Ch.141141. Evidence (4)

“Wow…”

“Is that a person or a doll? I can’t tell.”

“Unni, you’re beautiful!”

“What? You’re a third-year, why are you calling an underclassman ‘unni’?”

“If she’s prettier and curvier than me, she’s unni!!”

This is excessive.

“I can die without regrets… I’ve seen a goddess…”

“Hey, hey! This guy collapsed! Call an ambulance quickly!”

“What did you even do to need an ambulan… Huh? Oh, no… My goodness… Oh…”

“Huh? Hey! What are you doing collapsing too? Seriously! Someone help over here!”

“Hmm. Collapsing after seeing that. Understandable.”

“Don’t just understand, help me!!”

This is excessive.

“That person… is our senior? I don’t think I could even approach someone like her…”

“They say there’s no helping it with Senior Lenias. Let’s go to someone else…”

Really, this is way too much!

“I’d have no regrets if I could just talk to her once…”

“Me too…”

“She waved at me briefly earlier! How about that! Hahaha!”

“Damn, you lucky bastard!!!”

“Should we gouge out this guy’s eyeballs so he can’t remember what he saw?”

It’s excessively over the top!

‘Why, why…?’

Lenias had been so tense from all the nagging about her outfit and accessories that she hadn’t noticed until now.

She couldn’t understand why the maids had seemingly conspired to dress her up like this.

Thanks to their efforts, from the moment she stepped into the banquet hall, she had not just stolen glances but fixed them on herself, turning her into a rabbit surrounded by predators.

“Ugh… this is draining…”

While being the center of attention at an event might be pleasant for some, Lenias didn’t particularly favor this situation.

The longer she stayed, the more her energy drained away, and the pressure mounted like a growing mountain.

‘I should watch for my chance and leave quickly. Ugh… why did they dress me up like this!’

As always, Lenias was planning to escape.

But who wouldn’t be captivated by a woman dressed so elegantly?

Men’s hearts are like bees drawn to a brilliant flower. It’s only natural to be enchanted by a beautiful woman, especially one so meticulously adorned.

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Lenias. I am … of the … Viscounty.”

“Ah, yes, yes… nice to meet you…”

I’m sorry, but I’m not actually pleased to meet you…!

She was so focused on finding a way to escape that she heard the word “viscount” but missed both the family name and the man’s name.

Knowing it would be rude to just leave, she was stuck. Taking advantage of the situation, the man approached Lenias and began rambling about where he had been during the recent subjugation mission, or how he had watched her gloriously eliminating Devourers.

Not that any of it was actually reaching her ears.

“Um… ahem. I hear there will be a ball here shortly. What do you think?”

“What do I… think?”

“About dancing, I mean. Since you don’t seem to have come with anyone, you’ll need a partner, won’t you?”

Dancing? A ball? Partner!

In Lenias’s mind, the judgment that she needed to leave immediately took top priority.

‘An excuse… an excuse… what can I use? Please come to me…’

While the flustered girl was desperately thinking, not just the expectant nobleman but other people began to gather around her.

“What are you—whoa!”

“Hello, I am … of …!”

“Wouldn’t I make a suitable gentleman for such a lady?!”

“You seem to be without a partner. May I request one dance? I’m better than these riffraff…”

“What?! Don’t be ridiculous! I was here first!”

“Know your place, you vulgar fools…! A lady deserves a proper gentleman!”

“What nonsense! The chosen one gets the prize!”

“Ah… um… well…”

People were suddenly crowding around Lenias.

Everyone fantasizes about getting close to Lenias, the jewel of the Academy.

Even getting slightly closer to her would translate to superiority, something to boast about.

Just imagine dating such a beauty. How could anyone not fantasize about it?

That’s why there were always people spreading rumors or harboring ulterior motives, constantly looking for opportunities to approach her, but today was particularly bad.

After all, today Lenias was dressed more spectacularly than ever and had brought a box containing a gift for someone.

