Although I had been swinging my mace with some genuine intent after a long time, Freya, after taking one heavy hit, actually seemed to enjoy it and rushed back at me, clearly thrilled to be sparring with me seriously again.
Seeing her unable to control her excitement, I decided to take more extreme measures.
If I didn’t, I’d really end up smashing her skull with the mace. But I couldn’t make a mess of my friend’s head, could I?
"Not listening to me ♡ Your skills are pathetic ♡ You’re not even a cute little pet ♡ I don’t need something like that ♡"
"...Huh?"
"Can’t you understand how pathetic you are? ♡ Just go away, I’m annoyed ♡"
"...Lucy? Are you mad?"
"Mad? ♡ Not at all ♡ Why should I be mad at someone like you? ♡ I’m not even going to look at you anymore ♡"
At my threat that if she didn’t listen, I wouldn’t even bother to spar with her or go around with her, Freya lowered her head.
"I’m sorry."
When Freya apologized to the professors and other students, everyone was left stunned. They’d never seen her apologize like that before.
"Is this enough?"
Freya, showing no remorse at all, quickly finished her apology and looked at me for some reaction, but instead of saying anything, I patted her head.
At least this way, she was socializing. Compared to the insane version of Freya in the game, she had grown immensely. The Freya beyond the screen had been a completely different kind of lunatic from Lucy.
Hmm, but something felt a bit odd. Why did it feel like I had to raise my hand higher than usual? Normally, I’d only need to lift it a little, but now it felt like I had to stretch it a bit more.
"Stupid knight. Did you grow taller?"
"Huh? Yeah, just a little."
"...I don’t like you."
Traitor!
Although she was a little taller than me, I had always felt a sense of camaraderie with her, but now she was growing taller on her own!
I couldn’t forgive this!
After that small issue, where Freya was flustered, I continued attending the academy’s trial classes, and each time, professors seemed determined to test my level.
Just like in the Combat Studies class, they were all trying to gauge my ability.
I managed to somehow dodge their questions with some nonsense, but I finally couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to go see Luca.
I needed to find out when this madness would end.
Well, questions related to my specialties, like Dungeon Studies, Combat, and Holy Magic, were fine. I was confident I could answer anything in those areas.
But when it came to subjects like History, which were deeply academic, I was at a loss!
What the hell did they think I was, throwing questions at me that were meant for grad students?
I couldn’t possibly solve those problems with my idiotic brain!
The worst case was the Magic Studies class I was dragged into by Joy.
I could barely manage other subjects with Grandpa’s knowledge, but this one? I had no clue.
"These are the basic theories of the Fire School, Lady Allen. I’m sure you know them?"
The professor’s attitude, as if I should know this, left me speechless.
How could I possibly know that?
I’m a paladin!
It’s natural that I don’t know magic!
"Professor, do we really need to waste time on something so obvious? I’m here to attend class, not hear that."
"Hmm, I suppose you have a point."
Thankfully, Joy helped me handle the professor’s questions, or I’d have been completely screwed. If not for that, I probably would’ve had to cause a scene just to escape the situation.
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Thinking about the future, I found it truly horrifying.
I wanted to attend class, not repeat Grandpa’s old stories like a parrot!
<You should have studied as I told you. If you had, you would have answered those questions...>
"Ah, I’m not listening. I’m not listening to anything."
Ignoring Grandpa’s advice, I went to find Luca and ended up hearing the answer I most dreaded.
"It’s going to keep happening. Everyone who’s come to the academy recently is deeply loyal, so the better your answers, the more they’ll be curious about how far you can go and keep pushing you forward."
Some would be curious about my potential.
Some would be jealous of the attention I received.
And others would simply be genuinely curious about me.
Luca’s words made my head spin as I realized that until I showed my limits, people would keep questioning me.
So no matter which class I attended, it was guaranteed that I’d get attention.
...Wait, thinking about it, it’s strange that I’m even bothered by this.
Why should I worry about answering questions in class?
I could just skip all the theory classes, right?
I’m already not the sharpest tool in the shed, so why not just give up?
Yeah, if I just accept that I have a tiny brain, everything will be fine.
<Lucy, is that really okay?>
"...Of course not!"
It bugged me that I had low intelligence, and I decided to focus on my studies, thinking that if I worked hard, I could raise my intelligence!
But then this happens!
This is just unfair?!
Am I really being underestimated like this?
Am I really so easy to mess with?
Just because Lucy Allen, the reckless troublemaker, did nothing for a year, has everyone forgotten all the terrible things I’ve done?!
I’m so annoyed! Should I just flip the table over?! Let’s make the professor kneel in front of me!
<That would ruin your reputation even more.>
"But!"
<Didn’t I tell you? They won’t give you any justification.>
As Grandpa had said, those in Queen 1st's faction only showed interest in me, but they didn’t cross any important lines.
They only asked questions within the bounds of what professors were allowed to do.
