A few days had passed since the disturbance in the training grounds.
Seiya and Shia were summoned to a room in the academy’s tea room.
The academy has a tea room because many students who might be called to such places in the future are enrolled there, and it has been there since its establishment.
The contents of conversations held there are generally not leaked outside, and complete soundproofing is in place.
Therefore, it is the perfect place for secret conversations.
Casey, with whom Seiya and Shia had a brief conversation in front of the training grounds the other day, was the one who summoned them to such a room.
The fact that they were summoned with a formal invitation (or something similar) indicated that it wasn’t the kind of situation where one would be called to the backyard and surrounded, as they often heard about.
Moreover, the invitation was designed to be noticed by teachers, making it just right to prove it wasn’t a strange summons.
Seiya and Shia, having learned this in class, headed to the tea room with (a sense of) relief.
Surrounding individuals had been anxious since the incident the other day, but Seiya and Shia had calmed them down by saying that Casey was alright.
When Seiya and Shia entered the tea room, Casey was already waiting for them.
Since it was a formal summons, they followed the procedure taught at the academy, where the host greets the guest.
However, Casey initiated the conversation by suggesting that the formal exchange would only last for the initial part and they could then speak normally.
“I apologize for summoning you so suddenly. Normally, I should have come to you since I’m the one with the matter to discuss…”
To Casey, who bowed her head with a troubled expression, Seiya and Shia simultaneously shook their heads.
“Ah, it’s fine. Since you seem popular, Casey Senpai, it’s probably better not to be suspected of anything unusual.”
As Seiya said this, Shia nodded vigorously.
In fact, after the disturbance, Seiya’s friends had thoroughly investigated Casey and the others.
However, it seems they didn’t have much trouble obtaining information about Casey, and they quickly shared it with Seiya and Shia.
According to the information, Casey was one of the top five most popular students in their year due to her special skill and strength in Spirit Arts.
Of course, she possessed not only combat prowess but also the beauty befitting a popular person.
Incidentally, before Seiya and Shia entered the academy, it was even said that she was the most beautiful in the academy.
It was certain that if such a popular person suddenly spoke with someone from a lower grade, they would attract attention, both good and bad.
Furthermore, if the other party was now attracting even more attention than her, rumors would inevitably spread no matter how hard they tried to avoid it.
Therefore, being invited to the tea room from the beginning was a welcome gesture for Seiya and Shia.
By the way, what their friends were worried about was the anxiety that Casey’s fan club-like followers might do something unpredictable.
Hearing Seiya’s words, Casey’s expression turned to one of relief.
She had been worried that she might have been too forceful in summoning someone she had only met briefly before.
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried I might have caused you unnecessary concern.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. More importantly, Casey Senpai.”
Casey tilted her head slightly at Shia, who said this while shaking her head.
“Yes?”
“Since we’re your juniors, I don’t think you need to use polite language…?”
“I can’t do that.”
Casey’s somewhat aggressive response caused Seiya and Shia to step back slightly.
Thinking back to when they met at the training grounds, Casey had seemed to treat Seiya and Shia with respect from the beginning.
Seiya and Shia still didn’t understand why.
Of course, they knew it was related to the elven blood mixed within Casey, but they didn’t understand anything beyond that.
Seeing their reaction, Casey’s expression changed to one of realization, and she looked a little embarrassed.
“I’m sorry. Actually, I’ve heard a lot about you two from my father… ever since I was little.”
“Ever since you were little?”
At Casey’s explanation, Shia tilted her head.
Seiya and Shia had basically stayed secluded in the Elf Village of the Tower until they entered the academy and had not ventured outside.
Therefore, they hadn’t expected to hear anything about them from elsewhere.
To Seiya and Shia, who looked puzzled, Casey chuckled and said,
“Haven’t you heard? The story of someone leaving the Elf Village of the Tower?”
“Of course,” Seiya replied without hesitation.
Although the Elf Village of the Tower had almost no interaction with the outside world, it wasn’t as if no one from the village had ever gone out.
It was a bad example, but some, like Colette, aimed for the outside world.
Kousuke, and of course Colette, had prepared a proper path for such people to leave.
Colette herself had left the village and found the best encounter with Kousuke, so she had no intention of closing that path.
Nevertheless, the Elf Village of the Tower remained closed-minded simply because many elves did not wish to leave.
In fact, Casey’s father was one of the few elves who had left the Elf Village of the Tower and headed for the outside world.
While continuing his journey as an adventurer on the Central Continent, he had a miraculous encounter with the woman who would become his wife, which resulted in Casey’s birth.
“My father and mother used to tell me often when I was little. They said their meeting was undoubtedly thanks to your parents. They also told me to thank them properly.”
When Casey said this, the expressions of Seiya and Shia became subtle.
They felt that it was thanks to their parents’ actions, rather than their own merits (?), that they were respected by the older Casey, which felt somewhat wrong.
Seeing Seiya and Shia’s reaction, Casey waved her hands in a hurry.
“Ah! Please don’t misunderstand. While it’s true that my parents’ influence plays a part, it’s not the only reason I respect you two.”
“What do you mean?”
To Shia, who asked this while tilting her head, Casey said with a slight smile,
“Before I met you two, I actually used to resent you in a way.”
As a child of people whom her parents constantly praised, Casey harbored a certain rebellious spirit.
However, that small rebellious spirit was easily swept away when she actually saw Seiya and Shia.
“Seeing the spirits surrounding you two, I immediately changed my mind, thinking, ‘What spirited people they are to be so loved by spirits!'”
While the words themselves were somewhat ticklish for Seiya and Shia, they immediately noticed that something more important was hidden within them.
Seiya and Shia exchanged glances and then looked at Casey.
“Could it be, Casey Senpai, that you can see the forms of spirits…?”
“Yes. Not clearly, but I can see them.”
Casey’s definitive statement made Seiya and Shia understand why she had bothered to rent a tea room.
I gave Casey a random appearance last time, but I have a strong feeling she’ll be a long-term companion lol
