Late May.

The piercing sunlight grew more intense day by day, and the greenery along the roadside deepened into a rich emerald hue, signaling the entrance into summer.

“…It’s hot.”

There was a girl here, receiving glares with every step she took.

Amidst the students wearing long-sleeved shirts that covered their entire arms, she alone wore a short-sleeved dress that exposed her forearms.

It was the result she had achieved after extracting information about the uniform transition period from the student council president of the magic department the previous day.

“Is it that hot? That’s a problem, summer hasn’t even started yet,” Allen said to Nigel Ars, whose complexion matched the pristine white summer dress she wore.

At those words, Nigel’s face grew even paler.

“That’s because you haven’t lived in Tillin.”

As Nigel shook her head from side to side, the blue ribbon attached to the end of her blue sailor collar swayed back and forth.

No matter how much one had lived in a country where summer felt like half of the year, when the living environment changed, people changed too.

The difference was even greater in Tillin, the northernmost tip of the region where most of the year was cold.

“Why, don’t they say every household in Tillin makes their own ice cream?”

“How… did you know that too?”

Blink blink. Allen, who had been playful, was at a loss for words.

“Is that true?” Noah, who was beside her, asked in a surprised tone.

“Of course it’s a lie. When you’re freezing to death, who would go through the trouble of making ice cream in every household? You two should be careful of scammers.”

Nigel laughed with a deflating sound and opened the orange juice bottle she was holding, gulping down half of it in one go.

“Ah, now I feel alive.”

“Where did you get that from?”

“I don’t know. I was waiting for you guys in front of the cafeteria, and a cute-looking boy gave it to me and left right away.”

At Nigel’s words, Allen poked Noah’s side several times with a meaningful look, whispering rapidly.

“One hundred percent, he’s interested in you.”

After the Sword Duel, Nigel had become a veritable celebrity in Siennia.

Among the students, rather than the fact that a commoner, and an orphan at that, had surpassed the second son of the Cromwell family in grades, or that she hung out with that Evans and that Beselion, the fact that a new student who had shattered Professor Heres’ restoration magic to pieces in the first class had made it to the finals of the Sword Duel created an even greater stir.

Thanks to that, several people approached Nigel to talk to her every day. Nigel, who found it bothersome at first, gladly embraced the change when she saw them holding snacks like chocolates in their hands.

On the label wrapped around today’s juice bottle, there were several large roses that seemed to be hand-drawn.

Noah, who instantly caught the ticklish pink meaning hidden in that label, stared intently at the juice bottle.

Swish.

At that moment, the juice bottle moved closer to Noah.

“Beselion, you look a bit off-color, you must be thirsty too? Drink the rest,” Nigel said.

“No, no, I’m fine!” Noah waved his hands quickly in a fluster. The juice bottle moved away again.

Then, Noah let out a sigh mixed with relief and self-reproach.

He knew well that Nigel didn’t see him as a man, but he hadn’t expected her to think of him comfortably enough to offer a juice bottle she had put her mouth on.

“…Well, that’s good. I felt a little guilty about making you drink something given to me by someone who likes me.”

At that moment, Nigel raised the corner of her mouth slightly and drank the remaining juice.

In the instant she drank the juice, Allen and Noah’s gazes met as if on cue.

‘She knew it was given to her by someone who likes her? But… she doesn’t know I like her?’

Sensing a crisis of emergency meeting level, Allen quickly opened his mouth.

“Oh, oh right! Nigel, speaking of which, why don’t we go out for ice cream this weekend? I know a good place.”

“…Suddenly? We have Professor Heres’ assignment, you know.”

Although Nigel’s eyes sparkled honestly at the mention of ice cream, it seemed that sentiment didn’t move her heart, as she immediately rejected the offer.

“We can do the assignment while we’re out. We need to read related books to understand the magic tool design technique anyway, and it would be good to go to Mr. Swindle’s place and get some advice.”

“I’ve already borrowed the reference books from the library, and Professor Heres, who is on weekend duty, said I can come and ask her anytime if there’s something I don’t know, so I don’t see the need to do that.”

This unnecessarily diligent bookworm!

Allen didn’t give up and pulled out his last hidden card.

“Then I guess it can’t be helped. I was going to stop by Andy’s place for dinner.”

Clop clop. Clop clop.

The horse ran vigorously towards the plaza.

Inside the carriage, there were only Nigel and Noah.

Just before boarding the carriage, Allen had coincidentally urgent business to attend to.

