CH 156

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

Liliana, daughter of a Viscount, Aurora’s lady-in-waiting

Riley Spotts, class leader of class C

Liam Martinez, son of Marquess Howard

Caleb Blanchette, 2nd son of the Duke of DeGeneres

Veritas Perfectio, 1st son of the Earl of Aldridge, Sapphiras’ former older brother

The attitudes of the people around me has changed a lot since yesterday’s duel, but the situation remains the same.

They are still distant, but I no longer feel their contemptuous glances towards me. Rather, I’m getting frightened, inquiring looks.

Then there’s Liam’s seat, which is alone and empty. Apparently he is absent. I may have gone a bit overboard, but I have no remorse or regret. That said, it doesn’t mean I think he deserves it, so it can be said that it’s the same as usual.

His entourage has become completely quiet and doesn’t even make eye contact. We made a vow that if I won, they wouldn’t mess with me.

And then there’s this other guy.

“If you’re that good, you should have shown that magic from the start……you’re sneaky.”

My seat mate, Ronnie Brown, said. (After all this time, I finally got to know his name. Apparently he’s the legitimate son of a baron.)

“Haa……”

That’s all I can say to him.

Even so, this is quite annoying. I didn’t include him in the vow because I wanted him to be grateful, so I don’t care what he thinks about me at all. But perhaps calling it sneaky is an exaggeration. In the first place, the only place I had to show off my magic was yesterday’s practical magic class. If I keep showing off my amazing magic for no reason, I’ll only become a disgusting weirdo who boasts about my power.

Besides, where to get serious is also a matter of strategy. There’s no way you would show your enemy all your cards right from the start. Nevertheless, as a student, a fair and honest spirit is probably respected. But so far I haven’t met any students who I think are fair!

“I don’t care what you think, though I do think it’s a lot better than those who disrespect and insult others from the first meeting.”

When I said that, Ronnie fell silent. But from now on, he won’t be bothered by Liam’s group, so don’t worry about me and focus on your studies for the sake of your family.

In the midst of this delicate atmosphere, the class was suddenly noisy as I was hurriedly clearing my desk after the morning class was over.

“Sapphiras!”

“Percival!”

Percival was standing at the entrance to the classroom. Could it be that something  happened?

Everyone in the class is paying attention, so I rush over to Percival and ask in a low voice.

“What’s wrong? Weren’t you supposed to meet me at the dorm?”

“I’m here to pick you up. Let’s go.”

Saying that, Percival casually placed his hand on my waist and started walking.

“Nn? Nn?”

What’s this? Isn’t this a little closer than usual?

“Sapphiras is going to be my partner. This much is normal, so don’t worry about it.”

Oops, Percival is amazing. He knows what I’m thinking? That means I can’t carelessly think about things.

But still, the looks around us are amazing. Percival and I have never been together before, so it must be a strange combination. After all, even though I was an exchange student from the same country, I had almost no contact with him at school, so among the students in Percival’s class, it was even whispered that Percival hated me. Percival neither denied nor confirmed it. It seems like ever since we came to this academy, they’ve been trying to keep us apart, so I intentionally left him alone. Thanks to that, guys like Caleb approached me and Liam got involved.

I don’t know how far this country’s intentions go, but I understand that they’re trying to take me in somehow as a magician. But I’m not just a fifteen-year-old boy. I’m an adult and an adventurer on the inside, so……they can’t do this as if they’re coaxing a kid.

Regardless of all that, today is the day we’re going to the cafeteria in Creare!

When Percival and I went to a place where no one could see it, we transferred.

“Huh? Sapphiras?”

“Yaa, long time no see.”

I was standing in line to get my lunch tray when Riley called out to me.

“I thought you were studying abroad?”

“Yes, I was. But I missed lunch here, so I came here to eat.”

“……Sapphiras’ magic is still substandardly convenient.”

Riley laughs in amazement. Eventually, some of our friends noticed that we were there, so as we were having a chat, Aurora also came over when she heard the commotion.

“Sapphiras-sama, Percival-sama, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Aurora-jyou, and Liliana-jyou.”

It’s been a while since I’ve seen them. Ever since we went there, I wrote to Aurora only once to report on my current situation. I’m not very diligent about my writing, so that was it.

