Dream Life Vol II Chapter 24: “Entrance Ceremony”

　September 1st.

　It was still too hot to be called autumn, but with white sardine clouds floating in the clear blue sky, the sky was gradually showing signs of autumn.

　Since Sharon’s father, Guy Jakes, had returned home on August twelve, we had been going to the forest on sunny days and improving our living environment on rainy days.

　We spent a total of twelve days in the forest, raising my Sword Arts level to eighteen and my wind attribute magic to twenty-five, a level each. Sharon’s wind attribute magic had also risen to 18, and through repeated experience in battle, she was able to calmly respond to most monsters.

　As for improving the living environment of the house, there were two main things we did.

　The first was the installation of a bath.

　The bathtub was two meters by eighty centimeters wide and about eighty centimeters deep.

　It took about twenty days to complete the bathtub when it was made in the village of Rathmore in the past, but now that I had six times more magical power than when I was five years old, the bathtub was completed in about three days.

　Furthermore, since my magic skills has improved compared to that time, it is now possible to change the surface of the stone blocks made with the [Stone Creation] to look like glass. Thanks to this, it was possible to create a bathtub that looked more like a tiled bathtub than a stone one.

　As for the method of heating the water, since we are the only ones who use this bathtub, we have decided to boil the water by magic. For this reason, we did not install a cauldron.

　We also wanted a shower, so we placed a barrel on top of the bathtub and got the end of a watering can from a general store to make a simple shower.

　This shower is also basically running on magic and is filled with water by the [Water Creation] and heated by [Peltier Effect].

　It takes about a third of my current magic power to fill the bathtub with water, and raising the temperature further takes a considerable amount of magic power.

　Liddy can make the water and Sharon can raise the temperature, so it is not so much of a burden, but it made me realize how convenient life was when I was in Japan.

　Well, it is not so hard now because the lingering summer heat is still very hot, and I only need to take a shower.

　It feels pretty good to be able to take a warm, lukewarm shower at this time of the summer.

　Both Liddy and Sharon like it, and it was worth making.

　The other thing is the refrigerator.

　It is an ice refrigerator that is cooled by ice. Of course, I did not make it myself, but had it made by a furniture craftsman introduced to me by McLeod, the real estate agent. The craftsman who brought it to me looked at me in confusion and wondered what I was going to use this box-like piece of furniture made of thick wood for.

　The ice refrigerator is about one meter high with an internal volume of about seventy centimeter by fifty centimeter by fifty centimeter, with three shelves inside. In it was a square vessel made of copper plate, in which ice was placed for cooling.

　The ice melts quite fast because it is not airtight, but it is still very useful for storing meat and fish.

　Incidentally, ice is also created by [Peltier Effect], but it consumes a lot of magic power to take away latent heat.

　When winter comes, I’m thinking of using it to heat the bathtub.

　And today is the entrance ceremony.

　I changed into my brand-new uniform and headed to the academy with Liddy and Sharon.

　On the way there, there were many new students in brand-new uniforms just like ours, showing their first appearance.

　The entrance ceremony takes place in the courtyard in front of the school building.

　We, the new students line up at the front by class, and the current students from the second-grade to the fifth-grade line up behind them.

　I was standing at the very end of the front row, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

　The ceremony itself was just like any other school ceremony in Japan, starting with the addresses by the headmaster of the academy, the chairman, and the guest of honor, a councilor of the Magicians’ Guild, followed by welcoming speeches of the current students.

　The last part was the greeting by the new students, but I, who was supposed to give the address, was clearly unwilling to do so. The day before, I had prepared a lame speech that was a random mash-up of the greetings of the previous generations.

　The facilitator, a man in his forties or so, said

“Mr. Lockhart, the freshman representative.” (Facilitator)

　I tried to sound as childlike as possible and answered in a cheerful voice, “Yes!”, and moved forward.

“Becoming a member of the prosperous Tyria Academy of Magic from today onwards is the best thing I have ever done in my life… I aim to become a great student like my seniors…I will ready myself starting now, and I can’t forget to thank the teachers. I hereby declare that I will be a fine magician under the guidance of my teachers. Freshman representative of the 281st class, Zacharias Lockhart.” (Zack)

　After I finished my one-minute speech, there was a round of applause.

　I returned to my place with a tightened face that was about to relax, saying, “It’s finally over.”

　After the entrance ceremony, orientation was held in each classroom.

　As we enter the classroom, our homeroom teacher, Aric Bennett, walks up to the podium and loudly instructs us, “Take your seats in proper order.”

　Mr. Bennett is a human in his late twenties with a skinny build and narrow eyes.

　We did as we were told, looking at the numbered papers and taking our seats. My seat is the first one at the entrance with Sharon beside me.

　We both take our seats.

“For one year, that number will be your attendance number…” (Bennett)

　It seems that in this elite class, class one, attendance numbers are in order of grade. From next year onward, it will be based on the previous year’s ranking, and I thought it was an easy-to-understand system.

　By the way, I heard that from class two to class five, the numbers are determined by alphabetical order. This is another way of differentiation.

“I am Aric Bennett, and I will be your homeroom teacher for the next year. I will be in charge of all classroom activities, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Now introduce yourselves.” (Bennett)

　As soon as Mr. Bennett saw me, he stood up and began to introduce himself.

“I am Zacharias Lockhart. I’m from the countryside, so I’m sure there are a lot of things I don’t understand, but I’m looking forward to learning with you.” (Zack)

　After saying this, I immediately sat down.

　Sharon stands up for me and says in a small voice, “My name is Sharon Jakes… Nice to meet you all.” and bows her head. I guess she was not expecting this situation, but she seemed to be very nervous.

