A Story That Becomes a Nightmare for Someone -2- Hamel Carriage Station
-...Focus! I'm about to go over today's schedule...
-Orc extermination, on.
-What're you doing in your free time? No plans? Let's drink in our room.
-Quiet down! Ahem. Anyway, today's schedule is unpacking at the lodging and then free time. The real fieldwork starts tomorrow... Stop chattering and listen! Don't make so much noise!
Ignoring the student council president's shout rattling my eardrums, I glanced around slyly, scanning for a quiet, deserted spot.
Why the hell am I even here?
I let out a deep sigh and scratched my head.
Haa...
It all started with Hans's casual report.
-Histania Malik as the escort...
Up to that point, I figured it had nothing to do with me. A dropout like me—basically a full-on quitter—had no reason to get tangled up with the academy. I didn't want the hassle, and they sure as hell didn't want me around. No overlap, right? The ballroom incident was unavoidable. Water under the bridge.
These third-years now—aka Yuria's friends—were my old classmates from my brief academy days. They'd endured the lady's tantrums and me, a walking natural disaster. They hated my guts. Hell, they ran me out themselves.
I didn't blame them. We'd fucked up, and paying for it was only fair.
So yeah, no ties to the academy. Or so I thought...
Fuck.
I shook my head with another deep sigh.
What can you do? If the boss says go, you go.
-Hey, Ricardo.
-Yeah, boss.
-Sorry to drop in out of nowhere, but could you cover for me on this one? Gotta check out the new shop opening.
-Boss, what the hell's your job again?
-Imperial Knights.
-...Haha. Anyway, sounds like a pain. Pass.
-You don't even know what it is...
-Academy shit, right?
-100,000 gold.
-I swore off academy drama. No thanks.
-200,000 gold.
-Sorry. I don't sell my precious time for money. Next week, the lady and I are making pizza...
-Didn't wanna pull this out. A week ago, Malik had shown up at the mansion unannounced and shoved a thick stack of papers into my hand from his jacket pocket.
Not free, but...
-Hm?
-Not free.
-Still, I value my time...
-All yours for free.
Unable to resist free food, I grabbed Malik's hand with glee.
-If it's for you, boss, no charge.
-So you don't need 'em then...
-Now, now, boss, you can't do this to me.
I pictured the lady's beaming smile as she stuffed the meal vouchers into her treasure pouch, hot tears welling up.
-Eek! Ricardo, you're so cool!
-I know.
-So capable! I'll share my chocolate!
-Thought you ate all the chocolate I gave you today...
-Eek...!
Eh, it'll be fine.
I shot a glare at Mikhail stepping off the carriage with Yuria and plopped down on a nearby bench.
This episode revolved around Mikhail. It kicked off with a clash against heretics during the orc subjugation. Here, Mikhail started building real hatred for the heretics.
Just keep 'em away from Mikhail.
Escort them right, no liability if shit hits the fan, help any students in danger—easy gig. I'd signed on with a light heart.
Haa...
Hate working.
Basking in the spring sun like photosynthesis...
"Butler!”
A familiar voice rang in my ear. A girl's voice fitting the season—clear, bright, upright. I slowly lifted my head and flashed a warm smile.
"Hanna."
"Heehee..."
Histania Hanna. The girl I'd briefly met at the ball stared at me, a heavy bag slung over her back bigger than she was. Her bright smile made me grin too—it didn't look like it weighed her down at all.
I patted the bench beside me, inviting her to sit. She hesitated, set her bag down, and plopped next to me, staring openly before breaking into a bashful grin.
"Long time no see, butler!”
"Yeah, been a while."
"Still as handsome as ever."
"I know."
"...Don't most people deny it here?"
"Too much humility brings bad luck."
She gave an odd smile at my shameless confidence, muttering, That's why you're cool...
As we caught up on recent events, I spotted a familiar light-green head unloading luggage from the carriage.
"Green moss, huh?"
"Yep, that's him."
Hanna took the nickname in stride, no big reaction. She had beef with Ruin too, apparently. I nodded, mentally downgrading the green-headed idiot.
