Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: What Is Romance? (1)
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Small stature, sturdy build, black soot stains all over his clothes, and the bald head and bushy beard that screamed blacksmith.
With his hair sprouting straight from his chin, he was the owner of this forge.
He slowly sized up me and the others as we entered, then scowled deeply.
"Get out right now. I have no intention of forging swords for knights who came to the Academy just to chase romance."
If you turned the word "blacksmith" into a person, this is exactly what you'd get. From his appearance to his strong sense of pride, he hit every mark.
That said, I couldn't just accept what he'd said.
"There seems to be some misunderstanding..."
"Sure, a misunderstanding. 'We're getting married, so it's not dating,' or 'we're already engaged'—"
He said it in a mocking falsetto, like he was imitating someone. It seemed like this had happened multiple times before.
Why was he reacting so extremely to romance, anyway? I'd seen plenty of people, like Elena, who treated the Academy as a sacred place of learning, but no one had overreacted like this.
'Has he never even dated...?'
If the time he'd been alive equaled the time he'd spent alone, it wouldn't be so surprising.
Anyway, misunderstandings needed to be cleared up.
If he was renowned as a master blacksmith despite these quirks, his skills had to be top-notch.
"It's neither an engagement, nor marriage, nor romance. I'm just a mere servant, after all."
"A servant...?"
"Yes. Surely you don't think something ridiculous like a servant romancing their master could ever happen."
"Why couldn't it?"
No, why would it?
Sure, all Academy students were equals, but something out of a novel like that would never...
...Ah, right. This was a novel world.
"Well, I get what you're saying. Sorry for jumping to conclusions."
"No problem. It's those romancing in this sacred hall of learning who are in the wrong."
"To think someone still holds those views in this day and age. I clearly misjudged you."
We both burst into hearty "haha" laughter at the same time. There was no real reason. We just felt like we had to laugh.
That was when it happened.
"You, picking fights with customers again?!"
A woman who could fairly be called attractive emerged from the back of the forge. She was glaring at the blacksmith with narrowed eyes.
Her form of address was a bit odd, though. "You"—something you'd say to a husband...
"No, I'm not doing anything."
"Really? If I catch you at it again, no dinner for you."
"I swear."
The woman gave him a meaningful look after his reply, then disappeared back inside.
I stared blankly at where she'd gone, then turned to the blacksmith.
"Your wife, perhaps...?"
"Yeah, that's her. Kinda embarrassing, huh."
The blacksmith chuckled sheepishly with a "haha."
'This... this traitor...!'
I'd felt a certain kinship with him.
It had been over ten years since arriving in this world. In all that time, I hadn't so much as held a woman's hand, let alone dated. I figured he was the same, overreacting to romance out of hypersensitivity.
But to have such a pretty wife? This was outright betrayal.
"Well then, time to hear why you came all this way."
"Right. The reason I came here is this."
Personal feelings aside, I still needed to take care of business.
I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and placed it on the wooden table, along with the sword sheath and hilt. Of course, it wasn't an ordinary handkerchief—the blade of a shattered sword was wrapped inside.
He began examining the items on the table intently. Unlike before, his expression and movements were deadly serious.
"This is quite the piece. Whoever made it did outstanding work."
"As I thought."
Even to my untrained eye, the sword had been impressive. Not flashy, but with a refined beauty.
"What on earth happened to leave such a fine blade in this state...?"
"It was like this after I fought a magic beast."
"A student fighting magic beasts...? Ah, are you that top student from the Swordsmanship Department? Word is you took one on alone."
It hadn't been that long since the incident, but rumors had already spread to the streets. "A word has no wings but travels a thousand miles"—that's what this was.
Hearing about it in such an unexpected place left me feeling awkward.
"Anyway, you showed it to me thinking of repairs, right?"
"Yes."
"Must be pretty precious to you. But honestly, repair is next to impossible. Not just for me—any blacksmith would say the same. You can't restore a sword shattered to pieces like this."
"I see..."
I'd half-expected as much. It wasn't just chipped; it was in fragments.
