Morning Encounters

The day has changed, and right now I am preparing to head to the academy. Yesterday's interaction with Ishma can be considered a success. I managed to gain a strong partner. As for Alfred, who went to Durdan, he returned last night while I was meditating to enhance the quality of my Arkium and harmonize it with my body. What surprised me was that he broke into my window like a thief. He then apologized and gave me a sword he obtained from Durdan, as he had mentioned in the letter when he left Sciendufer.

Back to today, I looked at the long mirror, seeing my handsome figure. Undeniably, even though I am a minor villain meant to serve as a stepping stone in the original story, Edward is a handsome and elegant man.

I can only be somewhat grateful to have possessed this body. At least in terms of appearance and physique, Edward is top-tier. The family background is also promising. However, this character is cursed. His fate of death is still quite far off. But now, I have to face the threat of assassination from unknown parties who killed the original Edward.

For this past week, they haven't shown up, so I guess it's safe for now. I just need to increase my strength quickly to prevent any danger from befalling me.

With a calm mind, I set off to the Academy. As usual, I walked to the station and took the tram to the Academy. Since it was still early morning, there were only a few people in the carriage. I sat by the window and leaned back comfortably, waiting for the tram to start.

'The dormitory is too far. Should I cancel the lease on that luxurious dormitory and move to a free one?' I pondered.

I quickly shook my head internally. If I move to a free dormitory, I would have to sleep with the commoners. I don't mind that. However, Edward's Arrogant Aristocrat trait would be more frequently active and restraining it would be troublesome. Also, being in a large, comfortable dormitory, I should just enjoy it. Waking up early and leaving early isn't that bad. It's a good habit.

I decided to take out a pocketbook from the inner pocket of my blazer and read it. As usual, I read a romcom novel, "Silly Serendipity," written by Béau du Leiche.

Seeing the writing I was reading, I thought of something, 'From the students' conversation yesterday, there's the Graceful Swan artist group coming to Sciendufer. Maybe I'll ask Ishma to see it? I'm sure there will be some drama there too, right?'

As I was thinking about that, the tram moved, giving a slight gentle jolt. I automatically shifted my gaze from the book and looked around the carriage. Without looking around my seat, I saw a girl in the far right of my field of view. I glanced over, and it was Giselle standing there, the girl with pink hair.

Seeing her, I couldn't help but remember her five fans who annoyed me two days ago and yesterday. My eyelids twitched, but I maintained a professional smile.

"Miss Schroder," I greeted with a smile.

Ignoring my greeting, Giselle snorted, turned her gaze away from me, and sat on the right side of the tram.

'What's with this girl?' I thought.

Ignoring it, I returned to my book.

"I didn't expect you to be close with Miss Bahraeel," Giselle said without looking at me.

I glanced at her and then replied, "Just acquaintances."

"Good for you, Edward. She's beautiful and comes from a wealthy family," Giselle replied with a disdainful, mocking expression.

I noticed Giselle didn't use the word 'strong.' It seems Ishma has hidden her strength quite well over the past semester. But why?

"Ahaha, you flatter me, Miss Schroder. I'm not worthy of her," I replied casually with a smile.

Suddenly she turned to me and squinted her eyes. She looked annoyed.

"Tch. Miss Schroder, Miss Schroder! Why are you suddenly being polite? Usually, you call me by my first name at will!" Giselle's voice rose from a mumble to a fairly loud volume in her last sentence.

I lowered my book and my gaze wandered throughout the carriage. Although there were still few people in the carriage because it was still early, with Giselle's quite loud voice, they looked at us. I smiled awkwardly and apologized by nodding.

Then I turned to Giselle, whose face looked annoyed.

"Okay, okay. Don't speak too loudly. I'll call you Giselle, okay?" I replied with an awkward smile.

Giselle stared at me for a moment and then said, "Hmph! Who gave you permission?" She turned her head away from my gaze.

My eyelids twitched, my awkward smile still in place. Shortly after, my face turned expressionless.

'What does this person want?' I thought.

"The important thing is, don't call me Miss Schroder again," Giselle said without looking at me.

I was silent for a moment and then sighed deeply.

"Alright." I returned to my book again.

After that, there was no conversation between us. Especially as more people boarded at each stop. We didn't speak at all.

