Chapter 203: Final Exam 2 (1)
After the battle with Jefrin ended, I was able to return to the academy with Mcguire's help.
Fortunately, I wasn't severely injured, so there was no need for a hospital stay.
The problem was that my senses weren't returning quickly.
I heard that Astina and Priscilla, who suffered the same technique from Jefrin, recovered their senses quickly, but mine were slow to return.
According to the doctor, it varies from person to person, so some may recover slowly.
However, the good news was that it wasn't all my senses that failed to return; it was just my vision that was somewhat unclear.
Of course, not being able to see properly has its inconveniences, but I was better off than some.
"Hmm..."
Luna looked at me with a face full of dissatisfaction.
"...What's wrong?"
"I came to take care of you, so don't use that thing and just let me support you...!"
"...Then you'll have a hard time."
"Still..."
I didn't feel the need to be supported, even though I couldn't see well.
A technique I realized while fighting Jefrin.
I was able to share senses with Priscilla.
With Priscilla's vision, I could figure out what was around me, so even though I couldn’t see, everyday life wasn't a problem.
Thus, I used Priscilla like a guide dog.
"Just help me with the notes or something. Priscilla often dozes off during class, so I can't take notes properly."
"I don't need to attend such classes, do I?"
The semester hadn't ended yet.
Final exams were coming up, and I had to prepare.
Already having lost the top rank to Yeniel in the joint assessment, there was a risk of losing the top overall score.
In this situation where I couldn’t see properly, I couldn’t afford to neglect my studies.
"Okay... I'll take care of the notes."
"Shall we go to class?"
"Yeah!"
We were about to head to class.
"Ah?"
That's when I tripped over a step I hadn't seen.
Thud─
Caught off guard by the unexpected step, I stumbled forward, hitting my head against the wall.
"Ow...!"
I rubbed my head where it had hit the wall.
"Rudy! Are you okay?"
"Oh no, sorry, Rudy."
"...It's okay, it happens."
Even though I could see through Priscilla's eyes, I couldn't see every blind spot, like this step.
Luna glared at me, rubbing the bump on my head.
"See? That's what happens when you don't take my support."
"It's not... like this happens often."
Then Luna grabbed me.
She draped my arm over her shoulder, assuming a supporting posture.
"Just do as I say!"
"...Okay."
I gave in to Luna's firm attitude.
There was one reason why I was reluctant to be supported like this.
"...Gasp."
"Are those two... Rudy and Luna?"
Murmurs from the crowd.
With a white wolf leading the way and Luna clinging to me, all eyes were on us.
Being the center of attention was already a given for me, so it was inevitable that rumors would spread in such a situation.
"Are the two of you... dating?"
"Well, it's only natural... someone like Rudy would have a girlfriend."
"And come to think of it, Luna is always with Rudy."
I silently walked past the people making such comments.
Indeed, I didn't care much about the words of those I didn't know.
The problem lay elsewhere.
"Ruuuuudyyyyy?"
A blonde woman approached, squinting her eyes in annoyance.
Rie was glaring at me, veins popping on her forehead.
She looked back and forth between Luna and me.
"You said you could see with Priscilla’s help, right? How?"
"...I can see, sort of."
"Priscilla can't see everything, so I'm helping him!"
Luna said proudly.
Her assertive stance made Rie glare at me more intensely.
"Rudy??? You told me you didn't need any help, but you need Luna's help?"
"Ah... no, there seems to be a misunderstanding..."
Then Luna pressed herself closer to me, as if protecting me.
"No, it's not Rudy's fault! He was walking so unsteadily, I had to help him."
A scenario where the interfering sister-in-law is more annoying than the scolding mother-in-law.
Luna's explanation only sharpened Rie's gaze.
"Then I'll help him."
"...What?"
Rie suddenly clung to my side.
"Gasp!"
"Hey, playing both sides?"
As Rie pressed against me, the onlookers grew more agitated.
"Luna can't support him alone, right?"
"No, no! Rudy isn't hurt in the legs, there's no need for two people to support him!"
"Oh, is that so? Then you can go, Luna. I'll support him."
"Eek..."
Luna glared at Rie.
On my right was Luna, and on my left was Rie.
Stuck between them, glaring at each other, I was the most uncomfortable.
"I'll be the one to support him."
"For what reason. There's no need, right?"
"Re...reason. You don't have one either!"
"Yes, I do."
Rie smirked.
"I'm going to marry Rudy."
