Chapter 20: Anything but Botany

“My name is ‘Lumongna R. Barbari.’ The ‘R’ refers to an ancient noble title.”

“……”

Everyone fell silent and exchanged glances.

Only Daisy wore a puzzled expression, clearly not understanding the atmosphere.

‘Ah, she doesn’t know because she’s a commoner.’

I pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote.

[There’s really no need to mention the ancient noble title, but she said it anyway and became a laughingstock. It’s a bit absurd that she’s so drunk on the glories of the past. That middle title isn’t even used in our time.]

Olly always praised my handwriting.

I inherited my mother’s elegant and smooth script, but also my father’s character, so the ending strokes were strong. Olly used to say it would take more than a whole day just to praise my penmanship. As I tapped the paper, lost in old memories, Daisy’s face turned sour.

[Thank you.]

She wrote a reply back, but……

Rather than gratitude, Daisy seemed embarrassed. Her face flushed, she stared stubbornly ahead, her expression tinged with mild displeasure.

Oh…! Did I make her feel awkward?

I hesitated, then timidly wrote.

[Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.]

Even after reading my apology, Daisy just nodded.

Well, at least she nodded. I’d better be careful. It’s so hard making friends from a completely different background. Cecilia, you’re truly amazing……

Daisy, who used to smile like a wildflower beside Cecilia, now felt more like a thorny blossom.

“Ahem. You probably heard during the entrance ceremony, but the course registration period for first-year students is one month. In that time, you can sample different lectures and choose the subjects you wish to take. Keep in mind that some general education courses may overlap with those for second and third years……”

It was a general orientation about academy life.

I half-listened, while watching Daisy diligently take notes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Huh…?”

She frowned and shielded her notebook with her body.

Did I make another mistake…?

I was just curious and thought it was nice she worked so hard. No, who am I to judge if someone is doing well or not? Sigh. Maybe it’s best if I just stop paying attention to Daisy.

Vacantly, I stared at Professor Lumongna. She must’ve thought I was focused, because she gave me a crooked smile. With her triangular glasses, skinny frame, and protruding lips and belly, she looked just like a frog.

Gasp.

Don’t laugh. Liana, hold it in!

“The most important thing is to choose your major. There are countless fields. Ours, the Gracia Academy, has the most finely divided disciplines. Magic Studies, Magic Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Mechanics, Theology, Swordsmanship Studies……”

A major, huh.

Professor Lumongna pulled down the high chalkboard and listed the majors with a magic pen.

In the past… I just did whatever Cecilia did.

She was my idol.

And it was comfortable to follow her lead.

Because she liked flowers and trees, I blindly chose Botany. And then I was always on the verge of failing……

Ugh! Even now, I hate the thought. No matter how many nights I spent studying or how much care I lavished on the plants, no matter how much!

…Every single plant I raised withered and died, as if it had suffered years of drought.

It was always so strange—if Cecilia tended to them, the plants perked up immediately. We used the same hands!

Just escaping from failing didn’t solve everything, either.

Because as a duke’s daughter, I needed to master things to a certain degree just to show my face. So I always relied on Cecilia’s help just to bring my grades up to average.

Ah, Botany, I truly hate it.

“…You can take a minimum of 17 credits, and a maximum of 19 credits. The seven top-performing students may apply for extra credits after the first semester ends, and can take up to 23 credits. I’ll distribute the schedules for each major and general course, so come get them.”

With a gesture, Professor Lumongna sent the sheets she held flying onto our desks.

“Wow……”

Everyone gasped in awe.

It was magic.

“Hehe, that’s nothing yet. For your information, I majored in Magic!”

I remembered the rumor about the professor turning her lover into a frog.

So that was Professor Lumongna!

Magic Studies is a definite no for me.

“Well, I hope you think it over and choose carefully. For meals, go to the Great Hall beneath the main building. Have a wonderful day~”

With that, Professor Lumongna went ‘pop’ and disappeared.

“What the? Was that magic?”

“Wow… I didn’t expect to see it this soon…”

“I know, right!”

“But wasn’t the name introduction a bit funny…?”

The whispers and laughter grew louder.

“Liana!”

“Yeah.”

I replied slowly, catching Cecilia as she came over to me with open arms.

