Chapter 95.3 - The Second Year at the Academy - Suppliers and Servants (3)
Oh, it's become somewhat troublesome.
Should I challenge them to a duel again?
That might be a good idea.
Pretend it was an accident and punch that little girl in the face.
It would probably be quite satisfying.
Inconspicuously, I sigh.
Well, if I can pull it off without a hitch.
As for other options… Elphimia's face comes to mind.
Power against power.
Even as a court magician, she's a worthy opponent.
I'll have to play it cool and seek her assistance.
At that moment, as I walk along the cobblestone path beside the grass, I suddenly sense a change in direction, and two figures are heading straight toward me.
There are two of them.
"Alter-san?"
When I turn my gaze, Doris is standing there. With her is Liese.
"Why are you kneeling here like this?"
Luchena asks with irritation, even before I have a chance to respond.
Ignoring Luchena's rudeness, Doris gracefully curtsies, much like I once saw.
"I am Doris Viliana Diolt, the daughter of Count Diolt."
"Diolt…"
Luchena is frozen at the mention of the Diolt family.
Upon noticing Doris's smile, she hastily stands up.
"I am Luchena Inine Walber."
"Oh, the Walber family. We met at the Filzach Marquis's ball, didn't we?" With that, Doris begins a casual conversation.
Luchena's high-handed attitude has completely disappeared.
She's quite transparent.
I didn't expect the influence of her noble lineage to be this strong.
She's a true aristocrat.
Luchena answers with a smiling mask, but her gaze suddenly drops. Looking closely, it's directed at the fur adorning Doris's neckline.
I wasn't comparing the size of their chests.
What caught Luchena's attention was the fur.
Out of curiosity, I used [Appraisal] and determined that it was Lathira fur.
Lathira is a small creature, and its fur is incredibly soft and faintly shimmers when exposed to light.
It's considered a luxury item among upper-class ladies, and even adventurers dreaming of striking it rich wouldn't bother to search for it due to its rarity.
In contrast, Doris, who adorns herself with this rare species, sees Luchena's fur as just a high-quality item.
Even in the same aristocratic family, the difference in status is evident.
It's not the attire she typically wears to the academy, but she did well today.
I applaud her secretly. However, the focus suddenly shifts to me.
"By the way, why is Alter-san here?"
"This man is my servant."
Luchena interrupts me once again. But I don't need to correct her.
"That's strange. Alter-san has been my companion since my enrollment, right?"
"Yes, Doris-sama."
I immediately play along.
Whether it was Liese's idea or not, it's a lifeline.
I apologize deeply in my heart for my previous rudeness.
Luchenastared at me intensely, as if she wanted to kill me.
But now, with a shield of the same status, I couldn't care less.
I remain composed, and Lucina puts on her smile again.
"I just remembered an errand. Excuse me."
She greets Doris and leaves.
She doesn't even spare me a glance.
Do those who live by the logic of the nobility have to stand on the same level to be noticed?
It doesn't seem possible for me, a baron's 2nd son, from the beginning.
She's truly a troublesome bunch.
Watching Lucina leave, I turned to Doris.
"Thank you for your help, Doris-sama."
"Call me by my first name; there's no need for formalities. Elphimia does that, right?"
"Don't trouble yourself."
While saying that, I bowed with gratitude.
"Thank you. I will find a way to repay this debt."
"In that case, you can visit me—"
"I must decline."
I immediately refused, and Doris smiled cheerfully.
Quite a sense of humor.
She has a much higher level of tolerance than Luchena. Reese and Karmar must be following her for a reason.
"You should also show some gratitude to me."
Reese, who was behind Doris, spoke up.
"I asked Doris for this favor, you know. Things could have gotten really complicated."
"What? Is that so?"
I laughed it off with my usual cheerfulness.
But Reese's expression didn't change in the slightest.
There's no way I'd go on a rampage, seriously.
It's just because she can't see the bigger picture. She's small-minded.
"Very well, then. We'll be on our way."
I began to thank Doris once more as they were about to leave, but suddenly, I remembered something
"I have one question. Is Karmar's fixation on swords due to your instructions, Doris?"
"No, that's his own decision. I'd prefer he had more freedom, but…"
Doris wore a puzzled expression.
So, it's Karmar's own judgment, or perhaps Count Diolt insists on formality.
Either way, it's a shame.
"As long as he's headed in the right direction, he can become a formidable knight. Please guide him."
"I will make the effort. Also… it's really as they said."
Doris looked at Reis with a smile, who responded with a bemused expression.
"Isn't it? I couldn't remember it either."
"I did remember."
Doris replied to my puzzled expression.
"It's Kautl. His name is Kautl Orus."
Then, she bowed gracefully once again, and this time, the two of them departed.
I watched their backs with a sense of gratitude.
Doris's shoulder seemed to twitch, but it was probably just my imagination.
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