Chapter 3 Part 3
Translator : PolterGlast
Proofreader : John4891
Nozomu's
POV
"I'll
ask you again. What are you guys doing here?" asked the girl, while
looking over all the people present. Her voice was as cold and sharp as an
icicle, making all of them feel her concealed anger.
Her
bow was already strung with the next arrow, and its strings were taut and ready
to be fired.
Furthermore,
the arrows emitted a faint light, and it could be seen that some kind of magic
was applied.
I
remember the arrow that flew in front of me earlier. Given that with just one
arrow, she had nullified multiple spells, albeit at the lowest rank. My
classmates would be blown away like leaves to the wind by the simple release of
her finger, which was currently holding an arrow.
"W-Well...it's
nothing important...Ri-Right?"
"Th-That's
right. W-We’re just playing for a bit..."
They
probably knew what the others were thinking. The classmates, who were bullying
me just a second ago, turned pale with fright and, and they backed off.
"In
the first place, fighting in places other than designated areas should be
prohibited. Do you all want to be kicked out of this school?" said the
girl with a smile
She
smiled like a flower blooming in a lovely field, but an intimidating feeling
also came from that smile. I could sense her power from that feeling alone. At
least for students in the 10th class, it seemed certain that she was too great
of an opponent for them.
"L-Let's
go........."
"Y-Yeah..."
They
said so and quickly left. When they were gone, the girl also released her magic
and lowered her bow.
"Thank
you, I was saved."
I
went to the girl, thanked her, and was surprised again.
To
make a long story short, The girl was very pretty. She had bluish long hair and
blue eyes. Long, slender legs, slender limbs, and a surprisingly white and
nearly perfect face.
Based
on her appearance, I felt like she was a field with flowers sprouting up under
a blue sky.
She
looked just as beautiful as Lisa or Irisdina. And long ears peeked through her
long hair. One of the races that lived on the continent of Arcmeal. It was the
characteristic of elves.
*Elf*
It
was a race that was said to have received the most blessings from spirits, and
they were known for their longevity and good appearance as a whole.
However,
the most famous feature about them was that they could interact with the
spirits.
By
responding to the spirits around them, they could receive various benefits such
as seeing and hearing events from a distance.
Originally,
they lived in a country called "Nebra" at the centre of the Foskia
Forest in the northern part of the continent, but since it was destroyed by the
great invasion of demons 10 years ago, they had become a nomadic people ever
since.
"...Don’t
worry about it. I was just passing by."
Even
though she told me not to worry about her, her expression was stiff, and her
gaze was no different from that of the classmates who persecuted me earlier. I
was a little perplexed by her expression.
"Well,
once again, thank you. I am..."
"I
know. Nozomu Bountis, right."
"Why,
my name...? "
"Rumors
of the day. I think everyone who came to the school today knows."
…………That
was certainly the case. Events with Irisdina during the day had already spread
throughout the school. It's no wonder she knew.
"I'm
Shiina Juliel, 3rd year, 2nd class, but the reason I know you isn’t because of
today's rumors, but because of what you did to Lisa when you were in 1st
year."
Her
eyes, when she said this, became more heated.
"In
the first place, if you didn’t have an affair with Lisa-san, they wouldn't have
been so hard either."
Those
words pierced my chest. When I was dating Lisa, I was still bullied by the
people around me, but there was no violence like the lynches. I only started
receiving it after I was dumped by Lisa.
"This
may have come from them, but be aware that you are the cause in the first
place," she said.
With
that, she turned her heels and walked away. Perhaps because she had nothing to
say anymore, she went straight back to the school building.
I
was staring straight at her back.
(I
knew it. I already knew that)
I
knew a long time ago, I understood why people around me had a worse attitude
toward me.
I
had no affair at all. I’d been thinking about Lisa for a long time, and I
couldn’t think of anyone else but her as the woman by my side; however, the
rumor that I had an affair had already become a fact to the people at this
school.
It
might not have been the case when the rumors first began, but over time, it was
imprinted on the students of the school as the truth.
The
cause was probably because I could only think of an escape, called ‘training’
at that time, and I didn’t try to deny the rumor. If I fought the rumor and
yelled, "I didn't do that!", then maybe my relationship with Lisa
wouldn’t be as complicated as it was now.
But
I ran away. Didn’t try to correct the wrong perceptions of those around me.
