Ch.88. Victory Banquet (3)

“No. He’s a noble, after all.”

Regardless of what others think of Renias, it’s right to be cautious at first.

Nobles who enter the academy after greatly enhancing their magical indicators through advanced studies tend to look down on those in the lower classes.

In other words, what could be the purpose of this wealthy family’s daughter—who looks aristocratic to the bone—coming to see me?

She might be here to flaunt her status, class, or position and put me down as a vanguard in E-class, let alone being a commoner.

But then…

“Are you Junon, the second-year senior?”

“I am… Have you been looking for me?”

“Of course! I’m your partner for the end-of-term evaluation. I wanted to come say hello.”

That doesn’t sound like she’s looking down on me.

…Is she really just one of those normal people who came to greet her actual partner?

“I’m Renias, one year below you. I look forward to working with you.”

Seeing her polite greeting, I wonder if she’s really a noble.

I’ve seen plenty of people at Levrant, but this kind of warm reception feels completely unfamiliar.

Well, it could be an act convincing enough to fool me.

“What do you want?”

“Huh? What do I want?”

“Surely you didn’t come just to exchange pleasantries, but for some other purpose?”

In reality, when E-class or D-class students or vanguards are assigned as partners for joint training, they often face mistreatment and harassment.

Those who express dissatisfaction with their teams or pairs are always nobles.

Conversely, when designated as sparring partners, they often come to establish dominance with sneers, or their purpose is to pick fights or cause harm.

As expected, I thought she must be hiding her true intentions. But…

“Um… we’re just school seniors and juniors. Is it strange to come greet my pair partner…?”

My jaw dropped at her attitude, which showed not a trace of malice.

I thought I’d rarely meet normal people in my life except for a select few like Michelle and Senia… but is she for real?

“And since I’m a year below you, you can speak casually to me, senior. I’d feel more comfortable that way too.”

It was all my prejudice.

…They say if you only see bad things, you’ll only think bad thoughts. That’s exactly what I was doing.

She’s genuine. There’s no point denying it, and since she’s not related to Tembris, there’s no reason to be more cautious.

Comparing her purity and innocence to those lowlifes’ daily behavior would be disrespectful.

That said, there’s still an issue.

“Since you said casual speech is more comfortable, I’ll do that. But what if I end up holding you back during the end-of-term evaluation?”

This is the real issue.

Unlike magical beasts, humans have intelligence to join forces and put their heads together to overcome difficult challenges.

When facing magical beasts, established rules naturally apply. Everyone has a suitable position, and team synergy is maximized when each role is performed smoothly.

Everyone knows that a team is basically composed of six positions, which is the most efficient arrangement.

However, Renias is someone who deviates from this obvious rule.

Before my regression, if Tembris was holding up Levrant Academy’s crumbling pillar, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Arcab Party bought time to prevent the pillar from collapsing.

Ronellion, Renias.

The Arcab Party consists of just those two. It’s not that they can’t fulfill their roles.

It means they work so well together and cover for each other so effectively that they don’t need the minimum of six people to create synergy across all positions.

In other words, it’s fair to say she’s an exceptional figure at Levrant Academy, comparable to those who made history in the past.

Moreover, what is the battlefield like?

It’s a place where academy students taste frustration and fear, trembling at the brink of death, a land where storms of pressure rage, where even those who have been to countless battlefields cannot afford to let their guard down.

One mistake could cost you your life or even endanger your comrades’ lives.

That’s why Renias is inevitably an object of admiration and aspiration for both students and faculty.

After all, she has proven with her delicate frame that she is strong enough to maintain composure and condition, and to inspire morale in others.

Whatever the case, I thought she would understand when I said my level is too low to match hers.

But that wasn’t quite the case.

“Come on, isn’t that why they created two-person pairs? Besides, blaming others for that kind of thing is useless.”

Her tremendous positive energy made my anxiety melt away like snow.

