LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 37
“Ugh! Finally, it’s over!”
As I submitted my answer sheet and stepped out of the classroom, Anne, who had rushed out first, greeted me with a shout. For Anne, it wasn’t about how many questions she got right, but the fact that the exam was finally finished.
At times like this, rather than pointing out her shortcomings, it was better to just hope she answered at least one more question correctly to avoid failing.
Selian and Yuli, who were waiting for me alongside Anne, seemed to share my thoughts, simply staring at Anne without opening their mouths.
Like me, Selian and Yuli had stayed in the classroom until the end, pondering over the answers, but they submitted their sheets much earlier.
If someone were to ask what the difference was between the three of us—Anne, Selian, and Yuli—it’s clear they just didn’t know Anne.
Anyway, as Anne said, all the schedules for the first semester were finally over. Now, until the start of the second semester in September, there would be no classes, assignments, or exams—a time for freedom. I already saw a few people outside packing their things and leaving the dormitory to return to their hometowns. They certainly acted quickly.
Of course, staying behind in the dormitory was an option, but hardly anyone would stick around without any official schedule.
“So, are you all going home? When are you planning to leave?”
Since they were all direct descendants of noble families, they would likely return to their respective households during the break to relax or follow family schedules.
“First, I’m taking a break today, and then I’ll head out once Ian gets everything ready. Probably tomorrow or the day after.”
I assumed the preparations Ian was handling would involve several tasks, but that was left unsaid. It’s a given that Ian would grumble while handling all the chores on Anne’s behalf.
“I’ve already sent people home, so I’m planning to leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
On the other hand, it seemed like Yuli’s family had already sent people and a carriage to return in accordance with the academy’s schedule. I heard from Professor Selen last time that Yuli’s father cherished her. I couldn’t be sure if that was true just based on a third party’s word, but I imagined the reason for sending people right away was because he wanted to see Yuli more than anyone else.
“As for me… I’m thinking I’ll probably return next week… But what about Elysia?”
Among the three, Selian was planning to go home last. You might wonder why I refer to “the three of us” when I have no hometown to return to. Perhaps due to being kidnapped at a young age, I retained no memories before joining the Assassin Guild, and I knew nothing about my original hometown. Now, the territory of Elysia, associated with my current identity, had been partly restored after being devastated by the Demonic Race, but I couldn’t visit it.
If I went there and happened to meet someone who knew the real Elysia, it could get complicated. Yuli managed to slip by last time, but expecting such luck again would be difficult.
Thus, I had no plans to return to a hometown. Instead, I thought of visiting the Guild Hideout of the Assassin Guild where I grew up after being kidnapped. It had been months, so there might not be much left, but security would likely be lax. If I got lucky and found some undiscovered secret spots, they might still help me somehow, whether it be money or other resources.
“I don’t really have a place to go, so I plan to stay in the dorm during the break.”
Of course, I couldn’t share my plans outright, so I just made a vague excuse. I didn’t feel the slightest twinge of conscience, since the Guild Hideout was just a day’s trip away. I didn’t think the search would take too long; it would only take two days at the most. Two days out of the two-month holiday was just a brief outing.
“Then, just like last time, you’ll be visiting, right?”
Last time, after the midterm exams, I had mentioned to everyone that they should invite me over since I had nowhere to go during the break. Naturally, I hadn’t forgotten. However, being in a position to visit, I found it awkward to bring it up first.
“Of course. Besides, it wouldn’t be ungracious of me to drop by, right?”
“As if that would ever happen.”
“How about we go together tomorrow? Since we’re all moving, wouldn’t it be better to move together?”
“Really? Then how about we go to Yuli’s first, and where should we head next?”
At my question, Anne quickly raised her hand to respond.
“Our place!”
“Yes. Then please make our house the last stop. We can relax there before heading back to the academy.”
“Okay, so it seems everything is roughly decided. Shall we talk about the details while having lunch?”
