Chapter 38

“Lunchtime, in the emptiest Magic Arts classroom.”

Hanon Irey.

Sharine Sazarith.

Isabel Luna.

The three of us were facing each other, stiff as boards.

The problem? I’m Hanon.

I could hear the cheerful voices of children outside the window.

Those were the sounds of kids returning after lunch.

In the silence that swept between us, it was Isabel who broke the ice.

“…Why are you two together?”

Isabel’s best friend, Sharine. My rival, Isabel.

Meanwhile, everyone else had gone to eat lunch.

Here we were, deliberately sitting together, munching on bread and chatting away like old pals.

This scene must have stirred up quite the complex feelings in Isabel.

Even I, who believe that not everything in life is about romance, could easily guess how this looked.

“I got invited.”

The answer to Isabel’s question came not from me but from Sharine.

The stiff expression she wore earlier had completely vanished.

Instead, the usual cheerful Sharine pointed a finger at me.

“For this team competition, she asked me to join her.”

Isabel’s eyes widened at Sharine’s words.

She clearly hadn’t expected me to propose such a thing to Sharine.

“…You two were that close?”

The time I spent with Sharine was mostly in the evenings.

Those hours were when Isabel was busy training, so she had no clue what Sharine was up to during that time.

Thus, she didn’t even know that Sharine was teaching me about the Magic Seal.

“Yep, Hanon really likes me a lot.”

This was quite the ridiculous claim.

I stared at Sharine in disbelief and then turned my head away.

Isabel was now looking at me with her mouth agape.

Of course, she misunderstood.

To hear that her rival has a crush on her best friend is definitely shocking enough.

“A-are you serious?”

What’s got her believing this nonsense?

“No way.”

As I outright denied it, Isabel pursed her lips and looked back at Sharine.

Sharine only offered a lazy smile.

She didn’t say a word.

‘This girl.’

Through this conversation, Sharine indirectly revealed our closeness.

That we joked around like this meant our relationship was pretty tight.

Normally, Sharine doesn’t get close to others.

Being her usual moody self, you’d think she was friendly until suddenly she’d snap back.

That’s who Sharine is.

So, she only has Isabel as a true friend.

Now, Sharine is joking around in front of Isabel, showing she has someone she’s friendly with.

This must have been a huge shock for Isabel, especially since that someone is her rival.

“U-uh, uh oh.”

So Isabel had short-circuited.

As I shot a glare at Sharine, she shot one back at me.

Her eyes were smiling, but her gaze was icy.

Ah, she’s angry.

For Sharine, her father can stir up emotional chaos.

But I had no way to mend this.

To smoothly carry on with the following events, I desperately needed good results in the team contest.

And for that, Sharine was a must.

‘Guess she’s just as desperate.’

It’d be tough expecting understanding from Sharine.

“I was actually here to propose a team to Lin.”

Just then, Isabel recovered and returned to the main topic.

She had also heard the information about the team competition from Professor Veganon, just like I did.

The reason for the time gap was that I had no one suitable for a team, while Isabel had plenty of people around to discuss things with.

The trouble was.

Sharine would likely lean toward Isabel.

“Sorry, but I made the offer first.”

“But it’s Lin’s choice whether to accept the offer.”

Knowing that, Isabel wasn’t about to back down.

Moreover, there was a strange competitiveness in her tone.

You could sense her determination to not let her rival steal Sharine from her.

This was sticky.

If Isabel suddenly got serious, I’d have no way to win against her.

I gave Sharine a sidelong glance.

Sharine was exchanging glances between me and Isabel, contemplating deeply.

“Alright.”

After her contemplation, she raised her hand toward me.

“This time, I’ll team up with Hanon.”

“Lin?”

Isabel wore a face of total shock.

But Sharine didn’t seem to have any intention of changing her mind.

Isabel staggered a bit and then turned around.

“Lin is an idiot.”

With that, Isabel criticized Sharine, filled with sadness as she walked away.

She chose me, unexpectedly.

This choice caught me by surprise too.

“I didn’t think you’d choose me.”

“You kept the promise we made.”

The promise I had with Sharine.

It was that in exchange for her helping me, I would give Isabel a reason to survive.

“I know you were the first to chase after Belle a week ago.”

So she knew that.

Sharine had also come to the castle walls looking for Isabel.

She must have seen me then.

“That’s my way of thanking you. And about my father…”

As Sharine’s hair swayed slightly,

“I’m a little mad. I don’t know how much Hanon really knows, but you spoke without permission.”

Seeing that, I quietly bowed my head.

“I’m sorry.”

I knocked my head and apologized.

* * *

So it was decided that the strongest support, Sharine, would join.

All that was left was one spot for support and a healer.

Surprisingly, the support role filled up quickly.

“Wang Non, how about adding me to the team?”

The next day, right after the morning class, Card Velik was the first to propose.

“What’s this? You’re asking to be put on a team for once?”

“Well, since Sharine’s in, where could be a better team than this?”

Sharine’s capabilities were off the charts.

Anyone outside would naturally want to join our team.

It was surprising that news had already reached Card’s ears.

He really does have sharp ears.

‘Well, being in a position where being oblivious is not an option.’

Knowing Card’s situation, it made sense that his ears were tuned in.

“To begin with, my magic isn’t suited for heavy firepower. It’s best that I join a team with strong firepower.”

Card is a utility mage.

Having used him during the Fire Butterfly play, I knew this well.

