第１５４５堀：待っている人たち (Part1)
Chapter 1545: The People Waiting
Side: Firia
*Ding-dong-dang-dong...*
The chime echoed through the halls, and the teacher closed their book.
"That concludes today’s lesson," they announced, marking the end of the school day.
"Finally! Come on, let’s head to the commercial district!"
"Don’t be stupid, do your homework first."
Conversations like these filled the air as students began packing their things to head home. Even though it was called the Intercontinental Exchange International School, once you got used to it, it was just a school where the curriculum was a little different from the norm.
"Um, Firia, what are you and the others doing today?"
The one asking was Fusora. She was the child of Viscount Aoku from the Kingdom of Dzufuia. Our visit to their country had been the catalyst for founding this international school, and Fusora had been invited to attend.
Initially, I had been a little worried since she was the only student from such a small nation, but this year’s intake consisted mostly of good children, so there haven't been any issues. Though, I suppose I’m a bit concerned about what the next group might be like.
Setting that aside, I considered Fusora’s question.
"Aslin, do we have anything on the schedule today?"
I didn't have anything specific in mind, so I deferred to Aslin. She stopped sliding her textbooks and notebooks into her bag and tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Did we have something~? Hiiro, is there anything planned for today~?"
The question was passed to Hiiro. When we turned to look at her, she was already fully packed and looked ready to bolt out the door.
"Hmm~? Nothing today~. Want to stop somewhere before we go home?"
Hearing that the Weed group had no official duties, I turned back to Fusora.
"We don't have any work today, so we were planning on heading back."
"In that case, would you like to go to a cafe for a bit? There was something in the lesson I didn't quite understand."
"That’s fine with me. Aslin, Hiiro, what about you?"
"I'm in~."
"Tea time~!"
Hiiro’s response felt a little off the mark, but she wasn't wrong, so the four of us headed toward a cafe in the commercial district after school.
"It’s so crowded again today," Fusora remarked, watching the flow of people through the district.
To us, this was just the usual crowd, but I suppose it must seem like a lot compared to the town of Aoku. That said...
"You’ve been in Weed for nearly three months now. Haven't you gotten used to it yet?"
Fusora had arrived in Weed quite early, so I figured she would have adjusted by now. She looked a bit embarrassed when I pointed it out.
"Ahaha, I guess the sheer number of people still surprises me. Sorry."
"There’s no need to apologize. However, if you aren't used to it, you might get into an accident. It’s best to go out with us or your other friends."
"Yeah, I’ll do that."
She really is a good girl, the way she nods so earnestly. I suppose everyone adjusts at their own pace. I’ll make sure to mention this in my report to Big Brother.
Chatting as we walked, we arrived at our usual cafe. The Master greeted us as he always did.
"Oh, Lady Aslin and company. Are we studying today?"
"Yep. We’re borrowing a table."
"Certainly. Right this way."
He led us to our usual spot.
"May I take your order?"
"Let’s see... Firia will have a black coffee."
"I’ll have a cafe au lait."
"Hiiro wants a melon soda!"
"I’ll have a cafe au lait as well."
"Understood. One moment, please."
The Master retreated to the counter.
"So, what was it you didn't understand?" I asked.
"Oh, right. It was the section on Basic Magic Theory..."
We had been studying in the cafe for about an hour when the bell above the door suddenly chimed. I looked up to see Ovik and Lari walking in. They noticed us and gave a light wave; I waved back, and the others soon noticed them too.
"Ah, it’s Mr. Ovik and Ms. Lari~."
"Oh, so it is~."
"Ah, hello."
It seemed Fusora knew them as well. Perhaps she met them when she went to observe the Adventurer’s Guild?
As I wondered about that, the two of them approached our table.
"Mind if we take the table next to you?"
"Don't be rude, Ovik, they’re studying."
"Oh, it’s okay. We’re mostly finished anyway," Fusora said.
She was right; we had finished the bulk of the magic theory questions. Even though the textbook used difficult terminology, the core of the lesson for children was simply about maintaining a solid mental image and letting mana flow.
Of course, we use bits of scientific knowledge to reinforce those images, but Fusora had been struggling with the concepts of Light and Dark. Scientifically speaking, explaining light and darkness is incredibly complex and involves things that aren't fully understood.
Well, the same could be said for any attribute, but the real issue was whether the image was easy for a child to grasp. I made a mental note that we should probably provide feedback later to make the curriculum more intuitive.
But putting that aside...
"What are you two doing here? It’s only just past noon," I noted.
Generally, the International School ends after lunch. After that, students are free to do as they please. The reason the schedule is so relaxed is that the afternoon is dedicated to "elective self-study."
In the beginning, we crammed them full of the common sense required to live in Weed. Once that was done, the goal shifted to letting them engage in international exchange freely. That is, after all, why the school exists.
It’s important for the students to learn what they feel they need to learn on their own, rather than just following a path Weed has laid out for them. Of course, there are optional afternoon classes for those who want them, provided they sign up in advance.
The magic classes Fusora had been asking about are particularly popular. They’re subdivided into offense, defense, attributes, support, recovery, and utility, allowing students to study whatever interests them. Gathering with friends to study or walking through town to deepen bonds is also a valid use of their time.
But then there were Ovik and Lari. Adventurers are, in a sense, even freer than we are, but they can't survive unless they earn money. Students have support from their parents or their home countries, but adventurers have no such luxury.