Chapter 75
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Rumor
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Wendy.
Nyaa!?
Wendy jolted awake at the sound of someone calling her.
Hueh?
Are you okay? Miss Wendy.
Rubbing her bleary eyes, Wendy saw a familiar girl standing there.
Behind her glasses, green eyes reflected Wendys own image.
Uh. L-Lady Luna?
Long time no see.
It was Luna, the first friend she had made on entrance ceremony day.
Wendy hurriedly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.
Sniff. S-Sorry. I dozed off without realizing.
No need to apologize. Class is already over, after all.
Hueh? Its o-over?!
It was true.
Just as Luna said, students were filing out of the lecture hall.
Someone should have woken her, but no one had.
Or had she simply been sleeping too soundly?
Luna shrugged her shoulders and said,
Theres no one in this lecture hall with the guts to wake you up, Miss Wendy.
Rea??,
Take a look at this.
What Luna held out was a newspaper.
A magic newspaper from the universitys newspaper broadcasting club, reporting campus news.
The moment she saw the front page, Wendy nearly fainted in shock.
Exclusive Report! The Stormy Freshman! Parting the Downpour to Commute to School!
Beneath the headline was an illustration of astonishing quality.
It showed a girl descending from the heavens, cleaving through the torrential rain as she walked forward.
A rainbow arched behind her like wings, lending her an incredibly divine aura.
The braided hair and outfit were unmistakably Wendys.
But her face was noble and sacred, like a figure leaped straight from myth.
Wendy herself spoke in a trembling voice.
Y-You dont actually believe this rumor, do you!?
I didnt see it myself, but. Is this really you, Miss Wendy?
Nooo! I-I dont look anything like that.
Oh. That part? Then the bit about cleaving the heavens must be true.
T-Thats.
She couldnt bring herself to deny it.
It had happened because of the ritual Sage Myohail deployed.
Countless students had already witnessed it.
No one would believe her even if she spoke the truth now.
In the end, she had no choice but to shoulder it all.
Luna took a small step back and said,
Miss Wendy, I never pegged you as such a frightening person.
Rea?!,
Just kidding.
Huing.
Luna giggled with a poke at her sides.
Thank goodness Luna, the girl she met at the entrance ceremony, saw her without prejudice.
Still, its impressive. What kind of magic was that to unleash such power?
S-Secret. Probably.
You sure have a lot of secrets, Miss Wendy.
A pang of conscience stung her, but she had no choice.
Wendys modest plan for a quiet school life had gone up in smoke long ago.
As if sensing nothing of her inner turmoil, the voice of Myohaildisguised as a hair pinrang in her ears.
Kekeke. Playing the mysterious type? Fine, then. Hurry and tell this foolish fledgling just how magnificent a mage you are!
I-If I do that, my lifespanll shorten! Besides, that was all you, Master.
Soon youll be able to cast it too. I merely demonstrated in advance. Hehehe.
Next time, please warn me before demonstrating. Please.
Wendy scanned the newspaper.
Wondering if there might be more articles about her.
But every other article was about the chairman, Tristan.
The School Is Mine? Explosive Analysis of the Chairmans Remarks.
Student Cafeteria Faces Closure!? Chairman Forces Chef to Kneel! Students Rise Against Chairmans Abuse of Power!
Mysterious Explosion in Main Building BathroomSuspicions Point to Chairman.
Whither the Future of Meikahel University?
The articles made it clear.
How Tristan was perceived by the public.
A bitter taste filled Wendys mouth.
Was there no way to dispel the misunderstandings about her master?
As she pondered, Luna cautiously asked,
But you seem tired lately? Youre always sleeping next to your friend.
Ah.
Lunas glance fell on Wendys neighbor, where Sia Rumin dozed with her head bowed.
Even in sleep, not a single wrinkle marred her posturea perfect picture of a prestigious familys young lady.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes, though.
Likely from pushing herself too hard these past few days.
A few days earlier, Wendy and Sia had visited the chairmans office.
The punishment Tristan had given them: clean the office after school for the entire semester.
At first sight of the massive space, both girls were left speechless.
