Eric grumbled to himself, and his face turned sour as he was challenged on the very first day of the new school year—even the morning after the orientation ceremony. Meanwhile, Elsie was on high alert, she reached into her pocket and gripped something.
"So? What's your answer, Senior Eric? Don't tell me you're scared?" one of the girls from the group taunted Eric. Elsie asked Eric in a tense tone, "Senior?"
"Let me handle this," Eric whispered in reply, turning his gaze toward the students. He furrowed his brow upon seeing the first-year badges in their chest pockets,
"Well, it seems the first-years are already getting cocky enough to challenge their seniors, on their very first day of school."
"If you insist, then I should be the one to decide the place and time, right?"
One of the boys replied to Eric with a slightly mocking tone. "Of course, we know the rules, Senior. We're not dumb and weak, after all! Then—"
"Tomorrow. After classes. The east courtyard behind the main library. Don't be late." Eric immediately set the time and place without waiting for the first-years' approval.
The group of students was taken aback by Eric's challenge, and Elsie glanced sideways at him with concern. "Very well, Senior. See you tomorrow, then." The group of first-year students agreed, and they somehow dispersed in an orderly fashion.
Elsie put her hands on her hips, looking slightly dissatisfied. "You could have just refused their challenge, Senior! A duel at the Academy is only valid if both parties agree and there's no forced element involved!"
Eric was slightly impressed that Elsie already knew the ins and outs of the Academy's rules. "Heh, you actually learned the rules here, apparently."
"I told you to stop treating me like a child, Senior!" Elsie pouted at Eric's words. The two of them resumed walking toward the cafeteria, and Eric explained his reasoning. "I want to see just how far my true abilities go. That's it."
"And also, if I wanted to, I could have made them submit and lose back then..."
Elsie tilted her head slightly at Eric's ambiguous words, but shook her head and spoke with a touch of seriousness. "If you want, I can help you with tomorrow's duel, Senior~?"
He replied, "No need, I'll handle it myself. But thanks for the offer." Then he added with a smirk, "Let me show you how to deal with those little buggers at the Academy."
"Hmmm~ If you say so, Senior~ ah! You can cry your heart out in my arms if you lose, you know~ hehehe!" Elsie said, patting her chest.
"..."
Eric lowered his gaze to her non-existent chest and shook his head. Elsie flustered when she realized where her senior was looking, "I-I'm still growing, you know!? They're not as big as Senior Cecilia's, b-but—wait, Senior! Are you even listening to me!?"
Throughout the walk, Eric was accompanied by Elsie's chatter about a girl's growth spurt and whatnot, until before they knew it, the two of them had arrived at the cafeteria, which was already quite crowded with students.
Eric was thinking about having a thick slab of roasted meat, then turned to his junior, "I'm thinking of some roasted meat. What about you?"
"Hmmm~ I want something sweet... fruit salad, then~!"
They split up to get their preferred meals. Eric stood in line at the cafeteria section serving meat dishes, a few people who recognized him immediately shrunk back and moved slightly away after seeing him in line.
A middle-aged woman was startled when she saw him but still served Eric's order. After his order was served, Eric carried his tray of meat and looked around, searching for an empty seat. His eyes landed on Elsie, who was waving at him from a table tucked away in a corner.
"Whoa! Are you sure you can finish it, Senior?" Elsie asked curiously after seeing Eric's meal. He replied by nodding at her.
Just as Eric was about to eat, he saw Elsie clasp her hands together, assuming a praying position. "Thank you for your gracious blessings, Goddess…"
"Oh right, this brat is a priestess from the Radiant Church…" Eric realized this and set down his eating utensils, remaining silent for a moment until his junior had finished praying.
Although the Ostheno family was officially followers of The Goddess, to Eric it was merely a formality, and he didn't believe in that divine figure. Elsie finished her prayer and smiled at Eric.
"Now then~ Let's dig in!"
Elsie and Eric sat down to eat together, a few students passing by were surprised and whispered to each other when they saw the two of them eating alone.
"You think she's being forced?"
"Dunno, but what a waste for a cute girl like her to sit with him..."
"Should we report it to the disciplinary committee?"
Eric heard them but paid no mind, while Elsie was too busy enjoying her fruit salad. The two of them occasionally chatted about what they'd done during the previous winter.
"Life in the Church is pretty strict, but I'm pretty happy with it," said Elsie after taking a sip of the sweet drink she'd brought.
"Must be tough to pray every time you eat and sleep, huh?"
"Eh~ not really. It felt hard at first, but I got used to it over time."
Not long after their casual chat, Eric could sense a few people approaching him, and soon after, the two of them were joined by Cornelius, Dianne, Connor, Lucas, and Laurene.
Cornelius smirked at the pair, "Ahem. I can't believe that after you dumped Silvia, you went straight to looking for a new girl—oh, poor Silvia~"
Eric rolled his eyes at Cornelius's gibberish and continued digging into his meal. Connor gave a bow and smiled at Eric. Dianne crossed her arms, but instead of looking hostile, she put on a neutral face. Lucas and Laurene were a little confused seeing their older brother looking so close with a girl.
"Brother Eric, who is she?" Lucas asked, probing a little. Eric sighed at the group and introduced Elsie to everyone.
"Right. This is Elsie, you could say she's an acquaintance."
"Good morning, everyone~! Please treat me well~" Elsie stood up and gave a bow. They were all a little surprised by the bubbly, cheerful tone of the girl with the side ponytail.
Dianne furrowed her brow slightly. "Do you know this man?" Elsie answered her question without hesitation. "You could say that, Senior~? Um, what's your name?"
"Oh my, where are our manners? My name is Cornelius Bougden~"
"Dianne Videno."
"My name is Connor Videno. Her little brother, in case you don't know," said Connor, glancing at Dianne.
"Lucas Ostheno, second son of James Ostheno."
"Laurene Ostheno, first daughter of James Ostheno."
A flicker of surprise appeared on Elsie's face, she shifted her gaze to Connor. "Hey, I know you! You're the honorary new student this year! That's amazing~!"
Connor shyly scratched his cheek. "Ahaha… thank you, Miss Elsie. It was an honor for me to deliver the speech."
Then he turned his gaze to Laurene and Lucas. "Hm? Ostheno...? Wait, Senior Eric! They're your brother and sister!?"
Eric nodded as he wiped his mouth with a napkin, finishing his meal. "Uh-huh. I know all of them, except that snake." He motioned his head toward Cornelius.
The lazy boy feigned hurt by clutching his chest, "Ouchie~ That's harsh to treat your friend with that nickname, Eric~"
"Never mind that." Cornelius immediately sat down in the empty seat next to Eric. "How did the two of you meet? Was it in a heart-fluttering moment~?"
Connor offered, "I'll get you all something to eat. Please wait a moment."
"Let me help you." Dianne followed her younger brother. Lucas and Laurene sat next to Elsie, making the girl with the side ponytail sparkle with excitement.
Eric took a deep breath, feeling slightly annoyed. Apparently, today was truly his unlucky day.