Chapter 26

The next day.

I showed up at the Academy as usual and stopped by the boys’ dormitory to change into training gear.

As I entered the personal room to change, I spotted a familiar object sitting on the desk.

“Huh?”

It was a letter that brought back déjà vu from a little while ago.

The seal on the wax clearly bore the insignia of the Elconja family.

“What now…”

After breaking the seal and checking the contents of the letter, it contained a short, commanding sentence.

[Lunch today. To the garden.]

“Sigh…”

What could it be? The reception match was left neglected at my turn, so didn’t it implicitly end with Seldienne’s victory?

Of course, I hadn’t properly communicated with her, but she had been the one to show mercy at the end, so wouldn’t there be no reason for her to call me out again?

Seldienne wasn’t exactly someone who’d take an interest in commoners without any justifiable cause.

Both her public image and personal considerations supported that notion.

However, there was no guarantee this would be a good thing, but the fact that she summoned me through a letter clearly indicated she had some important matter to discuss, so I had no choice but to go meet her.

Let’s hope it’s not some grand party where the nobles are mocking me for breaking up with Tirisia.

*

After morning training and a shower, it was lunchtime.

I made my way quietly to the garden with nothing in my hands.

As I stood there absentmindedly at the entrance, I could feel the stares of the noble students passing by burning into my back.

“Look, it’s that commoner…”

“What’s he doing here?”

“Is he looking for a noble lady to hit on?”

Oh great.

Why can’t they at least keep their whispers to themselves?

Don’t they know basic courtesy for nobles?

No, maybe it’s nobility to say these things out loud, right? Either way.

Those folks had no bearing on my life, so whatever they said was none of my business.

I wasn’t sure if Seldienne called me here knowing how things would turn out, but their murmuring was annoying, so I just wanted to finish whatever she had to say and vanish quickly.

After a while, I saw three familiar faces walking in a row from the direction of the girls’ dormitory.

In order were a ponytailed girl, a golden-haired roll-pigtailed girl, and a noble girl with a bob haircut adorned with flashy accessories.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho! Are you all well today, commoner!”

Seldienne halted at a moderate distance, propping her chin on her fan and laughing in a high-pitched tone.

“Your face is as drab as ever! It’s hideous!”

“Is she advertising how she feels? Hmph!”

I tried my best to ignore the comments from the flunkies beside her and raised my palm to Seldienne.

“Um, what do you need me for?”

“You’re in such a hurry! I’ll tell you inside! Follow me!”

Seldienne, with a sharp smack of her fan, led Miu and Jury into the garden.

“Do I really have to go all the way in…?”

Until recently, these were the same girls who wouldn’t even want me lingering around, and now they’re at least not openly criticizing me for being in the same space.

It’s not like I’ve grown so familiar with their faces, it’s just that it would be very rude to call me over and then tell me to leave.

“I hope there’s still time left before the meal.”

Following Seldienne’s entourage into the deeper part of the garden, I ended up at a fancy table overlooking a waterfall that I had visited once before.

“Please, have a seat.”

The seated girls began unpacking their bento boxes, filling the table with lavish yet perfectly balanced nutritional meals.

These were proper dishes that were so different from the usual fruit and salad I ate.

“Wait, wait.”

I waved my hands to the girls who were about to dig in.

“I didn’t prepare anything today.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s rare.”

“I was just planning to go to the cafeteria alone. So please tell me what you need to say before we eat. I’ll get up right after hearing that.”

“Stay here.”

“What about the meal? Can we finish the business first?”

“Commoners really have no sense of occasion. This banquet is an invitation to dine with us.”

“Huh?”

As I frowned at their words, Miu and Jury perked up and shouted.

“Are you hard of hearing? That means we prepared a meal for you too!”

“You should be bowing your head in gratitude, what’s with that expression?”

Without changing my expression, Seldienne pointed her fan at my face, exclaiming.

“I have some things to tell you before we eat, so listen carefully, commoner!”

“What is it…?”

“You’ve dared to become the lover of a high noble, despite being just a commoner!”

“Yeah, and?”

“This was absolutely preposterous, and she has never acknowledged your relationship, but still you persist in this shameless behavior!”

“Ah…yes.”

Yeah, I knew this was going to happen.

Seldienne wouldn’t call me just to say something nice.

She probably regretted not having properly ignored me on the day I declared my breakup.

“It’s only natural for a lowly commoner to see their impossible dreams fall to ruin! This is inevitable!”

“…”

“I’ll commend you for at least grasping the situation now! From now on, dream accordingly to your station! Oh-ho-ho-ho!”

As I looked at Seldienne who was laughing heartily, I asked wearily,

“…Is that all you had to say?”

Even though she was annoying me, I knew arguing with someone like her would be a waste of energy.

The best course was to dodge the bullet. I just needed to listen to everything they wanted to say and quietly disappear so they wouldn’t call me again later.

