The Nobles' Social Gathering

If you describe it kindly, the nobles' social gathering seems like a place where everyone smiles and exchanges pleasantries. But peel back just one layer, and it's a brutally cruel venue. Fail to observe etiquette, and you'll draw glares. Without backing, you won't even get a chance to speak. If your status is low, you won't even receive an invitation. What strict rules.

'The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠imperial laws are more lenient than this. For real.'

In the end, the laughter and words exchanged here contain not even a speck of sincerity—just pure pretense. All of it is mere 'acting.' That's probably why, when I entered this hellish space, the atmosphere turned colder than ever. A silent tension hung in the air.

I glanced around lightly. A few familiar faces caught my eye. Mostly second- and third-years from the magic department. Occasionally, a first-year's necktie color mixed in. None of them were worth remembering. At best, they were somewhere between second-rate and third-rate.

And moreover. The absence of noble ladies from the knight department, combined with the side quest clear condition and Ebnis's request for what seemed like unneeded help—that's how I grasped the true purpose of this social gathering.

Of course. There's no way she'd ask for my help without reason. Not with her pride. So, who was the 'host' of this social gathering?

I was pondering that when—

"Oh my, an uninvited guest has arrived."

The girl who'd spoken to Ebnis earlier opened her mouth with a smile. I looked at her. Pink hair. Matching pink eyes. The most 'eye-catching' girl here—and the only one close to first-rate.

"Lady Ponea Esmeralda of the Esmeralda Count family."

"Oh? You know me?"

Ponea Esmeralda. A third-year in the magic department. With that hair color proving it, someone I had no desire to get involved with.

By the way. She was blatantly pointing out that I was 'uninvited' to attack me.

Here, keep it light.

"Nonsense that I wasn't invited. Ebnis. Isn't that right?"

"……Yes. Lady Esmeralda said I could bring an escort, so I, ……respectfully brought him."

"Sub-Marquess Ebnis. Heh, an escort should at least match one's station……."

"Station."

The Salenium saga is a status-based society. Plenty of people obsess over 'lineage' or 'bloodline.' Take Lutelus—he lives beyond his means solely because of his good birth.

I'm a disowned wastrel kicked out of my family, but the reason others can't treat me lightly is that 'origin.' I no longer enjoy Repelheit privileges, but central nobles and others can't just dismiss me outright because of it.

"I don't think I'm inferior to anyone here."

Those present would feel intimidated by my gaze. Indeed, Lady Esmeralda's lips trembled slightly.

I had no intention of leaving even if told to. If things went south, she could just rampage with her Holy Sword.

"Don't get any funny ideas."

Hm. Busted.

I looked at the host, Lady Esmeralda, still seated. She trembled at the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile.

"W-Well then, first, the refreshments I prepared……."

Servants brought out tea and treats, placing them on the table. The other ladies tasted them and offered a word or two of praise. While staring right at us.

Our etiquette was flawless anyway, so she was probably fishing for something to nitpick…….

I took a sip of tea and set it down with near-perfect etiquette.

"The temperature and flavor of the tea. Both perfect."

"Indeed, fine tea. Lady Esmeralda."

Now, yield a step here. I signaled Ebnis ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with my eyes, and she nodded before speaking.

"Thank you all for inviting me today, and Lady Esmeralda."

A brief silence flowed.

"Oh, of course I'm grateful Sub-Marquess Ebnis attended. ……Though I didn't expect an escort."

Awkward laughter echoed through the hall. Ponea Esmeralda closed her eyes briefly, waiting for quiet, then spoke.

"The reason I gathered you all today is to discuss magic with Sub-Marquess Ebnis. Magic is the noble's discipline. Perfect, intellectual, and beautiful too."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Quite right."

"Well said."

Wow. Look at her trash Ebnis like this. Knowing she's in the knight department, elevating magic as the true noble art. Even I'm getting annoyed.

Ponea, you need a scolding.

"Sub-Marquess Ebnis. If it's not rude, could you share your thoughts on the 'Summon Lightning' spell I gifted you last time?"

"Sorry, Lady Ponea. I've been focused on training lately and haven't read it. The top spot in the knight department isn't maintained by sitting around."

"……."

Countered just like that. Lady Esmeralda bit her lip, then spoke again.

