Chapter 5 Ellis Fahrengart
"Something has been bothering me for quite a while…"
"What is it, Claire?"
After making up with Rinslet, Claire's attitude turns out for the better.
She seemed to be calmer than ever, perhaps because she's finally freed from one of the weigh that has been weighing her all this time.
"I wonder… What exactly is your relationship with the headmistress?"
"—I knew this question will rise anytime soon. But I didn't expect you're asking that NOW."
"W-What? You thought I'm a slow thinker?"
"Not exactly, hm…"
Kamito turns toward Restia and Est.
"I think you should tell her."
Est nods in confirmation of Restia's words.
"… Okay, to me Greyworth is like a mentor."
"Mentor, you said… So she is the one who taught you fighting techniques?"
"Sort of, but that's not all…"
Kamito looked reluctant to tell Claire that Greyworth was the one who forced him to wear female clothes.
Since Kamito didn't want to catch too many attention back then.
"It's really a surprise to me… However, how did you end up as her disciple?"
"It's because that old hag saw those two when she was on a mission." Kamito points Est and Restia.
"Who knows how, but Greyworth seems to be able to differentiate between normal human and spirit that took human form. That's how she caught and force trained me even though I was unwilling to do so. Maybe she thought I was a rare catch? And because of her 'training', I can't seem to like her no matter what…" Kamito sighed.
True enough, there's no male elementalist known before Kamito. But there's no reason for Greyworth to train Kamito, that's why he's curious what is Greyworth trying to take out of him until now.
Even though there's a legend about Demon King Solomon who is also a male elementalist… Still, that is just a mere legend.
And so, Kamito became the first male elementalist ever.
"I don't really understand the circumstances between you two, but I guess I will not pry into your business any further." Claire lay down on her bed.
"Thanks, this topic isn't really a likeable topic for me after all. So? How did things end up with RInslet?" Kamito smiled a little as he sat on his bed.
Kamito could see Claire's blushing face.
"Uhum…! Well… We did make up and promised to not cause trouble to each other… Er… How should I say it…" Seeing Claire fidgeting due to embarrassment, Kamito can't hold his laughter and end up laughing at Claire.
"Wha—! Why are you laughing at me!"
"I-I'm sorry, I'm just thinking that you looked cute when you blush like that."
"Cu—"
Claire's face went redder.
Est and Restia who are silent until this moment sighed.
"Kamito's really a womanizer, isn't he?"
"I must agree at this point." Est nods.
Even though he heard Restia and Est's words, Kamito decided to ignore them.
Kamito didn't plan to flirt with Claire, it's just a matter of fact that Claire got a cute face.
However, deep inside he hope that Est will not hate him for this.
...
"…" Greyworth is currently flipping through the pages of her extremely thick book.
"Headmistress, I think you should take a rest…" Said one of her guard who looked like she is about to collapse.
It's already 3AM after all.
"I'm fine, you can go to your room and take a rest."
"… My apology, headmistress."
Even though she's unwilling, her body won over her loyalty.
With a huge yawn she exited the principal's room.
"… Very soon, a huge storm is going to arrive. I guess 'Ren Ashbell' isn't the only one I need to watch out for." Said Greyworth the moment she closed her book.
She walks to the window and stare at the moon.
"Kamito, it seems like you will have a hard time no matter how strong you are at the moment—"
...
At the morning.
Kamito stretches his body lazily as he slowly gets up.
Claire on the other hand already finished changing and ready to go any time.
"Kamito, hurry up or we're going to be late for the class."
"You don't have to rush, we still got one and half hour before the class started you know?"
"Even so, it's not commendable to arrive at the last minute since there will be uncomfortable stares."
Kamito decided to not waste any time arguing with Claire and went straight to the bathroom.
"Okay, now I will wash your back Ka—"
"—Not on my watch." Just when Restia is about to follow Kamito, Claire held Restia's shoulder so that she can't move an inch from her spot.
"Ehh? Why are you stopping me, Claire? I'm just a spirit you know?" Restia tries to fool Claire, thinking that Claire's easy to fool with.
"No is a no, even though you're a spirit it still doesn't change the fact that you're a female. So sit here quietly or I will force you out of my room. Do note that you're a freeloader."
"Muu…" Restia pouted but she didn't resist and sits quietly like a kid.
Claire seemed to keep a tight watch for Restia and loosen up around Est.
That's when Est slips out and followed Kamito into the bathroom.
"Ah… No matter how many times I get in, bathing in a huge bathtub really is so comfortable." Kamito stretches his legs in the bathtub leisurely with his eyes closed.
Even so, he can't bath for too long or he will be late for class.
Just when he's about to get out of the bathtub—
"You looked like you're really enjoying this." Est said.
"Eh—?"
Kamito didn't expect to hear Est's voice since Claire seem to be keeping watch of the girls outside.
"E-Est—!?"
Est quickly covers Kamito's mouth while placing her index finger in front of her lips.
"Be quiet. She will hear you."
(No, more like why did you come in?) Is what Kamito trying to say.
Without waiting for Kamito's permission, Est gets into the bathtub and sit beside Kamito.
They used to bath together until three years ago, but as Kamito grows he started to get conscious of Est as a woman.
That's why he forbids both of Restia and Est to not get into the same bath as him.
"… What are you trying to accomplish, Est?" Kamito couldn't face Est with his face red.
"Nothing, I only felt like bathing together." Said Est without any expression.
Her stare made Kamito feel restless. Not to mention Est is stark naked now.
