Chapter 47

“We crushed Iris’s team and took first place in the group competition.”

This sent shockwaves through Jerion Academy.

No one expected Iris, known as the strongest, to lose.

Of course, some speculated that it was mostly thanks to Sharine’s presence.

But what everyone kept talking about was the lightning that struck when we took down the last Apostle, Urese.

The lightning that randomly fell on the arena.

Some argued that it didn’t make sense to defeat Urese with a natural phenomenon.

But those with sharp eyes all vaguely noticed one thing.

Just before the lightning struck, I had been reaching my hand towards the sky.

Thanks to that, I got a new nickname after that day.

Lightning Kid

That’s some hilarious naming sense.

“Lightning Sweet Potato!”

And there was one more person whose nickname had changed.

As soon as he entered the classroom, Seron shot his hand up and waved it energetically.

Seron had a bright smile plastered on his face.

I’d never seen him smile like that before.

“Why are you smiling like that? It’s kind of creepy.”

“Hehehe.”

Even as I shot back at him like usual, Seron couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.

“Of course I’m smiling! My allowance just doubled!”

So that’s how much it went up, huh?

That smile is pretty justified.

“Then treat us today.”

“Hehe, sure! The cutest Seron in the world will treat you!”

Even with that strange adjective attached, I wasn’t going to refuse a treat.

Gotta take care of the benefactor.

“By the way, Lightning Sweet Potato, Dad wants to talk to you.”

Seron unexpectedly brought up something as he was pondering what to ask for today.

“Dad? About what?”

“I have no idea. Maybe he wants to give you some allowance since we were on the same team in the group competition.”

Seron shrugged his shoulders as if he genuinely didn’t know.

I recalled Seron’s dad, who had come to watch the group competition.

He was holding a pamphlet, cheering for Seron with all his might.

It was obvious he was a doting father.

For some reason, I felt a strange sense of foreboding.

Please don’t let it be a ridiculous misunderstanding.

“Seron, when you meet your dad next time, tell him I don’t look like a man at all.”

“Huh? So Lightning Sweet Potato is a girl now? Should I call you Princess Sweet Potato instead?”

This fool clearly had no idea what was going on.

“You.”

As I contemplated how to give Seron a light jab, I heard a voice from behind me.

I didn’t expect the person over there to talk to me first.

I had a look of surprise on my face.

“Isabel.”

Isabel called me over as soon as she entered the classroom.

All the kids naturally turned their attention to us.

Since whenever Isabel and I talked, we’d clash, people were tense thinking we’d end up fighting again.

But Isabel looked at me without showing much emotion.

“I lost this time.”

Isabel’s eyes were shining fiercely, unlike before.

“…I won’t lose next time.”

Isabel’s team clocked in at 38 minutes and 23 seconds, placing third in the second-year rankings.

Considering that other teams didn’t even make it to the tenth Apostle, it was quite an achievement.

But Isabel didn’t seem satisfied at all.

Her rival, me, was ahead of her.

I could feel the bright passion packed in Isabel’s eyes.

‘Little by little.’

Isabel was definitely taking steps forward.

When she surpasses the shadow of Lucas and returns to her bright smile,

I won’t be needed anymore.

And that’s the day I’m looking forward to the most.

“D-Do you…are you smiling?”

At that moment, after hearing Isabel’s words, I finally realized I was smiling.

When I touched my lips, I really was grinning.

Thinking of Isabel’s future, I couldn’t help but smile.

Isabel stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“Yeah, I smiled.”

I further curled the corners of my mouth.

“I scoffed. There’s no way you could ever beat me.”

So for now, I must remain her rival.

Isabel took a moment to look at me before letting out a sigh.

“You’re such a brat.”

With that, she turned away.

“That’s so you.”

As Isabel walked away, she surprisingly didn’t seem to be in a bad mood compared to before.

‘Am I getting used to provoking her?’

I might need to study provocation more seriously from now on.

With that thought, I returned to my usual seat.

We usually sit wherever we want, but the kids in the martial arts club intentionally don’t sit where Seron and I always do.

It feels like our seats are reserved.

As I settled in, I noticed something sticking out from my drawer.

Not knowing what it was, I tilted my head and pulled it out.

There was a letter inside.

Did someone leave this by mistake?

“What? A letter?”

Seron, who had followed closely behind, looked at the letter with confusion.

“I don’t know.”

This spot is always where I sit, so there’s no way someone mistakenly left a letter here.

When I flipped the letter over, there was one name written on it.

Upon seeing that, my face wore a peculiar expression.

And for good reason, it read: ‘Hanon Irey.’

This was meant for me.

“Uh, um, what is this? Is it a love letter?”

Seron looked at me in a panic.

I was equally baffled.

I never thought I’d get a love letter when I’m called Lightning Kid.

‘Well, Hanon isn’t such a bad catch after all.’

He is, after all, the grandson of a duke.

Maybe someone fell for me after seeing my performance in the group competition.

“…Seriously, why?”

Then Seron got a flick on the forehead.

He held his sore forehead, urging me to see the letter.

It’s not like I’m super eager to read this letter with this fool, but I was also curious.

As I opened the letter, it contained a single sheet of paper.

It said to come to Sky Park during lunch time.

Since Sky Park is on the rooftop, it’s rare to see people there during lunch.

It was clear that it meant for just the two of us to talk.

“What are you going to do?”

Seron subtly asked.

“I guess I’ll go.”

Since I received a letter, no matter who it is, if they’re from the martial arts club, they’ll have seen me reading it.

Not going would feel rude too.

“Sigh, guess I can’t hang out with Lightning Sweet Potato anymore.”

Then Seron mumbled to himself with a disappointed look.

What does that even mean?

