episode_0055

Sigh, he just came to say his piece and then vanished without a trace.

“Son of a b*tch…”

Truly, a man like a literal typhoon.

Just earlier, he seemed incredibly defenseless, but the pressure emanating from the magic flowing through his entire being made it seem impossible to overcome.

If I had attacked in that situation, I might have ended up on the receiving end instead.

That’s how flawless and immensely powerful he is. Facing him now, I’d lose.

Fortunately, being in this academy means he probably won’t bother me or the others, but judging by what he said earlier, there’s no room for relaxation.

“By the way, a scandal, huh? Well, at least I managed to break away from the family.”

My first goal has been achieved.

Escaping from the family.

It may not have been in the way I wanted, but since I’ve achieved my goal, I should be happy about it.

But now, am I no longer Flame?

Well, it doesn’t really matter.

Having a family was meaningless with a tarnished reputation and minimal support.

The only issue is that I couldn’t work for four days due to being knocked out.

I wonder if news reached Father.

But if they decide to cut off all support for me…

What about my dorm room now?

Judging by what that bastard Jeron said, he probably won’t just leave it be.

If it’s Jeron, he might be disposing of my dorm room.

Phew, thank goodness Shadi is with Elisha.

Things almost got messy again for no reason.

So now, with no money, no home, exiled from the family…

All that’s left is this useless body of mine.

“..Starting from scratch, huh.”

It’s fine. I expected some of this.

Anyway, I was planning to leave the dorm soon anyway.

The dormitory is nice in terms of facilities and other aspects, but when you think about the monthly coin expenses…

So, I packed my things to move to the club room, putting my uniform and other items in the inventory to avoid trouble.

If I hadn’t done that, things could have gone really wrong.

“Sigh..”

In any case.

As I ponder the dark future that lay ahead when I first possessed Bern’s body, the closed door of the hospital room began to creak open.

Outside the open door stood several individuals with various hair colors, each with distinct personalities reflected in their hair.

As the door swung wide open, a girl with silver hair approached me.

“Bern…! Are you okay? What did you talk about with Dad?”

“That’s…”

While answering Elisha, Ellen with pink hair came up to me and asked, “B-Bern…! Your father had a really scary expression… What happened? Did you fight with him…?”

Father? The wording seems odd somehow.

Regardless, that Jeron.

What kind of expression was he wearing to make these guys so anxious?

I tried to explain the situation to calm them down, but suddenly, Ellen pointed at my right hand and exclaimed, “Oh, Bern…! There’s blood on your right hand…!”

“My hand?”

To check, I raised my right hand wrapped in bandages.

Perhaps from grabbing the collar earlier, a wound had opened up.

The white bandage around my hand was soaked with blood, turning a deep red.

As I lifted my hand, the bandage started to darken even more.

At that moment, Lucy, who was nearby, urgently spoke up, “I’ll call a nurse…! Looks like the wound has reopened!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Lucy rushed outside to call a nurse.

It suddenly became chaotic.

I don’t know what that Jeron did, but he sure knows how to tire people out.

Silvia had been silently watching me since earlier, while the trio of men maintained silence, observing the situation.

I used my left index finger and thumb to flick my fingers, creating a sound.

– Snap!

Though not particularly loud, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at me.

To calm down the agitated bunch, I began speaking.

“Everyone, stop fussing and calm down. It’s too chaotic.”

“Bern…”

“”….””

Hmm, finger snap. Quite effective.

Anyway.

To calm the current situation, explaining what it is first is necessary.

For that, it’s best to convey meaning as briefly and concisely as possible.

So, I took a deep breath and spoke to them.

“Everyone, there’s no need to worry. Nothing happened with the Ga family.”

Yes, deflecting is the best move in times like this.

Explanation of the situation? Conveying meaning? Pointless.

Just saying nothing happened is the best choice.

However, Elisha didn’t seem to believe me.

“Bern, do you always avoid eye contact when lying? What are you hiding from us?”

Avoid eye contact? Did I have such a habit?

Anyway.

“No, really, nothing happened.”

“”….””

“….”

Damn, can’t just let this slide.

No choice. In situations like this, speak as vaguely as possible.

“..Got kicked out of the house. They said not to come back until I fix my stubbornness. That’s all.”

“W-what..?”

Upon hearing me, Elisha looked at me in disbelief.

“W-what…? You got kicked out of the house?!”

And Ellen seemed quite shocked upon hearing my words.

Her face showed a mix of emotions.

“Hey, you…”

Silvia seemed like she wanted to say something to me.

But instead, she bit her lip slightly and fell silent.

And maybe it was the mood, but on her face, there was a faint hint of confusion and worry.

“Oh, we’ve stumbled upon something we shouldn’t have heard.”

Lloyd sighed deeply, touching his forehead.

“T-this seems like a really, really worrying matter…?”

Ron looked at me with concern.

“….”

Ian just stared at me, maintaining silence.

“Everyone, it’s nothing serious. No need to worry too much.”

“Bern, just one thing I want to ask.”

