29 – Episode 3. Unintended attention is dismissed. (7)
“Yann, can you not watch over them for just today?”
“What’s the reason?”
Yan puts a cookie in his mouth and asks.
Seeing that he doesn’t immediately refuse, it seemed quite familiar. The tone is firm, but there’s something loose about it.
Other members of the assassination squad were happily laughing while drinking milk with their cookies.
Perhaps because they kept feeding us, the vigilance seemed to have loosened considerably. Maybe it’s because of the confidence that they can kill me anytime.
“I have to go to the duel that will take place today, and if you guys follow me, it could jeopardize the infiltration. I’ve said it before, but there are people in the academy who can detect your infiltration.”
Especially Princess Miné.
It wouldn’t be a pretty sight if caught by that lady.
Thinking about her indifferent and cold personality, once she catches an assassin, she throws them in prison and interrogates them like any other criminal.
“…I’ll monitor from a position where I won’t get caught.”
Stubbornly insisting.
Is this something they decided for themselves, or are they trying to avoid my surveillance?
“If you get caught, there’s no turning back, you know?”
“…At least I should know that your words are not lies.”
“Those not officially registered as escorts are classified as insurgents. You could end up in prison or dead if you mess up.”
Especially if the being is an elf, things could get complicated.
Even if they haven’t done anything, just entering the academy could be used as a pretext to blame the elves for attempting to steal human technology.
“I’m prepared.”
“Don’t just prepare, listen to me.”
“Why should I listen to you when there’s no reason to?”
“Even if you get caught, I won’t know?”
“I don’t expect anything.”
“Really? You have no idea?”
“I said I don’t.”
“Do whatever you want.”
Even if I say this, when the idol is in real danger, I’ll do whatever it takes to save them.
Yan is the bridge connecting the elf race and the princess Mine’s top supporter. Leaving her, who played a significant role in the original work, dead seemed like raising the difficulty level on my own.
Perhaps the quest wouldn’t want that either.
* * *
“Hmm.”
The academy classes were easier than I thought.
It was an education curriculum that seemed like a mix of college political science major and high school core subjects.
There were some cumbersome parts due to the sheer amount of memorization, but overall, it didn’t seem too difficult if we only consider the difficulty level. Mathematics didn’t seem too deep either.
Moreover, maybe because I knew the setting and worldview of this world, I had no trouble understanding the contents of the books.
However, the thickness of the books felt unnecessarily heavy, making it boring compared to reading a novel.
I have to endure this kind of boredom for the next two years…
If only I had swordsmanship or magical understanding skills, I might have engaged in more interesting and dynamic activities. It’s a pity.
I’ve fallen into a fantasy world, yet I’m just an ordinary person.
The incredibly dull classes finally ended, and it was almost time for dismissal. The students still in the classroom seemed uncomfortable with my presence.
According to the servants, Abel apparently rejected a girl who approached him today. Although there was some forcefulness in the process, I heard he made sure to get her consent.
At least he considered the image of a noble.
However, it was undeniable that there were oppressive elements, and Abel being called trash at this point was something that couldn’t be denied.
I did instruct the staff to take action regarding the victims I had touched, but I didn’t think this would change the image.
It would be much more rational to think that there’s some hidden agenda.
Still, if there were small but positive rumors circulating, I could be satisfied with that.
Once a person’s image is ingrained in people’s minds, it takes at least several months of effort to change it.
I got up from my seat and headed to the locker in the corridor.
I opened the compartment with my nameplate and stuffed the books that had been provided inside. It was already filled with several books. I don’t know why there’s so much to learn.
Even if I want to have fun, I can’t when there’s so much to learn.
Is life such that I can’t live while having fun? I feel like crying as I watch my unemployed life drift away in real time.
With a gloomy face, I closed the locker and looked to the side, where Maya, with cute squirrel-like features, was staring at me with round, adorable eyes.
“…Maya?”
“Oh, yes. What’s the matter?”
“That’s what I want to ask.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.
What business could she have to come and fidget around like this? Did she come to pay her respects to my mother?
“Um… Abel-nim.”
“Speak.”
“How do you find the classes?”
“Well… they’re somewhat understandable.”
“Is that so? Here, I’ve organized the notes from what we learned yesterday and today, over the past two days. I hope it’s helpful.”
“Are you organizing your notes?”
“Yes. Oh, I’ll continue to organize them like this every day from now on. If there’s any part you don’t understand, please… let me know. I’ll somehow explain it to you.”
I accepted the notebooks with surprise. It seemed like the day’s lessons were sorted and organized in each notebook. I glanced through one of them, ‘Public Choice Theory.’
In a cute handwriting, the essential content was briefly written. It felt much neater than the textbooks. I really liked it.
“Thank you, Mayu.”
“Ah… yes….”
I smiled and closed the notebook.
Mayu, with eyes widened like a squirrel trying fruit for the first time, stared at me as if amazed.
Is it strange for me to smile?
“But you really don’t have to do this. If you organize notes every day, you’ll inevitably take away Mayu’s study time, right?”
“It’s okay! Um… I, I also study while organizing.”
She says, tapping her chest twice.
No, it’s like making the one who bothered you shuttle your homework. I said I would only tell her what she didn’t know, right?
“I’ll just accept your gratitude.”
“But….”
“During the exam period, whenever you don’t know something, feel free to bother me. So don’t worry.”
“Yes….”
Mayu seemed disappointed as I continued to refuse until the end.
I understand her desire to repay me somehow, but for me, enduring Abel’s mischief was enough to be grateful for.
