Sword, Magic and Academic Society

Chapter 16 - Crafting Connections in the Class Tapestry (2)

I wasn't unfamiliar with the name Zatsinger. After all, it was one of three crown jewels of the noble community, the Ducal houses.

The current head of the Zatsinger family was the brother of the previous king.

A renowned aristocratic lineage, known far and wide, yet lacking any remarkable distinction. But judging from the way Al introduced him, was he someone famous?

"I am Leo. I hope we get along."

A very plain self-introduction.

His eyes were resolute and his voice was serene, though one could sense his self-confidence oozing from it.

I really would have preferred a bit more information......

"Don't kneel and lower your head this time, alright? Pfft."

......I kicked Fey with my leg as she whispered so in my ears.

As I was quietly dealing with her, Al supplemented with his explanation from the side. I knew I was right in my money that we would surely become good friends.

"Bless me, you never know how wide the world is without venturing outside. The top scorers from the kingdom-wide theory exam and the talented individuals with exceptional aptitudes for magic had already been invited to the Royal Capital, giving them the chance to know each other beforehand, so there are already many who know each other. At least, I already know their names."

......Ah, that mock exam-like thing that determined one's probability of passing the exam for the Royal Academy?

I see, so that was how it was. I nodded at Al's explanation. So basically, the two, who felt out of place to have a connection with someone from a Ducal house, were his friends, huh?

"That's why... I mean, I don't mean it the wrong way, we were surprised to see that a nobody named Allen, whom we have never heard about so far, managed to prevent Leo's perfect 'All S evaluation' score from coming to fruition this morning. All the people were abuzz wondering what kind of person you are."

...So without the blunder of that unkempt beard, his score would have been perfect? And from their appearance, it seemed like none had any doubt about it.

"Al, I've been saying this for a while now, but I don't care much about the score."

Leo warned Al with a fed-up tone.

If it was vague before, then I was sure of it now. Leo was that. The so-called central figure of the class. In these three months, he must have been fawned over by the girls, being called 'Cool Nobleman', 'Royal Academy's Top Three', or 'The Soothing Six'.

I dare say I, the average-faced guy, would surely be treated as the love letter delivery man. Deciding in my heart to keep my distance from him, I asked.

"Leo... Can I call you that? Also, to make it clear from the beginning, I'm just the third son of a Viscount from a countryside so far away even a fly from the Royal Capital wouldn't want to wander there, and I have no noble grace or anything of the sort."

"Of course. I came to this academy to sharpen my abilities with my fellow talented peers, not to flaunt my status."

...Well~ He doesn't sound like a bad guy... But I just couldn't bring myself to be friends with him for three years...

The power he came with was alluring enough, but there was no free lunch in this world. With power came responsibility. He was probably the type to strive for a better future or to put it bluntly, live for the country's sake.

It was the polar opposite path from me, who was aiming for a free and leisurely life. I just wanted to get this schooling done, that was all.

However, showing blatant rejection and turning him into my enemy now would surely come to bite me later and might even make things difficult for me. I guess the best solution would be to act innocuously and talk with him like a classmate every now and then......

Just as I was musing over my options, Leo looked straight at me with his unwavering gaze and said,

"You, Allen, for what reason have you come to this Royal Academy?"

The glint in his eyes was reminiscent of a provocation. Though, I wasn't particularly offended by the question. It wasn't a casual decision of a parent or a move made to secure my future prospects. I chose my path by my own will, and that made his question valid.

But my answer to that question was on the opposite side of the spectrum compared to Leo. Mother's words from this morning echoed inside my mind.

<A true knight must have the determination to crush everything if they feel like they're being threatened. Otherwise, they'll be taken lightly, you know?>

...Ah, not that.

<It's through your own resolve and effort that you were able to grasp the privilege of joining this academy. I can't be any more proud of you.>

I stopped trying to play safe.

"It's to do whatever I want, like the whimsical wind which stops at no one's call."

Leo's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, nevertheless, he continued.

"What do you want to do? To become strong and protect the kingdom and its people?"

My lips reflexively made a wry smile.

"My dreams aren't so lofty. All I want to do is to live doing whatever comes to my mind, travel to wherever the road leads me, follow the things I find interesting, and be able to do anything that I want at any time— a capricious and carefree life. I thought that to have my ideal life, it might be necessary to come to this academy. Nothing more, nothing less."

