Chapter 47
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 47
46. The Day Before the Re-examination (2)
I came out for morning training, but Aniel didn't come out.
I worried wondering if something happened, but a servant of the Grand Duchy appeared and delivered a message.
"She left to see the Grand Duke. I came to deliver on her behalf that it seems difficult to attend training."
"I see."
I didn't think it was a relief that she wasn't sick or anything.
Because the memory of what happened at the banquet hall still remained vividly.
'Is it okay for her to go alone.'
Clearly she was a stronger person than me.
But I knew.
Her appearance that people cannot see and only I know.
Her appearance being weaker than me at times.
'I want to guard her side though.'
What I have to focus on right now was the re-examination.
It was right tomorrow.
Tomorrow, it was the moment deciding whether I can remain here or not.
I was in the middle of composing my mind to train again.
"There are words the Grand Duchess delivered."
Even though he should have said all the words to deliver, the servant still remained.
"She said she would surely return no matter what happens."
"Ah."
She will return.
Hearing those words, the corners of my mouth went up.
I acted as if it was nothing, but hearing the words delivered by the servant, I distinctly felt one thing.
That this spot without you was a little empty.
"Thank you for delivering it."
Bowing my head, I conveyed a greeting of thanks to the servant.
Probably they weren't pleased with me hanging out with Aniel.
Above all, they would think the cause of such an event happening at the banquet hall was entirely because of me.
".... Honestly, I hate you. Because it seems the Grand Duchy is becoming noisy because of you."
Maybe I was considered like a stumbling block to the Grand Duchy.
Nevertheless, I thanked the servant who informed me.
"But there is also a point I am thankful for. Because thanks to you, I can feel the Grand Duchess has also brightened."
Ending with those words, the servant left the spot as if running away.
The words the departing servant said lingered in my head.
'Because of me.'
Aniel changes.
Due to me.
Aniel brightens.
Why is it. The reason why a smile forms just hearing those words.
"It's really strange."
The favorability of the servant I just faced was 7.
Still, I could know that there are many people looking upon me favorably more than thought.
"I must surely win."
For my sake, and for your sake, and additionally for the sake of the people who helped me.
To do so, I should start training hard even alone.
'The difference between having and not having Aniel is big.'
Correcting my mind and trying to prepare for tomorrow recalling the things Aniel taught me, it was harder than thought.
It was a moment I felt bodily how well Aniel had taught me all this time.
At the moment of doubting if it's okay to just continue like this, a familiar voice was heard.
"Your posture is wrong."
"Ah."
To think a figure I couldn't even imagine would appear.
"Iris?"
"Hold it straight. Because if you hold it like that, only your wrist hurts."
***
Since what moment was it.
Entering recently, she felt like her mind was floating.
"You are looking again."
".... Huh?"
By the time she came to her senses at her friends' voices, her head was always heading somewhere.
She knew at least that from some moment she couldn't properly join conversations.
Should it be said she can't focus.
Should it be said she keeps looking at another place.
Because she couldn't know the reason, because she couldn't know even if she tried to find that reason, she had been continuously frustrated.
"I'm talking about you. Why do you keep looking? Didn't you hate him?"
Then a friend informed her.
"Certainly, with a face of that level, he is handsome."
"If strictly distinguishing, he looks elegant even among the Knight Class."
Other friends were also talking as if they already knew.
Only she herself didn't know.
As she narrowed her brows unable to understand, her friends spoke reluctantly.
"Entering recently, you keep looking only at Allen."
".... Me?"
"Did you really not know?"
Looking only at Allen.
When she heard those words, Iris felt like she got hit on the head.
Come to think of it, Allen was always in the direction she was staring at.
'Why? For what reason?'
Are you saying I look at Allen unconsciously.
Iris began finding plausible reasons.
Because Lucia ordered to monitor his every move, or because she still hates Allen Wiesent like she wants to kill him.
Because she is resentful, because she is annoyed, because she hates him.
While attaching various reasons, suddenly the events that happened during the banquet hall came to mind.
'The you during the banquet hall was....'
Restless but brave, easily flustered but steadfast, looking stupid but not foolish.
