Chapter 110: A Friend, A Warning, and... Trousers?

Nadia clicked her tongue at what she heard and continued to give Hilda the stink-eye. "Yeah... I’m sure you did. So, what? Did you come to me to brag about your points? Or to annoy me again?"

"My~ such hostility!" Hilda cooed. "We only just reunited und you’re already being aggressive with me. You can’t possibly still be upset about me pinning you to the scoreboard earlier, are..."

Nadia’s glare instantly intensified.

Hilda, who was staring at her out of the corner of her eye, quickly averted her gaze with a self-deprecating smile.

’I suppose she is still upset... Oops.’ She nervously chuckled.

She then glanced at a random spot in the air.

[Quest: Reunite with Nadia Crane in the most Intimate way possible!]

[Importance: Minor]

[Reward: 15 SC]

[Status: Completed]

’At least it counts...’ Hilda scratched her cheek as she read the floating screen.

She then chuckled hesitantly. ’It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so I couldn’t think of anything else that could be considered intimate... contrary to what you might think, System, being overly intimate is not quite my forte~...’

She flicked the screen away and returned her attention to Nadia, who was still giving her an odd look.

With her hands placed behind her back, Hilda smiled brightly at the Heroine. "So, what’s this about me bragging? That’s quite a bold assumption, Meine Dame~..."

Nadia sneered. "My hearing’s good enough that I can hear your conversation with the others. I doubt you’re going to ask if I’m fine with my score—"

"That was exactly what I was going to ask."

Hilda leaned in slightly. "Well? Are you upset?"

The Heroine watched as the German leaned in and slightly backed off. Once she did that, she sighed deeply and folded her arms before turning her face away. "Not... really."

"Oh?" Hilda quirked an eyebrow.

"... When everyone got their points, I was happy for them. Everyone worked hard to survive the battle, so I was really glad that you distributed your points, even if in small amounts. Anyway, I already accepted that I would get 0 points, so I’m not that bothered."

Nadia pressed her lips tightly together into a thin line as a bothered look appeared on her face. ’Although... I guess I wanted some acknowledgement for my efforts too...’ She thought to herself.

Seeing Nadia go quiet, Hilda tilted her head, then smiled.

She poked the woman’s shoulder playfully. "It’s not like you came out of that exam with nothing. You obviously came out with your life, others’ lives, experience, und even a boost towards your Strength of Heart. But that’s not all, you also have something else that’s important!"

Nadia eyed Hilda suspiciously. "And that would be...?"

Hilda grinned and pointed at herself. "Me."

The Heroine gave her a weird look, used her Gift {Truth Finder}, and discovered that Hilda was being serious.

Her face immediately contorted at that discovery. She then quickly shifted to a deadpan expression. "Can I exchange you for points, then?"

"Ehhh? How mean!" Hilda gasped and flinched back.

"Tch."

Hilda continued to walk alongside the Heroine on the way to assembly. She blinked amusedly at the woman, who began giving her the cold shoulder. There was a reason she hadn’t given Nadia any of her points, despite her contributions and obvious potential.

That was because...

There was no real need to.

’Outside of being converted into the Academy’s unique currency, which you can then use for various sorts of requests, the scores for the entrance exam provide no other purpose besides traction. It only up your chances of getting into your preferred Military Company or a general job in the LRM. It’s pointless for those with genuine value.’

To put it simply, the reason why she hadn’t distributed any of her points to Nadia’s score was because of one thing... she was going to bring the woman into the Military, regardless of objections.

’Even if her skills become lacking later, she still has her uses,’ Hilda thought, referring to the System. ’Though unlikely that she would become lacking, I’ll be sure to keep her safe, anyway.’

Nadia, still walking silently beside Hilda, noticed the German’s intense gaze on her. Annoyed, she turned to look at the woman and broke the cold silence between them.

"What?"

"Hm? Oh, nothing~ say, not thinking of styling your hair today?"

"Styling? Do you think I can in my condition?" Nadia reminded Hilda of her broken arm.

Hilda stroked her chin, thoughtfully. "Can’t do it with one arm, eh?"

She then perked up. "Say! How about I do it for you—"

"Not a chance." Nadia swiftly answered, causing Hilda to deflate and pout.

The German feigned a teary look. "For a friend, you’re really mean~..."

"And whose fault is that?" Nadia eyed her, unamused. "Do you also know what it’s like to have a friend?"

Hilda gasped sharply. "I have friends!"

Nadia quirked an eyebrow, then gave a deadpan expression. "You’re lying."

"Ugh..." Hilda recoiled, then grumbled, "Fine, a friend. My only friend... Well, best friend, to be exact. Though, since coming back, I haven’t been able to see him once or get into contact with him, which is really strange."

She interlocked her fingers behind her head and leaned against her palms. "I was actually expecting to see him by the scoreboard today, but I guess he just wasn’t there. Granted..."

Hilda eyed Nadia playfully. "You did steal my attention by bumping into me~..."

Nadia shivered and grimaced. She took another step away, then commented, "That friend of yours must really be quite... an odd fellow to be friends with you."

"Haha, he is quite special! But in a good way. In fact, I’d say he’s kind of like you, in some manner, but a lot nicer." Hilda laughed. "It’s partially his fault for how I act today."

Nadia’s face twitched at Hilda’s jab at her, but she kept her composure. It wasn’t like she wasn’t doing the exact same thing just earlier.

"... I see..."

She then narrowed her eyes slightly in thought. She now wondered what kind of person Hilda’s friend was to leave such an impact on her.

Were they older than her?

’No... Hilda said she expected to see him by the scoreboard, so they must’ve been in the other group of examinees.’

Were they as strong as Hilda?

’They must’ve, or at least, close to... I doubt Hilda would willingly call someone her best friend if they couldn’t match her momentum.’

She pondered this mysterious person for a moment longer before giving up. Assuming that they’re as close as Hilda believes, it was only a matter of time until she met him.

After coming to this conclusion, she woke up, and the moment she did...

"Oh, by the way, I’ll let you in on this as a warning, since we don’t know each other very well."

Nadia turned to look at Hilda and found the woman staring at her with a serious look.

There was no longer a smile on the woman’s face, nor was there any warmth or playfulness in her eyes.

"I don’t really appreciate such comments about the people I’m close with, even if it’s a small comment. Call me whatever you want, but let’s keep it polite when it’s about other people."

At that, Nadia blinked in surprise.

For once... she felt a level of similarity with Hilda.

Nadia nodded firmly as she made eye contact with her. "You’re right. I’m sorry about that; it was impolite of me. Please accept my apology."

Hilda quickly returned to her smiling self when she heard that. "Hehe, I accept. Your sense of accountability und reflection is something I really like about you."

"... Mhm... thanks..."

Nadia averted her gaze and looked onward, finding that they were about to approach the entrance to a building. Once she discovered this, she turned back to Hilda with the intention of satisfying a slight curiosity of hers.

"Hilda."

"Hm~? What’s up?"

"Why... are you wearing trousers?"

"Trousers?" Hilda glanced down at her lower half. "It’s not like it’s a rule that girls can’t wear trousers at the Academy. But if you’re asking as to why I’m wearing them..."

She paused for a split second before saying:

"They fit me better than skirts."

...

Everyone entered through the double doors, and when they did, they were immediately met with a sea of people sitting in chairs, with countless teachers sitting along the sides of the hall.

What followed next—

"Ah, looks like the rest have arrived."

—Was the poised voice of a mature woman greeting them.