Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Veronica
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...Thud.
“......Ah.”
After a massive flash of light engulfed the grand training hall, Ferris collapsed to the ground.
His body was already a ragged mess.
Thanks to the high-tier defensive spells he'd cast beforehand and Aren adjusting the power at the last moment, his life wasn't in immediate danger... but injuries were unavoidable.
His mana circuits throughout his body were crackling with electric shock, parts of them scorched black, and his skin was charred too.
It had burned away before it could even melt.
Human skin, no less.
Ferris despaired as pain surged through his entire body.
Charred skin? Burned mana circuits? That didn't matter.
What truly mattered was that he'd failed to do anything in front of everyone watching.
He'd tried to crush Aren with overwhelming superiority, but he'd been the one crushed instead.
...It was the moment his pride shattered completely, plunging him into despair.
After that day's duel, the professor acting as judge quickly ascended to the grand training hall above, calling the match to a halt.
Ferris, gravely injured, was carried straight to the infirmary, and Aren was declared the victor.
Astonishment and awe naturally followed.
Especially since no one could believe this was the power of a freshman who'd just entered the Academy. Countless people envied and feared Aren for it.
“Is it because I'm not an imperial noble, Lydia?”
“Th-that might be it...?”
“Right? If I were a noble, it'd be different, wouldn't it?”
“Y-yes...”
Lydia nodded as they walked to class together.
In her mind, if Aren were a noble, there'd be no envy—only respect and fear.
...But something felt off, didn't it?
Before she could pinpoint what, students passing in the hallway started whispering and staring at them.
Once again, gazes filled with awe and envy.
Lydia, receiving them alongside Aren, unconsciously gripped his hand tightly.
“...Aren.”
“Yeah?”
“No matter how others see you, I don't think you need to care about it.”
“Hm?”
“Because I think you'll become a noble someday.”
“You really think I'll become a noble, Lydia?”
“Yes.”
She nodded without hesitation.
In her view, this empire was a meritocracy. Sure, nobles had their sense of authority and all that, but with enough talent, anyone could rise high.
In fact, mages and swordsmen who'd achieved great feats or reached lofty heights had been granted noble titles generation after generation.
The Adel Adler Duke's family had risen to dukedom that way too.
From that perspective, when Lydia looked at Aren... he was a genius among geniuses the empire had to hold onto at all costs.
So, unlike what she thought, he wasn't particularly bothered.
But her concern was endearing, so he let it slide.
Still...
“Haha... then you'll become a noble too someday, Lydia.”
“M-me too...?”
“Of course, Lydia.”
At the very least, she could aim for a baronetcy someday.
“Lydia has talent.”
He hadn't sparred with her directly.
But from watching her entrance exam and practices, he'd realized she had talent on par with the Golden Generation.
Of course, she hadn't fully bloomed yet, so she was just strong for a commoner... but proper training would change everything.
Lydia bowed her head under his earnest gaze.
A tickle in her chest, her skin flushing warm.
...It didn't feel bad.
“Hau... Th-thank you, Aren...”
“No need to thank me.”
He chuckled and patted her head.
Her soft hair wrapped around his fingers. Seeing her accept it quietly sparked mischief in him.
“...And even without that, if you marry me, you'd become a noble too, right?”
“Y-yes...?”
She froze.
“M-marry...?”
“Yeah. Marriage.”
Lydia's theory: Aren would definitely become a noble.
So, wouldn't marrying a noble make you one too?
The answer was a resounding yes.
“......!”
Whoosh—!
Her body heated up.
Her exposed neck between her hair strands flushed bright red.
Cute.
Blushing over something this small.
Was this why men wanted to dye pure girls in their own colors?
Even if there was no such thing as true friendship between men and women, her reaction went beyond that.
But he had to hold back now.
He needed to seep into her slowly, very slowly.
Girls like bunny-like Lydia would get scared and bolt if pushed too hard.
“Just kidding.”
“Ah... kidding...”
She sighed in relief, but for some reason, a faint regret stirred in her heart.
Before she could recognize or question it, they arrived at the classroom.
Creak—
As they opened the door and entered, all eyes turned to them.
Students staring openly and whispering.
