Episode 17
I resolved to become a man worthy of Master, and to achieve that, I blindly followed the status window, growing stronger and stronger.
Thanks to that strength, I became capable of leading the Imperial Knights while still a student, yet I remained unsatisfied.
Leading a mere Imperial Knights detachment…
It might make me a disciple worthy of Master, but I’m still far from being able to stand by her side.
“Oh my, our Student Council President. Working hard as always.”
“It’s nothing special. Just necessary training.”
“Hoho, so humble too. Truly a great person.”
Master is the great one.
A being like the lofty heavens, incomparable to anyone else.
If a god exists, I wonder if it wouldn’t be Master, a being so grand and magnificent.
And how humble she is.
Always claiming her achievements were unintentional, always saying she didn’t mean to do it. Truly an extraordinary person.
Unlike others who crave recognition for their accomplishments, she silently carries out her duties without seeking praise.
A truly respectable person.
I believe the day the world recognizes her greatness is not far off.
And to stand by her side when that day comes, I must continue to grow stronger and strive for greater heights.
“The entrance ceremony is about to begin. Please line up in an orderly fashion… Master?”
The entrance ceremony was tedious.
It was boring when I first enrolled in the academy, but attending as the Student Council President made it even more so.
Well, in truth, my entire life without her had been filled with boredom.
Perhaps it was because I was constantly thinking about her.
Even though it shouldn’t be possible, I see Master.
Shining brightly amongst the incoming students.
The surrounding noise fades away.
No matter how much I rub my eyes, she doesn’t disappear… Master is truly here…
“Master!”
Overwhelmed with joy, I almost run towards her and embrace her.
But I restrain myself, fearing it might be disrespectful, and instead offer a joyful smile.
“It’s been a while…! How have you been..?!”
My happiness overflows, forming a lake, then an ocean.
“…Dustin?”
And when she utters my name once more, I’m overcome with unbearable longing and joy, nearly collapsing on the spot.
So much has happened, so many moments have passed.
“We’ll talk privately after the entrance ceremony.”
Perhaps all those moments of longing existed for this very moment.
That thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“Just the two of us?!”
“Yes.”
“..! Yes, yes…! Understood!”
After that, I don’t recall how the entrance ceremony proceeded.
Time seemed to slow down, yet it also felt like it was passing too quickly, before I could even fully compose myself.
When I came to my senses, I was already in the courtyard, and the sight of Master approaching from afar almost made me drop to my knees.
“Greetings, Master.”
My voice trembles.
I didn’t even flinch when I first faced the Emperor as the leader of the Imperial Knights.
People praised and commended me for my composure.
But before Master, I am nothing more than a mere child.
A precious, irreplaceable person whom I long to see and touch.
“But you’re a second-year. Is it okay for you to be out here?”
Master’s concern for this unworthy disciple fills me with gratitude.
“Of course it is, since you summoned me, Master. There’s nothing more important to me than seeing your face.”
“Sigh… alright, you’ll figure out your classes. Anyway, I have a favor to ask.”
!
She believes I’ll figure out my classes…
And she has a favor to ask…
Does this mean Master relies on me?
“A favor?! Anything, Master!”
I’ve long discarded any pretense of dignity as a knight or Student Council President.
What importance do such things hold before Master?!
“I don’t want any attention at this academy.”
“Why…?”
“Why this, why that. I just don’t want it. So you…”
“Yes.”
As expected, Master is extraordinary.
A person deserving of admiration and respect from those mediocre classmates.
Yet, she chooses to humble herself and blend in with them.
I envy you, first years.
I too wish to be Master’s classmate, strolling through the academy grounds together.
Why did I enroll a year early?
If I had known, I would have gladly waited a year or two.
But I never imagined that someone as great as Master would grace the academy with her presence.
“You seem to be quite the celebrity.”
“It’s not that much.”
I’ve been striving to be worthy of standing by Master’s side, but it’s truly not that much.
I’m merely the leader of the Imperial Knights.
“No, you’re definitely a celebrity, so don’t acknowledge me within the academy. And take care of that ‘Master’ thing you called me earlier. Got it?”
Her words confuse me.
She’s telling me… not to acknowledge her…
“What?! Why?!”
Overwhelmed with shock, I raise my voice.
