Kays Translations

Chapter 23: On the Verge of Death?

(Huh... huh huh. When I really see someone like Gulf, who doesn't have all that talk about noble blood or whatever... it's clear how lame those guys are who haven't acquired it.)

During the battle with the iron ants, Gulf's movements gradually... gradually, gradually became more efficient.

Continuously moving as if choosing the best move in a game of chess, he eventually physically cornered the iron ants.

"Haa, haa... I can't move anymore."

"Good job. Towards the end, your moves were seriously good."

Even if he could apply the movements from the battle with Ishud towards the end, at the current stage, he wouldn't be a match for Ishud.

However, imagining a scenario where he reaches Ishud's level... just the thought of it makes him shiver.

(Well, there are ways to handle those moves, but if I give Gulf advice to that extent now, his head might get all tangled up.)

In this way, the two continued their exploration until late afternoon, then sold the materials in the nearest town. After booking a room, having dinner, they fell into a deep sleep.

Gulf, who had accumulated quite a bit of fatigue, started snoring within a few seconds of lying down.

"Well, let's do our best today too."

"Yeah!!!!"

"Haha, good. You're full of spirit."

The next day, although the fatigue hadn't completely dissipated, Gulf pushed through with determination. On the second day, they alternated between real battles, breaks, and more real battles, returning to the academy just in the nick of time.

"Good morning, still alive?"

"...I realized again how amazing the beds at the academy are."

Though he still had some fatigue left, he couldn't hide his surprise at the recovery being better than expected.

Heading to the cafeteria before classes started, Ishud was there as usual, and now, many eyes were also on Gulf.

Naturally, it wasn't attention in a positive sense.

(If you have something to say, it's impossible with those people who bow and scrape to their superiors while acting all high and mighty towards those below them, like the first or second-rate guys... or like Machela, just say it to my face.)

Ordering a hearty meat menu from the cafeteria in the morning, Gulf found an available seat and, almost as if they were intentionally targeted, a certain student took the seat in front of them.

"Hey, good morning."

"...Morning."

"You're Ishud Regula, right?"

"Yeah, but... you're like, 'You!! Fix that way of talking right now!!'... such a hassle."

Although Ishud wasn't sure who the student in front of him was, he felt a somewhat unusual emotion directed towards him, reminiscent of Christille. Initially, he considered responding.

However, the sudden loud voice from one of his neighbors berating the way he spoke made Ishud decide to completely ignore them and focus solely on his breakfast.

"YOUUUUUUUU!! Are you listening to meeeee!!"

"............"

"HEY!!!!"

Ignoring the man's angry shouts even more, Gulf, prepared for any possible outcome, lifted the plate with the utensils in both hands.

"Stop it."

"B-but!!!"

"I'm telling you to stop."

"Ugh... U-understood."

A male student in a more authoritative position managed to restrain the unruly student.

(Hmm... as expected.)

Ishud, with very little information at hand, was trying to figure out the identity of the male student who came to greet him.

"You're from the royal family of our generation, right?"

"!!"

Though the anger of the student who shouted earlier immediately swelled at the completely unpolished way of speaking, this time it didn't explode.

"I'm Adreas Batrea. Nice to meet you."

"Yeah, nice to meet you... So, what does a royal like you want with a student like me who knows nothing about manners or etiquette?"

"Well, of course. I want to be friends with you."

“““““Wha...?!”””””

Adreas' words left the students in the cafeteria, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation between the two, completely frozen. Another student, who was more like a retainer and hadn't shown irritation at Ishud's words, also had a visibly shaken expression.

And as for the student who shouted earlier, there was a peculiar mix of words he wanted to say but couldn't, and it amusingly showed on his face.

(Well, I see... These are words he must have thought about in his own way.)

In response to Adreas' straightforward words, Ishud couldn't help but smirk.

"It's a kind offer, but I'll have to decline."

“““““What?!”””””

The students were so perfectly surprised that it almost seemed like a comedy routine.

Naturally, Adreas' two companions also had their expressions falter, and the hotheaded male student, in particular, had multiple veins popping on his forehead.

"...Can I ask for the reason, at least?"

"I want to move in my own way. In these three years of school life, I want to do what I want, make enjoyable memories. Even if you become a part of my circle of friends... it won't necessarily go the way you want."

"..."

"Well, I'll still do what I want, and if that's a problem for you, then it's your issue."

Among other reasons, the primary reason for rejecting the friendship offer this time was undeniably the fact that Ishudo didn't want to be restricted in his actions.

"You're... amazing."

"Compared to people in my family, I'm still far from it."

"Not being modest, huh?"

"Of course. That's why, to be honest, I wasn't initially excited about enrolling in the academy."

The two continued their conversation as if they had known each other for a long time until they finished breakfast.

"If you're up for it, how about having dinner together sometime?"

"I'm fine with that if you're treating for both of us."

"Don't worry. I am a royal, after all."

Adreas returned his plate with a smile that revealed nothing.

And, as expected, the hotheaded male student, as he left, shot Ishud a glare that could kill.

(Hmm... compared to our knights, he's more like a Chihuahua than a Doberman.)

Unable to contain himself, Ishud burst into laughter right there.

Gulf, who was eating breakfast next to him, couldn't understand what was so amusing about it. Nonetheless, Ishud's mental fortitude seemed to be from another dimension.

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