039 – Welcome Party

Editor : Poor_Hero

I leave the stunned Mi Sociunnov by his own and walk away. When we are captured by him, the rest of the boarding students already go in. Even though we come first, our time get wasted. What a troublesome thing.

This is my lesson to him. Status is nothing and it would be good for him to learn that. But he seems like a guy who is going to repeat his mistakes. Looking at him, I direct a cold look as though asking if he is that stupid or not.

With that over, Zen and we step into our dorm.

 

” Welcome, to the White Wind Dorm! ”

We are welcomed with enthusiasm. Looking closely, many seniors are gathered at the entry hall of the spacious dorm.

” Thank you very much! ”
” T, t, t, thank you very much! ”

We give our thanks at the same time and do a quick bow. By the way, Zen is the latter. I am not nervous at all.
……I am 25 years old after all.

Then, from the crowd, a sharp-eyed Onii-chan steps out. Oh, he is the one who brings all of us to our class….

” I see, you are the ‘Door Duty Officer’ this time round! ”

He speaks when I am stuck reminiscing about the time I first meet him. Still as forcefully and energetically as ever. This school sure has a lot of hot-blooded types… It seems he is talking to me instead of Zen.

” Door Duty officer…? ”
” …..Hm? Eh? You didn’t know? ”

When I return with a question, I am approached at a great speed that I instinctively take a step back. People are laughing, saying something like ” Don’t go scaring small kids like that, Kiro. “. I see, this hot-blooded young man is called Kiro. Rather than that, I think I hear something rude being said about me being small. I want to think it’s my imagination. Let’s do that.

Pulling myself out of the depressing thoughts, Kiro nods at me.

” …..Eh? Is that so? Then why did you opened the door? ”

At first he is observing but his curiosity gradually wins and he asks happily.

” Will skipped grades! ”

Zen, standing beside me, still very nervous, answers even he does not need to. Instantly, all eyes are on me.

Ah…..
I let out a sigh internally and speak up.

” I had a little practice in magic circles. ”

With that, everyone comes to an understanding. Kiro then shouts ” Is everyone present? ” and the dorm’s welcome party starts.

….Eh? Where is Mi Sociunnov?

 

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Right when you step into the dormitory, it looks just like a hotel lobby. The room of the Dormitory manager is facing the entrance as well. The dining hall seems to be right inside. Sofa, chairs, tables are placed in there for everyone to enjoy a light meal.

Today, it will be where everyone staying in the dorm are gathering. Contrary to expectation, the dormitory is not separated into males and females. The top floor belongs to the girls while the lower floor is where guys stay.

” Then, let me start by introducing myself! ”

By Kiro’s words, everyone cheers.

” I am Kiro, obviously a 3rd year! The leader of the white team as well as the dormitory leader. Come find me if you have any trouble. Attribute’s earth. Ah, by the way, I am still single. That’s all! ”

With all different kinds of meaning he is rather amazing, this guy. White Team Leader… Does this Academy have some sort of Teams events going on?

Kiro is blond and blue-eyed but is also blessed with light brown skin color and coupled with the way he speaks, he simply exudes a wild-ish feel. His hair, different from Sociunnov, is short, might add on to the feeling as well.
[TN: I am currently suppressing my urge to simply call him Mr Miso. I’ll have you know I am really trying hard.]

Kiro then hits the back of the boy next to him, as if asking him to introduce himself next. That hit looks painful though.

” I am Calius. 3rd year…the vice-dorm leader tentatively. Attribute’s wind. Interest is observing. ”

His name sounds like calcium… let’s put that impression aside. As compared to Kiro, he does not speak all that much. Most likely in his future, he will be called a ‘cool beauty’ by others. Blue-eyed with long white hair that has a bluish tint tied it up in a low ponytail. Another ikemen.

Ah, instead of that, his interest is observing…. how scary. Please do not say that without any expression on!

 

” I’m Freya. As you can see, I am a lively and energetic girl. I am also currently the vice-team leader. My attribute is fire, please take care of me. ”

To the left of Calius stands a girl. And she has just introduced herself in an earnest tone despite what she says. Lively and energetic girl….. Ah no, I would like to believe in that.