“I’m glad to hear that you are well. Would you like to have lunch with me?”

The café is open to everyone, but only one corner is reserved for royalty and high-ranking nobility. It is spacious, with chairs of a slightly higher class, and is separated from the rest of the area by a partition screen, so you can eat in peace and quiet.

“Yes, certainly. Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”

After Percival and I received our lunch plates, we went with Aurora to the space separated by a screen.

As expected of a place used by the royal family, the table is spacious and decorated with flowers. When Aurora and Liliana took their seats, the waiter brought them sandwiches.

When I put their lunch side by side with ours, the difference in appearance is amazing. I’m not as good as Percival these days, but I can eat a lot better now!

“You both look well. How are things at the academy over there?”

Since I had nothing to hide, I told her the events leading up to yesterday’s duel without concealment, and Aurora’s hands completely stopped as she ate. Moreover, her beautiful eyebrows are slightly raised.

“Is that true?”

“Aah. I flew the Wind Falcon to Vanderwall yesterday. I think the bird will probably go to His Excellency the Duke of Bloomfield tomorrow.”

“Heh?”

No, no! When on earth did that happen! I think Percival was with me the whole time after the duel……? And where did he send the wind falcon from?

When I unintentionally stared at Percival seriously, he tilted his head at me in a gesture asking ‘what’s wrong?’ He just tilted his head at me. I already know that he has a nice face, but even his casual gestures are on point, so what’s really going on, Percival!

“By the way, Aurora-jyou. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

I’m concerned about Percival’s handsomeness, but there are other things I’m also concerned about.

“What is it?”

“Well, actually, I saw someone in Kelsas yesterday who looked like Veritas, and I was wondering what’s going on with Earl Aldridge’s family now?”

“Veritas-sama……?”

Aurora appears to be thinking for a moment, then opens her mouth.

“The head of the family, the Earl of Aldridge, has been dismissed from his position as advisor to the Order of Magicians and is under house arrest. On top of that, the Earl’s family is now under the supervision of the royal family. The name of the magician who saved the kingdom is of great importance, so it is not something that can be dealt with so easily……Also, Veritas-sama has left the academy and is supposed to be at his residence in the royal capital……”

That’s what you call house arrest. But it was definitely Veritas that I saw in Kelsas. There is also the disappearance of the Marquess of Fargerson. This would definitely involve a magician who can transfer.

“I’ll convey Sapphiras-sama’s story to my father just in case.”

“Yeah……when it comes to something like this, there’s a strong possibility that that country is involved in that mess.”

“……Sapphiras-sama, why don’t you come back here?”

Anxiety sways in Aurora’s beautiful amethyst eyes. I get it. There is also a slavery system in that country, and there are rumours that all members of the royal family are ambitious. Even though it’s a neighbouring country, it is enigmatic.

“Don’t worry. I know when to withdraw. If I’m in danger, I’ll come right back like this.”

“But……”

“If it comes down to it, I’ll leave that country with Sapphiras in my arms. So I want to see how things go for a while.”

“Percival……”

I thought Percival would say I should go home after what happened yesterday. I didn’t expect him to take my side!

“It would be more troublesome if I force you to come back and you hide and go over. I’m not going to stop you if it’s no big deal, but please just don’t act silently. If something happens to Sapphiras without my knowledge, I won’t be able to forgive myself.”

“Uu……”

My credibility has completely fallen to the ground.

It’s true that because of the memories of my previous life, I tend to run alone. I think it is because my former comrades had similar personalities to me. But even magic is not omnipotent. In particular, I seem to have the curse of carelessness. Above all, I have no intention of sitting crossed-legs1胡座をかく: to sit crossed-leg or to rest on one’s laurels. The laurels thing doesn’t make sense in this context and idk if there could be any other meanings to this so I took the literal translation. on the feelings of Percival, who cares deeply about me.

“Don’t worry, I would never do such a thing.”

“Ufufu……Sapphiras-sama has finally come to consider Percival-sama’s feelings.”

Aurora bursts into laughter. It’s a nice smile, but the way she said it makes it seem like I’ve been disrespecting Percival’s feelings up until now.

……No, yeah. I might have done it. Sorry, Percival.