Arsen's Holiday (3)
At the same time, on the first floor of Shanellia Hall. While the first-years, enjoying their holiday, clustered together in groups, one man who didn't fit in approached the dormitory.
"Hey, underclassman. Come here for a sec."
"M-me?"
The second-year responded with a jut of his chin instead of words. His bright yellow blond hair and the vertical scar across his face made him look vicious at first glance. The twin-sword tattoo peeking from his rolled-up sleeve wasn't something a student at Arsen would get.
As the first-year cautiously approached the second-year, who clearly disapproved of his appearance, the senior barked again.
"Why are you so scared, underclassman? Hurry up and come here. You think I'm gonna eat you or something?"
"Ah, ahaha, y-yes... Yes, sir."
"What's your name?"
"Elin... Beonard... sir."
The first-year shuffled closer awkwardly. The height difference between them was about a full head.
"Right, Elin. Nothing major—your senior here just has a question."
"Y-yes...?"
"Is there a guy named Shion or something staying here by any chance?"
"Shion...?"
Elin hesitated for a moment. It was terrifying enough that a second-year had shown up out of nowhere, but even more so that he was looking for someone Elin knew. But this second-year in front of him clearly wasn't here for anything good. If Elin gave up Shion's name, who knew what would happen next? If something bad happened to Shion because of it, some of the blame would fall on Elin for spilling the info.
But if he didn't say anything, it felt like he'd get grabbed by the collar right then and there.
"Uuuuh..."
A situation where neither choice was easy. However, the second-year had already gleaned his answer from Elin's attitude.
"He's here, isn't he? Right?"
"...!"
"Shion's here, yeah?"
"I-I don't know anything...!"
Elin's legs trembled like an electric drill. He desperately looked around for help, but sadly, no one stepped forward.
'Damn it, these guys. Always pushing me out in front of Serin, and now they pretend not to know?!'
On the contrary, the other first-years deliberately ignored them and walked by. Some were even watching on their watches. It was obvious they were filming with the cameras.
"Hold on a second."
Out of the passing crowd, only one person silently approached the two.
"And who the hell are you?"
"First-year Kyle Ivanstair."
Kyle Ivanstair, who had been standing by a nearby vending machine. Color returned to Elin's dying face. Yeah, this guy definitely wouldn't stand by and watch. Just look at how he'd jumped in during their last fight in the dorm. This guy was the type to step forward rather than hide behind others.
"...Kyle, huh? First I've heard of you."
But that didn't mean the situation would change much, and that was the problem.
The second-year's eyes lit up like he'd found an amusing toy, and he smiled indulgently.
"Alright then, underclassman. Lemme ask you something."
Elin Beonard wisely took a step back. Now the second-year faced Kyle directly. Elin glanced at the senior's name tag. The green tag marking second-year had the name 'Rian von Hildegaard' engraved on it. It sounded vaguely familiar.
"Is there a Shion in this dorm?"
"Why are you suddenly looking for Shion?"
"What else? Your senior just wanted to say hi to a junior."
"Sorry, but I'd appreciate it if you left today."
Rian scoffed at Kyle's bold demand, his face saying, What kind of punk is this?
"C'mon, just tell me if he's here or in another dorm."
"Sorry."
"Sorry?"
Rian's eyes changed at the curt reply. But Kyle didn't flinch at all.
"Please leave."
"Look at this guy?"
In the end, Rian let out a hollow laugh. But he was the only one laughing here. Kyle stood firm as ever, while Elin fidgeted a few steps behind him.
"Your words to a senior are a bit short, don't you think, underclassman?"
Rian von Hildegaard stepped toward Kyle.
"...I didn't realize you were a senior."
"Fine, now that you do—"
"I thought you were just a thug."
This time, Rian's demeanor shifted completely. The smirk that had been playing on his lips vanished silently.
"Huh?"
Rian turned back in disbelief, running a hand through his hair. Just as Kyle tried to lead Elin away,
"...These new first-years got no manners."
Rian's sharp kick flew out. It was aimed at Elin's head, but Kyle shoved him aside to block it.
"...Guh?!"
"Kyle!"
In an instant, a gust of wind slammed Kyle into the flower bed. Elin Beonard stared at the crumpled Kyle. A second-year was a second-year, after all—he hadn't even noticed the attack coming. By the time he realized, Kyle was already flying away. Even if he'd spotted it, he probably couldn't have reacted to that speed.
"Ah, fuck... Covered in dirt now."
As Rian casually brushed off his clothes, Elin pointed at him accusingly.
