CH 147

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, former 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Clawis Omnibus Worstitters/Clawis Garcia, Crown Prince of Worstitters

Rivera Hernández, Clawis’ aide/escort

I had already spent a week at Ars Aristocratic Academy.

I’m still isolated in class. I’m also regularly harassed, but it’s all so lame that I want to say, ‘What are you, a child?’ The sons and daughters of high-ranking aristocratic families are all of a very low standard.

Yesterday, I accidentally left a notebook on my desk, and it was thrown into the dustbin after being trampled on a lot. I hadn’t used a single page yet, so I picked it up from the dustbin and used it. It’s dirty, but not unusable. It may not be a great item for an aristocrat, but for a commoner who can’t afford to go to school, even a single page of the notebook is a luxury item. Considering this, it cannot be wasted. Besides, it’s fine as long as I can copy the writing on the board and read it back later, so it’s not a big deal if it gets dirty. The maps used by adventurers are not only covered with mud but also with blood, and the guild record books are even dirtier.

There are whispers that a commoner is scavenging the dustbin, but anyone who wants to say so can say so all they want. Those who make a mockery of notebooks will be weeping over them.

But still, this study abroad is a kind of exchange between countries, but isn’t that being conveyed to the students? If they think there is no problem with this kind of attitude towards students from other countries, then the dignity of the high-ranking nobility and others in this country must be on a journey to the farthest reaches of the earth.

Come to think of it, Clawis and the others were also displeased by the discriminatory remarks when they first entered the school, but since Rivera didn’t say anything, I’d like to believe that at least there was no such childish harassment.

My situation would be quite depressing for a normal student and they would want to go back to their country immediately. If someone is trying to take advantage of that, unfortunately it doesn’t work on me at all.

I don’t have any burden on my shoulders, so I could quit school at any time. The only reason I’m still at the academy is because I owe the Duke of Bloomfield a favour and it’s Aurora’s wish1Was it Aurora’s wish? I don’t remember . Besides, there are quite a few people in Creare who I can call friends. And that’s definitely not something that binds me. Even if I leave the academy, they’ll still be my friends.

That’s why, ‘Let’s treat him to a grand welcome, school is a paradise!’, they thought it would be better to make me think that. I’ll never forget the debt of gratitude for the meal. A favour is repaid threefold, and revenge is repaid fourfold. I don’t think you understand that part at all.

Even so, I’m not going to return a book that is four times dirty because of this.

Despite the difficult situation, there was one very nice thing about this school. Art is an elective class! This is something that Creare should definitely learn from.

Of course, I didn’t choose art. If it weren’t for art, my complete victory would be as good as decided.

When lunchtime came, I headed to the café alone and settled comfortably at a table in the corner by myself. This place has become my reserved seat, where I can read and eat without fear of anyone else.

The timid-looking student next to me, whose name I still don’t know, hurriedly got up from his seat and left the classroom as if to run away after the morning class ended. It was probably because he didn’t want me to ask him out. I don’t think he wants to get involved with the prey of the class and get a bad experience. I understand how he feels, so I try to avoid contact with him as much as possible.

Not only him, I don’t know the names of any of the students, who I don’t know if I can call classmates. But I don’t plan on actively remembering them. I don’t think it’s necessary at the moment.

That’s why I’m alone in the café for lunch, but for breakfast, Percival and I sneak off to Kelsas to eat at a morning market stall. Percival is an early riser, so we have enough time in the morning to eat at the morning market stalls.

Dinner is always interrupted when Percival and I are together, so we decide to eat in our room. This was probably for the best, as we could eat leisurely while reporting to each other about our day.

It would have been unthinkable that Percival and I, who should have been separated, would be living in the same room every day. Even though it’s a short distance, there aren’t many magicians who can make transfers several times a day. If an ordinary magician did that every day, no matter how much magical power he has, it would not be enough.

Now then. Today’s solo lunch accompaniment is the history of customs in Sternkurst. I borrowed it from the library, thinking that there might be clues to what I wanted to know hidden in it.

“Are you okay with sharing a table?”

“Nn?”

As I flipped through the pages, I was approached. I took my eyes off the book and looked up to see a student standing there with a smile on his face that people would seem to like.

Huh? This situation is somehow familiar. This happened about a year ago. He’s a good-looking guy, but the second time it happens, I don’t feel anything. Above all, Percival is a much more handsome boy.

Incidentally, Percival has grown up a lot recently and can no longer be called a boy. He has grown taller, and has a matured face while still maintaining his beauty, so he has become more and more suitable to bear the name of the Knight of the Sun.

In contrast, I, who is as thin as ever, am feeling the disparity in physique even more.

Anyway, I wanted to enjoy reading alone, but I had no right to monopolise the table in the café, which is open to everyone. And if they can talk to me, who is obviously isolated, they must be the son of a high ranking aristocrat in their own right.

“……Please.”

“Thank you.”

Aiseki-kyou (provisional) 2相席卿 (aiseki-kyou), literally translated to ‘sharing table (with someone you don’t know) lord. since Sapphiras doesn’t know his name, his name will be ‘Aiseki-kyou’ for now. on my right glances at the pages of the book.

“Oya, that book is a history of this country’s customs.”

“Yes, I was just curious.”

“I’m glad you’re interested in this country……by the way, you’re an exchange student, sitting all alone in a corner like this? Him over there seems to be enjoying his school life……

Aiseki-kyou (provisional) casts a glancing glance into the distance. 

Ehhh, you think he’s enjoying that? No matter how you look at it, isn’t that a blank expression? Are the eyes of Aiseki-kyou (provisional) decorative?

But the classmates surrounding Percival over there don’t notice that expressionless face either, so it’s something that others can’t see.

“……I like to be alone.”

For me, it’s more convenient to be left alone, so I’m taking full advantage of the situation. No one is dealing with me, so I won’t be scrutinised even if I investigate various things. There will be some surveillance, though, so I don’t openly move. Or rather, could it be that Aiseki-kyou(provisional) is the surveillance?

“Really? If you have any problems, you can tell me. I’m sure I can help you.”

Problem huh……I involuntarily cast a disturbed gaze. After all, I don’t even know the name of Aiseki-kyou (provisional), so there’s no way I can talk about personal things.

At my gaze, Aiseki-kyou (provisional) seemed a little perplexed. Did he think I would cling to him and say that I was being harassed and isolated in class?

If that’s the case, then it’s a pity. The reason I don’t say anything even when I’m being harassed in class isn’t because I’m timid and obedient. It’s because I don’t give a hair’s breadth about that stuff.

“……Ah, aah. I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Caleb Blanchette, fourth year. Nice to meet you.”

Finally, he seems to have realised why I’ve been quiet. Yes, yes, it’s important to introduce yourself.

For now, I don’t know who he is at the moment, so I’ll ask Percival later. Judging from his demeanour, he must be from a very powerful family among the nobility in this country.

“……I’m Sapphiras from the second year.”

“May I call you Sapphiras?”

“Do as you please.”.

I don’t have a family name, so there’s no other way to call me.

“I hear you’re good at magic, Sapphiras.”

“Yes, well……at least better than at swordsmanship.”

When I replied it curtly, Aiseki-kyou (provisional), Caleb Blanchett, shrugged his shoulders in embarrassment.

melon: This heavily feels like after purposely isolating and harrassing Sapphiras, they’re throwing in a ‘hero’ to save the damsel in distress. Can’t wait till their faces gets slapped.