Chapter 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Tumultuous Academy (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The intense burst of mana shoved everything around Elena away.
It was a simple mana release, unimbued with any attributes or properties. It had virtually no lethality, but its advantage was that it activated without any delay.
"Wh-what did you...!"
Yurbe Zodiac's body lurched back violently. He had been caught at point-blank range by the mana burst.
He quickly regained his balance and tried once more to bring his blade to Elena's throat, but...
Of course, I couldn't allow that.
Daring to touch my lifeline? No way in hell I'd forgive that.
Kwachik-!
I used the momentum of my forward charge to drive my sword straight into the guy's shoulder. The blade tore through skin on the way in and ripped back out through the flesh the opposite way.
Unable to withstand the force, he toppled backward. The sword, now piercing clean through his shoulder, stabbed into the collapsing platform just in time, anchoring it firmly in place.
His dirt-caked robe slowly stained red.
"Argh, graaaah-!"
"If you don't stay still, the wound will tear open even more."
"You think I'll just take this lying down-?!"
The guy screamed in fury. Blood vessels burst in his eyes, making him look every bit the demon.
Soon, a red aura began to seep from his body. Looked like he had some hidden ace up his sleeve after all.
I didn't care. I just stood there overlooking him. More accurately, there was no reason to run.
I wasn't the only one here, after all.
"Yurbe Zodiac. That's far enough."
I turned at the sudden voice. Somehow, professors from the Swordsmanship Department and the Magic Department had closed in right beside us.
They'd probably been waiting for an opening too. I just had the edge because I could read Elena's signals.
The Magic Department professor, short wand in hand, stepped up to face Yurbe Zodiac directly.
"I won't stop-! Even if it costs my body, everyone here will..."
"Then go ahead and try."
"W-wait, why? Why isn't the magic...!"
"Not working? Care for some advice from a Magic Department professor?"
"You dare, a mere Academy professor, advise me..."
"Your spell structure is way too sloppy. I've already hijacked it."
The Magic Department professor had a real talent for getting under someone's skin.
If Elena picked up that trash-talking style on top of her magic...
God, I didn't even want to imagine it. Please, never let that happen.
In the meantime, the Swordsmanship Department professor patted my shoulder lightly.
"We'll take it from here. Retreat to safety."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
I bowed lightly and yanked my sword free from the guy's shoulder.
He immediately screamed, but the Magic Department professor shut him up somehow. She was scarier than I'd thought.
From there, I naturally headed straight for Elena. She was watching me from not far away.
"My lady, are you all right?"
"As you can see."
Elena shrugged nonchalantly. But her faintly trembling hands betrayed her true feelings.
As her attendant and her secret friend, I had a ton I wanted to say. Hell, I felt like giving her a good knock on the forehead.
But now wasn't the time. She'd at least rescued the hostage and wrapped things up safely, after all.
'Never raised her like this...'
I let out a short sigh and pulled a handkerchief from my pocket.
"Luke? What are you...?"
"Hold still."
"Eek..."
As the handkerchief touched her neck, Elena's face twisted.
She didn't seem to realize it, but there was a shallow, long cut on her neck. Must've happened when Yurbe Zodiac's dagger grazed her while she was creating an opening.
Daring to scar the one body she had, her only real asset...? Rot in agony for life, you bastard.
"Patients-! Any patients here?!"
As the chaos began to settle, a healer came rushing breathlessly into the auditorium.
I'd been planning to fetch one anyway, so perfect timing.
"My lady, please get treated. A scar would be a disaster."
"I'll wait a bit. Someone else might need it more."
"Then at least hold the handkerchief yourself..."
"Hmm. But the handkerchief feels too heavy to hold."
Elena's lips curved into a soft smile.
One minute she's griping about breaking Academy rules, now she wants the princess treatment?
Which tune am I supposed to dance to...?
The entrance ceremony, halted by Yurbe Zodiac's attack, was concluded as-is by the headmaster's decision.
