Running feels great, doesn't it!
How can you still have so much energy?
We're no match for Cindy's stamina.
It's my only strength!
D... Did you used to run this much, Miss Ficelle?
Of course. We haven't run enough yet.
Let's do 50 more laps.
Whoa, no... you don't suddenly get to be able to run that much!
Teaching how to teach is tricky.
Being able to run is a plus, though.
It helps build stamina and core strength.
Right!
Here.
Much appreciated.
It's boring and kinda tough, but if Mr. Beryl says so...
I guess it means lower body strength is important, too.
- Oh, right... - Here!
I'll have to make sure I can keep up.
Maybe you should start by eating more for breakfast, Fredra.
- What?! - Eating well matters.
She's not really fitting in yet...
Guess it's gonna be tricky for her, too...
EPISODE 2
The Old Country Bumpkin Watches Them Grow.
Nice work today, Master.
You too, Ficelle.
How was today's class?
The running drills really took me back.
That wasn't what I was asking...
No, like, have you started to get the hang of teaching?
No, I haven't.
I see.
Still, being able to use long-rang magic and swordsmanship is quite something.
With magic, the longer the range, the harder it is to expand and control it.
The moment you lose control, it dissipates.
Using a sword as a conduit helps visualize how to control the magic,
and gives it an added bite.
I get that it's impressive, but that's about it...
Oh, Vice Principal Brown.
Hm? Is that you, Miss Ficelle?
And you are...?
Pleased to meet you.
The Principal asked me to teach the sword mag--
Oh, so you're the one?
I'd prefer it if those who have no interest in wizardry
didn't just wander aimlessly around the institute.
If you'll excuse me.
Bringing a swordsman here...
Wizardry doesn't need such outside interference...
Vice Principal Brown is a magic-first advocate.
He doesn't think highly of sword magic.
So, he's quite set in his thinking.
When he was young, he and Commander Lucy
were known as the two pillars of the Magic Corps.
Now, he just focuses on research.
You can't stay on the front lines forever, I guess.
So what's with Lucy, then?!
Could I get a refill, please?
Sure.
It's just one less day a week you get to see the Master.
So what's with you?
You just wouldn't understand.
In your state, are you sure you can handle that other matter?
I don't require your concern!
Oh? You've got a nerve, saying that.
Okay then, what role will our Master be playing in it all?
You're not gonna abuse your authority and put him where it suits you, are you?!
As Commander of the Order, I handle everything
about the Master fairly and openly.
I do not need to explain things to outsiders.
And I wouldn't reveal anything to someone as rude and ill-mannered as you!
I'm asking this for the Master's sake!
Everything I do is for the Master's sake!
Here are your refills.
Well... I suppose our intentions are the same...
To support the Master.
I can't disagree with that.
If anything comes up, I'll give you a hand.
Very well.
I have to repay the debt I owe Master.
I feel the same way.
I owe everything I am to him.
Excuse me! An assorted sausage platter for two.
And two more ales, please.
- Got it! - Hang on.
Who said you could order that!
As the student closest to the Master, I'll pay.
I'm not gonna let a junior student like you pay for me!
- I'll pay. - No, I will.
- I will!
- No, me!
That's all for today's lesson.
Thank you very much!
Now then, where am I gonna grab lunch?
Oh, hello.
Ah!
Ms. Kinera!
Is it okay if I sit here?
Oh, uh...
I'll sit here, then.
Time to dig in!
Is that gonna be enough for you?
You need energy to swing a sword.
Y... Yeah...
Sorry, that's my fault for saying all that just now.
I have a spare skirt in my dorm room, but I don't know if it'll fit you...
- No, it's fine... - Thank goodness!
You can hardly see the stain, so it should be fine for now.
You can wash it when you get home.
'Kay.
U... Um...
Hey, Cindy, hey Mewi.
I'll have the ravioli with tomato sauce, please.
Me too... I mean, so will I.
Thank you for joining me, Master Beryl.
Oh, no, not at all.
I'm really not used to places like this.
I feel kinda out of place...
You can relax a little more, you know.
This place isn't that formal.
Right.
You say that, but I just can't relax at all.
How are the classes going?
I'm getting by, somehow.
I still don't understand magic at all, though.
Now that I think of it, Mewi is taking sword magic too, isn't she?
Yes.
Um... How's Mewi doing in her other classes?
She's doing her very best.
She still seems a little unsure about interacting with others,
but it's clear that she's working on it.
I see... she's trying to change.
My classes are mainly lecture-based,
but she works very hard in them too.
I see...
So, what do you teach, Ms. Kinera?
I specialize in defensive magic.
Defensive... magic?
It's probably rude to ask, but I have no idea what that is.
Shall we try it?
It would be faster to show you than to explain it.
Right...
Please take my hand.
Huh?!
Nah, nah, an old guy like me holding a young woman's hand in public...
Go ahead.
It's easy for her to say that...
If I grab her hand, won't people report me?
Please, it's fine.
Well, I guess I'm the one who asked, so I can't exactly back out now...
O... Okay then... excuse me...
Squeeze a bit harder, please.
Okay, how about this...?
Huh?
Go ahead, squeeze as hard as you can.
What is this sensation?
It's elastic and tough, not just hard.
Right now, I'm enveloping just my palm
in a film of magical energy.
A film?
