Chapter 146 - Just Like Always (1)

Slowly, but surely, the atmosphere of the Exchange Meeting was ripening.

About 120 cadets, along with numerous knights and nobles in attendance, were each sharing their own stories and advancing their relationships.

“Haa⋯⋯.”

For me, however, it was an exhausting affair, enough to make me let out a deep sigh in secret.

Was it because Rain's body had an adverse reaction to crowded places? Even if it wasn't just that, dealing with sly, cunning people was unusually tiring.

The previous encounters with Jared and Claudio were also one of the factors giving me a headache.

‘This is a pain.’

Being here made me realize just how comfortable I usually was with the guys I hung out with.

To feel the preciousness of a relationship where we could hang out without old interests or calculations felt like reading an anecdote from some ethics textbook.

Anyway, I was dutifully escorting Regina while feeling this fatigue, but⋯⋯.

“Hmm⋯⋯.”

When a brief moment of leisure arose, Regina spoke to me, drawing out the end of her words in her characteristic way.

“This should be enough for now. The young master also needs some time to enjoy the Exchange Meeting in his own way.”

Honestly, I couldn't help but be a little surprised to hear that.

Given Regina's personality, I had expected her to work me to the bone⋯⋯ no, she was helping me make connections, so was it right to say she was working me to the bone?

Anyway, that’s what I thought she would do.

“Is that really alright?”

“Frankly, I’d like to drag you around more, but your face looks so tired that my heart has grown weak.”

Was it that obvious on my face?

To think my face showed enough exhaustion to evoke Regina's sympathy, this was a talent if there ever was one.

“Honestly, I was prepared to escort you until the end of the Exchange Meeting⋯⋯.”

“Fufu, I’m not quite that vicious of a person.”

Regina said, a slight smile gracing her lips.

It seemed my image of her was gradually changing.

“⋯⋯Thank you for your consideration.”

Well, a good thing was a good thing. Since Regina had given me permission, I thought I could stay out of people's sight for a little while.

With a somewhat lightened heart, I strolled through the Exchange Meeting venue, people-watching and feeling the music that flowed through the hall.

However, that lightheartedness didn't last long.

‘It’s the same even when I’m alone.’

The gazes fixed on me were still there.

To think that the stares would subside if I moved away from Regina was a thought that had forgotten the special characteristic I possessed as the 'Deceased Duke'.

The illegitimate son of the continent's most prestigious family, now one of the top students at Archenia Academy, returning to the Exchange Meeting.

I had never thought of it that way, but from a certain perspective, wasn't it a story of a triumphant return?

“⋯⋯.”

I had always been a figure who drew attention for the wrong reasons, but with that background added, the gazes only intensified.

Perhaps when I was next to Regina, her brilliance had shielded me, and the stares were a bit less intense.

‘I feel like a monkey in a zoo.’

I scoffed at myself as I walked through the venue. The bitter smile I was making now was probably also being watched by others.

‘What are they thinking, those guys?’

I didn't bother to check their expressions. Most of them would have been unfavorable reactions anyway. I'd probably be used as gossip to spice up their conversations.

Anyway, I just walked like that. I wanted to join up with the other acquaintances attending the Exchange Meeting, but since we hadn't designated a meeting place, that was all I could do to try and find them.

As I was walking⋯⋯.

‘What’s that now?’

I discovered a considerable crowd of people. The unusual thing was that the crowd wasn't in the center of the hall, but gathered quite far off to the side.

“⋯⋯?”

Honestly, I couldn't help but tilt my head. A crowd like that would only gather for someone with the influence of a princess, but someone with that kind of influence was in such an out-of-the-way place?

Those who were well-versed in high society would never do such a thing. Yet, the fact was that such a scene was unfolding right before my eyes.

‘Who on earth is there that⋯⋯.’

A momentary curiosity stirred, and my gaze naturally turned to the scene. To be precise, to the person at the center of that crowd.

And right after, my eyes fell upon a girl.

A girl with deep, emotionless eyes the color of the sky.

Yes, why drag it out. At the center of it all was the 'Seeker of Stars', Arien Ortega.

Once I knew who it was, I understood the size of the crowd and its location.

Since Arien didn't feel much need for communication with people, she would have naturally taken a spot on the outskirts.

However, her status as the next Magic Tower Master was such that, regardless of her intentions, she would have drawn people trying to strike up a conversation.

It was a funny thing, when you thought about it. The cadets at the Exchange Meeting would typically be scrambling to form connections with other high-ranking knights, but here, the roles were reversed.

Well, even so, Arien wasn't the type to welcome them warmly, so a stalemate must have formed. Arien remaining silent or giving one-word answers, while people lined up one by one to try and speak to her.

