Chapter 5: How to Avoid an Engagement(2)

Shortly after, Robert returned to the training hall with Peter’s assistance. The atmosphere in the training hall, which had been as cold as ice in the morning, had softened considerably. It was all thanks to that person again.

“……Is Robert okay?”

“Yeah, I thought my heart was going to stop, but I’m fine now.”

Robert’s friend started patting him on the back with a hearty laugh. Robert, indifferent to that, recalled the story he had heard from the nurse.

‘Nurse, what kind of illness is this?’

‘It’s lovesickness.’

Lovesickness. What kind of illness could that be? It was an unfamiliar illness to Robert, who had only ever experienced bruises or muscle aches. This was the first time his heart had hurt like this.

Whenever I think of that person, I miss them so much. Even though I just met them earlier, I miss them terribly.

Robert wanted to vent his frustrating emotions. Therefore, he decided to consult his friend.

“Why me of all people……”

“Stop complaining and listen.”

Forcing his grumbling friend to sit down, Robert began to unload his worries.

“Lately, whenever I see Miss Radel, my heart starts pounding and I don’t know why……”

“Arrhythmia.”

Even though Robert was consulting his friend, a cold voice came from behind. Robert stiffly turned his head to look behind him.

Kyle, he was glaring at him menacingly. Robert stiffened his already stiff body even more and responded.

“……What?”

“Arrhythmia.”

“But……”

“Arrhythmia.”

With that stubborn answer, Robert shut his mouth. Looking at his friend, who had a look that said, “Even if it doesn’t seem right, just agree,” Robert decided he had no choice. If a Sword Master says it’s arrhythmia, then it must be true.

And upon reflection, it really did seem like arrhythmia. The heartbeat was irregular, and there were times when the heart palpitations felt quite intense. Yes, this was arrhythmia!

“Kailon’s words seem correct!”

“Right.”

Kyle relaxed his cold expression and nodded with a satisfied look. Then, as if he had no further business, he swiftly walked away. Seeing him leave, Dia looked at Kyle with a cold gaze.

“That guy……”

It’s impressive how he cuts off the budding feelings so completely.

Dia thought Kyle was remarkable for pulling out the budding emotions of the slow and naive Robert before they could even blossom, and then moved on to his next destination.

Time for some sparring.

Meanwhile, Robert, who was unaware of his own emotions and believed his heart palpitations to be arrhythmia, was deeply worried about his health.

***

‘Bang!’

This cheerful sound is definitely not the result of a chemical reaction causing an explosion. It was simply the sound of bread baking, but for some reason, the bread burst open. Bread bursting open, of all things…….

To explain the current situation, it was the home economics practical session, which occurred once or twice a year at the academy. When a student questioned why there was a home economics class at an academy for nobles, the professor had calmly answered.

“To provide students at Sirius Academy with a variety of knowledge and experiences.”

“But why bread……”

Splaash. The student who had persistently challenged the professor was suddenly doused with a splash of water from nowhere and had to keep quiet. By the way, the home economics professor’s original field was magic.

“Now, let’s get started!”

“……Yes.”

The professor in charge of magic was a bit rough around the edges compared to the silver-haired professor of magical theory. All the students had to focus on the professor’s instructions almost involuntarily. So, I also began baking bread in the somewhat heavy atmosphere, and despite having no talent for either magic or cooking, I ended up bursting the bread.

How did it burst? I don’t know. I just followed the professor’s instructions: kneading the dough, letting it rest in a cool place for a while, then putting it in the oven.

Thinking I had done it perfectly, I took the bread out of the oven and waited for the evaluation. Finally, when the professor came to evaluate my bread, it burst just before the assessment and scattered everywhere.

“Radel, what happened here?”

“……The bread burst.”

It was a situation I couldn’t proudly explain. The professor, looking flustered, continued to stare down at the scattered pieces of bread.

“Hmph, what kind of joke is this?”

“Pardon? What do you mean by joke?”

