“Hm? Granoli-san?”
Stunned, Raze turned at the voice behind her.
“Munich-senpai.”
“Just Yuge is fine. And I call you Raze.”
It was Yuge who had given Raze her invitation to Ruben’s birthday party
a polite senior who returns favors properly.
“Why are you over here? Ah, did you also come to see Faber’s ruckus?”
“Yes, I got curious…”
Raze smiled wryly.
Raze never expected the center of the commotion would be an acquaintance.
In the practical combat drills prioritizing coordinated subjugation of trapped beasts, individual skills seemed overshadowed, so she hadn’t noticed.
“Around this time, the commoner students really struggle. The nobles who normally don’t bother them try to vent their pent-up frustrations through official challenges. You should be careful too, Raze.”
Yuge shrugged his shoulders.
He directed a cold gaze at a noble-looking boy who was still crouched, nursing his wounds from being punched by Alisa.
While Raze is currently surrounded by allies, it can be said that commoners rarely get a chance to shine in such a closed-off noble academy.
For Yuge, as the son of a merchant, this could be stifling when considering his future prospects.
“Well, it’s the same the other way around too. It’s fine for us to let loose,”
he said with a laugh.
“I’m not particularly skilled in combat myself, you know. I don’t like pain.”
“Since there are spectators and teachers around, nothing too extreme will happen,”
“That’s reassuring to hear.”
They were chatting and laughing.
(–Ah!)
As the two chatted, Raze suddenly noticed an attack flying towards Carne from behind, who was always in her line of sight.
She immediately activated her magic stone.
“C-carne!”
Ruben, realizing what was happening, rushed forward, but Raze, thinking it would be problematic if she got hurt too, used translocation magic to send a ball made of earth flying towards the nearby hill.
All that remained in the scene was Ruben protecting Carne unexpectedly fortunate turn of events.
(Just an accident, right?)
Raze carefully assessed the situation but found nothing suspicious.
Since such an event wasn’t foretold in the prophecy book, she hoped it was just a coincidence.
“Raze?”
“Oh, yes?”
She was called by Yuge, breaking her reverie.
“I found some nice goods when I visited home. Cosmetics. I thought girls like that kind of stuff, so would you like to have them as a token of friendship? I’ll give them to you next time.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I have a feeling Raze is going to be a big shot in the future.”
As expected of a merchant’s son, he understood well. He had a keen eye.
Raze decided that once she could shop without worrying about her status, she would definitely visit Yuge’s store.
After parting ways with him, Raze also began to train her body for the upcoming tournament.
She did push-ups, squats, running, and practiced swings without using magic, but soon, her homeroom teacher, Hughgan, approached her.
“Granoli, your guardian didn’t submit an attendance request. Is everything alright?”
“Yes. The people who take care of me are too busy to come.”
“…I see. Alright, I understand. Just know that I’m keeping an eye on you. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you.”
She felt sorry for troubling Hughgan like that as she returned to her practice swings.
She had received many souvenirs from Folia and Carne , so she felt she should repay them properly someday.
“It’s hot.”
She squinted against the dazzling sunlight and wiped away the sweat with a towel conjured by magic.
“Granoli!”
“…Drua-sama.”
“It’s fine to call me Ian! Are you practicing alone?”
There, Ian, dressed in dazzling red, approached.
“Yes. Since teleportation magic often leads to close combat, I need to master the basics.”
It was only the second day of the late-term classes, but it wasn’t just Raze’s imagination that Ian was talking to her more often.
He stared at Raze, still holding a distinctive long sword.
“Do you still not have any girls to practice with?”
Hmm. That was a pretty sharp observation.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“I think there are some who would practice with me, but I’m not very enthusiastic. I’ll do my best during the actual competition.”
“I see. If you’re interested, I was thinking of inviting you to practice with me. Let me know if you feel like it. Granoli, you seem strong.”
She was glad she restrained herself from using the fangirl speech pattern. She didn’t want to fight. She wasn’t interested.
(I’m not up for this. I don’t want to fight. I’m not in the mood.)
She silently repeated the words in her mind.
“Thank you. But there are many other strong people besides me.”
She smiled to deflect.
“That’s probably true. Seniors are amazing too. But Luca also praised your magic for its precision, Granoli. I’m curious! I hope we get matched up in the actual competition.”
His innocent words made Raze feel flustered.
(Is Strainge also aware of me? …It’s only natural since I’ve been near Folia so much…)
She hadn’t intended to stand out, but it seemed that being near Folia and Carne attracted attention to herself. It made her uneasy.
(I need to be careful during the summer tournament. I don’t want to be exposed as a soldier…)
She thought as she conversed with Ian.
Folia and Carne had also distanced themselves from observing the deceased magical creatures. If it became known that she was a soldier dealing with such things, their current relationship might change.
‘Before anything else, if I get caught, I might have to quit school immediately. After all, both Lord Grim Reamer and Director Virein have instructed me to attend here as a regular student.’
Raze tightly pursed her lips.
“Well then, I’ll get back to practice!”
“Yes. Thank you for your help,”
Quietly watching Ian leave, Raze continued her solitary training, focusing on leveling up her magic skills and improving her basic physical strength.
The sun shone brightly upon the arena, where the summer and winter mock battles were held.
The oval-shaped stadium was equipped with air conditioning. Magical defensive barriers separated the audience from the field, and crowds of spectators focused their attention at the center.
Before she knew it, the practice period was over, and the Battle Festival began.
The rules were simple.
Defeat your opponent until they admitted defeat, and you won.
The last one standing was truly the number one in the academy.
“Kyaa~! Lord Addis~!!”
The cheers seemed twice as loud as usual, but perhaps that was just her imagination.
The excitement spread throughout the stadium.
“Everyone doesn’t seem to get bored easily…”
Raze gazed at the right edge of the field with indescribable eyes from the stands.
The son of the lord had quite the personality, and he was undoubtedly one of the most eligible bachelors after Ruben.
It was understandable why the girls were interested. It had been like this since the practice period.
(I was planning to defeat him if we ever faced off…)
Some important individuals might connect the name Raze Granoli to Raze Shes Orphan. She needed to fade into the background like a pebble and withdraw from this tournament. It was truly disappointing.
(Well, more importantly… I need to do something about the event.)
Raze exhaled deeply.
Where there was a school event, there was an otome game event.
After completing military missions, she was worried if her thought process was still intact, but she shouldn’t underestimate the game’s scenario.
The otome game event at this tournament was quite significant, where a commoner heroine was injured due to the opponent’s foul play, and Ruben rushed to her aid.
It was unacceptable to harm Angel Folia unfairly.
While Carne was also working behind the scenes, Raze carefully observed the field with a serious gaze.
“R-Raze. Are you nervous?”
Caught in her aura, Carne , with a slightly surprised expression, asked her.
“Yes… I’m decent at swordsmanship, but since my style is my strength, these mock battles are tough.”
If her subordinates were here, they’d shake their heads vigorously and say, “That’s not true!” Unfortunately, they were on an expedition to Baluda.
(And if something were to happen to Folia, I’d be worried…)
(Yes… I’m also checking various things on my end. Hopefully, everything will be fine.)
If something happened to Carne , Ruben, infatuated as he was, would be the first to rush to her side, but injuries were undesirable.
The two focused their attention on Folia, who was watching the match intently.
(Don’t worry, Your Highness values Carne greatly. Is that hair ornament from the Star Festival?)
(What?! How did you know?!)
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