Episode 23
“Should we head back in now?”
“Sure, let’s go.”
Celia, who had been crouching for quite some time, finally responds to my suggestion and stands up.
Good, she’s not spending hours just observing anymore now that she has classes.
She’s growing up! Sniff…
“Anyway, stop being such a pushover.”
Wow, are we calling me a pushover to my face now?
That’s harsh.
“I’m not a pushover.”
“That’s what you think.”
“I’m not!”
I try to defend myself, but she doesn’t reply.
It seems like she’s labeled me as “Yurius the Pushover” in her mind.
“And can you wake me up a bit later from tomorrow? We’re always the first ones in class.”
Was I this diligent when I was in school in my previous life? Definitely not.
Honestly, it’s a bit hazy now, but I think…
I was the type who barely avoided being late.
“No.”
She’s so stubborn.
She always insists on doing things her way.
As I grumble and open the classroom door…
Whoosh!
“Huh?”
Something flies towards us with a loud whoosh.
“Wait, Master…!”
Thump!
Well, it was moving so ridiculously slow that I easily caught it with my hand.
“Huh? Why is there a ball flying around in an empty classroom?”
I caught the one heading towards Celia too.
I have two hands, and Celia, not exactly known for her physical prowess, would have been slow to react.
Well, maybe even Celia could have caught it at that speed?
“…Huh.”
I tilt my head, puzzled by her sigh.
Is something wrong…?
Does she think I’m looking down on her for catching the ball?
Is she thinking, “I could have easily caught that too!”
“I just saw it… and caught it…”
“Whatever, let’s sit down.”
“O-okay.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t seem too upset.
It’s not like I should be apologizing for catching a ball, right?
She could have gotten hit if she didn’t react in time!
But it’s strange that a ball would suddenly appear in an empty classroom.
No one threw it.
Did someone set up a trap on the door to prank us?
But there’s no reason to bully anyone in an academy filled with talented individuals.
“Did it fly in from outside?”
“All the windows are closed.”
“Then what is it?”
“Pushover. Idiot.”
“…? Why are there two now?”
I catch the balls for her, and I get called a pushover and an idiot?
“Well, at least I’m less worried now.”
“Huh? You’re worried about me?”
“You’re noisy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Seriously, what did I do to deserve her annoyance?
Anyway, the ball probably belongs to the academy, so I decide to return it to the PE storage room later.
Whoever did this, I’m not cleaning up after them next time.
This is a one-time courtesy.
***
The girls who had been watching the scene from outside Class 1-A, giggling, were now gaping in shock.
The string used for the ball trap wasn’t ordinary.
It was a special, magically treated string provided by Aroa, designed to be difficult to detect with normal human reflexes.
Yet, Yurius de Elliot had caught both balls with ease, as if anticipating the trap. Their eyes widened in disbelief.
“Oh my… what just happened?”
“Did you see that? That movement?”
“It was… too fast to even see…”
Yurius de Elliot.
Master of Dustin, the Student Council President and Imperial Knight Commander, and also master of Celia, the pioneering female scholar.
And now, rumors were spreading about her being the next Saint’s master as well.
Of course, they had dismissed it as a lie.
Because Aroa had said so.
But that display of agility made it impossible to deny the possibility.
Could an ordinary person, no, even a notable student at the academy, move like that without any formal training?
“Shouldn’t we… report this to Lady Greenton?”
“Yes… this is beyond our capabilities.”
Speechless and bewildered, the girls simply exchanged helpless glances.
“L-Let’s report it after class today…”
“What report are you talking about?”
The girls, already shaken by Yuri’s skill, were now terrified by the deep voice behind them.
Chills ran down their spines.
They had never felt such fear before.
A palpable hostility, as if their lives were hanging by a thread.
“D-D-Dustin… Student… Council President…”
***
I had long been aware that Aroa de Greenton possessed a spare key to the student council meeting room.
I had witnessed her using it for private gatherings on several occasions. She thought she was being discreet, but her attempts were pathetically obvious.
I wouldn’t have cared if the key was given to her by someone in a position of authority.
And I would have continued to ignore her actions if they weren’t directed at Master.
