An Unexpected Encounter
I slid the letter of introduction across the table toward where Ophelia and Blair were sitting.
“Here, take it.”
Unlike Ophelia, who looked slightly surprised but still maintained her usual calm expression, Blair’s mouth fell open as she stared at the letter without blinking. She clearly wanted it pretty badly.
“You’re just… giving this to us?”
Blair seemed unable to believe I would hand it over so casually. The reason I offered it so easily was simple. To me, it really wasn’t anything special.
After all, even if I had a sword, I couldn’t use one. There was no point in carrying around a letter of introduction to visit a blacksmith. It would just be a waste of time. I had considered selling it for money, but it wasn’t valuable enough to fetch a fortune, and I had already earned what I needed for now. There was no urgent reason to turn it into quick cash.
“Are you really okay with just giving it away?”
Ophelia looked down at the letter in front of her, then up at me.
“Yeah. I’m a mage, after all. I don’t know any swordsmanship. It’s better for someone who actually needs it to have it.”
At my words, Ophelia seemed to fall into thought for a moment. Then she spoke again.
“Thank you. I’ll definitely repay you later.”
It was just a simple thank you, but coming from Ophelia, it somehow carried real weight. Come to think of it, given her personality, she probably wouldn’t accept even the smallest thing without giving something in return.
I hadn’t intended it that way, but if it meant I could ask for her help again someday—like during this outing—it wasn’t a bad outcome.
“No, my lady. If anyone should repay him, it should be me.”
At that moment, Blair, who had been silently staring at the letter, finally spoke up.
“If you ever need anything, just tell me. I am, after all, a knight of the Lanchester family.”
Blair looked at me as she spoke. Her usual stern expression had softened somewhat. Earlier she had claimed her current sword was enough, but it seemed she was still tempted by a blacksmith’s blade after all.
I wasn’t sure what kind of favor Blair would ever need from me, but since she was the one offering, there was no reason to refuse. I smiled and nodded.
Ophelia, Blair, and I rode back to the academy together in a carriage. After getting off, we crossed the campus like the other students walking in small groups as the sun began to set.
Since the dormitories were separated by class, I figured we would soon part ways and I would head to the lower class dormitory. That was when a group of male students walking ahead suddenly stopped and turned toward us.
“Is that not Lady Ophelia?”
The one at the front of the group bowed deeply, making an exaggerated gesture with his arm as he greeted her. Ophelia responded with her usual graceful, ladylike bow without saying a word.
Ah, it’s that guy.
Lucian. That was the name of the one who had greeted Ophelia so politely. I couldn’t quite remember his family name, but since he had a small but noticeable presence in the original story, seeing his face jogged my memory.
He was the young master of a fairly well-known noble house—not on Ophelia’s level, but still respectable. And he was a complete scumbag.
Even though he was in the upper class, he dragged around a pack of middle class students who obeyed him and practiced the art of bullying the weak while flattering the strong. He acted friendly toward anyone he considered above him and treated anyone below him like they belonged under his foot. Getting tangled up with him for no reason would be a huge headache.
“It seems you’ve been out with your friends.”
Since Lucian was standing face-to-face with Ophelia, Blair and I had also stopped walking. Ophelia glanced back at us for a moment before giving another silent nod.
“I don’t believe I’ve seen your face before. I’m Lucian.”
Lucian suddenly stepped right in front of me and held out his hand. It looked like he was trying to act close because I was with Ophelia. I had no connection to him in this life, but knowing what kind of person he was from the original story, I didn’t like him one bit.
Still, causing a scene here would only lead to more annoying entanglements, so I simply gave my name and shook his hand.
“I hope I can join you for an outing next time as well.”
Lucian turned back to Ophelia as he spoke. She didn’t respond, but he didn’t seem inclined to leave anytime soon.
I was physically weak. And being weak meant I got tired easily. I wanted to go back and rest as soon as possible. Since I was going to part ways with Ophelia soon anyway, I decided to say goodbye first.
“Ophelia, I’ll head in first—”
“No.”
Ophelia’s voice cut me off mid-sentence. I paused.