Ruin's face was dark—the darkest I'd seen. Losing his talent, his fucked-up thing with Yuria... major stress. I eyed him curiously and asked Hanna,
"How's that guy holding up?"
She sighed heavily and shook her head.
"Not well."
It'd been less than a week into the new semester, and seeing him trudge along listlessly reminded me of that mantis on Hamel Mountain. Felt a weird kinship. Hope that bug's doing okay. Wanted to visit, but bugs drop dead easy—better wish it long life from afar.
Hanna propped her chin, staring at Ruin. Unlike her initial respect when she'd come to the mansion with him, now her face screamed Why are you even alive? I couldn't help a small chuckle.
Serves you right. Should've done better.
Hanna spoke slowly.
"Senior Ruin's an outcast at school. Skips classes a lot, waits outside Yuria's classroom senior's room, gets ignored... rinse and repeat?"
"Organic green moss."
"Totally. But he doesn't get what he did wrong. Thinks an apology fixes it. Keeps slamming his head into the wall like an idiot. Temper's worse too."
"Hmm... Stubbornly pathetic. Hard to watch."
Hanna turned to me. Before she could ask if I pitied him, I snorted and shook my head.
"Nah."
I got the scoop from Hanna: Not all second- and third-years came—only top scorers. And she was teamed with Mikhail and Yuria, pulling a sour face about it.
In the novel, it was Mikhail, Ruin, and Yuria. Maybe this was a blessing.
I watched Ruin silently unload, thinking. Ruin was dead weight now—his power too low to survive a heretic clash. Hanna joining Mikhail's party might actually save them.
I nodded, focusing on her words. Shartia's voice rang out, escorting the students. We waved goodbye.
Before joining them, Hanna stammered,
"Um... Are you staying at our lodging too, butler?"
I gave an awkward smile and shook my head at her shy question.
"Nah. Lady hates sleepovers."
"Oh..."
She drooped disappointingly, shouldered her heavy bag, and trudged toward the group.
Time for me to head out.
As the students finished up, I strolled toward them.
The academy's fresh sprouts eyed my approach.
-Ricardo, right?
-Looks like it. But why's he here?
-No way...
I nodded at their murmurs admiring my handsome face.
Familiar faces. Most glared like they wanted to tear me apart; the second-years looked at me like some legendary villain.
Hands in pockets, I watched them. Counting silently—one, two, three—as they buzzed anxiously, I closed my eyes smoothly.
One inquisitor, three cultists maybe.
Matching novel intel, I nodded and cleared my throat.
"Ahem. Nice to meet you. I'm Ricardo, your escort to the orc habitat."
-For real?
-No way...!
-Why him?
-He's insane!
Amid the uproar, three faces with trembling eyes caught mine: Mikhail. Ruin. Yuria.
Our tangled bad blood settled like dark clouds—Mikhail with disgust, Yuria with shattered friendship, Ruin with pure hate.
I brushed it off lightly and got to business. Hired help's gotta deliver.
"Lots of familiar faces. Makes me happy."
-What the hell?
-Seriously.
-Tell the student council prez?
-Yeah.
Same students, but escort? Whatever.
-But the ball...
-Hey! That was ruled Princess Shartia's magic.
"No cursing. I feel the same way. Won't see you long, so I wanna talk shit too, but..."
I flashed an awkward smile at Shartia's stiff expression.
"That'd be rude. Right?"
A relieved whew from Shartia. I smiled at her and launched into my prepared speech.
"From now on, I'm your escort. Guiding you to lodging and the Hamel Mountains midpoint for fieldwork. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Call me off-duty? Hard pass. Insult me? I'll bury you in a sunny spot."
My line-drawing speech hardened their faces further.
"Why the sour looks...? Just kidding."
Kids these days hate jokes? I gave a wry smile, held up three fingers.
"Just three things I ask."
-One. Never leave the designated area, no matter what. You're on your own if you do.
-Two. If it gets dangerous, run.
-Three. Obey the escort absolutely.
I said it humbly. Their response?
"Get lost!"
"Why the fuck is this psycho here?!"
"Why should I listen to you?!"
Fierce rejection. I smiled and met their eyes, hand in pocket, beaming.
"Shut up. This ain't the academy."