“…Huh? Um? Yes…?”

Sylvia stared at me blankly with confused eyes.

Seeing her expression, I gave a playful smile.

Her genuine surprise showed she never expected me to find out. She should have hidden it better if she saw me there.

“…Is that true?!”

Listening to our conversation nearby, Helena looked at Sylvia sparklingly.

For some reason, Helena’s face seemed somewhat joyful.

Well, it is something to celebrate when a friend gets along well with someone nice.

Receiving Helena’s gaze as well, Sylvia stood there with a dumbfounded expression, unable to explain herself.

… What’s going on? Is this really something to be so flustered about?

Sylvia’s reaction was more extreme than I expected, making me feel perplexed.

“No, should I have pretended not to know…? Um… sorry…?”

“Ah, no, that’s…!”

Just as Sylvia urgently opened her mouth in response to my apology…

“Oh, hello…”

“Oh? Conan, you’re here.”

When I greeted Conan, who suddenly appeared, Sylvia closed her mouth and frowned slightly.

It seemed she was still too embarrassed to talk about it in front of others. Come to think of it, she appeared to be hiding it from the other kids.

Understanding generously, I greeted Conan.

“Sorry, my previous class ended late…”

“It’s okay, you’re not that late.”

Nodding to Conan, who gave an awkward greeting, I assured him it was fine as we naturally gathered together.

Since we were in the same group, we needed to share feedback on the last training session.

“We need to approach more cautiously.”

“When dealing with groups of monsters…”

As I was devising new tactics based on the professor’s feedback, I suddenly felt someone’s gaze and looked up.

“…What? Do you have something to say?”

“Hm? Ah, no.”

When I asked Sylvia, staring at me intently as if she had something to say, she hurriedly shook her head and rejoined our conversation.

Hit.

“…Felix, focus.”

“Sorry.”

As I stared at Sylvia, I apologized to Helena, who punched my side to get my attention and focused back on the conversation.

Though my side stung, I couldn’t properly concentrate on the conversation because of Sylvia’s gaze, which I felt throughout.

I wondered why she would stare at me while I wasn’t looking and hurriedly turned away when I did.

“Alright, everyone, attention!!”

With Professor Selenda’s timely appearance, I had to put aside my questions about Sylvia.

Students started gathering one by one.

“Let’s go too.”

“…Okay.”

A very familiar person was naturally standing beside Professor Selenda.

“Due to cadet Leonhardt withdrawing from the academy for personal reasons, we have an empty spot for the practical training. Fortunately, a cadet who can fill Leonhardt’s spot is entering through special admission next week. Still, we’ll be one short for today’s class.”

Professor Selenda slowly began speaking after confirming all the students had arrived before her.

As she mentioned Leonhardt and looked around at us, I suddenly recalled something.

‘A cadet entering through special admission…?’

Right, that next hero guy hasn’t arrived yet…!

I had completely forgotten about that troublemaker, in a different sense from Leonhardt, because so much had happened in just over a month.

Suppressing the urge to smack my forehead, I let out a small sigh and focused back on Professor Selenda’s words.

“So here, Her Highness Princess Ashillya, the senior of you cadets, has kindly offered to assist with this class.”

“It’s nice to meet you, my junior colleagues. I am Ashillya Philippe Hamen Urlas. I heard my unworthy brother caused a lot of trouble.”

“…”

As the professor finished speaking, Ashillya emerged from behind her and greeted us.

The students remained silent at her introduction, which flowed smoothly as if rehearsed beforehand.

Half the students wondered if they should show proper respect to Her Highness the Crown Princess, while the other half were mesmerized by her beauty. As she scanned the students with a cool expression, her eyes met mine, and she gave a very slight smile.

It happened so quickly, but no one missed that smile since all eyes were focused on Ashillya.

“Ah…”

Someone let out a small exclamation upon seeing it.

It was the kind that naturally comes out when seeing something noble and beautiful beyond human comprehension.

Of course, since it disappeared instantly, that exclamation turned into one full of regret.

“Anyway, that is why I’m participating in today’s class, so I look forward to working with you all.”

“We look forward to working with you!”