But Seldienne shook her head, carrying a condescending smile.

“Of course not! Do you think I’m wasting my precious time just to poke fun at your faults?”

“…Wasn’t that what it was?”

When I shrugged, Seldienne let out a sly chuckle.

“Ha! How arrogant! I, as a great noble, have arranged this gathering to provide comfort to someone suffering from heartbreak, even if it’s a relationship I cannot acknowledge!”

“What?”

“Overlooking the plight of a lowly commoner is the noble’s duty! Regardless of personal feelings, I, Elconja, will treat your wounded heart with the compassion of a saint! It’s what I must do! Oh-ho-ho-ho!”

“Ah… was that it?”

As I nodded indifferently, Seldienne tucked her fan into her bosom.

“Now, eat! This is a special feast for someone as miserable as you! Relish in the mercy I’ve bestowed upon you!”

“…Can I go if you’ve said everything?”

“Huh?”

I pulled the chair back and got up from the table.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

In response to her question, I offered a wry smile.

“Thanks for your concern, but I don’t recall asking for that. I’ve heard your business, so I’m going to eat at the cafeteria.”

“What…! How dare you!”

“To reject Elconja’s kindness!”

To Miu and Jury who were blushing and shouting, I simply grinned.

“You guys seemed to participate in this meal too, so I’ll just be grateful for your feelings. Thanks.”

“W, wait, are you really going?”

“We won’t let you go!”

Just as I was about to turn and leave, I heard Seldienne’s calm voice stop me.

“Wait.”

“Why?”

“I’m not done yet.”

“What else is there?”

When I asked, tiredly, she took a deep breath and cleared her throat quietly.

“Um, well, now we’re getting to the main point, so please behave and stay for the meal.”

“Can’t I just hear what you have to say and leave?”

“Sit down. I won’t say it twice.”

“Sigh… fine, got it.”

With the third-ranking student threatening me like that, what objection could a commoner like me raise?

Honestly, it would be better to sit through this meal rather than stubbornly reject and face eventual problems.

“Alright, let’s start eating! Miu, Jury! Hurry up and eat!”

“Yes, Elconja!”

“You bet!”

“Thanks for the food. Still, I appreciate this spread you set up.”

As the meal began, I shoved the prepared food into my mouth while pondering whether it was sympathy on their part or just self-satisfaction.

Honestly, it was incredibly delicious, but it felt less enjoyable given my discomfort.

“Erto, how’s your mana manipulation training going?”

Just as I had taken a few bites, Seldienne suddenly asked a puzzling question.

“Mana manipulation? Well, I’ve been practicing it in mock battles as taught in class.”

“For someone who does that, your mana flow seems a complete mess.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“One question: Why haven’t you utilized the newly unlocked mana circuit from earlier?”

“Newly… unlocked?”

What does she mean by that?

Mana circuits are something you’re born with, they can’t just be “unlocked” or something.

As I stared blankly, Seldienne frowned, looking perplexed.

“This is strange…”

Gazing at my face intently, her red eyes suddenly turned wide in shock.

“Wait, are you saying you’re unaware that your circuits have opened?”

“What do you mean ‘opened’? I feel just like before.”

“How foolish!”

Her blunt word was a surprisingly raw condemnation from Seldienne. Her expression was one of astonishment.

“Can you please explain it slowly? I don’t get what you’re talking about.”

“Hmph… Fine.”

*gulp* She wet her mouth with her teacup before beginning her explanation.

“You fell ill a little while back and missed a few days at the Academy, remember?”

“Yeah. You remember everything.”

“If your memory serves you right, that’s when it started. Your mana circuits began to behave oddly.”

“What?”

“I’m not quite sure how to put it. It’s like when you throw a rock at a window, and it shatters… There are countless cracks spreading across your mana circuits.”

“No way… that can’t be…”

So, after witnessing Tirisia’s wind scene and collapsing for three days, I had a feeling something was off, but little did I know there was an actual problem?

This was a shocking revelation.

“Did Tirisia know about this?”

No, even if she did, there’d be no way she could mention it to me.

Because if what’s marked on the mana circuits counts as an injury, the one who inflicted it was none other than Tirisia herself.

“From your perspective, that crack seems to look like an expanded circuit. Hence, you should be capable of using stronger mana than before… But you’re not utilizing mana at all from the open circuits. I thought something unusual was going on, but to think you weren’t even aware of it is beyond ridiculous.”

“I… uh… I really had no idea. No one told me.”

“Oh-ho! So it means I’m the fortunate one providing you this vital information! You should express gratitude for my boundless generosity!”

“Thanks for that. Looks like there’s something wrong with my body. But is this okay?”

I asked, curious to see if someone like Seldienne might know something about it, and she nodded with a relaxed smile.

