Chapter 1: Summer Vacation
Chapter 1:
Summer Vacation
ON THE DAY of our Hero Academy exam, Emma, Luna, and I defeated a ferocious earth dragon. As our reward, we got the highest score in our class and a summer free of supplementary lessons. All of which meant that, when vacation arrived, we finally had the chance to relax!
“Get up, Noir! It’s morning.”
I struggled up from the depths of sleep. That was the sound of my father’s voice, somewhere outside my room. My little sister Alice was arguing with him.
“Father dearest, today is the start of Noir’s summer vacation. Please let him rest.”
“Oh, right… I just wanted to see him before I left.”
“Let. Him. Rest.”
“All right, fine. You win.”
Clearly, my father wasn’t in a good mood. I wanted to go back to sleep, but I had to see what was up.
“Good morning, father, Alice.”
“O-ooh! Noir!” said father. “Good morning, sunshine!”
“I think you owe me a good morning hug, dear brother.”
Alice leapt into my arms, burying her face in my chest. I stroked her hair, and even that simple act earned me some LP. Now that was always welcome.
“What a beautiful display of familial love,” my father said, holding out his arms for a hug of his own.
Alice pushed him away. “This is my special time with Noir,” she said. “Got it?”
“When will my time come?” my father asked.
Instead of answering, Alice just gave him her sweetest smile. I almost laughed at the devastated look he shot her in return.
“Not even a little giggle?” he asked, disappointed. “Is this what puberty has done to you both?”
“Father, it’s too early. Maybe try a gentler approach next time.”
“I’ll make a note of it.”
While he looked like he was putting some serious thought into some terrible new joke to subject us to, I rolled my eyes and headed down to the living room.
“Good morning, Noir,” said my mother. “You’re on summer break now, aren’t you?”
“I am, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna slack off or anything.”
<What an admirable attitude,> said Tigerson. <Shall we do something together?>
“I’d like that.”
Summer was the perfect time to take it easy, but I still wanted to get some things done—like getting past the eighth floor of the hidden dungeon, or taking on some more requests at the guild.
“What about a trip?” Alice asked.
“A trip, huh?” I said. “Might be fun.”
Summer break lasted a whole two months. I could even go abroad if I wanted! Whatever I chose, I figured I should invite Emma.
“I have some chores to take care of today,” I said. “So don’t worry about me.”
“I hate to leave my boy home all alone,” said father. “But I have work to do.”
“Sorry, sweetie,” mother said. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have a nice day, brother dearest.”
Tigerson and I walked out into the yard to see my family off. When they were gone, we set about cleaning the place. I picked up a broom and Tigerson hunted down mice.
“We’ve always had a mouse problem…”
<This estate is quite old, is it not? Such things are unavoidable.>
“Maybe we could build a new house?” I had almost saved up enough money. Well, cool. That could be another goal for summer break.
Once we finished our chores, I got ready to go out. I’d promised to go with Emma to the guild hall.
“Wanna come with, Tigerson?”
<I appreciate the invitation, but it is my duty to protect your home. Although, if you are ever in particular need of my services, I would happily oblige.>
“Thanks for everything you do for us. I’m off, then.”
Even from the street, I could see Tigerson’s head peeking over the top of the yard wall. It was hard to imagine anyone being stupid enough to break in when faced with him.
Emma was along my usual route, hanging out on a street dotted with trees, but something seemed wrong. She was normally so full of energy, but today she looked gloomy and downcast.
“Hey, Emma, are you okay?”
“Oh, Noir. Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“Don’t worry, I just got here. I’m more worried about you. You don’t look so good.”
“Oh, uh, I’m fine. It’s no big deal…”
Something serious was clearly bothering her, but…I didn’t want to pry. I decided to wait until she was ready to talk to me about it, so we just headed for the guild.
“Hey, Noir, have you heard about the Phantom?”
“The what? I don’t think so.”
“The mysterious thief everyone’s talking about. You really haven’t heard?”
“That does sound vaguely familiar. You mean the one who only targets nobles?”
“That’s him! So, the thing about the Phantom is…” Emma paused, fidgeting with her fingers.
“You know that you can tell me anything,” I said. “Right?”
Emma smiled and shook her head. “It’s nothing, really! But, um, if you’re free this weekend, would you join me for the gala? I mean, you have to come with me!”
“Aren’t those shindigs for the nobility?” I asked.