“What is it, Elisha?”

“Just asking to be sure. Is it really just getting kicked out of the house? If not, then… anyway, tell me straight. Don’t try to brush it off.”

This…

I tried to gloss over it a bit, but it seems it won’t be easy to move on.

Even though Lucy wasn’t here, they all looked at me with eyes that demanded an explanation.

So, in the end, I had to tell them.

“I am no longer a member of the Flame family.”

“Bern..”

“Gasp..”

“….”

“This is…”

“Oh, this seems like more than just a simple disagreement..? W-what in the world…”

As Ron finished speaking, everyone remained silent in the uncomfortable atmosphere.

Ian, who had been silent until now with his black hair, finally opened his tightly shut mouth.

“Bern, is there something going on? Something you can’t tell us.”

Yes, I can’t tell them everything.

If they find out about the family and Jeylon, they can never go back to how things were before.

It would expose them to danger.

Elisha almost got hurt badly, and not long ago, Lucy almost faced a terrible fate.

So, I can’t tell them more.

Earlier, Elisha was trembling while looking at Jeylon.

It was a very slight tremor, but enough for me to notice.

Jerone probably noticed it.

Knowing that Jerone has joined hands with Requiem, he probably thought he was pretending not to know anything.

Even if Elisha makes a mistake, there’s no guarantee that others won’t notice it even if it doesn’t show on the surface.

So, I can’t tell them even though I want to.

Because I don’t want these guys to be in danger.

Even when facing Shadi, even when facing Naidus.

It was just luck that things went smoothly.

I am weak, a person who can’t even properly protect my own body.

As such, it is impossible for me to protect all of them.

If Naidus had been in good shape at that time.

I might not have been able to protect Lucy.

If I hadn’t pierced Shadi’s side at that time.

I really don’t want to imagine what would have happened to Elisha.

I am weak, too weak to protect anyone.

That’s why all I can say is this.

Sometimes, not knowing is said to be bliss.

Now, stopping here without discussing further might be better for both these guys and me.

Therefore, I have nothing more to say.

Because of that, I can’t help but wonder how these guys will perceive me, but it can’t be helped.

The path I must walk is a dark thorny road.

These guys are the ones who will walk the shining royal road.

With a bad reputation, no money, and poor character.

I have even lost my family and its name.

Moreover, I have faced repercussions.

One might think I brought it upon myself.

Recently, I have built friendships with them, but…

It’s unlikely that a disgraced noble’s son would hold so much affection towards you.

So, even if they distance themselves from me, I can understand.

I will not provide any explanation about the repercussions, as I cannot explain.

Therefore, judgment is solely up to them.

I just have to accept the outcome.

Thus, I remain silent.

Ian, the protagonist of this world, began to speak.

“I don’t know what you did in the past. But, I know you’re not a bad person enough to deserve repercussions. Of course, it’s just my intuition.”

As Ian finished speaking, others started to chime in.

First, the muscular Gue Lloyd.

“I agree. You’re a good guy, Bern. But facing repercussions… Comrade, I believe in you. Someone who saved our lives wouldn’t be a bad person.”

Second, the slightly timid and shaky Ron.

“S-Suddenly, f-facing repercussions… For p-political reasons…? A-Anyway, I don’t think you’re a bad person enough to face repercussions…”

The pink-haired, cute, refreshing Ellen, who brings freshness to those around her.

“Bern…! It’s okay. We, no, we believe in you..! Bern, something… something must be wrong with you facing repercussions… So, maybe… talking to your father again…!!”

The always grumpy and complaining Silia.

“Hey, you… Are you… okay..? Hmph, you don’t seem like the kind of trash from the family who would face repercussions. Anyway, this is your business. Either handle it well or don’t!”

And Elisha, who knows my circumstances, understands and believes in me.

“Bern, I’m always on your side. And… you’ll have to pay for the dorm soon… You don’t have much money… So… um, if you’re short on coins for the dorm. Until you get the money, would you like to stay in my… room together..?”

Wait, what?

Stay together? Two grown men and a woman?

No, three?

Even though I’m broke, that doesn’t seem right…

But did I mention to Elisha that I have to pay for the dorm soon?

I never mentioned removing the room.. How did you know?

Anyway, we haven’t spent that much time together.

We don’t know each other that well.

Everyone here worries about me and believes in me.

I can’t say anything to these guys.

Yet, they…

“You guys…”

I was about to say more, but because of the person who appeared outside the ward, I couldn’t continue.

“Be, Bern Flame…! Nurse, I called the nurse! First, your hand…! Uh, what..? What happened to everyone…? Why is the atmosphere like this?”

With her appearance, the heavy atmosphere began to dissipate.

Showing up only after everything’s over, what a funny girl.

I responded to her as bluntly as usual.

“Nothing happened.”

“What, what..? What do you mean..? What’s going on…?”

Upon hearing her words, amidst the momentarily relaxed atmosphere.

Laughter slowly started to be heard.

The rain that suddenly poured down from the clear sky began to stop.