chapter_0213

“Is it really so amusing?”

“Of course. How could it not be?”

Laura, who was smiling as she looked at her smartphone, had a photo on her screen. It was a perfectly timed photo of Eichenhardt just as she was about to receive the knuckle sandwich, her neck tucked in, shoulders raised, face scrunched up like she was holding back a sneeze, and arms bent awkwardly like a Tyrannosaurus rex.

“You two don’t get along, do you? You seem to be enjoying her embarrassment a little too much.”

“It’s not that we don’t get along. It’s just that a hidden truth makes me feel uncomfortable around her. It’s a one-sided thing. How can I not feel awkward when another woman has a crush on me, and it’s not because of my family but because she genuinely seems to be serious about it?”

“So, is it Laura she likes, or the Crown Prince?”

“Of course, it’s the Crown Prince. What kind of question is that? She’s not my type, and when I told her that, she asked me what my type was so that she could become that. She said that while she had to maintain the dignity of the Duke’s family in public, she would be as vulgar as any commoner in bed.”

“Why don’t you accept her feelings out of courtesy?”

“Zzzzt.”

Laura gave me a sharp look, and I casually laughed it off, patting her thigh.

“How could I not find it amusing when she, who was so stuck-up, not only ended up in an embarrassing situation but also had her pride crushed? Besides, she’s in no position to complain when she’s in the same rank as Priscilla.”

We decided that our club would be the last to participate in the free sparring matches.

It wasn’t a proper match, either. Lailah Academy and Rosemary Academy would have grade-level matches first, and then we would join them the next day for a free-for-all matches.

They realized that if they challenged us one-on-one or in team battles, they would be utterly crushed without a chance to fight back. However, they couldn’t ask us to go easy on them, as their pride wouldn’t allow it.

In a free-for-all, at least they could blame their lack of unity since Lailah Academy and Rosemary Academy would be fighting each other.

“A tiger will come when you call it.”

I nodded toward the side, and Eichenhardt cautiously approached us. She had managed to shake off some of the embarrassment but still had a noticeable blush on her face, especially in front of Laura.

“You’re awake, Eichenhardt. How’s the spot where you were hit?”

Laura took the initiative. The embarrassment that had been erased resurfaced as she spoke. Eichenhardt bit her lip, suppressing her emotions.

“I’m perfectly fine, Your Highness… There’s no need to worry about it.”

“It’s my duty as the Crown Prince to ask, especially since you’re the daughter of the Renitus Duke family. If there’s a bruise or something, it would be quite troublesome. After all, you fainted from ‘a knuckle sandwich,’ so I must ensure that you didn’t suffer any serious injuries.”

“Eek, eek, eek…”

Eichenhardt trembled as Laura deliberately emphasized certain phrases. She couldn’t refute it, so she just twitched.

“So, Eichenhardt of the Renitus Duke family, why are you here now? As you can see, we’re not done yet. Unless it’s urgent, I’d prefer you to leave. You’ll be back tomorrow anyway.”

“…… No, I have something to do here.”

Eichenhardt, who had been trembling, took a few deep breaths before turning to me instead of Laura. Her face regained the proud demeanor of a ducal young lady.

“Your performance in the sparring match was remarkable, Mira Crate.”

“Uh… Thank you?”

I accepted the compliment awkwardly. It was true that she had fainted from the knuckle sandwich, but it was her who had challenged me, so it was only fair that she took the blame for it.

“If it’s not an inconvenience, I’d like to have a private conversation with you. Would you mind sparing some time for me?”

“Absolutely not. Go away.”

Priscilla growled, still clinging to me.

Priscilla, who was practically in my arms, had every right to confront Eichenhardt, as she was of the same rank as the Renitus Duke family.

“I’m not trying to take your man, Priscilla. Didn’t I tell you? There’s only one person in my heart.”

—Ugh.

Laura made a small gagging sound.

I wondered how Eichenhardt would react when Laura’s true gender was revealed. It was bound to be a shock, given that she didn’t seem to be into girls.

“Mira, are you going?”

Priscilla looked at me with pitiful eyes, as if she knew she had no say in the matter.

“I’ll be right back.”

“…… Yeah.”

I ruffled her hair affectionately and got up. Priscilla’s face softened at the gesture. Eichenhardt watched with a curious expression, probably noticing the change in her demeanor. I wanted to make it clear that I was doing this to soothe Priscilla’s feelings.

In contrast, Laura pouted, but there was nothing she could do about it here.

“This way.”

I led Eichenhardt around the side of the building to a secluded spot and cast a soundproofing spell. Eichenhardt leaned against the wall, crossing her arms and legs in a relaxed yet confident posture.

“I won’t take up too much of your time, so there’s no need for formalities. Feel free to be at ease.”

