Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: I Am Happy (2)
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A few days had passed since the retake exam.
During that time, had I been able to meet Layla?...
No.
Not even once.
There were dozens of reasons I could list, but if I cut the nonsense and summed it up in one word, it was simple.
I just didn't have the time.
'Why am I so damn busy?'
Kingswell Royal Academy.
The top-tier educational institution under the royal family, aimed at cultivating national elite talent.
As befitting its reputation, Kingswell's students were expected to maintain a certain level of skill, grades, and dignity at all times.
And that included even the first-years—no exceptions.
About a month after the entrance ceremony, the professors seemed to think, 'They must be adjusted by now,' and started blasting through the curriculum like mad.
Unexpected assignments began piling up one after another, surprise quizzes popped up now and then, and they ramped up practical swordsmanship training to prepare for evaluations.
Suddenly, the intense regimen took off on a completely different track.
"This section might appear on the comprehensive evaluation. Reviewing today's lesson will help you in many ways."
"You there! Daring to doze off in this sacred hall of learning! Front and center!"
"I said swordsmanship training, not swinging that toy sword around! Drop and give me push-ups!!!"
"You call that an answer? Scribble that crap on the board!!! Smash your head into itaaaaaa!!!"
These crazy bastards.
Are you sure you're educators?
'Swordsmanship Department is insane.'
There was a reason other departments mocked the Swordsmanship Department as 'barbarians.'
No need to look far—just check the Magic Department next door. They usually corrected students politely with words.
Here, though? One slip-up, and a shout came flying. Sometimes they even grabbed a bat, leaving you breathless.
Seeing this, no one could argue against comparisons to Conan the Barbarian.
The problem was, I actually understood this training regimen.
When asked if you'd ever been shaken down at Kingswell, the Swordsmanship Department topped the list as the culprits.
They accounted for half the incidents on campus, with the other departments splitting the rest like pie.
Even Gideon and his rude crew, who stewed in arrogance, couldn't stand up to them—they were crushed flat.
For these blockheads, maybe this was the right approach.
"Blackmere. Your attitude in class has been excellent lately. I'll award you 1 shop point."
"Thank you."
But that didn't apply to me.
I racked up points just by sitting quietly.
'You guys try it. Shop points go up.'
Maybe this was the big picture Leonard had in mind.
Deliberately cause trouble early to tank his reputation, then coast quietly through academy life.
The flower boy of deep temptation, Leonard, demonstrated 'doing absolutely nothing in class,' and professors fell for it one after another, praising his attitude.
Behold my greatness (by doing nothing).
Of course, Leonard probably hadn't thought that far—he just messed up thoughtlessly.
Thanks to him, I was blowing my nose without lifting a finger.
But that only meant I avoided corporal punishment.
I was still swept up in the grueling curriculum.
After wolfing down a combat-style lunch at the cafeteria.
Charlotte and I settled side by side on our usual bench near the fountain, our go-to rest spot.
"I'm dying."
"......"
Charlotte slumped over, head hanging low, not even responding to my words.
It made sense. The previous class had been Basic Swordsmanship.
Like new recruits getting a two-week adjustment period after assignment.
Professor William had transformed devilishly the moment that promised month ended.
True to owning one of the academy's three demonic swords, his teaching style flipped—he became a demon instructor.
"Today... the meat......"
"Yeah."
"Tasted like dirt......"
Thanks to rolling around in the training grounds, we chewed sandy lunches.
If I had to pick a silver lining, swordsmanship training actually helped me a lot.
As expected of Kingswell.
I'd needed something to hone my sword sense right then, so it worked out perfectly.
Considering Leonard's talent, with his innate focus driving steep growth, it wouldn't take long to handle this body properly.
'And it's pretty fun.'
Swinging the sword was more enjoyable than expected.
Focus came easily, and honest sweat yielded balanced swordsmanship progress. I'd gotten hooked on training.
Truly premium stock Leonard. Steady upward curve with effort.
This guy was basically Nvidia.
Made me wonder why he hadn't bothered before.
"Leonard......"
"I'm listening."
"The sky... looks yellow......"
"Jaundice?"
"Crispy jerk chicken......"
I lounged on the bench like it was a bed, trading nonsense with Charlotte and killing time blankly.
For someone like me, where even heading back to the dorm felt like a grind, this was precious sweet rest.
As I soothed my weary body and mind, a shadow suddenly fell over my face when I tilted my head back.
"Looking comfy, Leonard."
Purple hair draped like curtains, eyes sparkling haughtily from within the shadow.
"......Layla?"
"Hmph."
