Special Chapter II - Planning A Tour (part 1)

The study tour project.

It was one of the first out of many great ideas that I stole from my world's school system, and gave them to the academy and the student council. 

However, unlike the other ideas that I have pitched in, this one is the worst.

The reason why they put this plan on hold, and even think of rejecting them completely, is because of how impossible it is to implement.

Study tour… what is a study tour exactly?

(Google) A study tour is a unique travel experience that combines learning with travelling.

Basically, you go to places and you learn a whole lot of shit in just a few days. A brand fantastic idea that can be really great when implemented.

However, it was never that easy.

There are so many issues with it that simply made it impossible to be implemented, such as security, controlling the students, making sure that they are learning, and making sure that no one gets harmed. Especially in this world where monsters exist and are very ready to snap their teeth at children.

Since it was too difficult to plan, we ended up avoiding it the entire time while we dealt with other plans that I have come up with. 

I mean, between opening an academy show to the people and a study tour for the junior mages of the academy, which one is easier to handle?

It was never a question, and we have been neglecting this plan for nearly half a year already. The preparation was too much, and it's very risky to handle.

And now, he wants me to start doing this project?

"The study tour project was the most brilliant idea, and I agree that it is very difficult to handle. But since you were the one who pitched the idea, something tells me that you know how to handle it."

Quill said to me, and I became even more annoyed. I turned my gaze to Veneo, and he could read my expression and know that I actually know how to handle it.

I can't lie, and I can't reject it… I have no choice.

I let out a sigh loudly (once again) and leaned my back to the sofa. I went silent for a few seconds while thinking, and both Veneo and Quill simply let me.

Then I lifted my back forward again and stared at Quill sharply.

"I do know how to handle it. In fact, I can make this into the perfect project if I wanted to.

However, the issue is with the reasoning. Is it worth… doing this project?"

Hearing my response, Quill chuckled a little bit.

I swear, he is being so out of character today. He never smiled, and he never chuckled. For some reason, he is being weird.

"Yes. It is."

"Mind telling me what is the merit?"

"You tell me. This was your idea."

And then… he returned to his original personality again.

I let out a sigh and stared at the window, turning my gaze away from those two.

"Fine... I'll do it."

Hearing my answer, Quill chuckled again while Veneo laughed. The headmaster then moved away from his position and sat back down on his sofa, close to the door.

"I wonder if it's a good idea for me to come along…"

Veneo mumbled, and I let out an even more annoyed sigh at that.

I'm thinking about what difficulties I will face later, but he is here thinking about what FUN that he will have later. I'm sure Quill is thinking the same thing, since his generation is also going to be included in the study tour.

Shit… I'm the only one not having fun in this.

"If you really can do this project, then the people won't be doubting you for your council president position. At least that's a merit for you."

"… I don't even want to be the council president…"

The two ignored my words completely. Quill stood up and left, while Veneo took out his favorite board game.

Seeing him wiggling that board in front of me with a stupid grin made me lose my mind, but I ended up playing with him anyway.

We played for a little bit before I ended up bursting my brains out and left his room. Once I was out of the building, I sat down at the park alone and stared at the nearly orange skies for a long while.

Hmm… which place is a good spot for a study tour location…?

Certainly, I don't plan on just focusing on one area. That will just be boring. The more travelling, the better.

Well, since I can fly, it will be easier for me to scout the places. I won't have to worry about getting carriages anymore, and I can just fly to that place by myself.

Hmm… What about dungeon hunting…? No, that's too dangerous.

Then… a visit to another kingdom? Nah, that's too political. It will take me years just to create a contract with Mazino's government.

It should be somewhere around Xyphon's territory… somewhere rather far, but won't be too political or dangerous…

… I just couldn't think of anything…

A pat landed on my shoulder, and I quickly turned to see who it was. I recognized his blue hair immediately, and I quickly felt annoyed.

"What do you want?"

I coldly asked him, but he let out a sigh.

"I was calling you twenty times. I thought you were ignoring me completely."

"No. Unfortunately, I'm too kind to do that to you."

"For some reason, I agree."

Arfius stared at me for a few seconds in silence, making me even more annoyed.

"What?"

"Just wondering. You were staring at the skies for so long."

"I was thinking..."

"And exactly what are you thinking?"

"It's… nothing.

Ah. Where do you think is a good idea for a learning trip?"

"A learning trip? We have that?"

He pondered for a while and tried thinking of various places. Then he came up with many bright ideas, and gave me all of them.

"What about a trip to Naverne?"

"Too far and political."

"Mazino?"

"Also political, and why?"

"Who knows, adventuring stuff, your sort of thing. Ah! What about fighting monsters?"

"A bit dangerous, but it is still possible."

He pondered even longer, and finally came up with the most logical answer.

"What about… Xyphon's mage corps?"

For some reason, that gave me an idea. I gave it a ponder, while he continued giving ideas.

"Internship…"

"You know the things that mages do? Like keeping the peace or fighting monsters in the outer region? We could have something like that."

"That is… a fancy idea. Anything else?"

Arfius pondered even longer.

"If… fighting monsters is considered dangerous, then wouldn't it be a good idea to have protection in case something bad happens? Hence, the internship."

"We can have the professional mages keep a watch on the students while they fight monsters."

"Yeah! Kind of like a… training session with the mages, though."

"A trip is a trip."

I pondered for a longer time, trying to think of anything else to note. I turned to Arfius, and then remembered his blue hair.

"Thanks for the idea. And can you talk to your dad about this? If not, tell him to come to the academy or something so I can talk to him."

"Uh, sure... Wait, are we really having a learning trip?"

"… Sort of… it's very annoying. Tell him to come tomorrow, if possible."

"He will definitely come."

Somehow, Arfius is quite confident of his dad's behavior…