episode_0032

Mark Bises, who brought me into the cafe, froze solid the moment he entered the entrance, as if he had received some kind of shock.

Following his gaze, what came into view was Lillith Tistina, the young lady of the Tistina family, who had been trailing after him just recently.

And in front of her… was a handsome man with curly hair, whom I had never met before.

Turning my eyes back to look at Mark, he was still staring blankly towards the table where Lillith and the man were sitting.

“…? Mark? Is something wrong?”

Only after I, unable to watch any longer, shook his body and spoke to him, did he answer.

“Uh… there are plenty of seats, so it doesn’t particularly matter where we sit, right?”

“It doesn’t particularly matter.”

“R-right, then let’s sit over there.”

Saying so, Mark moved to a table that was visible from Lillith Tistina’s table, yet not easily caught by her gaze.

It was a perfect spot, as if for spying on someone.

Moving to that spot, he also subtly moved so as not to enter Lillith’s line of sight, which was a bonus.

What is this? Why is he so conscious of her?

I couldn’t help but feel puzzled by Mark’s actions right now.

If my memory serves me right, he wasn’t someone who cared so much about a woman named Lillith Tistina.

At the beginning of the school year, they seemed to be on somewhat close terms.

But as Academy life continued and he gradually gained attention from those around him and more people approached him, Mark’s attitude towards Lillith had become increasingly awkward.

And Lillith must have been in a flustered relationship, constantly watching Mark’s reactions.

That’s why Mark Bises’ actions right now couldn’t help but look very strange.

“This black tea looks good, I shall drink this.

Mark, what will you do?”

“…?… Ah..! Right, I… yes! This coffee looks good.”

He was still glancing repeatedly towards the table where Lillith was sitting.

He was picking up and putting down magazines or newspapers as if afraid of being caught, but he seemed unaware that it made him look even more awkward.

Whether it was fortunate or not, Lillith seemed completely engrossed in the man sitting with her and showed no interest in anything else.

It seemed she was so taken with the man next to her that honey was dripping from her eyes.

Although I chose to come to the cafe with him to strengthen our friendship with Mark, he was actually paying attention to something completely different.

Because of that, I also became curious and decided to turn my gaze towards where Lillith was.

“Hey Ropel, try this too. I had it the other day and it was really delicious. I think it’ll suit your taste well.”

“Really? Hmm… it’s really delicious, isn’t it? By the way, the Academy really is the Academy.

I thought this last time when we went out together, but there are so many luxurious shops around here.

Back in my hometown, I had to travel far by carriage to eat desserts like this.”

“By ‘hometown’, you mean where the Toifel family is?”

Hmm… Ropel? Could I visit your family’s estate sometime?”

“Huh? My home?”

Well… as you know, it’s a frontier region, so there’s nothing to see and nothing to enjoy, just boredom, you know?

I can’t really recommend it.”

“Haha, that’s fine. I don’t have any other purpose around there, you see.”

“To our family? Well… if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter, but…”

“Oh, really? Then is it a promise? About visiting your home sometime.”

Ropel Toifel, the Toifel family.

Hearing the name and having nothing immediately come to mind, he must be from a frontier region.

Certainly… I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before.

But there’s no need to bother thinking about it.

Seeing as he’s a name I haven’t encountered within the Academy or even seen myself, he’s likely a man of little consequence, whether by ability or family.

By the way, those two seemed much closer than I expected.

Clinging together like that, exchanging bright smiles with each other like lovers and talking.

If that’s the case, could that man be the reason Lillith’s interest in Mark has cooled recently?

Right now, Lillith’s face looked even brighter and more cheerful than when she was with Mark, whom she used to like.

What could be so good?

For me, who can only make a poker face now and always, will a day come when I can make such an expression?

It was sudden, but to the extent that such a thought crossed my mind, Lillith looked very happy.

“Ah, just a moment…”

The man named Ropel said that and reached out his hand towards Lillith’s face.

And then, with his hand, he lightly wiped the corner of her mouth.

“You got some cream.”

Saying so, he licked the cream he had wiped off with his hand using his tongue.

Although it was the first time seeing him, that appearance was truly captivating and overflowing with allure.

In vulgar terms, a playboy; in innocent terms, a lewd beast that bewitches women.

Seeing this, Lillith blushed and froze for a moment, then with a sly smile, she giggled, linked her arm with his, and leaned against him as if sticking to him.

Thereupon, Ropel moved his body to the opposite side, seemingly a little flustered.

“Why, you don’t like it…?””

“No, it’s not that… doing this in a place where other people are…”

“Why bother caring about such things? And you don’t dislike it, right? Hehe…”

Lillith leaned her face against Ropel’s chest like that and lightly rubbed her cheek.

Not stopping there, she even clasped her hands over his, interweaving her fingers, and held on tightly.

And Mark, who saw that scene, froze solid, unable to put down or drink the cup he was holding, as if he had received a great shock.

