Honestly, who invented etiquette because Izumi really wants to kill them. She had been learning how to eat her food ladylike for the last 3 hours and still wasn't able to eat one bite. Her etiquette teacher, Madam Batteux is strict as f*ck. She needs to memorise 5 sets of and their different functions. Then, she needs to learn how to cut a piece of steak, drink from the wine glass elegantly. And finally, she can eat but she can't talk until she is finished with eating. Who knows that every single posture of hers, have to move this way, move that way, bow like this, bow like that.
Safe to say, Izumi gained a healthy amount of respect for nobles from the past since even walking have to look like a certain way. Izumi glared slightly at the 'cat' that is enjoying the sh*t show and Madam Batteux noticed. She was forced to do it all again. By the time Madam Batteux is done with fixing her etiquette, she was feeling sore all over but she still needs to learn how to ride a horse. What did Izumi do to suffer this kind of stupid torture. And she will have another lesson tomorrow.
Izumi dragged her half dead body to the bath the maids prepared for her. She will get her personal maids tomorrow so she will be cared by the housemaids for now. Izumi sighed in relief upon touching the water because it is soothing. The water have some herbs and potions that help to relief the fatigue and energises the person so Izumi felt much more better after the bath. Then, she changed into the costume she should wear to learn horse riding.
Izumi has never learn how to ride a horse but she did ride an ostrich before so hopefully it will be roughly the same. Izumi showed a face of amazement at the amount horse present at the stable. She was guided to a brown mare by her trainer and was told that this will be her horse. She learned how to take care of the horse as well as how to make the horse trot. But Izumi just can't get used to how she will feel like flying off the horse everytime it trots.
Afterwards is sword fighting. Izumi will be learning the basics so she can at least hold a sword without dropping it. (Yes, Izumi doesn't know how to use a sword but she knows how to use cutlery to defend and attack) Her trainer, the captain of the Knights of Laurent said she is a natural at Swordmanship. I mean, she did quite a lot of fighting back in her world so she didn't really care.
And finally, dinner. Izumi couldn't wait to stuff herself full after all these intense activities but alas, she still have to practice etiquette unless she really wants to make a fool out of herself so she patiently cut the steaks like what Madam Batteux told her to do. and slowly eat it. Just then, the seat opposite to her is taken by a male, which judging by the looks is the son of the duke and duchess.
He patiently wait until she is finished to introduce himself as Arthur de Laurent, the successor of the Noble House of Laurent. Then, he proceeded to say "I don't know what values my parents see when they adopt you but I hope we can get along well." "Oh, it is probably my 'cat' is the prophet in training that the public are so urgent in searching. Didn't he looks like he quite enjoy his life as a cat?" said Izumi while eyeing at the 'cat' that is enjoying his life on the red herring plush.
Arthur laughed out loud since the church hates the Laurents. The Laurents do not follow any of the seven gods like any other nobles. The seven gods were said to represent the seven elements which are Arbor for plants, Siera for earth, Aura for air, Aenon for water, Aguya for fire, Saiya for shadows and Alina for light. "You are definitely interesting, sister. It is good to know your respectful manners is actually a disguise. Welcome to the family," he laughed.
'Oh, I am in a family full of crazy lunatics. It reminds me of my home and family,' thought Izumi happily when she fall asleep. She will not need to hide her sadistic side after all. As for the magical item, Izumi still can't find no matter how hard she concentrate on the surrounding elements presence. It seems like it is not here either. Which left the one last location, the school.
Izumi dreamed of the 'cat' that night. The 'cat' kept on shouting that he is taking an unplanned vacation and want her to tell the people from the church to f*ck off. It was quite funny to watch but for some reasons, it felt so real. Meanwhile, the 'cat' is angry and desperate.
The 'cat' hates the training of being prophet so he ran away and found this strange girl with the help of the gods in his head. The gods said the girl, Izumi will help him to accomplish his goal and yup, she did by turning him into a cat. He was brought to the house the church have 0 power over. He wished that he could forever stay like this so he sent a message to Izumi to show his gratitude and unwillingness of returning back to the church. But what he got is, "I wouldn't for now. You are my bargaining chip with the church." The gods, or to be more exact, Saiya the Shadow god laughed at his misfortune.