The Warehouse
…Inside the warehouse used to store goods for the commerce practicum.
Five male students were talking as they repeatedly opened and closed the lids of wooden crates filled with merchandise.
“Damn it, I expected this, but with this many goods, finding them is a real pain.”
“They’re supplying enough merchandise for each pair to run a proper shop, so it’s no surprise there’s this much.”
“It really is a place of learning worthy of us nobles.”
“Yeah… and that’s exactly why we can’t afford to fail.”
“That’s right… I’m not letting some Rodwell from a mere count’s house rack up good results again!”
As if those words had renewed their resolve, the five male students once more began frantically rummaging through the crates.
…But.
“It sounds like you’re having a very interesting discussion.”
“You guys! I’ll never forgive you for getting in Rodwell-kun’s way!!”
“!?”
Startled by the sudden voices behind them, they turned around in shock.
“F-Florence and Ashwell!?”
“W-why are you two in a place like this…”
“Knowing our merchandise was going to be stolen, there was no reason not to stop you.”
“H-how did you find out about that…”
Stepping forward, Ashwell declared loudly to the visibly shaken five male students.
“I told her! I did! If it’s me, your motives are obvious!”
“Tch, did they overhear us when we talked about the plan inside the academy because we didn’t have time…”
“But wait! We still have room to negotiate!”
“Room to negotiate, you say.”
Floria spoke in a tone that carried no expectation whatsoever, yet the male students nodded and continued.
“Yeah… sure, it might end up causing trouble for you too, Florence, but this is for the dignity of us from ducal and marquis houses!”
“T-that’s right! There’s no way we’re letting some guy from a count’s house keep stealing our chance to shine!”
“Even you, Ashwell, were frustrated when you placed lower than that Rodwell from a count’s house at the recent swordsmanship tournament, right? So to maintain the superiority of us from ducal houses…”
“Don’t lump me in with you!”
Cutting him off sharply, Ashwell continued.
“Sure, it was frustrating that I, from the Ashwell ducal house, couldn’t win. But I don’t resent Rodwell-kun like you do. If anything, I was captivated by that straightforward sword of his!”
“…!”
Seeing the shock on the male students’ faces at that unexpected response, Floria spoke.
“Of course, I have no intention of accepting your arguments either.”
Then, as she calmly looked over the five of them one by one.
“And yet, while you appeal to the dignity of your own ranks, you also acknowledge Lux-sama’s excellence and act because you see that excellence as a threat, do you not?”
“Guh…!”
“D-damn it, if it’s come to this, we’ve got no choice but to do it!”
Taking those words as a cue, the five male students drew their swords.
“…So you’re drawing them.”
“Relax. Unlike Rodwell, you’re from ducal houses like us, so we won’t take your liv—”
“Be silent.”
“Shut up!”
“!?”
As Floria’s icy voice and Ashwell’s raw, emotion-filled shout echoed through the warehouse, the two of them slowly drew their swords.
“Florence, I at least acknowledge your ability, so don’t hold me back, okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Y-you really think you can win with this difference in numbers!?”
“Rather than explaining it in words, it seems faster to simply try it ourselves… shall we begin?”
With those words as the signal, Floria and Ashwell began crossing swords with the five male students.
As she held fast to the conviction she always carried in her heart.
…Lux-sama will be protected by me.