Chapter 11: Dance Time

After a while, the song that was playing in the venue changed, and it was time to dance.

Carna: “Can both of you dance?”

“I- I did practice dance before. But I’m not good at it …” Folia answered embarrassedly.

Carna: “It’s fine. Your partner will lead you. What about you, Razé?”

Razé: “I can dance but I don’t have any partner.”

Is there any boy who would ask someone who is obviously a commoner like me to dance?

Folia: “I don’t have any either. It’s okay.”

Razé: “Huh? Really?”

From the way Carna was speaking, she sounded like Folia had a partner. Razé was puzzled. But considering Folia’s face, she would definitely get asked for a dance soon. I’d better worry about myself, thought Razé.

“Lady Carna.” A dignified and calm voice called out Carna’s name. Behind her, her fiancé appeared.

“Your Highness!” Carna hastily turned around and saw Prince Ruben in his formal wear. It took her breath away. Her ears soon turned red; she was very easy to read.

Ruben: “Your friends?”

Carna: “Yes. Folia Cresias and Razé Granoli from our class.”

Carna tucked her hair behind her ears and tried to act normal. Razé and Folia hurriedly bowed down their head.

“Please be at ease. We are both students here. I hope you can get along well with my fiancée.” Ruben said as he embraced Carna.

Wow. Such a romantic couple. Razé thought in her heart. But then she got puzzled thinking back of what Carna had said earlier.

Ruben: “Lady Carna. Will you dance with me?”

Carna: “Y- Yes.”

Prince Ruben broke into a grin when he saw Carna nodding her head earnestly. But Carna didn’t notice it. After the two left, Razé looked at Folia.

Razé: “So sweet, it’s giving me toothache[1].”

Folia: “They look great together. So nice, I also-”

She suddenly stopped talking and covered her mouth with her hands. Her action was easy to read; she had said something she shouldn’t have.

“Aha, you also have someone you like?” Razé immediately asked.

Folia: “No- Not like that! It’s not love, it’s admiration, something like respect!”

Raze: “Oh, sure. I understand.”

Folia saw the amused look that Razé had, so she desperately denied, “It’s not!” But Razé would not believe her. She was confident about it. She could guess the person that Folia like must have been Lord Moldir, the person who had prepared those dresses that suited Folia very well. He was 26 years old this year. Their 10 years age gap can be considered as cute.

Razé: “I’m rooting for you. You’re so cute, so if there is any guy bothers you in this school, let me know. I will take care of it for you.”

Folia: “O-Okay … Huh! I told you it’s not like that.”

There were so many good-looking guys in this academy. Razé was worried since Folia looked like a pushover.

“Hi. If you don’t mind, would you like to dance with me?”

“Huh!”

Speak of the devil.

Once someone started to approach her, a few more boys came forward and said, “Me too! Me too!”

“Wah! Uh …” Folia looked cute when she nervously moved around. But there were too many boys who came forward to approach her. Razé wanted to help but she has no status so she only apologized and said, “Folia, sorry.”

At that time, a guy walked through the crowd and said, “She’s going to dance with me. Excuse us.” The person who came and saved Folia was the grandson of the former Knight Captain, Ian Masse Durhua. His trademark was his red hair.

“Oh, it’s the knight.” Razé watched them and give an applause in her heart. If the partner was him, then he should be able to lead Folia to dance.

Hmm? Razé felt something was weird and she frowned. Carna-sama seemed to know that Folia was going to dance with Ian-sama …? It can’t be. If she could use rare magic such as precognition, the military would already know. Maybe I’m thinking too much, thought Razé as she shook her head but the feeling wouldn’t go away. I should casually ask her next time. She wanted to get rid of the uneasy feeling so she decided to verify it later.

Not far away, Folia dance stiffly with Ian as she was too nervous. Unlike Adis, Ian grew up into a conscientious young man, probably because he has been aspiring to be a knight since he was a child. His friendly smile seemed to have gradually eased Folia’s tension.

A short distance away, Prince Ruben and Carna were making a breathtaking turn.

For a first day, it was such a fulfilling day, Razé thought. For her, being able to be friends with Folia and Carna were a huge achievement. Especially because this was the first time she managed to have a female friends that was the same age with her. Even if it was not for her mission, this should be considered a big event.

“Just 3 years.” Razé looked at the hall with dreamy eyes. There was really not a single person who would come and asked her for a dance. And so she became a wallflower. *sigh*

She forgot that it was her habit from being a spy. Whenever she wasn’t doing anything, she would quietly blend into the crowd and avoided attention. She didn’t hate dancing, and she didn’t like it either, so she didn’t really mind to stay alone. Razé quietly watched the gorgeous dresses bloom like flowers.

“Are you having fun?” Harlens Roy Blayne stood with two glasses in his hands. Razé didn’t expected that someone would talk to her, she hurriedly holded up her dress and greeted him.

“You … Please raise your head. There is no need for such greeting here. And you can just call me Principal Harlens.”

Razé said “Thank you” and then accepted the glass offered by him. Around her, everyone was busy dancing and talking. She realized that Harlens, whose specialty was illusion, had used magic to avoid the public eye. Razé relaxed her shoulders a bit.

Harlens: “Congratulations on entering the school. I’ve always wanted to talk to you.”

Razé: “It’s my honor to be here.”

They clink their glass as Harlens watched Razé and thought that she was smaller than he had imagined.

