It wasn’t unusual, seeing as we were in the same school, but soon Lily and I found ourselves meeting face to face.
In a manners class that was divided by grade level, she and I were in the same class. This was also the case in the game.
The second to sixth year students were the same as last year, so there were many familiar faces. Following the new students, Lily began to introduce herself.
“I’m Lilium Valley. Pleased to meet you.”
Her bowing manner was awkward compared to the first-years, and naturally, all eyes were on her. It was well known throughout the school that she was of commoner origins.
Her voice, which I heard for the first time, sounded a little calmer than her cute appearance. Her greeting, though clumsy, was easy to hear, and I somehow let out the breath I had been holding.
The content of the first day of etiquette class is always to start with greeting etiquette.
Although she is already quite old, the manners teacher, with her straight back and straight legs, spoke calmly about etiquette in greetings. After emphasizing very basic points such as not talking to people before being introduced and the order of introductions, she concluded by saying that the most important thing is to always be careful not to make the other person feel uncomfortable.
Some manners teachers criticize their students’ every move, but this teacher’s classes are somewhat gentle and popular with the students. Of course, there is value in strict instruction, but I also respect this teacher’s methods in the sense that they make students think, “I want to be a woman like this person.”
“The accumulation of daily effort produces beautiful behavior. Take a good look at how your seniors do things and use them as a reference. In particular, the dorm leader of the girls’ dorm is in this class.”
While I was thinking such sweet things, the pressure started to build up.
Of course, I couldn’t ignore her, so I repeated to myself, “Take your time and don’t rush,” picked up the hem of my dress, and bowed, saying, “I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”
What began after that was what you might call “pretend introductions” and “pretend greetings.”
This is probably intended to ease the tension of the new students, and it seems to have been a success. All the children look like they are having fun, and are a little embarrassed, as they play pretend.
They don’t know. This teacher always has a smile like a Buddha, but the demands are increasing steadily. I will never forget that I had to do muscle training every day for “beautiful manners.” No, I respect her. Really.
This isn’t just limited to this person, but I can’t help but feel that at a fundamental level, manners teachers have a sporty streak running through their veins.
I decided to cut these musings short and join the class.
That was just when it happened.
A few feet away from the teacher and me, several people burst out in laughter.
In this class, students greet each other by saying “Nice to meet you” even to those who normally sit at the same desk.
It certainly is a laugh-inducing sight, in fact, some hard-to-contain chuckles can be heard.
But there was something about the laughter that day that was almost contemptuous. It was the kind of laughter that made you frown when you heard it. That’s why I headed in that direction.
When I arrived, I saw a blonde girl – Lily – looking down in confusion.
“You seem very unaccustomed to bowing to people. That’s strange.”
The one who said this was a fifth year student in the same year as Lily. She spoke as if he had just thought of a funny joke, and it was unclear whether she meant it with any ill will or not.
However, if other children in the group start laughing again as if to follow suit, this becomes a clear case of bullying.
I knew I had to stop the laughter before it spread to those around me.
“If,” I say, raising my voice a little.
“…If inexperience is a laughing stock, then we’ll surely be laughed at by everyone in high society from now on.”
After saying that, I bowed my head a little and lowered my gaze.
The words I said were undoubtedly my true feelings, but if I were to make eye contact with the girl who said it, I would have to force her to apologize. I want to believe that she will understand without me having to do that.
Unless there are special circumstances, students of the magic academy enter the social world after graduating, so they all naturally share the same fears about the unknown.
“Um, well… I… I’m sorry!”
Fortunately, the other children who had laughed at Lily started apologizing, starting with her. When I smiled at them with relief, they turned to me and apologized. They weren’t bad kids at heart.
I was curious about Lily’s condition, so I casually glanced over in her direction, and my eyes met the color of young leaves.
It was a strangely captivating gaze.
Apart from Wolf and Shade, I have rarely received such a frank look from anyone.
“Now everyone, remember we’re in class.”
The teacher’s calm but firm voice brought the atmosphere back to normal. However, what she said next was not something that could be taken with a good heart.
“That’s true. I think it would be a good idea for you to ask the dorm head for some guidance for a while, Liliam.”
The teacher smiled brightly as if she had come up with a brilliant idea.
There was no sign or shape of such a development in the game!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!