It’s fine, I’ll choose a different major this time. I was sure of it. Cecilia loves flowers and trees, so she’d definitely choose Botany again. She’d probably pester me to pick the same, but I just wouldn’t give in!

“Daisy~ Why are you hanging your head?”

“N-no, it’s nothing, Cecilia. What are you interested in?”

Daisy removed her hand from her notebook and asked warmly.

“You mean for majors? Hmm, I love flowers and trees, so…”

“Oh my.”

At Cecilia’s words, Daisy blushed. She does look pure and beautiful, doesn’t she? I know. I’d better not look, or I’ll get entranced.

There were even some boys hovering behind Cecilia, listening in on her choice of major. Others, sitting in the back, cast glances as if gauging the right time to approach. It was only the first day, but Cecilia was already incredibly popular. I wouldn’t be surprised if a fan club popped up soon, and people started snapping magic-artifact photos like paparazzi.

Ugh, I can’t even count how many photos have been taken of me with Cecilia when I wasn’t even groomed.

“…Liana! Liana!”

Ugh.

“Huh?”

Ah. I keep drifting into old memories.

“What are you thinking so hard about? Weren’t you listening?”

“Ah, sorry.”

I apologized with an awkward smile, and Daisy gave me a sharp look.

“Liana, what are you interested in?”

“You mean major?”

“Yeah!”

“I think I’ll have to think about it.”

Definitely not Botany. Hehe……

I kept the rest of my words to myself.

“Really? Then let’s attend the trial lectures together.”

“Mm… okay.”

If I refused, she’d probably try to convince me with a sad face… I’d better distance myself subtly. I… am weak to beautiful girls, after all.

“Daisy, you join us too, how about it?”

Cecilia smiled brightly and took Daisy’s hand.

Surprised by the sudden touch, Daisy nodded.

“S-sure. Can I join you?”

Daisy glanced at me, as if seeking my reaction, then looked back at Cecilia.

Following Daisy’s gaze, Cecilia met my eyes. Her twinkling eyes seemed to say, ‘Is it okay if she comes along?’

“Of course!”

After Cecilia’s cheerful reply,

“Sounds good.”

I added.

Daisy smiled softly.

It was like the gentle bend of wheat in a breeze.

I couldn’t help thinking Daisy seemed to have fallen for Cecilia.

‘Not that anyone could blame her.’

See? All the students in the classroom kept glancing at her, their gazes drifting toward her again and again for various reasons, unable to break in.

In the noisy atmosphere, Daisy’s smile and Cecilia’s refreshing voice seemed to ring out especially clear.

Standing side by side, Daisy and Cecilia made quite a lovely pair.

That’s right! You two, become best friends!

I decided to give up on my desire to grow closer to Daisy.

Daisy, I bequeath you the position of Cecilia’s best friend.

I gave up my wish to be friends with her without a second thought.

Please, get along well!

“Hmm~ What should we listen to first?”

Cecilia led us, holding Daisy’s and my hands, toward the schedule posted on the board, pointing to this class and that.

Behind her, I could feel glances from others who clearly wanted to attend the same courses.

“How about Theology?”

“That sounds good.”

“What about Etiquette and Law?”

“That sounds nice too.”

Daisy nodded enthusiastically at Cecilia’s every suggestion.

She nodded so vigorously that her fine hair fluttered.

“Hmmm.”

Cecilia, leaning her chin on her hand, looked at me.

“Liana! What about you? What do you like?”

“Well… anything but Botany.”

I hate plants as a field of study! I’d kill every last one.

Though I know you’d love it, Cecilia.

“…Really? Hmm…”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Cecilia’s face.

Leaving her to her thoughts, I happened to glance at the window.

It couldn’t be, but for a moment, it seemed as if a cloud of dust was rising from the riding grounds, hidden by the forest.

Suddenly, my heart thudded.

I had a strong feeling I ought to visit the riding arena.

“How about Riding class?”

“…Riding?”

“Yeah.”

If they said no, I’d just go on my own.

Perhaps sensing my intention, Cecilia reluctantly nodded, looking slightly unsure.

“Then let’s check it out on Monday!”

Cecilia laughed with delight.

“By the way, Liana, why don’t we visit the capital tomorrow?”

The capital?

I pondered, then smiled.

“No.”