Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: 4th Princess Rozaria (3)
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"Mr. Sian? Have you given it any thought?"
"I'm sorry."
Even when I was honing my swordsmanship in the training hall.
"Why don't we have some tea and talk it over? It's on me."
"No, thank you."
Even when I was running laps in the drill grounds.
"I'll come back tomorrow."
"Please don't."
Even when I was heading back to the boys' dormitory after finishing my daily routine.
Rozaria kept following me around, proposing that I become her bodyguard.
This had been going on for about a week since she'd sat down with me, Lloyd, and Bobby during lunch.
Even after I'd made my refusal clear, why did she keep pestering me like this?
At first, I'd politely declined out of fear it might be seen as lèse-majesté.
But with her relentless offers continuing, I had no choice but to respond more sharply, with irritation creeping in.
I'd explained it from the start. I wasn't the kind of person she was looking for.
She must have understood perfectly. Talented people overflowed everywhere else, and it didn't have to be me.
Yet why...
"Isn't that the guy the princess has been chasing lately?"
"Oh no~ What now... Even the princess has fallen for him..."
"Anyway, who does he think he is, turning down the princess? Isn't that just rude? Know your place."
"I heard he's hiding his family background. Probably from some fallen noble house or a commoner."
"Makes sense. And that rude girl Hedi he hangs out with is from a fallen family too, from what I hear."
"Birds of a feather, huh."
"......"
Thanks to Rozaria's behavior, I was even starting to hear whispers about me from those around us.
This wouldn't do.
It was fine if rumors about me spread.
But it made me furious that Hedi's name was coming up just because she was seen with me.
Before I knew it, I was constantly on guard whenever I moved around, checking if Rozaria was tailing me. It was becoming a stressful habit.
"Hoo... All I want is to graduate quietly, so why the fuss..."
I was about to practice my swordsmanship in the drill grounds as usual.
"Hey, you there."
Someone called out to me.
It was a voice I didn't recognize.
When I turned around, three upperclassmen who looked like they were a year ahead of me were standing there.
I asked them with a puzzled expression.
"What do you want?"
Then they spoke one after another.
"You're that stalker who's been following the princess around lately, right?"
...Stalker?
What were they talking about?
"You're done for today. Julius is pissed."
"Heh heh, looks like we'll get a good show for once."
I couldn't make sense of the situation.
"...Stalker? What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb! There's a stalker harassing the princess lately, and that's you!"
After hearing the words from the guy who seemed to be their leader, I finally understood.
The rumors had gotten twisted.
People couldn't easily believe that a royal like Rozaria was chasing after an ordinary student.
So these idiots had jumped to the conclusion that she was the one being stalked.
It was plausible enough.
'Agh, seriously...'
I was the one who wanted her to stop following me.
This put me in a foul mood.
Later, I'd tell Rozaria about this too and refuse her again.
"Today, Julius of the Barcell Viscount Family will put an end to your misdeeds."
At that moment, the leader stepped forward and declared.
'...What a piece of shit.'
Viscount family, huh.
In this world's hierarchy, that was below me. My status was something I'd accidentally gained after possessing this body, but still...
Maybe because of the rumors that I was hiding my background, they thought I was a commoner and came to pick a fight.
They said lowborns had more of an inferiority complex, and this guy seemed like the type who boosted his ego by stepping on commoners.
...Actually, perfect.
If I revealed I was a young master, they'd probably run off.
So I wouldn't.
I had a lot of stress built up anyway. This was a chance to vent.
I tossed one of my two wooden swords at the guy named Julius.
He started saying something, but ended up catching the flying wooden sword on reflex.
"...What's this?"
"You came to pick a fight, didn't you? We're already in the drill grounds, so come on up and let's finish it."
"...! You disrespectful bastard-!"
The other two standing beside him looked displeased at my words, their faces twisting viciously.
"Hey, Julius. Why don't we all three..."
"You saying we need three to take down trash like that?! You two stay out of it!"
