Called to School (2)

I walked into the principal's office located on the second floor. Naturally, it was a paperwork-filled room with a large desk in the middle. There was also a couch, coffee table, a few indoor plants and trophies for embellishment purposes. An enlarged school emblem hung on the wall above the window behind the desk. It was an air-conditioned space so the air was nice and cool.

Principal Rachel stood up from her seat, noticing my arrival. Ms. Yeo, the school nurse, was also present at the scene.

Yup. Our school principal is a woman.

"I've called him over. I'll take my leave first," Freya said.

"Thank you. Please take a seat, Noel."

Ms. Yeo looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"I heard you were beaten quite badly the day before. I apologize for that."

Yeeaaahhh... Apologies huh? I don't think I need that.

"Ms. Yeo?" The principal signaled to her.

"He seems to be alright?"

"Hm? Is that so?"

"Did you receive treatment outside?" Ms. Yeo asked.

"Uh.. yeah," sorta. It's more like in-house treatment cuz Liliath was the one who patched me up.

"I have two agenda's I would like to discuss with you today. First is in regards to Gruan's actions. The next is regarding your TALENT. First, about Gruan. I deeply apologize for having you hold the burden of school. And at any time you would like to have him expelled— which would be the quickest way out of the situation— please inform us of so."

Wow. So I've suddenly been given the right to strip Gruan off his status as a student huh? Huh? Why now of all times?

"I thought his family was backing the school?"

"His father came to personally apologize for his misconduct."

What? Seriously? Of all time? Talk about ignorance.

"The person he should apologize to is you, however, he was reluctant to do so."

Talk about arrogance. Ah wait.. I'm coming up with baseless conclusions. Calm down. He must have his reason— he doesn't want Gruan to be expelled?

Then what about all that talk of Gruan's father being a large portion of the school's shareholder?

Whatever, not in my priorities to question. Maybe there's some backdoor work at play here.

"Alright."

"So do you wish to expel him? We have all the evidence to do so.." Principal Rachel looked at me in anticipation. Looks like I'm not the only one who wants him out of my life. That said though..

"I'll leave that decision up to you?"

Instead of him, I might be the one transferring. Maybe.

"I'll see about it," her expression turned to one of seriousness. She walked over to her desk and pulled out a file from within a drawer. "Next is about your TALENT. You haven't reported your's. And I heard from the students that you're..."

She stopped her sentence there and said nothing more. Good. She purposely avoided that word, though it doesn't really mean anything anymore since I'm pretty sure I'm no longer a TALENTLESS.

"Um. Principal, I actually do have a TALENT. I just found out about it yesterday... but it's a really weird one."

"Is it a physical or external TALENT?"

By that, physical TALENTS refer to changes in body characteristics. Like Gruan's super strength or Prune's permanent demi-human transformation. External talent would be like Ms. Yeo's healing magic. I call it the magic touch since she needs to be in contact with the person who she wishes to heal.

Oh, if anyone is curious, Principal Rachel's TALENT is an external one. From what I've heard, she's able to visualize things that she's seen before, something like an augmented reality manifestation. I've heard people gossiping about the fact that she could recreate an entire textbook— which is why she has this habit of staring into the air. Another overpowered TALENT, yup.

"An external TALENT."

"Category of your TALENT?" She took out a pen.

"Summoning."

Hah.. looks like I'm unable to avoid it after all. Actually, it would be better if I reveal my TALENT, else.. Liliath would probably be regarded as an immigrant. She doesn't have a birth certificate nor a citizenship. Oh gosh.

I think I'll weave a half-lie half-truth kinda answer.

"What kind of creature do you summon? If the situation allows, could you demonstrate it here?"

"Well... it's a different kind of summoning.. once I summon her, I can't pull back my summon.. that kind of situation.."

"Her," the Principal nodded as if understanding.

Hey look, I don't have the kind of fetish of paying attention to a summoned creature's gender. Summoners, as I said, summon creatures or spirits which are commonly in the form of animals or mythological creatures.

"Could you enlighten me with the specifics? Like what kind of creature did you summon?"

"She's not a creature... she's a girl."

"The specifics?"

"She has reddish-purple hair. About this tall," I leveled my hand in the air. "Her name is Liliath, she's 14-ish looking?"

""...""

Ms. Yeo had her hands covering her mouth.

Don't look at me like that.. I didn't do anything wrong.

"So your TALENT summoned a girl?"

"Something like that," I'm definitely going to leave out the fact that it came from a gacha system. I think only I and Liliath are able to use it. Yeah.. it would be dangerous if people found out about it.

"Does the girl have any ability? Or is she just a typical girl?" The principal is seriously jotting down everything I say.

"I'm not too sure, she just arrived so I had her rest, but I think she's a mage?" She was able to heal me so...

"Understood. Then could you bring her to school?" Her hand stopped.

