Chapter 50 : Such useless nonsense!

Isabelle was still chattering and glaring at me. Even pointing her finger insolently.

Does she forget that although everyone is equal within the academy, in four years, we return to society? Though she is an elf, supposedly.

Ah, this world truly is a beautiful place.

Democracy? Screw that. As long as you have power, there’s no better world than a status-based society. Long live fantasy.

“I don’t know what happened there, but she keeps groaning and moaning in her sleep every dawn as if she’s having nightmares…”

[Stop, please stop, Isabelle!]

Teperi, half-sobbing, tried to cover the elf’s mouth, but the aggressive words kept coming out.

I can’t listen to this. It’s regrettable if she developed insomnia, but unfortunately, that’s not my fault. And come to think of it, I suffered the

most!

I was about to give a half-hearted reply and shoo her away, but suddenly changed my mind. If I don’t show something definitive here, she’ll

keep bothering me in the future.

“You seem to be mistaken about something.”

I abruptly pulled Teperi’s body towards me, grabbing both her arms from behind. Her wrists were thin enough to be grasped with one hand.

Since we were both wearing uniforms, our figures would likely appear merged into one from a distance.

“We’re much closer than you think, you know?”

As if performing a puppet show, I moved Teperi’s body like a toy, waving her hand. Every time I moved my arm, Teperi’s arm moved too.

If there had been a height difference like with Amiter, I would have pressed her crown with my chin, but since that didn’t work well, I had to

settle for resting my chin on her collarbone.

“Right, Teperi?”

With a mischievous smile, I whispered softly into Teperi’s ear. Her ear was right next to my lips.

Seeing us so close, the elf’s ears fluttered and turned red.

“\You shameless…!”

Isabelle stuttered, stumbled back, and quickly disappeared behind me. Who’s the villain now?

Shameless, huh. Such a stiff-mannered, musty-smelling word, typical of an elf. It was the first time I’d actually seen someone use it.

Come to think of it, the posture of me hugging a girl from behind was indeed correct. Since I was holding both her arms, it could even look

like I was holding her forcibly if seen incorrectly.

It really is literally shameless. I was just thinking of a pose like an uncle playing with his niece.

I let go of Teperi’s arms and asked.

“Did you really develop insomnia?”

Teperi answered by shaking her head ‘no’. Her face looked somewhat dazed. That was exactly the expression I had when I had a fever from a

cold.

Anyway, since she said no, the conversation gradually shifted to another topic.

“Good timing. I had something to ask you.”

[Something to ask?]

“Yeah. You said you’d met him once before, right? What kind of person is Fontego?”

In the carriage heading to the Black Forest, when I asked about the person she liked, she had answered that she had met him once before.

Rather than judging someone based solely on what I read in the novel, it would be better to hear from someone who has met him at least

once.

I also skimmed through the parts featuring Fontego because he was a male character. Teperi tapped her temple for a moment, thinking.

[Fontego is a good person… I guess. Manly, good grades… But why are you suddenly asking?]

“Ah, it’s nothing much. I just have to meet him once because of this marriage talk issue.”

Teperi’s jaw dropped.

Arranged marriages, like engagements, are often seen in the academy for networking purposes. It’s not strange at all.

[What? M-Marriage talk? Why?]

“I’m being pushed into it too, so I have no choice but to meet him. They keep telling me to please show some interest in dating.”

[Who would say such useless nonsense!]

“…Uh, my father.”

Teperi gasped, ‘Ah,’ and shut her mouth with an apologetic look.

Seriously, is this because she’s a girl too? Look at her getting excited and raising her voice because she thinks someone’s trying to steal the

guy she likes. Honestly, it’s a bit disappointing.

She calmed down a little, then started fiddling, rubbing her index fingers together.

[But he’s, kind of prickly, and short, and, um…]

“What do you know about him to badmouth him like that. It’s only been a little over a month since school started. You probably haven’t met

him much.”

[I’ve only known him for 4 years… Ah, no, I mean, that’s true, but.]

My goodness. Women are scary when it comes to love. Don’t worry, I’ll kick him to the curb the moment I meet him.

Feeling a bit sorry, Teperi spoke first.

[Anyway, where are you headed?]

“To the library.”

The peaceful, dream-filled academy life starts to slowly shatter beginning with the ball episode.

