Ch.115Summer Vacation Preparations (7)

I felt frustrated after losing.

But that feeling lasted only for a moment.

Seeing how happy they were made me feel better.

‘Now for what’s left.’

Ruide looked at the students who seemed quite shocked.

Self-doubt about their abilities.

Embarrassment, inferiority, various emotions were evident.

“Lift your heads. You all can do this too.”

After using the whip, it was time for the carrot.

“The individual skills of the Student Council members are undoubtedly above average, but if you ask whether they’re beyond your reach, the answer is no. It’s a level you can all attain.”

The students’ pupils trembled.

Ruide looked at each one of them.

There were some he liked, but also some whose image wasn’t particularly good.

But including all those children, he spoke with strong conviction.

“By the end of the break, all of you will be incomparably stronger than before. I’ll make it happen, and you just need to follow along.”

‘Better to keep things pleasant.’

Ruide disliked conflict.

The fact that he could do anything if he wanted to but just slept idly was probably due to that tendency.

He wished everyone could be happy.

Ruide spoke with that small wish in mind.

“That’s all for today’s class.”

I need to go home and sleep quickly.

I moved around too much today.

**

“Hehe, it’s been a while, Sherry. Didn’t you miss me?”

“…Please keep your distance, Lady Charlotte.”

“But I missed you!”

Ruide’s mansion was lively for the first time in a while.

The vast communal hall, which usually had a bleak atmosphere, finally reclaimed its original purpose.

A small banquet was being held.

While Windsor didn’t enjoy such cumbersome events, Charlotte, who loved to have fun, was the culprit.

She kept disappearing somewhere, and it turned out she was preparing all this.

“Charlotte. You must be rich.”

Ruide spoke while watching Charlotte thoroughly annoying Sherry.

Charlotte made a V-sign and proudly answered Ruide.

“Don’t underestimate the wealth of the Windsor Knights’ Vice-captain!”

“…Our knights’ salary must be incredible.”

Sensing an atmosphere that might lead to a salary cut, Charlotte hastily explained.

“Th-that’s not it, Rui. In the North, there’s not much to spend money on… As you know, our people provide everything free to the Windsor Knights?”

She was rambling quite a bit.

Of course, he had no intention of cutting her salary.

Charlotte was just fun to tease.

“Just kidding. Have fun.”

“Hmm. I knew that.”

Charlotte, with a flushed face, extended her hand to Ruide.

“What?”

“Come on, an escort from the Vice-captain is a rare opportunity!”

Ruide sighed and took Charlotte’s hand.

The banquet attendees were all welcome faces.

The Imperial Academy’s Student Council, Irina, and Gilbert.

“By the way, Rui. Who’s that person?”

“Irina. The former Imperial Princess.”

“Hmm. She has a warm impression. But I don’t remember inviting her. Did Ame recommend her? And who’s that next to her?”

Seeing Amelia’s exhausted face, it seemed she had been quite tormented by Irina.

Well, she was a princess and Damon’s sister, so she was certainly qualified to attend this banquet.

Gilbert also had his achievements today.

“Gilbert. Ame’s sister’s confidant. He’s smart.”

“They make a good pair with Amelia. And over there are Rui’s friends. The name was definitely Dai, Dai…”

“Damon.”

“Right, Damon! You said he’s your closest friend?”

“Yes.”

Charlotte smiled gently and stroked Ruide’s hair.

“I’m glad. It seems you’ve adapted well.”

She put her index finger to her lips and made a puzzled expression.

“But why was our captain so worried?”

“Sister Irene?”

Charlotte looked at Ruide for a moment, then nodded as if understanding.

“If I had such a brother, I wouldn’t want to let him out either.”

“……”

“Young master. The captain has been very lonely, so do something nice for her.”

Charlotte winked with a “You know what I mean?” expression.

Ruide arrived where everyone had gathered.

They were enjoying the banquet with good food and wine.

“For the young master, this.”

Charlotte handed him a glass of orange juice.

Receiving the glass, Ruide yawned and rubbed his eyes.

“Were you talking about me? I thought I heard my name.”

Irene asked with a gentle smile. Charlotte waved both hands.

“No, nothing at all.”

“…Fix that habit of using dialect when you’re flustered.”

“Ahem. I’m working on it.”

‘I’m at my limit now.’

Ruide felt his eyes getting heavier.

Though he desperately wanted to go to bed…

‘I want to stay awake a little longer.’

That’s how he felt.

Ruide decided to try and stay awake, looking around.

He saw curtains fluttering in the wind. He decided to go to the terrace to clear his head.

Sleep was something he could get anytime, but scenes like this weren’t common.

The cool air helped him wake up gradually.

While he was spacing out, Amelia’s voice carried through the early evening air.

“I didn’t know Hersy had talent for support as well.”

“Wow, she was amazing, wasn’t she? And at such a young age. Using beneficial magic itself is difficult, but applying it at the right time and place is even harder. It requires careful consideration.”

Since the terrace wasn’t far from the banquet hall, their conversation was as clear as if they were right beside him.

“Wind is stronger when combined with something else rather than being the main element.”

Hearing that conversation, something occurred to him.

‘In the original story, the reason Hersy lost to Justin was because she had no companions.’

