I Became an Outcast in the Academy

3. Exile (2)

Reviews related to Xian within Lutra these days were literally running from one pole to another.

At first, most people didn’t like Xi’an.

Because, if you are a normal person who lives a healthy life, there is no reason for dirty rumors to follow like a tail in the first place.

In that sense, in the eyes of others, the cadet named Xian was a human with a failing grade.

A filthy human who sells his younger sisters to enter the academy, and if that’s not enough, he tries to enjoy wealth and glory by clinging to and flattering powerful people like the princess.

That was the evaluation itself that ordinary people treat Xian.

But recently, the way people look at Xian has changed considerably.

In a duel that took place not too long ago, after Xian defeated Ricardo with an overwhelming difference in skill.

In that duel, Xian perfectly proved himself.

The fact that all the rumors surrounding him until now were lies, and the fact that he was a person who deserved to be in Loutra.

Well, there were still many people who disapproved of him because of his origins surrounding Xian, but even so, considering the past where there were only enemies everywhere, this was quite an encouraging achievement.

Around the time when public opinion surrounding Xi’an was gradually changing, an incident occurred that would shake Loutra again.

‘Prince Ricardo accused Xian of injuring the imperial family!’

In the course of the duel between Ricardo and Xian, Xian officially surfaced, saying that it was not enough that Xian inflicted several sword wounds on Ricardo’s right arm, and that it was clear intentionality in striking him on the head several times.

Of course, after the duel, Ricardo had been unconscious for a full day, and he had suffered serious injuries that required the help of a priest with archbishop-level divine power.

However, it is almost taboo to bring out what happened during a duel externally.

Of course, people knew that Ricardo was beaten like a dog in the course of the duel, and they understood how embarrassing it was to be beaten up by someone who had been ignoring them, It was hard to say that things were normal.

“I didn’t see it that way, but His Highness, the crown prince, is secretly narrow-minded.”

“I mean. If losing in a duel bothered me that much, I’d rather use someone else as the dark knight to take revenge, that’s too mean.”

Although it is such a minority, because of Ricardo’s actions, there were also people who were displeased with the crown prince and secretly sympathized with Xi’an.

And it wasn’t just a change happening among the cadets.

“Sorry, I couldn’t find a way.”

Professor of swordsmanship, Einhard’s personal office.

It was there that Einhard had called Xian personally and was apologizing to him.

“No matter how much I think about it, Cadet Ricardo’s behavior seems to have gone too far, so I tried to stop it in my own way. He tried to protest to the board of directors, and he also submitted a petition to the imperial family, but it seems that it was not enough.”

Hearing Einhard’s sincere apology, Xian blinked his eyes.

To be honest, Xian didn’t quite understand why he had to apologize to him.

“I know very well what you want to say. But why is the professor apologizing to me?”

“Hmm?”

“Professor, aren’t you guilty of just being an observer during the duel between Ricardo and I? You didn’t try to kick me out of Lutra, but rather, you’re trying in every way to save me, so there’s no need to apologize to me, is there?”

At Xian’s question, Professor Einhard stared blankly at my face, then tilted his head as if he didn’t understand something.

“You are asking a very strange question. Is it so strange that a teacher would try to be for the students he is teaching?”

Xian instantly forgot what to say at Professor Einhard’s obvious reply.

But even for a moment, Xian smiled faintly at Professor Einhard.

“Thank you, professor. Even the professors are on my side.”

“I became a public official on the lips. Rather than worry about you. If this continues, you will be expelled unconditionally. As I said before, there is no way I can save you.”

Xian quietly opens his mouth at Professor Einhardt’s grave words, which seem to list the facts themselves.

“I have it. If it’s a way not to get expelled.”

“… Is there a way?”

At Xian’s words, Professor Einhard quietly raised his eyes.

I didn’t understand. Xian found a way? Even the professor himself couldn’t figure out how he wouldn’t be expelled, so how?

“What the hell is that method?”

“It’s simple. Isn’t Ricardo’s charge of hurting the imperial family that he intends to charge me for harming the dignity of the imperial family? In other words, if the person representing the imperial family declares that they will not hold me guilty, I think everything will be resolved.”

In an instant, Einhard realized what Xian was trying to say and let out a laugh.

“… So, the solution you are talking about is none other than-“

“Yes, I am.”

Xian nodded and opened his mouth.

“I would like to meet the Emperor myself and try to convince him.”

