Chapter 104
The festival kept going, and fortunately, there hadn’t been any major problems in the meantime.
Of course, we experienced a bit of friction while catching delinquent students, but that much was trivial.
“Tomorrow’s already the last day of the festival?”
“Yes, time has already passed that quickly.”
At Lisa’s words, I let out a hollow laugh.
Before I knew it, it was Thursday evening.
There was only one day left until the festival in Daigon Village ended.
“You really worked hard during the festival, Lisa.”
“You worked harder. Your eyes are completely bloodshot right now.”
“That’s the same for you, Lisa.”
“…We both didn’t get much sleep.”
Just as Lisa said, we hadn’t been able to sleep much these past few days.
Quite a few students caused trouble late into the night, so we had no choice but to stay active until dawn.
“Still, we finished today well, and tomorrow it’s over.”
For reference, it was currently Thursday night at 11 p.m.
We were on our way back to the Academy after finishing our last patrol of the day.
Fortunately, there weren’t many students causing trouble today, so we could return early.
Yesterday, some students were caught doing some strange drug, so we had to stay out until dawn dealing with them. Compared to that, today wrapped up nicely.
“I’ll do my best until tomorrow.”
“No. You don’t need to work hard tomorrow.”
“Yes?”
“Nia said she’ll handle our duties tomorrow with the student council kids.”
Lisa explained with a faint smile.
“She said since we worked so hard for almost a week, we should enjoy the last day of the festival without any worries.”
“Oh, if that’s the case…”
“Of course, if something serious happens, we’ll have to step in. But she said she’ll handle most issues on her side. So tomorrow, let’s just have fun.”
“Understood.”
Well, I didn’t dislike that.
Doing all sorts of small tasks for about a week had left me pretty exhausted as well.
“And you didn’t forget what I told you before, right?”
“Oh, I already submitted the overnight stay request.”
“Hehe. Good. Then tomorrow you’re sticking with me all day. Got it?”
Lisa let out a small laugh.
But contrary to her soft laughter, her eyes looked more excited than ever.
“Understood. But Lisa… is it really okay for us to… spend the night together at an inn?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
“…Is it really? Even if the Academy is willing to look the other way, isn’t it a bit much for us—not just random students—to go to an inn together…?”
“I’ll take full responsibility.”
Lisa spoke casually, with an expressionless face.
“You don’t need to worry. Just focus on spending time with me tomorrow.”
“Still…”
“I’m asking you like this… won’t you?”
Lisa looked up at me with a subtle gaze.
I let out a small laugh and nodded.
“Understood. If it’s a request from you, Lisa, of course I’ll accept.”
“Thanks, Gideon. Then shall we meet tomorrow at 11 in the morning? I’ll come to the men’s dormitory.”
“No, I’ll go to the women’s dormitory instead, so you can take your time…”
With that, we decided when and where to meet tomorrow.
Filled with anticipation, Lisa parted ways with me at the Academy’s front gate.
And well… I had a feeling my eyes must have looked quite similar to hers.
The next morning.
I went to meet Lisa earlier than our promised time.
After waiting a few minutes in front of the women’s dormitory—
“Did you wait long?”
“Oh, Lisa. No. Not that long… Uh, uh… ah, I didn’t wait long.”
“That’s a relief. But Gideon? Why are you reacting like you’re shocked?”
I turned my head slightly to hide my reddened face.
“It’s just that… this is my first time seeing you wearing something other than your uniform.”
It had been about two months since I met Lisa.
During those two months, I had only seen her in her uniform.
It couldn’t be helped, because I had never gone outside the Academy with her.
Well, we did go on the school trip, but since that was an official school event, Lisa wore her uniform then as well.
So seeing her in a red dress that matched her hair color felt very refreshing to me.
“Today, I’m planning to forget about the Academy, the Disciplinary Committee—everything. I’m focusing only on you. So I tried dressing up a little.”
“Dressing up… you look extremely beautiful.”
“…So it wasn’t a lie.”
Lisa replied in her usual expressionless tone, but she couldn’t hide her reddened face.
I chuckled softly.
“Lisa, your face is red.”
“I’ve heard quite a few compliments from you, but… every time, it still feels strange.”
“Won’t you get used to it someday?”
“Maybe? But more importantly, Gideon. You came wearing your uniform again?”
“Oh, yes. I didn’t really have anything else to wear.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my head.
Even if I had known she’d dress like this, I wouldn’t really have had another option.
“Other than my uniform, I only have clothes for swordsmanship class or training. I thought wearing those to a festival would be even worse, so the uniform seemed better.”
“You really don’t have many clothes, huh.”
“Yes. I haven’t had the chance to buy any recently, and you don’t need many clothes when you’re attending the Academy…”
Lisa cut me off with a shake of her head.
“I’ll buy you some later.”
“No, there’s no need for that…”
“I’ll buy them. I want to. I keep thinking of clothes I’d like to see you wearing.”
Her tone was quite firm, so I smiled helplessly.
“Understood. When the opportunity comes, let’s go together.”
“Yes, good. Maybe during vacation… Anyway, shall we go?”
With those words, Lisa took my hand and started walking ahead.
I followed her for a moment, then shifted my grip to interlock our fingers.
Lisa flinched slightly.