Honestly, fancy parties really weren’t something I was interested in. Emma’s father was an established baron, and the other nobles accepted the whole family as one of their own. It was different with the Stardias. My father was only a baronet, and most of the other nobles didn’t count us as truly noble. They rarely invited us to parties, and when they did, it was usually because they needed someone to laugh at.
“I’ll have to dance,” Emma complained. “If you won’t take me, I’ll be stuck with some other boy. If I have to do something like that, I’d rather it be with you…”
“But I’m a terrible dancer.”
“It’s not like I’m the picture of grace,” Emma said. “And anyway, it’s the thought that counts.”
“Fine. I’ll find room in my schedule.”
“Thank you so much! This is why I love you, Noir!”
Emma hugged me for a long time. The LP was nice, let me tell you.
When we entered the Odin guild hall, we found a veteran adventurer instructing some newbie.
“Burn their faces into your retinas, kid,” the adventurer said, nodding toward us. “They just joined, but they’re already Grade C.”
“They don’t look that strong…”
“You know what they say: don’t judge a book by its cover. They just slew a dragon, you know.”
“A dragon?! That girl?!”
“Hey now, stop starin’ at her chest, kid. Lay a finger on her and Noir here will gut you.”
“Eeeek!”
Their conversation turned out to be rather unsavory, but Emma just grinned.
“Would you really kill that guy for me, Noir?”
“Doesn’t that feel a little ridiculous?” I said, sidestepping the question. “Look at me. I don’t look like I could hurt a fly, even if I tried!”
Before Emma could reply, the mood inside the hall took a sudden turn. I looked around, trying to figure out why. It must have had something to do with Lola. She was slumped over her counter, looking completely dispirited.
“Hi, Lola, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Oh, you know,” she said. “Nothing special. Just the worst possible thing in the world.”
She was almost on the verge of tears. What could have upset her so much? She took my hand and rubbed it against her cheek, but Emma pulled us apart.
“Excuse me,” Lola said. “I’m really bummed out here, so don’t interfere.”
“Would you just explain what’s wrong already?” Emma snapped.
“Something…was stolen from me. Something really important.” Lola bit her lip, looking deeply upset. “A thief crept into my house and…”
“That does sound bad. Did they take money or something?” I asked.
“No, nothing like that. They took…my underwear.”
“Y-your underwear?” I stammered.
“It’s worse than that. They stole all my fanciest pairs, before I even got to show them off! Ugh, I wish I were dead!”
Lola flopped back down on her desk and stopped moving. To her, having her underwear stolen must have been worse than losing money. Emma giggled. She tried to hide it behind her hand, but Lola still noticed.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Oh, nothing. I’m sooo sorry you never got the chance to take those panties for a spin. You poor thing.”
“Is that sarcasm?”
“You poooor thing.”
“I see,” said Lola. “Well, I suppose I won’t be offering you any requests today, Ms. Emma.”
“Do your damn job!”
“No can do,” said Lola.
But Emma wasn’t giving up so easily. She took my arm and walked me towards the door.
“Hey, I didn’t say I wouldn’t work with Noir!” cried Lola.
“Oh ho ho,” Emma chuckled. “The two of us are off to have some fun. It’s our summer vacation, after all.”
“Oh, mine too!” said Lola. “What a coincidence!”
A line of adventurers had started to form at her desk.
“Hey, Lola, babe, I’m beggin’ you, gimme some work…” one moaned.
Lola couldn’t bring herself to ignore them. “All right, fine. Fine! Ugh, the second I’m married, I’m quitting this job!”
Emma and I strolled back into the street, but I was still thinking about Lola. Could her mysterious panty thief have been this Phantom that Emma was talking about? No, it couldn’t be. The Phantom only targeted nobles, after all.
“I guess that’s it for me for today,” Emma said.
“Huh? Don’t you wanna go somewhere together?”
“I would,” Emma said. “But I’ve got something I really need to think about.”
I didn’t want to pry—really, I didn’t!—but something was obviously still bothering her.
“You know…you can talk to me, right?”
“Hee hee, you’re such a nice guy, Noir. I promise I’ll talk if I need to, okay? Bye!”
Without another word, she turned on her heel and left. I stood there for a moment, surprised. Still, the day was young, and there were plenty of things I could do. I decided I might as well visit Luna, or go and call on my master.