The only way to bring this sword back was...
"Here's a proposal. Seeing such a fine blade has me itching to work. How about using these materials to forge a new sword?"
"Perfect. I leave it to you."
"I'll make it better than before. Look forward to it."
He let out a booming laugh. He clearly had great confidence in his skills.
It matched exactly what I'd had in mind, so it was ideal.
'Well, that takes care of my errand...'
I turned to Elena.
She was looking around the forge with wide-eyed curiosity. Armor, swords, spears, farming tools—everything imaginable filled the place, so it was no wonder she was intrigued.
"My lady, thank you for waiting."
"All done?"
"Yes."
"If Miss Evi has no further business, let's head back."
I bowed lightly and approached Evi, soon receiving confirmation that she had nothing else to do.
And with that, our outing was over...
"Miss Evi, if you're free, how about tea at a shop?"
"I-I'd like that."
Elena had decided our next stop on her own.
She hadn't even asked my opinion, so it seemed tagging along was a given.
What could I do? A servant went where the master went, came when called.
Not that I'd ever considered leaving Elena behind. How could I leave her alone in such a dangerous city?
The sky was clear, the sunlight warm. The perfect day for the carrots in my garden plot to shoot up.
Elena was sitting in her usual spot, preparing for class as always.
Suddenly, snippets of conversation from nearby classmates drifted over.
"Miss Silpi, I heard you're meeting someone from General Studies?"
"I-It's embarrassing, but yes..."
"I'm so jealous. I wish someone cool would appear for me too..."
No need to ask—it was romance talk.
What had been occasional at the start of term was now a daily occurrence.
'They all enrolled to study and master magic, didn't they...?'
It was like the tail wagging the dog. Everyone seemed to be putting the main point on hold.
"Good morning, Miss Elena."
I turned at the voice to see a woman with distinctive spiral curls.
Ursula Verdi, lady of the Verdi Ducal House. She'd argued with the bald guy from Swordsmanship in front of the magic beast cage during joint class.
Her spiraling hair made her unforgettable.
"Good morning, Miss Ursula."
"Lately, it's all anyone talks about—romance everywhere. Everyone's shoving magic aside. Not that I don't get it."
"Is that so? I have no idea..."
"Surprising. I thought you knew everything."
"I don't know everything."
"Heh, you say that. Anyway, marriage is just a tool for the family, right? Like allying with a faction or restoring finances."
Elena nodded.
The individual's opinion didn't matter in marriage. Every noble knew and accepted it.
"But here, you can be with someone you actually like. Even noble society hushes up Academy flings. In short, it's romance—the dream of happy times with the one you love."
"Romance..."
Elena murmured softly, lost in thought.
'Am I the only one avoiding reality...?'
Liking someone, ending up with them—it all felt so distant.
Maybe growing up in a flawless ducal house made it that way.
Higher titles meant more choices in love and marriage.
"Eh, don't overthink it. Just learning magic is tough enough right now..."
As Ursula shrugged and went to continue, someone approached.
"Oh my, Miss Ursula. Whatever happened with that Swordsmanship guy from the holiday?"
"Th-that one?! Well..."
Ursula's face flushed like it might burst. Despite her words, she'd put magic on the back burner too.
Elena watched her with a short sigh, then turned away.
'Romance...'
It still felt distant.
After classes ended and I'd finished tending the garden, I headed to the Horticulture Club room with everyone.
"I'll prepare the tea."
I said so and went to the teapot.
It used to be the princess's job, but now I handled it.
It wasn't a hassle. I'd done it before.
And honestly, I preferred doing it myself.
I couldn't stand watching the princess brew tea.
Soon, as the water boiled and the aroma filled the air...
"What is romance...?"
Elena dropped a bombshell. In front of Cain, Yubel, and Evan—all three marriage candidates, no less.
Naturally, their eyes went wide...
And I pressed a hand to my forehead.
The moment those three started serious courtship, this club would turn into a battlefield.
Life sure wasn't easy...