I said to Julius in a mocking tone.
"What a brilliant debater we've got here."
"Shut up! You no-name trash, I'll make you learn your place soon enough!"
He huffed and puffed as he stepped onto the drill grounds.
Then he impulsively charged at me.
I was confident.
From the inter-year tournaments, no one up to third year could match me.
The swordsmanship I'd learned from Iris in the ducal territory was a real cheat, and reaching the mid-third star realm seemed rare in this world.
It helped that I'd used my past life experience to efficiently consume spirit pills for training.
My current skill was probably on par with a decent fourth-year graduate.
"I'll smash that ugly mug of yours!"
He spat out his anger as he swung his sword in an arc.
For a second-year, he was excited but his sword was fairly controlled.
Definitely more skilled than a first-year.
But it didn't work on me.
"I can see all your moves, senior."
-Thwack!
"Gah-!"
I smoothly dodged his sword and struck the handle.
He was so surprised that he dropped it.
-Clack. Thud.
His sword scraped weakly across the drill grounds floor.
"If you swing with your intentions that obvious, I couldn't hit you even if I wanted to. Go pick it up."
"Th-that was a fluke! Don't get cocky!"
"Sure."
"You cheeky piece of trash-!"
He kept calling me trash over and over, which was starting to grate on me.
He picked up his sword and charged again.
This time, it was different.
No more mistakes on the second try—he started executing a proper stance, clearly determined.
Just from the preparatory motion, I could tell it was an advanced technique.
The academy only taught the basics: Thunder, Water, and Fire Sword Arts. His swordsmanship had unfamiliar prep motions unlike those.
'Probably his family's secret technique.'
Any ordinary first-year would get wrecked.
But.
-Thwack!
"I told you, I can see it all."
"Guh!"
It didn't work on me.
In my past life as a vet, I'd memorized most family sword styles.
His looked similar to Water Sword Style.
Quick Sword Style was based on drawing techniques and essences.
Northern Sword Style freely used minor weapons like shortswords or dual blades.
Water Sword Style focused on defense and countering.
For reference, the academy's Thunder and Water Sword Arts were based on Quick Sword Style basics.
Anyway, his Water Sword Style felt like a bastardized version, probably tweaked by his family.
'If it's security-cleared, fine, but a copied tweak is full of holes.'
Copied styles had gaps when chaining moves.
Exploiting those with my aura-enhanced physical abilities was easy.
Julius, struck on the crown by my wooden sword, rolled across the drill grounds floor.
"Aaaagh! My head... My heeead!!"
"J-Julius-!"
Even as academy second-years, they were only sixteen.
Kids.
No real experience getting hit properly, so they'd panic more. Probably pampered at home too.
I grew up in Korea getting caned by teachers in school. We're on a different level.
Once the leader went down, the other two suddenly rushed me.
"You crazy stalker bastard! What trick did you... Guhk!"
"Wh-what... Gaaah!"
Of course, they were way weaker than the leader and both went flying after friendly head taps from my wooden sword.
I whacked the sprawled-out pair like whack-a-mole for good measure.
"What's wrong, seniors? Where's all that earlier spirit?"
"Aaaagh! Stop! Stoooop!"
"Grrgh...!"
After toying with them for a good while and feeling refreshed, I turned my back on their ridiculous sight and left the drill grounds.
With my stress vented, it was time for today's task.
Investigate black magic.
Like in the tournament incident, black magic was definitely a threat to me.
Better prepare.
The Black Magic Cult showed up often around Cain and academy folks in the story.
No telling when something like the tournament would happen again.
The magic library, the academy's top info hub.
Perfect spot for research.
With my stress gone and steps light, I headed to the magic library.
"Enough already!"
"......"
A moment of silence hung between her and me.
I was utterly fed up.
It had gone beyond mere annoyance.
...Even after my constant refusals.
She stared at me with a stubborn expression.
"Become my bodyguard, Mr. Sian."