chapter_0212

Mesugaki Tank Enters the Academy –
212

Mesugaki Tank Enters the Academy –
212

I rarely heard people thanking
me.

Especially from someone I was
meeting for the first time.

Lucy’s past misdeeds extended
to so many places that it was hard for me to imagine.

The appropriate greeting from
someone meeting me for the first time would be something like; You
wretch!

Perhaps with a touch of
politeness and added sarcasm, but the meaning wouldn’t stray far from
wretch.

So I was bewildered by Parna,
Frey’s younger sister, bowing her head repeatedly and expressing her
gratitude.

Thanking me for turning
someone into a decent person. Me? Turning Frey?

Isn’t she mistaken?

The only things I’ve done to
Frey were knocking her down in a sparring match and infuriating her
with my [Mesugaki] Skill.

“I saw my sister talk
properly to our father and mother for the first time in my life! And
she even asked our father for something!”

What? She talked to them?!
Frey did?!

I was just as surprised by
Parna’s words.

Because speaking to her family
and asking for something was something Frey only did much later,
after meeting the current Sword Saint, gaining an understanding of
the sword, and learning the emotion of joy.

The fact that she spoke to her
family before even meeting the Sword Saint? How was that possible?

In my bewilderment, what
surfaced in my mind was the image of Frey swinging her sword at a
street stall today.

No wonder her skills had
improved! She must have asked to learn the family’s swordsmanship!

“And it’s the first time
I’ve seen her behave so quietly in such a crowded place!”

I had a guess about this part.

Before entering the Academy,
Frey was a wild girl who would recklessly swing her sword at
anything.

Even on the entrance ceremony
day, didn’t she practically ambush me?

However, recently, Frey hadn’t
been committing such crazy acts.

The reason was simple. She had
found a target. Since she fancied me as her toy, she had no intention
of looking elsewhere until this toy broke.

From my perspective, Frey was
a sturdy sparring partner who wouldn’t break easily, so I had no
reason to reject being treated like a toy.

It was a win-win.

“Most importantly, she
mentioned someone else’s name for the first time ever!”

That… honestly surprised me.

It was almost unheard of for
Frey to utter someone else’s name, even in the game.

Curious if this was true, I
glanced over at Frey, who was focused on building a tower of food.

Usually, people would show at
least a bit of embarrassment at hearing such things. But Frey was
just being Frey.

“It’s the first time I
saw my parents smiling and talking about my sister! It’s all thanks
to you, Lady Allen!”

Parna’s words were so direct
and lively that they felt a bit overwhelming.

However, knowing her
circumstances, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her to stop.

In the game I knew, Parna had
treated Frey as if she didn’t exist. Parna had to endure all of
Frey’s eccentricities simply because she was born the younger
sibling.

She was constantly compared to
Frey every time she wielded a sword.

She had to clean up the mess
caused by her sister’s mistakes.

For that reason, Parna
couldn’t bring herself to like Frey.

How could you like a crazy
girl who killed the dog you loved and then calmly said; I knew you’d
react like this?

No matter how much she got
angry, begged, threatened, or pleaded, Frey never changed.

So Parna and the Kent Family
resigned themselves to the idea that Frey would always be like that.

But then, after entering the
Academy, she started to change. How could they not be excited?

“I had heard through various
rumours that Lady Allen was a terrifying person, but they were all
nonsense! You’re so beautiful, cute, confident, and capable!”

That’s not just nonsense.
There’s nothing but facts in the evil deeds Lucy committed.

If you go around saying things
like that, you’ll get in big trouble, you know?

Even now, those gazes being
thrown my way feel piercing. Even with me next to her, it’s this bad.
What if she says something like that when she’s alone?

‘Um…’

“Hey, are you listening
to me…”

“Lady Allen! I’m entering
the Academy next year! I haven’t taken the exam yet, but I’m sure
I’ll pass!”

As I watched Parna clenching
her fists, ignoring my voice, I remembered who this person was.

Right, she wasn’t normal
either.

If Frey moved at her own pace
because she had no interest in others, Parna moved at her own pace
because she was blinded by her emotions in the moment.

It might horrify Parna to hear
this, but in a way, the two of them were similar despite their
differences.

“When that day comes,
I’ll spread the good qualities of Lady Allen to all the first-years!”

No, Parna. What on earth are
you talking about?

‘…You’re joking, right?’

“Ha. Talking nonsense again.
That’s not even funny.”

“It’s not nonsense! I’m
serious!”

Why are you serious?! Why
would you want to walk into people’s criticisms?!

Is it because now that Frey
has changed, your struggles are lessened, so you’re looking for new
troubles?!

“Just wait and see! I
definitely will!… Mmph! Mmmph!”

As I was wracking my brain on
how to stop her, an adult man came running from afar, pulled Parna
into his arms, and covered her mouth. Parna tried to mumble something
even with her mouth covered, but the man’s hand left no gaps.

