Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Embarrassed Asuka
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Turning around, Elric saw Kasis Sirun standing there—Chloe's slave(?) and Asuka Sirun's younger brother.
"I saw everything. How could you toy with someone like that?"
"Toy with?"
What was that supposed to mean? Elric looked at him with baffled eyes.
"Even when my sister used her full power in magic, you didn't even properly engage and just casually dispelled it. No matter how skilled you are, that's not how you do it in a spar, is it?"
"What?"
Was that not allowed? Elric blinked in bewilderment.
"Thanks to you, my sister must have been really hurt. She's fragile enough as it is."
Kasis crossed his arms and sneered.
'Not really.'
Kasis chuckled inwardly. If that were truly bad manners, Professor Asel Hershe would have dispelled all the students' magic with mana on the first day. Spars were meant to mimic real combat in the continent's mainstream culture. As long as you didn't break rules like using non-magic in a magic duel, winning was always right.
Even so, the reason he was picking a fight with Elric over such a flimsy excuse was...
'No matter how I think about it, I can't understand. Why is Chloe interested in a guy like this?'
His sister might get nervous around men since she wasn't used to them. But why did Chloe, the girl he had his eye on, keep wanting to get close to this guy whenever she saw him?
Sure, the guy was ridiculously handsome, from a good family, highly skilled, and talented—but aside from that, he was nothing special.
Plus, rumor had it he had a rotten personality. Cold and rude, right?
'If he argues back now, the others will spread bad rumors about him.'
Given Chloe's sociable nature, she'd definitely hear them. Then she'd see this guy in a new light.
Of course, he wasn't thrilled that his own sister had been made to feel that way either. Couldn't he have won without bruising her pride so much?
'What a rotten personality.'
He was thoroughly unlikeable.
"Ah... I see."
"?"
"Now that you mention it, I was a bit harsh. I'll go apologize."
"??"
But Kasis, who had braced for a cold, dismissive, negative reaction and prepared accordingly, was left floating question marks at Elric's straightforward admission.
"That said, we still have our spar, so I'll go after class. Do you have any idea where your sister might have gone?"
"Uh... probably holed up somewhere."
"I see. That might be hard to find. Anyway, got it."
"Uh... yeah."
At Elric's completely unexpected response, Kasis stared at him in a daze.
What was this? He'd heard the guy had a rotten personality.
"Oh, perfect timing, actually."
"...What?"
"Our spar is next, right? No need to go far—we can do it right here. I'll keep your advice in mind this time."
At Elric's words, Kasis's face drained of color.
And the ensuing spar was, naturally, Elric's overwhelming victory.
After the spar ended, Elric stepped outside and expanded his senses to maximum range.
He already had a good grasp on Asuka's mana from their previous fight, better than most others. But the academy was full of people. If he wasn't thorough, he might not find her before break ended.
Luckily, her mana had a very distinct crimson hue that made it stand out.
Thanks to that, it didn't take long for Elric to locate Asuka's mana and head her way.
"Sniff... sob..."
Asuka was crouched in a corner outside the building, crying.
'Wait, a lady sitting on the ground...'
Had he done something that bad? Elric scratched his head and walked over to her.
"Excuse me, Lady Sirun."
"Sob... Huh?"
At Elric's sudden appearance, Asuka hurriedly covered her face. No matter how hurt she was, this wasn't a sight she wanted anyone to see.
"W-what!"
She shrieked and scooted back while still crouched. Seeing her hop like a startled rabbit, Elric sincerely apologized.
"I'm sorry about the spar earlier. I should have treated it as proper magic."
"...?"
What was this now? Anyone could see it had been her own petty outburst. She'd lost so badly she couldn't even be touched, and ran off sulking.
"But it wasn't like I was playing around. It's just... I'm not used to spars with others..."
Hearing him go that far made Asuka feel embarrassed instead. What was this? The winner coming to apologize—it was so childish.
"I won't do it again. I'm truly sorry."
Elric bowed his head. Asuka froze in shock.
'W-wait... Isn't he supposed to be cold, aloof, and rude?'
Yet here he was, bowing and apologizing—for something he hadn't even done wrong?
"N-no, it's fine... I was the one who overreacted..."
"Still, I was at fault too."
"Y-yeah..."