".......!!!!!!!"
I was shocked at Rie's words.
We were not alone, but in a corridor filled with other students.
We were not seven years old to casually say 'I'm going to marry someone~.'
"Princess Rie is going to..."
"Is the Astria family going to be connected to the royal family?"
The surrounding students were astounded.
"Hey, you can't say that here!!"
I whispered to Rie, making sure no one else could hear.
We had agreed not to discuss such matters carelessly anywhere.
Discussing something as serious as marriage in the academy could lead to nothing good.
I was worried about how far the rumors circulating here might spread, possibly even reaching the capital.
"Why? You lied to me, so this is your punishment."
"It's not a lie, I tell you."
Then Luna clenched her fist and spoke up.
"I'm going to marry Rudy, too."
She said this, her face turning beet red.
"Ah..."
The attention from those around us was pouring in.
Even though I was using Priscilla's vision to look around, I could feel their gazes, a mix of admiration and disdain.
Men looked at me with a mix of respect, while women regarded me as if I were trash.
"Cough..."
I coughed awkwardly and pondered.
I needed to find a way to resolve this situation.
"...What are you seniors doing?"
At that moment, Yuni slowly emerged from the crowd.
Rie waved her hand at Yuni.
"Ah, Yuni, perfect timing. Say hello to your future brother-in-law."
"...Brother-in-law?"
Yuni looked at Rie, confused.
"No! Yuni! You mustn't call him that!"
Luna reacted vehemently.
"Why not, Yuni? Hurry and greet him."
"Yuni, don't do it!"
"It's my brother, he should listen to me, right?"
"What are you both doing..."
Yuni sighed and looked at them.
"There are too many people here. Let's go somewhere else."
"Yes, Yuni is right."
I was impressed by Yuni's sensible reaction, quite a change from the days when she would blurt out strange confessions to me.
We followed Yuni to the student council room.
"So... you were fighting over who would support Rudy?"
Yuni looked at us with a deadpan expression.
"It wasn't exactly because of that, more like a combination of..."
"It's because of Luna."
Rie and Luna grumbled like scolded children in front of Yuni.
"Let's do it this way."
Yuni addressed us.
"I'll support Rudy. That should settle it, right?"
"Rudy? Why would you?"
Rie raised her voice in protest.
"If sister and Luna keep fighting over it, it'll be worse. So, it's better if I do it."
"Ah, but... uh..."
Rie hesitated, as if wanting to say something.
"You, Yuni, have classes! If you take Rudy, you'll have to go out of your way."
If Yuni escorted me to class, it would take twice as long.
She would have to take me to my class and then go to her own.
"It's not a big deal. I owe Rudy a lot, so I can do at least this much."
"But, still..."
"Alright, that's settled. Now, everyone go to class. It's almost time for them to start."
Though Luna and Rie seemed slightly displeased, they nodded.
It seemed Luna preferred Yuni over Rie and vice versa.
I also thought it was better, as it avoided any more conflicts between the two.
But what about the rumors circulating around the academy...
"Senior, shall we go?"
Yuni offered me her hand.
"Yes, okay."
"Don't tell Rudy."
"He'll find out eventually. Is there a reason to delay?"
"If he finds out, he'll surely worry. It's better to delay and lessen the worry."
Astina, dressed in a white suit, spoke to Cromwell.
"Alright, I understand. Take care."
"You too. Travel safely."
Astina waved goodbye to Cromwell as he departed in his carriage.
She watched until the carriage disappeared from her sight.
"Now, it's time to begin."
Astina didn't return to the academy with Cromwell; she stayed in the capital.
She was appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Royal forces against the Rebels.
The reason Astina, young and still not graduated from the academy, was given such a role was due to her achievements reported at the meeting.
She had captured Rebels, a first at the academy, and had represented central nobility in the North.
Her detailed explanation about the Rebels at the recent meeting had earned her respect, leading to her appointment as Deputy Commander.
This position was exactly what Astina had aimed for.
With Jefrin's execution drawing the Rebels' attention to her, they would try to do something about Astina.
But as long as she sat in the Deputy Commander's seat, she would be safe.
To target Astina in her role as Deputy Commander would mean challenging the entire Royal army.
'It's time to start.'
Astina walked towards a mansion.
A mansion where lilies bloomed in all seasons.
"It's been a while. Ian Astria."
"Is this the first time since last year at the academy?"
It was the Astria family mansion.
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