Freshman Orientation
Today started with the freshman orientation.
In the morning, each teacher gave an introduction and explained what kind of classes they would be teaching.
The subjects were similar to those in my previous life’s schools: National History, Arithmetic, Biology, Magic Studies, and a few electives. There were about five class periods a day, and we had two days off each week.
The class I was most excited for was martial arts. Physical Education, which included things like races and gymnastics, and martial arts were both elective subjects, and students could choose either. Apparently, most of the girls chose P.E.
Before the afternoon orientation, we had a lunch break.
Just like yesterday, I headed to the terrace with Bell and Zack to have lunch, but when we arrived, someone was already waiting for me.
“Hey, Jo!”
He waved at me when he saw me.
“Brother Gene? What are you doing here? Lord Eric… and even Martin?”
“What do you mean ‘what’? We’re here to eat your food.”
“You could just eat in the cafeteria~”
“Why would we, when you just got into the academy?”
“Come on, let’s just eat in the cafeteria.”
“Look, Zack. When there’s Jo’s food, who would even want cafeteria food?”
“Why not? It looks tasty.”
“Yeah, it looks tasty. But it’s bland, the bread is hard…”
“Ahh… Well, I’ve got plenty, so it’s fine.”
“Here’s today’s menu~ If it’s not enough, I’ll bring out more.”
I pulled out BLT sandwiches, egg sandwiches, pork cutlet sandwiches, minced meat cutlet sandwiches, and minestrone soup.
“Whoa, this all looks amazing… I’ve never seen any of this before though.”
“Ah—this is…”
I gave a quick explanation of the sandwiches to Bell and Lord Eric, who had never seen them before.
““““So good!!””””
“This is delicious, Joan.”
“Jo, Jo, this minced cutlet sandwich? It’s amazing. Did you fry a hamburger patty?”
“Ah—well, yeah, something like that.”
Technically not quite the same, but the ingredients are similar, and it was too much trouble to explain, so I left it at that.
“Hey Joan~? Why is the bread so fluffy?”
“Eh? Uh… I worked on it together with our head chef… Yep, we worked hard.”
“Hmm? I don’t get it, but… well, it’s Joan.”
Once again, Bell chose not to think too hard about it just because it’s me.
“Brother Gene? This afternoon’s orientation is supposed to include upperclassmen from each department explaining their courses. What’s that like?”
“Oh, well for example, in the Magic Department, they’ll show off magic tools made during class or give magic demonstrations. Each department does its own little show.”
“Sounds fun. I’ll look forward to it.”
＊＊＊＊＊
The afternoon orientation began.
First up was the Magic Department’s presentation.
Most students in the Magic Department hoped to join the Magic Corps after graduation or work in magical tool design and development.
Their demonstration included a student-made magical device that supposedly “absorbs smells,” presented through a skit that felt like one of those shady TV shopping shows from my previous life.
Still, it was amusing in its own way.
I kinda wanted one of those gadgets for my trash bin or shoe closet.
After that came the magic performances.
Students with the Fire attribute launched colorful fireballs like fireworks, and Water attribute students performed a sort of water show, spraying streams of water from their hands like fountains.
Next was the Civil Service Department.
Many students in this department aimed to become government officials at the royal castle, inherit merchant houses, or become high-level butlers or maids.
Their demonstration featured butlers and maids doing a lightning-fast table setting, followed by pulling out the tablecloth in a dramatic flourish… It was a total success, but I had no idea why they did that.
Zack, however, was clapping with stars in his eyes—he was more impressed than Bell or I were.
Last was the Knight Department.
This department attracted students who aimed to become knights, private soldiers, or adventurers.
Their demonstration was a sword dance, with Water attribute students coating their swords in ice. As they danced, snow fell from the blades, and ice pillars formed on the stage. Then other students carved the ice pillars while dancing with their swords—some using just blades, some adding fire, others slicing with Wind Blades.
Before we knew it, an ice sculpture of a monster had appeared.
The craftsmanship was so impressive that the freshmen gave them a standing ovation without even realizing it.
After the orientation ended, we walked from the auditorium back to the classroom, chatting about which department had impressed us the most and where we might want to go.
“Wow~ the Knight Department was so cool~”
“Yeah, totally.”
“No, the table-setting one was way more impressive.”
As I chatted with Bell and Zack…
“Young Young lady Joan, have you decided which department you’ll be joining?”
It was Catherine with her trademark ringlet curls. Of course, her two sidekicks—Samantha and Rebecca—stood at her sides.
“……”
I stared at the trio silently, eyes narrowed.
The moment I stared at them, the three took a step back.
Yeah, being silently stared at without explanation… it’s unsettling.
But there’s something I really want to say to them!!
What do you think about this chapter?