Despite her casual speech, the cadets simply nodded and responded to Ashillya’s words.

I’m sure that smile she showed me was also planned. I shrugged my shoulders, marveling at her strategy that instantly captivated everyone with a fleeting smile.

“She’s really beautiful…”

Even the guys who had been chasing after Sylvia were staring at Ashillya with their mouths hanging open.

Letting out a small sigh at their fickle behavior, I turned my head to look at Sylvia.

“What were you trying to say earlier?”

I thought this chaotic moment due to Ashillya’s presence was a good opportunity to talk with Sylvia alone.

“Hm…? Ah, it’s nothing.”

“…Really?”

Sylvia flinched in surprise at my whisper and shook her head vigorously.

I was also curious about what she had tried to say, so I was going to press further, but seeing her sincere reluctance to talk, I could only nod and back off.

“Alright, then. Now that Her Highness Princess Ashillya has joined us, take 5 minutes to discuss your strategies freely, and then we’ll begin the training!”

“Yes…!”

After watching even Professor Selenda, who had consistently ignored Leonhardt, show proper respect to Ashillya, I turned away.

“Then let’s do as we discussed earlier today.”

“Okay.”

“Yes!! Let’s succeed for sure today!”

“…”

As I smiled, watching Conan respond quietly, and Helena pump herself up energetically, I glanced at Sylvia, who looked somewhat gloomy and deflated.

…She doesn’t seem to be in good condition today.

I was a bit worried, but I didn’t show it much. There’s no point in bringing up a topic the person doesn’t want to discuss, as it will not lead to a positive reaction.

***

Sylvia’s heart was burning up.

The desire to explain herself to Felix and the confusion over why she felt that way were eating away at her.

Rationally speaking, Cain and Sylvia were nothing more than friends.

If anything, they were good friends. The same went for Felix.

Those two were very precious friends to Sylvia… Of course, including Helena.

Anyway, she swore she didn’t have romantic feelings for Cain. Although he had helped her a lot, if asked whether that would develop into a romantic relationship, the answer was no.

‘…I was careless.’

Obviously, many academy students must have seen them together at the banquet and thought the same as Felix.

Sylvia acknowledged that part as her own carelessness. However, she had no intention of explaining herself to them.

But after hearing Felix’s words, Sylvia started feeling oddly anxious.

…She felt like she needed to explain.
No, to be honest, she wanted to do so.

But it wasn’t the right situation, nor was it the right timing. She bit her lower lip hard and watched Felix’s back as he talked naturally with their group members.

‘Later… when I have time later…’

I must explain.

She wasn’t sure why she had to, but…

If she had to think about it, she disliked being misunderstood.

She didn’t want her friendship with Cain to become distant due to a misunderstanding about them being lovers, and… she didn’t like Felix having such a misunderstanding about her.

“…Sylvia?”

Lost in these thoughts and making resolutions, Sylvia snapped back to reality at the sound of Felix calling her name and looked up.

“Come on.”

Thump.

Sylvia swallowed dryly and nodded at the sight of Felix looking at her with concern in his gentle voice.

‘Now is… now is…’

For now, she urged herself to focus on the class as she walked towards Felix, who was addressing her.

Pretending not to notice her heart beating erratically.

Translator’s Corner

If you’ve read the other novel I’m translating, you’ll know exactly what’s gonna go down.

At the time of writing this, there are currently 85 chapters, so we’re 42 behind.

Nepper sponsored 40 of them. And do you know the best part?

“Considering I donated 40 chapters of Rejected Extra I should probably read it. I hope I didn’t mess up your next few weeks too bad.”

I know the sponsors go every other chapter, but this amount is just a lot. Since they specifically asked how many chapters there are, I’m guessing they also expect the next 40 to be under their name. I’ll count the next 40 as the sponsored ones, then I’ll figure out how I feel afterwards. If I think I can keep doing daily for longer, why not.

My other novel is likely to be done by then as well, so no harm in this…

I’m really thankful to all of you for reading. I can buy books without worrying how many times I have to eat.

But all of you better be grateful to Nepper. Literally forced me back into daily uploads.

(Not me automatically putting the next chapter number for my other novel from habit.)

-Ruminas