Chapter 1.3

‘I want to do it.’

And for something like this, of course, they couldn’t send just anyone.

In fact, when she first heard it, she’d thought if the Swordsmanship Department simply needed someone from Magical Engineering, it didn’t have to be her.

But this was a task only she could handle.

‘Still, if I go to the Swordsmanship Department, I’ll definitely run into him.’

But what worried her most was, of course, Kallion.

‘Will I be able to avoid getting caught?’

Agnes was anxious.

What if he found out she’d been observing him?

Of course, she only worried—she never once considered stopping her observations of Kallion.

By now, being a fan of Kallion had become an essential part of her life, something she couldn’t give up.

“But Professor, is it really necessary to develop it at the Swordsmanship Department? What if I just research it separately here and send it over?”

She wanted to avoid meeting him as much as possible.

However—

“To teach the device to learn attack patterns, you need to collect a lot of data. It’s only natural to watch directly at the Swordsmanship Department, isn’t it?”

The professor never gave the answer Agnes wanted.

No, honestly, if Agnes were the professor, she would have said the same thing.

For this improvement, she would obviously have to watch their training up close together. It was impossible to apply the feature without data.

“If you accept, I’ll substitute this for your practical evaluation this semester. Naturally, you’ll get full marks.”

The professor added a condition.

To substitute the practical exam—this was unprecedented.

But in a way, it was only right.

A student, not even a professor, was about to make a significant improvement that would enhance the quality of Academy education—if she didn’t get full marks, it wouldn’t make sense.

Of course, this was only possible because Agnes always got perfect scores on her practical exams anyway.

At any rate, it was clear from the professor’s attitude that he really wanted her to take on this project.

‘So the rumor that he likes Professor Elena must be true.’

Rumor had it that the Magical Engineering professor had a crush on the Swordsmanship Department’s professor, Elena, and apparently wanted to impress her.

Of course, aside from that, Agnes herself wanted to do this research.

Agnes, after some deliberation, asked after a brief silence.

“Then, can’t the period be a little shorter than a month?”

If that was the case, she figured the best she could do was to shorten the duration.

“That can be done. If the research is completed quickly, that is.”

It made sense.

The goal of this assignment was to improve the sparring magical device for swordsmanship practice.

Once the purpose was achieved, she could return quickly.

In other words, if the goal was delayed, the assignment would be extended as well.

‘My goal is two weeks.’

Agnes resolved firmly inside.

She would minimize the number of times she encountered Kallion as much as possible.

She had a vibration magical device that detected Kallion’s location, so it wouldn’t be difficult.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

The professor spoke up again.

“Of course, the Swordsmanship Department didn’t just ask for this as a favor.”

To Agnes, who was now leaning toward accepting, the professor drove in the final nail.

“They’ll provide you with 10,000 Crodil as research funding.”

“10,000 Crodil?”

Agnes’s eyes widened.

10,000 Crodil.

That was no small sum.

It was enough to cover the entire tuition at Rondale Academy, which was famous for being expensive.

Of course, Agnes was on a full scholarship, but even so, if she did this research, more than half would remain.

‘That means I could do another research project.’

To improve the Magical Telescope to the point where she could even read the title of Kallion’s book, she would need a lot of Magic Stones.

10,000 Crodil would be more than enough.

It was such an attractive offer, she simply couldn’t refuse.

Agnes organized her thoughts.

‘The device was developed in the first place to improve the skills of Kallion and the Swordsmanship Department students.’

She had heard that everyone used it well and was satisfied.

A request for improvement from such people.

As a magical engineer, wasn’t it only right to accept?

‘Ahem, refusing would be a betrayal of the empire’s swordsmanship!’

She couldn’t do something that would hinder the cause! Agnes came to a conclusion that suited her perfectly.

“I’ll do it!”

Agnes’s voice, full of enthusiasm, rang through the professor’s office.

She had no idea what kind of events this decision would set in motion.

***

“Ah, hello. I’m Agnes. Second year.”

Agnes greeted, shrinking back a little as she faced dozens of swordsmanship students staring at her.

