4 – An Unexpected First Meeting – 4

 

The total time for three welcoming speeches was barely one minute. During that time, the last person to speak declared that he would have the top spot for three years, and the oath was quickly taken with the prince’s authority.

 

After the entrance ceremony that will be long remembered in the history of Bellium Academy, for better or worse, as expected, I had become very famous.

 

From first to third year students, and from the least known teachers to the principal, there was no one who didn’t know my name and face, and no one who didn’t mention me.

 

“Some teachers claimed that you, who ignored the traditions and manners of Bellium Academy, should be punished. Can you guess what the outcome was?”

 

“Considering nothing has come my way so far, I assume it was rejected.”

 

“You’re spot on. The principal himself said he would ignore what happened this entrance ceremony. That fun thing to see after a long while was a response.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

“There are practical reasons too. I agreed with your opinion as well, they couldn’t possibly punish me as well. Remember this favor and don’t forget it.”

 

“…Yes, I’ll keep it in mind.”

 

“That was a joke.”

 

The prince said this with a voice full of laughter and after setting an appointment to meet again in a few days, saying that he had a habit of eating the delicious part last, our conversation ended.

 

Later, when I met Beatrice who hugged me tightly saying it was a wonderful speech, it was a bonus.

 

“Fool. How did he come out with such shamelessness?”

 

“Did you see him smiling earlier? It’s disgusting, really.”

 

The interest in me had not subsided a day after the entrance ceremony. There were generally two kinds of reactions.

 

There were those who were grinding their teeth, calling me an arrogant brat and promising to make me taste defeat someday, and those who heard that I got perfect scores in both practical and written exams in the entrance examination and decided to keep an eye on me.

 

Of course, the latter was significantly fewer.

 

‘Well, it’s not something I should care about.’

 

Once I prove myself through skill, the feelings of resentment will naturally fade. From my rough calculations during the entrance exam, I’m certain I won’t suffer academically at the academy level.

 

However, there was one thing I didn’t foresee.

 

“Mr. Crate, are you listening?”

 

The woman now approaching me.

 

Aria April, despite her declaration of becoming the top student for the next three years and maintaining eye contact with me, clapped genuinely with a smile without any trace of discomfort.

 

“Mr. Crate?”

 

According to Priscilla, her character was so angelically good it would make you question if she was a human angel in the flesh.

 

“Ugh.”

 

I was taken aback by the sensation of something poking my nose. I saw Aria, who was beaming while resting her chin on one arm and stretching out the other.

 

“Why?”

 

“You didn’t respond despite my continuous calling. I’m sorry. Did I disturb you?”

 

Indeed, she did. I pushed down the words that had risen to my throat and shook my head.

 

“No, it’s fine. You asked if there were any classes you wanted to take, right?”

 

“Yes. I want to take the same lectures as you, Mr. Crate. I can’t ignore the challenge that I’ve accepted. Be prepared, because I’m not going to lose this semester.”

 

Aria tilted her head that rested on her hand and smiled brightly. The sunlight shining on the terrace illuminated her already radiant blonde hair even more.

 

“She really is damn pretty.”

 

The thought struck me as I looked at her.

 

Considering she was the protagonist of a romantic fantasy, her physical appearance was truly unbelievable. Priscilla was stunning as well, but objectively, Aria was a step ahead.

 

Any ordinary man would likely fall for her in approximately one second upon seeing her smile.

 

“But does it make sense to do this? We’re going to the same lecture anyway.”

 

I brought my magical tool next to Aria’s that she pointed to for lecture registration. Apart from three vacancies left undefined, we both have the same timetable.

 

Belrium Academy’s curriculum was simple. From 9 in the morning until noon, the school provides theoretical lectures, lunchtime lasts until 2 p.m., and optional subjects are from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

There are ten subjects taught over five days, and students can only choose half of them. The remaining five courses include two general studies that are required and not counted towards the final grade under the pretext of rest.

 

Effectively, students could only choose three subjects.

 

“But it would be more comfortable for you to hang out with Brunhilde than with me. More importantly…”

 

I glanced at our surroundings. Hostile stares creeping in due to Aria receded and flared up again.

 

“You won’t hear any good words by my side. As you can see, things have been pretty heated since the entrance ceremony. They’ll eagerly pounce at any chance to rip me apart.”

 

However, despite my words, Aria shaked her head firmly.

 

“I don’t mind. Once you show your true abilities, Mr. Crate, their sentiment will surely turn. Trust me.”

 

“…”

 

Her keen insight was rather sharp, given her usual naivety. I stared at her intensely, wondering what on earth she was up to.

 

“I got it. Let’s talk about the details later.”

