episode_0302

The words I had spoken in the past, stating that I no longer wanted to get involved with the members of the hero party, were not just empty words.

What I desire in this world is a life where I can enjoy the magic and adventures of this world while remaining relaxed. I have a certain level of skill, but I live as an adventurer who deliberately remains relaxed, not seeking to increase my rank and living a carefree life.

Therefore, it was natural that I did not try to make any connections with the characters related to the original story within the academy. Except for the characters I inevitably got involved with.

Especially with someone like Liria from the first year of the Wand Arts Department, in the past, I had no connection with her, not even a small point of contact.

“Please help me, Senior Relise.”

“…Huh?”

Liria appearing out of nowhere in front of the Magic Department building and requesting help was naturally bewildering.

“Ahem. Are you calling me, Miss Pheonix?”

“Yes, Senior Relise.”

“…Do we know each other, Relise?”

“No… This is our first meeting, isn’t it, Miss Pheonix?”

“Yes, Senior Relise.”

…Where did this come from again?

As I just said, I had no previous interaction with Liria.

I had no interaction with the first-year students in general. Liria and Kael were in the Wand Arts and Combat Departments, so as a member of the Magic Department, I had no reason to come across them. Cedric was in the Technology Department, unrelated to me, and Tralia from the Alchemy Department, who had the potential to get involved, was already close to Riji and Lala, so there was no need for me to approach her to make potions.

Avoiding getting involved in such troublesome matters was the reason I had no connection with Liria, who was already set to be a main character among the new students at the Luminoir Academy.

I didn’t expect the main character of the game to come to me when I avoided it. Maybe it was because I accidentally piqued his interest at Machart, but this was the first time Liria and I had actually made eye contact and had a conversation.

“Um… Miss Pheonix.”

“Yes, Senior Relise.”

“I’m not sure what you’re asking me to do, but… It seems difficult for me to help you.”

“Why is that, Senior Relise?”

“Well, I am Lord Edan’s exclusive maid. As a maid responsible for Lord Edan’s school life, I am already busy enough just spending time taking care of him, so I don’t think I have the time to help you, Miss Pheonix.”

“Busy all day long, sticking to Edan, serving him… ”

“Quiet down, Agnes.”

“…”

I didn’t go as far as serving him. …I did stick to him occasionally, though.

“Then, should I ask Senior Edan for help? Can you make time to help me, Senior Relise?”

“No, please don’t.”

He’s really stubborn. It seems reasoning with him won’t work.

I just didn’t want to get involved, but if I respond like this, I don’t know how I should react.

“I apologize for causing any misunderstandings, Miss Pheonix. One of the reasons I don’t have the time to help you is because I simply don’t want to, even if I had the time.”

“Why, Senior Relise?”

First of all, I have no personal relationship with Miss Pheonix. The first reason is that there is not enough familiarity to fulfill a request out of the blue. Secondly, when asking someone for a favor, basic courtesy should be observed. No one will allow a request from a stranger without any prior interaction. Thirdly, I simply don’t want to do it because I find it bothersome. I will be busy preparing for the final hunting exam from now on, so I don’t have the luxury to focus on other things.

“…I see.”

“If you understand, will you please leave now, Miss Pheonix?”

“Understood, Senior Lillis. I apologize for the intrusion.”

“Yes. Next time, I recommend being a bit more courteous when asking someone for a favor.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

-Thud. Thud.

“…”

With a somewhat dejected expression, Liria walked away from me with hesitant steps.

For a moment, I felt a pang of weakness at her retreating figure, but I closed my eyes tightly and turned away from her poignant expression.

I had a sudden intuition that if I got involved with her now, I would be entangled not only with Liria but also with other main characters until I graduated from the academy.

“…Are you okay, Lillis?”

“Why do you ask, Miss Agnes?”

“It’s just that your expression seems troubled.”

“…Did it look that way?”

“Don’t worry about it. Those who demand what they want first and then run away when asked for help are only interested in themselves and will flee when they actually need help.”

“…”

I didn’t think Liria had that kind of personality, but Agnes was right about one thing that bothered me. Maybe it was just a small request, but I was too hasty to listen and declined it.