The original Hersy was always alone.

Well, that’s because nobody liked her.

The same went for ‘Lazy Ruide.’

‘If I hadn’t appointed Damon as my stand-in, would he have ended his life as just an arrogant prince? I’ve changed quite a lot.’

In that sense, what he had done so far… wasn’t so bad.

Being fundamentally unemployed, he didn’t think he’d made the best choices.

But now that he was here, he felt he would probably do the same things if he went back.

Thud-

Hearing footsteps, he turned his head to see Damon on the terrace.

Ruide stared blankly at Damon.

He came to Ruide’s side and after a pause, said:

“I don’t usually like saying such awkward things, but-“

Damon extended his wine glass to Ruide.

Ruide clinked it with his orange juice glass.

Damon smiled slightly and said:

“I should thank you. I didn’t expect you to move so sincerely like this. Thanks to you, the Empire’s forces will be strengthened.”

That wasn’t all.

The Emperor’s foolish scheme could also be blocked by Ruide’s move.

Damon was genuinely grateful to Ruide.

With relaxed eyes, he said:

“So, from here on, let the Student Council take over.”

“Huh?”

“Well, I’d be happy if you continued to the end. But seeing your half-closed eyes, it seems you’re pushing yourself.”

That was true.

While Ruide’s enthusiasm was sky-high, this lazy body gets sleepy with just a little movement.

“And I’ve been thinking lately.”

Damon leaned against the terrace and looked at the moon.

“That the Empire is placing too much burden on a single family.”

“You acknowledge it?”

“Hmph, how could I not know? However…”

Damon’s eyes sank deeply.

“I didn’t know it was this bad. To think that a mere first-line defense mage has such skill. I could handle it without issue, but honestly, I can’t guarantee beyond that.”

Damon was an arrogant character.

But I didn’t expect him to be so self-aware.

With Damon’s skills, he could certainly handle a first-line defense mage.

But not beyond that.

‘As expected, the Emperor…’

“But don’t underestimate the Empire too much, Ruide. There are outstanding individuals. We’ll manage this situation with them somehow.”

It sounded like he was planning to invite external personnel.

Or perhaps he would give direct instructions himself.

Given Damon’s personality, he’d probably use both.

Ruide stared at Damon.

‘After all, this whole matter started with Damon’s request.’

He decided to respect Damon’s choice.

Ruide nodded.

“I’ll give you the plan Ella wrote.”

“Thank you.”

“Good luck.”

The sleepiness had somewhat subsided.

Ruide shuffled his feet and headed back to the banquet hall.

**

After the banquet.

Ruide entered his room. Irene was with him.

Irene was carefully examining Ruide’s small hands.

She was worried he might have injured himself.

“I told you, I’m not hurt.”

“Even with physical enhancement magic, it’s still a 12-year-old body bearing that power.”

After confirming there were no injuries, Irene smiled and stroked Ruide.

“You did something unfamiliar without mistakes. Well done.”

“…You sound like a mom.”

Ruide mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed, but he didn’t feel bad about it.

“But Rui doesn’t usually move around much. Your bones might be strained. Would you like to do some stretching?”

“I’m fine.”

Irene stroked Ruide’s cheek. She spoke in a gentle voice.

“Our Rui has grown up. Even talking back to his sister. I wonder how Ria educated you.”

There was an unspoken pressure from the smiling Irene.

In short, if he didn’t listen, she’d go after Amelia first.

-Why does sister always pick on me…!

Naturally, the familiar image of Amelia crying in a mess before Irene came to mind.

…Ruide had no choice but to surrender.

“Alright. I’ll do it. Just spare Ame.”

“I’ll watch you do it.”

Irene said it like a joke.

…It didn’t seem much like a joke.

“You know how, right?”

“Yes.”

In the North, stretching was essential for everyone, regardless of age or gender.

It was such a cold place, after all.

They often did it to loosen stiff bodies and improve blood circulation.

Of course, including ‘Lazy Ruide,’ he wouldn’t have done such things.

But he remembered it since he saw it every day.

‘This isn’t much different from modern times.’

Ruide stretched his legs and reached his hands toward his toes.

“……”

He just stayed in that position.

“…What are you doing?”

“…This is my limit.”

He was serious.

He couldn’t move even a millimeter.

Irene stood behind Ruide.

“I’ll push.”

“…Just a little.”

Irene gently pressed on Ruide’s shoulders.

Crack!

…A terrible bone sound that shouldn’t come from a 12-year-old child was heard.

“!”

Irene, who rarely showed changes in expression, couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.

How could there be a child with such stiff body?

Ruide collapsed sideways, holding his waist.

“Ru-Rui.”

Irene hurriedly grabbed Ruide’s body.

“zzz…”

Ruide was sound asleep.

It seems that after moving around so much today, he had reached his limit.

Irene breathed a sigh of relief and laid Ruide on the bed.

She lay down beside him and carefully covered him with a blanket.

Resting her chin on her hand, she gently patted Ruide’s stomach.

Irene lovingly gazed at Ruide for a long time, then said in a very small voice:

“Live doing whatever you want to do.”

“Whether it’s black mages, the Emperor, or even a god that gets in your way.”

“I’ll clear them all away for you.”