Summer Vacation Plans
Some time had passed since the Queen’s tea party, and starting this weekend the Academy would go on summer recess. In other words, summer vacation.
The Royal Academy’s summer break lasts about two months, much like overseas schools from my previous life. During that time, students return to their territories, travel, work as adventurers, or take part-time jobs—there are all kinds of ways to spend it. It’s similar to how university students spent their long breaks in my past life.
For the first-years, it’s their very first long vacation, so it’s only natural that everyone’s restless. Apparently, it’s the same every year, and Professor Lalanoa has resigned herself to that.
“Well then, for the final National History class before the break, why don’t you all tell me how you plan to spend your vacation?”
“Uh, I’ll probably be helping out at my grandma’s shop.”
That was Souya, grandson of Nao the spice merchant.
“How commendable. Now, who else is going to help with the family business, like Souya?”
At the teacher’s question, several raised their hands—including Riki and Koshi. Riki’s family runs a diner, and Koshi’s family are carpenters.
“I’ll be returning to my territory… Father plans to have me study about managing the lands.”
Said Bon, the count’s son, muttering under his breath that break wasn’t really a break for him.
“Ehehe, well that can’t be helped. But it’s for your own good, so do your best. And you’re not the only one in that situation, right?”
At her words, a handful of noble sons and daughters raised their hands, most with a wry smile.
Other students mentioned wanting to take adventurer jobs, travel, or, in Massan’s case, read over a hundred books—earning gasps from the class.
Finally, it was Joan who was called on.
“Um, I want to take adventurer guild requests, get training from my grandmother, cook, travel… I want to do all sorts of things!”
“Ahaha. It does feel like you’d be able to do all that, Joan.”
When the morning classes ended, I went to the cafeteria terrace with Bell for lunch, as usual. Also as usual, Brother Gene and Young Master Eric were waiting there.
“Hey, you’re here! Jo, Belle, over here!”
“...…”
“What’s with that look? You’re thinking I’m just here for Jo’s cooking, aren’t you?”
“… Isn’t that the case?”
“I actually had something to talk about.”
“Hmm. And yet you didn’t even go grab lunch from the cafeteria?”
“Th-that’s, well, I was going to later… right?”
“Wh-why are you putting me on the spot! … Fine, I was waiting for Joan’s cooking too!”
“Then I shouldn’t give any to him, Young Master Eric, should I?”
“Thanks, Joan.”
“What the—!? Why him!?”
“Well, Brother Gene, you said you were going to get lunch later, didn’t he?”
“N-no, I didn’t mean it like that… Sorry! I was waiting too!”
“Ehehe, see? You should’ve just admitted it from the start.”
““So good!!””
Today’s lunch was omurice, with the traditional thin omelet style, not fluffy and runny.
“Rice really is delicious. I can’t believe there are so many ways to eat it…”
“Eheh, right? It’s not just feed, you know.”
“Oh yeah, about that—I had something to discuss.”
“Eh? About rice?”
“Joan, how about coming to visit over the summer break?”
“Visit? Your place, Young Master Eric?”
“No, to the Burst territory.”
““Eh!?””
Even Belle looked shocked—she hadn’t heard.
“Brother Eric, what do you mean? You didn’t tell me.”
“Ah, well, Mother had some business in the capital recently. Well, ‘business’—it was just a tea party, apparently.”
“Huh? Aunt did?”
“Yeah. I met her then. She was worried about you, Belle… and that’s when Joan came up. Don’t worry, I didn’t bring up that matter. Just about cooking, and then rice came up, so she said she’d tell Father. And this morning, I got the reply.”
“… Young Master Eric’s mother is fast at getting things done!”
“Yeah, she’s always been like that—once she decides, she moves quick… So, how about spending part of break in Burst territory?”
“Sorry, Joan. It’s all so sudden…”
“No, it’s fine. But I can’t really decide by myself—”
“Already checked. Father said it’s fine.”
“Wait—Brother Gene, when!?”
“This morning. I got Eric’s message in the dorm, contacted Father, and just got the reply. Ah, but it’s not right at the start of break.”
“But… can we really go to Burst territory?”
“Yeah, I’ll be going too.”
“Yay! That means Belle and I can train and take requests together during break!”
“Yeah, really!”
““Yeah!!””
Belle and I clapped both hands together in a high-five.
“Oh, but…”
“What’s wrong, Joan?”
“Uh, well. I was also hoping we could go to Phantasmo together during the break.”
“Phantasmo… ah, you mean where your grandparents live?”
“Yeah. I always go there every summer. This year, I thought maybe Belle could come too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I thought we could do training together with my grandmother.”
“Eh!? You mean the former Queen’s personal guard, your grandmother!?”
“Yep.”
“I want to, I want to! Training!! Brother Eric!!”
“Y-yeah, got it. I’ll make the arrangements.”
““Yaaay!!””
“Seriously, you two are training fanatics.”
“True. Honestly, they’re more like brothers, aren’t they?”
“Agreed.”
While Brother Gene and Young Master Eric whispered that to each other, Bell and I had no idea, too busy being excited.
What do you think about this chapter?