When comparing to herself who couldn't do anything by the side when Kyle slapped Aniel's cheek, he looked cool for that moment at least.
As much as a prince in a fairy tale, like Aniel who saved her.
"Didn't you hate him?"
Friends ask.
You hated him like you wanted to kill him.
He who drops the Academy's honor, he who continuously stayed by Aniel's side without knowing his place.
"Maybe it was so back then."
However, Iris could say.
"But not now."
Now she didn't hate him.
Rather, the current her....
Along with the warm spring breeze, the appearance of smiling Allen reached Iris's view.
Why is that smile so faint and anxious like it will disappear at any moment.
'I am curious why I am like this.'
Iris, who was curious about this mind of hers, firmed her resolve.
Even though a moment she regrets might visit later.
"Your posture is wrong."
"Iris?"
"Hold it straight. Because if you hold it like that, only your wrist hurts."
Still, let's find out.
How this mind is.
"I will help you while the Grand Duchess is not here."
But the Iris of this time couldn't fathom.
"Hold it firmly. Because the opponent is a professor."
"Thank you for helping. Iris."
That she didn't know how one trivial trigger changes a person's mind.
She still hates him.
"If it weren't for you, I would have struggled a lot."
But the smile was very pretty.
"You teach surprisingly well."
It was a really strange feeling. A feeling quite different from what she feels by looking at Aniel, that kind of feeling.
"Even if you say lip-service words like that, I have no intention of doing it for free."
Avoiding his eyes, Iris said.
"I will definitely get it back somehow when you pass, so just make sure to pass."
She felt like she would become strange if she kept looking.
***
I was intending to ask how about eating a meal together or something.
As soon as training ended, Iris left hurriedly saying she had a place to go.
'It was fine not to help if she was busy though.'
If I was handed down know-how including stamina with Aniel, Iris corrected delicacy and posture.
Thanks to her, I learned the importance of posture.
Because unlike before she taught me, I realized what inefficient movements are.
Especially it was distinctly felt through a few spars, like the few times I did with Aniel.
'By the way, it's unexpected.'
Under the influence of the perk, Iris's favorability was also seen.
What was doubtful even when I first encountered it was that the favorability came out as 20.
I suspected if it was wrong, but in an instant, that number reached 28.
It was a truly strange matter. Didn't she hate me?
Her appearance explicitly displaying hostility was still vivid.
"It's a really headache-inducing perk."
With favorability having risen like this, I was slightly afraid of what would happen in the future.
Right away, the highest favorability number I saw was 50.
What happens if it gets higher than this.
It was a moment I wanted to share a conversation with the Goddess after a long time.
"..... Now tomorrow is the day ahead."
Tomorrow I will take the re-examination.
At first fear and worry preceded, but amazingly, I didn't feel such a feeling at all right now.
'I really received help from many people.'
I received help from more people than thought.
Aniel, Lucia, Lily, and Iris.
I don't know what the reason is for them taking the trouble to give help.
Just putting a debt on me along with words to surely pass the re-examination.
'Somehow I feel like debts are gradually increasing.'
I don't know how I should handle this debt.
What they will actually request of me too.
But one thing was clear. That I will surely pass the re-examination tomorrow no matter what means I use.
"Will the Grand Duchess be okay."
Then on one hand I think of her.
Like where she would be around now, she said she was going to meet her parents, would it really be okay.
***
"G, Grand Duchess...! How about resting a little and going...!"
The time had already passed lunch and was evening.
The knights requested rest several times, but Aniel didn't react even once.
When the horse got tired, they dropped by a nearby village, changed to another horse, and kept moving.
It was to return matching Allen's re-examination schedule somehow.
"Who are you!"
"Reveal your identity!"
"It is Aniel Windelof! Hurry and open the gate!"
"G, Grand Duchess?!"
After continuously running like that, Aniel eventually arrived up to the Grand Duke's castle in one day.
"Is it okay to let her in without checking?"
It was an absurd schedule, but there was no one stupid enough to block her front.
"You idiot. Do you want your neck cut by the Grand Duchess?"
She was explicitly revealing.
That if they block her path ahead, she will cut them down without mercy.
"If you want to live long, don't act up for no reason. There is a saying passing five gates and cutting six generals in the East."
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