That day was no different.
Knowing she would be using the meeting room for a private gathering, I secretly infiltrated the room.
I was curious to hear what kind of nonsense she would spout this time, but I never expected her to express such hostility towards Master.
“She’s got guts.”
It was amusing to watch her meticulously lock the door after everyone left, as if she had successfully concealed her actions.
I could have easily followed her and ended her life right then and there.
Taking down a frail little girl wouldn’t even be a challenge.
One swift swing of my sword, and her head would be rolling down the hallway.
“But…”
She dared to bare her fangs at Master.
Granting her a swift death would be too merciful.
No, she shouldn’t be allowed to die.
I would make her life a living hell, trapped in eternal suffering.
“Should I tell Master?”
I briefly considered it, but the answer was no.
I didn’t want to burden her any further.
Aroa de Greenton’s motive was me.
She was using her pathetic infatuation as an excuse to target Master.
Therefore, it was my responsibility to handle this.
“I’ll make you beg for death, Duchess Aroa de Greenton.”
I swore to make her realize that her feelings for me wouldn’t shield her from the consequences of her actions.
And the incident occurred the very next day.
Just in case, I sent Master and the purple-haired girl together and headed towards Class 1-A.
As expected, a group of scheming girls had gathered.
Pathetic creatures seeking to vent their insecurities under Aroa de Greenton’s shadow.
“What’s that?”
I noticed a sinister aura emanating from the string in their hands.
It was clearly magically treated, but…
If I couldn’t identify it, I would simply eliminate it.
As I was about to enter the classroom and dismantle their trap…
“No, I’m telling you, I’m not a pushover. And stop calling me that ridiculous nickname.”
I heard Master and the purple-haired girl’s voices.
Panicked, I quickly hid outside the door.
Whoosh!
“Huh?”
“Wait, Master…!”
An incredibly fast ball hurtled towards her.
Damn it…!
I should have gone in and removed the trap, even if it meant being discovered…!
I lunged forward, attempting to intercept the ball before it reached Master.
Thump!
…Attempting being the key word.
Because…
“Huh? Why is there a ball flying around in an empty classroom?”
Master caught the ball with lightning speed, far exceeding my own reaction time.
She even caught the one heading towards the purple-haired girl.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her nonchalant demeanor.
“…Huh.”
The purple-haired girl let out a similar sigh.
Even to my eyes, trained as an Imperial Knight Commander, the ball was incredibly fast.
I might have been able to catch it if it was coming straight at me, but intercepting a ball traveling sideways would have been impossible.
It was a trap designed to guarantee a hit on the second person if the first one caught the initial attack.
But Master caught both, effortlessly.
With her bare hands.
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Haha, Master… you never cease to amaze me.”
I couldn’t keep up.
Despite my relentless training, the gap between us remained unchanged.
“But I’ll handle the aftermath.”
I silently bowed to Master and slowly approached the group who had dared to harm her.
“L-Let’s report it after class today…”
“What report are you talking about?”
It seemed like I needed to hear this report first.
***
Celia’s been staring at me strangely since earlier.
She’s not wearing her usual lazy expression. Instead, she’s been observing me with a sharp, intense gaze throughout the entire class.
I can’t concentrate!
I’m not exactly the most studious student, but being stared at so intensely…!
Oh?
“What’s wrong?”
I can’t help but ask gently.
Ahem.
I’ve always been weak to beautiful women.
And Celia is quite attractive.
But what’s the point?
I’m a girl…
Well, a guy…
“…Focus on the lesson.”
She tells me to focus after distracting me the entire time.
Is this some kind of training?
Training to concentrate on lessons regardless of the circumstances?!
“You too, focus.”
“I am.”
No, you’re not!
You’re focused on me!
Well, I guess that is a form of focus!
Ugh…
“…I’m not lending you my notes later.”
I decide to take petty revenge.
I was writing neatly so I could lend her my notes during exams, but no more.
“…I don’t need them.”
Ouch, that stings…
I know I said I wouldn’t lend them to her, but…
Still…
Well, whatever…
I’m going to scribble from now on…
I’m not lending her anything. Hmph…
Damn MC got skill