Education and Encounters (7)
There were few moments of solitude like this. Only now could Marei finally open the notebook Ilien had given him and carve out some real time to study. The excitement he had felt upon first arriving at Valter School—the thrill of being able to learn so many things—still lingered inside him, even when surrounded by those seductive female instructors. It wasn’t about chasing good grades. Discovering knowledge that his rural school could never have offered had quietly become a surprisingly pleasant hobby. Of course, with so many females desperate to be impregnated by him constantly clinging to his side, it kept getting pushed down his list of priorities…
Even when the material was completely new to him, he often had the strange sensation that he already knew it. And when he encountered magic or academic content he truly did recognize, an inexplicable wave of déjà vu would wash over him.
He was deep in his studies when he finally noticed someone sitting across from him. Marei lifted his head to find an unfamiliar young man watching him.
“Who are you…?”
“Hmm… looks like it’s really you.”
The man gave a satisfied nod after studying Marei’s face. At the same time, several other men moved in, surrounding him.
“Yeah… no mistake. Good.”
Marei cautiously observed the man who had clapped his hands twice in satisfaction. The jagged outline of thick muscle visible beneath his clothes, the face that looked permanently set in a scowl—Marei was used to the friendly atmosphere near the ramparts where students were few and everyone knew one another. This man looked like the kind of thug he’d only ever seen in movies or comics.
Feeling uneasy, Marei tried to gather his bag and leave, but the students encircling him stood expressionless, blocking every path of escape.
“Sit down. We don’t exactly enjoy beating people half to death either. Though there’s a difference between a hobby and a profession, of course. Hey there. Name’s Roland. You don’t look familiar, so I’m guessing you’re a freshman?”
Reluctantly returning to his seat, Marei nodded. Just in case, he gripped tightly onto the necklace Erden had given him.
“I hear you’re acting as mentor to a woman named Celine Ferdinand… Our president isn’t too pleased about that. Oh, no need to look so scared. We prefer solving things through ‘conversation.’ If you hear us out, you’ll understand why. Will you listen until the end? I don’t want to threaten you.”
The boy—no, the young man with a face far too vicious to be called a boy—kept clenching and unclenching his fist.
“I figured I’d have to keep you seated if I wanted you to hear the whole story. So don’t make that face. I feel bad enough already.”
The bulky man who had introduced himself as Roland grinned, showing his teeth. Though his words were surprisingly polite, the way he flexed his thick forearm and made the veins bulge made it hard to call him a gentleman. The shaved bald head only added to the impression. In cruder terms, he looked like a thug.
“What do you want…?”
“Ah, good, good. I like that you’re ready to talk. Boys, back off a little. You’re scaring the freshman. I said beat it!! You never listen, do you?!”
-Thump.
“Ugh… sorry…”
Watching Roland laugh as he drove his fist into the gut of the young man standing beside him and shoved him away, Marei could only fidget anxiously. He considered calling for help, but since Roland claimed he only wanted to talk, summoning someone now felt cowardly.
“There we go. Now we can have a real conversation. Roland Emba. Second son of a minor noble family that holds a small estate in the Dragon Mountains.”
“I’m Marei…”
Though he was familiar with noble etiquette, Marei had never learned the indirect way of introducing oneself while deliberately omitting titles and lineage—the very style Labella considered the most pathetic. All he could do was give his name.
The man’s blue eyes carried a strange glint of mockery. Once Marei finished his introduction, Roland’s face brightened into a wide smile. The way he looked down felt oddly like a snake staring at prey, yet somehow Marei didn’t sense any real danger.
“Heh… nice. Freshman friend. The reason I arranged this little meeting is because of Lady Celine Ferdinand. It’s not that I want to harm you because of her. I simply want to ask for a little ‘understanding.’”
Understanding. Understanding. Roland repeated the word several times as if he liked the sound of it, then muttered it again before grabbing Marei’s drink and gulping it down.
“This story’s a bit complicated, so I’d appreciate it if you’d listen with an open mind.”
Leaning one arm on the table and resting his chin on his hand, Roland let out a small, troubled groan before continuing.
“Noble families are complicated. To commoners it might all look the same, but whether you’re the firstborn heir or not creates a massive barrier. Even though it’s a count’s family, being the second son means I’m worth less than the eldest son of a baron family…”
You wouldn’t know, of course.
