Chapter 7 Gratitude and Insights

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, bathing our study room at the inn in a warm glow. Blanc and I sat facing each other, surrounded by an ethereal display of ice sculptures she conjured to aid in our studies. It was an enchanting sight, and I couldn't help but marvel at her magical abilities.

Blanc, the stern and focused teacher, pointed out a mistake in my work. "That's a wrong answer; it's not like that," she said firmly, her icy creations shifting to illustrate the correct solution.

I groaned in frustration, feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the subjects we were tackling—politics, mathematics, language, and geography—all crucial knowledge for adapting to this new world. Unlike the others, I had no choice but to attend all the classes, and the pressure was starting to take its toll on me.

Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the door. "You can come in," Blanc granted permission. As the door creaked open, Lily entered with a tray of tea and cookies, a warm smile gracing her lips. "It seems our lady was doing fine," she remarked, observing our study session.

I couldn't help but vent my frustration to Lily, "...not really; Lady Blanc's teaching was too strict..."

Amidst our studying, I found solace in Lily's presence. She had a way of lightening the mood with her cheerful banter. Blanc, on the other hand, remained focused on my progress. "How do you expect to become a leader if you still can't solve simple mathematical problems?" she chided, not fully understanding the difficulty I faced with the unfamiliar symbols and concepts.

Feeling a bit discouraged, I tried to reassure Blanc, "I thought that my studies were the best as I was always in the top ten in my class." But even my attempts at reassurance didn't seem to convince her.

Lily, ever the understanding friend, took a look at the math problem that had been troubling me. "Let's see, so you take this and use this equation to get the answer," she explained, demonstrating the steps with a feather pen dipped in ink.

I was amazed by Lily's ability to simplify complex problems. "That was amazing, Lily. You really solved it. Please teach me more," I gushed, grateful for her guidance.

Blanc, however, was less impressed and rather dissatisfied to see me thanking Lily. "Hmph, a simple thing like that, even I can teach you," she huffed, a tinge of jealousy in her tone.

Inwardly, I couldn't help but smile. I wanted Lily to teach me not just because she was skilled but also because I felt a deeper connection with her. But bringing that up would only add fuel to the fire, so I kept it to myself.

Lily, ever the peacemaker, interjected with a suggestion, "Lady Blanc, did you take into consideration her worldview of math?" She was trying to bridge the gap between us and highlight the different approaches we had to learning.

Blanc's response was non-committal, and she decided to call it a day, "Anyway, let's take a break for today." It seemed that she couldn't bring herself to apologize, even though she was aware of her strictness.

"You didn't even do that?" I said, surprised by her lack of an apology. No wonder I was struggling so much; she never gave me any room to breathe.

As we settled into our break, I couldn't help but inquire about Lily's intelligence-gathering mission. "So you were out for a long time; what intel did you gain? Surely, a person of your caliber would have gathered a bunch of useful information," I prodded, curious about her exploits.

Lily, with a mischievous glint in her eye, played along with the playful banter. "What do you mean? I'm just a regular single lady office worker, haha. I can't possibly do something like you, Lady Blanc," she replied, acting as if she hadn't uncovered any secrets.

Blanc, ever composed, saw through Lily's facade. "Taken into consideration, at this moment, there weren't any soldiers posted outside the field, and most townsfolk aren't realizing or talking about the war," Lily reported, sharing her findings.

She had been busy, gathering information from various sources around town, and conducting covert missions that Blanc preferred to keep secret from me. As she explained the situation, my mind wandered to the prospect of peace, and I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope.

"So does that mean that they already came in peace already?" I asked hopefully, imagining a world without the looming threat of war.

Blanc's response was cautious, yet pragmatic, "That would be pretty optimistic and naïve, as there is no such thing as forever peace. But regardless, it's better news than we expected. It gives us time to prepare and gather our forces." She was stern and focused on the practicalities of the situation.

As she scribbled notes in her rugged old notebook with the same feather pen Lily had used earlier, I realized that gathering forces meant more than just forming an army. "Forces? Do you mean like an army?" I inquired, trying to understand the bigger picture.

Blanc's response was more encompassing, "More than that, you need provisions, currency, and a source of income." She seemed to be contemplating a grand strategy, considering all the aspects required for our survival in this new world.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the responsibility that lay ahead, I asked, "How are we going to do that?" The weight of the task felt heavy on my shoulders.

The room fell silent as Blanc immersed herself in thought. "..." She seemed deep in contemplation, searching for a solution to our predicament.

"That should be your job; I'll guide you, but you can't expect me to carry you," Blanc finally spoke, her voice stern but also caring. She was putting her faith in me, even though I had no experience in matters of war or leadership.

"I never, in my whole life, ever participated in war, nor was I ever planning for it," I admitted, feeling a mix of fear and determination. The prospect of stepping into the unknown was daunting, and I wasn't sure if I could handle it alone.

"Perhaps, Lady Tatiana should take a breath of fresh air outside for a moment," Lily suggested, sensing my inner turmoil and offering a way to clear my mind.

"Can I go outside?" I turned to Blanc, seeking permission, knowing that my safety was of utmost importance to her.

