8 – Practical Test (2)
Three years.
It had been three long years since I could have a conversation with Ron.
And this precious moment was interrupted by this pathetic man.
Should I tear him apart?
Or should I send him back to his parents with his neck cut?
In my mind, the man’s death was already confirmed, and all that remained was to act upon it.
Yet, the reason I didn’t move for now was…
“….”
When our gazes met, Ron tilted his head.
As if reading my mind, he glared at me with a resolute expression.
And then, the fiery anger in my head cooled down, and I was able to think somewhat calmly.
There is nothing good for Ron if I interfere here.
Instead, I might receive punishment for neglecting my responsibilities.
The anger I feel right now is not just mine.
Ron seems to share the same sentiment; his gaze towards the man is not friendly.
I won’t kill this man for Ron’s sake.
Instead, I warned him not to interfere again.
“Why are you trying to disrupt me?”
“Disrupt? That’s absurd! I was just trying to advise Lady Lillie that it’s not good to mix with commoners.”
“Hmm.”
A man speaking nonsense with an arrogant face.
I expected it to be worthless nonsense, but not to this extent.
It’s beyond funny, now it’s not even amusing anymore.
“Leaving aside commoners like that and seeking friendship with fellow nobles as…”
“If I follow your logic, then I shouldn’t be talking to you, a noble like you, right?”
“What?”
This man is the same.
Focused solely on being a knight, he doesn’t know me at all.
“Before I was appointed as a knight, I was a commoner. No, even lower than a commoner, I was a mercenary. In that case, do I have the right to mix with nobles like you?”
“No, but still…”
“And!”
The man tried to make excuses, but I cut him off and continued the conversation.
“He is my benefactor. We’ve been like family long before I became a knight. So what right do you have to interfere with him?”
“….”
“Bester Klein. I will remember your name forever.”
“Eek!”
With just a slight twitch, he trembled and fell back in fear.
The armor was so heavy that, even after falling, they couldn’t get up for quite a while and could only flail about.
Finally, with the help of those around them, they managed to get up, barely.
They fled towards a corner, avoiding us.
As I turned my head toward Ron, satisfied with the outcome.
“Lily, you…”
Ron’s expression was not good at all.
It was as if he was blaming me, with a hint of resentment in his eyes, as if I had made a mistake.
“Well, I didn’t expect to provoke Ron’s opponent like that. This should be interesting.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Suddenly, a man leaned in and explained.
And with his explanation, I instantly realized what I had done wrong.
Ron already knew that the nobleman was his opponent.
So, he had no intention of provoking him and planned to pass quietly.
But because of me stepping forward, I inadvertently irritated the nobleman,
and the price for it would be entirely paid by Ron.
“S-Sorry…”
“It’s fine. You knew about it, right? I’ll take care of the rest.”
Ron didn’t blame me.
Instead, he comforted me and said it wasn’t my fault.
But now, I wanted him to scold me.
His kindness only stimulated my guilt and made me feel more miserable.
***
Although Lily’s fine play somehow worked out,
“……”
I felt Bester’s gaze filled with anger directed at me.
I could sense his resentment, the determination to not let it go.
Given Bester’s temperament, I am afraid of how things will turn out in the practical exam.
I unnecessarily worsened the situation that could have been resolved without any trouble,
but since Lily is cute, it’s okay.
“What was Bester’s initial equipment again?”
As I brushed the gloomy hair away from Lily’s face, I quietly got lost in my thoughts.
Bester, like a carrion bird sitting next to me,
One of the characters I couldn’t accept as my comrade.
Even during the practical exam, when the focus was on the protagonist and Lily,
I never found out what weapon Bester had.
But such trivial concerns were momentary.
When I saw his thick armor, I realized how pathetic my worry was.
If he can’t even walk properly in that heavy armor,
No matter what weapon he brings, it wouldn’t be much of a threat.
“Of all things, it had to be that armor.”
That armor is called an Onion Armor, which, according to Bester’s skills, he shouldn’t be able to wear.
It has the advantage of high defense with its thick metal plates that resist enemy attacks.
But at the same time, it slows down movement and prevents evasion, making it a deceptive equipment that only tanks wear.
It’s even difficult for him to move in it.
Even the dragon considered wearing it.
Such equipment is not allowed in the original practical exam.
As it is a place to showcase one’s own abilities,
Defensive gear, excluding weapons, is not permitted.
“In the first place, he should have been prohibited from wearing it at the entrance. Seeing him wear it here…”
No matter how you think about it, bribery seems to be the only answer.
Even if it’s an academy, it is ultimately part of society.
