Chapter 402

Relieving Antonio’s guilt over holding the treasure I’d found was surprisingly simple: just let him help me find treasure as I had helped him.

I roughly remembered the hidden points where treasures were buried on Plyana Beach, so it wasn’t too difficult to create a situation where it seemed like I found a treasure thanks to Antonio’s assistance.

“Did this restaurant really exist around here?”

“It’s one of the places the professor mentioned on the first day of class. She said it would be nice to have a meal here if we were visiting Plyana Beach.”

“Is that so? I don’t remember hearing that.”

“That’s because you were too hot and out of it, Natalie. Miss Lilith is correct.”

“For a restaurant recommended by the professor, it doesn’t seem to be very crowded. Everyone must still be out searching for treasure.”

…That would make sense. They’re probably all trying to find at least one more treasure during mealtime to boost their grades.

“Since there are many options on the menu, how about everyone orders what they want, and we can sample a bit of everything?”

“Oh, I think that’s a great idea! It’s rare that we get to visit a beachside restaurant like this.”@@novelbin@@

“Yes, go ahead. I’ll cover the meal today, so don’t worry about the price.”

“Thank you, Prince Antonio!”

The professor of this marine studies class wanted us to use the treasure hunt to build camaraderie among teammates, not to get so caught up in grades that we lost sight of the vacation’s true purpose.

“Are you students from Luminar Academy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Indeed, we are.”

“Here, this item is on the house.”

“…Huh?”

So it was also part of the professor’s plan to give out magical orbs to students who ordered from this restaurant she recommended.

“Professor Lucietta asked me to give this to any student who orders the ‘Plyana Beach Shrimp Curry.’ You’re the second group to come here today.”

“Oh, I see…”

“Thank you.”

I took the magical orb from the server with a puzzled expression. It seemed the hero’s group had already been here. He’d likely read my guide and followed my route.

…And even without that, Seraphina was with the hero’s group, so she probably figured out the hint from Professor Lucietta on her own.

“This was the menu item Lilith suggested, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then this magical orb should count as one Lilith found. She chose this restaurant, and she ordered the professor’s recommended menu item.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

“I agree as well!”

“I think that’s fair too.”

The rest of the party quickly agreed with Ethan, relieved to be rid of the notion that I hadn’t found any treasure.

And, of course, Prince Antonio, who had felt uneasy about holding onto a treasure I’d found.

“Yes, it seems Miss Rosewood did indeed find this orb.”

“Are you sure, Prince Antonio? You’re covering the meal, so doesn’t this count as your treasure?”

“It’s alright. I wouldn’t have gotten it if Miss Rosewood hadn’t ordered the shrimp curry. Besides, I’m not officially part of this class. I’m just… following Lady Agnes on her vacation.”

“I understand. Then, we gratefully accept your generosity, Prince Antonio.”

“…Yes, I appreciate it.”

And so, with everyone having found a treasure, the second day of our marine studies class wrapped up. Spending the entire day chasing a common goal made the day feel even more enjoyable.

⁂

On the third and fourth days, the marine studies class was still more of a vacation than an actual class. Since it was designed by Professor Lucietta for relaxation rather than survival training or monster subjugation, it remained leisurely.

While other classes wrung every last bit of energy from the students, this one was a reprieve, enjoyed by everyone except perhaps Agnes.

“…How many hours are left until this class ends?”

“The official end time for the marine studies class is tomorrow at 6 p.m., so about 30 hours.”

“I want to go back. Why are we wasting time here?”

“Think of it as an early summer break. We’d have a hard time gathering everyone like this during vacation, so we should be grateful for the chance to relax together.”

“…I don’t know. Next time, I’ll just bring a spellbook.”

Being from a competitive branch family of the Elizabeth family, she found it hard to accept any time for play.

Of course, the last day wouldn’t end without incident. It was a known fact in a fantasy world like this that monsters often appeared during summer vacations.

Meanwhile, Natalie was excitedly calling Agnes and me over from where she’d been building sandcastles with Thomas on the beach.

“Look at this, Miss Lilith, Miss Agnes! Don’t you think our group will be first with this?”

“…You did well, Miss Natalie. Is that a giant squid?”

“It’s a whale, Miss Lilith!”

“Oh, a whale… Now that you mention it, the tail fin does look like a whale’s.”

“These are the flippers, Miss Lilith!”

“…Indeed. The flippers look so realistic I almost mistook them for a tail fin.”

I admired Natalie’s unique sand art and offered some light-hearted praise. This was actually the fourth day’s assignment: to create a sand sculpture on the beach, record it with a video magic tool, and submit it.

All the tasks in marine studies were like this. They didn’t disrupt our relaxation but still gave us something to focus on.

On the second day, a group that got too engrossed collected nearly 20 orbs, but they received the same score as our group, where each member only found one.

It was the professor’s way of saying that while focusing on tasks was good, getting too absorbed was unnecessary. By the third day, everyone was doing only as much as she asked, enjoying a truly vacation-like class.

Thomas and Natalie were so engrossed in each other’s company that Agnes and I decided to leave them alone and rest in the shade instead.

“Thomas, it’s collapsing! Hold it up, quick!”

“Where? Honestly, isn’t everything about to fall?”

“Here, right here! Hold it tight!”

“…Ah, okay, I got it, Natalie…”

‘Ah, young love.’

Thinking back, Ethan and I had those moments too. Just holding hands used to make us blush with excitement.

…Or did we? Now that I think about it, maybe we skipped over some steps.

Instead of holding hands, I think we might’ve jumped straight to touching other things… Was it a kiss next? Or… hand-holding? It’s all a bit hazy.

‘What a jumbled order of events. How did we end up like this?’

Maybe skipping the steps is what lets us still feel that thrill even now when we look at each other.

While I was lost in thought, I noticed something cold touch my left cheek.

“Here, Lilith.”

“T-thank you?”

It was Ethan, handing me a cool, slightly damp wooden cup. When I turned, I saw him holding what looked like a slushie.

“Refreshing, isn’t it? I saw them selling these on the way back and got one.”

“Thank you, Master Ethan.”

“This class ends tomorrow, doesn’t it? I’ve actually enjoyed it quite a bit.”

“Well, we still have two days left of vacation after that, Master Ethan.”

“That’s true. But tomorrow’s the last time I’ll be spending it with them.”

He glanced over at Thomas and Natalie, who were still busy with their collapsing whale, and then at the hero’s harem building a rather impressive sandcastle nearby.

His once-guarded demeanor from the first semester had relaxed considerably over the term.

“We still have next semester, and next year too, Master Ethan.”

“I know.”

Had Ethan not harbored such strong suspicion toward the hero back in the first year, perhaps there’d be a place for us in the hero’s party now.

Thinking that, I watched as the sunset cast its orange hues across the fourth day.

“Thomas! It’s collapsing—hold it up!”

“I only have two hands! How am I supposed to hold up more?”

…and with it, Natalie’s sand creation—our group’s assignment.

I’d taken a picture before it collapsed, just in case. With how laid-back this class has been, it should suffice.