Chapter 104: Favor (2)

In the palm of my hand, I'm holding an amulet. I'm checking the small stones at the center. After picking this, we eventually left and parted ways with Mr. Molin. As for my rewards...

"You haven't thought about anything? You know you can ask more, right? I wouldn't mind it. Your help was a huge help. Without you, I'm not even sure whether... Eukla will be alive or not... As the headmaster, I'm indebted to your help."

"I don't really have anything particular in my mind, right now... But... What about a favor? I can personally request you for anything?"

"T-That sounds bad... How about three? Three requests in total."

"Eh? Three? Five. You said it yourself, you're indebted to me. Up it more."

"How about... Haa... I may have regretted bringing that up. Since you really did help us, I have no choice... I'll grant you special privileges."

"On where?"

"In my favorite brothel." He pats my shoulder.

"You're still on that? I told you, I won't."

"What a stingy lad. You're already an adult, so enjoy life a little."

"I don't need it. I'm not lacking in that department."

"I tell ya'. They're the best. Like how—"

"I swear in my life if you don't stop talking. I'll tell your wife."

"Heh, you don't even know who she is. Plus, she knows I don't visit those places anymore."

"Yet, you're here, persuading a student of yours to visit those kinds of places. Have some shame will you?"

"You're weird. Young men of your age would often ask me those places in here. I know you have many, but I tell you they're different. Instead—"

"Stop digressing. If I ever got into trouble, I'll ask for your help okay? I don't need anything else. You're unbelievable. How did you even get your position? It's baffling. Anyhow, don't forget the points, okay? I will surely use those favors in the future."

"Okay? Hold on, what kind of trouble are you planning to do! Oi! Student Claude Weiss!"

I turn my heel the other way, leaving him alone and dragging Clara with me. A few minutes later, we found ourselves lost again... "Ahh... Looks like I got ourselves lost once again... My bad."

From looking around us, there's no one. We're not sure whether we're still in the same building or not. We just wander around the place mindlessly. Not once I let go of Clara's hand, she's merrily humming while walking. It looks like she's enjoying this. However, those joyful moments of Clara were abruptly interrupted by two people whom we accidentally stumble across with each other.

"Albert and... Rosalyn?"

"Geh, you?" Albert showed a disdainful expression.

Observing him up close, I immediately notice his calmness. And, next to him, Rosalyn had this mysterious air around her. She's slightly smiling at me with her innocent looks. Unlike last time, there's a striking difference in their appearance. They're now quite healthy and oozing some incredible amount of energy.

"Oh, long time no see. I heard you guys are admitted to the S-class, congrats."

"Y-Yeah... Thank you. And, it's been a while."

While Albert was responding, I saw Rosalyn's darkened eyes darting to my hand interlocking with Clara. She's exuding a disturbing look on our hands as if she wants to cut them up into pieces. Soon after, Clara pulls out her dagger and points it toward Rosalyn's neck. Rosalyn wasn't fazed from the sharp object on her neck. But instead, Rosalyn grimace on both the dagger and our hands.

Albert stood there dumbfounded. "Huh? What are you doing?"

"Clara!? Hey, hold on, don't point those on students." I voiced out my concern as I pull out the dagger away from Rosalyn's neck. I look at Clara's frowning eye then I glance back to Albert and Rosalyn. "Ha-ha-ha, sorry, sorry, she's kind of groggy right now. Anyway, good to see you two. I hope you won't cause any conflict anymore, right Albert?"

I didn't explicitly threaten him. It's quite the opposite because, for me, I said it as a friendly reminder before he does anything stupid in the future. So now, I pull Clara away. Yet, Clara and Rosalyn didn't break their eye contact with each other. After dragging her away, I can still sense Rosalyn's eyes on my back until I turn to the corner.

I put my two hands on Clara's shoulder and met her eyes. "That's wrong to do that, especially to a student. You're Lily's attendant, it will also affect her and you. There's still a possibility you will get punished according to whatever rule emplaced in this academy."

Clara notices the distress in my eyes which made the light in her eyes come back. Upon seeing her eyes coming back to normal, I let out a sigh of relief. "Haa... Thank god... I hope Rosalyn or Albert would report this incident... But I'm certain their father wanted to build a close relationship with me... They won't."

I cast my head down exhaustedly. Clara's palm touches my cheeks and spoke. "Sorry, young master. S-She wants to take you away..." Clara's eyes were faltering.