Blanc paused for a moment, considering my request, before finally nodding, "..." Her silence spoke volumes, granting me the approval I sought.

"Thank you, Blanc; I promise I'll be safe," I assured her, grateful for the trust she placed in me.

Lily, always the thoughtful one, prepared a takeout basket filled with sandwiches and green tea in a glass bottle with two cups. "Perhaps you'd like to go see Lady Sakuya. I think she hasn't had any meals today," she suggested, reminding me of my friend's quiet and enigmatic nature.

Lily then explained to me that Sakuya had not eaten since yesterday, and she was concerned for her well-being. The thought of Sakuya starving struck me with a mix of concern and unintentional humor. "

That's troubling. She might die! Don't worry, Lily. I'll go and save her," I declared dramatically, vowing to rescue my friend from her self-imposed hunger strike.

"Please do take care," Lily bowed, sending me off with her warm wishes.

As I walked slowly, careful not to trip and ruin the carefully prepared meal, I felt a wave of gratitude for Lily's kindness. After everything she had done for me, I didn't want to waste her efforts.

Outside the inn, the sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling town. I made my way toward the nearby fields, where I knew I would find Sakuya. It seemed to be her favorite spot, a serene sanctuary amidst the chaos of our new world.

Approaching the fields, I spotted her sitting under the shade of a giant tree, her eyes closed as if in deep contemplation. "Hmm?" I noticed her serene form, wondering if she was meditating or merely resting.

I considered surprising her, hoping that a playful gesture might warm her enigmatic demeanor. I wanted us to get along better, to forge a bond of friendship.

"Hello, I'm sorry for stopping you, but do you mind if I ask you something?" A farmer halted me as I passed through the road between the fields, curious about my presence.

I turned to him, nodding with a friendly smile, "Yes?"

He gestured toward Sakuya, "Are you familiar with that person over there?"

My chest swelled with pride as I declared, "Yes, in fact, I'm a friend of hers." Sakuya, the mysterious yet powerful figure, was someone I was proud to call my friend.

Relieved, the farmers gathered around, eager to share their gratitude for Sakuya's recent act of heroism. "Thank goodness, we're actually very thankful to her for helping us fend off a monster earlier," one of them spoke up, their faces brightening with admiration.

"She even provided us with lots of trees, over there," another pointed towards a mountain of neatly stacked logs.

I couldn't help but be amazed by Sakuya's feats. "Monster?" I was taken aback, recalling Blanc's lessons on the various creatures that inhabited this world.

The farmers nodded, "Yes, we were attacked by a monster, and Lady Sakuya single-handedly protected us and gathered all these logs. She's truly amazing."

I listened intently, their words painting a picture of a heroic figure with strength beyond imagination. "She can cut the trees neatly, using only her hands, better than any tool we have. And she can carry them all by herself. It's like she's from another world," they spoke in awe, their admiration evident.

I couldn't help but agree. "How is that even possible? I can't even carry a few sticks without having to rest for hours," I thought, feeling slightly embarrassed by my lack of physical prowess.

Their appreciation for Sakuya's strength and kindness touched me deeply. "We're grateful for her help, and we plan to build a better fence to fend off the monsters with the lumber she provided," one of the farmers shared, their determination evident.

As I surveyed the surrounding fields, I noticed that the farmland had been affected by a pest, leading to a decrease in crop yields. I could see the challenges they faced in protecting their livelihood from the constant threat of monsters.

The image of Sakuya, this enigmatic friend of mine, working tirelessly to help these people filled me with admiration. She was an extraordinary person, even though she rarely spoke much.

Moved by the farmers' gratitude, I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me. "It would be great for you to give this to her; it's not much, but still," a girl handed me a small pouch, filled with a few coins and pretty stones.

Looking inside the pouch, I saw the sincerity and appreciation of these people. "I'm sorry, but she can't accept this," I gently declined, not wanting them to give up what little they had.

"But this is all we have," a man protested, concerned that their token of gratitude might not be enough.

"Because it's too much; this was the only thing that was valuable to her," I explained, understanding that the stones held more sentimental value than any material possession.

I decided to take one of the pretty stones, colorful and vibrant, and vowed to give it to Sakuya later. As I bid the farmers farewell and continued my walk, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth in my heart.

Making my way up the hill, I spotted Sakuya still sitting under the giant tree, seemingly lost in thought or perhaps asleep. I quietly approached her, not wanting to startle her. "Hmm?" she stirred, sensing my presence.

The sight of her peaceful form made me smile. I decided to take a seat at the roots of the tree, giving her some space to rest. The afternoon sun was warm, and a gentle breeze ruffled my hair as I settled in.

I gazed at Sakuya, feeling a connection that was both mysterious and heartwarming. The energy of the moment, the wind brushing against my skin, and the calming presence of my friend all lulled me into a sense of tranquility.

As I lay there, my back leaning against the tree, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. It had been a long day, full of learning and unexpected encounters. The combined efforts of Blanc, Lily, and Sakuya had left me feeling supported and cared for.

-Chapter 7 End-