Asuka peeked at Elric as he lifted his head. He was still expressionless and hard to read, but somehow...
'He seems... kind...?'
That thought crossed her mind.
'W-wait a second...!'
She'd forgotten amid the loss earlier and her misery now, but this guy was a man—not family.
And here he was, so close. Asuka froze for a different reason.
"...? Is something wrong?"
Seeing her relax then tense up again, Elric stepped closer to check her condition. Of course, his proximity only made Asuka's heart race more.
'Ugh, uwaaah...!'
Embarrassing. Nerve-wracking. Her head spun; she didn't know what to do. Naturally, Asuka's face flushed red.
"Are you feeling ill? Your face is red."
"N-n-no! It's n-not that...!"
"Pardon?"
"I-I'm fine now. S-so please go."
"...? Alright, then."
Elric wondered briefly if leaving her alone was polite, but she seemed embarrassed and had asked him to go, so he nodded and turned away.
"Haaah..."
Only after Elric was completely out of sight did Asuka relax and let out a huge sigh.
"...He's so kind..."
Bothering to apologize when he could have ignored it, worrying about her just now. He was nothing like the rumors.
"Are all men like that...?"
No. Her brother Kasis Sirun wasn't like that with other girls.
"Ugh..."
Anyway, today had been too embarrassing, shameful, and tense. Asuka stayed huddled there a while longer, only standing when break was nearly over.
Morning classes ended, and lunchtime arrived.
As promised, Elric headed to Class 1-1 to eat with Irene, but...
"Young Lord."
She was already waiting in front of Class 1-2, as she'd said.
"Ah, Princess."
Still, making a princess come to him every time?
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Elric escorted Irene out of the campus, his steps hurried in case Silua or Joel showed up.
Of course, Irene interpreted it differently.
'Oh my, he can't wait to date me!'
She wasn't the only one looking forward to this. Feeling upbeat, Irene walked briskly alongside Elric.
"Today's place is the restaurant 'Fairy's Tear.' It's a bit of a walk, but the reviews are great."
"Yes. ...Yes?"
Elric stared at her in bewilderment.
No matter how much of a loner Elric was, he had eyes and ears. In the dozen days since entering the academy, students had already ranked nearby restaurants.
And Fairy's Tear topped the list for food, interior, and price.
As such, reservations were notoriously hard. They'd only made plans yesterday—no time for that.
"How did you reserve?"
"Just used my name, and they had a spot."
"Ah."
Right. She was the princess of the Sisly Empire, home to Houser Academy. Of course they'd make room.
"I'll pay. I invited you."
"But still..."
"It's fine. I have plenty of money."
"Uh..."
Yeah, princess and all. Her personal wealth probably dwarfed most students'.
But that wasn't the issue.
'She picked the whole restaurant...'
So they'd keep going where she wanted, and she'd foot the bill?
'Is this okay?'
They weren't a couple—just lunch buddies. Even if she was a wealthy princess, was this right?
'...Whatever. I'll pay next time I get the chance.'
Luckily, as the second son of a ducal house, he had money too. A fancy restaurant wasn't a big deal.
With that resolve, Elric entered Fairy's Tear with Irene.
Ding-a-ling-
"Welcome. Do you have a reservation?"
A chime rang out, and a neatly dressed staff member approached with a smile and a perfect 90-degree bow.
"Reserved under Irene Sisly."
"Gasp, P-Princess Sisly...! Right this way!"
Of course, it was brief. Upon realizing her identity, his face paled, and he guided them with even more formality. His steps remained steady and precise, impressing Elric.
'Wow. This is pro service.'
He should have visited places like this before.
"H-here you are."
The staff, still trembling but unflappable, led them to their seat. Up several flights of stairs, it was the best spot—a large window with a stunning view.
"Thank you. Sit, Young Lord."
"Ah, yes."
Elric sat, glancing out the window. As expected of the top restaurant's top seat—the scenery was breathtaking.
'This is why people go to nice places.'
"Here are your menus."
The staff handed them menus and stood by the table.
'Dedicated server for this table?'
High-class service was on another level. Elric admired it as he opened the menu.
"...I've never been to a place like this before!"
"Haha, first time? Eat your fill today, miss."
Then, a familiar voice came from the stairs.