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Tuesday evening.

Marian dragged her tired body towards the Dormitory Dining Hall.

Having just attended Instructor Ion’s Combat Practice Class, her body was desperately craving food.

‘At this rate, I’m going to die… I’m sure of it…’

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, there were physical training classes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there were combat practice classes.

With such a schedule every week, there wasn’t a single day that passed without Ion’s class.

Gwen, Batar, and Elizabeth might be fine with their good stamina, but Marian’s body was far too weak to endure this insane timetable.

‘I must be crazy! I thought joining the Combat Practice would allow me to learn something…’

Now she realized it was a ludicrous plan. The fact that she couldn’t cancel the class even now was genuinely disheartening, but one can’t turn back past choices.

As she entered the dining hall, feeling like she was just eating to survive rather than enjoying the taste of food lately, she spotted an unusual face seated at a table.

‘Instructor Ion?’

Marian involuntarily flinched at the sight of Ion.

It was partly because she had just endured a tormenting Combat Practice session, but also because he had never shown up for a meal with the students since the semester began.

Seeing someone like him casually sitting in the dining hall made her momentarily doubt her location, but no matter how she looked around, this was the familiar view of the Dormitory Dining Hall.

Curiosity piqued as to what change might have occurred within the usually stoic and hard-to-read instructor, but unfortunately, Marian was quick-witted, not a mind-reader.

Inside the dining hall, other students, except for Marian, were already seated, waiting for dinner. She was the last to arrive.

Feeling awkward, Marian cleared her throat briefly and sat down.

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

“No, you arrived just in time!”

Titania replied with a kind smile.

Once all the students had taken their seats, the dormitory attendants began bringing food to the tables.

Of course, the attendants weren’t actual people. They were all magically created golems called “Shabti,” designed to obey pre-set commands without autonomy.

With magical golems managing this large and spacious dormitory, there were only really eight residents in Opal Black Dormitory. Including the instructor, that made only nine people.

Seeing this large table, which could comfortably seat dozens, with just nine people scattered eating felt like quite the waste of space, even for Marian, who was accustomed to luxury as a noble lady.

Marian skillfully cut her meat with a knife. The meal prepared by the golems may not have matched that of a first-class chef from her home, but it was still decent enough.

At that moment, Saladin, who had been quietly eating, suddenly addressed Schurz.

“Is that good?”

“…Huh, what?”

Schurz didn’t repeat his question because he hadn’t heard; he was startled that Saladin would speak up at all.

Marian felt the same way. Saladin, who usually sat quietly, simply eating and disappearing, was conversing first? And with Schurz, whom he always argued with?

“Hmm…”

Having mingled among the social circles of numerous nobles and being adept at reading people’s emotions, Marian recognized this as a clumsy yet genuine attempt at an apology from Saladin.

This was evidenced by how, despite appearing nonchalant, he kept his gaze down while awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, betraying his tension.

Schurz seemed to notice this, hesitated for a moment, then carefully responded.

“Um… want to try some? It’s quite good.”

“Huh? Why should I eat what you’ve been eating?”

Saladin crinkled his face and flatly refused. Then, he cut a piece of the fish dish that Schurz had on his plate and took a bite.

As far as Marian knew, Al Kamil was from a desert region where people weren’t used to eating fish. Until now, Saladin had never even touched fish, but for some reason today, he was trying it for the first time.

“Ugh, people from the Empire eat this?”

“Why? It’s only delicious to me.”

“The flavor’s too weak. It’s just salt and pepper. Hmm, adding coriander might improve it…”

Even while saying this, Saladin didn’t leave any food behind or waste it like he used to. He simply made a face occasionally while tasting this unfamiliar dish.

Was this beginning to feel like Saladin’s first attempt to adapt to the Empire? Was it just Marian’s imagination?

To Marian, Saladin’s voice still sounded gruff, but for some reason, it didn’t seem as sharp as before.

