22 – Exam Period (1)
“For me…”
“I…te…um…”
…
The muttered words echoed meaninglessly into the empty air. My consciousness was so blurred that it took a while to realize those were the words I had spoken. After mumbled words and a bit of saliva dripping from my lips, my eyes slowly opened.
“Um…”
Rustle.
As the young man shook off the remnants of a dream and rose, the pages clinging to his cheek tore away with a gentle, crackling sound. Glancing down, he saw a chaotic arrangement of complex formulas related to summoning spells. Perhaps he had dozed off while studying. It seemed his body couldn’t handle staying up too late after a long time.
“Ha…ugh…!”
However, surprisingly, his mind was clear and refreshed, more than one would expect after such a nap. It felt more like a deep, satisfying breath. Basking in the warm sunlight filtering through, he stretched and evidence of a sound sleep fell off his body. After a pleasant stretch, I began organizing the books on the desk.
“…”
Hmm… Why do I feel so refreshed? It’s good that I’m in a good condition, but it’s oddly good that it feels strange.
Nevertheless, I shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling and thought, well, good things are good. It’s fortunate that I didn’t knock anything over while sleeping. It’s not particularly sleepy even though it’s morning, the condition is good, and the sunlight is pleasantly warm. I can focus on studying today…
…
…Why is the sun shining at this hour?
The moment this thought crossed my mind, a shiver ran down my entire body. Odd. By the time I wake up, the sun should barely be rising. There’s no way it could be this warm. Tension replaced the lethargy in my body, and a tingling sensation ran through my fingertips. Despite knowing the answer to this simple question, I reluctantly turned my gaze towards the clock.
And, facing the clock, I let out a gasp as the hands of the clock were bending back two hours more than usual.
“Ah…!”
The usual waking time was six o’clock. The academy’s attendance time was eight thirty. And the current time was eight o’clock. Simple facts jumbled up in my head, leading to one conclusion. You have only thirty minutes to get ready.
“Ah…!!”
Once again, I exclaimed, looking around. The books to take with me were scattered messily on the desk, and the loosely removed school uniform was rolling on the floor with visible wrinkles. Even the ribbon was nowhere to be seen. In this scene with dozens of obvious problems, there was only one clear thing.
I messed up.
“Ah…!!!”
I screamed again and leaped onto the desk. Frantically shoving thick books into my bag, I cursed myself.
“I’m going crazy, I’m going crazy, I’m going crazy…”
Because of my hasty actions, the pages of the books got crumpled, and some even got torn, but I didn’t have time to care about that. How should I wear this wrinkled uniform? Where the hell did my ribbon go? Even if I prepare everything, will I be able to make it to school on time? The tasks that needed to be resolved were piling up like a mountain.
“Ughhhhh…!”
As I scratched my head in distress, I suddenly realized another problem. Come to think of it, I haven’t even washed up yet. When I turned my head, my disheveled hair and bare face without any makeup were glaringly reflected in the bathroom mirror. It would take at least twenty minutes to wash up and get ready.
Can I go to school without washing up?
“Ahhh! Seriously!”
In a state of desperation that was beyond belief, I screamed again. A noble lady who goes to school without washing up. It was so dreadful that I didn’t even want to imagine it. But I hated being late and awkwardly entering the class in the middle of the lesson even more. Everyone would stare at me. I would unnecessarily attract attention and get all the glances. It would be better to go to school unwashed…
…No, that would be even more embarrassing!!!
Just as I was about to scream again, another problem suddenly popped up. Come to think of it, there was something I had promised to do every morning recently. In the secluded spot behind the classroom building, between the cafeteria and the library, where only I knew, I had agreed to meet someone. The person who has been on my mind lately. The person who always approached me without hesitation. And, the person who is sometimes so foolish that they might still be waiting for me there.
The moment I realized that fact, instead of screaming, I called out that person’s name.
“Ellen…!”
The sounds of two women breathing came crashing like a storm.
…
They were uninvited guests who had come to the secret meeting place. The sanctuary of corruption and debauchery where she and I would start a secretive day. But instead of the cute noble lady who always came as expected after a long wait, there were two furious women.
