Episode 19
The boisterous and idiotic declaration triggers murmurs among the remaining students.
“A love line between the master and the Student Council President?!”
Before the rumors escalate further, I quickly interject.
“No! That’s not true!”
“Well… I’m the teacher, and you’re the disciple…”
“It’s not true!”
Only after my near-shriek do the gossiping students finally fall silent.
I don’t understand why everyone is so obsessed with rumors.
Well, I guess I used to react similarly to rumors about others…
Ugh, whatever… it’s different when it’s about me.
“Ah, that’s not it? Hmm, ah! That’s right! You’re that famous Dustin’s female master!”
Damn it! That was the point?!
You forgot the most important part, you idiot!
“Dustin’s… woman…”
After I finally silenced the crowd, Celia’s voice reaches me, delayed but laced with shock. I whip my head around to look at her.
“Celia, it’s not true.”
“……”
“It’s not true! I’m telling you! He’s just Status Window #1!”
Ugh, this is so frustrating.
My life is a disaster. Maybe I should just end it all.
“Ooh, you brought your cute friend along too!”
This damn troublemaker…
She’s enjoying the chaos she created, watching from a safe distance like it’s none of her business.
Just like Dustin.
How are they alike?
I want to punch them both.
But… this girl possesses extraordinary strength.
I can’t forget the sight of her pulverizing the microphone with her bare hands at the entrance ceremony.
So, what does that mean?
“So, what brings you here…?”
It means I should avoid provoking her.
“I like Dustin.”
?
So what?
“Gasp! A love triangle! Has she come to challenge Dustin’s master to a duel with her incredible grip strength?!”
No, those guys are the real problem.
They refuse to listen to my explanations and just make up their own scenarios.
If they lived in Korea, they would be spreading celebrity rumors and making everyone’s lives miserable! Tsk tsk.
“Excuse me, Student Representative.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“I only know your name. I don’t understand why I’m being subjected to this.”
“She’s not worth your time. Let’s go, Master.”
Finally snapping out of her shock after my outburst, Celia grabs my hand and pulls me away, her expression radiating annoyance.
Wait, shouldn’t we at least finish the conversation?
“Celia, hold on a second.”
“Why are we listening to this nonsense… Forget it, I’m leaving.”
She glances at me and then at the student representative, her annoyance palpable.
Then, she throws a parting warning before disappearing towards the laboratory.
“If you mess with my Master, I won’t let you off easy.”
Wait, wasn’t she supposed to grab something from the dormitory?
“Wahaha! Your little friend is quite devoted to you, Female Master!”
…I’ve been given a strange new title.
“Sigh, so what do you really want?”
“Right. I just wanted to talk. It seems Dustin admires and cares for you a great deal. But I like Dustin. I’ve liked him since the moment we met.”
Basilia Lupin, the student representative, dons a slightly serious expression as she begins her story.
***
Dustin and Basilia Lupin first met during one of his missions as the leader of the Imperial Knights.
Basilia, though from the Holy Kingdom, had endured a life of scorn and discrimination.
For some reason, monsters were inexplicably drawn to her from a young age.
Her village suffered countless attacks, and the villagers, blaming her for attracting the monsters, locked her out, barring her entry.
She barely survived thanks to her strength, but it was undoubtedly a difficult time.
Even her parents neglected her, resorting to verbal and physical abuse when they weren’t ignoring her entirely.
“Are you alright?”
The day they met was no different from any other.
The villagers had once again cast Basilia out, labeling her a monster magnet. As she waited outside the locked gates, Dustin, returning from a mission, spotted her and approached.
He effortlessly dispatched the nearby monsters.
For the first time, a complete stranger extended a hand to her.
“It’s alright. This will pass soon.”
Basilia’s boisterous personality had always been a part of her.
It was her shield against the relentless cruelty she faced.
No matter how much they tormented her, she would simply laugh it off.
However, her parents despised even that, their anger manifesting in even more severe abuse.
Still, Basilia smiled.
As if nothing had happened.
“By the way, you’re part of the Imperial Knights, aren’t you! I’ve always wanted to wear that uniform! Wahaha!”
“Then why don’t you join us?”
“Hmm? Join you? What do you mean…?”
Many pitied Basilia.
But that was the extent of their compassion.
Their shallow pity only suffocated her, and she despised it.
No matter how bright and cheerful she appeared, she wasn’t immune to pain.
“If you want to become an Imperial Knight, you can enroll in the academy.”
“Wahahaha! Don’t be ridiculous! I have no talent. How could I possibly go to such a place?!”