Harlens: “I’ve seen your picture before. It’s hard to believe that you’re really 15.”

Razé: “I do look younger than my age. Sometimes being small can have it advantages, so I don’t really mind.”

Harlens: “… I see. Anyway, I was surprised when I read your answer. It was an essay that could put adults to shame. Or should I say, as expected from you.”

Razé: “That’s an overpraise. I’m always keenly aware that I still have many things to learn. Although the reason I’m here was different, but since I already entered the academy, I might as well continue to acquire more knowledge.”

Razé’s words was not something that a normal female student would say. Harlens narrowed his eyes. It was tinged with sadness. Just like Welrian says, he thought.

The girl in front of him was a genuine soldier. It was as if her eyes were telling that she exists to serve the country. In front of her superior, she suppressed her personal will and just performed her duties obediently. Such a rigid attitude.

Moreover, Razé Orphan was a person of talent that equal to a general based on her ability. But she would never boast about herself.

If she had been told “You have excellent result, so I recommend you to enroll into Centrior Imperial Magic Academy,” then she would not accept it. Razé was such a good soldier. The hunting mission in Baruda was something that would never end. If she left, it would put a huge dent in the military forces.

Leaving her comrades in danger while she herself went to school? There is no way Orphan would agree to it. This was what Welrian had said to him.

And so, the Prime Minister gave her the role as bodyguard and sent Razé to the academy as part of her mission. He knew she wouldn’t refuse a mission.

Although she is the same age as the students here …

Harlens, as the principal, was against using mission as the reason for Razé’s admission. She couldn’t enjoy her school life then. But seeing her in front of him today, he thought that Welrian was right.

Harlens: “Don’t forget to enjoy yourself.”

“Yes. I’m happy to say that I’ve made friends right away. Although it is for three years only, I want to get along with them as friends,” Raze said and smiled while watching the students dancing.

Harlens: “… You’re very mature.” You’re too sensible, it makes people worry.

“No, not at all,” Razé humbly said. Harlens looked at her and said nothing. As long as there is this master-servant relationship, there was little that I could do, he thought.

Harlens: “Let’s talk again sometime.”

Razé: “I’d love to. Thank you for spending time talking to me today.”

Harlens: “It’s something that any teacher would do. You should go dance a bit.”

Harlens turned around and walked away. Razé realized that maybe he might have taken notice of a lonely student and that was why he talked to her. When she looked around, she saw other teachers casually mixed into the crowd and took care of the students.

It was not uncommon for women in this world to take the initiative to invite man for a dance, but the crowd was so dazzling that Raze couldn’t take a step forward. If it was an expedition, she would definitely take the initiative and went ahead to rip apart the monsters. Even if she couldn’t dance, she wanted to immerse herself in this world just a little bit more.

She was staring at the glass she received from the principal when she heard someone said, “You’re not going to drink it?” The person who appeared in front of her was Adis Lag Zars, the one with blue hair and same face as The Prime Minister.

“!” Her body immediately tensed. “I’m full at the moment.” Maybe she ate too much earlier, Razé told him the truth.

Adis: “Then can I take this? I danced too much, I’m so thirsty.”

Razé: “Ah-”

She had taken a sip after she toasted with Harlens. Adis mindlessly took the glass from her and emptied it. He really must have been tired dancing with his fangirls. But currently, nobody was looking their way because they were hidden using cloaking magic.

Adis: “Thank you. I was invited for dance nonstop, and I barely managed to get away. By the way, have you had a dance, scholarship student?

Raze was inwardly irritated by the agonistic nickname. No matter how she looked at it, he meant to provoke her.

“No, I didn’t. I’m not good at dancing,” answered Razé with a laugh.

“Oh. No one asked you for a dance.” Adis made a rude remark nonchalantly.

Oh my god. Like father like son … Does his family have a bad karma with me??

Raze clenched her fist. She was angry but she held down her anger. A commoner like her should not be rebellious against him. It was not good for her future.

“It’s embarrassing but that’s the truth,” she replied casually.

Adis replied, “Hmm,” and leaned back against the wall next to Razé. He must be tired after dealing with the girls. She assumed that maybe he planned to take a break by the wall and saw that she was there, so that was why he said those things.

“Shall I bring you some cookies?” Razé asked. She was good at buttering up her superior.

Adis had a surprised look when he heard her words. He didn’t expect that she would care for him. “No need. I’d received a lot just now.”

Razé: “I see.”

The last song had begun playing. The welcome party was over.

Carna and Folia, who were always within her sight, talked happily with the prince and his friends. There seemed nothing to be worried about. She was relieved. The first impression was always important.

“Hey …” said Adis as his face came closer to Razé. She immediately put herself on guard.

Adis: “Have we met before?”

Razé: “Why?”

Adis: “Nothing. Perhaps I got confused.” Before he returned to the crowd, he said, “Hopefully someone will ask you for a dance next time.”

After seeing him left, Raze exhaled a breath. I haven’t met you before, but I’ve met your father so many times.

Maybe he had noticed that she felt dreadful every time she saw his face. She sincerely would like to fix this issue, but for Razé, the face of His Excellency the Grim Reaper was an object of awe and respect. It would take some time to get used to it. No, perhaps she would stay this way for the rest of her life …

There is no way I can get used to that face …

Raze imagined the beautiful face and let out a sigh again.

[1] The original Japanese slang is ‘so sweet, I’m going to vomit sugar’. ↩