With many new people entering the academy, there weren’t any completely useless ones, but even they seemed to be cautious around me.
Even the Dungeon Studies professor, who I had provoked first, only turned red in the face but didn’t dare confront me.
There must have been some kind of warning within the factions.
If I started making trouble now, the one who’d be in trouble would be me.
I could cause a scene, but all it would do was give the other side a reason to pick a fight.
Ugh... This is why I hate politics.
If this were a dungeon, I could just quietly take out the enemy with my mace.
<If you’re really upset, there is a way to make your opponent cross the line. It’s what you’re good at, so it wouldn’t be that difficult.>
"...No, Grandpa. I’m a servant of the Deity. I can’t hurt innocent people!"
What do they think of me?!
Even though I’ve used my Mesugaki skill on those who’ve crossed the line, I’ve never used it on an innocent person!
...Well, if you asked me directly, I wouldn’t be able to answer that with certainty...
<Well then, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.>
Grandpa’s words made it clear that I had no choice.
Ugh. This is so annoying!
Someone, please give me a reason to get my frustration out!
Then I’ll use everything I have to destroy that person!
Recently, Arthur Soladin had been feeling the strange, almost uneasy stares of the academy’s professors.
Not everyone, but those from Queen 1st and Queen 2nd’s factions clearly seemed uncomfortable with him.
The reason was clear. It was because he kept standing out for no reason.
Arthur was really bothered by the situation.
He had repeatedly stated that he had no interest in power, so why were they so wary of him?
Even though he was surrounded by noticeable figures, how could someone like him, practically treated as an illegitimate child, ever challenge the monarchy?
Arthur was irritated, but he was aware that his situation was peculiar.
The best friend of the Duke of Patran's daughter.
Close to the Saint, who was practically the symbol of the Deity’s Church.
Frequent conversations with the re-enrolled Baron Burrow.
Dueling often with the next potential Sword Master, Kent.
The only royal with a favorable relationship with Lucy Allen, who was frequently in the spotlight recently, and even trained at the Allen family estate.
Arthur had personal abilities that couldn’t be denied.
Aside from his maternal side’s shortcomings and his age, he was someone who could easily upset the balance if he chose to.
Understanding this, Arthur did his best to appear harmless.
But despite his efforts, it wasn’t working, and the situation around him continued to make him uncomfortable.
"Ah, at this rate, you’ll be dragged into something, whether you want to or not."
Arthur remembered a conversation he once had with Cecil and realized that his advice was right.
Isn’t that exactly what’s happening right now?
Arthur let out a light laugh as he thought of the unusually energetic 2nd Prince Cecil and walked toward his next class.
Let’s see... Was I supposed to evaluate a class related to court etiquette and relations?
When Arthur saw the professor’s name, his brow furrowed.
Valian Clock. A man with whom Arthur had only negative memories.
Someone obsessed with noble status.
Someone who looked down on Arthur for his low birth.
He was one of the people who had made Arthur sensitive to others' contempt.
Remembering his past, Arthur paused for a moment before letting out a long sigh and stepping forward.
At this point, there was no way he could tell Lucy Allen he wouldn’t attend the class.
If he did, he’d have to endure her ridicule.
So instead, he decided to just attend the class and get it over with.
It shouldn’t be a big deal. After all, this was someone who had been pushed to the back rooms years ago, so he’d likely calmed down by now. He wouldn’t openly provoke Arthur like before.
As he walked with that thought, Arthur ran into Valian Clock in the hallway next to the classroom.
"It’s been a while, Prince 3rd."
"...I didn’t expect to see you here, Duke Clock."
"I had been idle, but an opportunity arose to spread knowledge, so I volunteered for this honorable task."
Arthur felt a sharp sting as he was met with Clock's typical disdainful smile, but he raised the corner of his mouth in response.
"You’ve certainly accomplished a lot recently. I was truly pleased as someone who once taught you, even though it was a long time ago."
The words seemed like compliments, but Arthur immediately recognized the underlying meaning.
By mentioning the past, Clock was implying that Arthur should just stay in his place and not get too big for his britches.
This was a tactic Clock often used.
"Still, there’s more I need to improve."
Arthur felt like hitting him, but he knew he couldn’t do that. Although Clock had been pushed to the sidelines, there were too many eyes watching right now.
He had to hold back for now. Arthur kept his anger in check, lowering his head, and Clock, pleased with his apparent humility, responded.
"It’s truly admirable that you remember the virtue of humility. As your former teacher, I’m very glad."
Arthur decided to ignore him.
Why waste emotions on a fallen old man who couldn’t forget his past glory?
He’d be gone soon enough. It didn’t matter if he ignored him.
"How nice it would have been if you had better blood."
At the mocking tone in Clock’s voice, Arthur’s fist tightened, but before he could react...
"Pffhahaha ♡."
A laugh suddenly rang out beside them.
It was clear and loud enough to reach Arthur's ears.