chapter 61
Chapter 61
“Um, Erica…!”
After the student council meeting.
DiFiella grabbed Erica, who hadn’t said a word all day. Technically, it wasn’t just today but lately, but it was awkward regardless.
“Huh?… Huh.”
As if DiFiella’s awkwardness was contagious, Erica’s chilly expression softened. She paused when called, but since neither of them said anything, they ended up in a silent deadlock.
Gathering her courage, DiFiella hesitated.
“Are you free later?”
Before Erica could respond to her question, DiFiella quickly poured out her words.
“If you’re available, I’d love for us to work on assignments together in my room…!”
Clutching the wooden wheelchair where her fists rested, DiFiella held on tightly. It took considerable effort to get this far in the conversation.
Seeing Erica’s tense expression melt unintentionally at her earnest plea, DiFiella continued,
“Let’s do it together.”
“Erica…!”
Difelia’s face is full of cheers.
She seems to feel grateful to Erica for giving her a chance to restore their relationship.
After glancing at Difelia’s reaction, Erica turned her head as if feeling embarrassed. She felt unnecessary guilt. It was because she had left the thought that she could have approached first to the extent of letting it be like this.
They couldn’t completely push away the awkwardness they felt, but they slowly continued their conversation as they headed towards the dormitory.
Both of their dorms were in the same building B.
Difelia’s room was filled with various plants. The window glass was larger than other rooms, letting in light well.
The scent of flowers and grass mixed with the room’s smell, creating a unique aroma.
“I will make tea. Please wait a moment.”
“It’s okay…”
“Is it not… good?”
“Oh, no… it’s fine.”
As Difelia’s voice faded like that of a dead person, Erica hurriedly changed her words to ask for a favor. Difelia was able to regain her smile and started preparing the tea set while humming softly.
Erica sat quietly, watching her. Since Difelia was moving uncomfortably, Erica was trying to figure out if she could help, but the cane she carried around assisted her like a living creature.
There was nothing Erica could do to help.
“Erica liked lemon tea, right?”
“Yeah… I’ll drink it well.”
Difelia, who brought the tea set, offered the teacup, and Erica accepted it.
“I also prepared some sugar. Here you go.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Erica’s complexion noticeably brightened.
Erica, who liked sweet food, always added sugar when drinking tea.
Stirring the sugar into the hot tea with a teaspoon to dissolve it properly. Erica carefully brought the completed tea to her lips, and stars twinkled in her eyes that had seemed emotionless.
“It looks good, I’m glad.”
“Ah…”
Erica belatedly realized that her expression had softened and tried to divert attention by praising the taste of the tea.
Watching this, Difelia had a pleased expression. Erica trying to hide this side of herself was the cutest to her.
“….”
That thought lasted for a moment.
Difelia was lost in thought. She had something to say, but it wasn’t coming out easily.
Reading the atmosphere, Erica waited for her to speak while lowering her teacup. Difelia decided to backtrack a bit.
“…First, shall we work on Professor Fabian’s assignment? It seems like it will take the longest.”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
After the atmosphere relaxed a bit more, it seemed like they wanted to share some stories. Erica felt that way and followed her flow.
Professor Fabian’s assignment was about familiars.
As they searched for relevant information in the book, the two of them exchanged opinions and complemented each other’s shortcomings.
Both of them were diligent students, so even with just one assignment, their conversation naturally flowed.
Then, they each summoned their familiars.
Difelia called a white rabbit she always kept, and Erica showed a black crow.
The subject they focused on was not the familiars themselves, but the summoning circles that called them. The form was adorned with geometric patterns, and various formulas were densely inscribed inside.
Erica pointed to a part while maintaining the summoning circle.
“…So, it’s because of this symbol that we can move. It’s similar to my warp magic, but the difference is that it can’t be transferred when in a physical state.”
“Oh, I see…! Erica, as expected. Thanks to you, I understood right away.”