Freya is actually a beauty. Deep blue hair with grey eyes. Depending on the angle, her eyes would sometimes look like some gold is mixed in as well. What a wondrous beauty she has.

Oh well, I am not a lolicon so I am not that infatuated with her. [TN: Japanese, Or moe about her.]

 

And now, I am extremely troubled.

Why? Because that Freya is sitting right next to me, to my right.

” Next is this year’s door duty officer! ”

I am urged on by Kiro when I am feeling flustered. In the first place, I am pulled by Kiro to sit over here. I wonder what I need to say…. Let’s just give a simple self-introduction.

” I am Will, 1st year, and I kinda opened the door…? ”
” Why are you questioning us back? You definitely open the door. ”

I am completely retorted back. Saying that, I have no idea what ‘Door Duty’ is, which is why I want to ask…

But as I think, in this world, the vague expressions Japanese love to use do not work here. But being a former Japanese, it still comes as a shock to me. Then, the girl sitting next to me slowly raises her hand.

” Leader Kiro, maybe Will does not know what ‘Door Duty’ is and is currently troubled at how to answer. ”

Ah, my meaning gets through. And when I am thinking that Freya is smart and thoughtful, I see everyone around me nodding. It seems like it is only Kiro who does not get it.

Regardless it is being Noble’s culture or Japanese’s culture, things are usually not said straight out, which is why learning how to read the meaning behind is an important skill to know.

Having bathed in both culture for 25 years, I have already gotten used to it. That’s great. That’s great that the meaning gets through. Relieved, I smile as Kiro, seemingly embarrassed, starts explaining.

” Ah sorry. Door Duty Officer is what we call someone who is in charge of the door. In this dormitory, we have a welcome event where ‘Door won’t open, everyone troubled and flustered, let’s help each other out and open the door!’ kind of thing. But as recently there is situation where no one could open the door which is why someone who heard about it from a friend will act as the HERO (Door Duty Officer). Ah…it can also be said to be a prearranged performance. ”

I see.
I think Mi Sociunnov is shouting about something like that just now. Looking forward to being a Hero, he must have been very angry to find out that the title has been robbed from him.

” So that’s why, since you are the one who opened the door, you are called the ‘Door Duty Officer’. Hahaha! ”

Laughing unlike a 12 year old, Kiro uses his eyes to urge me to proceed with my self-introduction.

” I see…. It is great that I did not made any trouble for opening the door. ”

I smile, relieved, but somehow, someone besides me lets out a snort.
D…Don’t laugh! I am only a 1st year so it is fine for me to know these, isn’t it?! …..Don’t tell me it is common sense? A sense of shame started spreading within me so I hurriedly continue.

” I am Will. As to why I open the door is as I said just now, I have a bit of practice with magic circles, the reason is I want to skip grades. Ah, I am 8 years old. ”

I wonder if I manage to convey my feelings across. I have a feeling that Calius, who says his hobby is observing, has turned his gaze towards me with a smile. I would really like to think I misread that. Even though I just say I am not flustered because I am 25 inside, please ignore that….. after all I am still a child.

I will try not to get pulled by my body’s age! That’s right! I am going to train everyday! My to-do list increases yet again.

But, there is no need to feel down. It is my turn now! I grin and turn to my left.

Hehehe…. Definitely flustered. Very flustered.

Ah, I am not laughing in other’s misfortune. Definitely not. I would not do something so un-adult-like, even though I just refute myself just now…

This is…I mean, ‘that’.
Like a father watching his kid in class for observation day….

” I…I..I..I..I am Z..z..z..zen!! 1st year!! ”

My anticipation…no, as I expected, he stuttered perfectly. That guy, Zen, he might be the nervous kind.
….It is amusing so it’s fine. I burst out in laughter and even if I am being glared at by Zen, I paid no notice to it.

And after that, the welcome party and self-introductions truly start.

 

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AN: Because I wanted Will to give a proper self-introduction instead of the one in the classroom, I had him do it here.

TN: You don’t say.