To take care of his coincidental business, Allen coincidentally handed Noah a note with the address written in detail, word by word.

‘I’ll let myself be fooled just this once, really.’

Although Nigel didn’t know what Allen’s ulterior motive was, she let it slide because she appreciated his effort.

Without Allen, it was quiet and his absence was greatly felt, but on the other hand, it was also a good opportunity to check on Noah’s condition without Allen around.

“Beselion. The blessing I cast on your arm last time, how was the effect?”

“Yes, yes…? Well, uh… it had a good effect.”

Noah stammered, unlike his usual self.

“Well, I’m glad it was good. Let me know if you need it next time. I’ll cast a blessing for you.”

“No, it’s really… alright.”

“How bland.”

Nigel laughed and talked to Noah until the carriage stopped.

Most of the conversation consisted of questions about Noah’s health and sword training. Noah answered Nigel’s words with as much sincerity as possible.

“…Ah, we’ve arrived.”

Just as Nigel was about to probe Noah about why he came to the academy, the carriage stopped.

But there was still plenty of time to ask, so Nigel put aside her thoughts and quickly got off the carriage.

They had to go to the ice cream shop Allen had told them about.

“…Nigel, that’s not the right way!”

“Oh, really?”

At Noah’s words, Nigel, who had taken a big step into the alley, slowly turned around and approached Noah as if nothing had happened.

However, this wasn’t the first or second time, but the sixth time already, and Nigel’s ears turned slightly red, unable to bear the embarrassment.

At this, Noah couldn’t hold back and let out a small chuckle.

“Why are you laughing? All roads lead somewhere even if I go this way.”

“That’s true, but… that way is a dead end.”

“…Oh.”

Seeing the blocked wall at the end of the alley, Nigel, whose face had ripened well along with her ears, bit her lip.

This time, Noah laughed out loud, unable to contain his voice. At that laughter, which sounded as refreshing as a soap bubble bursting, Nigel felt unreasonably irritated.

Thump.

At that moment, Nigel’s slender arm wedged between Noah’s side and arm.

“…I’ll definitely pay you back for today. If you ever get lost in the forest, I’ll find the way for you.”

Nigel, who had naturally linked arms with Noah, lowered her head and spoke softly.

“Now, let’s hurry to the ice cream shop.”

Nigel, who had regained her spirit, pulled Noah’s arm as if urging him to hurry.

Noah, who couldn’t say a word and blinked at the sudden situation, walked creakily like a broken machine, feeling the cool warmth of Nigel on his arm.

Noah thought it was fortunate that he was taller than Nigel. If not, Nigel would have caught sight of his dreadfully reddened face.

Ding-a-ling~

“Welcome, this is Sweet Heart!”

Sweet Heart, a coffee house that had recently gained popularity in the capital through word of mouth.

Unlike the classic coffee houses, this place attracted great popularity among young ladies due to its lovely pastel-toned interior, cute decorations, ice cream, and various desserts.

Ladies usually came with friends or brought their boyfriend, who had a grumpy look on his face at the unfamiliar interior.

“…Is this really the right place?”

But this couple was an exception.

The lady, who clung tightly to her lover’s arm and looked around, instantly reminded one of a black cat warily surveying an unfamiliar place.

“Allen said it’s the most eye-catching place, so I think this is the right spot. He said the desserts are as delicious as they are eye-catching.”

And the mister, who smiled gently at the lady and sat her down, resembling a gentle giant dog despite his large build.

Mia, an employee here, approached them with a bright smile.

“Are you having a good day? I’m Mia, and I’ll be serving you two today. Please take a look at the menu and let me know when you’re ready.”

The lady scrutinized the menu with the eyes of an eagle, like a soldier choosing a weapon before battle. However, even after quite some time, her mouth did not easily open.

“Ma’am, if you’re having trouble deciding, would you like me to make a recommendation?”

At Mia’s words, the wariness in the lady’s eyes dissipated.

Mia smiled brightly and opened her mouth.

“If it’s alright with you two, how about the couple set at the front here? It comes with two signature ice creams and today’s dessert, and there’s a discount too.”

According to Mia’s accumulated information, when she mentioned the couple set, the reactions were largely divided into two types. Those who immediately said it was good, and those who blushed slightly and nodded their head.

Usually, the former was the male customer and the latter was the female customer.

But this couple was different this time too. The lady promptly nodded and handed over the menu, while the mister covered his face with his hand as if embarrassed.

“Then I’ll prepare your order!” Mia smiled, amused by their interesting reaction.