"Then I'll bring her here tomorrow?"

"Yes. First thing in the morning."

Troublesome, in various ways. In fact, I'm pretty sure the only reason why I need to bring Liliath to school is because the principal doesn't believe me. It isn't required to confirm one's TALENT, just a gist note of it is good enough, usually. I think there are many other people with TALENTS more ridiculous than mine though.

Putting that aside, at least I managed to hide the fact about my phone.

*

I, Liliath have fallen into an unexpected twist in fate.

I'm grateful.

Together, very much confused.

I couldn't possibly be a hero could I? It's a fact that summoned subjects are to be dictated: a hero, and be granted exceptional abilities by the Gods or Goddesses. These heroes would manifest abilities they once never had.

Could this be the same situation? I don't see the king of this world anywhere? Could I be mistaken?

Noel-sama himself stated that he wasn't a king.

Troubled as I was, he is still my benefactor. I've read in archives that heroes have a common yearn to return. I did not harbour such an expectation.

This world that the heroes had once described— filled with mysteries, machines powered by this phenomenon referred to as, 'science'. I find it all unbelievable. Yet, I wished that this would carry on, not be merely a dream.

I don't want to return. My fate, my purpose..

What being called upon here was my intended fate? All those events in my world were but a farce?

Diana-sama left a moment ago with Novelle-sama to this location known as a 'school'. I was told that it was an institution where people partook in classes?

I glanced at the tea placed in front of myself. Recalling Noel-sama's actions from yesterday, I held the tab at the end of the tea in the bag and raised it; lowered it. The way in which water became tea looked quite magical. Was the etiquette of drinking tea in this world?

Everyone I've met till now were kind and nice.. what if I am to be a hero? Then what would be my purpose? To defeat the demon lord?

I heard the machines banging the wall— it was a difficult to describe sound. But it signified the return of Diana-sama. I should go greet her, a common courtesy. She was the one who had served me this tea.

"Welcome back, Diana." I curtsied.

"I'm back Liliath," she expressed a wry smile. Did I perhaps do something wrong? Cultural appropriation? Most likely. "Liliath, You don't need to be so formal. This isn't a castle you know? Just act yourself."

"I understand," I nodded. I don't understand. Am I not acting myself?

Today, Diana-sama didn't bring out any transparent bags from the carriage known as a car.

Diana-sama walked around the house doing what I assume to be chores required by a maid?

Diana-sama doing a maid's job? I became puzzled at the sight.

Diana-sama gave me a gaze of confusion before coming to an epiphany, "Ah."

Must this be the confusion of the heros when summoned to our world?

Diana-sama took out the clothes from a machine that went swirl-swirl and placed them into a basket. There was even this sweet flowery smell wafting off the clothing.

This was it wasn't it? Those summoned to my world were puzzled by the concept of magic, while I, summoned to this world, perplexed by science.

After which she took the clothings outside?

I followed her out of curiosity.

What greeted me was a vast grand blue sky. The sun shining down, dazzling. Clouds, drifting, trialing the breeze of the wind that lightly caressed my face.

What a beautiful sight.

We were part of the clutter of the white buildings. Unexplainable tall towers in the distance. There was a lone tree standing in the small courtyard. Two metal poles with strings crossing between them, it was there where Diana-sama hung the clothes.

I see.. so drying clothes out in the sun is a custom both worlds share..

I came up to Diana-sama and bowed.

"Can I be of assistance?"

"Eh? It's alright, I can do it myself. Please take a rest inside," Diana-sama turned to me, a gentle smile formed on her face.

"Please?"

In the moment after, "Have you hung clothes before?", I shook my head, "This is how to do it, first take.. "

She twisted the clothes before placing it onto the string, after which she reached into the bucket for another. The clothing had to be spread apart to promote drying.

I nodded, following her actions.

I reached into the bucket and the first thing I took out was an undergarment.

...

I swear in heaven's name this was an accident. I placed it back into the bucket and then tried my luck a second time.

I pulled out-- his clothing.

I let out a sigh of relief.

I didn't know what kind of expression I was making but it seemed that Diana-sama had noticed my embarrassing blunder.

She suppressed her laughter, took out the undergarment I placed back into the bucket and hung it on my behalf.

Such shameful behavior— I should stop being so conscious of such things.

I proceeded to hang the clothes on the string.

The heat was quite intense. I could feel the sweat stick to my body. It has been a long while since I've experienced this sort of warmth. It was winter— my death imminent.. if it were not for Noel-sama.

"Liliath, you should tie your hair, it's quite hot don't you think?" Diana-sama called out, holding the bucket which had been emptied in one hand.

"Though it may be unpleasant hot, the weather itself is wonderful," I replied. True, it may be hot— but this warmth... many times better than the biting cold.

I followed Diana-sama back into the small castle.