Layla had snuck up and was glaring down at me with a pout.
I bolted upright like I'd been shocked, and she sat naturally beside me with a sullen expression.
"Why the reaction? Like you saw a ghost."
"Uh, no......"
This was bad.
I still hadn't found that restaurant.
As I swallowed dryly in silence, Layla shook her head with a sigh.
"Anyway...... Why are you lounging here like you've conquered the world?"
"Previous class was Basic Swordsmanship."
"Ah... Professor William's?"
"Yeah."
"Then, well......"
Professor William's notoriety seemed famous even in other departments.
'This instructor can be an angel or a demon depending on student participation.'
Makes sense— that madman's antics would spread rumors.
Like the time I got whacked with his bat. Or maybe oak bats erode sanity.
No wonder it's called a demonic sword.
'Anyway.'
I glanced at Layla beside me, swinging her legs back and forth.
I still didn't remember where that restaurant was.
Maybe honestly saying 'I forgot' on the spot would've been best.
But that would've disappointed her...
Too late now—we'd come too far. Backing out felt wrong.
If I was gonna cancel, better to rip the band-aid off early and weather her disappointment.
"Layla."
"Yes?"
With her staying silent, I broke the ice first.
"About last time, that......"
"Yes."
"The promise to eat together."
"Ah, that."
"Yeah."
She eyed me like, 'You actually remembered?'
A bit guilty, but I kept a straight face and continued.
"Shouldn't we schedule it soon?"
Better to take the hit early—less pain.
I vaguely recalled Westford in the capital's west side. I'd head there and innocently ask around.
"No need to go right away."
"......Huh?"
"What?"
And Layla neatly shattered my expectations.
"Why not?"
"Magic Department's ramping up now too. After the semester's comprehensive evaluation won't be too late."
"Ah, no......"
"Plus, that place needs reservations at least two weeks ahead. Small spot, limited seats."
My body froze solid.
My plan to wander there and ask directions crumbled.
Reservations? Never heard that.
'Must be gold-plated.'
Just how luxurious and exclusive was the place Leonard took her to?
"By the way, didn't expect you to bring it up first. Hehe... So you were looking forward to it deep down, huh, Leonard?"
"Uh, yeah......"
"Great. Me too. Let's go right after evaluations."
"......Leave it to me."
Damn, this ego's stubbornness. Couldn't confess now if I tried—lips sealed.
'Hey, asshole. Kill your pride.'
Usually shuts up, but pops out to sabotage now?
Seeing me quiet, Layla peeked at my face cautiously before speaking.
"More importantly, Leonard. You okay?"
"What now?"
"Observation Class next week. My sister's coming......"
"......Observation Class?"
Her innocent question hit like lightning—a fact piercing my mind.
'Wait a sec.'
Kingswell Royal Academy holds Observation Class for freshmen.
A public lesson to show off to parents.
Like an investor presentation.
"Next week is Observation Class?"
"Yes. Who's coming from the Blackmere Family?"
Her pure question instinctively summoned one person.
Jet-black hair, blood-red eyes sharp as the family head's, a cold-blooded perfectionist.
A man who looked like Leonard grown mature by ten years.
And... in Leonard's memories, the older brother who utterly despised him—the family heir.
Cold sweat trickled down my temple.
'Screwed.'
Leonard, screwed again.
The capital, Lizenford.
The eternal heart of the human kingdom, a cauldron of ambitions where all politics and power tangled.
"Chief. Next Wednesday, 8 a.m."
"Wednesday?"
"Yes."
The man gazing out at the capital's streets turned, his blood-red eyes glinting coldly.
"Professor William—my mentor—is still hale, I presume."
"Yes. He asked after you."
"I should visit and pay respects personally. Prepare a suitable gift."
His secretary bowed silently in affirmation.
His lips curved faintly at the wordless yes, but flattened at the face that surfaced next.
A talent wasted, crumbling from laziness.
Always rebelling against Father's strict education, losing his spark—now a cold wick.
Pathetically immature, the family disgrace, yet his only sibling.
"That guy......"
How's that guy doing?
He almost asked, but clamped his mouth shut and looked away.
Dismiss him now.
The secretary saluted quietly and left. Eerie silence enveloped the office as always.
'Observation Class.'
He hated even seeing his brother's face now, but he'd made it into Kingswell.
Bearing the Blackmere name as a student—skipping Observation Class would be laughable.
Father was too busy with state affairs, leaving only one option.
"Time to check if he's still pathetically wasting away."
Edwin Percival Blackmere.
His crimson eyes gleamed icy as frost, picturing his pitiful brother ten years his junior.