“Talent, you say. If that strength of yours isn’t talent, I don’t know what is. And I can teach you swordsmanship. I’m a student at the academy, so I can offer you private lessons.”
“You’re a student?”
“Even the sturdiest tree will eventually break if it’s constantly battered by storms. I couldn’t bear to see someone like you wither away.”
Dustin saw it.
The potential she possessed.
Perhaps it was the status window’s influence, or maybe it was Master’s guidance that allowed him to recognize a good person.
‘If I nurture her talent, she’ll definitely be an asset to Master.’
While Dustin had his own motives, he genuinely couldn’t leave Basilia to her fate.
Her current environment was incredibly harsh.
“…That’s the first time anyone has ever said that to me.”
Regardless of his intentions, Dustin was Basilia’s savior.
He effortlessly shattered the bars that had imprisoned her for so long.
There was no hesitation.
Basilia’s parents were eager to see her gone.
“Alright, I’ll follow you. I’m Basilia Lupin. Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Dustin.”
She was completely smitten with Dustin as he offered his hand with a bright smile.
Her racing heart and quickened breath were proof of her newfound feelings.
“Ugh…”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”
Basilia, known for her straightforward and boisterous nature, almost blurted out a love confession.
But she swallowed the words that had risen to her throat.
She wanted to wait, to get closer to him first.
She wanted her confession to carry more weight.
This was her first love.
***
“Wow, seriously… how could parents do that to their own child?”
“Wahahaha! Is that about me? Well, I’m sure they have their reasons.”
There’s no justification for child abuse.
I was furious when I heard about Celia’s parents.
But this is even worse.
Well, I guess I shouldn’t be comparing the severity of their abuse…
“Anyway, I’m glad you were able to come to the academy.”
How could anyone abuse someone so delicate?
She might have a rough personality, but she looks incredibly fragile, like she could collapse with a single touch.
“You have a kind heart.”
“Nah, I’m known for my bad temper.”
“Wahaha! Then everyone in the world must be bad!”
Oh my, such flattery… Thank you. Hehehe.
Well, now that I think about it…
I guess I am a decent person.
I was just being humble because we’re not close, but…
Yeah, I’m pretty kind. Hehe…
“You seem like a good person. Let’s be friends, buddy.”
“Wahaha! What a bold personality! Pleased to meet you!”
Oh, I don’t think anyone can match your boldness.
“I’m Yurius de Elliot. It was a strange beginning, but let’s get along.”
“Oh, you have a beautiful face and a beautiful name!”
Coming from someone who’s arguably the most beautiful person in the world, that compliment doesn’t really resonate with me…
And I don’t really care about being beautiful. Ahem.
“Anyway, you said you like Dustin.”
“Ah, right! We were talking about that! Yes, Dustin is a good person.”
This girl… judging by her words, she seems like the type who could easily be taken advantage of.
She thinks everyone is a good person after a few words…
Well, I guess I shouldn’t be talking, considering I fell for it too. Ahem.
Anyway, I can see the change in Basilia’s expression when we talk about Dustin.
A truly loving and innocent look, like a girl with a crush.
…She’s really beautiful.
“Wahaha! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know! Because Dustin likes you!”
And then she speaks like a middle-aged man. Sigh.
What a unique character.
“Well, I don’t like Dustin that way, so it doesn’t matter.”
“You don’t like Dustin?!”
Wow, the dramatics…
“Well, I like him as a person, but he’s not my type.”
My type would be someone with big boobs… That’s all I’ll say.
He’s not even the right gender…
I’m a normal guy who likes girls.
Well, I’m a girl now, but I’m a guy at heart!
“I see. I didn’t expect this situation. It’s surprising.”
Judging by her genuinely surprised expression, I guess she assumed every girl in the world is in love with Dustin.
“And to be honest, I want you two to be happy.”
“R-really?!”
Yes, I genuinely want them to be happy together.
Once Dustin experiences a relationship or two, he’ll realize that Yuri isn’t a suitable romantic partner and move on.
Well, it might sting a little to be deemed unsuitable, but…
As long as that obsessive creep gets out of my life, it might not be so bad…?
“Yeah, I really do. Have you confessed to him?”
Even Dustin should be somewhat swayed by a confession from a girl as lovely as her.
“Of course I have!”
Ah, maybe not.
Her tone wasn’t exactly charming.
“…How did you do it?”
“I just told him! I said I liked him!”
Knowing her personality, she probably said something like, “I like you, Dustin! Hahaha!”
Well… it’s a unique confession style.
Whether it’s effective… is debatable. Ahem.
More friend 👍🏻