Freedom's Heart

Chapter 34

"Lady Angelina," How did this happen? "I look forward to working with you."

Ellis is my partner. Standing in front of me with the brightest smile. Shouldn't she be with Noah or Zeno? I was hoping she would have been with Noah. In the game, this was one of the final main events, and the person Ellis was partnered with was the love interest she would marry.

"Y... yes. I hope we receive a high score,"

It is probably just a coincidence. There were an odd number of boys and girls, and the teachers probably paired me up with a friend because my marriage with Marshal was called off. It's not like we are going to get married after this. Although whoever marries Ellies will be a lucky guy.

"Excuse me, can I have everyone's attention," But before I can question it, one of the teachers grabs our attention. "We will begin the first exam stage, which consists of a meal between you and your partner. You will be judged on your table manners, posture and ability to hold appropriate conversations."

It looks like the test hasn't changed from the game. Still the same categories, but this time I will have to do the tasks myself instead of answering a series of multiple-choice questions. I hope I haven't forgotten anything significant from my etiquette lessons.

"Now, please wait here until you are called," The teacher starts reading from her list, calling out a new pair one at a time, along with a table number.

It takes a few minutes, but everyone is seated in pairs before long. I have to give it to the staff of our school. They really turned this room into a fancy dining establishment. It's hard to believe that this room was once a large open space used by the school's fencing club. I will assume it is another coincidence that Gloria and Marshal sit beside us. Gloria shoots me a smug look as she cosies up to Marshal. I can't wait to crush her... I mean, make her see the error of her ways.

"This looks really fancy," Ellis comments, looking around.

"Yeah," I nod. "It's hard to believe what this place used to look like."

For the first test, we had a three-course meal. It wasn't a hard test, but maintaining the correct posture and remembering which piece of cutlery to use was taxing. I swear nobles have too many types of spoons, forks and knives to choose from. The only way I got through it was because I could remember my mother yelling at me for using the wrong utensil. At least keeping up a conversation wasn't too hard. In fact, it was easy with someone like Ellis as a partner. She quickly picks up the slack whenever I struggle to find a topic.

There seems to be no difference between this world and Ellis's game characters' back story. From what Ellis tells me, she still was mistreated by her family but not to the same degree as the game. My backstory is entirely different in comparison. Fighting monsters and dragons, having Bozzair as a pet and getting along with Marshal, Zeno and Noah. Reflecting on it, it's hard to believe I am Angelina Lamonia.

Everything about this test went perfectly. Tasty food, no mistakes with the cutlery and delightful company. I am sure we will get full marks. Even Ellis was perfect. In the game, she struggled through this test with her partner having to carry her, but today she outshined me. I had no idea she could be so charming and elegant. Noah and Zeno really missed out on an enjoyable meal.

"That was really tasty," Ellis sighs in satisfaction. "But I don't recognise the meat used."

"It was Thunder Deer," I tell her. "I was the one who hunted it."

It was an easy fight. Thunder Deers are deadly but go down pretty quickly if you catch them by surprise. You just need to be careful of the horns. They can shoot off lightning even after the deer is killed. I learned that the hard way when I first started adventuring. Just one small shock, my arm was numb for nearly a week.