“Ah…tatta…”
In front of the restroom mirror, I winced at the throbbing pain in my face.
“…Lily.”
“Hmm?”
“Wasn’t that a bit too much?”
“What was?”
I pointed at the restroom mirror.
There I was, with lips swollen from the kiss.
“Can’t you cast recovery magic on me like last time?”
“Hmph!”
Lily turned her head away, clearly still upset.
‘Didn’t she say I hadn’t done anything wrong…?’
I looked at the mirror again and frowned.
There’s definitely a bruise forming.
I can’t return to the party looking like this.
I need to receive recovery magic somehow…
There’s only one way left.
Approaching Lily, I hugged her tightly.
Though she tried to push me away several times, she eventually gave in.
I nuzzled my face against her collarbone.
After awhile, a sigh was heard from above.
“…Are you done being mad?”
“I’m not mad at you.”
…Right, she said she wasn’t mad at me.
But honestly, it was clear she was upset.
Still, since Lily said it, I decided to let it go.
She held me in her arms and stroked my hair.
“…No, maybe you’re somewhat at fault.”
“Huh?”
As I looked confused, Lily grabbed my chin.
Looking at me directly, she said:
“Being too good-looking is a fault.”
“Excuse me?”
“Standing still and attracting women… Tsk, if I had been just a bit later, someone would’ve snapped you up already.”
“What… No, that’s not true. What’s good about someone like me-”
“You’re good-looking. Handsome. Cute. Lovable.”
I blushed from the barrage of compliments.
Lowering my head deeply, I mumbled.
“Are you saying I’m good-looking?”
“Yes, you’re good-looking.”
I thought for a moment before coming to a conclusion.
‘Hmm, even outsiders get blinded by love at first sight?’
Lily was objectively beautiful.
It was only natural that anyone who saw her would look back.
But me?
I had never once felt confident in my appearance.
After all, I had barely experienced proper human relationships since coming to the academy where people were judged by status rather than looks.
There was also the lack of anyone around to evaluate my appearance.
Reeti… she’s Reeti.
When Lily and I walk together, you can tell from people’s reactions.
While Lily draws people’s undivided attention,
I get strange looks instead.
Like how someone like me could possibly be with Lily.
Lily’s words must be either for my self-esteem or due to being blinded by love.
“Arthur, weren’t you thinking something extremely rude just now?”
“No way.”
After looking down at me for a while, Lily extended her hand to cover my lips.
Then white light flowed from her hand to my lips.
“Alright. How’s that?”
I tested my lips by smacking them a few times and nodded.
“It doesn’t hurt at all. Thank you, Lily.”
“I’m sorry for hurting you in the first place.”
We left the restroom afterward, after a few more kisses.
—
When I returned alone, I was thrown off balance by an unexpected situation.
A freshman named Rina approached me with a flirtatious voice, “Hello senior, my name is Rina. Do you have time this weekend?”
“Sorry, I already have sparring practice scheduled.”
“Ah, but can I watch your sparring session then? I really want to see you in action…”
Rina trailed off with a subtle smile.
I wanted to sigh holding my throbbing temples, but restrained myself since there was someone in front of me.
This wasn’t the first Rina.
It was the fourth freshman using the same routine.
Probably seeing me enter alone earlier caught their attention.
Having given the same answer repeatedly, I quickly said, feeling tired:
“My name is Arthur.”
“Senior Arthur?”
“I don’t have a surname.”
“Ah…”
The previous three freshmen wrinkled their faces, hastily finished the conversation, and distanced themselves from me.
It seemed the freshmen didn’t know I was a commoner.
They probably thought I was nobility because of my academic excellence.
This must be the last time they’ll approach.
Likewise for Rina in front of me now.
Knowing I’m a commoner, she’ll probably leave-
“So?”
“…Huh?”
“Such things don’t really matter to me. What’s the big deal about status?”
Correcting myself, Rina was different from the previous three freshmen.
This reaction was the first.
It felt somewhat refreshing.
“So, can I watch your sparring session then?”
“…Do as you please.”
If she’s willing to come this far, rejecting her felt awkward.
Rina smiled brightly after hearing my answer, said her goodbye, and left.
I glanced at Lily.
She didn’t seem particularly angry, but her silence made me quite uneasy.
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
-Hem, Lily. This is-
-Arthur.
-Yes?
-Cuddle me.
-…What?”
Lily rubbed her face against my chest.
Looking around briefly, I picked her up and held her in my arms.
Hugging me, Lily remained silent, her face buried in my chest.
-Would you like something to eat? Snacks maybe…
-I’m fine.
-…Yes.
Her voice wasn’t angry, but she seemed lacking in energy, which made me feel concerned.
While worrying about her and checking if anything hurt, Lily’s voice was heard.
-Hair.
-Pardon?
-Stroke my hair.
I raised my hand and slowly patted Lily’s hair.
A purring sound came from Lily in my arms.
-Mm… That’s nice. Keep going please.
-Yes.
I continued to stroke Lily while holding her tightly.
