Chapter 26
“I’m really sorry…!”
Ignoring the gazes of others, Alicia bows her head completely.
As onlookers grew curious about what was happening, Liam, who was flustered, hurriedly tried to stop her actions.
“I-It’s okay! It’s fine, so please lift your head for now!”
“But…”
“The more you act like this, the more sorry I feel.”
Although Alicia showed signs of inadequacy, Liam found her attitude burdensome.
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At his insistence, Alicia straightened her back again. Her gaze was directed slightly downwards, not directly at him.
Unlike before, Liam seemed somewhat relieved by her cautious demeanor.
“Originally, it was an accident that happened as I tried to force the work. Miss Alicia doesn’t need to apologize like this.”
“But… I used violence by holding a sword to your throat. This… is not something that can be easily forgiven.”
“No, you weren’t hurt, and the threat stopped. I know that Alicia had no choice but to act like that.”
“Really…?”
Alicia, who had been looking down without confidence, momentarily raised her head and showed a puzzled reaction.
Liam could finally look directly into her eyes.
“You said you started working at Shugenhardt. Then, of course, whether you liked it or not, you had to protect the people of that family.”
“Oh… yes…”
“I think I rushed too much in dealing with him, which must have been quite uncomfortable from Vargan’s perspective. After all, we had never even exchanged formalities.”
“……”
“Miss Alicia?”
For some reason, Liam sensed that Alicia’s mood was slightly soured, so he called out to her.
Alicia immediately put on a calm smile as if nothing had happened, but the momentary expression on her face was clearly not fake.
She continued to apologize, seemingly to prevent Liam from getting lost in his thoughts.
“I want to talk to Miss Emily too. I think you must have been hurt by my actions. I sincerely apologize.”
Alicia approached Emily, who had been keeping her distance from Liam.
As Alicia’s pitiful gaze continued, Emily found it hard to pretend she didn’t know anymore.
“Oh, really embarrassed. I’m fine too. Of course… I was angry that Liam was being harmed, but I didn’t just curse, I threatened you, Alicia.”
“On the matter of carelessly addressing someone precious to Miss Emily, even if I had a hundred mouths…”
“Oh, okay! Let’s just forget about it now. We’ll see each other often in the same class, and it’s annoying every time it feels awkward.”
Emily blocked Alicia’s words with her hands. She looked at Alicia with a slightly flushed face.
Seeing no sign of Alicia continuing, Emily removed her hands from her mouth and returned to her original position, stopping midway, with one hand extended.
“There were twists and turns, but let’s forget about this. I was sorry too. And…”
She hesitated.
“That… well, that. It’s a bit funny in this situation. Ahem! Why do you have that…?”
Alicia blankly looked at the hand she was offering. Like someone unsure of what to do in a situation they were put in for the first time.
“Um… that… what could it be.”
“…Really frustrating.”
Emily grabbed Alicia’s hand firmly. She kept her head turned to the side, looking elsewhere.
“Now you understand what this means…?”
“Ah…!”
Alicia completely understood Emily’s actions.
With eyes widened like a rabbit, she clasped Emily’s hand and shook it.
At Alicia’s innocent reaction, Emily almost burst out laughing unintentionally.
“Let’s use informal speech with each other. We’re the same age after all.”
“Informal? Informal… Right, I guess we should use informal…?”
“If formal speech is more comfortable, you can use it. Just call me comfortably.”
“…Hmm.”
After pondering for a moment with a serious expression, Alicia spoke.
“I’ve never tried informal speech before. I’ll try, but for now, I’ll use formal speech.”
“As I said before… you’re truly remarkable in various ways…”
As Emily was admiring Alicia’s amazing personality, there was a change in the party hall.
“Huh?”
The surrounding lights dimmed.
People who noticed the change gathered in one place, their faces filled with anticipation.
“What… on earth is happening?”
“It seems like that. Looks like the time is right.”
As Alicia showed a bewildered reaction, Emily responded.
“That?”
“Yes. It’s the ball. They said this time the opening will involve pairing up the top 10 students based on their entrance exam results, so that Bar… gan? Anyway, that person should be there too. Didn’t you know?”
“No, I had no idea…”
The spotlight shone on the central stage on the first floor. Freshmen were gathered around a circular platform at the center.
“We had a good spot. We were on the second floor, and the stage was clearly visible.”
“That’s right. Liam.”
Alicia stepped forward, approaching the stage where all eyes were fixed.
Ten protagonists entered to the cheers of the crowd.
Five men. Five women.
The numbers were perfectly balanced, with no one left without a partner.
On stage, Bargan and his partner greeted the audience together.
Some claimed they were engaged, igniting even more excitement. Some even mentioned fate.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman, exuding a sense of elegance as if they were the most precious treasures in the world. Their engagement seemed to bind them in a special relationship.
Bargan’s speech at the entrance ceremony was almost forgotten. The noble pair seemed to evoke something in the audience.
“That person stands out even in a crowd. Oh, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Emily’s explanation didn’t reach Alicia.
Alicia’s gaze was fixed solely on Bargan, showing no sign of wavering.
Finally,
The heavy sound of string instruments signaled the beginning of the ball.
