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of guilt over the wide and soft beds that those from his home in Rulid could not hold a candle to, the extravagant baths where he could useas much hot water as he liked and the plentiful meals served at thedining hall reserved for those like them, but it seems Kirito got used to it in no time.But there was one matter that he suffered as much as Eugeo at.The privileges granted to the mere twelve elite swordsmen-in-training of the academy were not limited to the exclusive dormitory.A single, exemplary novice trainee would take care of them as their «valet». Eugeo was assigned as well, to a broadminded senior swordsman the previous year, and that was no bother at all... or rather,he even thought it as enjoyable, but it became a different story whenthe roles were reversed.For the trainee assigned as his valet this year was TiezéShtolienen, born in a sixth class noble family, not to mention a girlwho had just reached the age of sixteen. As for Kirito, the one who became his valet was Ronye Arabel, a sixteen years old girl born in asixth class noble family as well; those two were a cause of muchdistress for the two from the countryside.He had absolutely no complaints about Tiezé herself. The girl,with hair red like flames and eyes slightly tinged red, both whichwere somewhat rare in the north, was always full of energy, possessing much enthusiasm and diligence and causing manysituations where the mentor, Eugeo, ended up learning from theapprentice instead. However—being waited on by someone threeyears younger, not to mention of noble birth and a female as well,does not seem to be something he could get used to at this point in
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time. Each day was spent with his thoughtful "I'll take care of that,don't worry about it" retorted by Tiezé's "No, this should be handled by the valet!".Kirito's situation was mostly the same, making up some arbitraryexcuse to disappear whenever Ronye came to tidy up the room; thathappened many times in this one month—however.Today—the 17th day of the 5th month of the Human World Calendar 380, Kirito finally returned without any particular reason just as Tiezé and Ronye finished cleaning the room, holding onto alarge paper bag in his arms. Inside was a heap of honey pies from awell-established restaurant in the 3rd Eastern Street of the 6th Districtin North Centoria, «The Deer Leap», which was famous for them,and Kirito took two out for Eugeo and himself before handing therest to Tiezé and Ronye with a "Go have them with everyone in your room". Novice trainees were restricted from going out on non-rest days,and of course, unable to buy sweets at the market then. The two girlswere exceedingly happy at the unexpected refreshments, leading toEugeo seeing them run back to the novice trainees' dormitory for thefirst time.Forming bonds with the valet trainees and giving them generaladvice on how to make progress on their swordsmanship were part of the swordsmen-in-training's duties as well, so those honey pies might be a part of Kirito's efforts—but even so, Eugeo thought while staringat his black-haired partner by his side, who ate up the pie with acomposed expression before he spoke.
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"Well now. Eugeo-kun, how about some light practice beforedinner?""I have no objection to that at all. But tomorrow's the advanced sacred arts exam. And aside from the written segment, there's that«Ice Element» forming practical that you're bad at.""Ugh......"Kirito's arm, about to grab the wooden sword used for practice,froze after Eugeo pointed that out. It seems he was conflicted for several seconds, unwilling to yield, but Kirito soon lowered his hand with a sigh, before voicing out in a usually deep pitch."Geez, why do I have to study for exams after coming this far..."What Kirito said was true, he certainly couldn't even imagine thathe would be learning sacred arts in the central capital back when hewas swinging an axe to chop wood at Rulid Village. He completelyagreed that sword practice was more fun than memorizingcomplicated spells, but with continuous failures in the academic tests,the qualifications to get a recommendation for the tournament will beout of reach regardless of how good their swordsmanship were. —And Eugeo's partner, who should have understood all of that to be fact without him explaining it, combed his hair, as jet-black as hisuniform, upwards before speaking in a flat tone."Eugeo-kun. I will now cram with all my might for this entirenight until lights-out, so would you be ever so kind and bring my portion of food from the dining hall?