“What do you mean, of course you would? If I get a girlfriend, she’s going to see me hanging out with you and get jealous 100% of the time. I’m not dealing with that kind of love triangle!”

I tilted my head.

What does that even mean?

“Why would my girlfriend get jealous of you?”

“Are you stupid? Of course, if I have a girlfriend and she sees me hanging out with the opposite gender…”

Seron’s eyebrows furrowed.

Uh-oh, did he get the meaning?

“I won’t be sharing any of my girlfriend with you.”

“Huh, what?”

Seron raised his fists as if to fight.

“Let’s not go with that topic today.”

“Yup, jealousy will happen. After all, it’s different when I have a girlfriend.”

It looked like the benefactor was in a bad mood.

“And you don’t have to worry about that. Even if I confess, I have no intention to date anyone.”

“You can’t just glean joy from someone confessing to you? Why?”

“It’s not the right time to date anyone.”

Sorry, but I don’t have that luxury.

I’m struggling enough to just get through the script.

“Huh, that’s great for me then.”

Looks like being beside me has become quite comfortable for him.

I’m a little worried about Seron as he’s losing more and more social skills.

＊ ＊ ＊

After finishing the morning classes,

I sent Seron off to grab food and cards.

Seron was reluctant, but he had no one else to eat with.

So, after seeing them off while bickering, I headed to Sky Park.

To be honest, I was a bit curious about who might have left me the letter.

‘Could it be someone I know?’

Those thoughts raced as I climbed the stairs, and soon the door to Sky Park appeared.

True to lunchtime, it was very quiet beyond the door.

Creeeak—

The noise of the hinges turning marked the door opening.

As I leaned in, I saw someone standing far away.

And for some reason, that back looked familiar.

The last person I expected to see was standing there.

“You came.”

Short, brown hair.

A bunch of rings hanging from their hand.

Eyes that look like they’ve seen a fight.

The second-year Deputy of Magic Arts.

Dorara Korajin.

So that means—

It’s a guy.

As I quietly stared at him, I silently turned away.

Then I closed the door again.

“Wait, where are you going!”

The startled Dorara rushed over and grabbed the door tightly.

He’s trying to have a strength contest with me.

I guess I gotta show off the training I’ve undergone with Aisha.

As I forced the door shut, Dorara was dragged along with it.

Then he shouted in irritation.

“Why are you running away!”

“Sorry, but I’m not interested in guys at all. I get your taste, but please don’t include me in it.”

“You insane, what nonsense are you talking!”

Then it seemed he realized what I had meant.

“Hey! I like girls too! I’m not interested in someone like you!”

“Then why did you leave that ambiguous letter?”

“Damn it, I was trying to drag you out to chat!”

“Why with me?”

Dorara and I have no point of contact whatsoever.

When I gave him a suspicious look, he huffed out some breath.

“That’s what I was waiting to talk about.”

I get it now.

As I swung the door wide open, Dorara was shoved off and rolled across the floor.

It seemed he was a bit irritated that someone from the Magic Arts department was overpowered by me, but

he must’ve admitted it because he brushed off his bottom and stood up again.

“What’s the matter?”

My mood soured.

I should’ve just stayed put.

I wanted to just go and eat lunch.

Dorara exhaled, then asked me.

“So, what’s your relationship with Sharine?”

“What do you mean by ‘relationship’?”

“With the group competition team and you hanging out with her for dinner.”

I had thought I was being discreet enough, not even letting Isabel catch on.

How did he figure it out?

“She’s a friend.”

I tilted my head while answering.

“A friend?”

“…Are you confused about that?”

My relationship with Sharine is complicated.

After all, it’s based on a deal involving Isabel.

Sharine is notoriously capricious.

It’s much more likely that she’s just interested in me for kicks.

So I honestly can’t guarantee anything.

“Huh, so not really friends. That makes sense; I mean, that girl probably has no friends.”

Dorara spit out those sharp words.

He was showing his irritation towards Sharine.

“Forget it then. No reason to talk.”

“What’s the purpose of calling me out? Just tell me.”

That only made me more curious.

Asking what the purpose was, Dorara glanced at me.

Then a sly smile crept onto his face.

There was something devious in the smile.

“I was just going to tell you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“About how lowly her bloodline is.”

Just as I expected.

The words I anticipated came flowing from Dorara.

“Did you know? That girl’s mother used to work in a brothel. Apparently, she died from syphilis.”

Once he started, Dorara couldn’t stop.

“That idiot hides it and lives as if she’s being praised, but can’t she see that she’s a syphilis carrier? I feel disgusted just looking at her. If you associate with her, you’ll catch syphilis too…”

And then Dorara went airborne.

No, actually, I shoved my fist into his chin.

“Gah!”

Thud!

Dorara harshly tumbled to the ground.

In both games and reality, he’s always been a bundle of inferiority.

He knows he can’t win against Sharine in magic, so this is his way of boosting his self-esteem by spreading rumors.

‘So that’s why Sharine’s reputation spread across the games.’

This fool was the source.

“Y-You crazy! What was that for?!”

Dorara cried as he rubbed his jaw, visibly shaken.

Seeing his sturdy build, I tightened my fist.

“Just…”

Whack—

My hand fell open.

“The fact that I’m being summoned with such ridiculous tales makes me think my notorious reputation isn’t so special.”

My notoriety at Jerion Academy is quite widespread.

So much so that I’m even called Lightning Kid.

With a title like that, I’ve certainly made a name for myself.

If they don’t cross the line, I usually don’t bother with them,

but when they do, I always face them full force.

Despite that, I have somewhat built up my name, and now I’m an official member of the Student Council.

So lately, not many have dared to pick a fight with me.

“Now’s a good time to take down the Deputy of Magic Arts and spread some notoriety.”

Let’s try a magical duel!