The days of training for the Holy War Festival continue.

　The sweltering heat continues day after day in the royal capital, which has finally entered the hot season.
　I heard that some of the students became sick in the middle of battle classes.
　According to Cecily, this year's heat was particularly severe compared to previous years.
　Still, the heat is not an excuse to cut corners in daily training.
　After Ira's training, he trained every day.
　Well, even though it's extremely hot, if it's this hot, it's a familiar heat for me who has experienced Japanese summers.

　I wipe the sweat from my chin.

　-- just lately, I'm starting to feel a little tired....

　The training results of the technique 《Souryu》, which should be mastered, haven't come out as well as they should after a certain stage.
　Perhaps due to the long-term fatigue and stagnation at the same time, I unusually feel a little bit like hardship.

''--No, not yet!

　I hit both of my cheeks with a crunch to get back into the swing of things.
　If you run away from the easy way because of the hardship, you will never get a good result.
　It's times like these that you should be able to get up the nerve to say "f*ck it".
　That's right, nothing is ever hard.
　There's nothing hard about it.
　I'm just happy to have a goal and be in an environment that allows me to reach it.
　And everyone else who is participating in the Seongbu Festival is also working hard.
　That's why I have to work hard too.
　I continued to train that day until the date changed.




"You're putting too many roots in it, you idiot.

　The next day at lunchtime, I received a scolding from Currier-san in the cafeteria.

''I knew you stayed at the training grounds until late to train, but I didn't expect you to stay up that late... and in this heat.

　He had refrained from visiting my house because he thought I would be tired from training.
　So he didn't know how long I was going to remain in the training grounds.

''But I'm starting to feel some fatigue, but my physical condition is fine. It's just that........yesterday, the training results of that special move were not good, and I felt a little bit tired.

　I sigh, feeling sorry for myself.
　Currier-san has a difficult look on her face.

''........Is yesterday the first time you felt the difficulty?''
'So I knew this wasn't a good idea, so I quickly got back into it, but...'
'You've been training on the same stuff for at least two weeks now, haven't you?
"?　Yes.

　Mr. Currier wrinkled his brow in dismay.

It's unusual when it's only recently that you've begun to feel fatigue. Normally, if that is the case, your body will scream within three days. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it. Just being able to do two weeks of training alone and without a care in the world is a big deal.......what's that look on your face?
Um, is something good happening?
Hmm?　What does that mean?
No, I just thought you'd be in a better mood today than you usually are because you've been complimenting me so much...
"...you know what, I'm halfway through, okay?

　Currier-san held the glass in both hands and let out a small breath of air.

''Oh dear... you're a perceptive person, but when it comes to me, you tend to take it too favorably...''

　I say, scratching my head.

''Because I, Currier-san, have nothing but favoritism. Haha........so maybe that's why I try to take everything as a favor.

　Currier-san took a sip of tonore water and then made a troubled face.

'I'm sincerely terrified to think of you taking a liking to a bad guy trying to use your forbidden powers...'
It'll be fine. There probably aren't many people who love it as much as Currier-san does.

　Currier-san becomes more and more troubled, and in the end, Currier-san looks down on her shoulders.

''When you don't say there's no one else, but instead say 《there aren't so many of them》, it tells me that you're not being coy... And now I'd like to let Cecily hear that one too.

　Miss Cecily was absent today.
　She is often absent due to house-related errands. Is it because she is commuting from the house instead of the lodgings, or is it because she is expecting to be absent for such matters?
　By the way, it seems that when Cecily is absent, Sieg and Hyrgis are also automatically absent.

''Cecily-san, how is your training going?
Hmm?　Yeah, well. Right now, I'm practicing my own battle plan, which includes my own countermeasures against Pelkanthal and the Polar Sky. But--

　Currier-san's mouth curved as concern appeared on her face.

'Lately, he's starting to show a lot of fatigue and I think it's time for him to take a break. It's fine that you and he are both hard workers, but the degree of........
As I said before, I'm still in good physical shape, you know?
But you found it hard, even if it was just a little?　In that case, it's time to give your mind a break, too. Ira has been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately, too......you know what?　Think of resting properly as part of your training. It's all for naught if your body is beaten down.

　Suddenly, Currier held his head up.

'What's wrong?'
'Well I'm not supposed to be in a position to teach people things, but I've noticed that I've been talking like an instructor lately...'
''But Currier-san is very good at teaching.......at this point in time, wouldn't it be possible to become an instructor here in the future?

　And the crisp appearance of the instructor's outfit would suit him well.

I'm sure that in the world of instructors, there are relationships between houses anyway. That's why I'd prefer to stay out of it personally. It seems like a lot of work to watch the headmaster.

　Speaking of tiredness, I get the impression that Makina-san, for example, always has fatigue laying on her shoulders.
　It seems that he's especially busy these days with the increase in chores related to the Ruvel Argan and the Imperial guests he invites to the Holy War Festival.
　Because of this, the frequency of our meetings is decreasing.
　If I see you, I'm sure you'll get a carpet bombing of accumulated complaints....

