Classes were finally over for the day. I was thinking about heading back to the dorm with Marie, but... would that be a bad idea?
I wasn't sure. It could easily lead to a misunderstanding, and the last thing I needed was to start a rumor on day one. So, in the end, I decided it'd be safer to head back on my own.
I grabbed my notebooks and stuffed them into my bag—though I couldn't shake this weird feeling, like someone was watching me.
I glanced over my shoulder.
Sure enough, Marie was staring at me from across the room, head slightly tilted, eyes full of curiosity.
"…Is something wrong?" I asked under my breath, low enough that no one else would hear but her.
She began walking toward me—timidly, almost nervously—her steps short and quick, head bowed just slightly.
"Well… it's about what Grey said earlier, when he was talking to you. The whole… romance in the academy thing~."
Huh… wait… what? Romance? No, no no no—there's no way she's talking about that, right? Right!?
"Y-Yeah? What about it?" I asked, trying to play it cool, but probably sounding like a squirrel on caffeine.
She fiddled with a lock of her hair, blushing hard now. At this point, I didn't even need magic to read minds. It was obvious what she was thinking.
"Well, I looked over the rules again… and I couldn't stop thinking about what happened this morning…"
"Oh. So that's what it was," I muttered—accidentally saying out loud what I was thinking. Smooth.
"What do you mean by 'so that's what it was'?"
"Ah—nothing. Just talking to myself. Anyway, don't worry about what happened earlier in the dorm. No one saw us. That's what's been bugging you, right?"
"Well~, yeah… but if you say it's fine, then I guess… there's nothing to worry about."
She gave a small nod, still looking shy but visibly more relaxed.
"Alright then. Let's go home together."
She smiled—just a simple, honest smile—and we started heading toward the dorms.
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Once we arrived at the dormitory, she went straight to her room and I entered mine. Finally… peace and quiet. I could finally rest after everything that had happened today.
"Ahh… I'm mentally exhausted. And this was just the first day…"
"Kael! I'm going to take a shower first. Can you leave the room for a bit?!"
Marie's voice cut through my moment of peace like a blade of judgment. I flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. What should I do? Stay here and risk traumatizing us both? Or step out like a gentleman?
…Why are choices like these always harder than ancient spell theory?
"Kael! Did you hear me?!"
Her voice sounded a bit more serious this time. With a heavy sigh, I gave up and headed out, deciding to wait near the front entrance.
I was so tired that I ended up slumping against the wall and curling up on the floor. My eyelids drooped… and before I knew it, time had completely vanished.
When I opened my eyes, someone was standing beside me.
Her blonde hair was still damp, skin pale from the shower, wearing one of those oversized shirts that could almost pass for a dress.
Important note: We were both fully clothed. Just… in case.
I tilted my head upward and—yep. It was Marie.
"Heavens~, if you were that sleepy, you could've just told me. I would've let you stay in the room. Honestly." She crossed her arms but didn't sound angry—just a little amused.
"Ah~, sorry. I didn't think it'd turn into this. I guess I was more tired than I thought."
I stood up, slightly wobbly. My body was still adjusting from the impromptu nap-on-tile experience. Yep—definitely needed that shower now.
It really shouldn't have been that hard of a decision… but for me? It totally was.
"Kael! Did you even hear what I just said?!"
Her voice didn't sound angry this time—just a bit louder than usual. At this point, I didn't have any real choice. I got up and decided to wait by the front door like a loyal puppy… minus the tail.
I was so exhausted that I slumped down onto the floor and curled up next to the wall. My head drooped forward, and the next thing I knew, time had jumped ahead like it owed me something.
When I opened my eyes, someone was crouching next to me.
Dripping golden hair. Pale skin still glistening with water. An oversized shirt that covered her down to mid-thigh.
Don't worry—we were both fully clothed. I repeat: fully clothed.
I slowly looked up, my eyes still foggy from sleep.
Yep. Marie.
"Heavens~. If you were that tired, you could've just told me. I would've let you stay in the room," she said with an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms. "I kept calling your name, you know. Again and again."
"Ah~, sorry. I didn't mean to crash on the floor like that. I guess it hit me all at once."
I stood up, slightly dizzy. My legs wobbled like I was trying to cast magic on a boat. Yeah… time to hit the shower, ASAP.
As I passed through the small kitchen, I noticed Marie was already cooking dinner. I didn't make a fuss about it and quietly continued on to the bathroom.
After showering and changing into something more comfortable, I headed back to my room.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking back over everything that had happened today.
But one thing kept nagging at me.
Why was my magic score so ridiculously low? It made no sense.
I raised my hand and conjured a tiny drop of water—barely enough to notice, but still there.
There's got to be some explanation, right? Twenty points... That can't be the whole story.
I clenched my fist, causing the water to vanish into a soft mist.
Just as I was about to lie down again, someone knocked on my door—three gentle taps.
"Kael, dinner's ready!" Marie called from the other side.
"Yeah, I'm coming."
I got up slowly and made my way to the small dining area. She was already there, sitting at the table with perfect posture, eating her meal like we were in a five-star restaurant.
"Oh… I thought you'd wait so we could eat together," I said, only half-joking.
She raised an eyebrow and looked at me like I'd grown a second head.
"Do I look like your overly romantic dinner date?" she said with a smirk.
I shrugged.
"Well… maybe a really good cook?"
She looked away, but I swear I saw the corner of her mouth twitch.
There wasn't much else to say. I sat down across from her, picked up my utensils, and started eating the rice and grilled fish she'd prepared.
The silence was thick—but not uncomfortable. Neither of us brought up the dorm rules again. We just ate quietly, the sounds of clinking chopsticks filling the room.
After dinner, she stood up. Her expression had shifted—serious now, like something was weighing on her.
I didn't get it. Just a little while ago, she was acting completely normal. Did I miss something?
In the end, I chose not to ask. Maybe something happened with her family. Maybe it wasn't my place to ask.
Either way, I had something more pressing to focus on.
Tomorrow, we had our first outdoor magic training.
And I had to prove that my absurdly low score was a mistake.
Yeah. Time to rest up.
Tomorrow, I fight back.