episode_0036

As soon as Deron spotted me, the first thing he did was let out a big sigh.

Is it right to have that attitude when a friend came all the way to cheer you on？

Grumbling to myself out of frustration, Astel briefly glanced at me, then grabbed my shoulder and pushed me forward again.

＂…Why?”

I had just hidden myself, so why bring me back out again?

“There’s no need for you to hide since you haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I know that too, but it’s not about whether there’s a mistake or not, it’s about the embarrassment before that…”

Entering through the back door of the classroom where everyone was sitting quietly.

There is no mistake to speak of here.

But the momentary glances that are cast my way make me feel strangely uncomfortable.

It’s the same now.

“…What, um… I, I came to see my friend, so if I’m bothering you, should I just leave…?”

Continuously muttering to myself internally, I gathered my courage and timidly raised my voice, and at my words, laughter suddenly erupted from all around.

“No, no! Our swordsmanship club doesn’t stop people from coming like those lazy wizards!”

“Especially since you just came to cheer, who would stop you?”

“Did you bring your cute friend, Prince?”

“Aren’t you the famous Ria these days?”

“Feel free to stay! Of course, your smell is a bit unpleasant, but it’s okay!”

In the midst of the bustling noise and people talking all around, I couldn’t figure out how to respond, so I started by bowing in all directions.

Being in the academy itself is evidence that you are most likely a noble.

The only person I could somewhat casually interact with here was Deron.

“Thank you – thank you-”

It’s fortunate that there doesn’t seem to be an atmosphere of dislike towards me.

Rather, it feels like they like me?

It’s a bit too much hospitality, but it’s still nice.

By the way, what does it mean that I’m famous?

Did they just randomly attach any words to me without any meaning?

I pursed my lips a few times and then shifted my gaze to Deron.

“…Aren’t we going to spar?”

I was cheering for him as the spar was about to begin, and if we don’t do it, I’ll be too confused.

“You seemed excited…”

“Boring.”

I thought we were going to fight, but he said he lost interest and stopped with that statement.

Here, Fran didn’t seem tired, but Deron seemed exhausted, so I decided to take note of that and not provoke him by saying, “Actually, are you avoiding a fight with Fran because you think you’ll lose?” There’s a 50% chance the spar will resume, but the other 50%.

I couldn’t ignore the possibility of Deron hitting me, so I decided to stay quiet.

“Is the concentration management department already finished?”

“Is it?”

There were quite a few things to memorize at Professor Moshan’s request, but perhaps because it was the first assignment, the amount was quite short, so I had some time to spare.

“First… Let’s go out, the princess’s smell is quite unpleasant here.”

It’s definitely too foul to just call it a simple sweat smell.

Deron grabbing Astel and showing consideration for her.

It slightly irritated me.

“I have a nose too.”

“…What do you want me to do about it?”

With a curt reply and a stern gaze, I clenched my lips tightly.

I don’t know what’s going on, but Deron seemed annoyed right now.

I decided to quickly apologize here.

Whether I was actually wrong or not, offering a quick apology when something happens is the best way to defuse the situation.

The only downside to this method is that it slightly chips away at your pride.

But I didn’t have that in the first place.

“I’m sorry?”

“…Did I get mad because you suddenly intervened?”

Deron was annoyed, but nothing else came to mind.

Glancing around, I leaned in close to Deron, lifting my head to meet his gaze.

When apologizing, it’s common sense to make eye contact with the person you’re apologizing to.

＂Um, it’s not what you think, so please calm down…!”

“Your face is turning red…？”

“…Can you please close your mouth!”

“Ugh….”

Even as Deron pulled my cheeks and I whimpered, I thought hard.

Though Deron was denying it now, he was definitely annoyed.

Jumping to conclusions angers people, and having experienced the bottom of society, I could sensitively react to others’ feelings.

“…I just lost in the duel at the arena, that’s all.”

“…So you were annoyed after all!”

“No, I wasn’t!”

As Deron placed his hand on my forehead and pushed, I stumbled backward and fell with a thud.

Astel helped me up, but it was clear that his emotions were running high.

Even though he tried to act mature, in the end, he was just a kid.

In times like this, comforting him would be the best option.

“…Well, it’s inevitable since he’s who he is!”

“Is that supposed to be comforting?”

I avoided the glaring gaze.

If I said the wrong thing now, I might get a knock on the head instead of a pat.

But something was off.

“But is there really that big of a skill gap between the prince and Fran?”

“Are you picking a fight?”

“No, I really don’t know.”

I had read novels, but the difference didn’t seem this significant back then.

The duel between Deron and Fran was described as being close, with Deron having the upper hand in 3 out of 10 fights.

But the current situation seemed different.