“Not yet.”
She looked at me and spoke briefly. Did she mean I shouldn’t leave yet? Wondering if she had something more to say, I stayed put.
Ophelia soon turned her gaze back to Lucian.
“I’m with my friends, so that will be all.”
After leaving those words with Lucian, Ophelia immediately turned away. Lucian’s face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly composed himself and bowed with the same exaggerated gesture as when he first greeted her.
We left Lucian’s group behind and continued on our way.
“Did you have something to tell me?”
I asked because Ophelia had stopped me when I tried to leave earlier.
“No.”
Ophelia shook her head as she looked at me. If she didn’t have anything to say, then why had she held me back?
“I’m going to head back to the dorm and rest now.”
We had reached the fork leading to the lower class dormitory, so I stopped. If there was no other business, it was time for us to go our separate ways.
“I know.”
Ophelia stopped as well. If she didn’t have anything to say, then why had she hurried to say goodbye to Lucian and followed me all the way here?
“You haven’t said goodbye yet.”
The casual remark delivered with that serene face made me burst into a small laugh. Given how proper Ophelia was, it made sense.
“Get home safely. See you later.”
I casually raised my hand toward Ophelia. While I was at it, I glanced at Blair too. Unlike her usual glaring, she gave an awkward little nod. That must have been her version of a greeting.
“Yeah. Goodbye.”
Ophelia raised her hand in the same way I had. I thought it was amusing how even that small gesture looked elegant coming from her. With that, I turned away from them.
I had only taken a few steps alone when I felt eyes on the back of my head and glanced behind me.
Not them.
No one was watching me. Ophelia and Blair were continuing slowly down their path without looking in my direction. A bit farther behind them, I could see a group of male students gathered, but they didn’t seem to be paying any attention to me.
The group looked like Lucian’s crew from earlier. The distance was fairly far and the light was fading, so I couldn’t see clearly, but they seemed to have one guy in a headlock while making a lot of noise.
Even their playing around was loud. Hoping I wouldn’t run into those noisy bastards, I quickened my pace.
Warren, who had returned to the academy by carriage, was walking alone toward the dormitory. By chance, he caught sight of Kael’s back ahead of him.
Since they had parted ways at the inn earlier that afternoon, this was the first time seeing him again. Feeling glad, he wanted to greet him. So he hurried his steps, but then—
Huk. Lady Ophelia.
Recognizing the people with Kael, Warren froze. As a commoner with nothing to his name, nobles were extremely dangerous people to approach, even if they were fellow students. And among those nobles, Ophelia stood at the very top.
He had no connection to her whatsoever, but she still made him nervous. To Warren, any noble was a burdensome presence.
Half of him wanted to greet Kael out of genuine happiness. The other half wanted to avoid the burdensome noble student. Still, his gladness toward Kael won out.
It’s just a greeting. What’s the big deal?
He sped up again, intending to pass by and say hello, but a group of male students suddenly appeared in front of Kael’s party.
Ah…
Warren’s steps, which had been quickening, came to an abrupt halt.
Lucian.
The very person who made Warren afraid of nobles regardless of rank. The one he wanted to avoid most of all. Just seeing their faces from a distance was enough to make his heart tighten.
What should he do? He couldn’t take another route. To get back to the dormitory, he had to keep walking straight ahead.
Unable to go forward or back, Warren eventually began taking slow, careful steps again. The closer he got, the nearer he came to Lucian’s gang.
Kael’s group, who had been facing them for a moment, soon walked past. And Warren’s eyes met directly with Lucian, who stood at the very front of the group.
For some reason, Lucian’s expression was even more vicious than usual. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, they approached Warren.
“What’s this, Warren? You went out? We had no idea and looked for you all day yesterday.”
Glover, standing right beside Lucian, grabbed Warren’s shoulder roughly as he spoke. It was a lie. They must have known he went out and timed their arrival here for when he would return.
“We were so bored without you all weekend.”
Glover wrapped an arm around Warren’s neck and yanked him closer. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang surrounded him.
Before long, Warren was dragged off to a place where other students couldn’t see. Just like always.