The academy square was still bustling with people, but somehow, it felt empty.
Rudion. Because he had been called by Professor Reina Trier and left alone.
Every time I thought of his name, my heart raced. Now, denying my feelings for him felt like torture.
I once thought my feelings might fade quickly because I fell too fast, but now I’m sure.
What I felt back then was in the realm of intuition.
Lately, those feelings have only grown stronger.
Because I’ve been watching all the little things he does without a second thought.
Like when we did volunteer work together on campus, he helped me wholeheartedly, even though it was clearly just to humor me.
Or when he quietly cleaned up after Lilith’s training at the training ground.
Or how he gradually started coming to school earlier, making sure he was there before me.
Or how he didn’t bother expanding his social circle because he knew I felt uncomfortable around others.
And… how he created a chance for me to shine when I was feeling down about not being able to participate in student council activities.
He always tended to act for others rather than himself, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
…Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s a perfect man.
Like how he’d occasionally spill food while eating neatly.
Or how he’d suddenly spout nonsense or do things that made no sense.
Or how he’d casually fix Lilith’s disheveled clothes during training without a second thought.
Or how he’d go into a room alone with Alkiné, even if it was just to work on a report…
‘…Speaking of Alkiné, her gaze seems so different from the first day.’
Unlike when I first visited the student council with Rudion, there was now a subtle but unmistakable warmth in Alkiné’s eyes when she looked at him.
I didn’t think it was out of nowhere.
Since we’re in the same student council, I’d heard about some of the things that happened, so I could guess what he’d done.
Of course, he probably didn’t mean to do it on purpose… but that just makes it worse.
I wish he’d realize what it means for a capable guy to help others.
He doesn’t understand my feelings at all. He really has a knack for doing the most annoying things.
But…
‘I’m the one who fell for someone like that. I guess I’m the one who has to deal with it.’
It must be the part I have to do.’
Whoever falls in love first loses. That’s what my father always said.
[Current Affection Level: 27/100]
[13 more to the next reward.]
The affection level had already surpassed 20, and I received a reward.
[Affection Level 20 Achieved!]
[Special reward and exclusive stat unlocked.]
[Received ‘Mana Acceleration’ bonus as an affection reward.]
[Exclusive stat ‘Time’ unlocked.]
[Current Time stat: 0]
I never imagined the reward would be an improvement in abilities rather than something material.
I had no idea what the exclusive stat was about.
It was just unlocked, so I couldn’t even analyze it, let alone use it.
But thanks to the ‘Mana Acceleration’ being beyond my expectations, I could now cast stronger spells faster than before.
It had been a while since I felt such rapid growth, so I was a bit excited.
Still, I couldn’t land a single effective hit on Rudion.
‘…Really, why is someone like that still at Akadeumi?’
That question still lingered in my mind.
But I had no intention of digging deeper.
It had been a long time since his identity stopped mattering to me.
I just hoped that if I kept moving forward, I might reach him someday.
Lost in such thoughts, I found myself back in front of the 1st Year Advanced Class Building.
I could have gone straight to the dormitory, but I didn’t. Rudion was probably inside.
But I couldn’t step in either.
Professor Reina had instructed Rudion to come alone, so I had no reason to intrude.
So I was just loitering around when, for some reason, I made eye contact with Professor Reina, who was outside.
As soon as she saw me, she approached with a grin, clearly planning to tease me again.
“Well, well, who do we have here? I only called for Rudion. Why is Seria here too?”
“…Where’s Rudion?”
Knowing that showing any sign of fluster would only invite more teasing, I stood my ground confidently.
Professor Reina smirked and replied.
“Ah~ Right, of course. He’s having a chat with the Dean right now.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry about it. Or, if you’re concerned, want to go listen in yourself?”
With that, Professor Reina grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
Drawn by her, I found myself in front of the research lab door.
When I finally reached the place, I could hear voices talking inside.
The voices belonged to two people—one seemed to be the dean’s, and the other was definitely Rudion’s.
The content wasn’t much different from what Professor Reina had said earlier.
It was about whether he could handle it alone or if he should reveal the truth.
But with the rumors growing bigger, the burden had also increased. This time, if he didn’t reveal the truth, it was clear he’d face some pretty bad consequences.
So… I thought this time, Rudion would choose to reveal the truth…
“Let’s just say the rumors are true.”
“No… You don’t have to go that far.”
“No. If I can handle it alone, please let me do it.”
Once again, he chose to shoulder everything by himself.
My face flushed. I was happy, but at the same time, I felt strangely angry.
I had already been lost in the selfish delusion of wanting to report this incident to the Royal Palace and reveal my friendship with Rudion, but he was still trying to protect me.
His inexplicable kindness somehow made me feel pathetic, and it left a bitter taste in my heart.
Of course! I was happy that he cared about me. Happy, but…
I didn’t want any kind of help that came at his expense.
By the time I came to my senses, I had already kicked the door open and stepped inside.
As soon as I entered, I locked eyes with the man I had been thinking about all this time.
Rudion. A peculiar person with mysterious abilities.
A dull person who rarely reacts no matter what happens.
A foolish person who acts without any calculation.
A strange person whose thoughts I sometimes couldn’t understand.
A spineless person who finds everything bothersome but can’t say no.
A clueless person who can’t even pick up on my feelings.
But… the person I like.
Having him branded as a “pervert trying to invade the girls’ dormitory”… is absolutely unacceptable.
The thought of him being blamed for something he didn’t do made me want to smash everything right then and there.
And… somehow, I felt like the moment his reputation fell, he’d distance himself from me, thinking about my reputation…
“I can’t allow that. Absolutely not.”
To prevent that, I stepped forward more aggressively than usual.
I’ll solve this. If necessary, I…
Even if it means using the name ‘Rubetia’…
And… taking this opportunity to mark him as mine… wouldn’t that be nice?
[Firm determination! Affection level increases by 7!]
[Current Affection Level: 34/100]
Now, the characters related to the affection level, which has reached a point where it’s almost welcome.
The rising numbers, unlike before, are quite high, making my cooling face heat up again.
///
Due to Seria’s clear expression of opinion, my decision was completely thwarted.
What followed happened in an instant.
Although the truth of the incident was already revealed, finding the source of the rumors was faster than expected.
It was almost caught within an hour or two? As expected, since the Princess was involved, things were handled quickly.
The rumor spreader seemed to be some male student from the intermediate class… I didn’t know if it was an extra’s name or not, and I didn’t want to argue with a naive boy, so I decided not to get involved.
I didn’t need to bring it up separately since the Academy would handle it well.
“Really, Rudion is too soft-hearted.”
“Let’s just say what’s good is good. He got burned this time, so he’ll come to his senses.”
“Who in the world would let it slide after almost being unfairly labeled a pervert…”
“That’s true. But it didn’t happen, right?”
“That’s what makes him soft. If it were me, I would have started by reporting it to my father.”
Oh… So she’s the type to ruin the life of anyone who messes with her first.
It’s a response that doesn’t suit the ‘Alignment: Absolute Good’. Of course, she probably didn’t intend that.
///
And the next morning.
The same daily commute happens, and students fill the classroom seats.
Before the lecture starts, the professors decided to spread the truth about this rumor, so soon everyone will know the truth.
But… something feels a bit off.
“Hey, Seria. Isn’t it a bit close?”
“Is it?”
“Yeah. Really close.”
Seria was sticking much closer to me than usual. Close enough to touch with just a little movement.
To the extent that… if I were to take notes, it would be impossible.
So I asked her outright like this…
“Then I guess it is.”
She answered shamelessly, showing no intention of creating distance.
Why is she suddenly like this?