This is what defensive magic looks like.
It can be extended over a wider area
depending on the user's skill and the situation.
What do you think?
Yeah... that was impressive.
Yep, the only thing I understand is that it's impressive.
How did you all do on the Basic Magic I test?
I'm not good at written tests...
I think I did okay.
I felt it went rather well.
Okay, wanna bet on who came out on top?
That's not allowed.
You viscounts' sons are so uptight. I was just kidding.
- Wait, it was viscount, right? - Yeah.
Alright then.
I won't take part in any bets, but I am confident.
Training the body seems to sharpen the mind.
It's all thanks to Master Beryl!
He's a great teacher!
He's much easier to understand than my sword teacher at home.
What he says really makes sense.
As you'd expect of the Order's instructor.
By the way, do you know Master Beryl personally?
- Huh?! Why? - No, it's just...
I had a feeling you did.
Well... I guess you could say that.
I knew it!
Nice catch, Cindy.
How do you know him?
Yeah, tell us.
Um...
I don't know how to put it...
Um... well...
Hey!
I forgot I had something important to tell you!
What is it?
Whoa, what's with you?
It's my birthday this weekend!
Oh, congratulations!
Your home is nearby, right? Will you go back?
No, unfortunately, everyone's busy with work.
Why don't you celebrate with us then?
How about a party here?
Oh, what a great idea!
This is so exciting!
We'll need to get some gifts.
What about food?
A potluck, maybe?
Sorry to put you out like that.
No, same here.
- Hey... - Yes?
That handkerchief from earlier... is it okay if I borrow it?
Huh?
Thanks, that was delicious!
I have high hopes for you, Master Beryl.
Huh?
Sword magic is a new field of study,
and it has a great deal of potential.
I'll be going now.
She really shouldn't expect too much from a magic novice like me.
The Church of Sphene bell...
Did she like the clothes?
I'm not really sure what young people like.
And yet you sent a ton...
Thank you very much.
Likewise. It's thanks to you that I became a bishop.
And going forward, I'd like to keep in contact with you.
This guy really is hard to read.
Since you're here, why don't we have a chat over some tea?
And for a topic, let's see...
perhaps what became of Bishop Reveos.
Huh?
After the trial,
it appears he met an untimely death.
What he did was the ultimate taboo.
For both the Royalists and the Papists.
That said, it isn't as if the state or religion changed much.
At most, there was a reorganization of the Holy Order.
Reorganization?
Is that of interest to you?
Yes. I served with them as part of the delegation's guard detail.
Several high-ranking officers were replaced, I heard.
The Vice Commander, as I recall.
So Rose stepped down due to injury?
Master Gatoga handled it well, I see.
The Order is cleaning house.
They may have a big assignment coming up soon.
A big assignment?
Sorry, but I need to get going.
It's time for afternoon prayers.
Would you like to join me?
I'll pass.
Dinner's ready.
I'm kinda busy right now.
Are you washing something?
Why don't you take a break and finish after dinner?
I'll eat later!
Ah... okay then.
Happy birthday, Cindy.
Congratulations!
Congratulations.
Thank you so much!
Wow, this is great!
And I get presents as well!
Everyone, let's eat!
Yeah!
This meat is amazing!
Having friends is just the best!
Ficelle's one thing,
but I clearly don't belong here.
Maybe I shouldn't have come.
I made the pancakes.
Are they even edible?
Now that's just rude!
I mean, just look at them...
I worked really hard to make them!
Hey, Cindy...
What's wrong, Mewi?
Come on, eat up!
Yeah.
We're classmates, so we should get along.
We're rivals as well.
You lack stamina, Fredra.
You're not rival material yet.
Cindy... here!
Th... Thanks.
Oh, so it was that handkerchief she was washing the other day.
Happy birthday.
Thank you, Mewi!
Y... Yeah...
Hey, did Mewi just say something nice?
At this rate, the sky might fall tomorrow!
Ow! What was that for?!
You deserved that, Nesia.
Indeed.
Hmph!
I'm glad I came.
That was good to see.
Birthday parties are such fun!
If more students join our course, we can have a bigger party next year!
Is there even a chance more might join?
At this rate, the course might be canceled because there aren't enough students.
Yeah, that's true...
Your dojo had more students, Master.
But the sword magic course isn't growing.
Well... I guess not many people left the dojo, that's all.
Why didn't you quit, Ficelle?
Because I enjoyed swinging a sword.
But... I don't think it was just that.
Great work. Your swings are really good.
It was because you praised me.
That made me happy, so I worked even harder.
Ah!
I haven't praised my students... at all.
I'll be expecting great things of you as a teacher, Ficelle.
My teacher called me a teacher.
So I've finally made it this far.
Way to go, Miss Ficelle!
Can we really... bank on that?
What was that?
It came from the school.
I'll go take a look.
All of you, stay here.
Understood.
- Ficelle... - Yes.
There are no students around at this hour.
So that scream was from a teacher...
What happened?
We suddenly got attacked.
We can't use magic!
What?
It's true...
What's going on?
Something's coming.
Get back!
What is that?
Even when you're full, you can still eat more.
Because there's always room for dessert.
And that's how you end up with spare tires.
Next time: "The Old Country Bumpkin Sees Himself in an Old Man."
SUBTITLES BY: MARDI MIYAKE