One eye seemed to twitch uncomfortably, and a sound like teeth clenching could be heard.

Soon after, he regained his composure and gulped down the cup of coffee all at once.

“Sorry Serapina. This cafe is worse than I thought.

If it’s okay with you, I’d like to move somewhere else now. Would that be a bit rude?”

The content of his words was polite, but his tone was not.

It was a demanding tone, as if forcing me to leave the cafe, as if he wanted to leave this spot immediately.

Well, I also have no reason to stay long in this cafe.

If I can increase the time for training even a little, it’s actually better.

“That’s fine. In that case, shall we move back to the training hall?

I think the exercise earlier wasn’t enough.”

“…Ah, yes. As it happens… I also feel like moving my body intensely.”

And so, Mark and I left the cafe not long after entering and were able to return to the training hall once again.

He seemed considerably displeased, his arms trembled, and the sound of teeth clenching could still be heard.

The reason is clearly because of the actions Lillith Tistina showed earlier.

Because he usually treated her awkwardly, Mark seemed to have little interest in Lillith, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

Perhaps he liked that woman deep down, or he already considered her his own.

If that weren’t the case, his current display of discomfort wouldn’t be explained.

“Damn it… damn it… that bitch..! How could she be with a guy like that after rejecting my confession…? Who… who am I..! Damn it… who is that guy? Where did he come from..!

Lillith was mine..! She was already completely within my grasp..!”

That’s how he muttered, panting heavily.

He had muttered to himself in a small voice so that those around wouldn’t hear, but with my good hearing, I could hear everything he said.

Hmm… it seemed my prediction was somewhat correct after all.

If that content is correct, does it mean Mark even confessed to Lillith?

But for some reason, she rejected that confession and is now seeing the current man, it seems.

Thinking that way, the situation becomes clear.

In that case, I can’t help but be grateful to that man.

The Tistina family had been a noble house connected to Mark Bises from a long time ago, so they were the target I had to be most wary of.

Since the interest of that young lady, who was one of the weapons capable of drawing Mark in, has been diverted, from the Serion family’s perspective, it can certainly be said to be advantageous.

“Mark, are you alright?”

“…Sorry Serapina. My mood suddenly got a bit bad.

So I might not be able to control my strength well in this spar.

Will you forgive me?”

“I am fine.”

I even prefer it.

He always says he can’t give his all against an opponent several levels below him and spars with me while holding back his strength.

Frankly, that attitude was quite arrogant and annoying, but since it was true that he was strong, I didn’t question it.

But if he gives his all like this, it’s rather welcome.

The stronger the opponent, the more I can sharpen my sword.

And so, I once again charged at Mark, who wielded a one-handed sword with unbelievable skill and strength, while gripping a massive greatsword with both hands.

. . .

“Indeed, he’s incredible…”

Regulus Serion, the current head of the Serion family and the commander of the Serion Knights, said, sitting by the window overlooking the training hall.

He was currently watching the sparring between Mark Bises, a promising talent at the Academy, and his daughter, Serapina Serion.

Although Serapina was a little lacking in talent, he acknowledged her skill.

Despite fighting against her while holding back some of his strength, Mark Bises was overwhelmingly dominating her.

“When I first met him, I thought he was just a lucky youngster, but I never thought it would be this much.”

The first impression Regulus had of Mark Bises, when he was at the Academy to suppress the dark mages during the terrorist incident, was merely that of a common, unremarkable youngster.

Therefore, after their first meeting, he had simply told his daughter to keep an eye on him and paid no attention himself.

But when he met him after another incident occurred during the Academy’s midterm exams, he had changed.

His strength, his technique, he had become a formidable figure, unmatched even when compared to his peers or active knights.

Having gone through countless training sessions and battles, Regulus had become capable of gauging the skill of various types of people.

And soon, he was also able to discern how much of that skill was achieved through effort.

From his perspective, the effort visible in Mark was merely a fraction.

Everything excluding effort was purely talent.

And he appeared to be someone possessing an overwhelming amount of talent.

From that moment on, he left the matters of the knight order to his deputy and began frequently visiting the Academy to closely watch Mark’s growth.

“If it’s him, he might be able to show it… that sword my master showed me…!”

If that overwhelming talent exists, then that sword he had seen for a moment in the past.

The ultimate level he had predicted that neither he nor even his daughter would be able to reach.

It was because he held the hope that he might be able to show the realm of martial arts that had truly reached its peak.

“…But… the end of the sword… that is, the end of martial arts… is it really just talent after all…”

Talent indeed overwhelms everything.

Even if there is someone who strives, they cannot defeat someone who strives alongside talent.

Therefore, above all else, only talent, just talent remains.

He was someone who kept that fact in mind more than anyone, and believed it to be the only truth.

But even for him, he sighed as if tasting something bitter and gazed out the window..