Meeting so many pairs of eyes, Agnes’s shoulders shrank on their own.

This place had a very different atmosphere from the Department of Magical Engineering.

In Agnes’s department, it was rare to see anyone with a large build, but in the Swordsmanship Department, most people were sturdy and big.

It wasn’t just the male students.

Even the female students were like that.

Their strong eyes and solid bodies were impressive.

Agnes thought she looked like a herbivore standing in front of a group of carnivores.

“Nice to meet you, Genius Engineer.”

“Your reputation is incredible, you know? They say you’re a genius in the Department of Magical Engineering.”

“We’re using the sparring magical device well.”

“Thanks to you, training has gotten so much better.”

A flood of welcoming greetings poured out toward Agnes.

Elena, the head professor of the Swordsmanship Department and the unrequited love interest of Professor Repel from the Department of Magical Engineering, clapped her hands and got everyone’s attention.

“All right, all right. That’s enough. Since you’ll be with us in the Swordsmanship Department for a month, someone should show you around our facilities first. Agnes, this is your first time in the Swordsmanship Department building, isn’t it?”

“Uh, yes…… That’s right.”

It was her first time.

At least, if you counted actually coming here not on personal matters.

At Agnes’s reply, Professor Elena nodded as if it was only natural.

“Then someone should give you a tour. Our Swordsmanship Department building is complicated. If you get lost, it’ll be a big problem.”

That probably won’t happen……

Agnes’s inner thoughts, which she could not possibly say out loud, rose and fell in her throat.

Agnes was certain. She knew the structure of this place better than anyone else in the Swordsmanship Department.

Why would she know the layout of the Swordsmanship Department’s building without ever having visited?

It was only natural after watching Kallion all the time.

She knew everywhere he went, everything he did, so there was no way she wouldn’t know the Swordsmanship Department building where he spent most of his time.

This was the destiny of an observer, wasn’t it?

But.

“R-right! Thank you for being considerate.”

Agnes had to pretend not to know.

This was an absolute secret.

One that could never be discovered by anyone.

“Now, did you all hear? Who can spare some time?”

Professor Elena looked around at the students.

“She’s a benefactor who will be a huge help to our Swordsmanship Department, so I’d like someone who can really look after her to volunteer.”

Just as she finished speaking with a smile—

“I’ll do it.”

Step—step—

A pleasant, deep voice and heavy footsteps rang out.

‘……Huh?’

Agnes’s eyes widened.

That voice belonged to someone Agnes knew very well.

No way. 

When Agnes turned her head toward the direction the voice had come from—

‘W-what. Why are you here!’

As if to prove it wasn’t just her imagination, Kallion was walking toward Agnes.

No, wait a minute!

Agnes felt like she wanted to stop time.

‘This can’t be happening.’

As punishment for pretending not to know, this was just too……

‘Professor, I’m sorry. I lied!’

Actually, I knew the entire layout of the Swordsmanship Department building, so I probably don’t need a guide. So, please, this situation……

Agnes seriously wondered if she should just confess that it was all a lie.

What would she do if she suddenly got entangled with Kallion?

Her mind went blank. For things to get so complicated on the very first day—she had tried so hard not to get involved with him.

Still, it was a good thing she’d left the vibration magical device behind, just in case.

If she’d absentmindedly brought it with her, it would have kept vibrating in her pocket and made her look suspicious.

While Agnes was flustered, Kallion continued to approach her.

Step—step—

As his presence drew closer, Agnes instinctively tried to step back.

But Kallion was faster.

“Kallion Roy Bishuern. Second year, like you. Nice to meet you.”

Before she knew it, Kallion was standing in front of her, offering a handshake with a faint smile.

‘Wow……’

Facing his handsome features, Agnes felt her mind go blank once more.

Why?

Because Kallion’s appearance was art itself.

The fear that if she got involved with him, her habit of secretly watching him might be discovered, flew far away.

‘What’s with that jawline? Why is his nose so high?’

Today was the second time Agnes had faced Kallion in person.

Even though she watched him from afar every day, she could never get used to seeing his dazzling looks up close.

‘He’s even more impressive in person.’

