CH 31

"Hmm, umm~ hmm." Irene seemed excited, oblivious to Mina and the surrounding gazes. Occasionally, she even hummed through her nose. "…Irene, what's been going on with you lately?" Mina couldn't contain her curiosity and asked. "Ah, no? Noth-, nothing? Nothing's going on." Irene stuttered, her behavior quite strange and far from her usual confident demeanor. 'Something's definitely up.' Mina immediately drew a conclusion. 'It's most likely a guy problem. Who could make Irene wear such terrible makeup? Could it be her handsome fiancé from that time?' It was a reasonable deduction. No matter how sudden love could be, there was no way Irene would have a fling with someone from the Knight Department out of the blue. 'She did look rather unusual when watching the match last week.' Mina held back a chuckle. Irene reminded her of a 10-year-old girl secretly using her mother's makeup to impress a boy she liked. 'I'll let the makeup slide for now, but if she comes like this tomorrow, I'll have to say something. That face… No, she ruined her pretty face.' Having made up her mind, Mina nodded. Time passed, and all of today's classes came to an end.

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Raei  Translations

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Both the Knight and Hero Departments finished their classes at 4:30 PM. However, even after 5 PM, many students were still in the classrooms. With group project presentations approaching this Friday, the students were busy reading books and engaging in heated discussions with their teammates. Like them, Mina was also having a discussion with her teammates, including Irene. "Yeah, so I think if the opponent tries to avoid a fight, there's no need to pursue them. What does everyone else think?" "Um, I think it's fine." "But what if they run away and bring back more enemies? If we get surrounded, I don't think our group can break through." "Ah, that's possible. Irene, what do you think?" "Huh? Oh. I think it's okay too." "……" Mina sighed inwardly. Irene seemed to be lost in her thoughts. 'This girl is completely smitten.' Throughout the lecture and even now, Irene's mind was filled with flowery fantasies. This was not the Irene she knew. Feeling somewhat jealous, Mina decided to move the conversation along. "Since we probably won't make any progress today, how about we wrap up here? But let's each come up with one more idea by tomorrow." "Sounds good." "Yep~!" The other two group members responded, but there was no answer from Irene. Mina asked with a puzzled expression. "Irene, what's really going on─" However, Mina's words were cut off. Suddenly, the sound of bustling voices came from outside the classroom. "What's happening?" The students in the classroom became curious about the commotion. Mina's group was no exception. "Isn't he the swordsman from last week's evaluation match? What was his name again? I can't remember. But what business does he have in the knight department?" "Wow, he's so handsome." "···What's so great about that spoiled brat? Tsk." Various comments from the students could be heard. It was extremely easy to notice that their subject of conversation was 'Theo Lyn Waldeurk.' Mina suddenly regained her senses and looked at Irene. "······." Irene was smiling shyly, like a princess who had just met the prince on a white horse from a fairy tale. Mina felt sorry. '···I should've told her today.' Her makeup was odd. It would've been better not to wear any. However, Irene, who was unaware of that fact, still wore a gentle smile as she slowly stood up. "Mina, I'll see you tomorrow. I'm sorry I couldn't focus today. I'll think of two ideas for tomorrow instead." "Huh? Oh, okay. T-take care." Irene quickly packed her things and left the classroom. Mina could only watch her retreating figure.

***

'What's this?' I was shocked. By Irene's bizarre appearance. ···They say women use makeup like transformation magic. But the direction she took was way off. Even I, who has never had any experience with women, could sense it. 'What happened?' She seemed in a good mood, judging by the faint smile on her face. "Irene." Regardless, I had come all the way to the knight department and needed to achieve my goal. Appearances weren't important; I was just taken aback for a moment. "Yes, Theo." "······." Her radiant smile made her appearance even more jarring. I felt a tingling shock. [Twisted Noble's Dignity] activated, likely because Irene's appearance did not align with Theo's aesthetic sense at all. Even the surrounding students were staring at me. It was a shameful display. However, this damned trait also helped me in maintaining my composure. I took a deep breath internally and spoke. "···Irene. There's something important I need to discuss with you.” "Important······? So suddenly? Wh-what is it about?" "It's not appropriate to talk about it here. Let's move somewhere else." I didn't want to endure any more embarrassment. "Alright." Fortunately, Irene nodded obediently. We went to a quiet café nearby.

***

"So you're asking for more help with swordsmanship?" Irene asked, narrowing her eyes. "Yes." "There's something I want to ask you, Theo." "What is it?" "By any chance, was the important matter you mentioned about training?" That's correct. I had been beaten like a dog by Piel, so what could be more important than this conversation? "Yes, what else could be more pressing right now?" "···Right. I understand. Very well then. Ugh." Her tone shifted slightly. And she let out a deep sigh. "Let's head to the training grounds." She finished her barely touched iced coffee in one gulp and stood up. As I was slowly rising, "Ah, hurry up! You said it was important!" Irene's sharp words flew towards me. "Ah, okay." Feeling the urgency in Irene's tone, I hastily stood up.

***

At the training grounds, I received instruction from Irene. However, it was more like torture disguised as training. Piel's beating was merely a warm-up. The intensity left me breathless. "Heuk, heuk, heuk······." I lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for air. Irene, looking somewhat refreshed, gazed down at me and said, "Let's call it a day." "···Alright, I understand." Still unable to rise, I simply responded. "I'll head out first then." "Alright. Thanks, anyway... Irene." "...?" "I'm always grateful." "···As long as you know." Irene furrowed her brow and slowly exited the training grounds. I didn't even suggest grabbing a meal together, knowing she would obviously decline. A few minutes later, my breathing steadied, and I got up to shower and change clothes. 'Hunger is setting in. Should I eat something before heading back?' However, after enduring these challenges over the past few days, I felt I deserved some sort of reward. I didn't want to dine at the nearby shabby restaurant with its tasteless fare. I went to the dormitory and asked Amy to prepare a simple meal. I thought she would be slightly annoyed but, she gladly agreed. She even seemed somewhat happy about it. While eating the food Amy prepared, I thought about my plans for tomorrow.

***

Tomorrow is Wednesday, the day of the practical evaluation. Of course, I'm aware of the evaluation's focus: monster subjugation. In the original game, to highlight the Neike's extraordinary strength, monsters too difficult for first-year students would appear. Neike perseveres, and in true protagonist fashion, ultimately defeats the creatures. He would gather his team and even take care of the monsters of other teams. After that, Neike would receive recognition not only from the students who had been subtly belittling him, but also from the professors. In the original work, Theo's group was naturally omitted, but it's likely that monsters of similar strength to what Neike faced will appear. The Great King Beetle. It's a monster difficult for all students, except for Neike, to handle at this point. 'I just need to stay calm, and I'll get a good score.' In the midst of everyone else's panic, simply maintaining my composure should earn me a generous score. Having finished my thoughts, I placed the empty dish on the table and relaxed. 'Let's absorb everything I learned today into my body.' With my eyes closed, I took a deep breath. I recalled the numerous techniques I had observed with [Observer's Eye]. I thought about the various techniques I had seen during last week's evaluation, Irene's practical skills, and Piel's swift movements. For a long time, their forms danced vividly in my mind.