Deron was clearly being overwhelmingly defeated.

“…Fran has always been strong.”

“So strong that the prince can’t win?”

“…Yes.”

It was strange.

Was the difference really that big?

Deron had a strong sense of pride.

It was depicted in the novel, and I could see it for myself.

But for him to admit it himself meant that the skill gap was considerable.

“Prince, do you think too much when wielding your sword?”

“…What?”

“No, I mean, do you have a habit of overthinking when your opponent wields their sword.”

This wasn’t originally my line; it was spoken by an unknown extra who had a notorious record of killing three knights and six soldiers.

Before his name was revealed, and before he could do anything, the royal knight commander personally stepped in and killed him.

Anyway, I borrowed his words and just said them.

It was a line he said while killing knights and soldiers.

If you have too many unnecessary thoughts, your sword gets overwhelmed by your thoughts and you can’t strike when you need to, leading to being outmaneuvered in a fast-paced fight.

I suddenly remembered and said it, but then I realized I didn’t know anything about swords.

It was rare for someone who knew nothing to give advice, and it was an annoying situation.

I scratched my cheek, feeling like I had said something unnecessary.

“I don’t know anything about swords, so just pretend you didn’t hear me….”

Even though he was killed by the royal knight commander, Deron would later become a skilled fighter equal to the knight commander who easily defeated him.

It seemed pointless to say something to a kid who would grow stronger on his own, surpassing the one who spoke those words.

“What a strange guy….”

Right now, it wasn’t easy to deny that I was acting strange.

Chuckling, I casually changed the subject after clearing my throat.

＂…By the way, I heard something in the swordsmanship class earlier. Am I famous？”

“Famous?”

“Someone shouted earlier. ‘It’s the famous Ria these days!’”

I was aware that I was standing out, but I had doubts about becoming famous for it.

“…Do you not realize?”

“Boss, you don’t know your own situation.”

Astell, who had been listening quietly, interjected.

No, what did I do?

Seeing my unjust expression, Deron shook his head.

There’s no need to react so strongly.

“I, I am aware that I stand out a lot!”

The prince’s friend! A member of the same club as the princess!

Friends with Seina, the daughter of the prestigious Prasoo family!

But really.

“But isn’t it a bit strange to become famous just for being friends with someone?”

You can’t become famous just for being a famous person’s friend, right?

The topic thrown to change the subject had me genuinely curious.

Was it just something said in passing?

“What are you talking about?”

“Boss, you really have no self-awareness.”

“No, what did I…”

He’s saying it like there’s something, but I can’t even guess.

“Do you have the self-awareness that you’re pretty?”

“It’s embarrassing to suddenly receive a compliment… hehe…”

Scratching the back of his head, Deron furrowed his brow and continued speaking.

“…How did you handle the kid who lost their stationery during break time?”

Is he talking about today?

“I lent them mine, didn’t I?”

Since I can’t do anything like writing anyway, I lent it to them to use.

“…How?”

“What do you mean?”

“The method, I mean.”

“I just gave it to them.”

“I saw you handing them the stationery, getting very close, and whispering something in their ear.”

“Oh, they just wanted me to use it and then return it.”

“…Is that whispering? Well, then, how did you handle the kid who couldn’t eat the cherry tomatoes in their salad during lunch two days ago?”

“…Hmm, what happened then?”

“They received the salad but couldn’t eat the cherry tomatoes, so how did you handle it?”

“…Oh, I ate it for them instead.”

No matter how educated and mature they are, children tend to be picky eaters.

I asked because they seemed to be in a dilemma while passing by.

Unable to tolerate their pride, I asked if it was okay to eat the cherry tomatoes they liked and ate it for them.

It left a proud memory of helping them.

But why?

“The method.”

“…I just ate it.”

“…If my eyes are correct, you pressed your face against the picky eater’s shoulder, and with your faces close together, you picked out the cherry tomatoes with the utensils they were using and ate them.”

“…Oh, I’m sorry for using someone else’s utensils.”

“That’s not it!”

Deron suddenly yelled, startling me.

“And four days ago, and five days ago, and a week ago, you’ve been doing this all along, so of course rumors would spread!”

“…Is that so?”

“Why do you think Fran came looking for you in the first place?”

“…Because I seem like a weird girl?”

“…Then where do you think the rumor of you being a weird girl originated from?”

So, what Deron is saying now is…

Am I creating that image by acting strangely?

“…It’s unfair!”

I was just helping out the kids who were in a dilemma!

“You’re acting all embarrassed with a smile on your face!”

Deron grabbed my cheeks on both sides.

Flailing my hands, I tried to seek help from Astel, but he just sighed deeply while looking at me.

There wasn’t a single person on my side.