Maris didn''t even looked at who was that young man and went away. If she had stayed and then she would meet the wandering swordsman who was one of the male leads but since she didn''t stayed, she missed it.


    Even if she had met this wandering swordsman, she wouldn''t talked to him, so it''s didn''t make much of difference if she stayed or not.


    Maris went back to her grand temple, thinking of Lucan, wanting to meet him.


    ---


    After the break, in the staff room of the Royal Academy.


    The martial arts tournament that was held in the royal capital had concluded, and Lucan hade to work as usual.


    "By the way... were you surprised? Did you see the finals?"


    The question came from Xue Lan, a colleague with a rxed expression.


    "The semifinalist and favorite, Kiran, lost, and the final was between Alec and an unknown swordsman, you know?"


    "Is that so? That''s unexpected."


    Lucan answered without showing much surprise. It wasn''t surprising at all. It was the same battle card as in the game''s scenario.


    The final was between Alec and a samurai named Murata.


    "That''s right! The swordsman who defeated Kiran was from another country and was incredibly strong! The battle with Alec was intense and amazing!"


    "It must have been quite something. If it was such a great match, I should have gone to watch it."


    Although he had thought about going to support at least the finals, he had forgotten due to the busy work and being caught up with Maris during the tournament.


    In the game, Maris goes to support and ends up caught between Alec and Murata, but she seemed uninterested in this world.


    "In the end, Alec won! I''m really d a student from our academy won!"


    "Indeed... It would have been quite embarrassing if a wandering swordsman had taken the victory."


    "Mr. Grayson must be relieved too. He was really into the support."


    Mr. Grayson, wanted the Royal Academy''s students to win. He was probably the most anxious when Kiran lost to Murata in the semifinals.


    "Anyway... From today, it''s back to regr sses. The final exams are over, and soon it will be winter break. Lucan, do you have any ns for winter break?"


    "Hmmm... Not really decided yet. I was thinking of going back to border town..." Lucan pondered, "Hmm." Even if he went back home, there wasn''t much to do.


    He exchanged letters with the townspeople, but it seemed the new priest was doing well, so there probably wouldn''t be a ce for him if he returned. Then there is winter break events.


    Maris''s winter break activities change depending on the progress of the routes with the characters.


    If progressing in Kai''s route, there will be an event where she travels abroad with Kai. In Alec''s route, she trains in the snowy mountains. In Damain''s route, she goes on a hot spring trip. In Ruki''s route, she gets lost in a fairnd.


    But she isn''t progressing in those four routes. So it wouldmon route.


    "Excuse me."


    The staff room door creaked open, and Maris appeared. She smiled when she saw Lucan and walked over.


    "Good day, Lucan-sama."


    "Oh, Maris. Is something the matter?"


    "I have a small request... Do you have some time?"


    "Yes, that''s fine..."


    What could it be? Lucan tilted his head.


    "Well then, Teacher Xue. I''ll see youter."


    "Yes, see youter."


    After greeting Xue Lan, Lucan followed Maris out of the staff room.


    Maris led Lucan to one of the empty ssrooms.


    Inside, a few female students were waiting. While Lucan didn''t know all of them, they were ssmates who were close to Maria.


    "Sorry to trouble you, Teacher Lucan," one of the girls said apologetically.


    "It''s no trouble, Hina," Kurael replied.


    The girl, who was taking theology sses, was named Hina.


    "I''m sorry too, Saint Maris. I made you go out of your way like this…"


    "It''s fine. I actually wanted to see Lucan-sama as well," Maris said softly, standing close to Lucan.


    Maris and Hina were in the same ss and were often seen together.


    "So, what''s the matter today?" Lucan asked.


    "To be honest... We''re nning a trip together during the winter break," Hina said.


    "A trip... I see."


    Lucan nodded in understanding. It was typical for Maris to go on a trip with friends during the winter break if she wasn''t progressing in any of the male routes.


    In this route, Maris would go on a skiing trip with her friends.


    "I see, a trip. That sounds nice. I hope you have a great time."


    "Yes, thank you... Actually, if it''s alright, we''d like to ask you to apany us as a guardian."


    "Me...?"


    Lucan tilted his head.


    "It''s an all-girls trip, right? Wouldn''t it be better to ask a female teacher?"


    "Uh, well... We tried, but we couldn''t find anyone avable."


    "Teacher Lucan, if you have time, could you please help us...?"


    "Please!"


    Lucan looked up with a hopeful expression, and the other girls bowed their heads in unison.


    It was hard to refuse when Maris and the girls asked so earnestly.


    Honestly, having a male teacher apany four teenage girls on a trip would be quite an good thing, watching beautiful high school girls enjoying their trip sound good, and there is no police here to arrest him.


    "...Alright." Lucan nodded.


    "If no other female teacher is avable by the time winter break starts, I''ll apany you."


    "Yay!"


    Maris jumped up with joy as Lucan agreed.


    "A trip with Lucan-sama! A skiing trip!"


    "That''s great, Saint Maris"


    "We''ll support you, Holy Maiden!"


    Ignoring Lucan, the four girls erupted in excited cheers. The atmosphere among the teenage girls was so vibrant and imprable to adult men that Lucan feltpletely out of ce.


    "Ugh..."


    So does these girl know Maris secret crush on me and now ning to do something on the trip? Well, whatever they are nning, I don''t care as long we can have fun.