"You've been training a lot lately, I see."

"Yes, and other duties besides. A sub-marquess of Repelheit has many appearances to make."

Ebnis. You didn't really need me, did you? With me at her side, Ebnis's damage meter was going wild.

"Ahaha, I see. Training is important. Well then……."

Her gaze turned to me.

"What should I call you?"

"Adrian suffices."

"I see. Adrian, you're no longer affiliated with the Repelheit family, correct?"

Snickers erupted here and there. I calmly sipped my tea with perfect etiquette and replied.

"Correct. However, I took first place in Elemental Mana Linkage Studies, Herbalism, and General Imperial History in the midterms."

No one laughed this time.

"……."

"Magic is the 'nobles'' discipline, yet how is a mere 'commoner' finding it so easy?"

Perfectly turned the tables. I said this while staring into Esmeralda's pink eyes.

"Ponea Esmeralda."

"……Yes."

"Allow me to ask you one thing on this occasion. Have you ever, in your life, given your all with true sincerity?"

"I live every day with full sincerity?"

"I don't think you understood me. Have you ever swung a sword until your hands bled, run until you collapsed and couldn't rise, whipped yourself to stand whenever you felt like quitting?"

"……."

"You haven't. No, you couldn't."

I infused each word with intimidation. Ponea Esmeralda's character is steeped in elitist noble ideology. Like the line 'No bread? Then eat cake' personified.

"Ah, Adrian?! Wh-What are you even saying here……."

"Ebnis Rothschild de Repelheit is different. Nothing like you greenhouse flowers. She knows how to move herself, advancing toward her goals. But what about you?"

"Ughhh……."

I ignored the one writhing beside me.

"You don't believe mimicking adults in your glass bubble constitutes the whole world, do you?"

"……."

"Ebnis."

I turned to her, cooling her cheeks with her hands.

"Last time I asked if you had friends, you said no. Wise answer. Better alone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠than befriending these types. Let's go."

I stood, and Ebnis, catching my eye, quietly rose too.

"I hope you all reflect as well. This gathering isn't wrong. But the world is full of more valuable pursuits. And Ponea Esmeralda."

I smiled. My eyes emanated irresistible intimidation.

"Foolish. Your scheme was utterly shallow."

"Ha, ha……. Ha……."

Ponea Esmeralda clutched her chest, face flushed red, laughing.

"Y-Yes……. My complete defeat……. A perfect loss……. To lose so miserably to someone not even a noble, ah…… I'm a disgrace to my family……."

Hm. Just as expected. That's why I said I didn't want to get involved.

"W-Well, Adrian, if just a tiny bit of your time……."

I turned wordlessly and left the hall.

Hm. All done?

Successfully cleared the quest. And reputation up too—profitable all around.

This one…… ignore.

On the way back. She was unusually quiet, so unlike me, I spoke first.

"If you have something to say, spit it out instead of hesitating."

"……Adrian. Did you really think that?"

"Think what."

"Th-That thing you said at the social gathering."

Ah. That.

"I acknowledge it."

"Acknowledge……? You, who used to mock everything I did as a kid as pointless?"

"I only acknowledge. Ebnis Rothschild de Repelheit has innate talent plus ef……fort…… guh."

"Stop. Praise from you just sours my mood, and I can't get used to it."

"That was the plan."

We scowled at each other.

"Wait here a bit. I'll get the magic book."

Ebnis dashed to Lubrium Hall and returned five minutes later with a book—and something extra.

"Adrian."

"What."

"My resolve to surpass you hasn't changed. No, now I truly get it. I dismissed it as nonsense at first, but you might actually become a marquess."

Is that so.

"So I'll say it boldly. You're truly my rival now. This is the last time I'll swallow my pride and ask for help! Here, the magic book as promised reward!"

With that, she handed over the grimoire and trotted back to the dorms.

Well then. I won't go easy either. Come at me full force.

Thinking that, I examined the Summon Lightning grimoire and noticed something.

"This is……. No way."

A small pouch. Untying it revealed cookies inside.

"……."

Cookies burnt pitch-black, unrecognizable in shape. Why give these? To poison me politely?

Among the cookies, a scrap of paper emerged. Ink smudged, as if rewritten hesitantly multiple times.

Good grief.

"What an stubbornly dishonest girl."