episode_0018

No matter what happens, time passes.

Whether I’m suffering from the suffocating air of the club or feeling stressed by someone approaching me for no apparent reason, time eventually passes.

As time passed so mercilessly, we were already in the second half of the first semester.

And that meant that testing season had arrived at the academy.

The students who were entering the exam season were so excited that it seemed like they were burning their bodies, and this heat was heating up the already hot academy even more.

The library, training center, lab, etc. were always crowded with students.

It was not uncommon to see even students who did not return to their dormitories by the stipulated time.

Basically, competition for grades at the academy is quite fierce.

It is known that a diploma from an academy is proof of ability in itself, and that it is something you don’t have to worry about making a living for the rest of your life.

This is a story that proves the status of the Academy, but it is also a story that proves how difficult it is to successfully graduate from the Academy.

In fact, there are a certain number of students who are expelled from the academy every year due to poor grades.

Even though they are also people who passed a rigorous entrance exam and came here.

Therefore, students have no choice but to work hard. In order to stay at the academy, in order to obtain a shining diploma.

Of course, not everyone simply moves for that reason.

Some people want to prove their abilities at the academy, where talented students from all over the continent gather, while others simply move their bodies with a desire to improve.

Anyway, because of the gathering of these people, the academy was hot during the exam period.

And now I was in a place where the heat was boiling: the library.

In a library filled with the sound of books turning and writing instruments grazing paper.

I quietly turn the pages of the book like everyone else.

However, my behavior was similar to others, and I was not putting as much effort into studying as they were.

To begin with, I’m not that interested in studying.

In order to receive scholarships and tuition support, you only need to maintain average grades, and that is possible without much effort.

That’s why I don’t even study for exams.

Why am I stuck in the library right now?

It wasn’t because I had a desire to improve or anything like that.

There is another reason.

A more clear and earnest reason is to skip club.

The current atmosphere of the Historical Research Society is extremely uncomfortable.

It’s not obvious on the outside, and even Senior Runia doesn’t seem to notice, but I feel it.

That awkward, awkward, and suffocating air is getting thicker.

I had endured it well so far, but now the desire to rest for a while suddenly arose, and I could not ignore the cry of my heart and chose to run away.

However, even though the Historical Research Club is a club with virtually no rules or regulations, leaving without any reason is bound to be noticed.

I had to prepare an excuse that anyone could understand.

That is why I am here now.

For students, the excuse of studying for exams is an invincible shield that can block anything.

With this, you won’t have to suffer from that stuffy air for a while.

With that thought in mind, I turned another page.

It was in the meantime.

I felt eyes on me.

Someone is watching me.

When I noticed that fact, I instinctively raised my head and looked in the direction where I felt the gaze.

I made eye contact with the person who was looking at me intently.

Obviously tall for a woman. A clearly visible red tie.

It is impossible to deny that she is a beautiful woman, but her face has a coldness that cannot be easily overlooked.

It was Estelle’s escort, Renee, whose name I only recently learned.

Our eyes met, and I quickly lowered my head.

He held his breath in that state, motionless, but his eyes fixed on me had no intention of leaving.

I waited for the gaze to disappear, hoping that I was hallucinating, but no matter how long I waited, the gaze did not disappear.

No, on the contrary, it went beyond that and the concentration of gaze began to become more intense. With a sign of popularity coming toward me.

Eventually, the figure reached right in front of me.

“Wade Heblon.”

“… … .”

Just as you might imagine by looking at the exterior, the voice is hard and cold.

Normally, that voice would not have caused me any special feelings, but today it created a huge ripple in my heart.

“You are looking for ”

The woman continued talking regardless of whether I answered or not.

It was a very brief statement, omitted and omitted, but I immediately understood what the woman was trying to say.

… No, in fact, I didn’t even need to hear it, I knew from the moment I noticed her presence.

For what purpose did she come here?

Would you rather jump out the window?

A fleeting impulse struck my head, but I couldn’t act on it.

I sighed inwardly and stood up.

“… Let’s go.”

***

One of the most gorgeous buildings inside the Academy.

The top floor there.

Reinberg Empire Student Council Room.

I stepped into a place that had nothing to do with me, and a familiar voice greeted me.

“You’re late.”

Of course, the owner of that voice was determined.

“I thought my neck was falling out.”

Estelle von Reinberg.

The one who would one day become a giant who would move the continent was waiting for me.

“Anyway, it’s surprising. You didn’t seem like someone who studied that hard.”

“… Because I’m a student too.”

Although it was annoying, I managed to pretend to be calm and answered.

“Hmm. That’s right… … . For now, sit down.”

I did as she said and sat across from her.

I don’t have the right to refuse right now.

“So, what did you call me for?”

There must be a good reason for calling me here on purpose.

I asked, looking into her eyes.

“Hahaha!”

But Estelle burst into laughter instead of answering.

… Why is he like this again?

He was looking at her with puzzled eyes.

“… Oh, I’m sorry about this.”

She soon stopped laughing and apologized to me with a face that didn’t show any regret.

I still couldn’t understand what was happening, but since it was the other person, I had no choice but to nod calmly.

“Yes, business.”

His unique purple eyes sparkled.

“Actually, there is no special business.”

“… Yes?”

… What does this mean?

I was so shocked that I immediately questioned it.

“It’s literally like that. There is no particular business. I just called you to see your face.”

“… … .”

I looked at Estelle with devastated eyes.

“Don’t make that face. If you ask me, it was you who caused it.”

“Yes?”

