Chapter 2.7

Leonard took out a wallet that looked obviously expensive and spoke.  

“Raven, I’ll buy you something. What do you want to eat?”  

“Oh, thanks. Then I’ll pick a few.”  

She replied dryly and began choosing sweet snacks. If nothing else, she should gratefully accept expensive snacks.  

Even though she had passed the entrance exam with excellent grades and received a scholarship, it only covered the tuition fees. Dormitory fees and living expenses didn’t come out of nowhere, so she relied on the support of the Chernor Marquisate, but even that left little after buying books and pens.  

Fortunately, her uncle, concerned about this, occasionally gave her pocket money to spend on outings with friends and tasty treats. Of course, she had no friends to go out with and no particular hobbies, so the pocket money was solely used for her snack expenses.  

Friends, huh…. 

Leonard said they were friends, but it didn’t seem like they were at the level of going out together.  

Anyway, the point is that she was a commoner receiving support, and Leonard was the son of a prestigious noble family, so she could indulge in snacks without hesitation. Besides, he seemed to have an inexplicable fondness for her. Of course, under the name of “friend,” that is.  

“Have you picked everything?”  

“Yeah.”  

She smiled contentedly, her arms full of expensive snacks. Leonard blinked at her face, then smiled even more brightly and took out his wallet.  

“Thanks.”  

When she spoke seriously after he finished the payment, Leonard smiled brightly.  

“Yeah, I’m glad you like it. Enjoy.”  

“Then let’s head back to the library. Wait, let’s stop by the locker on the way.”  

Because they couldn’t eat in the library.  

She popped a small candy into her mouth, handed Leonard one of the same flavor, and neatly packed the rest into her locker.  

“Let’s go.”  

“Yeah!”  

Leonard, who had been standing quietly next to her until the whole process was over, nodded his head.  

He seemed like a puppy following behind her, and she couldn’t help but chuckle a little.  

Feeling that it wasn’t such a bad mood, she eagerly sucked on the candy in her mouth.  

“Raven, you study so hard. Is being the top student your goal?”  

As soon as they returned to the library, she opened her book again. Seeing this, Leonard whispered curiously, and she answered confidently.  

“Isn’t it obvious? If you’re going to study hard, you should aim to be the top student.”  

Since she whispered in a similar tone to Leonard’s question, it might have sounded like her usual way of speaking.  

Leonard smiled pleasantly and whispered back.  

“That’s cool, Raven. You’re ambitious.”  

“Well….”  

She shrugged her shoulders, feeling a bit embarrassed.  

She couldn’t bring herself to say that her sponsor might cause a fuss if she didn’t become the top student. After all, the person in front of her was Leonard Klein. Talking about sponsorship in front of him… seemed too pitiful and was a bit embarrassing.  

It wasn’t like her. Making up stories just because she was embarrassed and now even making excuses. Well, it’s not that she didn’t want to be the top student at all….  

Maybe because she had gotten a bit closer, it was hard to see Leonard the same way or treat him like others.  

“…….”  

Lost in thought for a moment, she shook her head. There’s not enough time even if she studies all day, so what was she thinking?  

The exam is just around the corner. At times like this, she should be more focused. 

Just do what you always do.  

Picking up her pen, she opened her book again and focused on studying.  

* * *  

The academy library was much larger and better equipped than the library at the Marquisate, quickly becoming her favorite place. As always, being buried in books and just studying left no room for other thoughts, which was quite comfortable.

Meanwhile, even as Leonard followed her around, he seemed quite relaxed, as if he was studying diligently. Is that what confidence looks like?  

On the day of the exam, she tackled the questions with intense focus. The difficulty was moderate, so unless something unexpected happened, she thought she could achieve good results.  

“Raven, you seem to be in a good mood today.”  

“Of course, the exam is over.”  

To Leonard’s question, which seemed somewhat excited, she answered with a gentler expression and tone than usual.  

“I’m happy too. It’s just that I’m a bit tired from staying up late.”  

Saying this, Leonard touched the smooth skin under his eyes, which seemed a bit deceptive. The shadows under her eyes were surely twice as long.  

Thinking this, she rubbed under her eyes slightly, and Leonard continued to speak in a light tone.  

“How was the exam difficulty? There were a few confusing ones, I’m not sure if I got them right.”  

“……”  

Did this guy even study? 

It seemed like every time she looked up while studying together, their eyes met. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be unusually upset if his grades weren’t good. She didn’t want to see that. She didn’t even know how to comfort someone.  

Looking at Leonard with a troubled feeling, she finally spoke.  

“So… do you care a lot about your grades? Or do the Duke, your parents… scold you if you don’t do well?”  

“Hmm?”  

Leonard’s eyes widened at her words, and she shrugged her shoulders, adding.  

“No, I’m not prying, I’m just curious about how your grades will turn out this time.”  

“What, Raven. Are you worrying about me?”  

Leonard smiled brightly, his eyes curving.  

“Thanks, that makes me feel good.”  

“You’re happy about the strangest things.”  

She blinked and muttered as if she found it fascinating.  

“Well, you know.”  

Leonard chuckled shyly, resting his chin on his hand and nodding.  

“Well, I might lose. You worked really hard this time, Raven. You’ll probably be the top student.”  

“Well….”  

The grades weren’t out yet.  

She felt her lips twitching slightly and rolled her eyes. The tension of possibly becoming the top student, along with the relief, seemed to relax her facial muscles.  

She didn’t quite understand why the Marquis made such a fuss about beating Leonard Klein, but it seemed she might be able to fulfill that request.  

Feeling satisfied, she closed the book she was holding with a faint smile.  

Making friends and doing well on exams. Her academy life seemed to be going more smoothly than expected.  

* * *  

Finally, the day for the grades to be released arrived.  

Although she wasn’t too worried about her grades, she was naturally curious, so she rushed down the hallway as soon as class ended to check her grades.  

“Phew….”  

She managed to squeeze through the students gathered to see the grades posted on the wall. Then, catching her breath, she stared blankly at the paper on the wall.  

She found her name among the list from first to twentieth place.  

…Right next to the number 2.  

Someone did better than me? Who could it be? Who did better than me?  

Swallowing hard, she moved her gaze upwards, when a familiar voice sounded right next to her ear.  

“Oh, I’m the top student.”  

She turned sharply to look at Leonard, whose expression was the same as usual but slightly surprised.  

Even though he was the one who became the top student, he seemed flustered, aware of her. Leonard, who had scanned the paper on the wall, looked back at her with a somewhat embarrassed face.  

“…Yeah, you are.”  

Feeling drained of energy, she only replied in a soulless voice.  

Leonard, noticing her dazed demeanor, tilted his head and spoke.  

“Being the top student…. I’m a bit surprised too. I didn’t expect to get that question right.”  

“…I’m really upset.”  

Looking straight into Leonard’s eyes, which were as calm as usual, she spoke with a slightly strained voice.  

“…I won’t lose next time. Absolutely.”  

She felt a slight sense of betrayal towards him for claiming the top spot while acting as if he didn’t care. She was embarrassed for having worried about Leonard just a while ago despite being second place. Although she was a bit disappointed with the unexpected result, that was all. She might get scolded a bit by the Marquis, but since she was second place and still had many opportunities left, it was fine.  

“Yeah.”  

Leonard, who had been blinking his wide eyes, answered with a smile, as always.  

She gave him a faint smile in return.  

There was a nagging discomfort deep inside her, but she lightly brushed it aside.