“…Leon?”

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be glad to hear Leonhardt’s voice.

Even Sylvia, who had fought with Leonhardt, opened her eyes wide and called out his name. Leonhardt, who appeared on a slight hill, stared only at Sylvia without looking around at the situation.

“Come to me! Sylvia!”

Of course, it wasn’t because I thought Leonhardt’s voice was welcome and that he would help us.

Obviously, I knew well that when Leonhardt showed up, he would try to save only Sylvia, not us.

Sylvia unconsciously frowned and shook her head at Leonhardt’s blatant call for only her.

“I can’t do that.”

Although Sylvia’s voice was softer than Leonhardt’s, Leonhardt, realizing that she had rejected him with that action alone, gritted his teeth and scowled.

“Why…?”

I’ll say it again, but even if you died in the training ground, you wouldn’t actually die. Still, Leonhardt felt intense anger at being rejected in that situation.

It wasn’t my business, but…

Anyway, I didn’t expect any help from Leonhardt, so why did I welcome his appearance?

It was because Leonhardt was stupider than I imagined.

“Grr…”

In a situation where fang wolves surrounded us, he naturally drew their aggro by yelling out loud.

They bared their teeth and began to move toward Leonhardt. A few remained for us, but the number was much smaller.

Leonhardt’s teammates also frowned and began to form ranks. They were in danger because of the foolish prince, but they couldn’t say anything since he was who he was.

Of course, I didn’t feel sorry or pity for them.

Rather, they deserved it.

Those guys were definitely watching us follow Leonhardt’s orders from before. Whether we got into trouble or not, they probably planned to watch and appear at the most dramatic moment to save Sylvia.

They must have thought they could reconcile with Sylvia and raise her favorability towards them by doing that.

‘What a child.’

Anyone could see that this situation was strange, but it seems only the planner himself didn’t notice.

Anyway, even if they couldn’t defy Leonhardt’s orders, since they were the same kind of people, there was no need to feel sorry for them.

Besides, I didn’t have time to feel sorry for them. I had to focus on overcoming the crisis before us.

“Form ranks!”

As I raised my voice while watching the fang wolves gradually approaching us, everyone quickly readied their equipment and began forming ranks, realizing the situation.

Although the remaining fang wolves were still overwhelming, everyone looked more relaxed than before, perhaps because there were definitely fewer of them.

“Fend them off as much as possible.”

I muttered with a twisted smile, and everyone agreed with my words.

At the same time, the battle resumed.

Our will was resolute, but reality was cruel.

[Training terminated.]

At the sound of Selenda’s voice, I let my body go limp and let out a small breath. We all fought hard, but it was not enough to overcome so many fang wolves.

We lacked skills and experience.

I was forcibly expelled from the training ground. Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I clenched and unclenched my fist as I replayed the recent battle in my mind.

There were more shortcomings than strengths, but it was a training session with much to learn. After briefly reviewing the battle, I opened my eyes at the sense of a presence next to me and looked around.

Sylvia, Helena, and Conan.

For some reason, the three of them, who had developed a sense of camaraderie, were looking at me. I smacked my lips and gave an awkward smile.

“Good work, everyone.”

I wasn’t the leader, but for some reason, I felt I should say that first. At my words, Sylvia gave a slight smile, and Helena smiled proudly.

Unexpectedly, Conan simply nodded calmly, but his slightly reddened ears suggested he had become shy again now that the battle was over.

“What a pity.”

Helena’s words, proud of our hard work yet regretting it simultaneously, made me nod silently.

The battle could have been easier if I had been a little better. However, that was just a belated regret.

We were still Academy students with more days ahead than regretting the past.

“But everyone was really amazing! I think we can expect good results at this rate?”

“Helena is right. Everyone did their part well.”

Sylvia and Helena, who seemed to dislike each other beyond feeling awkward until entering the training ground, nodded at each other.

I guess guys grow up by fighting, and girls… I don’t know. Like kids their age, they seemed to have gotten closer after a team-building activity.

I don’t really know why they disliked each other, but it’s good they’re getting along now.

“Let’s do better next time.”

The result was disappointing, but it was still a good opportunity for everyone to get motivated.

At my words, Helena and Sylvia nodded cheerfully and began chatting animatedly.

“Helena, you handle the sword well for such a slender body? I was surprised.”