Me?

“Yes. Haven’t you been avoiding me by making absurd excuses?”

“… … .”

It rattled.

There was a creaking sound in my heart.

“… It might not be an excuse, but it could actually be preparation for the exam.”

“Well, that possibility is not out of the question. There is a low, but not impossible, chance that someone who entered the academy and never visited the library will suddenly come to his senses and focus his energy on studying.”

“… … .”

Cold sweat ran down my spine.

It seemed that Estelle had already finished investigating my background.

“There is no solid evidence to prove that it is false, so there is nothing I can do if you hold on to the end… … .”

Estelle smiled softly.

“Are you sure?”

“Sorry. It was an excuse.”

Basically, the sooner the recognition, the better.

I quickly admitted my defeat.

“Hahaha!”

When I immediately lowered my head, Estelle burst into laughter again.

… I can’t figure out the point of this woman’s smile.

“Yes. I’ll let you be generous this time.”

Estelle said with a truly satisfied face.

Then, a bright smile appeared on his face again.

“As expected, you are an interesting guy.”

“… … .”

I didn’t think it was meant in a particularly bad way, but honestly, I couldn’t be happier.

I couldn’t even guess why, and I wasn’t happy that she was interested in me.

Not sure how to react, I just kept silent and kept my eyes on the table.

How long has it been like that?

“Wade Heblon, don’t you want to become a nobleman?”

Estelle suddenly said something strange.

“… Yes?”

“I asked him if he wanted to become a nobleman.”

My ears aren’t so dark that I can’t hear what’s said to my face.

Nevertheless, the reason I questioned it was because I heard something so unexpected.

“You are an interesting guy, so if you want, I will especially make you a noble. How do you feel?”

“… … .”

“Which title do you like? I will give you the count, the marquis, and the duke if you want.”

It only sounds absurd, but if the speaker is Estelle, it is no longer absurd.

She has the power to turn those absurd words into reality.

Because she is the one who will become the next Emperor of Reinberg.

Moreover, Reinberg’s imperial authority is currently extremely powerful.

After she becomes emperor, it will be possible to turn a commoner into an empire’s prime minister overnight.

A proposal made by the most powerful person on the continent, no one would be able to help but be moved.

However.

“No. I’m not very interested.”

That didn’t apply to me.

Because I honestly want to avoid becoming Estelle’s subject.

… Well, even if the person making the suggestion wasn’t Estelle, the result wouldn’t have changed.

Because I have no desire to become a nobleman or enjoy wealth and glory.

“… Hmm. I see.”

Estelle looked at me blankly and then nodded.

Somehow, it was a cleaner response than I expected.

At least I didn’t feel any regret.

“Then can I just leave? It’s getting late.”

As the time was slowly approaching, I used that as an excuse to get up.

“Sure.”

Estelle happily saw me off, and I left the student council room.

***

Wade leaves and the two of them are left alone in the student council room.

“… Do you like the author that much?”

As the conversation disappeared and there was only silence, the escort driver asked his master.

It was rare for a female knight to ask a question like this.

Because she was always quiet and never questioned her master’s actions.

But this time, even she found it difficult to hold back her doubts.

Because her owner made an unconventional offer to the man?

No, that wasn’t the reason.

Such a suggestion was not strange, considering the owner’s temperament.

There was another reason why she couldn’t hold back the question.

It’s the owner’s expression.

Estelle was looking at the door that Wade had closed and left with an expression of interest and even a smile on her lips.

The female knight saw that expression and realized that her master was deeply interested in the man.

“Hmm, well… … . I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say I like it.”

In response to the escort’s question, Estelle finally took her eyes off the door.

But the smile that emerged was not erased.

“I just think it’s fun.”

“… What do you find so interesting about that guy?”

Renee didn’t really understand that.

As rumored, he is an unusual man, but he is not special.

Ability is rude and arrogant on ordinary subjects.

It didn’t seem like something the owner would be interested in at all.

The answer to the article’s question came back right away.

“You know that when you see it.”

Estelle smiled brightly.

“Who else but that guy could be so shameless in front of me?”

Most people are afraid of her.

Most people are unable to make eye contact, and even those who appear to act resolutely are only hiding fear behind their eyes.

It was natural to react that way if you knew who she was and the rumors that were always going around about her.

However, the man, Wade, was different.

He clearly expresses his opinion in front of her, even though he is just a commoner with no background.

Usually, I can’t even make a sound for fear of sparks flying out.

From the first time we met, the man was already different from others.

Of course, Wade also dislikes her.

In fact, just this time, I made excuses and avoided her.

However, his actions did not seem to result from fear.

Rather than that… okay.

‘bother.’

It seemed as if he was reluctant to get involved with her to avoid trouble.

There was no trace of fear for her in his eyes.

That fact piqued her interest.

and.

“Lack of interest. That was sincere.”

If any human being holds gold in front of their eyes, their eyes will change.

Even if you are afraid of her, when gold and silver treasures unfold before your eyes, you push away your fear and reveal your greed.

Just like that, desire drives people crazy.

However, a man named Wade Heblon missed even that.

It wasn’t a rejection with ulterior motives.

There was no wavering or dirt in Wade’s eyes as he rejected her offer.

That, and the result, further fueled the fire of interest in Wade.

If he had accepted the offer, he would have been given a suitable title. The person who will rule the empire cannot use words lightly.

But at the same time, interest in the man must have cooled.

“Of course, he’s a fun guy.”

The corners of Estelle’s mouth drew a dark line.