“By the way, when is your mother coming to pick you up? If it’s difficult for her to come, should I offer to send a carriage or something?”
“Ah, it’s not like I can be indebted to that extent.”
As if clapping with both hands wasn’t enough, she shook her head from side to side.
It seemed like she felt burdened by being treated so well.
I felt like I would feel the same way.
Usually, when someone receives such overwhelming kindness that they can’t repay, they feel burdened. And if the person who gave them the kindness had made their life difficult, they would feel even more concerned.
“But you said it hurts, so you need to get treatment as soon as possible.”
“But…”
“My attendants will come by later, so please get ready.”
“But…!”
“It’s okay, just accept it. I have a promise to keep, so I’ll go first. You worked hard today. See you tomorrow.”
I handed a note to Mayu and gave her a light smile.
“Yes, Abel. You worked hard too.”
Mayu tightly grasped the note I handed her and mumbled her response.
Her slightly flushed face… it must be my imagination, right?
* * *
4 o’clock. Behind the main building of the Knight Department.
A neat dueling ground was set up like a university festival stage, and the seats were arranged in a fan shape for a better view of the stage.
Many students had already taken their seats. Most of them were Knight Department students, but students from other departments were also present. And among them were professors.
If today’s event was just an ordinary duel, people wouldn’t have gathered in such a grand manner.
Today’s event was a formal duel with real swords.
Even the rivalry between Princess Miné and Lady Lina only served to intensify the interest in them.
It felt like watching gladiators fight in ancient times was the reason for the heightened attention.
Amidst the noisy atmosphere, as I pondered where to sit, a voice came from behind.
“Sir Abel.”
When I turned around, a lady was bowing her head.
Seeing the lion pattern embroidered on her maid uniform, I immediately recognized her as someone from the Sphynx faction.
“Lady Lina is waiting for you in the waiting room.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
I followed the guide into the Knight Academy building.
As we made our way to the waiting room, the expressions of students we encountered stiffened in real time.
They bowed their heads when they saw me, but it seemed like they didn’t bother to manage their expressions, making me look quite displeased.
They probably know about Abel’s misdeeds.
Perhaps everyone inside the academy dislikes Abel. It’s a bit bitter.
“Lina, I’m here.”
As soon as we arrived at the waiting room, I opened the door and entered. Lina was sitting in a ‘uniform’.
It was the uniform I had seen in the illustration.
It was a uniform with blue accents on a black base. The gold decorations on the shoulders and chest were striking.
Knights usually wore armor and enchanted lightweight magic, but Lina, on the contrary, wore light clothes and enchanted defensive magic.
This was possible partly because she didn’t like armor and partly because she was a lady.
Unlike armor, which is imbued with mana crystallization, or magical stones, to be forged, uniforms had to be purely enchanted with magic.
Moreover, its durability is somewhat inferior to armor, requiring occasional replacement, making it a challenging aspect to handle unless one is wealthy.
“Oh… you’re here?”
“The military uniform suits you well.”
“…Do you have to compliment me every time? Do you know it makes it seem trivial if you do it every day?”
“I’m just being honest.”
I said, sitting next to her rather than across from her. I scanned her overall appearance.
Seeing her in person after having seen her in illustrations is a fresh experience.
“Indeed, military uniform suits you better than a dress.”
“Huh? I-I see.”
Lina glanced down at her attire once, adjusting it with pride at my compliment.
Perhaps that was the compliment she most wanted to hear.
From Noble mtl dot com
“When women become knights, people usually say something… You did too.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, I won’t do it anymore. Anyway, I’ll support you with all my might to help you achieve your dream.”
“W-What… What are you… Just do as you please?”
As expected, Lina’s slightly malfunctioning speech style when using straightforward language is amusing. It has a teasing flavor.
Afterward, we engaged in light conversation, doing our best to ease her tension.
“Sponsor Lady, it seems like you should start getting ready to go in soon.”
“I got it.”
She, who had been laughing at the words of the master, let out a sigh. Standing up from her seat, she muttered to herself.
“Why do they make such a big deal out of this? It’s just so burdensome for no reason.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Not really?”
“Sure. You look nervous as anything.”
“And if I am?”
It was about being persistent in places where it’s okay to rely on others.
“Lina.”
“What?”
“I’m on your side. No matter what happens.”
“Yeah.”
“So, come back victorious.”
“Of course.”
I extended my fist towards her, who was speaking quietly. Lina alternated between looking at my face and my fist, then faintly smiled and bumped her fist against mine.
Before the sound of our fists meeting could fade, I reached out and grabbed her hand before spreading it out and planting a kiss on the back of her hand.
Swoosh.
“You, you…!”
I chuckled as I looked at Lina, whose mouth was wide open in surprise.
“Feeling relaxed now?”
“I’ll be even more nervous!”
She hastily withdrew her hand from mine and shouted, as she touched where I kissed, pressing her lower lip.
It felt like I could die of embarrassment.
“You seem to be completely relaxed now that you’re talking.”
“Weren’t you relaxed from the start?!”
“Well, yeah. Then let’s prove that I can beat a genius from now on.”
“…You don’t have to say it—”
“Referring to me like that isn’t very pleasing, Abel Sirius.”
I flinched at the voice coming from beyond the door. The voice, cold to the point of indifference, froze me, and as the door opened, a platinum-haired woman entered.
She was similar to Lina but different in her uniform.
She was wearing a uniform with gold and black accents on a pristine white background.
Mina Illustern Ferathor.
The protagonist of this world had arrived.