Monday.
I entered the classroom with Fran and was horrified to see a smiling young woman in front of me. She waved her lush silver hair and spoke.
“Good morning, Hermes-dono. Thanks to you, I can attend school today as well.”
“V-Victoria-sama…”
With her distinctive silver hair and determined red eyes, her smile was like that of a beautiful maiden; she didn’t seem like a mere extra in the crowd like me. She was the girl with whom I had shared a heroine-like event but who didn’t appear in the game. It’s impossible to forget her in just one day. She was the person I saved yesterday from the bullies. I can’t believe she’s my classmate!
I didn’t pay attention to the self-introductions of characters who weren’t heroines or protagonists, and now I have to deal with this… How annoying! But contrary to my confusion, the duke’s daughter in front of me spoke with a radiant smile.
“Yes, I want to thank you again. Thank you for yesterday. Thanks to you, I can come to school.”
“No, there’s no need to thank me again, Victoria-sama. If you are safe, no more thanks are necessary. I am glad I could protect you.”
Damn it! If I had known she was someone in my class, I wouldn’t have taken the risk to save her… No, actually, I would have intervened anyway, no matter who it was. I’m not the kind of person who can leave a girl in danger of being kidnapped. But at least I could have hidden my identity before making such a flashy entrance… Then I could have avoided receiving her gratitude…
It is comforting to see that your actions are appreciated, and you feel satisfied for having helped. However, being well regarded by a girl with the dangerous title of “Duchess” can bring problems. I am already under the intense scrutiny of my parents wondering, “Have you not decided on an engagement yet?”. My salvation lies in the Royal Mage Academy; once graduated, they will surely assign me an engagement without even consulting me.
Even if she, with her status, shows interest in me, my parents will be delighted with the engagement… or will they? Shouldn’t it be the other way around when it comes to two ducal families? Concentrating so much power in noble houses could be harmful to the monarchy. Yet, Victoria’s presence remains a problem. If she really takes up my time with gratitude or something of the sort, it would be a problem. I cannot afford to neglect common events for her peace of mind!
You might think, “Be friendly with your classmates!”, but in my current situation, I don’t have that freedom. I don’t even have peace of mind…
“Haha, Hermes-dono is a humble man. Expecting nothing in return, like a true gentleman. But as nobles, you will surely understand that I must thank you,” she said as she returned to her seat with her maid.
On the other hand, Fran, who did not know what was going on, asked with a transparent look that frightened me, “What happened yesterday?” In fact, the story of how I secretly defeated two bullies for her… it all came out. Before class started, Fran received an incessant lecture from Victoria.
Damn it, Victoria. You messed up.
Back in my seat, I looked at Victoria smiling and quietly sighed. I can’t help but feel guilty. Besides receiving Fran’s mental attack, time passed smoothly.
Thanks to my intelligence, which is neither very high nor very low, following classes was easy.
As the afternoon classes came to an end, I packed my books in my backpack. I handed the somewhat heavy backpack to Fran and hurried back to the dormitory.
During the week, there isn’t much more to do apart from classes. On weekends, I usually dive into dungeons to level up, but due to the strict nighttime rules during the week, I refrain from going out. This limits possible activities, so I dedicate myself to training in my room.
I got up and left the classroom without looking back. It’s sad to admit, but after a few days at school, I still don’t have anyone I can call a friend.
Weird? Not really. Rather, she’s constantly following me. She even refers to herself as a companion, so it would be awkward if I considered her a friend on my own. And it would be complicated if she accepted it and started to become much clingier… It would be a nuisance!
Is she cute? Yes, she is the heroine after all. But for me, who was reborn in this world as a supporting character, she just seemed like an intrusion hindering my desires. It’s not that I dislike her, but I wish she would tone it down a bit.
It seems my wish was granted since I didn’t see Victoria in the classroom. Perhaps she’s busy being the protagonist of a romantic comedy, so I quickly headed towards the entrance and exit door.
In the end, just before leaving the classroom, Victoria’s smile twisted in a strange way, like a waxing moon, which was unsettling.
Although it caught my attention, I wondered why my instinct was bothering me like that. Did my instinct detect something unusual? I don’t have that kind of skill.
I felt tempted to smack the me from the past who had declared that while returning to my room and focusing intensely on magical training.
Just as I was concentrating, there was a faint knock on the door, announcing the arrival of a very troublesome visitor for me.