From the beginning, they seemed to know my whereabouts and came to confront me, casting a huge shadow in front of me. It was more than enough as a prelude to a day that would be filled with disaster. The elven girl who glared at me fiercely. And behind her, a massive shadow standing like a bodyguard. The sound of their breathing pounded in my chest as if squeezing my heart.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Despite the pain that tightened my chest, I lifted my head to find out the identity of the second shadow. Of course, I couldn’t lift my head for a long time because of the overwhelming pressure. But the sound of their breathing was etched clearly in my memory.
Yes. Just like…
The sound of breathing, like a raging bull in heat, was unmistakable…
From Noble mtl dot com
“No, it’s not a raging bull in heat. I didn’t breathe like a pervert.”
“Oh, okay.”
Gueiro responded grumpily to my muttered words. What a boring guy. In an instant, the tension subsided as two female students appeared before us. Gueiro, who had been yawning with his mouth wide open since morning, and an elven girl who looked at me with her lips tightly shut. I awkwardly greeted her, calling out her name.
“Um… hello. Iriya.”
“…”
“Um, Iriya, could you please answer?”
“…”
Iriya didn’t respond to my words at all. Instead, she sent me a fierce glare and took one step closer to me. Then, she forcefully punched the wall right next to my head.
Thud!
“Whoa…”
To be honest, her wall-punching wasn’t that threatening, given Iriya’s delicate physique. If I wanted to, I could just push her away and run. But because Gueiro was standing behind her like a bodyguard, I couldn’t bring myself to do that. Feeling a slight sense of betrayal, I asked her.
“Gueiro. I didn’t know you were capable of such betrayal.”
“Sorry, but Iriya paid me more.”
“To abandon friendship for money. How disappointing.”
“…Strictly speaking, didn’t you abandon it first?”
“Still clinging to your slave-like habits, Gueiro.”
“Wow, you’re really mean with your words.”
“Hey.”
While exchanging pointless banter with Gueiro, Iriya snapped her fingers and sent a sign language message, visibly angry.
“Yes.”
‘Elan.’
“Uh… yes.”
I tensed up, hunching my shoulders. Indeed, being tied up all day was a bit much. No matter how soft and fluffy the fur was, being forcibly restrained was uncomfortable. Iriya sent a simple sign language as if expressing that sentiment.
‘Stop. Now.’
“Sorry. I admit yesterday was too much.”
‘Stop. Enough.’
“In the future, I won’t…”
I belatedly attempted to apologize. However, Iriya blocked my mouth midway and unexpectedly uttered something.
‘Stop babbling.’
“…What?”
I cocked my head at the peculiar response. In response, Iriya puffed up her cheeks, pushing her hands as if about to explode.
‘Stop babbling and have s*x!!!’
“Uh?”
I voiced my confusion again, but Iriya didn’t stop. Soon, her hands began to move relentlessly as if going on a rampage.
‘Stop babbling and have s*x! If you’re going to babble, why not do it during s*x!’
“No, who’s babbling?”
‘If that’s not babbling, then what is!’
“That… Iriya, sorry, but slow down. I can’t read as fast as you…”
‘No, if you’re not going to have s*x, stop babbling! Why confuse people, giggling and babbling among yourselves throughout the entire class! Who’s raising the tension? Why only cuddle and not go all the way!’
“Come here, Elya.”
“Don’t be coy! If you’re going to end up having s*x anyway, just do it quickly! Don’t just take off the socks, take off the underwear! And touch the breasts! Turn the nipples with your tongue! Penetrate the damp genitals! Make her pregnant!”
“Oh, in this world… don’t listen to the pervert! Cover your eyes!”
“Huh? You don’t know even if you look.”
“Have intercourse! Command them to have intercourse!”
In an instant, the image of the elf inside me collapsed. A pure race taking refuge in the forest, avoiding the filth of the world, living on dew instead of bread. But in reality, she was a lewd girl seeking erotic tales and lust in unseen places.
“Hey, Elya… calm down for a moment…”
“If you keep resisting like this, there’s no other choice!”
“Huh?”
Elya, saying so, suddenly grabbed my pants. Surprised, I grabbed her hand, and she stared at me with a determined expression.
“Since it’s come to this, we have no choice but to follow the orders!”
“What?”
‘Interspecies breeding isn’t bad either! Keep a close eye on it!’