Because that’s when demons and Magi 본격적으로 make their appearance at the academy. It’s about two weeks from now.

‘The ball, huh.’

Honestly, I’m more worried about the part before the demons’ appearance.

Since the academy gathers many talented people, large-scale parties are held every 4 months.

Meant for networking and experiencing aristocratic culture before entering society. Even commoners can enjoy a life enviable to local nobles

if they graduate.

As the first event of the year, first-years are obligated to attend unless they have a special reason, which means I’ll have to wear those uncomfortable clothes again that don’t suit me.

Those demon bastards just had to appear on the last day of the two-day ball. And almost near the very end, too.

Therefore, until then, I’m stuck wearing a dress.

All because I’m the daughter of a Duke, unlike a commoner. Isn’t there a better way?

[The library? I happen to need to return these books too! Let’s go together.]

“You finished those thick books already? In three days?”

[When purpose and interest align, speed naturally becomes faster than ever.]

There’s a slightly unfair aspect to her words. I have both purpose and interest in magic, so why is my progress like this? God isn’t fair.

And I didn’t know, but Teperi liked nasty types of magic like incapacitation. Kind of a turn-off.

I don’t know who the target is, but I just feel sorry for them. Not my business, though.

The library was still large and vast. However, perhaps because I had been here once before, I wasn’t as impressed as last time.

“Do you have any books to borrow?”

[Yeah. Thinking about it again, I wonder if it’s really necessary to put the opponent to sleep. As long as they’re subdued, it doesn’t matter if

they’re asleep or not, right?]

It feels somewhat eerie. The library isn’t particularly cold.

Teperi continued speaking clearly.

[So, this time, I’m just going to look for binding types.]

“Good choice.”

Sleep magic is very effective if it lands, but there are too many variables leading up to it.

It’s a tricky type of incapacitation that doesn’t work well unless the opponent is off guard. Magic’s practical application in real combat is

always important.

In that case, as just mentioned, binding types of magic are much more effective. If their hands and feet are tied up, they usually can’t do

anything.

Theoretically, you can bring someone to near death just by tickling them. If one has a talent for tying things up, binding magic offers an

excellent return on investment.

…Somehow, this also feels like a magic with bad taste.

Whenever I explained earnestly, Teperi listened attentively. This knowledge will all become blood and flesh later on.

My lecture must have been excellent because every bit of my precious knowledge went straight into her head. How satisfying.

Teperi walked with me, then entered the aisle with the bookshelf containing the book she was looking for. Rather than waiting for her

specifically, I slowly walked through the library.

“Trea!”

Hearing someone call my name from afar, I turned my head.

It was a woman with hair as fiery red as flames.

“Lena?”

Perhaps because today was Friday, Lena appeared from between the library bookshelves. Behind her young-looking face hides the terrifying

identity of a Magic Tower Master.

As soon as she saw me, she ran over and shook my shoulders.

“Where were you? You definitely said you’d come! Did you forget we meet every other Friday? I even gave you a badge myself!”

She must have felt quite wronged that I didn’t show up. I barely managed to answer while my body was being shaken.

“I-I had something to do. Stop! I’m getting dizzy.”

Saved by the excuse of an assignment. Seeing me dizzy, Lena lowered me from the air.

Ugh, my body, regardless of attack power, is truly frail. Just a little shaking makes my stomach churn.

I briefly told her the story about the Black Forest. As my story progressed, her face turned blue. She’s disgracing the name of the Red Magic

Tower.

“That damned snake bastard…”

Lena muttered, clutching her head, and I quietly agreed beside her.

Thinking back, regardless of his sweetness, he was indeed a damned snake bastard. Come to think of it, a question suddenly arises.

“Lena, can you defeat Aram?”

It’s a slightly childish question, but versus battles always bring great fun. Didn’t she herself just engage in an illegal fire vs. ice magic debate?

“No. We’d need at least four Magic Tower Masters. Since those humans would never agree to that, we can’t win.”

Lena gave a surprisingly unexpected answer. To think it was that much. The snake bastard was ranked much higher than I thought.

[I’m back! Who’s this beside you?]

Teperi approached, holding a book under her arm. It was thick, like before.

“Hoh?”

Lena showed interest in her. She met Teperi’s eyes and muttered.

The gazes from Teperi’s green eyes and Lena’s red eyes met in mid-air.

“You, you are a child loved by Lizlda.”