"...So you're saying you have come to this academy for your desires? Do you have no attachment to the kingdom where you were born? You are also a noble, no? Don't you feel a sense of duty as someone born with power? Don't you have the desire to protect the weak?"

I knew it. Our fundamentals in life were two parallel lines that would never cross each other. I stopped being roundabout anymore and replied directly.

"I have come to this academy just for myself. Attachment to this kingdom? Sorry, I don't have that. And I have already said it in the beginning, I'm just the third son of a Viscount from the countryside so far away not even the flies of the Royal Capital would want to wander there. This is probably something that doesn't align with whatever your thoughts are. What I want to protect is what I will protect. It's a matter of differing values."

Leo looked dumbfounded. It was written all over his face that he hadn't expected this answer.

"I see. I understand, Allen Rovenne. Thank you for coming out clean with me. As you said, it seems our values will never align. We won't cross paths in life."

As I took notice of the surroundings, I realized that the whole class was listening to our conversation with bated breath.

◆

"Fuahahaha. It seems like self-introduction is mostly over."

I turned to look at the entrance of the classroom, the source of the sudden laughter, and saw an amicable-looking old man standing there.

Who in the world was that gramps? I didn't sense his presence at all.

"It's not over yet. Allen has yet to introduce me, his friend, to his newly made friends."

...Oh please, had this person accidentally eaten the guts of a lion? Who in their right mind would willingly throw themselves out there just as the situation was about to change?

And more importantly, haven't the people here more or less gotten acquainted with each other already?

The class's attention was gathering here.

"I see. But we don't have all the time in the world in our hands. Keep it short."

"Come on, Allen. Quickly introduce your more-than-friend-less-than-lover, aka me, to your friends."

What the hell was this person doing jumping straight from gear 1 to gear 5 while taking advantage of the situation? Anyway, I might have a tough time if I let everyone think I was her lover or something......

"This person here is someone less-than-friend-more-than-stranger. I don't know her."

I said it loud and clear.

"Heavens! That's so mean of you, Allen. How can you call me a stranger after making me a captive of yours until 6 in the morning just some five days ago!"

What mumbo-jumbo is this guy spewing out?!

I could clearly feel the envious gazes of the boys drilling through me and the frigid gazes of the girls mentally slicing me apart. Why am I being convicted for a crime I didn't remember doing!?

Ah, a guy was glaring at me with a blatant look of jealousy... Does he like Fey or something? No, now was not the time to get distracted, me! I had to quickly say something, or my image would forever be tarnished as a wolf who held a girl captive in the hearts of the jury (my classmates)!

"Stop saying your words in a suggestive way! Wasn't it you who followed me all around on your own?!"

When I said that, Fay's eyes widened as if she had received the shock of her life. A thin layer of tears veiled her shock-stricken eyes.

If I were given the right, I would surely give her the title of the 'world's most talented 'realistic' actress'!

"...Allen, so you are the push-and-pull type of person, huh? Even though you approached me so passionately that it would have melted even a glacier at the beginning, you flipped faster than a coin in mid-air as soon as you were done and left saying you have to go to do a 'number one' or you might wet yourself…

But I understand, some guys like to fiddle with the hearts of girls. As long as I can be by your side, I don't mind really."

My god, why don't you just start selling the 'how to effectively distort the truth' course!!

I wanted to refute this right then and there but I dreaded that she would pull out another bizarre magic tool and reproduce the scene if I said that wasn't true at all!

I have this inkling it might actually happen as long as it was this person in question. That would just end like me kicking at a rock— No, wait, why am I currently thinking about an excuse? Why am I being forced to come up with a good excuse?

Also, don't look at me with your chilly eyes, girls! The boys too, saving for strong-minded ones, mostly looked disgusted...

"Fuhaha. I see... <Live doing whatever comes to my mind, travel to wherever the road leads me, follow the things I find interesting, and be able to do anything that I want at any time>, was it? Alright, the self-introduction time is over, everyone. Return to your seats."

Old man? Where the hell did you hear those words?! Why are you talking like there's no problem?!

With my mouth slightly agape, I tottered to my seat by the window and sprawled over it. I didn't think I would ever be able to lift my head anymore.

◆

In this way, Allen, against his own will, succeeded in leaving his classmates flabbergasted in a spectacular way in his new class.

Editor's Note - I don't like Fey. I never liked manipulative girls and I wouldn't want to be friends with someone who thought ruining my image and reputation in front of other people was a good prank.