………….This
is also the continuation of my escape…….
“………………….I
am aware that the reason was my “escape”. The reason was that I didn't try to
face them……”
Only
my voice echoed behind the school building.
At
that time, I suddenly noticed someone's presence. Someone was looking at me.
The presence itself was weak, and there was no hostility or killing intent, and
the presence disappeared immediately.
The
presence was felt from the bush behind the school building. When I looked into
the bush, I found a piece of paper with an unfamiliar pattern stuck on the
tree.
"Oi
Nozomu! Are you okay!"
When
I looked toward the source of the voice, I could see Mars running. Once
again, I looked at the paper stuck to the tree, I took the paper and put it in
my pocket. Then, I started walking towards my friend.
=========================================
????
POV
"...I
see. Looks like that guy isn’t as weak as they say he is."
The
roof of the school building.
The
opening bell had already rung, and there was a schoolboy with golden ears and a
tail in a prohibited zone. It was the male student who was looking at Nozomu
from a distance during lunch break.
Probably,
he was using some kind of long-distance vision technique. A formation was drawn
at his feet, emitting a magical light. A mark was floating in front of him,
glowing faintly in the same gold color as his fur.
Normally,
the back of the school building was in the shadows and couldn’t be seen, but he
seemed to have been stealing a glance at the previous exchange between Nozomu
and his classmates with this technique.
"But,
he is still holding out, isn't he? Even though he is a 10th-class student, he
can somewhat hold his ground in a 1 against 10. I was wondering what would
happen if I separated that naughty boy from his friend, but the result was
surprisingly interesting~. Well, I didn't expect Shiina to get in the way...
"
Looked
like it was this guy who used a male student to pull Mars away from Nozomu and
to make him leave Nozomu alone. In front of him, the figure of Nozomu facing
Shiina was projected.
"But
I don't get it~. Sure, his skills weren't bad, but it isn’t strong enough for
the black-haired princess to look at him...Is there something I’m missing?
"
The
student kept watching Nozomu with his eyes while scratching his head.
"U
~~ n, should I observe the situation a little more?"
Having
said that, he erased the technique he was using and returned to the school
building, but he didn't notice that Nozomu was in contemplation, because the
technique was released slightly earlier. Nozomu noticed the technique and found
the talisman that was scattered.
=============================================
Nozomu's
POV
After
the day's lesson was over, Mars and I went to Ushitotei. Irisdina-san and the
others who asked me to go after school were also with me. No one was staying at
the inn right now. The entrance to the shop was hung with a notification as a
reservation, and it was only us and Hannah in the shop.
Under
such circumstances, It was Irisdina-san who first opened her mouth.
"First
of all, let me apologize to both parents. I'm sorry that we, the Francilt
Family, have put your son in a dangerous situation."
Irisdina-san
bowed deeply with that word of apology.
For
the Francilt Family, increasing the number of people who knew the truth of the
case wouldn’t be good for the household, but Irisdina-san said,
"We
did a cover-up for that incident, but even so, I want to talk about things and
show my sincerity."
She
explained the incident to Hannah-san and Dell-san, including the secret
agreement with the Francilt Family 300 years ago.
She
was still dignified as usual, and she was looking straight at Hannah-san's and Dell-san's
eyes.
I
was purely fascinated by her appearance. I didn’t have such upright strength
like her………….
She
seemed to be prepared for a scolding from Hannah-san and Dell-san for involving
Mars and the others ...
"What
the-Who knew you could actually stand up to protect such a beautiful
girl!"
With
that said, Hannah-san started beating Mars' back with a smile. Tima-san, who
was protected at that time, turned her face red, cast her eyes down, and nodded
a little. She was pretty cute......
"It
hurts! What are you doing!!"
Mars
didn’t notice Tima-san's appearance and complained to Hannah-san about how it
hurt so much. But his face was red, and no matter how we looked at him, he was
shy. Seeing that, Hannah-san was in a better mood.
"Indeed,
Onīchan, I hope this will always be the case. I still can't be relieved yet.
There are too many criminal records after all."
Ena
was still merciless to Mars, but her cheeks were so loose that she couldn't
hide happiness. She was happy that her brother was praised even though she
usually hated his guts and slammed him.
"Ah,
by the way. Nozomu-kun, is the timing still alright? I want you to go out with
us for a bit..."
"Hm,
I don't mind. What are we going to do?"