'Anyway, you need a break, physically and mentally. Do you understand?




Training camp, huh?

　It was three days after the day Currier had told me the importance of rest.
　When there was almost no more food for lunch, it was Cecily Arkwright who broached the subject of the training camp.

''There's a certain training facility in the Kirsinha territory, which is located north of the royal capital, and it's a place that is often used by the nobles for rest and relaxation, in other words, it's a place where you can combine training and rest.
Cecily and I talked about it, and it came up first on our list.
And it's a great place for us to work.

　Yeah?
　A place to work hard...?
　What does that mean?

'I don't know what you're going to work hard for but from what I've heard, you have a training facility, so you won't have to worry about your training senses being tamed.

　Cecily-san's words just now didn't seem to be quite right for Currier-san either.



　Cecily replied to Currier's question.

'Those in this country call that area administered by the Kielusinha family the Iowa Nourishing Ground, don't they? It is said that the Iowa Feeding Ground was created by the Kielusinha family in response to the Cirrus Baths of the Ferraris family. They probably added a training facility to the site to differentiate it from the Cirrus Baths. Perhaps the plan was successful, and it has become a popular place, especially among the nobility. It seems that when they want to get away from King's Landing, but travel is tough, and it's a good place for the hot season, the nobles want to go to the Iowa Nourishing Area. Iowa in the hot season and Cirrus in the cold season.

　That's where Cecily-san's expression gets a little cloudy.

''It's just.......due to the nature of the place, there are often no vacancies in the lodges and facilities during the hot season, and the number of rooms for lodging itself is low, so it's said that it's even more difficult to secure a vacancy than the Cirrus Baths. After all, even the five great dukes don't seem to be able to get a room easily. Unlike the Cirrus Baths, once you have to pass through the Kielcinha family, the walls are a bit higher in this area as well.

　'Hmm,' growled Currier.

'So, on the flip side, the Iowa Nourishment Area still has a certain charm that makes you want to go there?

　Cecily nodded, yes.

''Well I mean from the way you just spoke, you haven't decided that you can go there yet, right?

　It's just one of the candidates,
　When I asked her that, Cecily said simply.

No, to tell you the truth, I've already secured a room.
'What?　But I just heard that it's hard to secure this time of year--

　Did the Arkwright family manage to do something about it?
　I've heard that the Kielcinha family is favorable to the Arkwright family.......

''The other day I went to the Kielusinha family and asked the receptionist, but I was told that the plans for lodging and the use of the facilities were already booked up and it would be difficult to stay there for the period of time leading up to the Holy War Festival. So I had no choice but to leave, and then Chairman Dristos showed up. So--

　When I told him what had happened, he told me that, to my surprise, he was given a room that had been filled with relatives of the Kielcinha family.
　In addition, they would also manage to use the training facility.
　Miss Cecily propped her elbows on the table and placed her slender chin on the back of her hand.

'At first, Chairman Dristos had some difficulty with it...'

　Cecily's eyes catch mine as she glances at me.

'When I told her that the plan was also a rest for Sagara Kurohiko's daily training, after much distress she said, 'I'll call your father, just in case,' and disappeared to the back of the mansion.
"And when he came back, Chairman Dristos said, 'We've got a vacancy.'

　Currier-san took over Cecily-san's words.
　Apparently, Currier-san already knows how it happened.

''When Kurohiko's name was mentioned, obviously the atmosphere of Chairman Dristos changed.......so maybe it's because of Kurohiko?
I did it, right?

　If there's anything that comes to mind, I guess I'm trying to make up for the debt I owe the previous mock game...?
　Hmm.
　If that's the case, he's a disciplined person.
　And when he can talk to his father and twist it, Chairman Dristos must be a man with some power in that area....
　I'll have to thank him next time.

''In any case, it was a fortuitous thing that we were able to secure the Iowa nurturing grounds at this time of year. However, as you can see from what we've just discussed, we can't move the date. The plan is for five days and two nights later. Well, I think the first day will be mostly over with travel, but....
Hmm?　Five days later, you're already done with first semester classes, right?
'Yes. So you won't have to worry about the class, will you?

　The day after tomorrow, there is a so-called end-of-school event coming up.
　Classes will be closed from there until the second semester begins.
　Well, it's a summer vacation.
　The reason for the introduction of this long break is quite simple: "The heat is so intense during the hot season that neither the instructors nor the students can get into the classes.
　Although Yggdrasier has an air conditioner-like device, it is very expensive, so it cannot be installed in the school's classrooms.
　That's why classes are closed for the hot season.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　Incidentally, it seems that the introduction of long vacations was five years ago.
　For what it's worth, the temperature of the hot season jumped dramatically around that time.

The truth is, we've had more rooms available than we expected. We have three rooms for two people - in other words, there are three more rooms available. Therefore, besides me, Currier and Kurohiko, we can bring three more people with us. If there's anyone else you want to invite--
Oh, well...
'I would have asked Isla and Ray to join me. They were both happy to oblige.

