The academy’s commercial street was bustling enough, with a wide variety of goods. It didn’t take the two of them long to buy all the essential daily necessities. Xiliya then suggested,
“Since we’re already here, why don’t we grab a meal on the commercial street before heading back? I know a nice place around here.”
And so Xiliya led the way, while Ximo took the opportunity to admire the scenery along the street.
The commercial street was crowded with people, but what caught Ximo’s attention was that she spotted quite a few students wearing the Imperial Capital Magic Academy uniforms—though they looked much younger.
“The Imperial Capital Magic Academy has separate branches for other grade levels,” Xiliya explained. “In theory, if you’re a local from Cantelot, you could attend school here for at least nine years.”
“Nine years? Why?”
“Because of the nine years of compulsory education, of course. You don’t even remember that?”
Xiliya had assumed Ximo had forgotten this bit of common knowledge due to her amnesia, but after hearing that familiar term, Ximo nearly spat out the milk tea in her mouth.
Ximo swallowed the milk tea with difficulty. “Cough cough… What do you mean, nine years of compulsory education?”
“It means that to ensure the cultural level of the common folk, all imperial citizens must attend at least nine years of school once they reach the appropriate age. By the way, they say this policy was originally proposed by the Great Sage Gandalf.”
Ximo narrowed her eyes slightly. During her time in this world, the various magic crystal products she’d seen had already been quite telling, and now this “nine years of compulsory education” popped up. She couldn’t help but suspect the true identity of that so-called Great Sage Gandalf…
“We’re here. This is the place.”
Looking at the familiar sign in front of her, a flicker of nostalgia passed through Xiliya’s eyes. In her previous life, right after enrolling, she’d come here for a meal too.
“Welcome~”
But as soon as she pushed open the door and heard the staff’s enthusiastic greeting, Xiliya’s mood plummeted.
“What a coincidence? I didn’t expect to run into you two here again, Ximo, Xiliya.” Melrose, dressed in a server uniform, smiled at the pair.
Damn it, how did she forget about this? In her previous life, after enrolling and coming here to eat, Xiliya had run into Melrose.
“Indeed, what a coincidence. I never imagined Her Highness the Princess would be working as a server here—if I’d known, we wouldn’t have come in.”
For two people with no prior interactions, Xiliya’s response could even be called “impolite,” but Melrose showed no sign of anger whatsoever.
“I’m just an ordinary student at school, no need to call me ‘Your Highness.’ This restaurant is owned by a classmate from the Student Council. With enrollment season bringing in so many customers these past couple of days, I’m just helping out.”
Xiliya snorted coldly inwardly. If she didn’t know Melrose’s true colors, she might actually have believed the princess was approachable and kind.
And an ordinary student? Xiliya was well aware of Melrose’s Student Council President election—her support rate had been a whopping eighty percent. Surely that had nothing to do with her status as a princess, right?
“You two, why don’t you sit over by the window?”
“No need. We were just coming in to take a look. We can eat somewhere else just fine.”
Xiliya’s expression was blank as she immediately tried to back out of the store, but when she reached to pull Ximo away, she found the little maid standing rooted to the spot.
Fuck! Ximo’s heart was racing too. Why did the task have to pop up right now?
“Darling, this isn’t something I can control,” came System’s helpless reply from the depths of her mind. “Besides, this task isn’t that troublesome. It’s just eating a meal, right?”
Ximo thought to herself that, compared to previous tasks, eating a meal was indeed simple. But the problem was, the atmosphere right now was hardly suitable for dining!
[As the Sickly Young Lady, arriving at the Imperial Capital Magic Academy filled you with wonder, so that evening you decided to stroll through the academy’s commercial street.]
[Unexpectedly, while eating, you ran into Princess Melrose at the restaurant. She warmly hosted you, leaving you deeply moved.]
“Originally, this task required Princess Melrose to dine with you, but I changed it so you just need to eat at this restaurant. That’s already pretty simple, isn’t it?”
System’s voice was full of grievance. Of course Ximo knew the task was simple, but she wasn’t blind—the atmosphere between Xiliya and Melrose had already chilled to subzero levels. If she sided against Xiliya now…
Ximo didn’t even want to imagine how Xiliya would “retaliate” once they got back.
But facing Xiliya’s somewhat gloomy expression, Ximo could only speak weakly. “How about… we eat here, Miss?”
Seeing Ximo’s timid behavior, Melrose nodded slightly.
As expected, her earlier guess was right. This new student named Ximo was indeed approaching her, intentionally or not.
Xiliya fell silent for a moment but ultimately gave in to her little maid’s wishes, deftly finding a corner seat by the wall.
“Ximo, if you really want to try the food here, we could always come back in a couple of days, after that woman stops helping out.”
While Melrose went to fetch the menu, Xiliya lowered her voice.
“Ah ha, it’s not really about that…”
Ximo laughed it off guiltily, racking her brain in her mind for a suitable excuse.
“…I just think, no matter what, Melrose is still a princess and the Student Council President of this school. If we don’t give her face like this, what if she targets us later?”
The explanation was reasonable enough, and the doubt in Xiliya’s eyes faded.
“Don’t worry. That woman won’t retaliate against us.”
Xiliya snorted coldly, her answer resolute. She knew Melrose’s true nature all too well. As the Empire’s princess, she was the center of attention at this school.
That also meant every move she made was under a magnifying glass. Xiliya was certain Melrose wouldn’t retaliate if it meant risking her carefully maintained image of being kind and approachable.
Xiliya’s original plan had been to give Melrose the cold shoulder every time they crossed paths in this life. After all, they were destined to have no real dealings anyway.
Soon, Melrose returned with the menu. Xiliya didn’t even glance at it before quickly ordering her food.
“What about you, Ximo?”
“I’ll order for her.”
When Melrose smiled at Ximo, Xiliya cut in again before Ximo could respond, clearly not wanting the two to converse.
Though, based on her past life’s experience, Melrose’s target was herself. Still, Xiliya didn’t want Ximo dragged into it, so she aimed to minimize their contact.
…Of course, it wasn’t jealousy. It was just to protect Ximo.
Interesting… Melrose kept smiling on the surface while secretly sizing up Xiliya.