“If you’re really worried, would you like to practice together beforehand? We don’t have much time, but… I think we can adjust our lecture schedules.”

“No… it’s fine, please don’t… you’re making me feel guilty…”

“Ahaha! Anyway, I look forward to working with you as partners for this end-of-term evaluation.”

I responded to Renias’s handshake, saying I looked forward to working with her too.

‘Renias probably doesn’t know either.’

There are occasionally normal people like her, but most don’t know what kind of treatment lower-class students receive.

Michelle would be a typical example.

Although it hasn’t happened yet, when I was defeated by Silvia and Michelle witnessed it, she helped me up.

When Michelle asked what had happened and I told her about the treatment I’d been receiving, she trembled with rage.

Though Michelle is also a noble, she apologized profusely, saying she had no idea such things were happening.

I expect Renias would react the same way.

And if there were any troublemakers around, she would deliver justice just as Michelle put Silvia in her place.

So I can’t help but have an unlikely hope.

‘It would be great if she could be at the entrance to the banquet hall.’

You know, those people who exist in the realm of absolute goodness.

People who always exude positive influence and would rush to stop any wrongdoing. That’s exactly who she is.

If someone like her could just witness what happens at the entrance to the victory banquet, it would be easy to…

Wait, would she notice?

Come to think of it, isn’t Renias one of the main figures at the victory banquet?

This fact suddenly dawned on me, and my eyes widened.

“Uh… s-senior?”

“Will you be attending the victory banquet?”

“What? Yes, I will be attending. But, um… senior…”

She’s stammering and seems troubled. What’s wrong? She said she’s attending the banquet, so what’s the problem?

The black eyes of the flustered girl glance downward.

“Oh.”

Without realizing it, I had grabbed Renias’s hand.

I thought about excusing it as a handshake, but who shakes hands with both hands while getting in someone’s face and only talking about what they want?

It’s certainly rude enough to warrant anger, but Renias didn’t get angry this time either.

“You were so cautious earlier, but suddenly grabbed my hand—it startled me. Haha!”

Is she just an angel descended from heaven?

How can someone be this kind?

“Anyway, why ask about the banquet? Is something different about this one?”

“Well…”

It’s difficult to speak frankly. The content is too uncomfortable to state honestly.

Essentially, I’m trying to take advantage of Renias’s attendance at the banquet…

I hesitated, wondering if this was morally right, but there wouldn’t be a better opportunity.

“It’s nothing special. Let’s just meet briefly at the entrance that evening. We can talk about the end-of-term evaluation too.”

“Hmm… you seem too busy to talk about it today?”

“Well… that’s right.”

Even now, I’ve just escaped from Senia.

I can’t guarantee with 100% certainty that the inferior students will go berserk, but I can’t deny the high probability of an incident.

Even if Silvia can’t act as a gatekeeper at the entrance, it’s too obvious that the noble alliance will appoint someone else in her place.

Anyway, I desperately needed someone who could handle the situation before it erupted, and I found the perfect person.

Renias. My pair partner for this end-of-term evaluation.

Although I’m trying to make her notice the situation before the nobles accelerate their discrimination based on class divisions, I have no choice.

“But if I don’t show up before the banquet ends, don’t wait for me—just go in.”

I don’t plan to meet Renias at the banquet entrance if possible.

***

Renias asked why her partner might not be able to attend the banquet.

I briefly explained that there was a good reason, and Renias accepted it without pressing further.

“Hmm… alright. But whether you come or not, you have to grant me one favor, okay?”

Junon nodded readily, thinking Renias wouldn’t make any troublesome request.

They parted with promises to see each other later.

Humming a tune as she headed back to the dormitory, Renias paused and glanced back slightly.

The second-year senior with black hair and striking black eyes was walking toward Mizar Hall.

Watching Junon’s retreating figure, she murmured in a voice too quiet to be heard:

“He doesn’t seem as bad as the rumors say.”