"Excuse me? What? No one can take me away. Hahaha." I chortled while embracing Clara. However, at the back of my mind, I'm taking Rosalyn's behavior seriously. I can also sense the impending danger from her. She's definitely a red flag. Do I need to watch her? I'll ask Stephanie for some help. Ever since that day, she's been acting kind of odd every time I meet her. Furthermore, Albert is also acting weirdly calm...

After calming Clara down, she went back to Lily's place, whereas, I'm searching my way back to my dorm. Looking at the card, the points that Headmaster Winster had just promised are already on my card. Because of this, I don't need to think of my financial problem. Recalling the soul-eater, I can't help myself but get curious as to where it came from. Even if I try to investigate it myself... It will only lead to nowhere.

Then suddenly, I recalled the specter a few years ago. The one I fought on the city alongside Lily. Comparing all of them, I can see a clear distinction of conformity. Perhaps, it's just my imagination... Then I raise my hands to scratch my neck. "Kyaaah!" I heard a scream then I magically found my hand on someone's skirt.

"Oh, my apologies, I'm not looking in my way. Are you all right?" I acted obliviously and pulls my hand out of her skirt, but I'm panicking at the back of my head. Honestly, I felt a warm and soft sensation inside, whether I touch it or not. I wish she won't report me for harassment. But then, my eyes immediately caught her pale-orange short hair with cute small round ears at the sides.

'Is this the lucky-pervert troupe?! Hell yeah!'

She was covering her crotch flusteredly. "No, no, don't apologize, I'm also not looking—" Her eyes widen in shock, and staggeringly walks back. I tilt my head in confusion.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt by chance? Um... Miss? Hello?" I'm waving my hand over to her stunned face. "Hello? Yohoo~?"

"Uh, uh, I'm okay. Sorry for worrying. But if I may... Do you not remember me?"

"Remember? Did we meet—Remembering the girl back then—Ohhh, you're the person who's with Shin Morino right? You're the girl back then. Good to see you in good shape after what happened that day."

"Other than that... Do you really not remember anything??"

"Other than that? Sorry, but I have no recollection of meeting you other than that day. Did we meet somewhere else?" There's a chance she's not talking about me, but the past real Claude. So, I'm racking the memories of Claude when he was a child, but there seems to be nothing. If I remember something, it would point out to his friend back in his childhood... However, it's all blurry.

"I-I see..." I saw the disappointment in her eyes.

Weirdly enough, every time I see a woman disappointed. I would often cheer them up. But right now, I don't have the motivation to do so. It's so different. To get away from this feeling, I excused myself out. "Well then, I'll be going now. Sorry for bumping into you earlier."

"Wait a minute. Can I offer you some drinks for an apology?"

"Hm? Drinks? You don't need to."

"Please?" She pulls the hem of my uniform.

"Sorry—"

"Please? Just this once. Please, just this once. After this, I won't bother you anymore. I promise." Her grip got tighter.

I was taken aback by her. There's a mixed feeling of desperation and guilt flooding her eyes.

"Okay, okay. I'll come along." In the end, I agreed with her.

When she heard my response, her eyes brighten. "Thank you! Thank you!" Without any hesitation, she took my wrist and drags me along with her. I'm contemplating my past relationship with her or Claude's relationship with her, as I watch her back against me.

While I'm getting dragged, I suddenly remembered Stephanie. She said, she's an illegitimate child of the Kramer Family. However, I'm certain that the Kramer family is a family of lion-folk. The little ears at the top of this girl's head were the indication. Yet, Stephanie nor her father doesn't have those, more than anything, they look human.

Furthermore, she doesn't seem to care about holding a man's hand. Female nobles are usually known for their composed behavior. Yet, I don't see those characteristics in this girl. Is she letting her guard down? Or she's usually like this? It's hard to tell.

I ask her a question. "What's your name? You're from the Kramer Family, right?"

"Shikta... Shikta Kramer, that's my name." She stops walking and turns her head to me, smiling wryly.

"Shikta? That's an odd name."

"It sure does." Shikta giggles before dragging me back to the place, a week ago—back at the town.

However, once we got there, the street was crowded with people. Passing through the crowds, I sensed a disturbing air surrounding us. It's unpleasant. Then a glimpse of faces caught my eyes, faces of people illustrated neatly on a brown piece of paper, and below them are their names listed, plastered on the massive board that spans three two-story houses. In front of those pieces of paper are people shedding tears while on their knees. As we pass them, I watch every single moment of it, until we finally reach our destination.