“Your hair...” I said as I realized something unexpected about it. “It’s completely back to normal, huh?”
Recently, Ted’s hair had been changing, in great frequency and style. In order to attract girls, he’d recently tried styling it in a weird fashion (internally, I call this style “Afro Ted”), but in order to restore Barth’s body to its original state, I’d essentially shaved all his hair off. Now, however, it was back to its usual, short length.
“Heh, I’ve realized something. Being a guy isn’t about what’s on the outside. It’s all about polishing what’s on the inside! That’s the shortcut to becoming popular!”
“I see... Glad to hear about your epiphany.”
I was sure things weren’t really that simple. One’s appearance was the best form of self-expression, and consequently, what was on the inside. If he didn’t have an appealing appearance, nobody would want to see what was inside, no matter how much he polished his personality. It might take some more time before Ted’s able to attract any girls.
“Well anyway, let’s get the uzhe!”
For the record, “the uzhe” was slang kids these days used instead of the “usual food.” At Arthlia Academy of Magecraft, there were two ways to get food. One was to eat at the cafeteria, and the other was to go to the school store. Since all students were required to live at the dorm, it was hard for anyone to make their lunches.
“Phew, when aren’t classes a drag, am I right? Well, whatever, time for food!”
The next guy to call out to me was a fellow classmate, Zyle. Ever since the school trip where we stayed in the same room, he’d sometimes strike up a conversation with me.
“Sure. It’s our cafeteria day, so it’s okay if you join us.”
There wasn’t enough space in our school’s cafeteria to fit the entire student body, which was over a thousand in number. As a result, there were certain days where different grades were given priority for the cafeteria. This was the one time a week that we, as first years, had priority, and as such, our classmates had already left for the cafeteria.
“By the way, Abel, have you been taking on any quests recently?” Zyle asked on the way to the cafeteria, as if he’d just remembered.
“No, I haven’t. I got a decent amount of money from the quest I did in the fall, so I don’t really plan on doing any more for a while. I’ve got more than enough money for now.”
After reselling the Regalias I’d gotten from that sneaky shop owner, Edgar, I’d accumulated quite the sum of money. Though I wouldn’t be able to buy anything too extravagant, I had more than enough to live a normal life.
Hearing my response, Zyle sighed. “Abel, you seriously don’t get it, do you?”
I’m not sure why, but Zyle seems disappointed by my honesty.
“You’re gonna be left wanting for money in the winter,” he continued. “You should start saving up as soon as you can!”
Hm? Is there some kind of special event in the winter? If anything, I would think that the cold weather would encourage people to stay inside and not spend as much money.
“Oh, true! Zyle has a point!” Ted said, agreeing with Zyle for once. “Roasted chicken, meat buns, hot pot, stew, cake... There are way too many good winter foods! No matter how much money I save, I never have enough!”
As usual, it seemed that Ted was as carefree as ever. In Ted’s case, he’d had a similar problem in the fall where he lacked enough money to buy all the food he wanted. I doubted that his problem was limited specifically to winter.
“No, that’s not it at all, you dunce!” Zyle snapped. “It’s all about girls! This is the time to be talkin’ about the gifts you’re gonna get girls for Christmas!”
Hm. So that’s what he meant. Oh, now I remember. For some reason, there was a culture of exchanging presents on Christmas. It wasn’t an event that I was especially used to, so I’d completely forgotten about it.
“Heh heh. Merry Christmas, Master Abel.”
Hm. Now that I think about it, I got a present from Lilith last year. I’m pretty sure it was a hand-knitted sweater. Up until last year, I didn’t even know this kind of event existed, so I hadn’t really given her a present in return, but this year, I felt like it was practically required that I do so.
“You’re such a jokester, Zyle. When you’re as popular with the girls as Master is, you don’t even need to think about them. But...maybe it’s something you have to think about if you’re as unlucky with girls as you are, Zyle.”
“Hmph. Listen, Ted, you shouldn’t look down on me. I already have someone to give a present to.”
Maybe it was just my imagination, but hearing this, Ted seemed to have fallen into a state of extreme shock.
“Wh-What?! I thought our bond as the Unpopular Guy Alliance was forever!” Ted cried.
Even though the alliance that he was speaking of was supposedly made up of Ted, Zyle, and me, I don’t know a thing about it: when it started, what our purpose is, etc. That being said, there was one thing I could speak to regarding the alliance—it frequently fell apart.
“Sorry, Ted. I’ve crossed over to this side,” Zyle said smugly, while sitting next to me.
You’re acting as overly familiar as usual, aren’t you? The impudence from both Ted and Zyle were as good as any first-rate mage.
“Ugh... Don’t tell me I’m the only one who’s gonna be forever alone on Christmas...” Ted groaned.
Being “forever alone” on Christmas was another thing that kids these days were talking about. Truly lowbrow conversation.
But I guess Christmas is coming up soon. I should start thinking about what present to get Lilith.
As I slurped the noodles of my favorite kitsune udon, I started thinking of gift ideas.