Roland let out a small, understanding chuckle. Marei couldn’t comprehend why this man had suddenly appeared, why he was bringing up Celine, or why he was speaking and acting in such a provocative manner. Still, since the man was talking, it seemed polite to listen.
“Some go to the military academy, others enter administration. Those paths carry honor, but they don’t bring in money. Money… You think money is the most important thing too, right? Hmm? You don’t look convinced. Is it because you’re still young?”
“I don’t think only one thing is important. Of course some people value money above all, but there are definitely others who find different things more important.”
“Sounds like something someone who doesn’t know the world yet would say… Well, that youthful innocence isn’t bad either. If you want to earn money, shouldn’t you go where the money is? I serve someone special. He’s the legitimate heir of a wealthy merchant family. I’m sure you’ve heard of them. Have you heard of the Sheffield Merchant Coalition?”
Sheffield. Sheffield. No matter how many times Marei turned the name over in his mind, it wasn’t one he recognized. Among the items Labella had personally obtained and gifted him, none carried the Sheffield name.
“Well, it’s the kind of thing noble families love, so it’s understandable if you don’t know. You probably wouldn’t. It’s quite expensive. Since I had no interest in becoming an officer or administrator, my eyes naturally turned there. Luckily, that person took me as his right hand, and that’s how I ended up here. I hold no personal grudge against you. Still, we’re schoolmates. I’d really like us to get along. You feel the same, don’t you?”
“Ah… yes.”
Marei didn’t like the condescending tone, but Roland’s words weren’t wrong. The mention of being schoolmates brought a strange sense of belonging, and he even felt an odd closeness toward the muscular man before him. Of course, he had no desire to actually become close.
“Our young master is engaged to Lady Celine. If you don’t believe me, feel free to ask. Jubalen Sheffield. Ever heard of him?”
“No…”
Come to think of it, Marei remembered Shasha, the student council president, mentioning that Celine had a fiancé. He also recalled someone telling him to reject the mentor role if asked and send them away.
“Ah, so you’re the fiancé of Senior Celine…”
“Exactly! It’s Lord Sheffield. He’s the legitimate son of a central noble who holds the rank of count, and he will become the master of the Sheffield trading company!”
Roland spoke as if he himself were Jubalen Sheffield, proudly listing all sorts of praises. The way the flattery flowed so naturally, like political propaganda, was almost comical.
“As a man yourself, I’m sure you can understand. It’s unpleasant, right? Having another guy hovering around your fiancée. Oh, of course I don’t think you’d dare harbor such impure intentions. But you know how it is—possessiveness. Once you have a girlfriend or lover, that feeling appears. The sense that she’s yours. Of course, a little kid like you might be too young to understand that yet.”
As Roland laughed and rambled on by himself, Marei could do nothing but stare at him. Speaking felt awkward, and he had nothing in particular he wanted to say.
“So here’s the thing. I’d appreciate it if you ended this mentor relationship with Lady Celine. How about I become your mentor instead? If people know you’re under Roland, even most seniors won’t dare treat you poorly. Plus, you’re prettier than I expected.”
Apparently taken with Marei’s slender build and youthful face, Roland casually declared he would become his mentor. At those final words, Marei instinctively scooted his chair back in shock.
“Ahahaha! Just kidding~ Kidding~. If you react like that, I’ll feel bad.”
Despite his words, Roland’s eyes were sticky with lust. Feeling that gaze, Marei wanted to vomit. The only saving grace was that it really had seemed like a joke.
While Marei was thinking of giving a vague reply and moving on, a strange scent of earth began to spread. It was the clear, deep fragrance of soil and water one might smell near a cold lake at dawn. At the same time, a familiar female voice rang out.
“Move.”
“Oh, Lady Celine. I’ve told you many times that if you continue this mentor-mentee relationship, our young master will be disappointed…”
“Roland, do you even know who this child is?”
Roland lightly shrugged, casually ignoring the girl’s sea-blue eyes that had grown coldly still.
“He’s a freshman named Marei. Just a rather cute-looking boy, I suppose?”
“…He is the heir of the Pawen family.”
“Pardon? Pawen? What Pawen…? There’s only one Pawen family I know of?”
Roland asked lightly.
“That Pawen. The ruler of Valter. The heir of the Pawen family.”