“I’m sorry, Lady Allen!
My daughter has caused trouble!”

Count Kent, with a pale face,
apologised and then thanked me for getting along with his daughter.
He promised that if I ever visit their estate, he would give me a
grand reception, before leaving like the wind.

He seems like someone who has
a lot on his plate. I have a feeling he could become best friends
with Benedict over drinks someday.

After that whirlwind passed, I
reached for the dessert, feeling drained, only to find the plate
empty. I turned my head and saw that Frey had inhaled everything
during the commotion.

I sent her a sharp glare to
express my protest, but Frey remained indifferent.

“Hey, you foolish
swordsman♡ You’re so stupid that you can’t even remember eating
just moments ago?♡ If you’re not going to grunt like a pig, how
about stopping?♡”

“Oink, oink.”

I was taken aback by the
unexpected response, and Frey puffed up with a sense of victory.

Though annoyed, I decided not
to engage, realising that arguing would only entangle me further.

Instead, I sat in a nearby
chair and rested my chin on my hand. The party wasn’t over yet, so if
I waited, they’d probably refill the desserts.

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘…How do you know that?’

The orchestra nearing the end
of its piece. The attendants kept glancing nervously at their
watches, and high-ranking nobles began to leave the centre of the
party hall. The conversation dwindled.

At first, I thought Grandpa
was just trying to tease me, but I realised he was right. Each sign
he pointed out indicated the party was nearing its end.

‘So, no more dessert?’

‘Frey!’

Regardless of my inner
turmoil, time continued to pass in the party hall.

Suddenly, the orchestra’s
performance ceased, a magical circle appeared atop the podium, and
with a burst of flame, the Duke emerged.

Drawing everyone’s attention
with his mere presence, the Duke graciously nodded to those
applauding, expressing his gratitude before declaring the party’s
closure.

“Thank you once again to all
the distinguished guests for making this event splendid.”

“Wait a moment.”

Correction. The Duke attempted
to close the party but was interrupted.

Someone else spoke up just as
he finished his sentence.

Had it been a less significant
person, the Duke might have ignored the voice. He had the authority
to do so.

However, the person who spoke
couldn’t be disregarded.

“It seems you forgot
something important.”

How could anyone dismiss the
voice of a prominent future heir to the throne?

“Did I forget something?”

“Yes, Duke Partan. You
forgot something very important.”

“Apologies. Indeed, I must
be getting old as my memory isn’t what it used to be.”

“Haha, it happens. Allow me
to remind you. Where is the award speech from Lady Allen who bested
us in competition?”

With that, the First Prince
turned his head just once to spot me sitting in the corner.

This wasn’t just luck or
intuition; he had been keeping me in his line of sight all along.

A stalker with power,
authority, and malevolence…

Even from the comfort of my
room, where everything can look distorted, this is unsettling.

A First Prince acting like
this—what a dire future for the kingdom.

“Come now, Lucy Allen!
Approach! Having defeated us, you deserve the honour, don’t you?”

The First Prince raised his
voice with an overly bright smile.

Wait, what is this guy
suddenly up to?!

You’re not the type to smile
like that!

Why the sudden act? Why push
me onto the stage like this?!

What’s your game? What are you
aiming for?!

As the First Prince shouted
unexpectedly, not just I but even Duke Partan froze. Then, as if
something had come to his mind, the First Prince clapped and started
walking towards me.

“That’s right. Today,
you’ve been through quite a lot and must be tired.”

What?

“My consideration has been
lacking.”

No.

Hey.

Wait a minute.

“I should have come to you
instead of calling you over.”

Sit down. Sit, I said.

Stay in your seat!

No matter what I screamed
internally, it didn’t affect reality.

The First Prince, who had now
reached me, created a voice amplification spell with a slight wave of
his hand.

So that the entire party hall
could hear whatever I said.

“Now, speak whenever you’re
ready. I’ll wait as long as necessary. I’ve been waiting for this
moment.”

He didn’t give me any chance
to respond.

Not only that.

He didn’t even leave any
time for anyone else to intervene.

Perfect timing and perfect
pressure.

As if, as he mentioned just
moments ago, he had been waiting for this very second.

Damn it.

Damn it!

Damn it aaaaalllllll!

Hikikomori stalker!

I don’t know what you’re
aiming for with this nonsense, but remember one thing!

You may be stronger now, but
by the time I graduate from the Academy, things will be completely
different.

You’d better be prepared to
lick my feet then!

Got it?!

‘This festival truly
featured a glorious duel. First Prince.’

“I could feel the First
Prince’s consideration throughout this festival. How he managed to be
so sloppy and weak. Thanks to that, we could have a glorious duel.
Oh. Were you not being sloppy on purpose? Heh. Oops. My mistake.”

“What in the world are you
babbling about?!”

“Lucy Allen! How insolent!”

“Lady Allen?!”

I don’t know if I’ll even be
alive until then!

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