Chapter 20

Clear weather. A gentle breeze blowing.

It was another peaceful lunch hour at the Academy.

The students gathered on the lawn were huddled together, chattering with friends while eating.

However, it wasn’t long before they began to sense an unusual atmosphere as figures started gathering in one corner of the podium.

The first figure to catch everyone’s attention was none other than the esteemed lady of the Bruerd family, ranked number 1 in the Academy.

With her flowing blonde hair, she crossed the podium like a celestial beauty.

By her side walked an ordinary-looking man with slightly shorter stature and black hair, who seemed almost like a servant if one didn’t notice their matching uniforms.

Rumors said they were childhood friends, but regardless, the fact that such an unimpressive guy was dating the Academy’s top lady baffled many students.

That was just absurd, right?

It’s the burden a commoner like Erto had to bear.

As the couple settled under a tree, a promising student, only ranked 27th, joined them—another girl from a noble family, the lively daughter of the Rapisle house with cherry blossom twin tails.

She stood out because of her bright appearance, but it was her unique personality that made her famous.

With behavior unbefitting a noble, she was a mischievous troublemaker who loved to poke fun at others.

But she treated both commoners and nobles the same way, making her a rather divisive figure.

She was supposedly another childhood friend of the two already there, having met the common boy a bit later than the Bruerd lady, allegedly helping their relationship develop.

And, true to her personality, she silently took on the role of conveying commoners’ thoughts about Erto to the Academy.

She always reminded them of how high and noble Bruerd’s lady was while jokingly belittling Erto to make him aware of her favor.

Perhaps her antics satisfied others’ feelings, preventing students from expressing dissatisfaction about Bruerd and the commoner’s relationship.

Just as the three childhood friends gathered, a distant noble lady from the Isidel family made her unexpected appearance.

Most students had never even spoken to her, so very few knew her personality or voice.

She was an incredibly low-key student, the type who quietly attended classes and vanished, leaving no trace behind, yet that didn’t mean she wasn’t known.

Isidel’s lady stood out mainly due to her sheer size.

Taller than most sturdy men, her broad physique matched her height.

Despite her massive frame, she had pronounced curves, leaving one to wonder just how much nutrition she was consuming.

And most striking were her long, curly black locks streaming down to her waist, sticking out wildly like a porcupine due to lack of management.

To top it off, her bangs obscured her eyes, making one wonder how she managed to walk around.

Isidel seemed to fit in nowhere, except for one person she had formed a bond with—our humble commoner Erto sitting next to Bruerd.

Rumor had it, she became chatty and even laughed around him, showing a side no one else ever saw.

It was an odd occurrence but added to the evidence that even commoners like Erto did not belong among the nobles.

Being friends with Isidel, who preferred solitude and was practically a loner, indicated Erto was similar in status.

Watching Erto and Isidel, students pondered why the saying “birds of a feather flock together” existed.

Thus, the sight of Bruerd and Isidel sitting together radiated a significant sense of disparity among the surrounding students.

The trouble began next.

“Oh—hohohoho!”

A girl with golden roll-bun hair and a notorious aristocratic laugh appeared. She was the lady of the Elconja family, ranked 3rd in the Academy.

A classist who cared little for the opinions of commoners had suddenly waltzed into a gathering packed with them.

The students scattered across the broad lawn couldn’t help but feel the tension rise.

Bruerd, Rapisle, and Isidel—those were understandable presences.

But why was Elconja here?

Usually, she would be horsing around with other nobles in the garden at this time.

Her showing up with a crew in front of Bruerd clearly indicated she had serious business.

No one spoke of it, but nearby students swallowed hard, thinking the same thing.

This is not good.

It’s like a hot stone suddenly dropped into a puddle of rainwater.

Dangerously incompatible personalities were gathering together.

Something was bound to happen at the podium.

But what was strange was how Elconja seemed to be welcomed by the very commoner she was reputed to be hostile toward.

As if he had invited her here himself.

“Oh, welcome, Seldienne.”

I waved my hand to greet the three clowns.

It was only polite to at least say something nice to lessen the sharpness of their words.

“Welcome, Lady Elconja.”

Tirisia smiled, warmly acknowledging her self-proclaimed rival.

“Heh—? You invited that brat too? How interesting♡”

Rusika grinned with displeasure but was clearly amused.

“Hii, hiiik…! Silver, and now that gold too! I can’t handle all this glam!”

Haidiera burrowed deeper into my back, ducking her head.

As we watched, Seldienne fanned herself dramatically.

“Oh—hohohoho! How dare you seat me amongst such pathetic individuals! I should die a thousand deaths!”

“Looks like a gathering of problem children, Lady Elconja!”

“Let’s finish up swiftly and get out of here!”

Alongside her, her usual lackeys chimed in supportively.

Good grief.

On such a lovely day, here she was, spouting nonsense about being pathetic and problem children right off the bat. It seemed noble etiquette had gone down the drain.

Well, I figured something like this would happen, so it was to be expected.

As I sighed and gestured for her to come over,

“Ahahaha♡ If only they knew they’re not even the best at the Academy! Never beaten, in skills or grades, right? Tiriring♡”

“Hey, Rusika…!”

“Watching those two yap like lapdogs is just too cute! Hehehe!”

As Rusika covered her mouth, laughing, Tirisia pulled at her arm, trying to shush her.

Seldienne’s eyebrow twitched at the spectacle.

“That little brat from the backwoods dares to be insolent!”

“How dare you act this way when you’re no match for Lady Elconja!”

Miu and Jury shouted back angrily, but Seldienne raised her hand quietly to calm them down.

She had the wisdom to not get caught up in their provocation and respond gently instead.

Though I suppose that was a lesson learned from countless previous insults, so it wasn’t particularly commendable.

With a smirk in her crimson eyes, Seldienne pointed with her fan at Rusika.

“Your mouth is still as reckless as ever! But I’ll not simply denounce you as a student just for that! Let me explain why!”

“Can’t you just sit down without causing a ruckus…?”

My groaned remark drifted into the air, unheard.

“Now, I shall reveal the reasons you are disqualified as nobles! First, Lady Bruerd!”

The black fan pointed towards Tirisia.

“Uh…me?”

Seldienne raised her voice, appearing to aim her accusations at all nearby students.

“How dare the next heir of the great Bruerd family, closely following Lady Elconja, show affection to a pathetic commoner who’s worth little more than a servant, merely cooking and nothing else! It’s an immense shame, reducing the prestige of all other nobles!”

“Your face is so dreary!”

“And you’re short!”

…

Wasn’t that a bit too much aimed at Tirisia?