A week had passed since we enrolled in the magic academy.
The upperclassmen who had been chasing me around seemed to have realized that I had no intention of joining their clubs, and they had stopped.
I was a little relieved.
A lot had happened in this past week.
The biggest news among the first-years was that a girl named Yurin, who was in our year, was dating a second-year student.
When I heard the news, I was a little envious.
"Man, I wish I had a girlfriend."
I mumbled that, and the other guys who heard me started verbally abusing me.
Why? I asked Reina about it, but she couldn't give me an answer.
And today, a notice was posted at the entrance of the academy, and many students were looking at it.
I pushed through the students and looked at the notice.
It was about an event called the Magic Festival.
The Magic Festival was a competition where students from academies all over the country were selected from each year to fight and determine the top two from each year.
Only two students were selected from each year, and a total of 16 people from eight academies would fight in a tournament.
Participating in the tournament was up to the individual, but if there were too many participants, a preliminary round would be held at this academy.
I thought about it for a bit.
I was thinking about whether or not to participate in this tournament.
Should I participate as a memento of coming to another world?
But I don't really like fighting, and I don't want to take someone else's spot just for the sake of a memory.
Besides, even if I wanted to participate, there's no guarantee that I would pass the preliminary round.
Students could watch the Magic Festival, and it might be more fun to watch than to participate.
After thinking about it, I decided not to participate.
"Hehe, what's wrong? Are you going to participate in the magic tournament?"
A voice suddenly called out to me from behind.
It was a voice I had never heard before.
The voice was a little slimy, and the way he spoke sent a shiver down my spine.
I turned around.
The person who called me was a male student I had never seen before.
He had black hair, and his bangs covered his eyes. I could see that he had freckles.
"Um, who are you?"
I asked the male student.
I was a little flustered because a stranger suddenly called out to me.
Then, the male student tilted his head with a confused expression.
"Huh? You don't know who I am? We're in the same year."
He said we were in the same year.
He was shorter than me and didn't look like he was older.
Was there a person like this?
I tried to remember him from my memories.
I felt like I had seen him before, but I wasn't sure.
While I was trying to remember, Day came over.
"Hey, Yuto. And... you're a first-year, aren't you...?"
Day looked at me and the male student next to me and said that.
His words were a little halting, but it seemed he knew this guy.
"Good. It seems you know me."
The male student looked a little relieved.
"Do you know him, Day?"
I asked Day.
"This is Partley Nyla. He's a first-year, just like us."
Day introduced Partley.
There were only about 40 first-years, including us, so it was a little frustrating that I didn't know him.
"But didn't you lose in the combat exam? How did you pass? Did you get in through the back door?"
Day asked Partley.
It's not my place to say this, but isn't that a little rude?!
"Ha, are you a muscle-brain? Losing the combat exam doesn't mean you fail."
Partley mocked Day a little.
Well, the combat exam wasn't the only one. He must have done well in the others.
"Oh, is that right? My bad."
Day honestly apologized.
"More importantly!"
Partley suddenly raised his voice and brought his face close to mine.
I was surprised and leaned back a little.
"I am interested in transferred people like you! Would you mind if I dissect you?"
Partley said something horrifying and came closer to me.
I was so terrified that I slowly backed away.
Even though his eyes were hidden by his bangs, I could tell he had a big smile.
"Hey, Yuto is scared. That's enough."
Day grabbed Partley's shoulder and pulled him away from me.
I was scared, so I was relieved.
"Aww, can't I just have a little bit? I want to study anything I'm interested in."
He was a little disappointed that he was pulled away from me.
"But I am also interested in you.
Mr. Day, the brother of Mr. Zen MacLaughlin, who is in the Pazele Knights."
Partley moved his gaze from me to Day.
The brother of someone in the Pazele Knights?
That's where Dion is the Knight Commander, right?
I was surprised to hear that for the first time.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
Partley said that and left, ignoring my shock.
Partley left, and Day and I were left alone.
"Um, Day, what was that about?"
I asked Day about his brother.
Day had never talked about his brother before, so I thought he didn't want to talk about it. But...
"Oh, you mean my brother? My brother is a pretty skilled knight in the Pazele Knights!"
He started talking about his brother enthusiastically.
From his tone, I could tell that he looked up to his brother a lot.
"I respect my brother.
Someday, I want to join the Pazele Knights and fight alongside him."
Day talked about his goal and dream.
His face was bright and hopeful, but it was also a little lonely.
"Let's go, Yuto."
Day said and started walking.
I walked with him.