Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Upset Princess Irene Sisly
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It's a voice I've never heard before. But there was only one classmate in the same class who could speak so casually to Elric without a second thought.
Elric naturally turned around and bowed his head.
"......I see. Your Highness. It's been a while."
Naturally, the one speaking so casually to Elric was Rian Sisly, the crown prince of the Sisly Empire, where the Raishion Ducal House resided.
"Haha, no need to be so formal. We're all just classmates at the academy anyway."
What a joke. Once we graduate, you're still a big shot.
Elric didn't respond. That's what 'Elric' would have done.
"Haha, still as taciturn as ever."
Taciturn my ass.
His mouth was itching even now. He barely held back the urge to snap, 'Oh yeah? And what about outside the academy?'
"Anyway, it's good to see you after so long. How's that research you were working on coming along?"
"......It's going alright."
"Hmm? Even a genius like you says that?"
Rian's words made Elric genuinely question the guy called 'Elric'. How the hell did this dude live his life to react like that to mere compliments? Was he completely lacking in humility, or was he actually a genius? Wait, both?
"......"
Of course, he kept that to himself and stayed silent on the outside. It was simple—just keep his mouth shut—but holding back the words that wanted to burst out was harder than studying.
"I'm not trying to pry or anything. Oh, right—my sister Irene is in Class 1-1 for first-years. Have you said hello to her yet?"
"Not yet."
"Haha, then why don't you go see her? I'm sure she's waiting for your greeting."
Waiting for my greeting? What's their deal? Is it just polite chit-chat? Or do they actually know each other?
"Yes, I'll do that then."
"Good. It was nice seeing you, Elric."
"Likewise."
"Ah."
As he finished greeting Rian and turned to leave, a small sigh came from one side. Elric glanced back to see who it was.
Oh.
Long, flowing golden hair, sky-blue eyes, and an incredibly pretty, gentle face that stood out strikingly from everyone around— a peerless beauty with a lively vibe.
Chloe, the original heroine who'd been gazing at him so intently earlier, let out a disappointed sigh, then startled when their eyes met.
The old Elric would have gone straight over, introduced himself, and hit it off with her.
"......"
But Elric just gave her a cold glance and walked out of the classroom.
That's hilarious.
He chuckled inwardly.
Oh man, so the girl he's into starts talking to another guy, it rubs him the wrong way, so he shoos the guy off? Using 'go greet the princess' as an excuse?
It was the kind of scene that would've had him rolling on the floor laughing if no one was watching.
Was Rian Sisly always like this? Come to think of it, yeah, there was a scene like this in the original.
The guy was handsome enough to stir up insane jealousy. He'd tremble with rage whenever Chloe got friendly with other guys.
What a waste of a pretty face.
Whatever. Not his problem. Elric kept his expression blank as he headed toward Class 1-1.
Click—
And right as he opened the door, he came face-to-face with Irene Sisly.
Whoa......
Silver hair with a faint lilac tint—the imperial family's signature—pale purple eyes, and a cold, emotionless expression. An insanely beautiful face.
No wonder she's a princess; she's seriously pretty. The author giving the heroine spot to Chloe despite having a beauty like this made no sense.
Well, whatever. Not my business.
Putting aside his thoughts, Elric greeted her politely.
"Hello, Princess. Congratulations on your academy enrollment."
"......Who are you?"
Irene looked at him with an emotionless face and asked. Elric panicked inwardly.
What? They're not close?
Did that Rian guy lie about this too?
"Elric Raishion, second son of the Raishion Ducal House of the Sisly Empire."
But after a month and a half of (forced) family training before coming here, Elric reacted just like 'Elric' would in this moment. He didn't care whether the princess knew him or not.
"I see. Young Lord. Congratulations on your academy enrollment."
"Thank you."
"Well then."
And with that, Irene Sisly brushed past him without a second glance. Left alone, Elric barely maintained his blank expression as he let out a hollow laugh inside.
Rian Sisly, even for you, isn't this a bit pathetic?
Wow, what a clown. And this guy's supposed to end up with the heroine in the original?
The author's tastes are one of a kind.
He shook his head inwardly and walked off in the opposite direction from Irene, looking for a place to rest alone.
Irene Sisly, princess of the Sisly Empire and the one who'd just greeted Elric, clenched her hidden hand beneath the folds of her dress.
Elric......
A flicker of disappointment and resentment welled up in her otherwise emotionless eyes.
Why haven't you sent me any letters?
Ever since that incident when they were young, they'd exchanged letters and kept in touch regularly—right up until a month and a half ago. Most of the content was research talk she couldn't even understand, but it still made her happy. The blunt, cold Elric Raishion was sweet only to her.
But then, a month and a half ago, it stopped cold.
At first, she was puzzled. Then angry. Then worried. She'd heard he was doing dimension research—maybe something dangerous had happened?
But there he was at the academy entrance ceremony, perfectly fine. No injuries, nothing.
So he'd just cut off contact with her for no reason.
Her hurt boiled over, and she'd pretended not to know him on purpose. But he'd taken it in stride and even introduced himself.
Only me......
Was I the only one excited? The only one who thought we were close?
The only one who believed we had something special?
Was saving me back then just a whim?
I hate you......
She hated him. Hated him so much.
But what she hated even more was that she couldn't stop liking him despite it all.
"......"
Irene's face hardened coldly. She looked angry at a glance, but inside, she was filled with disappointment.
With her icy expression, she walked on, her thoughts consumed by Elric.
After a short break, first period began.
Coincidentally, the first class was major-specific. Magic for magic majors, sword for sword, spirits for spirits, and so on.
This class was held jointly across sections. There were ten classes total: Classes 1-5 together, and 6-10 together.
Why not just split classes by major? But the academy said it was for diversity or something.
Probably just to pair the heroine with all the guys.
Or maybe because those guys with different specialties couldn't be in the same class otherwise.
Fortunately, Chloe's major was spirits.
So at least during major classes, the chances of annoying trouble were low.
Thank goodness for small mercies.
At least he'd have a little time to breathe.
Elric kept his cold face and headed to the major class location.
There were plenty of people who wanted to approach and talk to him.
Of course. Elric had been writing books, publishing papers, conducting personal research, and excelling in magic even before enrollment—a genius among geniuses.
But.
So cold......!
I just want to say hi, but what if he ignores me?
I-Is something wrong? He looks upset...
L-Let's wait for another chance. We're in the same class anyway; opportunities will come.
His now-passive icy expression intimidated the students, despite his fame.
In the end, no one spoke to him, and Elric arrived at the classroom all alone (pitifully?).
Come on, not even a greeting? Even if Elric's a jerk personality-wise.
Unaware of their thoughts, Elric grumbled inwardly, but no one heard.
It couldn't be helped. 'Elric' wasn't the type to approach first.
For conversations, others had to initiate—but no one did.
Sigh, I wanna chat up a storm...
The soul of Yeo Si-un inside him was a natural people-person who thrived on lively group banter.
Thus, Elric barely suppressed the frustration in his chest.
As he headed to the Second Training Grounds for magic class,
"......?"
The grounds were unusually noisy.
Something going on?
It was more excited than typical first-day-of-term buzz.
Some big event?
Elric thought as he stepped inside.
And then.
"......Oh."
Amid a circle of students, he spotted a woman in rather provocative attire and widened his eyes slightly.