“You burst it with magic, didn’t you!”

This is unfair! This is so unfair! It seems the professor thinks I burst the bread as a joke. And magic… how could a student who doesn’t know the first thing about magic burst bread with magic?

“Professor, Radel is a student who doesn’t know the basics of magic!”

From a distance, Alec raised his hand and defended me. But it’s not at all appreciated; being so blunt makes him unpopular. Even though he’s defending me, I couldn’t feel any gratitude and looked at Alec with a cold stare.

“So how did the bread……?”

A female student who had been watching everything from the side mumbled in confusion. I’m curious about that too. How could the bread burst?

Am I really that clumsy? Could this be someone’s scheme to frame me? Maybe someone is deliberately setting me up to fail!

“Anyway, since there is no bread to evaluate, Radel will have to receive the lowest score.”

“Pardon? But……”

I was about to protest my unfair treatment when I saw the professor preparing to wave his wand. I quickly shut my mouth. I didn’t want to get doused with water, so I might as well accept the lowest score. I want to avoid getting splashed with water from out of the blue.

“I told you, didn’t I? The student who receives the lowest score has to do cleaning duties.”

“Oh, my goodness… Professor…”

I gave the professor the most pleading look I could muster as he handed me the mop, but it was to no avail.

“If you don’t finish it by the end of today, you’ll have to do it tomorrow as well.”

“Heartless devil……”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

The professor’s hearing was as sharp as his temper. I muttered so quietly it was barely audible, yet he still heard me. I’ll have to keep my complaints to myself next time.

I grumbled as I took the mop and headed towards the corridor. Looking at the endless hallway, I couldn’t help but sigh. Someday, I will get my revenge on that professor.

“Radel, do you want some help?”

“Why? Do you want something from me?”

“Introduce me to a girl.”

Ah, so there was an ulterior motive. I gave Alec a frosty stare but then shook my head. Despite his impure intentions, he offered to help, and I was in a situation where I needed all the help I could get. So I decided to accept Alec’s offer.

“If you help me, I’ll make sure that student also does the cleaning.”

As the professor breezed past, he casually threw out a shocking remark. I might need to seriously consider if that professor is actually a demon. How am I supposed to clean this entire vast corridor by myself? The professor has never done it himself, so it’s easy for him to say. I clicked my tongue and began mopping the floor.

“It can’t be helped. I’ll have to do it alone.”

“Then what about the girl introduction?”

I didn’t understand why Alec was so eager. Was he that lonely? I looked at Alec with sympathy while mopping.

“If you really want it, then help out.”

“Sorry, but I still don’t want to do the cleaning.”

Alec said firmly and stood quietly in a corner of the corridor. I wondered why he wasn’t leaving, then realized it was lunchtime. Alec was waiting to have lunch with me.

He had been so reluctant at first, but now he was waiting to have lunch with me. Feeling that he had made some progress, I continued mopping diligently, only to hear commotion around me.

“What’s going on, is my mopping that impressive?”

I wondered in disbelief and listened closely. It sounded like cheering coming from behind. This cheering felt familiar.

“Hello. What are you doing here?”

As expected, it was Aren. Turning around, I saw the handsome mage standing with a dazzling smile, even brighter than the morning sun.

My frustration from the cleaning was eased by Aren’s smiling face. I shaded my eyes from the sunlight and greeted Aren.

“Hi, Aren. I’m doing punishment cleaning right now.”

“Why?”

“Well, it’s…”

I was too embarrassed to say it out loud. Really, getting punishment cleaning because my bread exploded? I might be the only person in the world who has experienced this. Wow, I’m so proud of myself. Haha.

“It’s because, during the home economics class, Radel exploded the bread.”

“…Bread?”

Since I couldn’t bring myself to say it, Alec kindly explained. Aren’s eyes widened in surprise. Yes, even you’re amazed, right? I was very surprised too. I never expected to be betrayed by the bread I trusted.

“Bread…”

“Aren, are you trying to hold back your laughter again?”