Seeing him in real life was on a different level from viewing him through magical devices.

It was astonishing that such a perfect subject could actually exist.

In his deep green eyes, as if there were some spell, Agnes found herself unable to look away.

For several seconds.

She finally came to her senses and reached out her hand.

‘I have to act like nothing’s wrong.’

Since she’d already acted suspiciously, she had to make sure not to draw any more attention.

She greeted him.

“Nice to meet you.”

Grab—

The moment she took Kallion’s outstretched hand.

Squeeze—

‘Huh, huh?’

She could feel quite a strong grip in Kallion’s handshake.

Under his thick fingers, the solid calluses told her just how hard he trained, up close and personal.

But it wasn’t enough to hurt her hand. He was just holding on firmly, without a single gap.

‘He’s warm.’

Was it because he was a knight, and his body temperature was higher?

It felt as if all the nerves in her body were focused on the hand touching his.

‘But how long do I have to hold on?’

When Agnes tried to gently pull her hand away.

His low voice rang out.

“By the way, we’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Freeze.

Agnes’s body stiffened.

It was true. This wasn’t their first time meeting.

Agnes bit her lower lip slightly.

‘So he remembers.’

She had hoped Kallion wouldn’t remember. But there was no need to answer honestly here.

Kallion probably didn’t really want to confirm whether they had met before.

It was just a formal greeting, so there was no need to pretend to know him and create a connection.

“……Hm? I don’t think so.”

“……Really?”

Even when Agnes pretended not to remember, Kallion didn’t show much reaction.

He just gave her a slightly suspicious look, but Agnes deliberately turned her gaze away.

“Well, anyway, nice to meet you.”

Yes, this was right.

Agnes wanted to remain someone who didn’t exist in Kallion’s memory.

“Mm, same here.”

Just as Agnes gave a short reply and let go of his hand.

“Oh my, Kallion, you?”

Professor Elena’s voice brought Agnes back to her senses.

“What’s gotten into you?”

Kallion was not the type to volunteer for things, so Elena was curious about what made him step forward.

‘Did he really like the sparring magical device?’

Either way, it was good news for Professor Elena.

“Well then, how about having Kallion focus on helping you with your research, Agnes?”

“Huh? Wh-what?”

Agnes’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

‘This is just one thing after another!’

She felt as if her dazed mind had suddenly cleared up.

She had been assigned to the Swordsmanship Department, where Kallion was.

Kallion would show her around the building.

And now, Kallion would even help with her research?

It was a triple blow that made Agnes’s head spin.

But Professor Elena, unfazed by Agnes’s flustered reaction, continued with her suggestion.

“No one has better form or can demonstrate a wider variety of patterns. Working with someone like that will be a huge help for your research, don’t you think?”

It wasn’t wrong.

The most suitable partner was the top student, Kallion.

“T-that’s true, but……”

Agnes’s mind, which had briefly wandered, snapped completely back to reality.

She hadn’t expected this at all.

Why did it have to be Kallion as her research partner? Her?

Now, she wouldn’t be able to avoid him.

Agnes was at a loss.

‘I won’t be able to observe him secretly at all for a while.’

Some might ask—

Isn’t seeing him face-to-face every day better than just watching from afar?

But at least for Agnes, that wasn’t the case.

‘I just can’t handle seeing that dazzling face every day.’

Kallion, who shone like the sun.

She preferred to watch the radiant Kallion from a distance.

If there is light, there must be shadow; she wanted to remain in the shadow.

Between her and Kallion, light and shadow could never overlap, and Agnes thought this was just right.

She truly believed that nothing good would come from a commoner like herself getting close to Young Earl Kallion.

From behind the crestfallen Agnes, Kallion’s voice was heard.

“Let’s do that, Professor.”

If there seemed to be a hint of joy in his answer, was that just her imagination?

“Really? I’ll count on you two, then. This will be a great help to our Swordsmanship Department.”

Before Agnes could even give a proper reply, Professor Elena clapped her hands together, pleased with how things had turned out, and Agnes squeezed her eyes shut.

‘Ah, I give up.’