Some had seen the duel live, others via recordings on the Academy Community—everyone knew of Aren's feat.
“...They say he burned Ferris's mana circuits.”
“For real?”
“Yeah. A senior I know works at the infirmary—said the young master's mana circuits got fried.”
“Whoa...”
“Apparently they can heal it... but there'll be some loss.”
“Damn.”
...Gulp.
Everyone staring at Aren swallowed hard.
Fear was plain on their faces.
Not just the occasional commoners, but noble-born students too. Maybe because Ferris was the Magic Tower Lord's disciple and a noble of sorts, yet his mana circuits got torched.
Terror gripped them: cross Aren, and you might end up like Ferris, barbecued.
Of course, it was a misunderstanding... but he saw no reason to correct it.
If the trash avoids me on its own, all the better.
“A-Aren... everyone's staring so much...?”
“Must be because you're so pretty, Lydia.”
“Y-yes, hehe...!?”
Lydia jumped in surprise.
Ignoring that, Aren led her to someone sitting in the corner of the classroom.
“Sleep well, Veronica?”
Veronica's signature light green eyes turned to Aren.
Unlike others, her gaze held no envy or fear.
Instead: annoyance and displeasure at this overly friendly Aren she'd only recently met, and... a faint trace of envy.
“...You again. I could've sworn I told you not to greet me like that.”
“Hm? Did I?”
He scratched his head as if sorry.
Of course, he wasn't.
“...Sigh.”
Knowing that, Veronica let out a deep sigh.
Why did he keep spouting lover-like morning greetings? It was rude, honestly. She was a virgin who'd never even had a boyfriend, let alone a fiancé.
Greetings like “Sleep well?” were ripe for misunderstandings.
“H-hi, Veronica...”
“...Hello.”
She brushed off Lydia's timid greeting from the side.
Lydia looked dejected... but that wasn't Veronica's problem.
She figured they'd leave after the hello.
But then.
Thud—
“...Why sit here? Plenty of empty seats.”
As she said, it was early in the semester—tons of spots open.
“But those aren't next to you, Veronica.”
“......”
“I want to sit next to you.”
She was speechless.
Aren chuckled softly at her reaction, finding it amusing.
“Kidding. This is just the best seat.”
Back row, by the window.
Prime real estate.
Especially for those not planning to pay attention.
“...If that's it, the one in front of me is empty too.”
“Nah.”
“Huh?”
“I'd rather sit next to you.”
She was at a loss for words again.
“......Fine. Just don't disturb when the professor arrives.”
“When have I ever?”
“You sitting next to me is the disturbance.”
“But last time, you sat next to me yourself.”
“That... was unavoidable.”
“No idea what you mean by that.”
Veronica decided not to engage further. It felt like her energy was draining in real time.
She turned her head coldly. No more glances at Aren.
Aren shrugged and patted the seat next to him for the awkwardly standing Lydia.
“Sit here, Lydia.”
“I-is it okay...?”
Lydia glanced cautiously at Veronica.
Veronica, predictably, said nothing.
“It's fine. Sit, Lydia.”
Finally, our pink chick nodded timidly, sliding in and plopping down right next to Aren.
With quiet Veronica beside them, Aren chatted with Lydia until Professor Sierra entered, starting class.
“The origin of magic...... stems from humans...... following...... and envying...... dragons———”
Honestly, the lecture was nothing special.
Aside from the orientation, this was basically the first real class—yawn-worthy basics.
I already know magic's origins.
Shu Arts and magic shared roots, after all.
His master had taught him plenty about magic too, so he knew this much.
Of course, Lydia and a few others listened with keen interest.
Don't they already know this?
Unless self-taught, most should. Lydia had a master too, so she'd probably know... yet she listened so intently. Curious.
She'll make a great mom.
One who listens patiently to her kid's stories.
No matter how he sliced it, Lydia was prime wife material.
Lost in such idle thoughts, class ended quickly.
“Ah! I have liberal arts next, so I gotta go, Aren...! Lunch together later!”
“Sure. See you, Lydia.”
Lydia left first, followed by students trickling out.
Veronica, beside him, was packing up too.
He stared at her blankly.
“...Why are you staring like that?”
She sighed and asked.