　Currier-san anticipated my words and said.

''You're very crafty.......I was just about to give those two names.
'Those two are going to ask you out anyway, you know. You'll want to ask them out too and well, I was going to tell Cecily right away when I saw the opportunity.

　Cecily-san seemed to have just found out that Ira-san and Rei-senpai were coming, but she didn't look surprised.
　Perhaps she had originally expected to invite those two people.

''Well then, me, Currier, Kurohiko, Ira, and Rei.......there's only one more person left to be available.
Hmm?　If there's one more person left, Sieg and Mr. Hyrgis--
Oh, I'm afraid those two can't make it this time.

　Cecily chuckles ruefully.

'Especially for Hyrgis, the three days that fall on the road to Iowa are very important every year, so she refused once and for all. It is only on that day that she would show so much emotion and reject the invitation.

　Cecily laughed bitterly.
　It seems that every year there is an event like an antique market in the royal capital, and one of the few things that Hyrgis-san enjoys every year is the limited edition antique market during that period.
　However, Mr. Hirgis was an unexpectedly austere hobbyist....
　But then........unfortunately, Mr. Hirgis-san couldn't make it this time.

''Then, Zeke will be this time?
And I was thinking, sir...

　Cecily sighs.

'I don't know why our plans overlap like this, like at Cirrus Baths... Zeke is Zeke, and he's planning to go out to dinner with someone very important on the second day of his trip to Iowa. He wants to use the day before to rest as well, because he can't afford to get sick in case he gets sick.

　Ah, the widow of the example........
　Certainly, it's a case that Zeke can't miss.
　Hmm, well, then, as far as inviting her elsewhere.

Chairman Koudelka I don't think he's going to make it.

　Considering the relationship with the Kielcinha family, this would be difficult.
　However, since we were able to get a lodging slot at the apparently valuable Iowa nurturing grounds, if there is someone who can invite me, I would definitely like to invite them.

It's a good idea to make sure that you have the right person in mind. If you decide on a partner to accompany you.... well, I'd appreciate it if you could let me know by the day after tomorrow if possible.




In that case, would you be so kind as to invite Lady Machina to join us?
Do you know what happened to Mrs. Machina?

　After school that day, I left training early and went home.
　At home, Mia was preparing dinner for me.
　After taking a bath to wash off some sweat, Mia and I ate dinner together.
　As we finished cleaning up, I told Mia about the training camp.
　Then, out of Mia's mouth came a suggestion to ask Machina-san if she could join us.

'Of course I would like to invite her if I could, but... Makina-san seems very busy right now,'

　If I could have invited Mia-san, I would have actually wanted to invite her too.
　However, Mia is not a student and has a job as a maid of honor, so a two-night stay should be difficult for her.
　I talked to Mia directly about it a while ago.
　Mia said, "I'm so happy that you wanted to invite me," she said, "but I would have preferred to go with you if I could.
　I'm sure Cecily and Currier-san would have welcomed me, too, Mia.
　But it still looks like it's going to be difficult this time.
　And for the same reason, Makina-san was not an option either--

''Well........Recently, Makina-sama has been extremely busy. It seems that she has been taking some time to prepare for the Holy War Festival, but recently, she has finally overcome a mountain, and she seems to be able to relax a bit. However.........he seems to be deeply fatigued due to the effects of his daily chores.
'So that's what happened...'

　He's that kind of person, and he's the type to put down roots.

''It seems that he had a particularly difficult time coordinating the guest relations for the Saint Martial Festival. The Holy Warrior Festival is, in a manner of speaking, sponsored by the St. Renowthred Academy....
'But the way you're talking now, Mia, you've already crossed the mountain range, haven't you?
'You said you've taken care of most of your nerve-wracking matters. Right now, it seems like you'd rather get rid of your mental fatigue.

　Hmm.
　In terms of mental relaxation, Iowa Nursery might be a good place to start.
　If you want to see me, it means you're mentally exhausted to the point of wanting to vent your grievances.
　Besides, if Makina-san, the headmaster of St. Renowthread Academy, came along, I feel reassured in a protective sense.

''By the way, Mia-san.......is it still difficult for you?''
There's the problem of room availability, but most of all, in my case, I have work to do even without Machina-sama's presence, so two nights. It's still difficult.

　On the contrary, he gave me a thoughtful smile.

''I understand. Well then.........let's go somewhere else to relax together another time. Within the royal capital, it's okay, right?

　Looking down, Mia-san blushes her cheeks.

''Yes ... thank you for your concern, Kurohiko-sama.
You promise?　Let's see........then I'll ask Makina-san out this time.
May I make a suggestion to Lady Machina about the Iowa Feeding Ground later on...

　With a giggle and a slightly mischievous smile, Mia-san looks at the clock.

'I believe Makina-sama is still in the headmaster's office. Therefore, how about Kurohiko-sama visiting the headmaster's office now and inviting her directly?

　Mia held up her index finger and smiled and winked at her.

'I'm sure Makina-sama will be more than happy that way, right?