Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Back to the Academy
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"Hahaha! The kids' faces look way brighter now!"
"Ehehe, oh, it's nothing."
"..."
Bathed in the clear morning sunlight, Lea and I headed to the nearby village.
The coachman who'd given us a ride before was waiting for Lea and me.
He just couldn't leave young students behind, or so he said.
It was touching, sure, but...
Ever since the coachman gave us a quick once-over and flashed that enigmatic smile...
The nonstop chatter between Lea and him had kicked off.
"From the first time I saw you, I could tell that boy had zero awareness. A sweet kid like him shows up all prettied up, and you take him to a forest with nothing but trees? What could go wrong? Everything, that's what."
"...Rowen does lack awareness, that's true. But he's so kind and cute! The problem is he acts like that with everyone..."
The coachman already loved to yap up a storm.
Now with Lea in the back seat, all cheered up and chiming in enthusiastically...
Suddenly, it was a happy world for everyone except me—the big capital I.
...Things were at least quiet when Lea was sulking.
We hadn't even left yet, and I already felt drained.
"Heh heh, you're totally smitten. Handsome guys like that are players, you know. If he doesn't have you wrapped around his finger, he'll be picking up girls left and right."
"He's already got girls swarming him... and it's only been how long since enrollment? But I'm confident."
Talking smack right in front of the guy in question. At this point, was it even backtalk or front-talk?
My image was about to hit rock bottom and burrow underground, so I tried to say something.
"Hey now, kid, stay quiet. I heard the details—you still need a good scolding."
"Yeah, Rowen. We're in the middle of something important. You must be tired from yesterday, so just sleep it off. I'll wake you when we get there."
...Couldn't even squeak before getting brushed off.
They're talking about me—how am I supposed to relax...?
Of course, I was in the wrong, so all I could do was bite my fist and shed silent tears.
"—So, feeling sorry, he gave me this bracelet. Said some super romantic stuff too. Hee hee, pretty, right?"
"Oho! Matches you perfectly! Truth is, I snuck in a tip yesterday. Told him to whip out a nice gift outta nowhere. He played it cool then, but pros are pros."
"Really?"
"You bet! Who's the expert here? First button's done—rest is up to you."
"Ehehe, got it!"
The carriage, prepped and ready, started rolling toward the academy.
Clop clop. With the horse hooves echoing, our short but intense trip seemed to draw to a close.
Lea and the coachman's banter came as a bonus, of course.
About five hours later.
Students in Avillon Academy uniforms came into view.
Soon after, familiar buildings appeared, and we reached the academy gates.
"Alright, we're here. Off you go, don't look back. I'm in for a nagging storm at home..."
"Take care!"
"Finally..."
The long ordeal of mockery and torment...
Time to return as 'student' Rowen.
Who knew arriving at the academy could feel this joyful?
How do they talk nonstop like that?
Thanks to them, I learned they could chatter for a full five hours straight.
"Aaaah... so stiff."
Lea stretched her arms high after getting out, yawning hugely.
Made sense—sitting in a bumpy carriage that long would tire anyone.
As she stretched with a slight frown, Lea suddenly burst into laughter and turned to me.
"Still, it was a blast. Right?"
"What was?"
"You know, everything. Getting spooked in the cave. Bawling my eyes out in the dungeon. Splashing around in the lake—that was super fun."
Lea paused, reminiscing about yesterday.
Fair enough. The dungeon was a nightmare, but that lake? Breathtaking.
"Way better than touring popular spots in the city."
"You don't have to lie..."
"Huh? Not a lie. It was stuff we'd never get from a normal day. Got to see your true feelings too."
Lea beamed, her smile pure and radiant, like the memories alone made her giggle.
I had to admit, thinking back, yesterday wasn't half bad.
Who knew opening up could feel so reassuring?
How long since someone made me feel liked?
...Though the water fight with Lea stuck out most.
"So quit worrying. I had a great time. Seeing you all tense bugs me."
"...Thanks, Lea."
"Ehehe, no prob. Pay me back with yummy cake!"
"Pfft, seriously?"
Lea steeled herself with a serious face, vowing to devour stacks of cake.
How is someone so effortlessly charming?
Just watching her made happiness bubble up—I couldn't help laughing.
Lea grinned back, her smile wide and warm.
We chatted away like that, then headed into the academy together.
In front of the academy plaza, with its bubbling fountain.
Lea and I were getting ready to part ways.
"Lea, heading out?"
"Wanna hang more, but... I realized how outmatched I am."
Regret filled Lea's face, but she shook her head firmly, like no.
"Felt it with Hardin's crew. And yesterday's dungeon. To protect anyone, I need to get stronger."
True. Lea was strong—for a student.
At full power, she'd rank top in Class A easy.
But S Class? Hero, Saintess, next Archmage—no contest.
Those guys could dominate a battlefield right now.
"So starting today, back to hardcore training. Even if you tell me not to."
"Haha, not like that."
"...Idiot."
Lea puffed her cheeks in mock anger, then deflated into a little laugh.
"See ya tomorrow, Rowen!"
"Get home safe, Lea."
Still looking wistful, Lea squeezed her eyes shut, nodded resolutely...
Gave a quick wave, turned, and dashed off into the distance.
...Now what?
Thanks to the coachman waiting, we got back way earlier than expected.
Planned for evening, so no schedule.
Lea went training. Too iffy for requests.
'Guess I'll hit the training hall too.'
Nothing beats a workout for times like this.
Plenty of time—could ask Lian for a spar. Not bad.
Fighting Libramon showed it: I still lacked real combat experience.
I channeled mana into the rune magic on my wrist to contact him.
-Estelle (20+ unread)
-Estelle: Rowen, got a sec this weekend?
-Estelle: Need help with something I wanna do. -Estelle: Reply when you see this.
...
-Estelle: Rowen. Where are you? Why didn't you come back to the dorm last night? -Estelle: Nothing happened, right? -Estelle: ...Tell me if I did something wrong. I'm still no good at this.
What the...? No one I expected to message.
Checking them, an unexpected name popped up.
"......?"
What. This is scary.
Swapped contacts with Estelle, but schedule was packed—missed checking.
Didn't expect this barrage.
...And how'd she know I wasn't in the dorm last night?
No girls allowed in the boys' dorm.
'Asked Arien...?'
Estelle and Arien were both S Class.
Probably got intel from my roommate Arien.
...Didn't seem that close, though.
Shaking off the unease, as I went to reply...
"...Hey. Rowen."
A smooth, flat voice laced with its signature curt charm came from behind.
Glancing back hopefully, there stood Estelle, frowning slightly.
No one was there moments ago...?
As I opened my mouth to greet her—she'd approached without a sound.
Estelle gazed at me, then curved her lips into a faint smile.
"...It's been a while."
...Mouth smiling, eyes not.
Instinctive dread rising.
This must be how prey feels facing a predator.
Staring at her, one thought filled my mind.
...Please spare me.