New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

First Day of School, Lunchtime

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The girl who had been standing with Claudia-san widened her eyes and briskly approached me.

“Ah, you must be an acquaintance of Dia. That robe… where did you have it tailored? It suits your slender build and looks splendid. May I take a closer look?” (Bertia)

She reached out and began to feel along my sleeves and collar, as though checking the stitching.

“Dia-san. This person is–…” (Leon)

“Bertia. Leon.” (Claudia)

I see. Both of them were beautiful, though in quite different ways. Compared to Dia-san, her features were more delicate and refined. Her build was also slimmer. Dia-san wore her hair down to her shoulders, whereas Bertia-san’s hair was about as short as mine.

“Leo…n?” (Bertia)

Tilting her head slightly, she suddenly placed her palm against my chest, only to jerk her hand away as if shocked.

“Owah!” (Leon)

“M-my apologies!” (Bertia)

Ah, again. That had not happened back in Emilia. Well, it was a small town after all, and most people I interacted with were familiar faces.

“Fufu, so Bertia also made the same mistake.” (Claudia)

“Eh? Dia too?” (Bertia)

“Yes. Leon and I were in the same group during the second examination, and regrettably–…” (Claudia)

“She grabbed my hand and said, ‘It’s fine, we’re both girls after all,’ you know.” (Leon)

Bertia-san covered her mouth and burst into laughter. People of her age tended to find such things amusing.

“My apologies. Then I suppose it cannot be helped that I made the same mistake.” (Bertia)

“Now, do not make excuses.” (Claudia)

“But really, in the queue, the boys are normally over there, aren’t they? This side is for vegetable dishes.” (Bertia)

“Ahahaha.” (Claudia)

Now that she mentioned it, most of those lined up here were indeed girls.

“Hmm. I thought I had not seen your face in the women’s dormitory. That means you are not in the Magic Art Skill Department under the Faculty of Magical Studies, correct?” (Bertia)

“I am in the Science and Technology Department.” (Leon)

While we were talking, the line moved forward. I took some bread, pot-au-feu, and salad, then sat at a corner of a long communal table.

“Allow me to introduce her properly. This is Bertia Medium.” (Claudia)

A family name.

“My apologies. You are of noble birth, then, Bertia-san.” (Leon)

“Oh, hardly. My family are only viscounts, and I am not even the heir. Please, just call me Bert. I am 16 years old. And you?” (Bertia)

“I am 14.” (Leon)

How amiable she was. Viscount families do not become lords of a domain, so they usually do not carry ‘du’ or ‘duwa’ in their names. Still, the absence of such a title does not always mean one is below baron rank, so one must be careful.

“14… hmm, you look about my age.” (Bertia)

“My family runs a merchant household, and this robe was tailored there.” (Leon)

“I see. So, a merchant household that deals in clothing.” (Bertia)

“Yes, though I became independent when I left home upon reaching adulthood.” (Leon)

“Ah, being the third son, I suppose that makes sense.” (Bertia)

“Hey, I’m starving. Let’s talk while we eat.” (Bertia)

“Indeed.” (Leon)

I scooped up some soup with a spoon and brought it to my mouth. The pot-au-feu was delicious. The potatoes had an excellent flavor. A good choice. The line for the vegetable dishes was a winning one. The two of them also ate their salads with great appetite.

“The cafeteria food here is delicious, is it not?” (Leon)

“It is. For the price, the ingredients are fairly good.” (Claudia)

“But, you know…” (Bertia)

Bertia-san made a somewhat dubious face.

“It seems the cafeteria and the dormitories use the same catering contractor, so I think we might eventually grow tired of the taste.” (Bertia)

“That could very well happen.” (Claudia)

That was certainly possible.

“You two live in the dormitories, then?” (Leon)

“Yes, the northern dormitory.” (Bertia)

Apparently, the women’s dormitory was located north of the university, while the men’s dormitory was to the south.

“And you, Leon? Do you live in the men’s dormitory?” (Claudia)

“No. I am lodging off-campus.” (Leon)

“Oh, really? Whereabouts?” (Bertia)

Claudia-san looked surprised.

“On Beitar Street.” (Leon)

“My, that is quite nearby.” (Bertia)

“Still, lodging houses tend to be expensive, don’t they? I had considered one myself at first, but it was costly. Besides, my father said that if I did not stay in the dormitory, I would become too free-spirited.” (Bertia)

“Bert’s father is a perceptive man.” (Claudia)

“Oh, Dia, you always say such things.” (Bertia)

Well, she is a noble’s daughter. It would be troublesome if unsavory sorts began to pursue her.

