Chapter 248

Chapter Thirty-Five Wanting to Escape

“Really?”

I muttered, then saw Sarah’s joyful face nodding at me in response, “Really!”

She was so excited she seemed about to jump up.

How could this be…

Suddenly, I felt a panic rising in my heart, not wanting to move forward anymore. My pearl-like eyes darted around, scanning the large training ground. Then I saw in the far corner, where wooden posts should have been, there were now simple thatched huts. Inside these huts, various colored rhinoceros beasts were slightly agitated, kicking their front hooves.

Bang bang, bang bang…

For a moment, I felt like I heard my own heartbeat. Uneasily pulling at my skirt, I subconsciously squeezed my legs together.

Sarah and the others continued walking forward, talking excitedly.

“Masterful swordsmanship, outstanding horsemanship. These are basic qualities an excellent knight must master… Although my swordsmanship is barely passable, I haven’t ridden a rhinoceros beast much. I remember the last time was a few years ago when my father took me to the Church Knight Training Camp… So I’ve been looking forward to the riding practice at the academy for a long time!”

After saying that, she turned to ask Daisy, “Have you ever ridden a rhinoceros beast?”

“I, I haven’t…”

“And let me tell you, riding on the back of a beast is super cool! It feels like flying.”

“What if I fall off…”

“As long as you master the essentials, you won’t.”

“Isn’t it just riding a rhinoceros beast? Is there really such excitement?” Sophia’s attitude was much calmer compared to Sarah’s high spirits, “My father has several of them, and every time I pass by the animal stables, I can smell that wild animal scent, which I find particularly unpleasant.”

“Sophia, are you trying to show off?”

Sophia shook her head.

“I just want to tell you, if you want to ride a rhinoceros beast, feel free to come to my house. Please don’t shout here, because it’s embarrassing… Really, with Peylo here, we’re already quite conspicuous… Huh?”

She seemed about to say something to me but turned back and found I hadn’t followed, slightly stunned.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing…”

I gritted my teeth and reluctantly followed behind them with small steps.

“Peylo, you are also a noble, your horsemanship should be very good, right?” Sophia continued after seeing me come over, “I heard from my father that the hunters of the Wallen Empire have very unique horsemanship. There’s a saying among the nobles in the capital called ‘Death Dance on Beast Back,’ which seems more like an art than horsemanship… They talk about hunters riding rhinoceros beasts, but I haven’t seen it yet.”

She blinked her eyes, seemingly with a competitive spirit, and smiled confidently.

“You come from the City of Winter, you should know some of that horsemanship. How about, let’s compete later? Don’t look down on me because I don’t like rhinoceros beasts, but my horsemanship is still decent.”

“Oh, um.”

I responded absentmindedly.

Compete what… I’m terrified…

I put my thumb in my mouth, lowering my head and biting my nails, my mind racing.

No, I have to skip this class…

What excuse should I use?

If I use the same one as before… No, no, that’s too embarrassing!

Back then, at Shantel Castle, I could do whatever I wanted because of my mother’s protection, but here it wouldn’t work. Everyone would laugh at me… I already have the embarrassing nickname ‘Nose Bridge Terminator,’ I don’t want to get another strange one today.

But what better excuse is there… Maybe I should just turn around and run away? No need to think too much, just escape first…

… But the Royal Academy has strict punishments for truants. I just returned today, and if I skip class again, Grandma Principal might get angry. What if she decides to punish me according to the rules… That might be even more embarrassing than having my period right here…

The surrounding students gathered more and more.

Unconsciously, I had already walked with Sarah and the others near the huts. The snorting of the rhinoceros beasts occasionally reached my ears, and I sneaked a glance.

Those rhinoceros beasts were smaller than the one I rode during the funeral ceremony, probably belonging to the common variety.

It felt like my feet could reach the stirrups…

But thinking about the uncontrollable feeling and the extreme lack of security when riding these wild beasts, and the unbearable pain between my legs, I felt a chill run through my scalp, my heart quivering.

Afraid…

“Hu—, hu—”

Take a deep breath… Take a deep breath…

Lifting my eyelids, I glanced once more toward the direction of the rhinoceros beasts.

… No way.

No way, no way… I can’t do it, this is too terrifying, I have to escape immediately…

Just as I made up my mind, ready to slip away regardless of the consequences, a tall, muscular man with bare arms walked towards us from afar.

“Giant Lamb…”

“It’s the teacher…”

That was our Physical Training teacher, reportedly a strong man who could tear apart fire bears with his bare hands.

“Fall in!”

Approaching, Giant Lamb roared loudly. The front line, Sophia, trembled and hurriedly lowered her head, moving toward the gathering crowd, muttering, “Why does he have to be so big… Every time I see him, I feel pressured…”

“Let’s hurry over.”

Sarah grabbed my hand and Daisy’s, leading us without hesitation to the front of the forming line.

… Wait, the front line!

I stood there for two steps, suddenly realizing, I bent my knees, pushing my little bottom down, resisting her pull.

Sarah stumbled backward, looking puzzled and turning back.

“Sarah.”

I pulled my hand away, retreating while speaking, “I suddenly remembered something urgent… I have to go…”

“What?”

Sarah panicked, furrowing her brows and waving at me, “Do you want to be punished… Hurry up!”

“No.”

I shook my head like a rattle drum.

“My stomach hurts.”

“But you were fine just now?”

“I ate too much.”

“… Are you kidding me!”

“Peylo, let’s hurry over,” Daisy was also anxious, her eyes constantly glancing at Giant Lamb, “Teacher Lamb is looking at us…”

“What are you all doing there, not falling in line—!”

A thunderous roar echoed across the training ground, and the rugged and wild giant strode over.

“N-nothing…”

Sarah and Daisy looked frightened, shrinking their shoulders and bowing their heads, obediently walking to the back of the line, casting glances at me as they went.

“Hurry up, don’t dawdle!”

Giant Lamb stopped nearby, watching Sarah timidly enter the formation. He nodded, then cast a slightly impatient glance at me.

“What’s wrong with you?”

I rolled my eyes, “Teacher, I feel a bit unwell and want to see a doctor.”

“Where do you feel uncomfortable?”

“My stomach hurts.”

“Anything else?”

“Um…” I tilted my head in thought, “Headache?”

Lamb stared at me for a long time, then suddenly laughed.

“Pampered noble ladies, do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?” His lips had a distinct scar that would pull when he smiled, making him look fierce and sinister, “Because physical training is hard, and I’m strict with you, so none of you want to come to my class, right?”