That was the solution to this whole situation that Xian and Cartesia came up with, and at the same time, it was the clue to counterattack her sisters.

****

Just turned the clock back a while ago.

“… Are you thinking of getting married? I? With you?”

When I looked at her face at Cartesia’s bombshell remark, Cartesia lowered her head as if trying to endure her shame.

“… No matter how much I think about it, there is no other way. No, this is the only solution. At least that’s what I think.”

Cartesia seemed to be speaking her words seriously in her own way, but I couldn’t help but laugh because I was so stupid.

‘It’s a marriage between a princess of the empire and an orphan born on the street.’

It was a development that would not appear even in cheap third-rate popular dramas in the streets.

Apart from being realistically possible and impossible, it was nothing but nonsense.

“If you marry me… I don’t know anything else, but there won’t be any cases where you will be disadvantaged for the crime of injuring the royal family. Because you are also a member of the royal family, doesn’t it make sense to punish them for injuring the royal family?”

“If it were really possible for you and me to get married, it would be.”

Unless the emperor’s head is spinning, he will never have the crazy idea of marrying an orphan to his daughter.

“… Heh, if you save my life several times in the near future, marrying me would never be too much.”

As if she didn’t like something, Cartesia stuck her mouth out and muttered that.

“But you are not in any danger, nor are you in danger of your life? Or, are there any members of the imperial family who are on the verge of death right now?”

I asked that question in an infinitely light tone, but unexpectedly, Cartesia hardened her own face and let out a sigh.

“… There is not one The imperial family who are now on the verge of dying.”

“Who are you?”

“My little sister.”

In an instant, I felt breathless and choking.

“It’s okay. I know very well that you didn’t mean to say that. And… After all, that child is not destined to live long.”

“… Aren’t you destined to live a long life?”

In response to my question, Cartesia seemed to be thinking of something in her, and she’d be okay soon, she said and quietly opened her own mouth.

“My little sister… Arrieta was born with a lot of magic power. If you look at her magic power alone, she might be on par with any great wizard. Unfortunately for her, however, she was not born with the gift that the child could control her own magical powers.”

There was something bitter about Cartesia’s eyes that she couldn’t hide.

“Right now, I’m using all sorts of means to suppress Arietta’s magical power, but that’s the limit now. Because the mana overflowing in her body is eating away at the child’s body bit by bit.”

“…..”

“The time left for Arrieta is about three years. But I set that too high, and actually, it wouldn’t be strange at all if I died today.”

It was amazing. What was surprising was the fact that Cartesia, who thought she was more noble than anyone else in the world and had nothing to envy, was having such a humane concern.

And despite her presumptuousness, I instantly felt her identification with her.

Because the worries that Cartesia is currently experiencing are infinitely similar to the worries I had when I saw her sisters lying on the road.

Is that why? Normally, she would never have said it, but she unknowingly spat it out of her mouth.

“Well, if I do well, I might be able to help your sister.”

“… What?”

For a moment, Cartesia blinks her own eyes as if she doesn’t understand. Only then did I realize that I had made a mistake.

“Arrieta… She said there was a way to save the child? Nonsense. Even the Archmages and the Vatican declared that there was no such method… “

Cartesia’s words trembled. And when I saw her like that, I was momentarily troubled.

Is it really okay for me to reveal this secret to Cartesia?

This is one of the most important secrets I’ve ever had, something I didn’t want to tell anyone until the moment she died. Even her sisters did not know this secret.

But… Wouldn’t it be okay if it was Cartesia? If she’s always giving for me, and she’s still trying to help me… Maybe he deserves to hear my secret.

I thought about it for a long time, but the decision was made in an instant.

As early as Cartesia believed in me, she regarded me as her friend.

I also decided to believe in Cartesia.

“You did that earlier. The reason your sister is sick is because she was born with too much magical power, but lacks the talent to control it.”

“… Huh.”

“Then the story is simple. If your sister’s talent becomes strong enough to control all magical powers, wouldn’t there be no reason to be sick anymore?”

At my words, Cartesia looked at me with a bewildered expression.

“I’m sorry, but there is no way in this world to artificially enhance someone else’s talent. That would be impossible for neither the archmage nor the saint.”

“No, there is a way. At least I know what that method is.”

“… What?”

“Because the person who forcibly strengthened my sisters’ talents… Because I am.”

That’s right.

The person who made my younger sisters, who had no special talent, become the best prospects in the empire, and as a result, the one who made it possible for them to rise to their current position is none other than… It was me.