Chapter 43
"Ngh... Well, it's sad that Celes will be gone, but let's celebrate the new journey of our comrade—! Cheers...!"
With the resounding call for a toast, my farewell party began.
Dan's short greeting served as the signal, and the sound of clinking glasses echoed from all around, accompanied by words of encouragement from everyone.
Apparently, events like this are held when someone retires due to age, but in recent years, following Grandfather's example, more people have stayed at the fortress even after retiring, so these events have become less common.
Because of that, a certain group was overjoyed at the chance to eat and drink as much as they wanted without training, and some had already started drinking before the toast and were now passed out drunk.
"I can't believe Celes won't be here starting tomorrow... What am I going to do? I'm so lonely..."
"It's going to be lonely..."
As Sasha pushed a plate of meat further back, Tom nodded in agreement while piling a mountain of raw vegetables onto my plate. Watching the two of them, who had been lamenting for days, I gave a wry smile and looked around the cafeteria, realizing that today would be my farewell to this fortress.
The usually drab walls and tables of the cafeteria were decorated with vibrant gerberas, and even small flower baskets were placed around. The food being brought out continuously was the cafeteria's standard menu, and each table was laden with countless meat dishes bought and brought from town, making for an incredibly lavish dinner.
At the counter, where a huge amount of alcohol was placed, Grandfather and Uncle Ruget sat side by side, surrounded by the usually stern commanding officers of each unit, who were laughing and drinking together while chatting. Among them, I couldn't help but doubt my eyes when I spotted Colonel Nick.
Keeping a safe distance from that intimidating circle of superiors, the people I had grown close to over the past few years were happily making noise, planning to drink through the night under the pretext of this farewell party.
"I'm glad I came here..."
I hadn't meant to say it out loud, but it seems I had become sentimental.
Sasha and Tom, sitting on either side of me, and Dan across from me, must have heard it, as the hands placed on my shoulders and head simultaneously patted me gently as if to comfort me.
"It's supposed to be a touching moment, but saying that while holding meat in both hands... Hey, that's my meat!"
Grinning mischievously, Dan ruffled my hair, and I snatched a piece of meat from his plate and bit into it. The thick slice of meat, coated in sweet sauce, was incredibly delicious, and I chewed while dodging Dan's hand as he aimed for the bone-in meat I was holding.
"Really, such children..."
"I won't be able to see this childish banter between these two anymore..."
Dan and I ignored the exasperated words of Sasha and Tom, continuing our meat-stealing battle for a while until Colonel Nick's shout echoed through the cafeteria.
"So, how was it?"
"...How was what?"
"The military school. The atmosphere must have been different from the academies the nobles attend, right?"
While sharing the meat amicably and keeping an eye on Colonel Nick, I tilted my head, recalling this morning's events. I couldn't really say much since I've never toured an academy.
For now, today, the day before enrollment, I underwent a physical examination and a light fitness test, submitted the results along with the documents I had prepared in advance to the reception, and finally completed the dormitory check-in procedures.
The middle-aged woman at the reception, Reatta, was the dormitory manager, known as the dorm mother, and she guided me to the dormitory while explaining various things.
The dormitory is divided into a boys' building and a girls' building, located on either side of the academic and training buildings. Rooms are assigned by the school and cannot be changed, and everyone, regardless of status, shares a room with one other person.
There were also many detailed rules, and after confirming them in writing and signing a consent form, I received a tag engraved with my room number and a key. The tag is to be attached to the luggage I prepared, and if I stack it in the dormitory entrance hall by tomorrow morning, they will deliver it to my room.
One thing that caught my attention was Reatta mentioning that the number of young people entering the military school has been decreasing year by year.
However, the number of students gathered at the reception seemed decent, and this year, a few noble children like Sil and Severi have enrolled.
If this is considered few, just how many were there in its prime?
"Overall, it felt like an environment where I could live without inconvenience."
"Why do I feel like I'm listening to a report being read aloud...? Wait, what did I even ask?"
Ignoring Dan, who tilted his head and grumbled, I reached for a second piece of bone-in meat.