“Alright. So, why did you call me here?”

“To put it bluntly, help me.”

“What do you mean?”

Eichenhardt paused for a moment before sighing.

“This is the first time I’m revealing this to someone other than the Crown Prince, so listen carefully. Don’t ever tell anyone else, even if you die. The truth is… I have feelings for the Crown Prince.”

I know. The person herself told me.

“Is that so?”

“I’m glad you’re not surprised. I like your guts. If it weren’t for the fact that the Crown Prince and Priscilla have their eyes on you, I would have asked if you’d consider joining me. It’s a shame.”

If she wanted me to be her subordinate, she’d have to overcome a lot more obstacles than just those two.

“I’m not the type to dwell on the past unless the person is truly despicable. Even if I end up looking like a fool because I tried to impress the Crown Prince, I won’t hold it against you.”

“I regret it.”

“It’s fine. I’m the one who’s lacking, so I can’t blame anyone else. The past is the past, so don’t worry too much about it.”

I nodded. She was a woman with a sound mind.

“I called you here to ask for your help with the Crown Prince and me. He seems to like you a lot, you know. Oh, of course, I mean as a subordinate.”

“I assumed as much, but I don’t see how I can help.”

It was a futile endeavor, as the reason she disliked her was something he couldn’t help, and it was simply because she was a woman.

“You’re a man, so I’m not asking for much. Can’t you casually ask what type of woman he likes during your conversations?”

“…… To the Crown Prince?”

“Yes. My instincts are rarely wrong. You can ask him without any repercussions. How could someone who lacks such discernment be the next head of the Renitus family?”

The direction was a bit off, but she did have good instincts. It was true that I could ask him without any negative consequences.

“It’s not a one-sided deal. I’ll offer a fair reward. I’ll help you get closer to Priscilla Agnes.”

“I’m already close to her. Didn’t you see me stroking her hair earlier?”

“That’s why I’m saying it. It’s a reward that neither the Crown Prince’s power nor your family’s money can buy.”

“Is there such a thing?”

“Of course. Believe it or not, I used to be quite close to Priscilla when we were younger. We drifted apart when I turned 15, but I know a lot about her from before then.”

Eichenhardt’s eyes sparkled.

“For example… what kind of date spots she likes.”

.

.

.

The day of the festival finally arrived.

The gates of Belium Academy opened precisely at 9 a.m., as announced, and the waiting crowd began pouring in.

“Wow, this is crazy. Look at all these people.”

Rosalia, who was standing a short distance away, was taken aback by the influx of visitors.

The area that could be considered ‘Belium Academy’ was enormous.

While the dorms, lecture halls, and dining hall were spaced out for the convenience of the students, if you included all the other areas, it would be the size of a small island.

However, this was the first time I felt that even this vast space might not be enough. The booths with the most popular attractions would be swamped. It was also the first time the Academy was open to the public, so that might have contributed to the crowd.

“Let’s get ready, too.”

We entered the artificial dungeon and channeled mana into the core, then exited. Rozaria went to a nearby building to get some drinks, while Elysier pestered her to get one for him as well.

We could afford to be a little relaxed since our club had the most challenging condition among those with entry requirements. No ordinary Academy student could even think of competing with us.

“It’s been a while.”

Our first customer soon arrived—Valera, the Great Wizard and Laura’s former mentor, whom I had met briefly.

“It’s been a while, Valera.”

“Don’t stand on ceremony. I’ll be more casual with you, too. You can treat me the same way you treat those Tower Masters.”

“…… I don’t think I can do that.”

It would be hard to treat this grandmother, who looked to be in her 70s or older, the same way I treated those humans, regardless of her permission. Her demeanor and behavior were completely different.

“As your former mentor, I couldn’t just pass by without checking out this dungeon that Laura helped create. Those good-for-nothing disciples of mine were so excited, constantly bragging about it. I had to see it for myself.”

Valera wore a magic artifact on her wrist, a device inspired by the Hunter Watch that displayed the output of mana flowing out.

I would be wearing one as well when I acted as a boss. There was no way any Academy student could defeat me, so I would limit my mana output, and if they managed to exceed that, I would consider it a win for them.

“I can’t destroy something my disciple put so much effort into, so I’ll limit my output. Are the safety measures in place?”

“Yes.”

“Then, let’s go.”

Valera, who had been about to enter the dungeon leisurely, stopped in her tracks.

“Oh, by the way, kid. What was the name of the thing guarding the core? I heard it from my disciples, but I’m getting old, so it’s slipping my mind.”

I could tell her the name of the dungeon boss without hesitation. I opened my mouth with a warm smile.

“Nano-Tech Mecha Tyrannosaurus.”