To accommodate students returning home on the last day, the final exam had to be finished by morning at the very latest. After all, they could finish by dinner and still leave the next morning, so I wondered if there was really any need for special consideration. But since the higher-ups wanted to take credit, I decided to let it slide.
We all adjusted our plans for the break, especially mine, while having lunch.
*
“So, I came to tell you that I might not be able to visit for a while during the break.”
In Magic Building Room 707, I sought understanding from Frecia as we sipped tea brought in by a teddy bear, just like last time.
“Are you not going anywhere during the break, boss?”
“Not really…”
Hmm… I can already imagine it. Frecia would probably spend the entire break in Room 707, sleeping on the sofa day in and day out. At the moment, there are still higher-ups occasionally throwing jobs her way, and I often come to experiment with her, but when break arrives, all the higher-ups would return to their homes, and I’d also be absent for quite a while.
“Oh…!”
Just as I was seriously debating whether to visit my friends’ houses or stay in the dorm, Frecia let out a little sound as if she remembered something.
“By the way, the Emperor asked me to come visit during the break. I almost forgot.”
“…You should really forget something like that. What if you forget something important?”
At least with a schedule in place, I could somehow avoid worrying that she’d be cooped up in her research lab sleeping all day. Moreover, since visiting the Imperial Palace wouldn’t be a short affair, that was even better.
However, I couldn’t shake the worry that she’d end up just napping in her room unless it was during the Emperor’s visit…
I hope not? Even Frecia wouldn’t do that in front of the Emperor.
Probably.
*
Since I’d be leaving the dormitory from tomorrow, I made sure to clean up properly. Of course, no one would casually enter my room, but just in case, I packed away a few items that could raise suspicion and hid several others away securely.
Besides that, I gathered clothes to change into, personal items, and before I knew it, it was almost time for roll call. However, I didn’t hear the call to start. There were many students who had already left the dormitory, as the semester’s schedule was finished with the final exam in the morning, so they were granting a little freedom.
Speaking of which, on the first day of the semester, I had no idea about the roll call and got scolded for leaving my seat.
Tap tap
Just as I was reminded of that memory, I heard a knock on the window. Without being startled this time, I opened the window to find my familiar feline friend, Cat, entering with its usual footing. Ever since Cat first slept in my room last time, it occasionally came to visit and nap on my bed.
“Ah, Cat’s here.”
I scratched the Cat, which had climbed onto the bed and was baking bread, and it responded by raising and lowering its tail slightly.
If that’s how you want to answer, then I have my own tricks up my sleeve.
Smack
With the hand I had been scratching its head, I lightly swatted Cat’s rear with my other hand.
Bang bang bang bang
Of course, I didn’t stop at just one. I quickly gave it more spanks using the snap of my wrist.
It really seemed like instinct couldn’t be shaken off, as Cat couldn’t escape my hand and even seemed to raise its butt, asking for more. I happily continued enthusiastically spanking its butt.
Previously, Cat had been horrified at getting spanked, but now it seemed so accustomed that it didn’t know how to react when I gave it a good spanking.
Smack
The only unchanged part was that after I finished spanking, it would always give me a whack on the cheek. It keeps acting all cool but is secretly embarrassed to show this side of itself, doesn’t it?
After enjoying some butt pats together, I laid down on the bed with the Cat.
“But what am I going to do since I won’t be in my room starting tomorrow? Cat, please don’t pout if I don’t open the window for you. It’s not that I can’t open it; I really won’t be here.”
I wondered how it found its way to my room, but starting tomorrow, I wouldn’t be around at all. The thought of Cat coming all this way only to knock on the window outside made me feel troubled.
“Meow.”
However, Cat seemed to understand my words and responded shortly before closing its eyes again. Thinking about it, Cat had always seemed to understand what I said. After all, if there can be goblins that read, then maybe there can be a Cat that understands speech as well. Cat wouldn’t have to worry.
Instead, I’d better remember to bring Cat a gift when I return later.