“Uh…”
Was there an agreement between Elya and Guro? But looking at the guy standing stupidly behind, it didn’t seem like that. Even if they were offered a reward, there wouldn’t be a humanoid species willing to be impregnated.
Therefore, it was a critical situation, but I watched the situation with great composure. Rather, imagining Elya being flustered by Guro’s firm refusal made it even more enjoyable. But then, from a distance, a familiar shout reached my ears.
“Ellen!”
“Oh, Yuna.”
I looked up in admiration at the unnecessarily dramatic timing. Following my gaze, Elya grimaced and quickly stepped back.
“Ugh, is that an interferer.”
“No, what kind of adult content did you read to learn such outdated lines?”
“Now step back. Go away!”
She gestured fiercely backward. However, Gwero, as expected, didn’t understand and just scratched his head.
“What… what are you saying, kid?”
“Take me to the classroom and comfort me.”
“Ah, got it.”
Upon hearing that, Gwero lifted Iriya’s neck like a porter. Iriya, who sounded like a baggage, struggled awkwardly, and Gwero, with her still clinging to his side, greeted me.
“Then I’ll go first. See you in the classroom.”
“Yeah. Goodbye. Oh, but our contract remains the same, right? I’ll rely on you for today as well.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Ellen!”
As Gwero left, Yuna called my name and ran towards me. She arrived so quickly, sweating profusely. She grabbed my shoulder as soon as she got there and asked.
“Are you okay? You… what happened to you?”
“Yuna. I know how it must have looked, but it wasn’t that kind of situation.”
“But right now, you with that elf girl and those big ogres…”
“No, it’s not like that.”
“Undressing in this narrow place, with two people…”
“It’s not like that, so calm down for now.”
“Ah… ugh… *sigh*…”
Yuna finally took a breath, bending over with her hands on her knees. As I gently brushed her hair, I realized that the liquid on her hair wasn’t sweat but water. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one swept away by the disastrous morning. I lowered my posture a bit to meet her eyes and said.
“Should we go in and talk?”
“…These guys are beyond imagination.”
“Yeah.”
“They’re really unpredictable…”
Having heard all the stories, Yuna let out a sigh as her head drooped. Her still damp hair flowed down, and the deep fatigue settled like a shadow. I looked at the dark circles that had formed under her eyes and asked.
“You look really tired. Couldn’t sleep, by any chance?”
“Huh? No… not really. In fact, I slept too much, and that’s the problem.”
“Really? Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah… I’m fine.”
She tried to deny it, but the traces of fatigue were clearly visible all over her body. Maybe she stayed up all night studying. Or maybe she couldn’t sleep because of an unsolvable worry. Either way, it seemed as clear as day that I was at the end of the branch, following the cause.
“Phew…”
Yuna couldn’t hide her remaining fatigue any longer and pressed her fingers against her temples. Seeing the deep marks left by her glasses, it was clear that she had stayed up all night. Indeed, not being able to concentrate on class because of playing with me must have had a big impact.
Now that I saw her appearance, which seemed to have deteriorated in just one day, a heavy chain seemed to fill my heart. It was clear that Yuna had a goal more important than a commoner like me. Did I force her too much, even though I knew? Even though it was for the sake of fun, I started to think if I had gone too far. I even felt regret for pressing down on Yuna’s already heavy shoulders out of my own selfishness.
…Should I let her study even if she’s a little bored today?
I turned my gaze directly to her slumped shoulders. Professor Edmond had already entered and was pouring out a boring lecture. The desire to do something else sprang up as soon as I heard it, but it seemed that I had to endure it today. With that in mind, I casually opened the book and pretended to look inside.
“Phew…”
Seeing me, Yuna also opened her book, just like me. And then, she started to immerse herself in the class with astonishing concentration. Seeing her concentrate even in such a situation, I thought her willpower was truly amazing.
And now, it was time for me to show that willpower too. Even if I’m bored, I can’t disturb someone like her. With that in mind, I threw myself into the swamp of boredom.
“…”
“…”
“Hey, Ellen.”
After a while, Yuna suddenly called my name. When I turned my head, her face, fatigued and pale, appeared again. Just as the sense of guilt was about to surge up once more, my name was called again.
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“Well, you know…”
“Yeah.”
I replied as gently as possible. Upon that, she hesitated for a while and then asked me with a mumble.
“So, are you not going to pet me today?”