Chapter 9 (1) - A Depressed Kendo Player Possesses a Bastard Aristocrat

"Are you... alright?"The girl's voice brought me back to my senses.

"Ah... Yes, yes. I'm fine."

I forced a calm facade as I replied.

Cold sweat had already formed on my forehead.

Damn it, my bangs are ruined...

Rachel did my hair for me. I messed it up already.

As I frowned and wiped the sweat off my forehead, Margaret, who had been looking at me with a strange expression, asked,

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"......Are you feeling unwell? You look pale."

"I'm fine."

"No, your face right now..."

"Don't worry about it."

Ah, damn it.

That wasn't what I meant to say.

My nerves were on edge, and my words came out harsher than I intended.

As I clutched my throbbing head and sighed,

I saw the girl in front of me let out a hollow laugh.

"Ha."

She bit her lip for a moment before hardening her expression.

"I apologize. How dare I, a mere commoner, worry about the Young Master."

"Lady Phyler, that's not what I meant..."

"Ha, right... Forget it. I'll just give you a few words of warning and be on my way."

What do I do?

She seems really angry.

I shuddered slightly as I looked at the girl, her eyes narrowed in disdain.

Margaret continued, ignoring my reaction.

"You. You disappeared as if running away right after losing a duel to a mere first-year junior, and now you have the audacity to come back?"

...That's not why I left.

And a mere first-year?

Even from the current perspective, Allen is probably the strongest student in the entire academy, regardless of year.

Such complaints arose in my mind, but I didn't voice them.

I was being scolded, after all.

Adding unnecessary comments would only make things worse.

"I don't know what wind brought you back, but if you're planning to cause trouble again, you better be prepared."

Because I will stop you.

The girl said so, her expression fierce.

It was ironic that even her sharp, guarded appearance seemed beautiful.

"...Yes."

I simply gave a short reply without any further explanation.

Adding any justifications here would be pointless.

Margaret wouldn't listen to me anyway.

'......Raiden really tormented Margaret.'

Raiden, Margaret's first love.

If anyone heard what Raiden did to force her to break off their engagement,

they would surely condemn him as a lunatic.

"Uh, um...? What did you just say...?"

"I said yes."

"......?"

Margaret seemed taken aback, as if she hadn't expected me to answer so obediently.

Her face was still etched with confusion.

I gave her a wry smile.

"......"

"Lady...?"

Ah, she froze.

It's strange how everyone seems to freeze up whenever I smile.

Do I have some hidden skill I'm not aware of?

A skill that petrifies the opponent when I lift the corners of my lips.

Something like, 'Raiden's Deadly Smile.'

As I was lost in such silly thoughts, Margaret snapped out of it and frowned.

"I'll be watching you. If I see you doing anything foolish, then..."

"...Then?"

"My duel request will come flying your way, on behalf of all the students of the academy."

"......"

Margaret turned away abruptly and returned to her seat.

I watched her silvery hair shimmer as she walked away.

Then, I let out a deep breath and slumped back down on my desk.

I thought she was going to hit me for sure.

Well, considering what Raiden did in the past, I was prepared to take a few punches if she wanted to.

Still, I was relieved that it ended peacefully.

She did warn me that she'd break me in half if I did anything foolish...

But I plan to keep a low profile from now on. It won't be a problem.

'This is tough...'

It was still morning, but I already felt drained.

I had to endure another six hours in this state.

Would I go crazy before I could even reach the happiness promised by the system?

I sighed heavily at the thought.