“Your condition isn’t too different from a commoner awakening their mana circuits. However, it has been reported in academia that there are rare cases where this change can happen twice. The enlargement of circuits itself isn’t a problem, but if you don’t circulate mana through the expanded circuits, that could cause you trouble.”

“So… you mean I need to train to manage mana in the new circuit.”

“Precisely! That’s the reason for why I summoned you today.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Sipping another sip of tea, Seldienne spoke with mild reluctance.

“It’s a continuation of what I was saying earlier! I, Elconja, am going to reward you for realizing the situation by returning to your proper place!”

“Isn’t inviting me here the end of that reward?”

“Shut it! Are you suggesting that you would refuse my gracious offer?”

“Well, that’s not what I meant… Let’s at least hear what you have to say.”

“Hmph!”

Clearing her throat, Seldienne placed her hand on her chest, wearing an arrogant grin.

“At the upcoming training competition, I shall assist you with your mana circuits! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn my mana manipulation methods, so bow your head in gratitude!”

“Wait… really?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself! Even if your mana grows, it’s futile for someone like you to attempt to occupy Bruerd’s side again! Nevertheless, a commoner striving to follow after a stork will merely earn the sympathy of the nobles, which is why I’ll train you!”

“Elconja…! Are you really okay with this?”

“What if this commoner were to look at you with malicious intent…”

“Hah.”

At those words, I couldn’t help but chuckle, but Seldienne let out an unbothered laugh.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho! It’s only natural for a lowly commoner to be swayed by my charm! But fear not! I have no interest in those weaker than myself! And any hope of defeating me is a dream that wouldn’t ever come true!”

“Well, that’s true.”

After all, I’m ranked in the hundreds at the Academy, and Seldienne is a top-tier power ranked third.

Even if I improve my mana, there’s no way I could close that enormous gap.

Getting angry over facts is a rookie move. I accepted her proposal calmly.

“Alright then, I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

Seldienne’s eyes widened in astonishment at my cheerful response.

“You’re really saying that? Meaning you’re willing to learn from me?”

She must’ve thought I would put up more resistance or something.

But letting my awakened mana circuits go to waste would be a shame, and as Haidiera suggested, if I prove my abilities at the training competition, maybe the way others view me will shift just a little. For now, I needed to focus on becoming stronger, regardless of the risks.

Even though I wasn’t too fond of Seldienne’s intentions, this was, after all, a good opportunity.

“That’s right. I’ll leave it to you. But how should I address you now? Teacher?”

For a moment, the corners of Seldienne’s mouth twitched, before she snapped back to reality with a jerk of her head.

“Hmph! Don’t think you can butter me up! Just call me as you have been!”

“Ah, okay, then just Seldienne.”

“You’re adamant about not calling me Elconja until the end!”

“What a commoner! You really have no sense of etiquette!”

Yeah, yeah, I’m a commoner. Just a commoner.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho! No need to concern yourself, Miu, Jury! A commoner cannot grasp the etiquette of nobility! Anyway, that settles the business, so let us enjoy our meal! Ho-ho!”

With Seldienne looking exceedingly pleased, I indulged in the feast prepared by the nobles.

Honestly, it felt a lot better compared to earlier.

*

“Hey.”

Thud!

“Yikes!”

After class, as Tirisia and I were crossing the Academy plaza on the way home, suddenly a girl with blue hair came flying at me.

“Whoa, that startled me!”

It felt like she dropped straight out of the sky.

“Oh, Senior, hello.”

Tirisia bowed her head politely to the girl who had fallen in front of us, Senior Perjena.

“Yeah.”

The senior casually waved back and squinted her eyes while looking back and forth at us.

“What a shameless bunch… Split up and yet still hanging out. Pfft.”

“Ahaha… we decided to go back to being friends.”

Tirisia smiled awkwardly as she replied, and the senior clicked her tongue, pointing a finger at my face.

“Anyway, I need to talk, so I’m borrowing your ex for a bit. Is that okay?”

“Huh? Aah, that’s fine.”

Tirisia’s light-brown eyes alternated between my and the senior’s faces as she nodded eagerly.

“Me? Why?”

I was the one feeling confused about this.

Perjena suddenly taking hold of me and calling me over on my way home—what could it mean?

“Shut it,”

The senior walked over, casually throwing her arm around me.

Her sharp-toothed grin reminded me somewhat of a fierce animal.

“Come on, let’s go, punk.”

“Ah… okay…”

Best not to say a word if I wanted to avoid a smack to the head.

As the senior dragged me off, I glanced back at Tirisia, whose expression seemed a bit dazed.

“You should head back, Bruerd.”

Tirisia replied a little blankly, and I twisted my head to say goodbye one last time.

“See you tomorrow, Tirisia…”

“Yeah, Erto…”

In her last glance, her brown eyes contained something reminiscent of worry.

Goodness, anyone would think I was being drawn into a dragon’s den.

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