"You, you... right now!"
"You?"
"Yeah, you! You call yourself a senior after kicking someone just 'cause you didn't like him? You crazy bastard—"
But Elin, too, didn't finish his words before being flung to the ground. He didn't even know what hit him. His vision blacked out for a moment, and when he opened his eyes, he was face-down, vomiting bile.
That was when chaos erupted in the dorm. Everyone who'd been watching, knowingly or not, screamed and fled.
"...Guess he really is here, huh."
In the midst of the panic, only Rian strode arrogantly toward the dorm. Those hesitating to intervene scattered in terror.
"What? You're up already?"
"......"
Only Kyle, still in his dirt-covered uniform, stood to block him.
"Shoulda just told me nicely when your senior asked."
"You're not a senior."
"Not a senior?"
"No matter how I look at it, you're just a thug bastard."
...This punk? Rian muttered as he threw a punch. Kyle showed no sign of backing down. This time, he charged at his second-year senior with both fists up.
What stopped them wasn't another cadet or a professor.
"Were you looking for me?"
One sentence was enough.
***
"I have a bit of a pollen allergy."
The flower bed full of red and blue flowers had been smashed by something. Clearly deliberate destruction.
"So you smashed it? Kicked it out of nowhere?"
"Out of nowhere? It wasn't gonna be a big deal anyway."
As Kyle helped Elin to his feet, I faced Rian. This guy showed no remorse for kicking a junior.
"You Shion? That Illeionhart or whatever."
Instead, he casually pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Iri tried to stand by my side at the sight, but I held her back with one hand. If Iri got hurt, it could mess up next week's mock dungeon run. Even aside from that, no need to drag my people into this when he came for me.
So I faced Rian alone. He'd called himself Hildegaard. I didn't know the guy, but I knew the family. The one that had soured relations with Esperand, making Grander their second choice. A shadowy house dealing in banned imperial goods and illegal enforcers under the guise of armed guards—that was Hildegaard.
"You said you had business with me."
"Yeah."
Two points for destroying the flower bed, plus three for assaulting a lower-year—total five demerits. Enough to make a normal cadet tremble and beg for community service. But this guy didn't care. His family had his back, so he strutted around like this. Arsen wouldn't dare punish him harshly and risk backlash.
They just let it slide. I knew because Hildegaard was high on Esperand's hit list.
"No long talk. Get to the point quick."
The crowd that had scattered began to regather. Rian spat out his half-smoked cigarette.
"Underclassman. Before this blows up, get out of Arsen."
...I'd humor most things, but what crazy shit was this?
"Sorry, can't do that."
"Listen when your senior's being nice. You'll regret it."
"Is that a threat?"
"Nah, just advice."
If anything, that was my line.
"Heard you got second in the exams? Bet you made bank. Take the money and go home to that Illeionhart place or whatever."
"Like I said, not possible for me."
"You're exhausting. Just do it—it's not like it'll kill you."
It wasn't about listening or not; this was life-or-death for me. No point talking to this guy anyway.
"What makes you so cocky? If you're from some no-name family, just leave quietly and we're done. I'm letting you off easy."
I just ignored him silently. No need to engage. A dorm monitor would show up soon from the commotion, and things would calm down.
"Hard to believe, I know, but I'm Hildegaard. You've heard of us. Leave Arsen quietly, no problems."
"Not just heard—plenty."
"That's why I'm saying. Mess up, and you might leave with extra cash."
Rian approached. My Sense didn't react, so I let him. He clapped my shoulder.
"Why the sour face? Smile, underclassman."
"......"
"Or, per Arsen tradition, settle it with a duel?"
This guy didn't know Arsen at all—way too little.
A spring breeze blew. Pollen scattered. Rian grimaced and stepped back as the click of heels crossed the flower bed.
"...Duels between second- and first-years aren't approved at present."
The dorm monitor drew admiring stares like a savior. She brushed past Rian.
"Rian von Hildegaard, six demerits."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
Rian answered half-heartedly and hawked a loogie into the flower bed for show. Then he glared at her.
"Two more for vandalizing the flower bed and disturbing public morals, plus three days campus service."
"Ha..."
"......"
He started to spit again but just turned silently. Even with family backing, he couldn't complain about three days' service. He'd probably be cleaning the faculty building for a while.
"Damn first-year punks."
"Rian von Hildegaard, demerit for profanity—"
"Ah, yes! Yes! Got it!"
Pfft—laughter erupted from all around. Rian's face twisted. Shouldn't have mouthed off to the monitor.