episode_0038

In the forest where the wind blows.

There were many trees, but there was one that was particularly small and ugly. And in front of it stood a young Arthur.

“Ah.. My condition is getting worse.. Are we running out of water?”

The reason the tree was gradually withering was because it was too short to photosynthesize properly, but Arthur was young and didn’t know that.

“Hehe. I’ll give you a lot of water~ Do you have to get strong and grow big like the other trees?”

An exceptionally ugly tree.

It was perhaps natural that Arthur had a special affection for this tree. He himself had many shortcomings compared to his peers, and these aspects overlapped with his own.

That’s why Arthur, who was young, wanted to help this tree. So he went to the tree every day, said nice things to it, and watered it diligently.

But nature was sometimes cruel, and Arthur’s efforts were in vain, as the tree slowly died day after day.

“Huh..? Why is it like this.. I gave it water every day and said nice things to it..”

That day, Arthur learned for the first time in his life that hard work doesn’t always lead to what you want.

“I’m sorry.. I think I gave it too much water..”

Although the tree had died because of photosynthesis, and the tree had been able to live longer because Arthur had given it water, the truth was not important.

Arthur knew for sure that the tree had died because of his own shortcomings.

On the day the tree finally died, Arthur gave it a warm hug.

“Next time, I really want to be born as the biggest tree in the world.. I’m sure the goddess will take pity on me and make me the biggest tree…”

-Bam!

“Evil!!”

Ah.. it hurts so much.. what did I get hit with..?

Arthur rubbed his back in excruciating pain, and next to him he saw the rock that he assumed had attacked him.

Who threw it? Huh? It’s the village kids.

There were plenty of other kids his age in the village, but Arthur, with his physical handicaps, was easy prey for the kids his age.

“You idiot Arthur! Are you doing something weird by yourself again?”

“I saw you talking to yourself earlier. Are you crazy? ”

“Our mom told us not to play with that kind of kid! Just go, kids.”

“I have a better idea! Let’s kick them out of our village!!”

When one of the boys suggested throwing him out, the others nodded and started picking up rocks and throwing them at Arthur.

-Pfft! Pfft!

“Ha.. Don’t do that! It hurts!! Sob..”

Arthur begged the children to stop throwing stones, but the children only threw stones at him more forcefully.

“If you throw it a little more, it will run away from our village!!”

After a while, the forest was left with only the children’s mad laughter and Arthur’s screams.

In fact, Arthur had a way to avoid the rocks. He could have just moved his body and hidden behind the ‘dead tree’. As is the case with young children. If Arthur had avoided the rocks, he would have quickly become bored.

But Arthur didn’t do it. Because he didn’t want to. Not for any grand reason, just because he didn’t feel like it.

“Get out of our town, you monster!”

I’m not a monster. I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just a little different.

Why do you keep bothering me… I… I…

‘Is there any reason to endure like this?’

‘Just kill me, then no one will be able to bother you.’

Ah.. no.. that’s not it..

‘Hmm… I think they want to kill you.’

Is that so..? Now that I hear it, it seems right.. Why do I have to suffer like this..? Just kill them allㅡ

“Hey!!! Get out of here!!”

The white-haired girl who suddenly burst in started hitting and pushing the kids who were throwing rocks at Arthur.

“Get out! Everyone, get out! Arthur is much smarter and kinder than you guys! So, you guys should get out of our village!”

“What the heck, Alice. Why are you protecting that guy! That guy is a monster!”

As one boy shouted that, Alice’s hands began to tremble.

“Profit!! What kind of monster is Arthur!! Your face looks more like a monster!!”

“No…that’s too harsh…”

However, when Alice threatened them by swinging branches she had picked up somewhere, the children had no choice but to run away.

“Huh! It’s nothing, but you’re bothering Arthur? I’ll really not let you off the hook next time I see you!”

Alice, who was looking in the direction where the children had disappeared, stopped grumbling, turned around, and approached Arthur.

“Arthur? Are you okay..? I’m late, sorry..”

“… ”

“No.. Thank you for helping me.”

Come to think of it… why does Alice help me when all the other kids hate me? I’m a monster…

“Aris.. Why are you helping me? I’m a monsterㅡ”

“Sigh! Don’t mind that! And we’re, like, family! That’s why… I’ll always protect you, so don’t worry! ”

“Oh..I see. Thank you, Alice..”

‘Tsk.’

… … …

“Ah..”

Was it a dream? I think I saw Alice..

Arthur turned his head and looked at his watch.

“Oh my! Time has passed so quickly..!!”

Arthur was in a good mood right after waking up, but when he realized he had to go to class, he started to get depressed quickly.

Should I just not go? But then my attendance points would go down a lot.

I hated going to class so much that I almost died, but I couldn’t afford to have points deducted for it since my grades were going to hit rock bottom at the end of the semester.

Since we have to go anyway, let’s just go quickly… If we go late this time, we might get hit again.

Arthur, with a firm resolve, packed his bags and headed to the classroom.

“Arthur.”

“Huh..?”

Today was different than usual. I’ve always been called “Hey” or “You”, but today, I didn’t seem angry and they even called me by my name.

“I’m going to be busy from now on, so I don’t think I can help you study.”

So you’re saying I won’t be bothered anymore..? Really?

“Then I’ll go, don’t look for me!”

“…”

The woman who had always harassed me disappeared as if she had run away, without even answering.

