Chapter 97: Lake Aria
The thought of firing off arrows in a flurry of excitemt is a total farewell.
"Phew, so that's why you said to use it in times of crisis," I said, barely able to pull myself together.
"Yes, for you. This body can fire thousands of shots a day with conctrated fire, but isn't your limit only two shots a day?"
"… I am truly happy to have such a great sior."
"Yeah, be happy as you please."
She says things like that with such pure joy that the conversation feels a bit strange wh I'm with her. There's nothing particularly bad about it. Anyway, now I have two shots.
This is something to remember because it was information that was needed for the archery evaluation right away and could be life-threating at important times.
"By the way, I have something to say."
"What is it?"
"I just want to spd more time learning archery for the time being." This is my inttion, but the instructor's inttion is most important. If she doesn't like it, it's just over.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Because the archery test is just a the corner."
"Aha, archery evaluation."
Hiresia looked at me with a face that seemed to indicate that she understood.
"Now that I think about it, you must be nervous."
"… What does that mean?"
"This body doesn't care at all." It would be weird if you cared about being the best shooter out of all the studts in the academy. To be honest, I'm curious as to whether it's st or nd place in the game world.
"… Yes, yes, I'm worried, so please teach me more."
"It's annoying."
"What kind of meat have you had so far?"
"Ugh."
Still, Hiresia flinches, wondering if she has a conscice. But in the d, she doesn't give her approval right away.
"But you can't do it with bare hands."
"You want me to buy you meat again?"
"I didn't say that!"
It seems like there's something else she wants.
"Th what is it?"
"Assignmt."
"Yes?"
"If you help me with my homework, I'll do you a favor."
"Assignmt?"
Wh I tilted my head, a window popped up before my eyes.
[A surprise quest has occurred.]
<High Elf Wanting Help with Homework>
- A high elf is facing a somewhat difficult task and asks for your help. Maybe something good will happ if you help her?
'What is this?' I looked dumbfounded. A surprise quest? Wasn't that something that didn't come up oft? But this is already the second time for her. It's not like it's some kind of honey pot that brings up a surprise quest.
And what's with that odd phrase? Something good might happ? Are you telling me to do it or not?
"What are you going to do?" Hiresia urged for an answer.
"Well... let's do it," I responded.
After all, to get what I initially wanted, I had to help. Plus, a sudd quest I had never se before popped up, so there was only one choice.
'This is completely unknown territory.' Especially the relationship with Hiresia. Choosing an untried play must be causing these phoma to unfold.
"Ha ha, th that's settled." Hiresia chuckled. "Come out by Lake Aria by a.m. tomorrow."
Tomorrow is Sunday. Since there are no classes, there shouldn't be a problem coming out by a.m.
But why Lake Aria? I was going to ask, but Hiresia changed the subject.
"Th pick up the bow again, there's an evaluation and I'll have to be ev stricter."
"Yes, yes."
And so the archery training began again.
---
Does a.m. mean she wants to have lunch together, too?
Thinking so, I prepared a lunchbox. A luxury lunchbox filled with meat dishes. Of course, I didn't make it myself. I had Dolph go out and buy it. I stuffed it carelessly into my backpack and headed out to Lake Aria.
Lake Aria was a lake located to the west of the academy. It wasn't big, but it was a beautiful lake with a nice view. It wasn't too far, so it was easily within walking distance from the academy.
I came out of the west gate and walked along the forest path. The forest path was quiet. Since the only luxury the academy studts could afford on a holiday was sleeping in, there wer't many people a in the morning, neither on campus nor in the vicinity.
"...I want to sleep in, too." I let out a short sigh. Becoming an extra meant I didn't have time to indulge in such luxuries.
Every day was just a series of busyness. But ev so, it wouldn't be bad to take a break and relax at times like this.
How long did I walk? I could see Lake Aria. Hiresia was already there by the lake. A high elf who was unusually punctual about time. Ah... is that suspicious?
Correcting myself, I approached Hiresia.
"Have you be waiting long?"
"No, I just arrived."
It was a cliché phrase, but wh she said it, it was true.
"Oh? Is that a canvas?" I noticed the canvas Hiresia was holding. In her other hand, she held a small basket containing a water bottle, paints, brushes, charcoal, and a palette.
There was no need for an answer. She intded to paint. It seemed like an art assignmt.
"Yes. I'm going to paint a little."
"Aha, a landscape painting?"
"Yes. I have a spot in mind."
With that, Hiresia turned her back as if to tell me to follow her. I followed her. The place she arrived at had a quaint little pier. Several small rowboats were placed there.
"Are you planning to go into the lake?"
"Yes, that is the plan. Do you see any problem with that?"
"No, there's no problem, but... Sior, do you know how to swim?" I asked knowingly.
Normally, elves are familiar with water and swim well. But high elves, who live only in a closed space called the Forgott Forest, seem to be rather distant from water. Hiresia was also terrible at swimming.
Yet she came to such a place on her own? I couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"I don't! Is that a problem?"
Hiresia seemed offded that I had poked at a sore spot and made a sulky face.
"No, just in case an unexpected situation arises..."
"If you steer the boat properly, there should be no problem."
It meant she had brought me along as a rower.
But why me, of all people?
"Why me? Is it because I am an outcast?"
"An outcast, you say, yet you manage to say things you can't normally say."
She understood the term 'outcast' well. Anyway, as she said, she was obviously the popular girl.
"Th why me?"
"It would be rude to ask them."
So, asking me meant she didn't feel particularly sorry. Should I be happy or not?
It means she feels comfortable ough with me, which is good, but it also means she sees me as an easy mark, which feels like being tak advantage of.
"We had a deal, didn't we? That's what I mean."
It made sse wh she said it, but I felt she would have approached me ev if I hadn't asked her to increase my training time.
"Ah, I see."