From the next day, I could attend classroom lessons like everyone else, but I remained excluded from battle training, observing from the sidelines. Determined not to waste time, I focused on memorizing spell chants from the textbook. With ample time, I memorized chants for various spells, including high-level ones. Though unsure if I could cast them, memorization seemed beneficial.
When I read the textbook, I saw that the higher the level, the longer the chant became. The lines also grew more and more embarrassing to say out loud. If anyone heard me chant these, I'd die of embarrassment. If volume didn't impact spell activation, I'd prefer casting them quietly, perhaps even silently. The younger students, however, shouted their chants with full force.
"Spirits of the great earth, hear me! Give me your power and form a spear in my right hand that can break all! Oooooh—'Rock Lance'!"
"You're good! I can do it too! White princess of the sky! Show your noble form and bring your smooth power here! Yaaaaa—'Wind Cutter'!"
I felt a bit jealous of their young hearts. Perhaps age had dulled my youthful exuberance. Even so, being able to use spells was wonderful, even if I felt shy about the chants. Classroom discussions, ranging from basics to dungeon topics, proved highly useful despite the self-study nature of my training. With only three months, I focused intently, though I felt my retention wasn't as sharp as in my twenties. Despite this, I felt my knowledge had expanded significantly.
* * *
A week later, as planned, the five of us gathered for the welcome party. The venue was a bar Ootani frequented, with a pleasant atmosphere. Yet, among these young people, I felt like an older man among youths. It almost felt like a teacher among students.
"Hanaoka-saaan, are you drinking?" Nakatsuka asked.
"Yes, Nakatsuka-san, I'm drinking," I replied.
"What are you drinking?"
"Lemon chuhai."
"Oh, nice! Maybe I will have one too."
"Nakatsuka-san, did you already drink a lot?" I asked.
"No, no, I'm just getting started!"
She seemed slightly tipsy but clearly enjoying herself.
"Hey, Nakatsuka-san, that's not fair! Hanaoka-san, I can pour for you if you like," Kinoshita said.
"Thank you, Kinoshita-san. I'm happy, but it's chuhai, so..."
"Tadaa! I knew you would say that, so I ordered this. It's sake—its name is the famous 'Ore no Sakagura'!"
"'Ore no Sakagura'? Is that the rare one...?"
"Oh, right, the menu said it was rare and limited. Want to try?"
"Yes, please."
'Ore no Sakagura' was a rare, expensive sake I'd long wanted to try. Though I rarely drank sake, I knew of its reputation. Never expected to find it in a regular bar—I couldn't pass this up.
"Here you go!"
"Thank you. I'll drink it now."
'Ore no Sakagura' was clear, with a faint amber color. When I took a sip, a rich taste and soft sweetness spread in my mouth. Compared to the cheap drinks I usually had, the taste was deeper and smooth. It tasted as though the rice had been refined to its purest essence.
"It's good," I said.
Notes:
• Ootani - A female classmate first seen when joining Nakatsuka to invite Hanaoka for tea; event occurs from Nakatsuka’s call to include friends; meets Hanaoka as classmate; no known relationships; supportive and cheerful.
• Nakatsuka - A 20-year-old classmate first seen when she approaches Hanaoka after class; invites him to tea due to interest in his single status; no leader involved; meets Hanaoka socially; no known other relationships; likes drinking.
• Kinoshita - A female classmate first appearing with Ootani and Miyake after Nakatsuka’s invite; joins tea to welcome Hanaoka; meets Hanaoka socially; no known relationships; impressed by name recall skill.