“This little friend? No way…”
Roland shot up from his seat, staring at Marei in shock. Not knowing what expression to make, Marei deliberately avoided his gaze.
“The Pawen family should have green hair and purple eyes…”
“He’s a collateral relative, but Lady Labella de Pawen personally adopted him. You really are ignorant if you’re busy attending to Jubalen without knowing the current situation. Well, given your birth, you’re probably too occupied pretending to be a noble to pay attention to such things.”
“Adopted…? Pfft… Ah, I see. I’m sorry, young friend. I was too ignorant to recognize you.”
Roland laughed loudly in mockery and extended a large hand toward Marei. The gesture felt more like empty formality than a genuine apology.
“Marei, don’t accept his apology.”
“……Lady Celine. Don’t assume our young master’s favor will last forever. Virtue is the result of one’s usual words and actions.”
“Look who’s talking. Now, will you leave? I need to apologize to my mentee for your rudeness.”
Celine openly sneered at Roland as he clicked his tongue and walked away. She let out a small sigh, then, apparently unwilling to sit in the chair Roland had used, perched herself on the edge of the table instead. Her thin dress, as if designed to withstand the heat of the sun, was held up by straps so delicate they barely clung to her shoulders.
“I clearly told you to give a vague answer and send them away…”
Celine didn’t look at Marei. She stared at the ground and continued muttering as if speaking to herself. Unlike her usual lively demeanor, she now seemed terribly withdrawn, like ice that might shatter at any moment.
“I… I just forgot… that’s all.”
“You’re lucky enough to have a family that will protect you, so they won’t harass you anymore. But those bastards like to spread dirty rumors behind people’s backs. That’s why I asked you to stay away. Have you found a new mentor?”
“No…”
Celine let out a small sigh. Whether out of frustration or something else, she ran her fingers through her blue hair that reached down to her waist. The heavily waved locks swayed like ocean waves.
“I really can’t live like this… What am I supposed to do with him?”
Letting out a long sigh, Celine looked at Marei, who was glancing around in confusion, and couldn’t bring herself to say anything too harsh.
“I’ve heard some rumors about you. Is it true you’re dating Lady Philia?”
“W-well… maybe…”
It still didn’t feel right to say he was dating Philia. Their bodies had intertwined and he desired her, but Philia kept a strange distance. Even Marei wasn’t sure what their relationship truly was. The thought kept growing until it felt like it might burst with a pop.
“Do you know Philia?”
“Hmm…”
Celine moved her lips as if thinking, then shrugged.
“If Lady Philia hasn’t told you anything, then I don’t really have anything to say either… So you’re not dating. Still, rumors don’t appear for no reason… How about asking Lady Philia to be your mentor? She’s busy with many things, but given your connection, I doubt she’d refuse…”
“Should I ask Philia…?”
Celine nodded as if that was the obvious choice.
“I’d be fine with you, you know~”
At the sudden voice that appeared without any presence, Marei flinched and turned his head. Celine simply lowered her head in silence, deliberately ignoring it.
“Hello, Marei de Pawen. I’m Jubalen Sheffield. I heard my friends committed a great rudeness and came running. Fortunately, you were still here.”
A cheerful, handsome young man. He smiled as he naturally wrapped an arm around Celine’s waist.
“I knew Roland was moving around for my sake, but I had no idea he was threatening others like this.”
The way he added “really” at the end while still smiling brightly made Marei’s skin crawl. Hair that resembled Marei’s own but carried a brownish tint. Eyes the pale blue of white waves rippling with foam. Jubalen Sheffield was handsome enough to inspire favor just by looking at him. Marei even felt he might want to befriend him—until he saw the man’s actions.
“Mmm… ah…”
At the woman’s moan, Marei looked at Celine in shock. Her face had turned bright red. She was biting her lip, but she couldn’t suppress the soft moans slipping through the gaps in her teeth.
It wasn’t the criminally voluptuous chest like Labella’s, but a perfectly proportioned breast that fit her frame. A large, white hand was kneading it roughly, like dough.
“What are you…”
“It’s fine. Want to touch her too? Celine’s breasts are so soft and fun to squeeze.”
“Ugh…!”
Marei recoiled in horror at Jubalen’s behavior, but the young man continued as if nothing was wrong, making the outrageous suggestion. Celine simply clenched her teeth and tried to ignore it all.