The previously quiet hall erupted into admiration.
“Oh, wow!”
“Everyone is so elegant, aren’t they?”
The protagonists moved across the stage.
As if they were one.
Every step they took was significant. They seemed to avoid collisions even when it looked like they would clash.
The men led, the women followed, showing off their radiance.
Like flowers blooming everywhere. It was magnificent.
Bargan and his partner had an exceptional harmony.
Assertive yet gentle.
Firm but smooth. They moved in a way that was not overbearing but also not unpleasant.
Despite a noticeable height difference, they didn’t seem to mind.
As if they had been dancing together for a long time, they seemed to know each other’s reactions and desires.
The two resembled each other.
Enchanting gazes. Confident vibes.
Occasionally, they whispered to each other, trying to focus on their conversation amidst the noisy ball.
Bargan smiled slightly.
It was a different smile from the one he usually wore to mock others.
“….”
Until the end of the performance, Alicia felt a strange tingling sensation in her chest.
***
“Wake up, Alicia.”
“Huh!”
A clear voice echoed.
Today, Alicia had a red mark on her forehead again.
Emily, who witnessed the situation for the first time, was surprised and hugged Alicia. She scolded her, asking what she was doing.
I answered in disbelief.
“What’s wrong with giving my servant a punishment? It doesn’t even hurt, so don’t pick a fight for no reason.”
“What on earth…!! Didn’t you hear me? I thought my skull was shattered!”
“You’re so touchy.”
“This…!”
Emily was about to get even more upset, but Alicia’s intervention deflated her momentum.
By the way, that guy was talking back to Alicia yesterday, and today he’s doing the same to me. It’s not a big deal since it was bound to happen, but being treated like this by a mere commoner isn’t pleasant.
“I apologize, my lord. I was briefly lost in thought and didn’t hear your words.”
“It’s not that you couldn’t, but that you didn’t listen. Alicia.”
“…Yes. I will pay more attention from now on.”
I don’t like repeating myself.
Since the most important person missed it, I have to say it again. What was he thinking at such a crucial moment?
“I’ll say it one last time, so listen carefully.”
I said to the members who were looking at me.
These people here are the necessary personnel for what I’m about to say.
“I will establish a ‘research society.’ Of course, all of you must join.”
“When you say ‘research society’….”
Think of it as a club in Academia.
The difference is that it is more systematic and professional than clubs in the real world.
“The theme of the research society is ‘personal development.’ In simple terms, it’s a process to elevate your level.”
“Like I said before, why do we have to forcibly join that research society…?”
“What right do you have to spit out such nonsense when you’re the least helpful in the group with Finn?.”
“T-That’s…!”
Emily couldn’t come up with a proper rebuttal and momentarily sat back down, having risen.
At least the basic concept is there, which is fortunate.
Alicia raised her hand, trying to seize the opportunity to speak.
It’s a custom she recently learned while attending classes at Academia.
“Speak.”
“Weren’t you planning to join the student council? I heard that students ranked 1st to 5th in admission grades have the right to join the student council. Ah… I seem to have been mistaken. I apologize.”
Seeing my expression turn sour, Alicia ended her speech with an apology.
The student council did make an offer.
But.
“I don’t enter such futile places.”
Especially when ‘that guy’ is currently the head of that group.
Right now, it’s urgent to lift the level of the group members and it’s also the groundwork for the picture that will be completed later, so going out like this is the right move.
“I’m fine with it! No, I’m grateful!! For you to go this far for me, Vargan!”
“Ugh, this guy again. Huh? Serena, are you also going to join?”
“….”
Emily was startled by Finn’s exaggerated reaction and turned her gaze to Serena, who remained quiet, simply nodding her head.
“I will work really hard! Right now, my skills may be pathetic, just holding onto Vargan’s ankles, but I will definitely improve!”
“Fin, I know your determination, now stop talking.”
Toyren Troa, Fin.
Although he is a noble, he is a lad who hasn’t received any special support. His passion is always at its peak, but he remains a sad supporting character with no significant achievements.
Fin was a supporting character like Vargan in the original work, and despite some changes in the rankings, he once again became the same supporting character.
Moreover, surprisingly.
Entered the academy with the lowest grades, just like in the original.
This was his first time receiving such grades, but for me, it was the second time he entered the academy with the lowest grades.
So, will he struggle until the end and eventually shine with his talent?
No. Not at all.
Despite pouring out his efforts tirelessly, he receives no recognition. He is a guy with such a dire lack of talent.
“The research club… Well, that’s fine. There’s no reason to refuse when the chief himself is making an effort for us. But let me ask one thing.”
Emily continues speaking. She will reluctantly accept it, but it seems she can’t erase her doubts.
“Why are you doing this? It doesn’t seem like it’s simply to raise the standards of the team members we’ll be working with.”
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“There are many things you don’t know, it’s dirty not knowing. Even if you bow your head in gratitude, it’s a situation where it’s not enough.”
“…I’m sorry for not knowing the subject. But can’t I answer the question first? Hmm?”
He’s still a cheeky lad.
Alright. Speak up.
“If you don’t do this, you and Fin will die a year from now.”