With both Sharine and Card in the team, the balance would be extremely stable.

“Hmm.”

As I hesitated, Card’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

The sight of a big guy sparkling just sets off my irritation.

“But what about your original team?”

Card had a team he was used to working with.

When I asked about that, Card rubbed around his nose sheepishly.

“I got confessed to by a girl from the same team, so I just left.”

I looked at him wide-eyed.

But Card wore a pouted expression of grievance.

“It can’t be helped. I just want to live freely without dating anyone!

But it’s also awkward to stay on the team and ruin the mood.”

“Princess Sweet Potato, can’t you hear the trash talking?”

As Card acted like a tragic leading man, Seron threw him a disdainful look.

In response, Card winked at Seron.

“I’ll consider it if you confess, Seron.”

“Shut your mouth before I tear it apart.”

Seron tousled his hair and hissed like a cat.

He distinctly looked like he wanted nothing to do with Card.

Card just laughed at this, finding it amusing, and turned back to me.

“Of course, I want to stay friends with Wang Non, so I’ll probably decline.”

“Do you want to die? Why would I confess to you?”

Seron tried to punch Card, but shot me a glance instead.

“And seriously? Princess Sweet Potato, you can’t like me, right?”

Ugh, damn.

“Sorry, but you see, I prefer tall, handsome men. You’re nowhere near that. It’s a no-go.”

“Yeah, no worries. I’ll make sure you don’t even see me starting today.”

As I rolled up my sleeves, Seron let out a shriek and pretended to run away.

Looks like I’ve been hanging out with these guys for ages, judging by how easily we joke around.

“So what were you two talking about?”

As today’s morning class involved training, Seron, who’d been getting additional lessons from Professor Veganon, arrived late.

And since he missed our earlier conversation, he was oblivious to what Card and I had discussed.

“I’m gonna be joining Wang Non’s team.”

“Ew, no way.”

Seron cringed from the get-go.

Seeing that, I tilted my head.

“Why don’t you want that?”

“Why wouldn’t I? If that person joins, it’ll ruin the team atmosphere.”

“Then why are you worried about that?”

I asked innocently.

Seron blinked, then tilted his head back at me.

“Well, that…”

Just then, he trailed off, and his eyes slowly widened.

“Hey, hey, you’re not talking about Princess Sweet Potato, are you?”

“Yeah, I’m not Princess Sweet Potato.”

“Aw man, why would you even say that? Without me, you can’t secure the front line.”

“The back line’s been decided with Sharine.”

Seron’s mouth fell open in shock.

When I mentioned the name of the second-year top student in Magic Arts, dubbed a genius of the century, Seron’s reaction flipped immediately.

“Sh-Sharine Sazarith? W-Why her?”

“Because I’m quite skilled in various ways.”

I already brought along three strong allies: Aisha the Greatsword Hero, Poara the Spirit Sovereign, and Saint SirMiel.

Seron had no way to doubt this time.

“With Sharine on the team, there will be heaps of others wanting to join the front lines.”

It’s still too soon for rumors to have spread, but it will be quick.

Those wanting to join the front lines will flood in.

Realizing this, Seron’s lips trembled.

“Uh, um, what about me?”

“Like I said before, why are you worried about our team?”

I wore a grin.

This caused Seron’s forehead to slowly flush red.

He finally started to realize his situation.

Seron reached out and clutched my collar.

“P-Princess Sweet Potato, please don’t!”

“Seron, it would be a good idea to start looking for a team sooner rather than later, don’t you think?”

“I-I’m really sorry! I’ve been doing well in studies lately; my skills are decent, for real!”

“Yeah, with those skills, you’ll be accepted anywhere.”

Seron’s eyes misted over.

He sniffled, clutching my collar with both hands.

“Sweet Potato, no, Hanon, please. I don’t have anywhere else to go. Okay? Okay?”

“Seron, when asking for a favor, you should be polite and use formal language.”

“Ugh, please! I-I really want to be on your team!”

“Your head is sticking up too much. And what’s with that voice?”

“Please! Please let me join your team!”

Seron bent down with wide eyes, trembling.

Watching that, I raised my hand and ruffled his hair.

“Alright, that’s how you should ask. Good boy.”

The children around us looked at us with strange expressions.

But I didn’t mind it at all.

From the moment we became a trio of troublemakers, we’ve surely looked odd more than a few times.

“Waaaah, Aaaaaah!”

Just then, Seron suddenly lifted his head.

With tear-stained cheeks, he looked at me and started shaking my collar wildly.

Did I hassle him too much?

This kid is totally broken.

But he kept glaring at me without saying a word, as if he didn’t want to leave the team.

“Seron, if you perform well and make a name for yourself in this team contest, your parents will probably give you more allowance, right?”

Seron jumped at the mention of that.

He was the type who relied heavily on his allowance from his parents.

For him, that allowance was a lifeline.

“With Sharine around, we’re guaranteed at least a top-ranking spot.”

Seron cautiously straightened my collar.

Then, with tear-filled eyes, they sparkled brightly.

He had previously received a huge compliment from his parents after winning a gray forest contest.

Word was that his allowance had increased since then.

So, if he performs well again, there’s a high chance his allowance could go up again.

“I-I’ll work hard!”

“Alright, let’s show them what we can do.”

Seron switched back to being good.

Card watched this and whistled.

“You’re getting better at taming him.”

His role is just communication, nothing more.