Kays Translations

Chapter 28: The Second Person

"Ishud-kun, are you ready now?"

"...Yeah, I'm good."

After the match with Glasses Senpai, also known as Hasty Parislon, Ishud neatly finished the ten platinum coins, and that incident came to a close.

A few weeks later, Christille approached Ishud after a long time.

"How's school life been lately?"

"It's been pretty peaceful. I've made friends other than Gulf, too."

"...You mean the laid-back person from the duke's family."

"You already knew, huh?"

Even now, there are students who look down on Ishud and the frontier barbarians, but it has become nothing more than a mere formality.

In the midst of this, a certain freshman approached Ishud and Gulf.

The student took a liking to Ishud's eccentricities, initiated conversation...Ishud also quite liked the student, and with a decent attitude towards Gulf, they have been frequently seen together recently.

"By the way, when you're out... have you ever been bothered by strange people?"

"Why would you ask that... Could it be related to the incident with Glasses Senpai?"

"Yes. Nobles are very concerned about appearances. If word gets out that he lost in a duel using the same rapier sword, it would be as if their reputation is tarnished."

The match between Ishud and Hasty was a widely publicized event within the academy, so the details of the battle quickly spread among the nobility. Even the Parislon family, the home of Glasses Senpai, heard about it.

"While it's true that his reputation may have been tarnished, in the end, I would have won whether it were a second-year or not."

"Quite the confidence... I'll ask, knowing it might be impolite, but is handling a rapier sword truly suited for your occupation?"

"No, I'll answer that it's not. Regarding the rapier sword, I simply observed my brother's movements, imitated them, learned the necessary instincts in actual combat, and utilized my own sturdiness to acquire the skills."

"I see... Well, please come in."

The place they were guided to was the student council room, where Ishud had previously been treated to a home-cooked meal.

"I'm intruding~"

"If you're going to intrude, maybe I should ask you to leave."

"Nah~ Come on, don't be so serious, Intellectual Glasses Senpai."

"My name is Nels Asam!! Get it into your head already!!!"

The student council members had already finished their classes and were engaged in paperwork.

(...Ishud, despite having defeated numerous formidable monsters before, can casually address even scary senior nobles like this. I wonder if it's because of his experiences.)

Completely blending into the background, Gulf followed as silently as a shadow as usual.

Among the student council members, there was no one who particularly disliked Gulf. However, for Gulf, a mere student and commoner, being in such a space without tension seemed inconceivable.

"So, President. What can I do for you today?"

"...Probably, this should be sufficient."

While saying this, what was taken out was... a platinum coin.

Of course, not just one.

In fact... the number of coins would be enough to cover a large meal and drinks at a high-end restaurant.

"Wow... so, does this mean you're treating us to a nice restaurant again tonight?"

"That's the idea. So... may I have that ring in exchange?"

"...Is that blonde drill-roll so important to you, President?"

It was a genuine question.

There were no confusing emotions like jealousy.

But... Ishud, who didn't know the relationship between the two, was curious as to why the President was so desperate to get it back.

"It hasn't been that many months since then, and if you think about it normally, pocket money wouldn't be enough, right?"

"That's true. I sent a letter to my family after that, explaining that I had urgent business and managed to arrange for it."

(...Is that what you call 'arranging'?)

Ishud almost couldn't help but make a retort, but sensing that Intellectual Glasses Senpai was likely to come up with a troublesome follow-up in a loud voice, he swallowed it down.

"...Many young ladies admire me, but there are no underclassmen as earnestly following me as she does."

"Well~? I guess I kinda get it, maybe... Anyway, if you've prepared properly, I'll return the favor as requested."

Saying this, Ishud took out two platinum coins from his pocket and handed them to Christille.

"There isn't another one in there for her, right? I'll cover her portion then."

"...I appreciate that."

Without making many demands, Christille had consistently met her family's expectations.

Therefore, although Duke Albaresia was somewhat surprised by this latest request, he sent the allowance without dwelling on it too much.

Even if Ishud were to ask again, Duke Albaresia would likely provide the funds once more. However, due to the personal nature of Christille's request this time, she didn't want to repeat the same thing.

"Well, then, we'll have to find that guy. Is it okay to meet at the main gate around 5 o'clock?"

"Yes, please."

"Got it!!!"

The business was concluded.

Ishud and Gulf swiftly left the student council room.

"...President. I don't mean to speak ill of them, but you might want to consider your associations a bit more."

"Why is that?"

"...There's a rumor circulating among some that you and that first-year have that kind of relationship."

When Christille checked with the remaining two, they both nodded with wry smiles.

"For your future, it might be better to only engage with them when it concerns work."

"My future, you say..."

Currently, Christille is not engaged to anyone.

For someone as talented and beautiful as Christille, it's uncommon for her not to be settled at her age.

Even as a noble lady aspiring to become a knight, she is in high demand.

There are rumors suggesting that preparations for her marriage to a royal family member are being made, with the intention of strengthening diplomatic ties with other countries.

"I... want to be the sword and fangs of our country, and I'm content with that. My father hasn't suggested any engagement with anyone at the moment, and he has told me that if there's a good person, I'm free to choose to be with them."

"But, but even so!!! If strange rumors from the past were to spread, you might lose even such a good encounter!!!"

"Nels~~~ Lately, the President hasn't paid attention to you, so you're getting too jealous of the first-year~~~. Such obvious attention-seeking moves aren't trendy these days, you know?"

"W-Who's attention-seeking!! I'm seriously thinking about the President's future!!!"

Halfway through, realizing that his colleague had seen through his thoughts, Nels blushed. 

The student council remained lively as ever today, creating an atmosphere at work that was beyond complaint.

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