Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Sparring (1)
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"I get it, Rowen. You must've been too busy to even check your messages."
"..."
Even as Estelle said it was fine, I couldn't shake off my unease.
...Just agreeing with her felt like it would lead to trouble.
Estelle, who usually showed little expression, was now twitching her eyebrows as if holding back her emotions.
"We took the entrance exam together, exchanged contacts, and yet you just follow Lea around everywhere. I guess that happens."
"No, that's not..."
"I thought of you as a really precious friend, Rowen. But to you, I'm just one of many, right?"
Estelle's words pierced my chest like a cold dagger.
It was my fault for missing her messages...
But honestly, who would've thought Estelle was actually interested in me?
I'd just become friends with the isolated Estelle, eating meals together, chatting and laughing, and exchanged numbers so we could text casually.
...Yeah. Now I see it. I really am trash.
"Sorry, Estelle. I had to go to this dungeon I absolutely couldn't skip, so I left the academy and came back late. That's why I missed your messages. You're a precious friend to me too."
"...Liar. Then you should've taken me with you. I'm way stronger than Lea."
She must've seen me returning to the academy with Lea.
That explained why Estelle showed up right after Lea left. It seemed suspicious.
...So she saw me laughing and chatting happily with Lea too.
Imagining how it must've felt to see a friend ignore your messages but have fun with someone else...
Estelle wasn't even angry—she was speaking calmly. It showed just how kind she was.
"It's okay anyway. I saw you safe and sound. I couldn't sleep worrying something happened since you didn't reply."
"...Ugh."
"I learned friends forgive each other's mistakes generously. I'm used to waiting. Really, it's fine."
Estelle smiled faintly, looking genuinely relieved.
Anything but that...
Her angelic faith was enough to scorch my rotten conscience white-hot.
"Still, I hope you don't neglect me too much. I didn't know worrying about someone could be this tough."
And with that faint, almost not a request, she left me even more broken.
My already shattered heart felt like it had turned to dust.
"Hearing you say that... I realize how wrong I was. I promise I won't do it again."
"...Yeah, that's enough, Rowen."
Seeing her shy response made my heart feel even stranger.
It was surely said with pure intentions...
But that tone of hers had a way of oddly captivating the listener.
'She might get misunderstood elsewhere.'
It only made me worry she'd get dragged into something weird.
"So, why'd you message? You asked if I had time this weekend."
"...Just. I heard there's a new cafe with delicious desserts. I wanted to go with you. Sweet desserts make me feel better."
Estelle wanted to eat tasty food with me.
She loved sweet cakes, so she probably wanted to share something she liked.
...Wait. A new cafe?
"Um... Estelle? Which new cafe do you mean?"
"The one that opened inside the academy grounds. Name was... Vienne Cafe, I think."
I hoped I was wrong... but nope, my hunch was right.
What other new cafe could there be in the academy?
By some twisted fate, it was the same one I'd promised to go to with Lea tomorrow, and now Estelle wanted to go too.
"Actually, I'm going there tomorrow... I have plans with someone else first, so I can't go together."
"...It's fine. If there's prior plans, nothing to be done."
Even as she said it softly, one thought lingered.
'...They won't run into each other tomorrow, right?'
Last time in the infirmary, Lea and Estelle seemed on really bad terms.
The anxiety of them meeting at the cafe wouldn't leave my mind.
"More importantly, Rowen. You should head back to the dorm first."
"...Why?"
"Arien seemed really mad. You vanished without a word. She was grumbling about how a weakling like you wanders around so much."
Hearing Estelle relay Arien's words flatly brought back the image of Arien waiting for me at dawn.
When I was in the infirmary, she'd pretended not to but subtly showed worry.
She must've thought I'd gotten hurt again since I didn't return last night.
"Estelle, I'll head back first. Something urgent came up."
"...Okay. See you next week, Rowen."
"Sorry! I'll message first next time!"
Arien always grumbled outwardly but was soft inside, so she was probably fretting over why I wasn't back.
I felt bad leaving Estelle alone, but Arien's only real friend was me.
Estelle at least had Laura from childhood, so less worry there.
Thinking thanks to Laura for looking after Estelle, I headed to the dorm.
Knock knock.
I'd rushed to the dorm and was knocking.
After some rustling, there was a click, and Arien appeared.
"...Come in."
Despite his angry expression, his voice held a hint of relief.
"So, why didn't you come back yesterday?"
Once inside, Arien flopped onto his bed and continued.
"I had to go to a dungeon, and it was farther than I thought, so I stayed overnight."
"...Dungeon?"
Arien frowned at me like he'd misheard, as I scratched my head sheepishly.
The guy who always got beaten up going to a dungeon? It sounded weird.
Dungeons were generally seen as too dangerous for students.
"You know you've been picking the most dangerous stuff lately, right?"
"Haha, yeah. I know they've been beyond what I can handle. But they were things I had to do."
I'd vaguely felt it too.
No major incidents yet was pure luck.
I knew I should focus on training now, but when stuff happened, I dove in body-first.
"Always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong... No plans to stay safe from now on?"
"I'll try my best... but probably not."
At least until midterms, nothing should happen.
I planned to cram training in that time.
Basic stat-ups via exercise, and clear all hidden achievements wandering the academy.
The Chimera Demon from midterms was still beyond me.
But what worried me was sparring.
I could raise stats solo, but swordsmanship levels needed spars.
Sparring with Serin was only twice a week.
Asking shield-users like Lian or Lea wouldn't help—they couldn't suddenly swordfight.
No opponent to go all-out against was the issue.
"Still, I'm doing my best, so don't worry."
"Best? Probably just flailing around exercising."
This punk?
Calling that hellish workout "flailing."
Your scrawny body wouldn't last an hour there.
...Though you're way stronger than me.
Mana and aura users could bulk strength without big muscles.
Big muscles hinder movement, so most raise density.
Guys like Lian and Lucas controlled aura to build bulk oddly.
'...Can't even argue.'
Minus Serin spars, no real training to speak of.
I pondered how to find a sparring partner.
"...Hey, Rowen. Get ready and meet me at the training grounds."
"Huh?"
"...I'll train you, so hurry up."
Looking at me pitifully, Arien shrugged helplessly, threw on his coat.
Like he'd planned it forever, he was ready in seconds.
No way... Is this the Arien I know?
The prickly delinquent from first meet was gone; now a model student helping a friend's training.
I teared up inwardly at the unbelievable sight.
"Thanks so much, Arien! I needed a sparring partner."
"...Eek! Don't come closer!"
"I'm just so grateful. One hug!"
"Get lost!"
Tch, embarrassed, huh.
Of course, solving my biggest worry was great.
But more than that, Arien opening his heart a bit more thrilled me.
"Embarrassing...! Put your arm down!"
"Hahaha! No way."
"Get off...!"
Arm-in-arm with Arien out of gratitude, heading to the grounds.
Despite his grumbles, his face held subtle satisfaction.
'...Weakling.'
This warm companionship after so long...
Not bad at all.