In the past, when I said that I didn’t want to get involved with the members of the hero’s party anymore, I wasn’t joking.

What I wanted in this world was a leisurely life where I could enjoy the magic and adventures, but at a relaxed pace. I aimed to be an adventurer with enough skill but who intentionally avoided climbing the ranks too quickly, living freely without stress.

Naturally, even within the academy, I tried to avoid interacting with the key figures of the original story as much as possible—except for those I was forced to deal with.

Especially when it came to someone like Lyria from the Spear Club, a first-year student, I didn’t have the slightest connection with her, nor did I ever intend to.

"Please help me, Senior Lilith."

"…What?"

Seeing Lyria suddenly appear in front of the Magic Department building and ask for help was, of course, bewildering.

"Ahem, did you just call for me, Miss Lyria Fionis?"

"Yes, Senior Lilith."

"…Do you know her, Lilith?"

"No… We’ve never met before, right, Miss Fionis?"

"That’s correct, Senior Lilith."

…What on earth went wrong this time?

Like I said before, I swear I’ve never had any prior contact with Lyria.

I haven’t interacted with any of the first-year students, and certainly not Lyria. Lyria and Cael were in the Spear Club and Martial Arts Club, so I, being in the Magic Department, had no reason to meet them. Cedric was in the Technology Department, so he was also unrelated to me. And Trallia, from the Pharmacology Department, was friends with Lizzy and Lara, so I didn’t need to approach her for potions either.

Lyria wasn’t a senior or junior in my department, and I knew the key figures of Luminor Academy in advance specifically to avoid getting entangled in troublesome situations like this.

What I didn’t expect was for one of the main characters to approach me instead. With Machart, I at least made the mistake of piquing his interest, but with Lyria, this was our first time even making eye contact.

"Um… Miss Fionis."

"Yes, Senior Lilith."

"I’m not sure what kind of request you’re planning to make, but I doubt I’ll be able to help."

"…Why is that, Senior Lilith?"

"Because I’m Master Ethan’s personal maid. As his maid, I’m busy taking care of his school life, so I don’t have the time or energy to handle any additional requests."

"You’re too busy holding hands and clinging to each other all day to handle anything…."

"Be quiet, Miss Agnes."

"……."

It’s not like we did anything that extreme. …Okay, maybe we did hold hands occasionally.

"Then perhaps I should ask Master Ethan directly if he could spare you enough time to assist me…?"

"No, don’t do that."

As expected from a barbarian. There’s no getting through with indirect answers.

I was just making excuses to avoid getting involved, but now I didn’t know how to respond to this direct counter.

"I apologize for any confusion, Miss Fionis. While it’s true that I don’t have the time, even if I did, I likely wouldn’t be able to grant your request."

"…Why not, Senior Lilith?"

"First, we aren’t familiar with each other. It’s unreasonable to ask a favor of someone you’ve just met. Second, when asking for help, you should at least demonstrate basic courtesy. It’s unlikely anyone would say yes to a request made out of the blue. Third, I simply don’t want to. I’m about to get busy preparing for the hunting festival, and I won’t have time for anything else."

"…I see."

"Now that you understand, could you please leave, Miss Fionis?"

"Understood, Senior Lilith. My apologies."

"Next time, I recommend showing a bit more courtesy when asking someone for help."

"…I will remember that."

-Tap. Tap.

"……."

With a downtrodden expression, Lyria walked away slowly.

For a brief moment, I felt a pang of guilt, but I quickly shut my eyes and forced myself to ignore her pitiful figure.

The instant she approached me, I had a gut feeling—if I got involved now, I’d end up entangled with not just Lyria but other main characters from the original story throughout my entire academy life.

"Are you okay, Lilith?"

"What do you mean, Miss Agnes?"

"You looked like you didn’t enjoy that."

"…Did I?"

"Don’t worry about it. People like her, who suddenly show up and demand things, only come around when they need something. When you need their help, they’re nowhere to be found."

"……."

I didn’t think Lyria was necessarily that kind of person.