Of course, the main reason was that I didn’t want to get involved in the main story of Luminoir Academy. If I got entangled further, my peaceful slow life plan could be ruined.

Especially considering Liria’s simple yet persistent nature, it was important to shake her off even if it was a bit forceful. Once such a character gets involved, they are like a constant stream of chaos.

“I don’t know what event it is, but it’s best to block it in advance.”

It was better to maintain a lack of familiarity with Liria in the future.

…The problem was that Liria was not the type to step back just because I didn’t want to get involved.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

The next morning.

I woke up and within a few hours, I started the day feeling puzzled for two reasons.

“Hello, Senior Lillis!”

“…Ah.”

“Good morning! Oh, hello to you too, Senior Ethan!”

“…Well, good morning. Liria Marasendra Galenhar Solaven Pheonix Barbaracus, right?”

“…”

After leaving the dormitory dining hall with Ethan for breakfast, Liria appeared in front of me as soon as we left the dormitory.

And seeing Ethan casually greeting Liria and starting a conversation with her, I was puzzled twice.

“Thank you, Senior Ethan!”

“Wasn’t today the day for joint training between the swordsmanship and spear techniques departments? I can’t think of any other reason why you would come to me this morning.”

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry to say this to you, Ethan Senior, but today I came to talk to Lillis Senior, who is your fiancée!”

“…To Lillis?”

“Yes! If it’s not too much of an inconvenience for you, would you please allow me a moment to talk to Senior Lillis!”

“…”

Yesterday, she appeared in front of me out of the blue and asked for a favor. When I pointed out her attitude, she showed up in front of me the next day with more courtesy than necessary. It was Liria.

Judging by the dark circles under her eyes, she must have stayed up all night memorizing etiquette books. Despite her ignorance, she was the strongest female character in the “Luminor Academy,” so it was easy to figure out what had happened last night.

“I don’t know the reason, but compared to your usual self, you seem very tense.”

“Yes! Yesterday, Senior Lelis pointed out my bad habits, so I stayed up all night to learn proper etiquette! So, may I have permission from Senior Ethan to talk to Lelis?”

“…Lelis?”

“I, I don’t know, Sir Ethan. Yesterday, Miss Phionis suddenly asked me for a favor, so I advised her to come prepared when asking others for help.”

I didn’t know who she had learned etiquette from, but just speaking was terribly burdensome. I fervently wished to return to my usual way of speaking.

“What are you going to do, Lelis?”

“…First, Sir Ethan has a first-period class, so it’s best for you to go to the classroom first. And I will start from the second period, so I will talk to you for a while and then send you back.”

“…Alright, Lelis. If you have any trouble, let me know.”

“Yes, Sir Ethan.”

In fact, the current situation itself was awkward, but it seemed that Ethan couldn’t solve this awkwardness.

After letting go of the hand I was holding and feeling a little disappointed, I sent Ethan off first. Then, I glared at Liria, who had dared to disturb Ethan’s time from the morning.

“….”

“Lelis, Senior…?”

“What are you trying to do this morning, Miss Phionis? Are you harboring a grudge against me for rejecting your request yesterday and coming to disturb me?”

“Oh, no! It’s just that Senior Lelis pointed out that I lacked etiquette, so I wanted to have a proper conversation with Senior Lelis after mastering the basics!”

“…Wouldn’t it have been better to come a little more leisurely, Miss Phionis? You already look quite tired.”

“Oh, no! I’m not tired at all!”

“If I say I don’t want to talk today, will you come back tomorrow?”

“….”

“…Sigh.”

Yes, I lost. No matter how much I didn’t want to get involved, she stuck to me forcibly.

Anyway, once you’re caught up in it, you just have to quickly resolve it and get rid of it, even if you don’t know what the problem is.

“I’ll listen to what you have to say for now. I have about an hour to spare.”

“Thank you, Senior Lelis!”

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet. I’m just listening.”

“Understood, Senior Lelis!”

…Oh, I’m tired.

Where is this guy going and what is he doing without taking care of his own heroine?