CH 73

A few days after meeting Garula and Lucia, the academy began to dedicate time to group mock battles in preparation for the upcoming event.

“Lightning!!”

A high-voltage magic released from Kanata’s hand pierced the noble students’ barrier. Even though they had created their barrier with three people, it did not do anything at all. The noble students were surprised but also showed their anger towards Kanata, a commoner.

“How dare this commoner!! Don’t get too full of yourself!!”

“Well, then what do you want me to do? Just stand there and take it?”

“Shut up!!!”

The noble students shouting like henchmen, rather than villains, activated intermediate-level magic that Kanata had not learned yet. Their magic flew straight towards him, but, of course, it did not hit him.

“We won’t let you do that!”

“Don’t forget about us!”

Two students stood in front of Kanata, and a stronger barrier than the previous one appeared. Although the barrier that stopped their magic was slightly damaged, their magic was effectively stopped.

“Thanks. Thomas and Ron.”

“Yeah!”

“Leave it to us!”

The noble students smiled at Kanata, and their names were Thomas and Ron. They were the male students who went to the Principality with Kanata, spent time together, warmed up to being friends in the same room, and now they were protecting him.

(No wonder Maria chose them. Their personalities are too handsome.)

Come to think of it, it was the first time that noble students had helped Kanata like this. With the group mock battles coming up next month, Kanata had no partner to team up with, and it was these two who asked him to join their team. Since then, Kanata had been working together with Thomas and Ron, and they defeated their opponents in a 3 vs 3 mock battle with overwhelming force.

“Phew, good work, you two,” complimented Kanata with a smile, and the two laughed in response.

“Leave it to us.”

“We’ve shared the same room before, after all!”

Kanata chuckled at their words.

Although the actual group mock battle would involve fighting with a larger number of people, it was easy to imagine that the battles would become even more intense.

If the noble students who had been selected were to face Kanata in the actual battle, they would have to fight side by side, which made Kanata very uneasy.

“You two won’t treat me any differently even if I’m a commoner, right?”

“Of course not. We’re all just human beings, whether commoners or nobles. It’s just a matter of the environment we were born in.”

“Yeah, that’s right. So there’s no reason to think nobles are inherently superior to commoners. However, their lifestyles are likely to be different.”

Kanata nodded in agreement.

The difference in wealth between nobles and commoners was as clear as day, and it was undeniable that commoners would have a much harder time. And if they were a noble’s son, they would likely have a secure future, unlike commoners who would have to struggle.

But in the end, it all came down to how each individual utilized their position and how they grew.

“I don’t really understand why those guys are so stubborn.”

“Well, it’s mostly because of their parents. So, Kanata, we don’t want you to think badly of them even though we’re saying this.”

“I know. I don’t really have any hard feelings toward them… Although, I think they have a different reason for not liking me.”

Thomas and Ron chuckled at his words. 

When Kanata looked in the direction that Thomas and Ron were gazing, he saw the girls engaged in a mock battle.

“Hold the defence! I’m counting on you two!” 

Maria and Alphana sprang into action.

Maria broke through the barrier blocking the numerous attribute magic spells, and charged into enemy territory wielding her sword while manipulating magic to enhance her body.

“Yaaaahhh!!”

Maria showed off her impressive technique of cutting through magic that could deal easily against a magic barrier with ease while giving a battle cry, and Alphana also activated her magic to support Maria.

“[Cocytus],” she quietly muttered, a clear sign of intermediate-level ice-element magic that freezes the opponent without any means of resistance. 

Maria then descended upon the three people trapped in the ice prison and decided the battle by thrusting her sword toward them.

“That was a remarkable display of skill.”

“[Cocytus] is an advanced magic, right?”

“We’ll be learning it next year. The Saint and Princess are really amazing!”

Although Maria was a princess and Alphana was a saint, they were still students, so there was nothing special about them being selected for the special forces. 

It was expected they would always get chosen due to their flawless magic skills. Alphana was unbeatable in magic, and Maria was an all-rounder who excelled not only in sword skills but also in magic skills second only to Alphana’s.

“Oh, they’re coming this way.”

“Then we’ll leave you alone.”

“… Ah.”

It was natural for the two girls to approach Kanata during their break time, as their duty was over. However, as they got closer, the glares from the noble students earlier became even more intense.

As mentioned earlier, the main reason for their hostility was that Kanata was liked by the two girls. But the way Kanata interacted with them was also a reason.

“Good job, Kanata-kun.”

“Great work, Kanata-sama.”

“Ah, thank you. Both of you did great too.”

Kanata’s cheeks relaxed at the two beautiful smiles. 

Though their conversation was met with harsh glares from the noble students, it was a familiar sight for Kanata to talk to them like this.

“Both of you were amazing. I started watching you halfway through, and your coordination was impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you very much.”

When Kanata said that, the two of them looked happy.

Like Kanata, they seemed to have decided to watch over the other students or not go anywhere in particular.

Maria and Alphana came next to Kanata. Alphana especially kept glancing at Kanata’s hand. Of course, Kanata noticed it too.

“Shall we hold hands?”

“Ah… Yes!”

Kanata tightly grasped Alphana’s hand.

Yes, this was how Kanata interacted with them as previously mentioned.

“… Kanata-kun, don’t you think you’ve changed a bit?”

“What do you mean? Well, maybe my attitude has changed a little.”

He had become more proactive in doing things that would make Maria and Alphana happy.

This change was something he originally gained from his conversation with Garula and Lucia. Although it was understandable to put off responding to their feelings, Kanata thought it was not right to disregard their sincere feelings toward him. As a result, Kanata decided to respond to them in some way, even if it was just a formality.

(… I can’t give a clear answer yet, but I’ll find it soon. So please wait a little longer.)

As he muttered to himself, Kanata held Alphana’s hand tightly.

He was naturally aware of Alphana’s heartfelt joy and Maria’s envy as she watched. 

Kanata chuckled and put his hand on Maria’s shoulder without saying anything. Maria felt that Kanata had indeed changed, but she was happy with the subtle body contact.

“… Tch.”

“What’s up with him…”

“This commoner is acting like he’s something special…”

Although it’s natural to feel jealous when you see someone like Kanata monopolizing two beautiful women, there are different perspectives on it. While it’s different from those who were previously punished by Isla, it would be best if they didn’t go too far and end up getting disciplined again… but it seems like that might not be the case.

Suddenly, something pierced through the ground beneath those who continued to send jealous glares toward Kanata.

“Eh?” 

“W-what was that!?”

It was a tool called a ‘hidden blade,’ typically used for assassination. It may have been a specially made one as it disappeared the moment it caught their attention, but there’s no doubt that had they taken a wrong step and pierced their head, they would have died instantly. It was a tool that left no evidence, and the unknown chill it gave them made their spine shiver afterwards.

“I wanted to have lunch with you today too, but unfortunately, I have things to take care of.”

“I understand. Then, Kanata-sama and I will enjoy it together ♪.”

“… Gununu…”

Seeing Maria looking frustrated, Kanata chuckled and said they should eat together again tomorrow, to which Maria naturally smiled.

“Alphana, can I ask for a lap pillow during lunch break?”

“Of course! Please rely on me, Kanata-sama!”

“Ah, I might as well boycott it. It’s just a part of diplomacy anyway.”

The two immediately interjected, “You shouldn’t do that!” 

In this way, Kanata also cherishes the two of them in his own way, but surprisingly, he sometimes comes up with an answer to his problems quickly… but who knows for sure.