It was far too vast for a one- or two-hour cleanup.
...
No other options existed.
Wendy began cleaning with the skill of a count family maid.
For Sia, a young lady who had never so much as touched a mop her whole life, it was grueling.
Even Wendy, toughened by chores, found it exhausting.
One could only imagine how Sia felt.
After days of after-school cleaning, the pair ended up dozing off together during class.
Luna eyed them both with keen interest.
The stormy freshman and the Rumin familys prized young lady as a duo. No wonder no one dares approach. When did you two get so close?
It just kinda happened?
Since that incident, Wendy had ended up sticking with Sia constantly.
Truth be told, it was closer to Sia trailing after Wendy.
-We dont know when we might run into that man again, so lets stick together. Times like these, nobles like us should band together, right?
-Uh. E? Nobles like us?
Of course, Sia brought conveniences for Wendy too.
She shooed away those who ambushed Wendy for interviews.
Wendy owed her current semblance of a quiet school life entirely to Sia.
Luna puffed out her cheeks slightly and said,
I felt so left out, seeing you two together all the time.
S-Sorry.
Its fine. Introduce me to your new friend this time. Oh, but.
Luna glanced toward the stairs at the back of the lecture hall and asked,
How long are you planning to stay here?
Rea?
Luna snickered.
Its lunchtime. Wanna go eat?
The sun dipped low.
I stood at the main gate of the Izarkhel mansion.
The appointed time had long passed.
Helga, standing behind me, began to grumble.
Making us wait like thiswhat an utterly rude woman. What on earth does the Count see in her to propose? No, the Count proposing at all? No matter how you slice it, the Counts the one who should be proposed to. While were on the topic, let me try proposing as a test
Dont overstep, Helga.
Rubbing my temple, I said,
Dont make me regret appointing you as my guard knight.
Tch. Fine. I just dont like that woman. Thats all.
Your opinions dont matter. More importantly.
My eyes narrowed.
Is that the altered skirt?
Yes. Better now?
Helga beamed and showed off the skirt she wore.
Honestly, it was iffy.
Longer than this mornings version, surebut still short.
Judging by Helgas expression, though, this was likely her max length for cute.
At her age, she was right in the prime for dressing up.
And todays event called for some outfit tweaks, no doubt.
This time, Id concede a step.
Yeah. Itll do.
Hehe. Look all you want. My body and heart are all yours, Count.
That was when.
Sorry. Have I kept you waiting? Count.
Bella Izarkhel hurried over with light steps.
Unlike her usual attire, the pure white dress made her look dazzlingly radiant.
Far from flashy.
Yet that simplicity suited her perfectly, accentuating her charms.
Long time no see, Count.
Trailing her was Blanche, clad not in her usual suit but a black dress.
On her tall frame, it radiated mature allure.
The pair in their black-and-white dresses almost resembled amiable sisters.
Bella gave me an apologetic smile and said,
My apologies. Time got away from me picking a dress. Oh? I dont recognize the lady beside you?
Pleased to meet you, Lady. I am the Counts guard knight, Helga.
Helga dipped her head with the bare minimum of courtesy.
Her gruffness was on full display.
Tsk. Still a long road to true guard knight.
Bella, fortunately, seemed oblivious.
I see. As the Counts guard knight, you must be quite skilled?
Of course. My skills are unmatched.
For an instant, Helgas gaze locked with Blanches behind Bella.
Their first meeting had nearly sparked a fight.
The tension lingered.
Bella clapped her hands as if struck by a thought.
Oh! Well be late if we dont hurry. Lets head out right
Wait.
I halted Bella as she moved toward the carriage.
Yes? Whats the matter?
Extend your hand.
We were now en route to the Seven Colors Harmony Festival.
Unlikely now, but in the past, such gatherings had seen family rivalries flareeven swordplay.
Probably wouldnt happen, but caution never hurt.
Hehe. Will the Count escort me? I couldnt be happier.
As Bella offered her left hand, I slipped it onto her ring finger.
Eh? This is.
Bella stared at the ring on her finger in disbelief.
I told her plainly.
Engagement ring.