Whoever received that gift, which she had entrusted to an attendant, would be the chosen one and essentially the winner.

However, with so many people rushing toward her with even greater fervor, Lenias’s planned escape had to be accelerated.

“I-I already have a partner. I’m sorry!!”

The voices of men calling her name echoed behind her, but she left the banquet hall without looking back.

“Haah… I survived…”

Even the time it took to exit while holding her dress hem felt excruciatingly long.

It felt like people’s gazes were piercing every part of her body. Despite having received such attention countless times, she never got used to it.

“Of course, it can’t be helped, right…?”

Appearance, family background, magical talent.

With all these dazzling qualities, everyone reacted the same way when they saw her.

That’s why she always wore a mask.

She responded like everyone else, reflecting the face they wanted to see, habitually repeating the same actions.

Even though she knew it was a blatant lie, she had no choice.

As a child, tarnishing her parents’ reputation was something she absolutely must not do.

Dong- Dong-

‘What bell is that…?’

There shouldn’t be any bell ringing at this time.

This bell, which normally rings on schedule during the banquet, might be someone’s mistake.

Someone must have made a mistake, Lenias thought with a small laugh.

As she was about to put her mask back on, someone entered her field of vision.

“Senior Junon?”

***

How many minutes had he been standing here?

He had come because he was told to, but… he was reluctant to enter.

As always, he chose the easier path.

“…I can’t do this after all.”

Why should he voluntarily subject himself to abuse?

While those who had participated in the subjugation mission were enjoying the atmosphere, having an eyesore like him appear would just be asking for trouble. What reason did he have to enter?

With that thought, he resolved to turn around.

The only issue was the news that Lenias was waiting for him.

Whatever reason she had for waiting, he could apologize later when they met, and his kind junior would surely forgive him with her generous nature.

So he turned to leave.

“Senior, where are you going?”

Hmm… he seemed to be getting used to this voice…

That must be his imagination, right? The person saying “senior” didn’t specify a name, so it couldn’t be…

“Senior Junon. Are you going to keep pretending you don’t know me?”

The moment he thought it might be her, the subject became clear. No way.

He felt a piercing gaze on the back of his head, and light footsteps gradually approached.

Now he was getting a premonition…!

If he showed any hint of not wanting to enter the banquet hall to Lenias, she would surely grab his arm with a mischievous smile.

…What should he do? He wished someone would tell him what excuse to make.

As he searched for a reason to escape with the desperation of a drowning man clutching at straws, Lenias arrived beside him.

“…?”

But when he saw her appearance, his mouth naturally fell open, and he couldn’t speak.

Now he understood why the phrase “attention-grabbing” existed.

‘I never realized… she was this beautiful?’

He had always thought she was as pretty as the rumors suggested, but his junior’s properly dressed-up appearance was nothing like the rabbit he always saw in the training room.

This was like… a pure white… descended from heaven…

“Senior?”

As if he had been momentarily entranced, he suddenly snapped back to reality.

“Oh, oh! What did you say?”

“I haven’t said anything yet. More importantly, why did you try to run away when you heard my voice? Hmph.”

“S-sorry. I just had a lot on my mind.”

“Hmmmm… really?”

“R-really.”

Seeing her like this, anyone without thoughts would have to be a living Buddha… but let’s set that aside.

Right now, he needed to come up with an excuse to avoid being dragged into the banquet hall.

“I’ll believe you. But Senior, the banquet hall is right there, so why were you turning back?”

“Ah, well… you see…”

Banquet hall… banquet hall… a plausible reason why I shouldn’t enter the banquet hall…

Oh, that’s it!

“It’s because of how I’m dressed. I don’t think it’s appropriate to enter dressed like this, you know?”

Lenias glanced at her own outfit and then replied with a sigh.

“Ah… don’t worry about my outfit. The maids just went all out today, so you don’t need to mind. I’m the strange one here—not everyone is dressed so formally.”

That’s just telling me I can enter comfortably…!

