Chapter 2

“Wh-what are you talking about? I just meant it’s strange for a country bumpkin like Enokten to be the academy’s representative… I’m not denying the King’s will…”  

Ozen’s words grew more incoherent as his face turned red. Normally, he was too shy to even speak to Reshu. But now, out of nowhere, he was showing off, bringing up Milian’s family as an issue. His intentions were obvious.

Ozen’s family was a renowned noble house in the kingdom. He’d wanted to get close to Reshu before graduation, but hadn’t succeeded, so now he was trying to make trouble, hoping she’d pick him over Milian.

“You seem pretty flustered. Take your time and figure it out. Anyway, I have nothing more to say about Milian Enokten, so I’ll be going now.”

Reshu made an exaggeratedly elegant bow and tried to leave with Florin. She disliked Milian, but hearing such baseless insults about him was even worse. Then, Ozen, still fuming, snapped,

“D-don’t act so high and mighty.”  

“What did you say?”  

“So you don’t care if Enokten’s family is poor? Anyone can pretend to be gracious. You’re just a hypocrite, aren’t you?”  

“….”  

“You say you hate those rumors about you and Milian, but if it’s not about his family, who’s going to believe you? You should just be honest!”

“What do you mean?”  

“You spent all your time at the academy sizing up the noble heirs, trying to pick the best one. Now you’re getting anxious because you’re afraid no one will choose you—just admit it…”

Ozen’s babbling suddenly stopped. Not by choice—he choked, unable to speak. Reshu’s gaze shifted upward. Ozen was now dangling half a foot above the ground, lifted by the collar.

“Ah…”  

Suddenly, a young man with light brown hair appeared, muttering in a slightly tired voice. With one hand, he held Ozen by the back of his neck, lifting him into the air.

“Just wondered if I could lift him with one hand. Turns out I can. Not that heavy, maybe because he’s short…”  

Then Milian casually let go with his right hand. Ozen flailed and crashed to the floor, not from a great height but enough to make a scene. As Ozen dusted off his uniform, Milian muttered,

“Oh, he fell.”  

“What—what did you say?”

“So that’s how it is. Even if you let go gently from this height, you still end up crashing to the floor… Hmm, I didn’t expect the Magic Division to be this frail. Since Reshu is good at swordsmanship too. I’ll keep that in mind from now on.”

“You— you b*stard. How dare you, in front of…!”

“Mm, if you’re asking me who you are…. From the uniform, Magic Division.You were talking to Reshu, so you must be in the same graduating year as us? And you’re a guy, right? Also, hmm….”

“Why are you deducing everything one by one? Isn’t it obvious! Ozen Helstein! I’m the heir of the Helstein Family!”

“Ah…. I see. Reshu, are you close with him?”

Milian’s eyes, which had been looking down at Ozen as if he were some insignificant creature, turned toward Reshu. Those eyes were a deep forest green, like a dense woodland.

Reshu hesitated before answering. It felt embarrassing and a blow to her pride to say she’d just defended Milian and then gotten angry at Ozen. But saying she was close to Ozen felt even worse. So, Reshu simply replied,

“We’re both in the Magic Division. There’s no such thing as not being close.”

“Are you close with Reshu? Hmm, then….”

Milian’s gaze shifted back to Ozen, who was now red-faced and fuming. As if memorizing the terrain, Milian’s eyes scanned Ozen’s appearance, then crossed his arms and spoke.

“Then I’ll remember. Ozen Helstein. You weigh about as much as I can lift with one hand, and your landing skills aren’t very good. Oh, and you said you’re the heir to your family… Okay, I’ve got it.”

“You— you brat. How dare you act so arrogantly…!”

Ozen tried to get angrier but only managed to turn redder and shut his mouth. He seemed to realize that, with family prestige, he couldn’t beat Reshu, and with strength and intimidation, he couldn’t beat Milian.

“D*mn, I just wasted time talking to some nobody. What bad luck!”

Ozen brushed dust off his uniform with exaggerated gestures, shouted boastfully, and then retreated. Now, only Reshu, Florin, and Milian remained in the hallway.

