Chapter 85.1 - First Year at the Academy - A Multitude Of Colors (1)


    Upon opening the entrance, Lambert, Felix, Elphimia, and Rora were standing there.


    "We all coordinated our outfits."


    "We met up along the way."


    As soon as the four entered, they suddenly stopped.


    When they turned around, they saw Ted and the others standing still in a straight line.


    "Wee, Elphimia-sama, Lambert-sama, Felix-sama. And our-"


    Sensing danger, L quickly turned around and tried to escape.


    "L-sama! Chase after her, don''t let her escape!"


    Ted and the others chased after her at full speed.


    Is it another training exercise?


    How quickly can they switch gears?


    Lambert and the others were still taken aback. I exined the situation to them.


    While Elphimia seemed uninterested, Lambert and Felix seemed impressed. Well, they did sh with me.


    After a while, L, who had been captured, returned surrounded by the four of them.


    "L-sama has arrived!"


    Along with Ted''s announcement, L entered with a bright red face.


    Elphimia tilted her head at her appearance.


    "I understand it''s a training exercise, but what do you mean by ‘our''?"


    "Because she''s our client."


    I summarized the situation and exined it concisely. Elphimia muttered, "I see.", seemingly bing interested this time.


    She started talking to L about something.


    It seems she will apany us.


    Meanwhile, Ted and the others asked,


    "What do we do next?"


    "Lead them to their seats. Pull out chairs to make it morefortable."


    "But where do we lead them?"


    "In front of Alterr-sama is the firece, and in front of Elphimia-sama is…"


    Elliott provided guidance, and as instructed, they tried to guide me to my seat.


    "No, I''m not ready yet."


    When I refused, Ted looked shocked.


    "Hey, he refused! What should we do?"


    "Leave it forter! Focus on Elphimia-sama."


    "But you''re already engrossed in conversation over there!"


    "Next!"


    Perhaps feeling sorry for the flustered Ted and the others, Lambert and Felix obediently followed the guidance.


    Training is good and all, but this is unnecessary knowledge…


    Leaving Ted and the others who were restless around the 2 girls, I returned to the kitchen.


    Before long, the preparations wereplete, and I introduced Dana to everyone.


    Dana, who was slightly nervous even with just me, grimaced when faced with a court mage''s daughter and viscount''s son of the viscount.


    To prevent her from fainting, I promptly seated her. Nails and the others nked her on both sides, serving as good breakwaters.


    Just as we were about to begin, Lambert stood up.


    "Oh no, Ipletely forgot. Take these."


    He handed me a basket and several bottles.


    The contents of the basket appeared to be meat.


    "If I had known, I would have prepared something different. It''s smoked wild boar."


    "No, I appreciate it. I asked L for goat meat. With this, we canpare the vors."


    "Plus, the smoking methods are different."


    L interjected.


    "Lambert-sama''s smoked meat is ‘Nekkun.'' It doesn''t have a long shelf life, but it retains the true vor of the meat. The one I requested is ‘Onkun,'' which is a bit tougher. There''s also ‘Reikun'' avable."


    "Cold-smoked… Is it like dried meat?"


    "That''s just dried, right? Well, from me, it''s sweets."


    "Ah, sorry."


    Elphimia handed me small candies coated in honey, while L gave me smoked Holber seeds.


    Ted and the others tried to take a peek at them, but since the event hadn''t started yet, I instructed them to return to their seats.


    As it was also a celebration for the year-end and New Year, it fell upon me, the host, to give a speech.


    This isn''t really my thing, though.


    I stood up, surveyed everyone from my seat, and began, "Well…"


    "I''m not good with formal speeches, so I''ll just speak as usual. Thank you all foring to this festive asion. The people gathered here have various backgrounds, positions, and ways of life. We met at different times. Some have been here before enrollment, while others met today. It''s a mysterious connection that brought us together like this. I won''t say it''s a free-for-all, but I want everyone to enjoy themselves without being too nervous. So let''s give thanks for the safe year that has passed and pray for the safety of theing year… Cheers!"


    Everyone echoed my words and raised their sses in unison.


    Understanding my message, Ted and Gemma returned to their usual selves and eagerly flocked to the smoked Holber seeds.


    "It''spletely different from grilling it. It has this smoky vor!"


    "It''s because it''s smoked."


    "But it''s delicious!"


    The two of them also reached for the boar meat, eximing incoherently.


    Curious, Lambert and Felix also reached for the goat''s meat.


    They seemed to have no particr thoughts and silently enjoyed their portion.


    Ted, seemingly dissatisfied, began enthusiastically emphasizing how formidable his enemies were.


    However, no matter how he put it, a goat is still a goat.


    "But still…"


    "Even so, it''s not just an ordinary goat!"


    "Ted."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Being reprimanded by Nails, he corrected himself with odd word choices.


    Lambert looked perplexed and turned his gaze toward me.


    Oh well, I guess I''ll lend a hand for their sake.