I was a student at the academy.
You’ll have to forgive me for withholding my name; I wasn't anyone significant enough to introduce myself. I was simply one of many ordinary noble daughters born into a perfectly ordinary noble house. There was no need to remember me. Please, just let me be. I had intended to spend my time at the academy without standing out, living a quiet, unremarkable life.
At least, that was the plan. How on earth did things turn out like this?
It all started when an unfamiliar student—likely one of the veterans—called out to me and told me to fetch our faction leader. On top of that, they told me to gather as many people as I could. Normally, I wouldn't have responded to such a suspicious request, but the atmosphere was far from normal.
Thinking I should at least pass the word along, I went to find our leader, Alfred, but he was away making preparations for the upcoming festival. In his place, I found the faction’s number two, Urza. After a moment of thought, Urza began rounding people up.
I wondered if it was really necessary to go so far as to interrupt the festival work, but Urza’s judgment was rarely wrong. This had to be the right move. Once she had fifty people assembled, she headed toward the veteran student from before. Naturally, I was swept up in the crowd.
What followed was a series of mysterious dances performed right before our eyes. What were they even doing? Memorizing formations? There were three different types? I could manage that much, but I couldn't help but wonder why we were being ordered around like this. Still, Urza was following along, so I followed her lead.
Wait, what? This was a Manners Check by the graduates?
That meant the group dressed in men's clothes were the graduates? It seemed absurd, but then I spotted the Royal Princess among them. That settled it; they were definitely the graduates. The exchange between the cross-dressing group and Urza’s team certainly felt like a proper Manners Check.
I understood. For now, I would just keep going. All I had to do was respond to the opponent's prompt with the appropriate greeting. I could handle that. I might have been ordinary, but I was still a member of the nobility.
As we continued, the strange nature of the situation began to clarify. Even though they were dressed as men, I could clearly envision women in formal dresses offering greetings. They were even using detailed gestures and hand movements to explain the scenarios. It wasn't as difficult as it looked.
"Ah, I see. We use this formation to convey the specific setting," I muttered to myself.
The rules were starting to make sense. But just as I gained confidence, an incomprehensible problem appeared.
"What is that movement supposed to be?"
"Heh, coming right up! Watch out, it's hot!"
I was bewildered. What were they even saying? However, I knew better than to panic. A noble remains calm. I analyzed the movement, searching my memory.
I had seen that movement somewhere. There was a faint memory of a delicious aroma...
That’s it! That was the movement of a shopkeeper I saw at Village Five Ramen Street!
Once I realized that, the prompt became clear. A bowl of ramen had been placed before me. The question was: how should I eat it? Should I start with the soup, the noodles, or the toppings? Based on the gestures, it wasn't a large-portion style bowl, so there was no need to pull the noodles to the top first. So, that meant...
No. This was a trick question.
That was a close call. Fortunately, I had an acquaintance who was a ramen fanatic. It was because of them that I had visited the Ramen Street in Village Five in the first place, and they had taught me the golden rule: "The proper way to eat ramen is however you like."
Therefore, the correct etiquette here was...
I pressed my hands together just above my chest and gave the customary "Itadakimasu." Oh, and for those with long hair, you had to tie it back before the prayer.
How was that?
I saw the reaction. Good, it was the correct answer! I survived!
And so, the interaction with the graduates continued. I managed to last until the very end, likely because I had actually paid attention in class. I also suspected that my experiences visiting Shashato City and Village Five played a large part. I was truly grateful that the Teleportation Gate had made those places so accessible.
It turned out that Urza was already acquainted with the group of graduates. Wait, then why did she fail halfway through?
Actually, no, it was only natural not to know how to greet a high-ranking officer taken prisoner on the battlefield. My father served in the military, so I had only heard about it in passing. Urza had apparently been taught that specific etiquette, yet she still got it wrong? I see.
Sorry, Urza, I can't help you there. You’ll just have to accept your scolding.
I was far too busy preparing the banquet for the graduates. I had thought we were already swamped with festival preparations, but since the graduates' families were sending reinforcements, the banquet was being held to welcome them as well. I couldn't afford to slack off.
Also, a word to the Academy Director: thank you for your surprise participation in the Manners Check. Your offensive during the Counterattack Part was magnificent. Taking out two graduates with that move was a huge help.
I was grateful for that, but if you’re going to be at the banquet, please make yourself useful. It seemed this was one of those occasions where the roles of teacher and student didn't matter.
I stole a glance toward a corner of the kitchen, where the Lord Demon King and the Royal Princess were peeling potatoes. Both of them looked suspiciously practiced at it, but surely that was just my imagination. Still, it was better than them being clumsy.
"Ah, Academy Director, rather than peeling, could you please handle carrying the finished dishes to the tables? No, it's not a comment on your cooking skills. I'm just putting the right people in the places they're needed most. Hahaha."
There really was no need to remember my name. I was just a student.
Current Student: "I don't understand these rules!" Veteran: "Just get used to them." Current Student: "My brain can't keep up!" Veteran: "Don't think. Feel."