To think I would lose my composure before Master…
“Look, I don’t want attention, and being around you attracts attention.”
“…That’s impossible.”
“Please, just do me this favor, okay?”
I must fulfill any request Master makes, no matter what it may be.
Even if it’s a command to take my own life, I’m prepared to obey.
But to ask me not to even acknowledge you, after we’ve finally reunited…
That’s crueler than death itself.
Therefore-
“Then… then please kill me…”
I plead with all my heart.
If you won’t grant me death, then please retract your command.
“What the hell are you talking about, you idiot!”
But Master shows no mercy.
If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have sought fame.
If my desire to stand by your side only pushes you further away, then I…
“You are everything to me, Master. I haven’t seen you for over a year. We finally met… we finally reconnected, and you’re telling me I can’t even acknowledge you? I have no reason to live. I’ll commit suicide right now.”
I will surrender my life.
“Hey, you idiot! Put that down!”
“I have no reason to live, Master! Let me go…!”
As a member of the Imperial Knights, I’ve been granted permission to carry a sword within the academy.
I draw the sword I always carry at my hip and point it at my neck.
And then, Master’s hand reaches out and touches me.
In that moment, I’m reminded of her strength and kindness.
“Alright! Alright! You can acknowledge me, just please stop, you idiot…!”
She could have easily stopped me with force.
The moment she grabbed my arm, I was paralyzed by her overwhelming strength.
Yet, she chose to show mercy.
“…! Yes, understood! Thank you, Master!”
A wave of warmth washes over me, like a divine blessing, filling me with joy.
Although I feel a pang of guilt for exploiting Master’s compassionate nature, it’s enough.
For a chance to be with you, Master, my life is a small price to pay.
***
I’m exhausted.
I couldn’t stop Dustin, and I couldn’t stop Celia either.
Why are there so many obstacles in my way when I just want to live a quiet life?
I shouldn’t have taught them about the status window in the first place!
“Ugh, I’ve created villains. Damn it…”
At least I have a single room.
If I had a roommate and started crying and cursing like this, rumors about me being mentally unstable would probably spread.
“For now, I’ll try to live as quietly as possible.”
Regardless, today is my first day of classes at the academy.
There was quite a commotion at the entrance ceremony, but from today onwards, I won’t attract any attention.
Those strange rumors will surely die down once people realize how ordinary I am.
“Let’s go, Master.”
“…Hey, I need to stop by somewhere, so could you head to the classroom first?”
“Are you going to see #1 again?”
Why is Dustin’s name coming up here?!
He’s the reason I’m so frustrated in the first place! Why would I go see him?
“No, it’s not that at all, so please just do as I ask.”
Celia seems reluctant, but she eventually nods and leaves the dormitory. I breathe a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness.
I was worried about what to do if she insisted on waiting.
Phew… I should be able to get through today without any issues, right?
After waiting long enough for Celia to reach the classroom, I finally head out.
But then…
“Are you done with your business? Then let’s go.”
Celia, who I assumed had already left, is standing right in front of the dormitory door.
Why… why are you still here…?
We enter the building together and head towards the classroom. As expected, the whispers start again.
“As expected… with Celia…”
“Amazing…”
“That person was with Student Council President Dustin yesterday…”
My plan to live a peaceful school life and suddenly awaken my status window…
It’s all falling apart!
“Uh, uh… it’s the Student Council President…!”
“Greetings, Master. I hope you had a restful night.”
Oh, for crying out loud…
Please stop talking like you’re in a historical drama, you idiot…
Everyone is staring at us…
“…Just get back to your own class.”
“Yes, Master. I’ll see you again during break.”
Don’t come, don’t come back…
Just disappear forever, you idiot…
“Did you see that…?”
“Wow, amazing…”
“Crazy…”
And you guys, stop whispering!
Did you come to the academy just to gossip?!
Ugh, this is… this is awful…
Just let me live a quiet, unnoticed life…
I’m not asking for much!
I just want to be left alone!
“#1, I don’t like that guy.”
And for some reason, Celia seems to be harboring strange feelings towards Dustin.
“The genius scholar Celia is showing signs of rivalry…!”
“Does she consider herself Master’s right-hand man?!”
Stop with these chuunibyou-like conversations…!
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