They stay silent for about three minutes until finally Est opens her mouth.
"Kamito… What do you think of Claire?"
The question caught Kamito off guard, as he never expected Est to ask such a thing.
"—? Where did that come from?"
"Because you seem to care for her a little too much."
Kamito found it unusual for Est to care about such a thing. But he can make a prediction that perhaps Est got jealous since Claire always get his attention.
"How should I say it… To me, Claire is just like my little sister."
"You didn't see her as a woman?"
"Not really, you remember about Muir? Claire gave the similar aura as her."
Back at the institution Kamito also had a girl who he treated as his little sister, since she always followed him wherever he go and called him 'Big Brother'.
"I see… (Whispers)…"
"Hm?"
"What is it?"
"No, nothing…" Being asked in the face, Kamito can only avoid the question.
Kamito thought Est just whispered something, but he decided to not pursue the issue any further.
"By the way, Kamito."
"What is it, Est?"
"Do you think—"
Before Est could finish her sentence, The bathroom's door slammed open.
"Kamito! Est! Why are you two taking a bath together!?" Claire who finally noticed that Est is missing found the two of them bathing together.
"Ah." Est replied.
"Not 'Ah.'! Get out of here now!"
And so, Kamito ended up not knowing what was Est trying to say.
…
After the commotion ends, Kamito and Claire meet up with Rinslet who's waiting for them in front of the Academy gate.
"You guys are late!"
"I don't think it's a matter of late? You just came too early." Said Kamito who noticed that they still got thirty minutes before the class even started.
"Never mind that, it seems like we're going to have a test today. Have you studied last night, Rinslet?" Claire asked Rinslet.
"A test? What test?"
"…" Claire quietly pressed her palm to her face.
For a moment, Rinslet seemed like she didn't understand what Claire is talking about.
Until finally she remembered what the teacher told them yesterday…
"A… Awawa…"
"Seems like you're going to fail this subject, huh?" Claire sighed.
It was at this moment, that Claire noticed two girls in armor laughed at them.
"Not studying even though today we're going to have a test, as expected of the Raven Class."
"It's not like they're not studying, they just forgot that today we're having a test."
"To forget such an important day, they sure are ignorant, huh?"
"I know right, hahaha!"
Kamito wants to say something, but someone's calling for the two girls.
"You two, it's not polite to laugh at other people like that. Every single person has their own problem, got it?"
(Woah, she's so gallant…) Kamito thought to himself.
The girl's blue hair stands out so much in comparison with her breast plate.
She got beautiful pair of eyes and her skin is smooth.
Her posture is so straight that even a man could get embarrassed.
With a sword on her waist, she really looked like a model knight.
"Mi-Miss Ellis!?"
"We're very sorry! We didn't really mean it!"
"If you're really one of the Sylphid Knights, don't show such an embarrassing behavior that will stain the name of Sylphid Knights. You're now dismissed." Said the girl called Ellis.
"P-Please excuse us!" Both of them quickly leave the scene.
After a moment of silence, Ellis turns around to face Kamito and the girls.
"Thanks for the unnecessary help, Ellis Fahrengart." Claire said.
Kamito couldn't understand why Claire is being rude despite being helped just now.
"I'm really sorry for my juniors' behavior. They're still young so I really hope that they will change for the better." Ellis bows to Claire as she speaks.
"Good thing that you arrived on the right time, if not we might've engaged into a fight." This time Rinslet's barging in.
Kamito is still new to the academy, so he doesn't understand a bit about what's going on inside.
But, he just can't accept the girls' behavior.
"You two, do you even realize that you're being helped?"
"…"
"…"
None of the girls care about Kamito's opinion, just when he's about to get angry…
"It's okay, Kazehaya Kamito."
"But—"
"I shall excuse myself."
Without waiting for Kamito's reply, Ellis left the scene too.
Her ponytail sways as her body disappears into the building.
After confirming that Ellis is gone, Claire opens her mouth.
"It's not like we're not feeling grateful for her help, but we just can't help but to get irritated over her attitude."
"What do you mean?" Kamito asked.
"Didn't you see it? She's suffering because she held her feelings deep inside her. No matter how much she wants to be able to associate with her friends, she can't. Because she is a model knight for the Sylphid Knights." Rinslet said who sighed helplessly.
Hearing Rinslet's explanation and the way Ellis act just now, Kamito finally get a grasp of what is happening.
"—As a model knight, huh…"
Deep inside Kamito's heart, he wanted to help Ellis.
He understands how Ellis felt, but he does not have the reason to help her.
"The reason we're being rude to her is none other than trying to get her angry with us." Claire said with a snort.
"That way, maybe she can be more open with her feelings." Rinset closes her eyes.
"I see…"
Kamito misjudged the situation.
He thought that the girls are just trying to make enemy of Ellis.
But it seems like they're more caring than they looked like, even though maybe their way is too harsh for a normal person to take.
"Say, girls. Do you guys want to befriend Ellis?" Kamito asked.
"Here comes the demon of the night." Restia giggles inside his mind.
"Kamito is really being Kamito." Est sighed.
Claire and Rinslet who can't hear the spirits' voices look at each other and nod their head.
"I'm not sure if I may succeed, but I will try to find a way, so that you guys can get along with her. Because I too, feel like she can be a good friend."
No one can be sure if Kamito might succeed or not, but the girls just want to trust in Kamito.
Because he looked like he is sure that he can do it.
R&R