He made it clear there'd be no redo, which suited me just fine. I wasn't thrilled about all the attention anyway.
Standing on stage is plenty once in a lifetime.
The problem was that subduing Yurbe Zodiac had drawn even more eyes my way.
"Elena Frozenheart, Luke Nineheart. You make me proud to call you imperial subjects. When we hold a banquet in the capital someday, I won't forget to invite you."
I got a shoutout from His Imperial Majesty himself. In front of all the freshmen and professors packed into the auditorium.
Whoa-! An invite from the Emperor himself!
Huh...? Why are there tears...
Anyway, after all that hullabaloo, things wrapped up smoothly. Elena's neck wound got treated and vanished cleanly.
The Academy issued a one-day closure for the investigation and to let everyone calm down.
Thus came an unexpected holiday...
Or something like one, anyway.
"Luke, come with me."
"...Isn't today a holiday?"
"That's why."
I could understand being summoned early morning. I was doing my usual physical training anyway.
But hijacking my holiday? No way I could stomach that.
I'm not a slave; working me nonstop without a break is ridiculous...
...Oh, right. I am a servant.
Back in the 21st century, we had five-day weeks standard, even pushing for 4.5. But here? Seven days a week, 24/7 on-call...
Nothing I could do about it. This was noble society. When the Grand Duchess with her pure blue blood said jump, you jumped.
Long live Lady Elena. Long live my lifeline.
"Where are we headed? After yesterday, wouldn't it be better to rest?"
"You know friends eat together and stroll the city, right? So today, we're going into town."
Friends hanging out isn't rare, sure. But usually it's same-gender friends, no...?
I didn't voice the doubt. it'd just poke at Elena's sore spot—she had no other friends but me—and honestly, I didn't have any either.
"In that case, I'll join you."
"Great. Let's go—to the city."
And so began the city outing for two friendless souls.
We left the Academy and soon hit the streets.
Even early morning, the place buzzed with people. Merchants prepping stalls, couples all dolled up strolling arm-in-arm.
I'd passed through here before the exams, but it felt totally different now. Probably the different purpose.
I wasn't the only one who thought so. Elena glanced over, looking visibly tense.
"Luke, where do friends usually go first in the city...?"
"Depends. Hungry? Eat first. Otherwise, browse shops and sightsee."
"Then food first. Meals should never be skipped, you said."
A throwaway line from me once, and she remembered.
The idiot trio really owes me a bow. Elena turning out this great? All my doing.
No real objections from me anyway.
"Wander the streets, then. Tell me if you spot a good place."
"Sounds good."
Elena took her historic first step, and I followed a pace behind.
After a moment, she suddenly stopped.
"Luke."
"Yes, my lady? See a restaurant you like?"
"Walk beside me."
"But a servant's place is learned to be..."
"I didn't bring a servant to the Academy. Or do you want to paint me as some rule-breaking fool?"
Stand beside her, forget my servant duties. Stay back, make her look stupid. Total checkmate.
They say there's always a way out even if the sky falls—but not with Elena.
"That wasn't my intent. Sorry."
In the end, I chose to walk at her side.
Forgetting servant duties? No one's watching, so no crime.
"Good. Let's keep going."
I stepped off again beside Elena. Always trailing before, side-by-side felt awkward.
How much time passed?
Suddenly, a tantalizing aroma wafted over. Sweet and spicy—mouth instantly watered.
Turning, there was a street vendor grilling sauced meat skewers.
And the person standing at the stall... looked oddly familiar.
"Luke, let's eat indoors. Eating outside is a bit..."
Elena trailed off, staring at the stall. Same thought as me, probably.
It was only natural.
The one devouring those meat skewers at the street stall was none other than the Empire's prince and his sister, one year their senior.
"Oh- isn't that Sir Luke?"
No matter how unrefined eating street food might seem, you couldn't say it to the face of imperial royalty.