It made me feel like she was a baby.
‘Cute.’
My heart swelled.
While holding her like this, I noticed someone approaching.
“Excuse me…”
Another freshman maybe…
I felt Lily’s body stiffen.
Without stopping stroking her, I turned my body toward the sound.
“What is it?”
I glanced immediately at the brooch.
As expected, it was the yellow brooch.
This one was also a female freshman.
“Request for a duel? Unfortunately, I’ve already accepted a duel request.”
“No, that’s not-…”
The female student shyly pointed at my chest.
…No. More precisely, at Lily.
“Can I bring the cat?”
“This is my familiar, she can’t be left behind.”
“Familiar…! So you’re a summoner?”
“Yeah.”
Then the female student exclaimed excitedly:
“Uh, I’m also a summoner actually. But familia… I’ve never seen one up close before…”
It seems she has a personal interest.
-What should we do? Should we reject her?
-…Just looking is fine.
-Understood.
After replying, I said to the female student.
“You can look, but don’t touch.”
“Ah, understood. Thank you!”
The female student bowed deeply to me.
I slowly lowered Lily to the ground.
Then the student got down on the floor and examined Lily carefully.
“Wow… Such a beautiful cat… graceful and dignified.”
She looked at Lily with shining eyes.
Lily didn’t seem to mind such looks, at least she didn’t avoid them.
“What skills does this cat possess?”
“Beam attacks, protective barriers, and slight cursing abilities.”
“This cute one is for combat type? Really unique.”
Now that I noticed, she was speaking fluently without stuttering at all.
She probably doesn’t stutter when serious.
After observing thoroughly, the student stood up and brushed off the dust.
“Thank you. I’ve never seen a familiar before, it’s really amazing.”
The student added as if suddenly remembering.
“My name is Cl… Lana. Lana.”
“Hmm? Lana… I’ve heard that name somewhere…”
I felt curious but anyway,
“My name is Arthur.”
“Ah, Senior Arthur. Um… Could I… Could I watch your sparring session? Since it’s a familiar combat… It’s incredibly rare…”
The freshman Lana started stuttering again immediately.
“Well, fine. If it’s for that purpose.”
“Hehe, thank you…”
Lana bowed to me.
As she moved away, I tried to recall something.
-What are you doing, Arthur?
-This Lana. I’ve definitely heard this name somewhere…
-…What?
When I looked down realizing my mistake, Lily’s eyes were narrowed.
-Ah, no… It’s not what you think. It’s just that I feel like it’s a name I shouldn’t forget…
-Hmm~ So it left such an impression, did it?
-Lily, please…
Coming to the welcome party today was probably a mistake.
I didn’t expect this kind of reaction just from talking to women.
I picked up Lily again and hugged her.
And whispered close to her ear:
“There’s only Lily for me, and you know that, right?”
Then Lily whispered in reply:
“Sorry… I’ve been feeling choked up…”
“Don’t worry. I’m Lily’s after all.”
I raised my left hand and touched Lily’s cheek.
Looking at the ring on my ring finger, Lily said,
“…Yes.”
Lily rubbed her face against my cheek.
The tickling sensation made me laugh unconsciously.
“I hope it ends soon.”
“Yes, let’s have a midnight snack when we get back.”
“Oh, just thinking about it makes my mouth water…”
“Hohoho, look forward to it.”
At that moment, a voice echoed in the hall.
Gorden of the Student Council announced the end of the welcome party.
Since I was near the entrance, I left the hall as soon as I heard the announcement.
-Finally… It was too exhausting.
-Let’s go back and rest.
-I need to shower first. I got nervous while receiving duel requests and ended up sweating…
-Should I wash you?
-Lily!
-Haha, just kidding, kidding.
My face feels hot.
The freshmen welcome party was definitely an uncomfortable event, but I did gain something.
I met Leeti after a long time and also heard about Luke’s troubles.
More importantly…
‘Lucas… That devilish individual is that person?’
Being harassed by both Louis and his brother Lucas was quite irritating.
Especially the content of that letter…
I wanted to burn that devilish writer with holy law.
Where are the exorcists in the Holy Kingdom not catching that person-
‘…Eh? Holy Kingdom?’
I was seized by a strange sense of déjà vu.
Priest, Holy Kingdom, and for some reason Lana got involved in between.
The vague memory started to piece together.
After retrieving that memory, I froze like a stone on the spot.
-What’s wrong, Arthur?
-…Lana.
-…What about her?
-Holy Kingdom, Lana… My goodness, where have I seen it!
-What’s that?
I have seen that name before.
In a document with detailed writing.
At first, I didn’t know who she was until someone else explained it to me and I was extremely shocked.
I put that identity with trembling lips.
“…The Holy Maiden?”
The name inscribed on the admission documents shown by the Chancellor.
Lana.
The real name revealed by the Chancellor was ‘Claire’.
The scene from earlier came back to mind.
‘My name is Claire… Lana.’
My heart felt like it was plummeting.
‘My goodness…’
I recognized that name.
