Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: How to Vent This Rage
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"A commoner like you thinks this is an honor...?"
Iris turned away with a mocking sneer.
Everything I did as a mere commoner seemed to rub her the wrong way, so I figured I'd just stay quiet.
No point getting involved. I'd only end up hurting myself... My mental state might not hold up, and I'd lose control.
"Fuck..."
I muttered the curse under my breath so Iris wouldn't hear, planning to surprise her a little with my skills.
She seemed stronger than Eris, so winning wasn't even on my mind. I just wanted to startle her enough to get a reaction like, "Huh, this commoner's got some decent moves...?"
One hit.
"...Gah...!"
Right from the start, with no holding back, Iris swung her sword's flat side straight at my gut. I couldn't block it and went flying back.
I'd thought I could at least put up a bit of a fight against Iris.
My stats aren't that low, after all. Plus, I trusted my combat sense that even Eris had praised.
But to end up like this after just one hit to the stomach... with the flat of her blade, no less...
She was so ridiculously strong it almost made me laugh in disbelief.
Without giving me a moment to catch my breath, Iris unleashed what looked like sword energy straight at me.
Two hits.
-Boom!
Her sword energy slammed into me before I could even recover, sending danger signals blaring through my entire body.
If I take any more, I might actually die...
"Kuh... ack..."
Coughing made blood well up in my mouth.
What the hell kind of 'lesson' is this? She's trying to kill me...
Not satisfied, Iris started walking toward me slowly this time, her expression blank like she was about to squash an ant.
"Ugh... fuck..."
I tried to pull myself together to block her, but after just two hits from Iris, my body wouldn't move right.
My vision blurred, and every blink brought her closer.
And the moment she reached me...
Three hits.
-Crack!
Her kick connected with my jaw, launching me into the air before I crashed to the ground.
Fuck... my body won't respond at all now.
It trembled all over, refusing to obey no matter how hard I tried.
Lying there, I strained my neck to look up at Iris, wondering if she'd had enough. But our eyes met, and she started walking toward me again.
"...You... bitch... f..."
I wanted to curse her out, but my voice wouldn't come.
"Duchess, that's enough! He can't even stand anymore!"
Eris stepped in front of Iris, blocking her path.
"Professor... you should move. Now."
Iris's killing intent made Eris hesitate, but she stood her ground.
That woman is trying to kill my master. I can't back down.
Eris assumed a combat stance, treating Iris as an enemy.
I don't know why she's trying to kill my master, but I have to stop her...
Even if she kills him—a commoner—no one would care. They'd say he offended the duchess and deserved it.
Ruane was rushing over too, but the elf queen was blocking her, implicitly approving of the killing...
"Hoo..."
Eris sighed at the absurdity.
What the hell did my master do...?
After her sigh, Eris glanced at In-hyeok with a wry smile.
"I can't understand why the professor would get in my way like this... I'm just trying to teach him a lesson."
"L... les... son... my... ass..."
I wanted to scream it at the top of my lungs, but no sound came out.
That bitch's eyes said she wanted me dead, and now Eris was in the crossfire too.
Fuck, why is this happening...?
I couldn't fathom why this psychopath had suddenly gone berserk.
The moment Iris raised her sword at Eris...
-Whoosh!
"Stop...!!!!"
"...!"
Iris froze mid-swing.
Philia had shouted and rushed in, placing herself between Eris and Iris.
Iris halted her sword and looked at Philia with bewildered eyes.
"Philia... move aside."
"No. Mother, you're trying to kill the professor and In-hyeok right now."
"......"
Tell her you're just giving her daughter a lesson too! I wanted to yell, but my voice failed me.
"A commoner no one would care about even if he died... Why are you and even Philia making such a fuss over him?"
"That's because..."
Philia kept her head bowed for a moment, then met Iris's gaze directly.
"...I love that man."
"!!!!!!"
Iris's beautiful face twisted into an expression of shock she'd never shown before.
"I love Song In-hyeok, so I can't accept what you're doing, Mother."
"...Why that worthless commoner...? Ruane too, and now you..."
"Whether he's a commoner or not doesn't matter. I love him."
Is this the same Philia who beat me because of Ruane and then told me to be grateful for getting hit by a commoner?
My chest swelled with emotion.
At Philia's serious expression and words, Iris dropped her sword to the ground.
She pressed a hand to her aching head and spoke.
"...I don't get it, Philia. You're my daughter, but I just can't understand."
"I don't think I'll ever fully understand you either, Mother."
Iris grimaced at Philia's words, then turned and walked toward Leila, who was still holding Ruane.
"Leila, I think I need to head back and rest early today... Sorry I can't stay for the observation. You'll have to handle it alone."
"It's fine. Go rest, Iris."
Iris gave Leila a faint smile, then walked away with unsteady footsteps.
Did I... survive? Fuck, I survived... right?
"Haaaa..."
Relief hit me hard—maybe from nearly dying, or exhaustion—and my eyes grew heavy.
"Darling!!!"
Ruane called from afar as she ran over. Philia and Eris looked down at me.
I wanted to tell them I was okay... but I couldn't hold on.
I blacked out like I'd fallen asleep.
The familiar white ceiling... The academy infirmary.
"How long was I out...?"
I sat up and asked Eris, who was sitting beside me.
"Afternoon classes are almost over, so... about half a day."
"Philia and Ruane are in class?"
"Yeah. The student council president stopped by too. Barely talked her out of killing the duchess or whatever."
Sis acted like that? Kinda wish I'd seen it...
"You did well stopping her. Thanks, Eris. And thanks for protecting me."
I stroked Eris's head, and she made a sad face.
"If Philia hadn't stepped in, I'd be dead too... I couldn't even help."
True... With Iris's insane strength, Eris might've died as well.
Still, she'd stood her ground knowing it was futile, just to save me. Pretty admirable.
Time for a reward?
"...Mmph...! Chu...♡"
"Chuu... haa...♡"
"We'll do more later, Eris."
"Y-yes... Master...♡"
Eris looked disappointed, but no helping it.
I wanted to unleash my rage from Iris on someone... but not Eris.
She'd probably love it if I took it out on her, but it just didn't appeal to me right now.
The target for venting this anger is Leila.
Iris had tried to kill me, and Leila had stood by watching—even blocking Ruane from intervening.
I wanted to take it out on Iris, but I couldn't touch her now... So the impudent Leila it was.
"Eris, where's the queen right now?"
"If she's done observing classes, probably with Ruane...? She blocked Ruane earlier when she tried to help you, and Ruane looked furious."
"Got it. Thanks, Eris."
"Not certain... Just a guess... Ngh..."
I gave Eris one more kiss, got up, and left the infirmary to find Leila.
Leila... just you wait...!