But Agnes did have a point. Maybe it was nothing, but I felt like I might have been too hasty in turning her down without even hearing what she needed.

However, my desire to avoid getting involved with the main plot of Luminor Academy was stronger. If I got caught up in this, my peaceful, slow-paced life could be ruined.

Especially considering Lyria’s straightforward and relentless personality, it was better to distance myself early on. Characters like her tended to drag you into chaos once you got involved.

‘Whatever event this is, blocking it in advance is the smartest move.’

It was best for me to maintain my distance from Lyria.

…The problem was, Lyria didn’t seem like the type to take “no” for an answer.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

The next morning.

Barely a few hours after waking up, I found myself starting the day in disbelief, for two reasons.

"Good morning, Senior Lilith!"

"…Ah."

"Good morning! Oh, and good morning to you as well, Master Ethan!"

"…Yes, good morning, Miss Lyria Marasendar Galenhar Soraben Fionis Barbaracus."

"……."

The first reason was seeing Lyria show up the moment we stepped out of the dorm after breakfast at the dormitory dining hall.

The second was seeing Ethan casually greet her and start a conversation, as if this was perfectly normal.

"Thank you, Master Ethan!"

"Wasn’t today the joint training between the Swordsmanship Club and the Spear Club? I can’t think of any other reason for you to visit so early."

"Ah, while I’m truly sorry to Master Ethan, I actually came today to speak with Senior Lilith, your fiancée!"

"…Lilith?"

"Yes! If it’s not too much of an inconvenience, could Master Ethan allow me just a brief moment to speak with Senior Lilith?"

"……."

After I had scolded her yesterday for her bluntness, she had returned the next day with far more courtesy than necessary.

Judging by the dark circles under her eyes, she probably stayed up all night studying etiquette. While her intelligence might have been lacking, Lyria’s determination was unmatched among the characters of Luminor Academy. It wasn’t hard to imagine what had transpired the night before.

"I’m not sure what this is about, but compared to how you normally act, you’re certainly much more disciplined."

"Yes! Senior Lilith pointed out my lack of manners yesterday, so I stayed up all night to properly learn how to be respectful! Now, may I have your permission to speak with Senior Lilith?"

"…Lilith?"

"I have no idea, Master Ethan. I simply advised her yesterday that it would be polite to have basic manners when asking for favors, that’s all."

I had no idea where she had learned this newfound etiquette, but her formal speech was painfully awkward. I couldn’t help but wish she’d revert to her original tone.

"What are you going to do, Lilith?"

"…I think it would be best if you went ahead to your first class, Master Ethan. I’ll speak with Miss Fionis briefly and send her on her way."

"…All right, Lilith. Let me know if anything comes up."

"…Yes, Master Ethan."

The current situation was already awkward, but this was a kind of awkwardness that even Ethan couldn’t resolve.

After reluctantly letting go of the hand I had been holding, I watched Ethan leave for his class. Then I turned and glared at Lyria, who had interrupted my peaceful morning with Ethan.

"……."

"Senior Lilith…?"

"What exactly are you doing here so early, Miss Fionis? Are you here to bother me because I refused your request yesterday?"

"N-No! I only wanted to speak with you again after improving my manners, as you suggested, Senior Lilith!"

"Wouldn’t it have been better to come at a more reasonable time, Miss Fionis? You look quite tired as it is."

"I-I’m not tired at all!"

"If I say I don’t want to talk to you today either, will you come back again tomorrow?"

"……."

"…Sigh."

Fine, I give up. No matter how much I want to avoid getting involved, there’s nothing I can do if she’s this persistent.

At this point, I might as well hear her out and deal with whatever this is so she’ll leave me alone.

"All right, I’ll listen to what you have to say. I have about an hour before my next class."

"Thank you, Senior Lilith!"

"I haven’t agreed to help you yet. I’m only going to listen."

"Understood, Senior Lilith!"

…This is exhausting.

G, you bastard. What the hell are you doing, neglecting your heroines like this?