"Alistair, could you do me a favor and walk Chitose and the others to school? Another group of tourists just made a reservation, and I need to be here to receive them."
At the lunch table, Uncle Takai took a sip of sake and looked toward Alistair.
"Hmm? Sure. I don't have anything pressing this afternoon, I can take them."
Alistair swallowed a mouthful of rice and nodded. A short break from magic training wouldn't hurt. Besides, he was curious to see this "private school" that supposedly carried the hopes and combined investment of the entire village.
"Alistair, do you prefer tea-soaked rice? Is the raw egg not to your liking?" Aunt Nanaha asked, noticing the untouched egg sitting by his bowl.
"I'm not really used to eating raw eggs. Personally, I prefer them fried or scrambled," Alistair explained. He generally avoided raw food, with the exception of lettuce and sashimi. Everything else had to be fully cooked. To him, the raw smell of an untreated egg was overwhelming. Even if he couldn't actually smell anything foul, the mere sight of the gooey, raw yolk triggered an instinctive rejection. By contrast, the ochazuke was quite fragrant. He also steered clear of natto—the sticky texture and fermented scent were a bit much for his palate.
"Is that so? I'll make sure to prepare something else next time," Nanaha noted, realizing Alistair wasn't a fan of the traditional raw breakfast staples.
School started at 1:30 PM. It was currently just after noon. The school was located in the town a bit further down the road toward the city. The area they were in was strictly a village with only a few dozen households, so it required a decent hike. Since the family only owned one small delivery truck for supplies, Alistair would have to escort them on foot.
"So, Alistair, is your school in the city really luxurious? The schools I see online are all so huge and beautiful."
Chitose hadn't put her glasses back on. Those glasses seemed to act like a seal on her true nature; without them, she was far more energetic and talkative.
"Well... it is quite large. But we don't actually have that many students, so a significant portion of the buildings are actually empty. It was originally built on the scale of a major university, so it's hard to compare," Alistair said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Sakura Public Academy had started with grand ambitions, so its acreage and facilities were top-tier. However, the world had changed, leaving the school in its current state. Despite the prevalent "slacker" culture, the school was prestigious. Students generally had enough sense to cram before exams so the school's overall ranking didn't tank. Even at its laziest, Sakura Academy was in a league of its own compared to ordinary schools.
"Empty buildings? That sounds amazing. Our school is packed. And there are always these 'street-drifters' hanging around with dyed hair and weird clothes, thinking they're so cool," Chitose sighed. Her school focused heavily on grades, leaving little room for club activities. While she understood the necessity, she still harbored some resentment.
"Street-drifters? Just thugs and wannabe delinquents. They're just playing house," Alistair replied dismissively.
Whether they were thugs or "bad boys," it didn't matter. The current Alistair could wipe the floor with them even without the Ox Talisman. They were just ordinary humans; he was already halfway to being a Transcendent. There was no comparison. To him, these delinquents were just going through a "chuunibyou" phase—a localized version of the edgy internet handles he used to use as a kid. Once they graduated, reality would slap them into line.
"True. Just a bunch of self-important idiots. By the way... did my dad give you his Recording Crystal and the Elemental Grease?" Chitose asked, suddenly turning to look at him with a serious expression.
"Yeah. Didn't you see them? Uncle gave them to me; they're in the cabinet in my room."
"The portion of Grease that's missing... that was mine. I've used it, so I'm very sensitive to fire mana. I felt a surge of it coming from your room earlier, so I took the liberty of checking. I'm sorry."
Chitose looked genuinely apologetic. Alistair nodded, not really caring. What confused him more was her behavior—she was strangely transparent about her snooping, yet she asked questions she already knew the answer to.
He glanced at Aoi. She was Chitose's best friend—and apparently lover—yet she seemed to have almost no knowledge of the "Mystery." She rarely spoke, hiding behind large glasses as if trying to blend in, though her massive chest made her an impossible-to-miss landmark.
"Oi! Chitose! Aoi! Going to school together? Hmm? Who's this? Your cousin?"
A voice dripping with a greasy, sleazy tone broke their conversation. They had been walking for about thirty minutes and had just entered the outskirts of the town.