The discussion between Jin, Eira, Kachea, and Groma continued on, and before long, the time approached 10:00 PM.
"Let's wrap things up for tonight," Jin suggested.
"Yeah, I guess so. Still feels like we haven't talked nearly enough, though..." Eira said, sounding reluctant to call it a night.
Just then, a thought struck Jin.
"Come to think of it, Kachea."
"Yes? What is it?"
"How are things going with Berlich Becker?"
He was asking about how her relationship with him was progressing.
"Eeeek?!"
"Ah, so no progress yet, huh..."
Jin could read the situation well enough from that reaction alone.
"Tell me about it, Jin. Even though she's been meeting up with Berlich all the time during her off hours, there's been zero progress whatsoever."
"E-Eira-san..."
"What? It's the truth, isn't it?"
"T-That was just because Berlich-san was asking me for business advice..."
"Oh right, he was saying something about how they needed to cut redundancies to improve the financial situation of his workshop, wasn't he?"
"Exactly! It's just as Groma-san says!"
"Getting so defensive only makes you look more suspicious."
"Jin-saaan..."
"Haha, sorry."
Judging by her flustered state, her feelings seemed genuine, Jin thought.
(Next time I visit Berlich Workshop, maybe I'll ask him about it too.)
Last time, Magic Technology Minister Reglei had been along with him, so he had not had the chance to bring up such personal topics.
At any rate, that was enough for tonight.
"I'll come by again tomorrow evening."
"We'll be waiting!"
With that, Jin and Reiko left the Go-lab.
The following day, the 11th.
"Good morning, Jin-sama, Elsa-sama. Did you rest well?"
Just as Jin and the others finished getting ready, Fione Fias knocked on the door and stepped inside.
"Ah, good morning. Yes, we slept soundly, thank you."
"Me too."
"I am very glad to hear that. Well then, let us head over to breakfast."
Taking the lead, Fione Fias guided them toward the cafeteria—the same one where they had eaten lunch the day before.
A morning spread was laid out in the dining hall.
Jin selected rice, turnip miso soup, simmered round beans, chawanmushi, oshinko, and hojicha.
Elsa chose rice, daikon and taro miso soup, boiled tofu, sweet tamagoyaki, oshinko, and brown rice tea.
Fione Fias opted for honey toast, a plain omelet, a fresh vegetable salad, and mixed fruit juice.
Glancing around, Jin noticed that the patrons were split about evenly between Japanese-style and Western-style breakfast choices.
"In a place with a buffet like this, you really can't help but end up grabbing a little of everything," Jin muttered to himself.
"Hehe, that is certainly true," Fione Fias agreed with a smile.
Just then, a voice called out nearby.
"Ah, Fifi-san, good morning!"
Looking over, Jin saw a woman in her early twenties who appeared to be an administrative office staff member.
Two others following behind her chimed in with their own greetings as well.
"Good morning, Fifi-san!"
"Good morning, Fifi-san."
"G-Good morning."
As Fione Fias returned their greetings, a slight blush colored her cheeks.
"Fifi-san?" Elsa echoed inquisitively.
"Because her name is Fione Fias, it turns into Fifi-san, I suppose," Jin remarked.
"T-That is true, but it is a bit embarrassing, so if possible, I would appreciate it if you didn't..."
It was an unexpectedly shy response from her.
Seeing such a reaction from the usually composed Fione, Jin quickly put two and two together.
(Ah, so that's why her friends and acquaintances call her Fifi-san—they just want to see her get flustered...)
After breakfast.
"Elsa-sama, your special lecture for the medical curriculum is scheduled for today."
"Yes."
"What are your plans, Jin-sama?"
Jin had not set any specific schedule for himself yet.
"Elsa's lecture starts in the afternoon, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"In that case, I'd like to spend the morning continuing yesterday's work at the Aviation Research Lab, have lunch here at noon, and then sit in on Elsa's lecture in the afternoon, if that's all right."
"Understood. I will make the necessary arrangements."
With their plans settled, Elsa was set to spend the morning preparing her lecture materials alongside Fione Fias.
"Do you need any help with that?"
"No, I'll be fine. Most of it is just printing."
Elsa explained that she had brought about ten master copies, so the primary task was simply duplicating them into several hundred sets.
"Avalon has magi-devices for that as well, so there won't be any issue," Fione Fias added, reassuring Jin that Elsa would be well taken care of.
"Alright then, we'll go our separate ways for now."
"Mm, see you later."
With that, Jin and Reiko set off for the Aviation Research Lab.
"Welcome, Jin-sama!"
"We've been waiting for you!"
Warmly greeted by the staff, Jin immediately dove into the material processing for the aircraft parts.
And so, another productive day at the academy was officially underway.