"Prepare for docking!"
As spring approached, Eleonora, accompanied by her maid Roberta, arrived at the royal capital's port aboard a longship operated by the Suno people. The ship's unusual appearance and the tall, striking young woman disembarking caused a stir among the onlookers.
"Don't go playing around when you're returning, okay?"
"Yes, boss. Don't worry, I won't embarrass you."
"Don't call me boss. I'd look like a pirate."
At just 16 years old, leading a group labeled as barbarians, Eleonora couldn't afford to be called a pirate leader if she valued her life. Roberta nervously followed as Eleonora strode confidently, her large steps commanding attention. Their first stop was a shop with a sign reading Rioma & Giroux Bookstore.
"Welcome. Are you new students from Polina Academy?"
"Yes, just give me the textbooks on the list."
Eleonora handed the list of books written on parchment to Rioma, the shopkeeper wearing a red hat.
"Oh, this year's students stand out a lot. Hey! Giroux! Bring the textbooks for new students!"
"Got it, big brother!"
Giroux, the shopkeeper's younger brother in a green hat, gathered the same books the other students had purchased.
(Still, textbooks? They're medieval-looking, but somehow modern.)
Normally, books were expensive, but textbooks were oddly cheap. Maybe they were using printing presses, but the frontier knight family probably had no such machine.
"This year, His Highness the Crown Princeand friends are enrolling too, so many students move into dorms early."
"Oh, really? Well, that doesn't concern me."
"Me? Ah, no, I mean, it doesn't concern you?"
"The head of a poor knight household was slain, so his daughter stepped in as a proxy until his brother reaches adulthood."
"I see, I see..."
Perhaps mentioning "poor knight" had an effect. Rioma didn't press further and left to help his brother. He couldn't afford to waste time on someone without money.
After paying, they headed to Madame Carmen's clothing store, recommended by Baron Pucaa. Even here, Eleonora's entrance caused a stir, but the staff remained professional, smiling warmly.
"Welcome, customer. What are you looking for today?"
"Ah, madam. I want a Lady's uniform from Polina Academy."
"Oh, a new student! But with your height... hmm."
"Haha, I know. I've grown tall somehow. Can I get the biggest size available?"
"Hmm... I'll need to make some adjustments."
Eleonora sighed at those words. She couldn't see this life of wasting money as necessary.
"Okay, fine. I guess we need it to live."
"Now, please go to the back for measurements. Including summer and winter clothes, will it be 6 outfits?"
"Ugh... I hate shopping for women's clothes. It takes forever."
Muttering, Eleonora turned to Roberta before going into the back room with Madame Carmen.
"Roberta, find some clothes you like too. If you only wear village dresses, it'll be awkward to visit the Royal Capital."
"R-really?"
"It wouldn't be fair if I buy and you just wait."
"E-eh... I love how you're so sweet, Young Lady."
"Don't be stupid. Pick something quickly and come back."
The clerks crowded around, measuring Eleonora's body and checking her shoe size. When they brought her fitted loafers, Eleonora finally burst into a strange laugh. Village folks complained about wooden shoes, but these loafers had arch support, soft fur insoles, and were securely fixed.
(Is the technology level weird only around the school? Were there reincarnators before me? But the development seems more like a school than a royal city.)
Because they took plenty of time, the expenses hurt. In the end, Roberta, too, looked like a girl student at Polina Sacred Light Academy, ignoring her height and hairstyle.
(Why is it a separate type? That style of clothing didn't exist on Earth at this time.)
"Geez, there's no point thinking about things I don't understand. Roberta—are you done?"
"Young Lady! Yes! I've chosen!"
"...You, I'm the one paying."
Roberta only held one outfit, which annoyed Eleonora.
"At times like this, bring as many as you want! People might think I'm stingy!"
"Eek! Sorry! I'll go choose now!"
Eleonora sighed again as she watched Roberta run back to look at the clothes, almost hearing the swoosh sound.