"Oh, is that it? You should have said that sooner. Is Julius coming to see the [Red Battle Demon]?"
Livia tilted her head, and the shadow silently shook their head.
"Hmm. Well, that's fine."
Waving her hand, Livia left the shadow, which then vanished.
"Alright! Let's go hunt some demons!"
As Livia began to skip again, the back gate of the academy, where the demon was absent, drew closer.
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