"It's
nothing important. It's a great opportunity, so why don't we take a walk
together? I've never been to this area of the commercial district."
"Yes~~s
...I also agree~~!"
"I...don't
mind"
Somia-chan
cheerfully agreed with Irisdina-san's suggestion, and Tima-san agreed.
"Well,
it's okay. I can guide you around here..."
"I'm
not good. There is preparation for the night..."
Mars
gave his consent, but Ena-chan couldn't go, unfortunately. Ushitotei was a
restaurant during the day and a bar at night. She needed to take care of the
store.
"It's
okay. Ena, just go."
Hannah-san
recommended Ena-chan go with us.
"Eh,
but the preparation is..."
Unlike
Mars, she was a serious person. She was hesitating. She may be confused between
giving up her duties to help out or going out to play.
"It’ll
be okay. Please go. After all, your friends invited you,” said Hannah-san with
a smild
"...
Y-Yes!"
She
was at a loss at first. Maybe because she was encouraged by Hannah-san's smile,
she came here with a smile.
"I
need to monitor Onīchan, so I'll go! Treat me well, everyone."
"Hm,
don’t mention it"
"Please
treat me well~~"
"Yup,
my pleasure."
"Why
is it monitoring me ..."
"Now,
now...Likewise, Ena-chan"
==========================================
Nozomu’s
POV
Six
of us walked side by side in the pathway of the commercial area. The appearance
of attractive beautiful girls walking side by side was quite conspicuous, and
the passers-by were looking at us in various gazes.
Their
reaction to those gazes also varied.
Irisdina-san
was completely unmoved by the myriad of gazes and didn’t lose her dignified
appearance.
Maybe
because Tima-san was embarrassed by their gazes, she looked down all the time
and her face was red.
Somia-chan
enjoyed going out with everyone. She didn’t care about what others thought, and
she smiled a lot.
Ena-chan
didn’t seem to be able to do the same without worrying like Somia-chan, but she
was still laughing next to her.
Mars
glared at the gazes directed at him. On the contrary, he was attracting
opponents.
"Ha
ha ha...nevertheless, it's powerful...this lineup..."
A
bitter smile leaked to the reaction of several men.
The
commercial area was lined with numerous shops, as there were a variety of goods
from different countries. Crafts and lacquerware from the eastern part of the
continent, teaware and clothes from the west, textiles and spices from the
center, and bottled fruits from the south.
In
addition, traveling merchants were also enthusiastic about doing business,
setting up stalls, and repeatedly promoting their products. It was lively and
it seemed that we could enjoy it just by walking.
Irisdina-san
and the others were looking around various stalls and shops, and the
conversation was blooming. Looking at it, I once again felt that the girls who
seemed unreachable at school were also just young girls.
When
I thought about it, I had never walked around the city like this since I came
to this school. I was always devoted to training and work, and after being
dumped by Lisa, I became more absorbed in training.
Although
I have lived here for more than 2 years, there were many things I don't know……
No, I didn't try to know………….
As
I walked for a while, buried in my thoughts, I was suddenly pulled by the arm
and taken to the back alley. It was Irisdina-san who pulled me in.
"W-What
is it?"
"Sshh"
Suddenly
a white finger closed my mouth which was trying to raise a voice. She made a
silent gesture and asked me to look at the other side of the road, so when I
looked at it, Ena and Somia were there.
Looked
like Ena-chan was drawn in without knowing, and her eyes were fluttering.
“…………Hey,
what does that mean?”
I
didn’t want to raise my voice too much, so I spoke to Irisdina-san in a quiet
voice.
"I
want to leave Mars-kun and Tima alone"
"Why
is that?"
"Tima
is not good with boys, so I want her to get used to it even a little. And she
seems to be okay with Mars-kun and you more than other boys...Above all, Tima
wants to thank Mars-kun, and it seems embarrassing for her. So, I took some
more vigorous measures. "
I
see, that's why I was forced to be alone. Perhaps Somia-chan was also doing the
same thing. Looking towards Somia, she smiled and waved her hand.
"...So
that's it. If that’s the case then, what should we do now?"
I
thought it would be bad to re-join Mars and Tima. She wouldn’t do anything like
peeping with just two people, right.
As
I thought something like that, she said something ridiculous to me.
"Then,
let's go on a date together"
"……………Yes?”