With their gazes moving toward Instructor Ion as if they sensed something was off, Gwen and Schurz seemed to share a knowing glance. Marian followed their gaze, looking at Ion with a puzzled expression.

Ion continued his meal with an indifferent expression, seemingly unfazed by the students’ stares.

‘…What’s going on? What did he do?’

What kind of influence had Instructor Ion had on Saladin? However, as the student council president of the Opal Black Class, whatever it was, it was definitely a positive effect for the class. There’s no downside to the students getting along better.

Marian casually eyed Ion, thinking.

Could it be that he was capable not only as a soldier but also as an instructor?

In the unusually relaxed atmosphere, as dinner continued, Titania spoke up cheerfully next to Ion.

“It’s my first time eating with you, Instructor Ion. Do you plan on coming often from now on?”

“Unless something special comes up, that’s the plan.”

“Wow, really? Then now the Opal Black Class is all gathered! Meal times will be much more enjoyable and lively!”

“…Is that so.”

Elizabeth, elegantly using her fork and knife, joined in with her soft voice.

“I look forward to that as well. By the way, do you have any favorite foods, Instructor?”

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

Elizabeth flashed a meaningful smile.

“Just curious.”

“…I don’t have any particular preferences. I believe food shouldn’t be wasted.”

“Oh my, then would you please take a bit from my share? It feels a bit too much for me.”

“Are you planning to leave any?”

“I guess that would happen if I ate alone.”

Ion pondered for a moment, then nodded with a somewhat reluctant expression.

“Then I suppose it can’t be helped.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

With a gentle smile, Elizabeth transferred about half of her food onto Ion’s plate.

At that, Osnia, who had been silent throughout the meal, slyly glanced at Ion and then moved some of her food onto his plate as well.

“……”

“…Eat a lot.”

Ion and Osnia’s gazes met briefly, but he merely exhaled a short sigh and ultimately said nothing.

Marian, knowing both Elizabeth and Osnia were in the habit of leaving food behind, didn’t think much of it.

During this exchange, Gwen, who had always ate without regard for manners or rules, suddenly hesitated and spoke up to Ion. He seemed quite cautious.

“Instructor! After dinner today, um…”

“Right. I’ll be waiting at the Training Grounds.”

“Thank you! I’m counting on you today as well!”

Gwen was usually lively and full of energy, but he looked more pleased than Marian had ever seen him.

Did they have some separate plans after the meal?

Could it be that he was looking to train alone together in the Training Grounds?

At that point, Marian began to realize something.

Gwen, Osnia, Titania, and even Elizabeth.

All of their gazes towards Instructor Ion seemed remarkably different from the beginning.

Though she didn’t know the details, she felt a stronger sense of goodwill than before.

“……”

Marian thought.

Huh? Why exactly?

When did this happen?

When did everyone get so close to Instructor Ion?

What in the world happened while I was holed up in my room all weekend working on the student council foundation?

Even as the president of the student council, is it okay not to know this much about what’s happening in class?

Marian suddenly felt a sense of exclusion.

Surely, she was the person who knew Instructor Ion best. She thought she would be closer to him than anyone since she understood the instructor’s true identity, which no one else did.

Has the bond grown this much in just a week?

Amidst the unusually friendly atmosphere in the Dormitory Dining Hall, Marian felt an inexplicable anxiety as she stabbed deeply into her meat with her fork.

*

After my consultation with Saladin, I experienced a week of smooth sailing without any significant incidents.

The past week had passed peacefully, as though all the peculiar events that occurred were a lie.

Time flew by rapidly as a week passed, and I headed to the Dark Alley to check the results of the request I made to Silvia.

I intended to only lightly confirm the whereabouts of Ella.

“Alright, now— let me introduce you! The undefeated hero! The indomitable warrior! A contestant who will become the new star of the Underground Coliseum!”

“…Huh.”

For some reason, I had ended up as a contestant in the Underground Coliseum.

 

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