Chapter 18
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 18
In Earnest (3)
Asking to borrow money out of the blue is a bit much, as expected.
Since I kept eating on Aniel's dime lately, I completely forgot to bring my wallet when I came out.
While feeling the scariness of habit and wondering if I had to drag my heavy body back to the dormitory, an acquaintance appeared just in time.
Iris Teira.
Her mouth was quite foul. Calling me filth still remained vividly in my memory.
Her character doesn't look very good either, and considering the openly displayed hostility, I have no desire to associate with her.
But the problem was my current situation.
"I'll pay you back as soon as I return to the dormitory. Since I left my wallet."
Because if I had to return without eating like this, I felt like I would just collapse from exhaustion.
I explained the situation and requested her to borrow me money.
Of course, even if she didn't lend it, I could sufficiently understand that it couldn't be helped.
So while waiting for an answer.
"If I lend it to you, what will you do for me?"
A completely unexpected answer returned.
Asking what I would do if she lent it, I looked at Iris doubting my ears if I heard correctly.
However, Iris was waiting for my answer with an evil smile on her lips.
Usually, I would have just ignored it and passed by, but sadly, the desperate person was me.
"Tell me what you want."
"Don't even come near the Grand Duchess's side..."
"Not something like that. And are you confident you can say that confidently in front of the Grand Duchess?"
As if she had been waiting, Iris tried to say what she wanted, but upon hearing Allen's words, she immediately lowered her tail.
Didn't she see during the spar. That murderous gaze Aniel sent when she tried to finish Allen.
Just recalling that gaze was a problem as she kept wetting the bed.
Although she didn't like it, she thought it would be better to give up separating Aniel and Allen for a while.
With Lucia already being burdensome, if she gets hated firmly by Aniel too, she didn't have confidence to endure this Academy life.
Probably she would drop out immediately, return to her family, and hide for a while until she becomes safe.
Don't know why, but Lucia is also caring about Allen.
Actually, the person who should be walking on eggshells was none other than herself. Although the deep-rooted emotions of hatred and jealousy not letting her pride bend was the problem.
If she causes trouble with Allen here for no reason, the moment it enters Lucia's ears, she would undergo humiliation again.
That vivid pain of choking still hasn't been erased.
Due to that memory, Iris had to doubt if her neck was properly attached several times a day.
"Fine. Then there is a condition."
"Condition?"
She hated the man named Allen very much. Very much. But recalling Lucia, she knew her life was more important than pride, so she put forward another condition.
"Eat with me from now on."
To fully carry out the order given by Lucia, let's go together with herself.
Even including a special contract that he doesn't have to pay back the money.
She thought he would accept willingly at this level. Since it's gaining an opportunity to eat with a person like herself at least.
"Sorry, but that seems impossible because of the Grand Duchess."
"Haa? Why does the Grand Duchess come up again!"
"She can't eat together today because something came up, but we always eat breakfast together."
It was a fact Iris also knew well from hearing rumors.
That Aniel eats at the dormitory cafeteria together with Allen.
But did that mean they ate together periodically?
Jealousy sprang up and she felt like picking a fight right now, but due to Lucia's face flashing through her head, Iris groaned inwardly.
"Don't show off! Until before this Academy, the relationship between me and the Grand Duchess was very close! I also... with the Grand Duchess a very long time ago...!"
At this rate, feeling like she completely lost and thinking she would lose Aniel to that man forever, Iris wanted to appeal.
That she also had a very special relationship with Aniel.
Aniel is not in this spot anyway.
Thinking there is no one to verify, Iris tried to fabricate that the relationship between Aniel and herself was closer than thought.
"A long time ago what."
"G, Grand Duchess!?"
But sadly, such an attempt went in immediately as the person in question appeared.
"Try saying it once. What on earth happened between you and me for us to be so close."
In front of the cold gaze, Iris stiffened like a stone.
In the midst of stammering not knowing what words to bring up, Aniel turned her head as if tired of even waiting.
"Grand Duchess, you came?"
Just at the first meeting, he was full of tension.
Let alone facing her, he tried to avoid even her gaze. Perhaps it's natural.
Because the paths he and she stood on were completely different.
But now was different. At least while being in this Academy. Aniel asked towards Allen with a slightly more comfortable feeling.
"If there is something you want to eat, say it. So we can order together."
"Are you buying this time too?"
With a voice where absolutely no wariness was felt, unlike when facing Iris.
"Weren't you in the middle of borrowing because you had no money."
"That is true though."
"If it's really uncomfortable, you treat next time."
Allen, who felt sorry for only receiving free meals, nodded his head hearing Aniel's words.
Someday I must repay. To her who cares for me starting from helping with training to even buying meals like this.
"Money comes in from the main family soon, so then please order whatever you want to eat to your heart's content."
"Right, I will do so."
For a moment at his confident voice, a smile settled on Aniel's lips. But because it disappeared in an instant, no one saw it.
Except solely for Aniel.
After eating fully today as well thanks to Aniel, I came out to attend classes.
Classes proceed for 6 days a week.
One might ask if they mean to attend classes until Saturday, but actually, even this Saturday was divided into those who wished and those who didn't.
"Today is the day to learn theory."
Theory is not a mandatory class.
In the first place, knights who mainly think about becoming strong chose to do more lacking training or take a rest during this time.
So because people from the Knight Class willing to learn theory class were extremely few, the class proceeded by combining with students from other classes.
Honestly, I also have a chimney-like desire to rest, but....
I have to secure at least theory scores somehow.
Even if the score weight is low, it's not a level to completely ignore.
It was extremely rare to join with the Mage Class. They were a group crazy about learning, so their progress was too fast.
Because of that, Knight Class students proceeded with classes joining the Believer Class until now, but usually, the Knight Class student was largely just me anyway.
I am someone who doesn't want to do noticeable actions for no reason. I wanted to choose the side of just sitting roughly in a back seat where the window is visible, listening to the class quietly, and leaving.
Although Believer Class students are said to be on the gentler side compared to other classes, what they consider important is piety.
It was obvious that there would be almost no one who would look favorably upon me who entered on family connections.
"What are you doing here in precious time like the weekend."
In the midst of finding a seat, someone's voice was heard from the side.
"Iris?"
"This is why you're no good. You should train."
Turning my head, Iris with a dissatisfied expression was located there.
.... What business does this kid have here? I could assert that I had never seen Iris in this classroom even once.
Why did she come. While wondering if she had business, I saw Iris sitting in the seat next to me.
"Class starts soon."
"Can't you tell by looking? I came to listen to class."
"....."
"You thought 'You?' inwardly, didn't you!"
Whether she felt ignored, Iris immediately glared at me with sharp eyes.
Just like in the morning, I couldn't understand why this woman is here, and sitting in the seat next to me at that, but I decided to ignore it.
Since it seems like a ploy to pick a fight related to Aniel again anyway.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!"
"I wish he would stop coming now."
"Even though he's Knight Class, shouldn't he go out and train?"
"What's the use of learning."
Allen Wiesent. In the devout Believer Class, there would be presumably not a single person who likes him.
From entering on family connections, he was unfavorable, but the actions he committed in childhood were also terrible.
Especially for believers, there was a clear reason to dislike Allen, which was precisely because he poured out reckless remarks denying God in his childhood.
He probably just simply didn't want to go to church to pray, but anyway, there were quite a few among believers who held hostility.
"Isn't that right? Saintess?"
The believers' gazes gathered towards the Saintess, Lily.
They were all gazes hoping she would agree.
But contrary to their wishes, Lily was distracted elsewhere.
towards the woman sitting right next to Allen.