After this, I plan to have the stir-fry and potato salad next to it, and I heard the dessert is a fluffy cake that's popular in town.
"..."
I lowered my gaze, glanced at my flat body, and then looked at the meat in my hand.
Starting tomorrow, my training time will be drastically reduced, so I need to carefully manage my food intake, or things could get problematic overall. After all, my body doesn't gain meat on my chest but in other places...
"You look so serious. Did you find any girls you could be friends with? There aren't many girls at military school, so female friends are precious, you know."
"Female friends..."
I felt bad for Sasha, who looked at me with a face full of expectation, but making female friends might be the biggest challenge of all.
After Sil and Severi ran off, I entrusted their carriage to the school staff who rushed to the gate and walked slowly along the tree-lined path leading to the academic building. On the way, I found a small path and, out of curiosity, ventured deeper, discovering a gazebo.
The gazebo, a place to rest and shield from the sun, is something typically found in the gardens of noble estates. In the Royal Capital, large parks or the gardens of high-ranking nobles often have gazebos big enough to host outdoor concerts.
The gazebo with a brown roof had a white bench, matching the color of the pillars, large enough for four or five people to sit on. Around it, flowerbeds were filled with soft-colored small flowers.
Never expecting to find one at a military school, I approached with light steps and, since I still had time, sat on the bench, leaning against a pillar.
Perhaps because I had come quite deep into the area, I smiled, realizing this quiet place was perfect for relaxing alone.
"...Ah, I might fall asleep..."
Closing my eyes and thinking, just a little longer..., I dozed off, only to faintly open my eyes at the sound of footsteps and cheerful voices approaching.
Three small figures were gradually getting closer.
Assuming they were military school students, I stared at them without moving, and as they rushed into the gazebo entrance, my eyes met those of a girl.
She probably hadn't noticed someone was inside, being so absorbed in conversation.
"...It's been a while."
I spoke first to the girl, Ellie, whom I had met at the clothing store, as she froze with her large eyes widening even more.
Hoping to make a good impression on a same-sex peer I wanted to get along with, I flashed the best smile I had honed through social interactions. It had generally worked well with my older sisters.
However, I had completely forgotten that Ellie was a tough opponent.
"This isn't... a dream...?"
Feeling a bit hurt by her stepping back instead of receiving a good impression, and tilting my head at the hesitant words she managed to string together, I shook my head when she muttered "dream..." again.
"Reality...!? No way, yes...! I'm so glad I joined the military school...!"
As Ellie, with a trembling voice, suddenly thrust her fist into the air with great force, the girls standing behind her looked stunned.
Understanding their feelings well, I looked at the girls, and for a moment, our eyes met, but for some reason, they quickly turned their faces away.
What exactly did I learn in social settings...?
"Allow me to introduce myself again. I'm Ellie, daughter of the Ronia merchant family. Our main store is in the Royal Capital, but my father fell in love with Taurus, so we live in this town."
"...I'm Lilin. My parents run a tea shop in the central square."
"I'm Luna. I'm the daughter of a blacksmith."
Sitting across from each other in the gazebo, I received their introductions.
These girls, who seemed quite different from one another, were apparently childhood friends, and all three had dreamed of entering the military school since they were young.
"I've already greeted Ellie, but..."
Before I could say it again, Ellie nodded vigorously with incredible enthusiasm, leaving me at a loss for words.
Clearing my throat, I raised the corners of my mouth once more, undeterred, and smiled.
"I'm Celestia Rotisch. Please feel free to call me Celes."
And one more thing.
I had to make sure to convey this clearly to the girls, whose faces were turning red.
"I'm often mistaken, but I'm also a woman."
Ellie covered her face with both hands while stomping her feet, Lilin was speechless, and Luna kept rubbing her eyes repeatedly.
During the physical examination afterward, taking off my shirt caused screams and strange noises, measuring my height resulted in double-takes, and on the way to the dormitory, seeing them walk closely behind me instead of beside me made my shoulders slump in disappointment.