If I agree here, I’ll definitely end up in the banquet hall. I need to change the subject immediately!

What else… what else could there be…? Ah!

“By the way, I heard from Jon and Noel that you wanted to see me about something. What was it?”

“Huh? I never said that.”

“…What?”

“I was worried because you were in the isolated unit, but I didn’t want to disturb your rest, so I was planning to meet you later… After hearing you were fine, I was going to suggest meeting at the training room once you’d fully recovered.”

Finding this strange, I asked Lenias more questions, and she said she hadn’t even told anyone else she would be attending the banquet.

Come to think of it, there’s no reason why Lenias would suddenly want to meet me…?

In other words, I’ve been tricked.

Jon, Noel… you guys… I’ll deal with you later.

So to summarize, I’m free to go now! No one is waiting for me, so I just need to exchange a few words and leave.

“Miss Lenias is waiting for you. Please go over there!”

“Where’s the guy who was in line? I came out first!”

“I was first to begin with!”

“Forget that—whoever finds her and confesses first wins, right?”

But as people started coming out of the banquet hall, things suddenly got noisy.

I absolutely did not want to show my face to that crowd, nor did I want to invite abuse.

So I immediately planned to leave.

“Lenias, I should get going…”

“Eek…! S-Senior!”

What now? I was about to escape when she suddenly hid behind me.

I had an ominous feeling—besides me, Lenias was the only one who had left the banquet hall.

So those people were…?

“It must have been you who troubled her! Miss Lenias!!”

“Oh! There she is!”

“I’m first!!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m first!”

No matter how well she hides, that dress is so eye-catching—how could anyone miss that color even at night!!

No way, damn it!

I thought it might be the case, but those people came out looking for Lenias!!

Panicking, I carefully tried to remove Lenias’s hand. But our junior seemed to be holding on like a lifeline with no intention of letting go.

“Um… Lenias? Could you let go…?”

“W-why…? Don’t tell me you’re not going to help me…?”

“I keep a pretty regular schedule, you know. Mmm, so I should already be resting at this hour! You… understand what I mean, right?”

“Senior! A proper senior should help their junior in trouble! How can you make such cold excuses and try to run away?!”

“You knew I was trying to run away? Then please let go…! I’ll lower the intensity in the training room! That would be good, right?”

“You don’t need to do that… No, I’ll handle the usual intensity next time too…! Just please help me now!!”

This is maddening. What exactly do you want me to help with, Lenias…!

Once I realized Lenias was their target, it wasn’t about whether I’d get abused anymore.

The problem was that those people rushing toward us with fire in their eyes seemed to be grinding their teeth!

“Who is that man…? Was he always there?”

“No way! How dare he try to get ahead… How do we get rid of him?”

“Blocking Miss Lenias’s path! Step aside immediately!”

Hey, anyone watching would think I’m the one not letting go! She’s the one holding onto me!!

My head is spinning.

As the distance closed, my face would become visible soon. I had no choice. Sorry Lenias, but I’d have to break free by force…

“Th-this person is my partner!”

I was about to do it when… What????? Partner??????

I glared at Lenias as if she’d said something completely absurd.

“I-I told you, didn’t I? Senior Junon is my dance partner for this banquet…!”

Hearing the words “dance partner,” I froze on the spot.

***

Lenias had also been trying to figure out how to escape.

But after meeting Junon and talking with him, people had started pursuing her.

Lenias came up with a brilliant response:

“Th-this person is my partner!”

Those people ultimately wanted to be her dance partner. So if that position was already filled…

“I-I told you, didn’t I? Senior Junon is my dance partner for this banquet…!”

Once a specific person was designated, others would typically give up.

‘Even I think this is brilliant!’

This should be enough to keep others from approaching.

A dance partner with the person who made the greatest contribution in the recent subjugation mission—as long as her senior didn’t leave, no one else would dare approach!

But… as soon as she said those words, Lenias saw Junon’s face freeze like stone.

Once again, she felt certain she could tease her senior a bit more.