“I’ve been practicing hard since I was young. Sylvia, you’ve got quite a bit of talent, don’t you?”

“Not really…”

Sylvia blushed at Helena’s compliment. However, Helena’s words weren’t an exaggeration.

I had simply thought of her as a healer, but I never imagined she could not only heal but also buff.

And it wasn’t that her healing ability was lacking either. She had impressive healing power, enough to temporarily invigorate weary bodies to the point where I thought, ‘Ah, she really is the heroine.’

“I thought you were amazing enough to serve on active duty.”

Seeing Sylvia’s embarrassed reaction, I nodded and said as well.

As Sylvia’s face turned beet red at my words, a voice came from somewhere, breaking the mood.

“…Sylvia.”

Stomp, stomp.

The sound of Leonhardt’s footsteps filled with anger could be heard. At the same time, everyone’s gaze turned towards him as he approached with a voice strained from suppressing his rage.

Twisting his handsome face, Leonhardt strode straight toward Sylvia, ignoring us. Sylvia, too, did not avoid him, simply standing and watching.

“Leon.”

Sylvia’s chilly voice sounded unbelievable, given that they were portrayed as deeply in love in the original novel.

Even I was startled by Sylvia’s chilly voice, which I was hearing for the first time. But Leonhardt simply looked down at her with a composed expression.

Of course, he might not have been able to think clearly, his mind filled with anger.

“Why did you do that?”

His words lacked context, but no one was unaware of what he meant.

There were simply only two people who should be speaking here, so we remained silent.

“Why did you do that, Sylvia?”

Before Sylvia could say anything, the ill-tempered Leonhardt asked again, letting out a long breath.

His hands were also trembling as if he might grab Sylvia at any moment, but he seemed to be enduring it with superhuman patience.

“…So you’re saying I should have abandoned my teammates?”

“Even if this is just training, shouldn’t you have come to me?”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Sylvia’s beautiful brow furrowed at Leonhardt’s illogical words. However, Leonhardt looked down at her calmly as if nothing was wrong with his statement.

“You belong to me, so of course you should have come to me.”

“Leon, don’t say such nonsense. I don’t belong to anyone.”

“You…!!”

Unable to contain his anger any longer at Sylvia’s words, Leonhardt raised his voice in fury, breathing heavily.

“You’re mine!! No matter what anyone says!!”

“……”

Even Sylvia seemed at a loss for words at his nonsensical irrationality.

Wow, was he actually insane?

I already knew he was lacking in the head, but I never dreamed he would be this unreasonable. I blinked blankly, feeling dizzy.

“Don’t lower your worth by staying with these lowly fellows. You’re the one who will eventually become the Crown Princess!!”

“Leon!!”

At Leonhardt’s treatment of her as a possession and insulting us as well, Sylvia’s face hardened.

“How dare you speak to me like that! I am not your possession, nor will I ever become the Crown Princess against my will!”

Leonhardt’s eyes widened in disbelief at Sylvia’s firm rejection. His hands clenched into fists as his fury built.

“You ungrateful wretch! After all I’ve done for you?! I saved you from a life of poverty and disgrace! Without me, you’d be nothing!”

Sylvia recoiled slightly at his venomous words but stood her ground.

“I never asked for your ‘salvation,’ Leon. I was happy before you came into my life and turned it upside down with your obsession.”

“Obsession?! You’re delusional. My love for you is pure!” Leonhardt shouted, spittle flying out with every word.

I watched the spectacle with a mix of pity and revulsion. To think the famed prince could be so unhinged.

“Your ‘love’ is poisoned by entitlement and possessiveness. I want nothing more to do with you.”

Leonhardt looked as if he’d been struck. His handsome features contorted into an unrecognizable mask of rage.

“You’ll regret this. I’ll make you mine, one way or another.”

With that ominous promise, he turned and stormed off. After his departure, an oppressive silence hung in the air.

“Sylvia…” Helena began cautiously. “Are you alright?”

Sylvia seemed to collect herself before responding.

“I’m fine. That display just proved he’s become unwell. We must be on guard.”

Her eyes met mine, filled with a lingering sadness. I gave her a solemn nod, silently vowing to protect her from Leonhardt’s madness, no matter what it took.

Translator’s Corner

Here it is. I didn’t procrastinate this time. There will still be the daily chapter later.

-Ruminas