A few minutes later, we finally entered the academy area and stopped at the Sveitmann Academy station. Giselle stood up and got off first without greeting me or anything. She walked quickly. Seeing her, I just sighed. Then I decided to get off.

As I got off, another tram entered the station from the opposite direction, from the other track. A crowd of students got off. I quietly observed the crowd and leaned against a support pole. I intended to wait for everything to clear up and then walk alone to the Hero Department.

Then, I saw someone I knew. Ishma. She got off from the third carriage of the six-carriage tram.

I noticed her, but she didn't notice me standing and leaning against the support pole. As she walked closer, she noticed me. Taking the initiative, I raised my right hand in the air. In response, she also did the same thing. After that, I saw her walking towards me, cutting through the not-so-large crowd.

When Ishma reached my spot, I moved.

"Up early?" I asked, patting the support pole.

"I usually leave at this time," Ishma replied, leaning against the support pole.

"By the way, are you okay after yesterday?" I asked, putting my hands in my pants pockets.

"Mhm. No injuries or fatigue at all. And…" She looked at my face.

I raised one of my eyebrows and then smiled.

"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine," I replied, slightly spreading my arms.

"Luckily, we didn't go all-out yesterday," Ishma said.

"Heh, if we didn't stop, it would have been a matter of time before the professor came. And that would have been troublesome," I replied, shrugging and grinning.

Ishma was silent for a moment, looking down. She seemed to be thinking about something. Shortly after, she turned to me.

"You were very strong yesterday. I'm sure you'll be able to compete with Zephyr, who is ranked first, right?" Ishma said casually.

I was silent for a moment. Of course, I could compete with Zephyr. But the traits possessed by the protagonist of this world would surely help him a lot. Especially since Zephyr has two god's blessings. Relying solely on my normal stats, I would surely lose badly. Even with Arkium exerted to the maximum, I might not be able to defeat him.

"No, he's on a different level," I replied.

Then I looked at Ishma. Ishma could also be said to compete with Zephyr. But with her limited mana stats and traits not as good as Zephyr's, it would be difficult to match him.

"Aren't you also able to compete with Zephyr? Your rank of 78 is just a facade. Why do you hide your strength?" I asked.

"Hmmm. I guess I still can't compete with him," she replied.

Ishma didn't answer the question about her hidden strength.

'I guess it's something personal,' I thought.

Because of that, I didn't ask anything else and we walked towards the academy as the crowd had significantly lessened. I walked side by side with Ishma. Don't ask if we attracted attention. Edward, the trash, walking with Ishma, one of the flowers of the Hero Department. Of course, it drew attention, just like before.

'I feel like rumors will spread soon. At least, it's a rumor that I think can improve my reputation,' I thought.

Then we took the tram again inside the academy. This time to head to the Heroes Department. After arriving at the Hero Department stop, we got off.

Walking for a few minutes, we didn't go directly to the class but headed to the Hero Department cafeteria. I could have gone to the class, but I didn't. It wasn't my decision, but Ishma's. I just followed her willingly and she didn't say anything about it.

'Is this why she always arrives in class after me even though she leaves early?' I thought.

The cafeteria wasn't too crowded because it was still early. Most students usually go directly to the class.

After ordering from one of the stalls, Ishma and I sat at the same table. She ordered bread, meat, fried chicken, and milk. The portion wasn't too much. It was a woman-sized portion. Meanwhile, I only ordered two glasses of milk. I'm not used to breakfast. This is a habit of mine as Dark Saber and it carried over to this world. I had asked Mia not to prepare breakfast for me, but if she wanted breakfast, I allowed it. There's a saying in the health world that the best breakfast is no breakfast at all.

"Do you usually have breakfast here in the morning before class?" I asked, resting my head on my hand and watching Ishma eat.

Ishma glanced at me briefly and then answered after swallowing her food, "Yes. More precisely, I just want a snack in the morning."

Ishma then continued eating.

'A snack, huh? Well, this portion is too small for a warrior like you.' I sighed, smiling, and once again watched Ishma with my chin resting on my hand.

Ishma's way of eating looked elegant, like that of a typical woman. It just lacked the etiquette of a noble. This was evident when she ate fried chicken with her hands. Well, I don't blame her, after all, eating with hands is easier, especially fried chicken. But still, Ishma managed to look elegant even without noble etiquette.