Milian Enokten was a calm and neat young man. His muted brown hair and deep green eyes weren’t flashy, but his tidy impression quickly won people’s favor. His height, a couple of spans taller than his peers, and his exceptionally well-trained body drew attention.

With the obstacle gone, Milian stared at Reshu’s face for a long moment. Whenever Milian looked at Reshu like this, the atmosphere around them would always get a little strange. It seemed as if he had something to say. But, as usual, the only thing Milian said was,

“Hello, Reshu.”

For some reason, that bland greeting left Reshu feeling empty and a little upset. Still, she didn’t show it and responded honestly.

“Thanks for helping, Milian. Honestly, I was in a tough spot. If I kept responding to his sarcastic remarks, it would never end. Thanks to you, it ended cleanly.”

She didn’t bother adding that his method was a bit rough. Reshu, following traditional etiquette, offered a handshake as a sign of gratitude. Milian stared at her outstretched hand, then met her eyes and asked,

“Can I hold it?”

Of course he could; she’d offered her hand for a handshake. Feeling impatient, Reshu grabbed Milian’s hand with her left and forced him to shake with her right. Milian flinched, shook hands briefly, and then quickly let go. It felt like he was deliberately avoiding her, which left Reshu feeling unpleasant.

Milian was always like this. Always a little absent-minded, as if something was loose in him. If asked if he liked something, he’d say “Hmm,” and if asked if he disliked it, he’d say “Not sure.” This attitude was surprisingly popular among the male students. They said he was easy to deal with because, despite his strength, he was gentle. If a weaker boy acted like this, he’d be looked down on, but no one dared underestimate Milian Enokten, who could cut steel with a sword.

So what’s the point, it’s frustrating just trying to have a conversation… Reshu thought to herself, sighed, and said,

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t do the graduation rehearsal today because of the Swordsmanship Division event? See you tomorrow morning. There’ll be enough time for us to practice together before the full rehearsal.”

Regardless of how frustrating or annoying Milian was, as the top student of the Swordsmanship Division, he and Reshu, the top of the Magic Division, were a pair representing the academy. With so many distinguished guests attending the graduation, Reshu planned to practice with Milian, setting aside her personal feelings.

Normally, Milian would respond with a lackluster “Mm-hmm,” or “See you tomorrow,” or “Okay.” Reshu was used to Milian’s attitude.

Of course, that attitude could be irritating, but after nearly eight years as partners, Reshu was so used to it that it was almost comforting.

But today was a little different. When Reshu suggested they meet in the auditorium as usual, Milian kept staring at her silently, as if observing or wanting to say something. Reshu found herself getting tense.

“Reshu.”

“Yeah?”

“Reshu.”

“What is it?”

“….”

Milian kept calling her name and then falling silent. Reshu’s gaze drifted to Milian’s soft bangs, then to his eyes, which held a mysterious look—whether gentle or indifferent, she couldn’t tell—his strong nose, and his unusually pale cheeks.

At the entrance ceremony, Milian had seemed like an inexperienced boy, but now, after all this time, his jawline had become sharp and solid. He’d always been taller than Reshu, but now the gap was so wide she could never catch up.

“Why do you keep calling me?”

Reshu asked, sounding gruff for no reason.

“Oh, I need to go to the bathroom….”

Florin muttered to herself, trying to slip away. But it was pointless; Milian wasn’t paying attention to Florin at all, only talking to Reshu.

“The graduation ceremony is the day after tomorrow, Reshu.”

“Well, of course. What academy student doesn’t know that? We’ve been practicing for the ceremony all this time.”

“We’re graduating the day after tomorrow.”

“That’s what a graduation ceremony is.”

“Are you going to the court? Or the Mage Tower in the Snowy Mountains?”

“Honestly, I haven’t decided yet. I’ve received offers from both sides, but I’ll probably give my final answer on graduation day.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Mumbling, Milian looked at Reshu. His deep green eyes, like the wind in a thick forest, stared at her. Then Milian said,

“Reshu, I hope you do well.”

His voice was as indifferent and bland as if he were mumbling, “The bread’s not good,” or “I don’t have a pen.”

For some reason, Reshu felt deflated. No, she felt so deflated that she was offended and angry for no reason. She thought she was used to Milian talking like this, but today, his voice sounded especially unpleasant.