　After that, the students introduced themselves one after another.

　Many of them were taller than I was, especially those who were twelve to thirteen years old. In particular, Sharon, who was only about a hundred forty centimeters [T/N: 4ft. 7in.], was the shortest person in the group.

　After everyone had introduced themselves, Mr. Bennett was about to start the orientation.

　However, the boy next to Sharon scooted up and began asking the teacher questions. The boy was Quentin Wagman, who had passed in third place and was standing there with his puffing his chest confidently.

“I would like to ask the teacher, is there anyone among them who entered the school fraudulently?” (Quentin)

　The teacher asks back, “Fraudulently? What do you mean?”

　I had some idea of what he was going to say.

“I understand that Lockhart and Jakes are only ten years old. I thought this academy only allowed twelve-year-olds to take the entrance examination. If it is true that they are ten years old, then I don’t think they deserve to be here.” (Quentin)

　I almost gushed at the predictable turn of events. Then, interested in how the teacher would respond, I decided to watch the situation unfold with a somewhat spiteful feeling.

　Mr. Bennett said, “I looked into it myself, and there is no age limit set in the Academy’s regulations. So that means they are eligible to take the exam,” he answered calmly.

　Quentin did not expect such an answer, and his face gradually became flushed, changing from a look of triumph to one of frustration, his teeth grinding.

(For someone who so brazenly points it out, you didn’t really look into it yourself, did you? Well, I guess you could say it was typical of a twelve-year-old kid, but since he was so confident, he must be pretty embarrassed.) (Zack)

　He denounces us further with a flushed face.

“How can a ten-year-old kid can place first and second in the class! They cheated, obviously!” (Quentin)

　He raged on like a child having a tantrum, but Mr. Bennett admonished him in a softer tone.

“I can understand your frustration because you fell behind the younger children, but if you point it out here, I’m not going to let you just get your way, you should at least have some evidence to back it up.” (Bennett)

　Quentin blushed even more, but he couldn’t say anything more and sat back down with a thud.

(I can understand why he would want to say that because, without us, he would be at the top of the class. But I think he owes us at least an apology. Mr. Bennett doesn’t seem to have anything to say about that. Well, it doesn’t matter to me…) (Zack)

“Well then, ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow you will begin your studies here at the academy. Some of you are nobles, some of you are commoners, some of you are from here in Doctus, some of you are from Saltus in the north, and some of you are from Caelum in the south. However, as long as you study at this academy, no one will discriminate against you based on your status or where you are from. We ask you all to abide by this rule. Please do not use ostentatious honorific titles, just address each other as “Mr.” for men and “Miss” for women. Of course, treat each other with respect like adults…” (Bennett)

　This Magic Academy attracts students from various countries, from the northern part of the Caelum Empire to the Kingdom of Saltus in the north. Some of them are related to the royal family and some of them were arrogant using their status.

　Therefore, in order to eliminate the differences in status, students at the academy are addressed uniformly by Mr. or Ms. on official occasions, i.e., in class.

　Naturally, when I call Sharon, I have to call her “Miss Jakes.”

(It’s like a magic school in some novel, isn’t it? I guess we won’t summon familiars…) (Zack)

　While holding back my laughter, I listened to Mr. Bennett’s words.

“…Some of the individuals here are related to people who hold important positions in the Magician’s Guild, and some are directly descended from counts of a certain kingdom. However, it is forbidden to take advantage of status at the academy. Please never forget this…” (Bennett)

　Mr. Bennett’s explanation continues.

“… As you probably already know, we have a holiday every five days at the academy. The days with a five and a zero are holidays…” (Bennett)

　In this academy, or rather in this town, a vacation falls every 50 days. In addition, the first day of January, April, and October have vacations for festivals, and July and August are summer vacations.

“If there are no questions, we will dismiss for the day. If there are none, we will adjourn for today. Mr. Lockhart. From now on, you will give the signal for the opening and closing greetings. Now, stand up!” (Bennett)

　At the signal of teacher Bennett, everyone stood up.

　Then the teacher glances at me and nods.

(He wants me to continue, I suppose. It’s a hassle, but I guess it can’t be helped…) (Zack)

　I shout loudly, “Goodbye!” and bowed my head.

　The other students bowed their heads, too, and Mr. Bennett nodded his head in satisfaction and left the classroom.

　After Mr. Bennett left, the students also left the classroom one by one.

　As Sharon and I were leaving the classroom, Quentin stood in front of us.

　I said, “Mr. Wagman. What can I do for you?” He twisted his face and glared at us.

　Sharon and I have been in real combat before, so being stared at by a kid doesn’t make us feel anything at all. On the contrary, it was hard to suppress a laugh at how desperate he was.

“I’m going to find out how you cheated! My father is a councilor of the Magician’s Guild…” (Quentin)

　He flaunted his father’s power and threatened us, but since we were neither frightened nor angry, he turned up the heat all by himself.

　He said, “Watch me! I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this town!” He said a throwaway remark and walked out of the classroom.

　Sharon tilts her head asking, “What does he want?”

“Well, I guess he’s frustrated because he didn’t come out on top. Let’s not get involved.” (Zack)

　Our first day at the academy ended on a sour note.

A/N: I don’t think I’ve heard it much recently even in Kansai, but is it called “Fiftieth Day” in Kanto as well? [T/N: 五十日 or Gotoubi or 50^th day, is describing days with multiples of 5 and/or 10.]

As the story goes, my work has become so hectic that I cannot even secure a day off.

Although the speed of updating is the only thing that keeps Dream Life going, it seems that updating twice a week until the end of October is going to be enough.

So, from next week, I will be updating on Tuesdays and Fridays.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your understanding.