Chapter 41: A Matter Not Worth Mentioning
Sword Saint… Ah, I remember my father mentioning him.
When I was little, I had this phase where I idolized heroic knights. But when the Sword Saint actually came to our house for a visit, I was so shy I couldn’t even speak… I guess I really was a wimp back then!
Although I’ve forgotten that memory, it’s probably for the best to avoid that embarrassing past.
Anyway, Grandma sure knows how to speak her mind. What she just implied was pretty clear: she was suggesting that the Emperor wanted my father to handle things. Why would she suddenly say something so biased? Is it supposed to comfort me?
“Grandma.”
I blinked at her.
“You and Principal Bersa, did you live in the Empire before?”
“Well, not exactly. We just stayed in Winter City for a while and happened to meet Duke Skarlij,” Grandma said with a smile, shaking her head. The wrinkles on her face wobbled like jello. “The Sword Saint, Principal Bersa, me, and a few others. We were there for a bit over a year, ages ago. When I first met you, you were just a shy little squeaker… don’t you remember?”
“…A little…”
Actually, I don’t remember a thing. That was probably ten years ago or more. How could I still recall…
“After leaving the Empire, I never went back. But I heard the Sword Saint and Principal Bersa occasionally returned… ever since the Sword Saint went to the Eastern Continent, she hasn’t gone back,” Grandma continued.
So when they go back, they always stay at Shanter Castle?
“Grandma, what did you go to Winter City for?”
“Ha! Just a trivial matter.”
Grandma didn’t seem interested in elaborating. She chuckled dryly and turned her gaze to the night sky.
“Peilo dear, you should head back.”
“Oh…”
It suddenly hit me. Grandma is the head of the tower! I snuck my way to the top and ended up chatting with her here.
I stole a glance at her.
Grandma was still quietly gazing at the stars, taking sips from her jug of wine.
Does she even realize?
Whatever, I need to escape quick…
“By the way, Peilo dear.”
Just as I tiptoed away, Grandma suddenly spoke up.
“There seems to be an impressive fellow at Rabeli Valley. Did you know that?”
Wow!
I turned around, looking at her in surprise.
“Looks like you already know… that’s good. Knowing is… good.”
While speaking, Grandma didn’t look at me. Her cloudy eyes were fixated on the distant stars, as if she were mumbling to herself.
She really seems to know everything… Who is Grandma really?
“Alright now, off you go.”
It seemed shewanted to say more. But after a moment’s hesitation, she waved me off.
“Grandma, get some rest early.”
I watched her for a bit before turning to head up the staircase into the tower.
“And remember, the observatory is off-limits to students. Bring your reflection essay tomorrow.”
I nearly tripped and rolled down the stairs.
…………
Back in the dorm, I immediately changed into my pajamas and flopped onto my bed, but despite closing my eyes, I was tossing and turning unable to sleep. My mind was buzzing with thoughts about Teresa, the Deity, the new Abyss, and Shanter Castle, until I finally drifted off late into the night.
The next morning, naturally, I played the procrastination game.
“Peilo—!”
“Stop shouting…”
“Wake up already! You can’t sleep through this!”
“I’m waking up…”
“Look at what time it is! We have Abyss class soon; we’re going to be late!”
“Ahh… one eye… is awake… just five more minutes…”
“Five minutes? You’ve said that four times already!”
“……”
Clang, clang.
In my daze, I heard Sarah climbing up the bed’s ladder… and it seemed like she’d crawled onto my bed.
Go away… don’t come near me…
Wrapped up in my blanket, I shrunk down even smaller.
“Get up!”
Bang, bang!
The girl named Sarah was in a panic, shaking and patting me through the blanket. The little person under the blanket let out a whimper, and then a pale arm shot out, tiny fingers splayed and wildly waving, “PIAPIA” slapping her arm a few times.
“Let me sleep! Let me sleep…”
Sarah grimaced as if she’d been struck, frowning and shouting: “Are you going to class or not?!”
“Wanna skip…”
Abyss class? Feels like there’s nothing to learn… Hmm… I know more than they do…
I squirmed a bit under the blanket, half-closed my eyes again, wanting to return to dreamland, but suddenly felt a chill run through me as a blinding light flooded in.
“Take that!”
Creeeak—
“Pffhahaha—!! Stop, Sarah, stop! I— I’m awake! Don’t, haha, do that—”
She was relentless, tickling me…
Sarah practically pounced on me, her hands digging under my arms, launching an all-out assault on my weak points. There was no way I could remain sleepy; I had to desperately clamp my arms down, scrunching my body into a corner, trying to escape her terrifying attack, my upper body leaning back suddenly—
Thud!
My head banged against the wall, emitting a dull thud.
“Ow!”
“Ah!”
I couldn’t help but whine in pain, instantly turning pale. Sarah’s face went tense as she hurried over, reaching for the back of my head and giving it a gentle rub.
“Does it hurt?”
“No…”
I said that, but tears were about to spill out; my head was buzzing like a bee, and it took quite a while for the sound to fade.
“Sorry about that.”
…Is saying sorry all it takes?
It’s not that easy!
“Sarah.”
“Hmm?”
“On my rest day, bring me something delicious.”
“Okay.”
Only then did I nod in satisfaction, unable to stop from smiling.
I was still a bit groggy, but after that bump, I was fully awake.
“Ahh—~”
Rubbing my eyes and yawning, I pushed Sarah away while pulling down my pajama top and awkwardly climbed out of bed, standing there dazed.
I’m up… and now what?
Subconsciously glancing at Sarah, blinking in confusion.
“Get dressed! Do I have to serve you, Young Lady!”
Sarah rolled her eyes dramatically.
“…Oh.”
I responded lightly, my brain processing slowly as I walked towards the wardrobe, taking off my nightgown while I walked.
“Eek!”
Sophia gasped from the window. She had already opened it halfway but slammed it shut with a bang upon seeing me.
“Peilo, are you sleeping stupid?!”
Eh? Why are you scolding me…
As I opened the wardrobe and was about to fish around inside, I turned my head in confusion.
“Are you putting on a brilliant display of nudity, or showing off your poor little assets?”
Huh…?
I slowly looked down.
All I saw was a blinding white expanse, and on my chest, two little buds like lily pads, with a hint of red on top… Ah, my bra. It was still tossed on the bed.
“Eek!”
Realizing what was happening, I quickly covered my chest, my face flushing bright red.
“The window’s closed— what are you hiding for? Get dressed already!”
…Just because the window’s closed doesn’t mean I can’t cover up!
Who knows what you three are thinking!
Deciding to be brisk about it, I pulled out my school uniform and slipped it over my head. It was a crooked fit as I ran back to grab my bra—
“Let’s go already; it doesn’t matter if you wear it or not!”
“You’re full of nonsense!”
I shot her a glare, my anger bubbling as I furrowed my brow, reaching behind my back and fumbling around… Where’s the clasp…?
“Calling someone dumb while being like this…”
Sarah quickly came up behind me and yanked up my shirt. She grabbed the bra strap and with a quick tug, I felt my chest tighten.
“Click.”
“Be gentle!”
Am I… have I grown a bit…?
“Who told you to be so slow?”
Sarah seemed unfazed, dragging me to the washroom, making sure I had water and towels, it was like having a personal maid.
After quickly cleaning ourselves up, we dashed to class with our books in hand.
“If we’re late, I won’t bring you anything to eat!”
“Uh…”
Luckily, we weren’t late.
By pure chance, just as we stepped into the classroom, the teacher walked in right behind us.
