The Most Fearsome Four

The next morning, I stood before the main gate of Nobless Academy.

I really hope I’ve got the time right, I thought, adjusting my collar.

For the first time in ages, I was dressed in the same formal attire I’d worn for the entrance ceremony. Over my stark white Nobless student uniform, I wore a pure white mantle adorned with a collar and intricate gold embroidery. Lilith had personally seen to its cleaning, so it was absolutely sparkling. I looked exactly like a fresh-faced first-year student. Well, technically I was one, so I guess it fit.

More importantly, the scheduled meeting time had already passed.

Normally, that would be a problem, but I didn't mind. Honestly, I was secretly praying the whole plan would just fall through.

Just then—

Teacher Milk came walking slowly toward me from the front. She was wearing a black, suit-like outfit with pants—a fresh, different look from her usual attire. The sheer destructive power of her swaying, bursting curves was exceptionally erot—no, never mind. Focus.

"You’re early, Weiss," she noted.

"I’m actually right on time."

"I was referring to my internal sense of time."

I have no idea what that means, but it’s probably best not to talk back.

"Are the others late?" I asked.

"Looks like it."

Just as I said that, I sensed a surge of mana in the distance. It was moving toward us at an incredible speed. The person who skidded to a halt, hair practically frizzy from the wind resistance, was Sierra.

"S-Sorry! I’m so sorry! Did I... did I oversleep!?"

"Were you up late?" Milk asked.

"I’m sorry! By the time I realized what time it was, it was already morning!"

Sierra bowed her head frantically. Even Sierra uses polite speech with Teacher Milk? Well, I suppose that’s only natural.

Then again, Teacher Milk, you were late too.

Still, just having these two together made me feel incredibly uneasy. That said, the final member of our party was even worse... though, knowing her, she might just be a no-show.

Actually, that would be for the best. Yeah, let's go with that.

"Well, whatever," Milk sighed. "That just leaves one more, doesn't it?"

"Oh, I’ve already arrived."

A voice suddenly rang out from behind me. I hadn't sensed a single flicker of mana. It made absolutely no sense. But then again, there was one person at Nobless to whom the laws of common sense simply didn't apply. No, she was likely the only one of her kind in the entire world.

Eva Avery.

"So you actually showed up," Milk said.

"My, Teacher, I’ve always been a serious student."

"Eva! How can you be even slower than your senior!?" Sierra barked.

"Senior Sierra, you’re looking as tiny and cute as ever today."

"T-That’s not the point!"

Are you seeing this?

The people gathered here were Milk Abitus, Eva Avery, and Sierra Witch. It was an utterly absurd lineup. From an outsider’s perspective, I was probably considered one of them, but from where I was standing, I was nothing like these monsters.

And as for why we were congregating like this... this was my "reward."

"For now, shall we fly to the vicinity? It’ll be faster," Milk suggested.

"Okaaay," Eva chirped.

"It’s a pain so early in the morning, but I agree," Sierra added.

At Teacher Milk’s word, everyone began to float softly into the air. Eva straddled a broom, while Sierra climbed onto her scythe. Teacher Milk didn't use a tool at all; she could probably fly perfectly well just by concentrating.

However—

"Excuse me, but this is still a bit much for me."

Are these people even thinking about me? Flight Magic is an incredibly advanced technique. Besides, I’m just a lowly lowerclassman!

"Good grief. You need to devote yourself more to your training," Milk scolded.

"Oh my, how precious," Eva teased.

"Vai-vai is still such a little kid!" Sierra laughed.

It had been a long time since I’d been in a situation where I couldn't even manage a retort. Well... I guess this is fine, once in a while.

"Fine, then we’ll walk," Milk conceded. "But I’m warning you all now: do not go wild. We are visiting another school for a Goodwill Event today."

"I would never do such a thing, Teacher," Eva said smoothly.

"Vai, make sure you listen to what your senior tells you, okay?" Sierra added.

"Yes, ma'am."

That was the plan. The four of us were heading to another school to observe as Nobless Representatives. I was representing the lowerclassmen, Eva the intermediate years, and Sierra the seniors, with Teacher Milk as our supervisor.

This was the "reward."

The benefits were actually quite significant. I’d get to see the magic styles and practice routines of another school, and they were even going to share some of their curriculum details with us. I was genuinely looking forward to it. I really was, but—

"We’re going to move at high speed," Milk announced. "I don't want to waste time."

"Okaaay! I hope there are some good kids there to play with," Eva mused.

"Vai, keep up, okay? If... if you can't handle the pace, I suppose I could hold your hand?" Sierra offered.

"I’m fine! I’ll do my best!"

I have a really bad feeling about this group...