Diphyelia nodded repeatedly, showing a bright smile. Erica’s explanation was precise and easy to understand without any unnecessary details.
To hide a slightly overwhelming feeling, Erica turned her head. She reached out to the familiar spirit who was staring at the summoning circle, and the spirit naturally rose up.
“Such a cute familiar spirit…! What’s its name?”
“……”
Feeling like the tension had eased, Diphyelia could tell that Erica was hesitant to speak. For some reason, she didn’t seem keen on revealing it.
“It doesn’t have a name… right?”
Just a random guess, but it seems not.
The quiet one suddenly spoke up.
“…Kkamki.”
“Wow, Kkamki! What a great name! It suits this one with shiny black feathers perfectly.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes! I think you chose well.”
“In that case, I’m glad….”
Erica, with a somewhat ambiguous smile, wasn’t in a bad mood. She communicated with Kkamki by touching its neck with her finger.
Diphyelia, watching this, cautiously brought up the topic as if knocking on a door. She judged that it was time to mention the main subject.
“By the way, wasn’t your fiancé’s familiar spirit also mostly black?”
“That’s right. Since Shugenhardt’s familiar spirits are mostly of the dark attribute.”
Erica glanced at Diphyelia briefly.
Her expression was somewhat serious. It seemed like Diphyelia was now about to reveal the main reason she had called her.
She didn’t know it was related to Shugenhardt, but since the two had almost no contact, it was a big deal….
Suddenly, a memory from the last time came to mind.
The scene where Diphyelia handed something that looked like a letter to Shugenhardt and hurriedly left replayed.
There was no… contact at all.
“…I know this might sound strange, but it’s definitely not meant in a weird way. Please listen without misunderstanding. …Understand, Erica?”
Diphyelia had prepared extensively.
The longer her prelude, the more the opposite effect was happening.
Diphyelia continued, concealing her trembling hands. Her somewhat playful tone made the situation even more peculiar.
Erica, unexpectedly nodding her head, let her words flow. Diphyelia, swallowing even her saliva, asked with great difficulty.
And the words that barely came out of her mouth were,
“I want to know more about Vargan…!”
…Did I mishear just now?
The saint delivering another blow without giving room for such thoughts.
“Oh, you must never speak about Vargan…! Understand?! It’s absolutely forbidden to mention him!”
And so, Erica’s head, now a shaken decision-maker, was left blank in white.
‘…Huh?’
『20:17. D-23 Stadium. Winner, Shugenhardt Troa Bargan. Winner, Shugenhardt Troa Bargan.』
Leaving behind the repetitive mechanical sounds, I was returning to the dormitory with Alicia.
Although the sounds of men still sobbing at the stadium could be heard, it was no longer relevant to me.
“Young Master, I return. Acquiring an additional 10 Katia this time, maintaining the undisputed first place with 60 Katia, am I correct?”
“Don’t bother trying to congratulate me for the obvious.”
Her flattery, which she liked as if it were her own business… it made Alicia, who I liked even more, stop. If it were an ordinary person, they might have cut her off, feeling offended, but Alicia couldn’t wipe the smile off her face for some reason.
Well, I should check it out.
“You must have observed the recent match well, right? Although it was a battle that lasted less than 5 minutes, there were things to learn.”
“Yes, I certainly observed it. Felix’s swordsmanship, the sword of the famous swordsmanship family, Hyod. I focused on the differences from mine and what seemed more effective.”
“To think that swordsmanship is famous is amusing. Did you not notice it was overly embellished?”
“Sure, it may not have been as good as my tutor, Bram’s swordsmanship, but I think entering the school in 10th place in grades had something to do with it. Especially the thrusting was specialized and worth noting.”
Oh, it seems she doesn’t easily fall into this kind of trap anymore.
She’s definitely starting to understand how to grasp the essence of skill.
“Fair enough.”
“Your generous words, thank you.”
As I kept walking, leaving Alicia, who was showing nobility, behind, she quickly followed with brisk steps.