So, I expect that he bribed his way to obtain permission to wear that armor.
“I’m fine, though.”
Such actions are actually detrimental to Bester.
To watch the current practical exam at the academy,
The Knight Commander, the King, and other administrative officials are seated in the spectator seats.
When the match starts, names will be announced.
Then, the Klein family, or the academy that allowed that, will face severe criticism.
“The professor who took the bribe will face consequences, and the Klein family…”
The Klein family, to which Bester belongs, will no longer maintain its position.
Moreover, being ridiculed even by the same nobles,
As a self-made commoner, there is no such thing as social status.
Since I don’t need to worry about other people’s opinions, it’s not a loss to act like that.
Yet, to behave like that in a gathering where various famous figures gather.
I simply cannot understand it.
“But Ron.”
“Yes?”
Suddenly, Lily, who had been quiet, called me.
Wondering what was going on, I looked at her.
Realizing that her gaze was directed behind me, I turned around.
A pink-haired female student peered halfway through the door.
Our eyes met – Kana Persian and I.
“Do you happen to know her?”
“That… ”
If you ask if I know her, well, I do know her.
We’ve met countless times in the game, so it’s impossible not to know her.
However, I shook my head and denied Lily’s question.
“She just helped me briefly before coming here.”
“Hmm, really?”
Maybe my answer wasn’t satisfactory because she responded sullenly and approached Kana.
Startled, Kana tried to run away, but the speed of a warrior was truly remarkable.
“Well then, I guess I’ll just ask this little thief cat directly.”
Unable to escape from Lily, Kana was dragged along,
Caught by the throat.
‘A thief cat, huh.’
Kana is indeed a cat person, and she’s a cat, yes.
Why did they call her a thief cat?
Did Kana ever steal something?
As far as I can remember, there were no such episodes.
“Well then, I guess we should start with introductions. I’m Lily Bright, Ron’s long-time friend.”
“Ah…”
When I heard Lily’s name, Kanah’s gaze turned towards me.
It felt as if she was saying, “You want me to become friends with someone like her?”
That’s up to you, just stop staring!
“Um, I’m Kana Persian.”
“A member of the Persian family. You’re more famous than I thought, Your Highness.”
Maybe it’s because of my mood.
For some reason, Lily’s words struck a nerve.
Could it be that she’s still angry because of Bester?
“Lily, leave her alone now. She’s not even a real cat, have some pity.”
“…Fine.”
Though her voice contained dissatisfaction, Lily granted my request.
Kana, who had escaped from Lily’s touch, found a hiding place and peeked at Lily from behind me.
Then, veins popped on Lily’s forehead,
and her aura, characteristic of a powerful person, filled the entire waiting room in an instant.
In the original story, Kana is supposed to be concerned about Lily because she likes the protagonist,
but there is no hint of jealousy.
Rather, look at how afraid and trembling she is in front of Lily.
Isn’t she just like a stray kitten abandoned in the rain?
“Step away right now!”
“Eek!”
Lily spread her aura even more intensely.
As Kana became more scared and clung closer to me,
I could clearly feel a soft mass against my back.
“Enough! Step away immediately!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Lily pushed Kana aside and hugged my arm.
Sighs escape me involuntarily at Lily’s persistent love for me.
I thought these feelings would gradually fade after three years, but they remain the same.
“But why is she so guarded against Kana? Could it be…?”
My gaze shifted from Kana’s voluminous chest to Lilly’s chest, pressed against her arms.
It’s been three years, but still a small size.
On the contrary, Kana, who boasts an incredible volume, can only be hated.
As close as this, it feels stiff rather than soft, unlike Kana.
I even suspected that the Bright family might have given us a disappointing meal.
Of course, Lily may feel regretful about it because some uniforms are a bit thick.
Honestly, can strawberries compare to oranges?
“If you want to fight, fight as much as you want. I don’t care.”
At least there doesn’t seem to be any room for me to intervene.
In situations like this, it’s better to stay quiet and watch.
“Hmm?”
Beep.
“Ahhh!”
Why are they fighting and bending my arm?!
There’s a sound that should never come from my arm!
“Oh, sorry!”
Lily finally regained her senses after hearing my scream.
Looks like she lost control for a moment and put too much force on my arm.
Luckily, my arm only has slight pain.
There were no major issues.
– Ah, we will now proceed with the practical exam. Students who are called, please come to the practice room.
The atmosphere in the waiting room became heavy as the voice was broadcasted.
As expected from Iris Academy students.
They are unrivaled in their determination.
“Now it begins.”
There was a bit of commotion, but this is where it really starts.
The true academy life that connects Lily and the protagonist.