 

“Ah, you already have prior arrangements. It’s about time for that too. You must let me know later what lectures you are planning to take?”

 

Aria left with a lively gait after nodding, and Priscilla took her place at the table. The staring intensified even more.

 

Especially the few male students were now staring not out of hostility, but with seething jealousy. Given the scene, their misperceptions were quite reasonable.

 

“Senior Agnes.”

 

“……Yes, my junior.”

 

Priscilla responded with eyes full of discontent. Profusely objecting innerly to call her by her name in a casual tone due to too many prying eyes around.

 

“Are you doing well?”

 

From noble mtl dot com

 

“I couldn’t bear it. Being without you by my side. If I’m alone, I get anxious constantly. Wondering if I’m just dreaming, and if I wake up, I would have to go back to that time which was as cold as being a doll again. So, it’s hard. Really hard.”

 

“……”

 

“It’s hard, but I’m bearing it because I promised you. Because you told me to trust you. Because you wouldn’t lie……”

 

Although it was just a ritual greeting, it was heavily coated with confession of complex emotions. I silently held out my hand. Priscilla took my hand and intertwined our fingers as if she had been waiting.

 

Although I twisted the original plot beautifully from the entrance ceremony, there was still a problem. For instance, the fact that Priscilla falls into severe anxiety when I’m not around.

 

It was inevitable because the freedom achieved was not done with her own strength, but the liberation led by me entirely.

 

“It’s warm as always…”

 

Priscilla, holding my hand, rubbed it against her cheek, tearful. As her expression softened like melting, the atmosphere around the students, which was already uneasy, became more serious.

 

‘Wasn’t the next lecture about dueling?’

 

I shouldn’t have to worry about not finding a partner.

 

“No one likes complicated things, so I will just explain the rules and we will start immediately. There are only two rules to follow.”

 

With a clang, the teacher named Jake picked up a weapon resembling a steel plate rather than a knife, and the serious vibration echoed as he put it down.

 

“No magic, no strikes to vital organs. If you understand, the person being called should come forward. Mira Crate, you’re first.”

 

“……”

 

“Why that face? What happened to your ambition to top the school for three years?”

 

Jake chuckled. His arm muscles, thicker than my thigh, and his thigh muscles, thicker than any moderate woman’s waist, were straining.

 

In fact, he was very friendly to me. As you can see from the macho muscles covering his whole body, he cheerfully smiled at me saying if a man was born a warrior, he should have that ambition.

 

This too must be part of his kindness to show off my skills. It didn’t feel like it because his face and muscles were so grim.

 

Receiving intense gazes from behind, I stepped onto the prepared stage. Aria was wavering her hand slightly, and Brynhild had a curious face.

 

“Okay, who wants to duel with Mira Crate…. Oh.”

 

Even before he finished his sentence, almost everyone except Aria and Brynhild expressed their opinion. Seeing this, Jake laughed quietly. I wasn’t surprised as I was already expecting it.

 

Jake, who was contemplating for a moment, picked a girl at the front, seemingly unable to choose someone specific. The girl promptly came forward.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Scarlet Diana.”

 

“Diana. Are you ready?”

 

“Absolutely.”

 

“Good. Both of you, take your places.”

 

The redhead raised her hand to the sword at her waist and stood at a distance, her face saying ‘You seem to have chosen well’. But I just stood quietly. A faint blue light separated us.

 

“I won’t warn separately. Only those who can handle their own weapon single-handedly, without actually slashing their opponent’s vital organs, can be here.”

 

Even if it was dueling using real weapons, there wasn’t anything special. I just had to do as I always have done before. I just needed to not really pierce it.

 

“The blue light will disappear soon. You will take that as the start signal.”

 

In no time, the blue light that had risen between the redhead and me disappeared.

 

With a clank, the sound of the girl swinging out her sword echoed. Whether it was her confidence or something, she hadn’t even drawn her sword from its sheath until dueling was about to start.

 

That brief moment was enough for me.

 

“…What?”

 

Just a moment later, I stopped the tip of my sword right in front of the girl’s collarbone. So much so that just a finger away, the sword would go through her collarbone.

 

Her sword was only half drawn. While she wasn’t even aware of it, the duel was already decided, causing a cognitive dissonance and she opened her mouth with a shaky voice.

 

“Isn’t this…a cheat?”

 

“Do you think I used magic?”

 

I laughed nonchalantly and straightened my stance. Then, the vague shimmer from my hand was finally revealed perfectly. I turned my head. Everyone, except Aria, looked startled.

 

“It seemed like there were many people curious about my abilities earlier.”

 

“…”

 

“Who will challenge me next?”