Now that I think about it, his expression looked like he was afraid of something… I don’t know… It would be nice if there was one less person to bully me. Hehe.

… … …

After class, he came to the cafeteria, but so far, no one has bothered him.

If it were normal, you would have come to me and vented some light anger.. Are you sick of it now? Well.. What’s the fun in bothering me.. I’m really glad. From now on, I’ll focus on my studies!

Arthur’s mood was considerably better since nothing had happened all day, and he almost cried when he ate a normal meal for the first time in a long while.

Yum yum.

-Tak!

“..?”

I was eating a delicious meal alone, but someone came and sat next to me.

Who is it? He’s probably just sitting next to me?

When I looked closely, I saw that he was wearing a sword on his waist, so I just assumed that a student from the knighthood had to sit next to me because there was no other seat available.

Yum yum.

“Hello?”

Hey..? Why are you greeting me..

First of all, let’s just accept the greeting… If you ignore it, it might bother you again.

“Hello..”

“Hmm.. Your name is Arthur, right?”

“!!”

“You don’t have to be so surprised, you’re Alice’s boyfriend.”

What… Are you by any chance a friend of Alice?

“That’s right… but who are you?”

“The name is Lucia Cardenas, Alice’s friend.”

Oh! A noble..? Even if it’s Cadenas, he’s from a ducal family.. Isn’t he the second in the knighthood? Why did someone like that come looking for me..

“Don’t worry, there’s no such thing as nobles discriminating against commoners at the academy.”

“I just… saw you yesterday while eating, and I wanted to help you because someone was bullying you.”

Ah.. So it was Lucia who helped me..

“I’m a little embarrassed.. Thanks for helping me. I was wondering what was going on. Hehe.”

“I’m glad it helped. But just in case, I’ll take care of you until Alice returns.”

I thought all nobles were bad people… but there were some good people too. And when you say you’re a friend of Alice, I can trust you!

“Then it looks like you’ve finished eating, but you have nothing better to do. Should I show you around the journalism department?”

“Yeah! Okay!”

Arthur let down all his guard at Lucia’s sad smile and words of help, and followed her, humming a tune, without any idea of what was about to happen to him.

“But… how did you become close with Alice? She never told me about her friends…”

“Girls get to know each other. It’ll happen quickly after a few sparring matches.”

“I see..”

“Didn’t Aris tell you about me?”

“Yeah! You always tell me not to worry about it.. and you tell me that women are wolves and that I shouldn’t trust anyone but you!”

“Phew! Arthur, I’m a girl too? Is it okay for me to follow you like this right now?”

Oh.. Is that so? He’s a noble and a friend of Alice..

“Uh.. You helped me too.. You have no reason to bother me, so it’s okay, right..?”

“Really? But I could suddenly kidnap you.”

As she spoke, Lucia raised both hands and made a pose as if she was going to grab Arthur.

“Hey.. What do I have.. I’m a total piece of shit? Catch me!”

“Really? Then I’ll have to catch you.”

After hearing Arthur’s words, Lucia moved behind Arthur and lifted him up by putting her arms under his armpits.

“How is it? I’m being kidnapped right now. If you’re scared, tell me and I’ll let you go.”

“Ugh… This is a little embarrassing…”

After Lucia walked with Arthur for a few minutes, an empty lot came into Arthur’s sight.

“Lucia? But where is this place?”

“This is a gym, but it’s not in use anymore, so no one comes here. And do you see that iron gate over there? That’s where they store all the equipment needed for gymnastics.”

“I see… So why did you come here?”

“… ”

“Lucia?”

Lucia did not answer Arthur’s question.

It was only then that Arthur realized that things were going strangely, and he felt his fear growing.

“Lucia!! Let me down now!”

“I’m scared..! Get down quickly!”

Just as Arthur was about to start kicking in fear, Lucia’s hand began to move.

Ah.. it was a joke, for a moment I thought it was real.. When I get off, I have to tell you that the joke was too much…

“Turn it off…?!”

But contrary to Arthur’s expectations, Lucia did not put Arthur down, but moved her arm and began to press on Arthur’s carotid artery.

“Ugh… let go…”

I tried to ask him using my limited breathing to see if he would let me go, but the strength in his arms grew stronger and stronger, squeezing my neck.

Before I could no longer breathe and lost consciousness, I heard Lucia’s voice in my ear.

“Arthur, I told you not to trust anyone.”

-Chuk.

With those words, Arthur completely lost consciousness.

“… ”

“Whew.. Thank goodness it ended easily. Senior, come out now.”

At Lucia’s call, a woman with blonde hair and bronze skin approached from afar.

“This time, you?”

Lucia smiled brightly and answered the woman’s question.

“Yes. Since he’s not doing anything wrong, you don’t have to worry about him. If something happens, I can use my power.”

“Hmm… I get it. I don’t mind if you give me money. But more than that, I like you because you’re handsome. It’ll be fun to play with you.”

“Ah.. Yes. You can do that yourself, and just make sure to keep your promises.”

At Lucy’s words, the woman took out a small square object.

“Don’t worry, I’ve never tried it before, but it looks fun and good.”

“But you don’t do it? At this point, it’s worth trying it yourself at least once.”

Lucia waved her hand at the woman’s words.

“Ugh… Okay. I don’t want to do it with a commoner.”

“Kick. I guess so, anyway, I’m going to work?”

“Then please take care of me, Senior Eora.”