Chapter 7: I Hate Tea
Something American in my blood writhes in anger whenever I see these small shredded brown leaves.
I want to ruin them. Dump them off the side of this god forsaken island and forget about it.
Alas, it is too important in this world. Too important and expensive. Hells bells these leaves are expensive.
If I had the choice of between marrying one of these horrible noble ladies or brew tea for one, I'd simply off myself. Throw my sword in the air, kneel down and let it pierce my back, turning my body to stone. King Uther Pendragon style.
I say that, but here I am. In a class about learning manners for a tea party. If this isn't the worst way to use academy funds then I don't know what is.
Right now there's a table placed in the classroom, with sweets and tea laid out.
It seems he's teaching us how to use utensils.
"Ready? When you invite a woman to a tea ceremony, you need to think about how you appear. From your behavior and up to what kind of education you received, your partner will see through into what kind of person you are. If you properly welcome a woman, she will think of you in high favor."
The boys sat silently in the classroom while studying the mannerisms.
"Hey, Mister Elrich! Please take these lessons with more tenacity!"
"Sorry!"
As I responded to his warning, I heard the laughter and chuckles of my surroundings. The ones laughing are the heirs from rich noble houses or from the royal court.
"He's a commoner, after all."
"He gets all prideful just because he accomplished a small achievement."
"A savage like him may be cut out for being an adventurer, but not for this place."
The instructor straightened his back and continued the lesson.
"Mister Leon...it seems you don't understand. Well then, let's put it into practice."
Looks like Leon got caught slacking off too.
He gets up from his seat and heads over to the table set up in front of the class.
Taking a seat the old teacher begins again.
Leon is obviously faking his excitement with a smile plastered on his face while the instructor continues his mock ceremony. Saying things like "How enjoyable." and "Wow~".
Well, he was faking it.
Immediately after the class ends he runs up to the instructor, praising him on his gentlemanly behavior. He even ended up calling him 'Mentor' to the instructors surprise.
I can't really blame him. This old man really does have a way of making that kind of thing look good.
I'm sure Leon can pick up a few things from him. As of right now he is still a little on the cold side. Not really opening up to others. While he does have a bond with myself and the other two, there still is an almost professional level of distance between us.
I can understand his thought process though, at least I think so anyway. He is probably still slightly distrustful of me because of my reincarnation status.
I almost regret asking him to befriend him now though. I hope things will get better…
Pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I head to the library. Right now I've got a free period between classes and I need to turn in my magic theory book. I've finished the first volume out of the three book series, and I need the new one.
Still no progression so far with the attempt on void magicks. I hope I can get there one day.
Opening the door to the library, there is vast shelves lined with books of varried colors. Most are encrusted with some rare metal giving this place an enchanting atmosphere.
Placing the book back where it goes, I grab the next in the volume and head to look for an empty table.
Left, right no open tables. All of them at least have one noble girl with her friends giggling over ridiculous rumors and such.
I turn to start walking to the exit and notice a familiar face alone at a table, Olivia.
"How's school been treating you?"
"Eh, Elrich. Nice to see you here. It has been fine."
Olivia goes back to reading her book.
"No dice, huh?"
I pull out a seat across from her.
"What?"
"Nothing, just an expression."
"…"
This girl, she seems down.
"Olivia, you know, if something's bothering you, it's better to say something about it."
God, I sound like a hypocrite.
-drip drop-
"Huh!"
That startled me.
The gloomy looking girl in front of me started crying all the sudden.
"…uuu, I just really feel like I don't belong here."
-sniffle-
"Ah, um. Please don't cry. I'm sorry."
I try waving my hands in front of her to break her out of the crying fit, but it's not working.
Backup plan. Pat the crying girls head!
"Uh…there there. It'll be alright."
Reaching my hand over the the table. I begin to pat her head.
"…nn, thank you."
Well, that seemed to work.
She looks up at me with upturned eyes still moist and cheeks still red from the tears.
Guh, this kind of beauty is damaging to my corrupted soul.
Meeting her during the entrance ceremony and earlier she had this weird air about her. She was still a beauty, but she was just simply an ordinary beauty.
Maybe she was a diamond in the rough. Where she would truly shine if taken care of properly.
"Look, it's not uncommon to feel out of place here. Trust me I completely understand."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. You know, my accent was so horrible that I had to have a friend help me out on the way over here."
"Fufu, that's funny…but I'm just a commoner. The people around are very different. There's times where I'm so overwhelmed with the expensive nature of everything around me."
"Did you forget that I was a commoner too? I mean luckily I've got friends that will help me out when I need it, but it still gets hard sometimes. You remember how I told you to come to me if you ever needed anything right?"
"Yes I do remember. It's just…I didn't want to trouble you."
Her head drops again, bangs covering her face.
"Then let's get straight to the point. Become my friend. If we're friends then you won't need to hold back right?"
"Eh, um, if you're fine with someone like me, then I'd be happy to be your friend."
A warm smile blooms on her face.
"Oh yeah, also here is this. I was looking for a time to invite you."
I hand her an embroidered envelope with a grey wax seal.
The seal is the family crest I was granted along with my name.
"Um, what is it?"
Olivia begins inspecting the outside thoroughly.
"It's an invitation. To my tea party."
"Eh?!"
"Well, it's more like a coffee party. Since I hate tea."
She starts squirming in her seat nervously. Unable to meet my gaze. And there's a faint blush(?) on her face.
What? Did I do something wrong?
"Um, you don't have to go, but you're the only one I invited so—"
Suddenly she stands and slams her hands on the table.
"I'll go!"
"…"
There's silence, not like the silence just between the two of us. The whole library is quietly staring at us.
I can feel all the looks as blood rushes to my face. Thank you mask!
Olivia is no different. She noticed just after I did. Her face is red all the way to her ears. Threatening to erupt, she slinks back down into her seat putting her face into the book she was reading.
Man I wish I could disappear.
"Anyway, just think about it. No need to rush. I'll be off now."
With her head still in the book a quiet voice leaks out.
"…bye."
Now, to the exit like nothing happened. Eyes follow me all the way until I open the door to disappear.
That's stressful for the heart.
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