Our eyes met, and she smiled kindly.
…Well, I seem to have definitely regained some of the self-esteem and confidence that had been lacking recently.
“Young Master, I have two things I’m curious about. May I ask?”
“Go ahead.”
I replied languidly, as it was such a familiar situation.
Her gaze briefly shifted. It went to my bracelet and then back, as if she hadn’t seen it.
“That… the bracelet. Is it from Erika, by any chance?”
“No, it’s from my mentor, Helion. It’s not just a decoration; it’s an artifact that blocks mana output. I plan to use it from tomorrow onwards.”
Giving Alicia a brief glance as she stared at me, I signalled her to continue with the next question without hesitation.
“Oh, yes…! And… today is already the 27th. It won’t be long before this month ends, so wouldn’t it be better for me to participate in the grade match soon to earn Katia?”
“No. Wait at least until the 30th. A ‘suitable position’ will be available soon. If there is still no response until then, I will allow it, but until I give the order, participating in the grade match is prohibited.”
“Understood. Then I will wait until your command is given.”
Alicia didn’t ask what kind of reaction I was waiting for.
Whether she had sensed my hesitation and decided not to ask, or she simply followed my instructions without any doubt, I couldn’t tell, but she nodded alone with an innocent expression.
*Squeak.*
As we arrived at the dormitory entrance, Alicia quickly stepped ahead of me to open the door. Then, she carefully closed the door to avoid making a loud noise.
I proceeded to evaluate Alicia’s level as usual.
“Now that all resistances have been released, walk.”
“Yes, understood.”
She cast an illusion on me with the maximum mana output she could muster.
During the last battle with Artellion, I could only use visual smoke, but now I had progressed to curses that affected smell, hearing, and touch.
Ohh.
The mana vibrated.
The smell of early morning mist filled the air, and the surroundings shifted in shape.
In the quiet forest lies a lake. When touching a clean drop of water hanging on a leaf, a cold sensation was felt. In an instant, it fell from the finger, causing a ripple. She heard that sound.
Indeed, she had talent even in curses.
Curses are one of the magics that many users fear. Without the aptitude, one cannot even use the basics, but Alicia could.
Of course, if it wasn’t possible, she wouldn’t have taught it. But seeing her progress to a certain extent made me think that way again.
And another characteristic of curses… is that the likelihood of use increases among blood relations. A prime example is the Schugenhartz family, where everyone except the eldest son and mother can use curses.
I am the only one actively delving into it with my eldest son.
“That’s enough. This should suffice.”
As the command was given, Alicia snapped out of her trance. She then gazed at me with a somewhat uneasy look.
I flicked her forehead.
“Ouch!”
“There’s nothing wrong, so don’t worry.”
She’s a worrier with unnecessary concerns, even though she didn’t cast a threatening curse. Even if she did, she should know I wouldn’t just stand by.
“Next.”
“Oh, yes…!”
…After a while of checking Alicia’s progress, it was time for her to leave. Alicia bowed deeply, bid farewell, and closed the door.
“Well then, Sir. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Tomorrow is April 28th.
Every year, April 28th is a day that demands caution for Vargan. It’s better to avoid conflicts as much as possible and quietly let the day pass by going to bed early.
“Alright, leave.”
As the door closed.
Even through the narrowing gap, Alicia didn’t lose her bright smile. At least, she would maintain that appearance until the door was completely shut and I couldn’t see her.
Alicia, who is notorious for showing her thoughts outwardly. Looking at her expression devoid of any trace of worry or concern, it’s clear that I haven’t caught on yet.
Good.
It’s good that she hasn’t realized the significance of this day, so I can avoid a bothersome situation.
On April 28th, magic must be used minimally.
It goes without saying that the training of Helion should not commence.
Even the usual practice should be avoided.
Especially outside, one must be even more cautious. Nerves must be on edge to prevent using magic unconsciously.
Because.
*Squeak.*
I can’t show Vargan, the villain, vomiting blood.