“Were you two acquaintances from before?” (Leon)

“Not at all. Our rooms are next to each other in the dormitory, and we are in the same Magic Art Skill Department, so we became friends.” (Claudia)

Ah, so that was the connection.

“Wait, could it be that you were the one who finished faster than Dia, who placed fourth in the practical examination?” (Bertia)

“Your voice is too loud.” (Claudia)

“Ah, sorry.” (Bertia)

So, Claudia-san had placed fourth. I later learned that Bertia-san had placed sixth.

“But yes, that is the case.” (Claudia)

Both of them turned their eyes toward me.

“I see. If the Lieutenant hears of that, he will be furious.” (Bertia)

“Lieutenant?” (Leon)

That term sounded familiar somehow.

“He is an enrolled military student. He placed second in the examination earlier.” (Claudia)

Ah, the one who had turned back at the martial training hall. So, he had been second. Even so…

“So, the results of the second examination were publicly announced?” (Leon)

Were they posted somewhere? I had no idea.

“About that…” (Bertia)

Both of them showed a somewhat troubled expression.

“After the first period’s greetings ended and the department heads left, the special associate professor read the rankings aloud, from tenth place up to second.” (Claudia)

“It seems they announce the rankings every year.” (Bertia)

Ooh.

“That is rather cruel. And why would that Lieutenant be angry about it?” (Leon)

“The special professor did not announce the first-place student.” (Bertia)

“Oh?” (Leon)

“In other words, the top score did not belong to a student from the Magic Art Skill Department.” (Claudia)

“Ah, so since the first place was from the Science and Technology Department, that would displease him. Wait… surely not.” (Leon)

When I pointed to myself, both of them nodded.

“No, no, no, that cannot be right.” (Leon)

“Then, what was your rank?” (Bertia)

“I have no idea. We did not discuss such matters in the Science and Technology Department.” (Leon)

“You did not know, huh.” (Claudia)

“Then, it is settled.” (Bertia)

“Well, we shall find out eventually.” (Claudia)

“Is that so?” (Leon)

So, I was first, was I? It is not an unpleasant thought. Even so, not everyone here is yet a professional practitioner of magic art. To be first among them is not of great significance.

“Yes. There seems to be a required joint practical class as well. You do not seem particularly pleased?” (Claudia)

“Even if that were true, the Magic Art Skill Department undergoes full-scale training, so they will surely surpass me soon.” (Leon)

I tore a piece of dark bread and placed it into my mouth.

“Hmm. Leon, you are quite an interesting one.” (Bertia)

“Eh?” (Leon)

I swallowed the firm dark bread. Bertia-san fixed her eyes straight on me.

“Unlike that Lieutenant with his naked pride, you have a gentle manner of approach.” (Bertia)

“Indeed.” (Claudia)

“Yet it is not as though you lack confidence. There is something… how shall I put it… a touch of mature composure about you.” (Bertia)

“Ah, I see it too.” (Claudia)

“Though one could easily be deceived by your cute appearance.” (Bertia)

For a first meeting, they were remarkably open. Perhaps it was the ease between classmates, but still, there had been no one quite like them back in Emilia.

“Are you two from the royal capital? Ah, I am from a place called Emilia.” (Leon)

“Emilia?” (Claudia)

Claudia-san tilted her head.

“I know of it. I am from Maxia.” (Bertia)

Oh, someone who knew Emilia.

“Maxia? I passed through there in August. It is a beautiful city, even though it is urban.” (Leon)

“Yes, yes.” (Bertia)

Perhaps pleased to hear her hometown praised, Bertia-san smiled happily.

“I am from Ressou, a northern port town.” (Claudia)

Claudia-san interjected.

“Ressou. Ah, I know it by name.” (Leon)

If I recall correctly, it is a trading port with foreign connections. Specialty goods from around Emilia are shipped abroad from there. The Liones Trading Company also exports raw silk and wool. That is the extent of my knowledge from helping with the bookkeeping.

“I have never heard of it.” (Bertia)

“Ehh, it is a bit provincial, but it is a fine place.” (Claudia)

Claudia-san looked somewhat dejected.

 

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