Her expression still didn’t change at all, but… well, it was a satisfying reaction.
‘Anyway, I felt a stinging sensation on the back of my head since earlier… is something there?’
I looked around, but there was nothing in particular that caught my eye.
So I just assumed it was my imagination and refocused on Lisa beside me.
After Gideon and Lisa walked far enough away—
“Phew. We almost got caught just now, right?”
“Yes, we almost got caught.”
Jason and Leila, who had been hiding in a nearby tree, revealed themselves.
“Fortunately, it seems the two of them still haven’t noticed us.”
“Right? Then should we keep following them?”
“Hah, unbelievable. Hey, Jason.”
Sara, who had been hiding under the tree at a spot invisible to Gideon, looked at Jason with a hollow laugh.
“I don’t care how you gather information, but why did you drag me into this weird thing?”
“Following someone at least once is a good experience. Besides, honestly, you’re curious too, aren’t you?”
Jason smirked slyly, and Sara flinched as she spoke.
“Wh-what, what would I be curious about?”
“Hm? You’re not? About how Gideon and Lisa are staying out overnight today, and… that Daigon Village’s highest-grade inn is reserved for one night under Lisa’s name. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Wh-why would that bother me?”
Sara avoided Jason’s gaze, and Jason let out a small laugh.
“If not, then fine. I’ll go with Lady Leila by myself.”
“…I-I’m coming with you.”
“What? Didn’t you say you didn’t care?”
“I have to guard Lady Leila… I-I’m not bothered at all by the fact that Lisa reserved a room…”
“Yeah, sure you aren’t.”
Jason lightly jumped down from the tree and helped Leila come down after him.
“Let’s go, Lady Leila. We need to watch closely how that couple plays today…”
“So we can tease Lisa later!”
“Correct answer.”
Leila and Jason continued tailing them, looking quite excited.
And watching that scene, Sara sighed and followed after them.
“Was the meal to your liking?”
“Yeah, it was delicious. The pancakes at that restaurant were pretty good.”
“Yes, the strawberry pieces inside the pancakes had a really nice texture.”
After eating a combined breakfast and lunch in Daigon Village—
Lisa and I walked around the village, continuing to enjoy the festival.
“They’re selling strawberry jam over there. I should buy some. I tasted a bit during patrol the other day—it was really good.”
“I liked it too. How about we each buy one later?”
“Should I buy it for you?”
“May I treat you this time?”
Talking about this and that, Lisa and I walked down the bustling festival street.
Then something fun-looking caught Lisa’s eye.
“Gideon, want to try that?”
“Oh, the punch machine?”
It was literally a punch machine.
Though it looked slightly different from the ones in the modern world I came from—more fitting for a medieval fantasy setting.
Still, judging by the magic display showing the score, its system seemed similar to the ones I knew.
“Welcome, guests. Would you like to try our punch machine?”
“Yes. Do we receive prizes based on the score?”
“Yes, that’s correct. The list of prizes is right here.”
“Hm…”
Lisa glanced over the score board and the prize list.
“Maximum score is 2,000, and the highest recorded score so far is 1,456, right?”
“Yes, it hasn’t been broken for the past three days.”
“I see. Just to be sure, using aura or magic is prohibited, right?”
The worker who explained the machine waved his hands.
“Yes, it’s not allowed. You must use purely physical strength.”
At the worker’s words, Lisa nodded and looked at me.
“Do you want to go first?”
“Yes, I’ll try first.”
After paying the fee, I stepped up to the punch machine.
Even before I transmigrated, I hadn’t really done this sort of thing, but I had at least seen others do it.
I recalled that and roughly assumed the stance.
Thud—!
I slammed my fist into the pad with all my strength.
It felt like it connected pretty well…
Ding—
“1,407 points. A fairly high score, but unfortunately, not enough to break the record.”
“Ah…”
As expected, without aura, I was just an ordinary person.
But since I was physically strong even by average standards, I couldn’t help wondering who had scored higher than me.
“My turn now.”
Lisa rolled her wrist lightly and stepped forward.
She stood before the punch machine and threw the softest punch.
Soft— extremely soft.
From the outside, it looked like she barely extended her fist and lightly tapped the pad…
Boom—!
An earth-shaking sound burst out from the machine.
And then, on the magic display beside it…
Ding—
“Huh? 2,000? 2,000 points? Wh-what?”
The worker stared at the machine, flustered, checking it all over.
But no matter how he looked, there wasn’t a single sign of malfunction.
“How could 2,000 points come out? Is this even possible…”
“Is something wrong?”
“N-no! Nothing at all! You—you broke the highest score!”
“…Wow.”
Lisa let out a bland-sounding exclamation, devoid of soul.
But looking into her eyes, she was genuinely happy.
“Gideon, I did well, right? Praise me.”
“Y-you’re incredible.”
I remembered reading about how members of House Balmuth were not only adept with blood energy but also naturally strong.
And judging from the score she just put out, that setting was clearly true.
‘I must never fight Lisa.’
Not just fighting— I felt like I should never make her even slightly angry.
With that in mind, the plan to go to the inn later…
I should avoid nitpicking her words and simply follow her obediently.
After all, even if I refused, Lisa could just drag me there with brute force.