‘Are we both monkeys in a zoo?’

The thought suddenly occurred to me. Weren't she and I in the same boat, attracting people's attention against our will?

The only difference was that the gazes directed at me were all filled with rather unpleasant emotions, while the gazes directed at Arien were filled with favor.

Though she herself probably didn't want any of it.

But such sentiments were only after my perception had properly returned.

One might wonder why perception was suddenly brought up⋯⋯ but after seeing Arien, I was momentarily engrossed in other thoughts.

The reason was⋯⋯ well. A bit embarrassingly, it was because I was briefly stunned by her appearance.

“⋯⋯It suits you well.”

Her exquisitely sculpted doll-like features, which occasionally surprised me, were complemented by the dress she was wearing now⋯⋯ a dress that matched the color of her hair and eyes.

‘Ugh.’

This seemed to be happening a lot today. The main characters of Arche were often described as having highly praised appearances, but to see it become reality, was this how it was?

I briefly touched my forehead. It didn't mean anything. It was just a routine, so to speak, until my perception returned to normal.

And I thought. Since we've run into each other, should I go and talk to her for a bit?

Though looking at the number of people around Arien, the thought would probably die as soon as it arose.

And, as I was lost in thought and looking at Arien⋯⋯.

Ssk.

Arien's emotionless, lightless eyes, which had been surveying the hall, came into direct line with my gaze. Yes, our eyes met.

“⋯⋯.”

Upon meeting Arien's eyes, I briefly pondered how to react, but the thought didn't last long.

Wave.

I just slowly waved my hand, as I always did.

Arien probably wanted this kind of reaction too.

At my greeting, Arien just looked at me for a moment without any reaction. Her eyes remained fixed on me.

Was it too arrogant of me to think that a slight glimmer had appeared in those lightless eyes?

Anyway, after a moment of silence⋯⋯.

Thud.

I saw Arien, who was far away, rise from her seat.

At her sudden action, the noblewoman who had been talking to Arien looked rather flustered, wondering if she had committed some rudeness.

While continuing to speak to someone who had no interest might be considered rude, to Arien, it seemed to be of no consequence.

And, Arien, from where she had been sitting, slowly looked at me and waved her hand.

I didn't know if it was intentional, but her lips were curved up just a tiny bit compared to her previous expressionless face.

What kind of ripple effect would that action cause? The gazes of those who had been watching Arien, whether from near or far, followed the direction of her hand.

And its destination was, naturally, me.

“⋯⋯.”

Ah.

My head hurts.

***

Regardless of my complicated feelings, Arien rose from the spot where she had been sitting like a statue and slowly approached me.

Her walk had a sense of leisure, but with every step she took, I felt the burdensome whispers intensifying.

Finally, Arien's steps stopped in front of me, and she looked up at me and said.

“That outfit suits you well, Rain.”

Hearing that pure and simple remark, I felt my complicated thoughts clear away.

Seeing the girl who had walked all this way just to deliver that one message, without any ulterior motives, made me feel like a fool for being so anxious.

“⋯⋯Haha.”

Thus, I chuckled softly and returned the compliment.

“It suits you well too, Ms. Arien.”

At my words, Arien seemed to think for a moment, then slowly raised the corners of her mouth.

Yes, she was trying to smile. Though her eyes remained the same as usual, leaving a slight awkwardness.

“I'm glad.”

Arien conveyed her words to me in a flat tone, contrary to the content.

Normally, it would be an unnatural action, but for her to attempt such an expression at this point, only in Part 1. Compared to the original work, it was a world of difference.

“⋯⋯.”

I discreetly shifted my eyes and looked around. Some were looking this way with surprised expressions, while others were consuming us as their own gossip.

“Shall we talk for a bit while we walk?”

“Yes.”

Thinking that talking more here would only add to the burdensome gazes, I suggested it to Arien, and she readily agreed.

Step, step.

And so we walked through the Exchange Meeting hall again⋯⋯ but even in that peculiar situation, the topics we could share weren't very diverse.

At most, it was just compliments about what each other was wearing. Neither she nor I were the type to be interested in gossip.

Because of that, the conversation we had was⋯⋯ truly, exceptionally ordinary.

-I want to implement the coordinate-based application of Origin Magic in three dimensions instead of a plane. Could you give me some advice?

-Ah, that requires adjustment at the magic circuit level. The feeling is like⋯⋯.

-By the way, Rain, did you see the book report I gave you last time? I tried to write down my understanding of emotions, and I'm curious what you thought.

-⋯⋯If you're talking about that ten-page report⋯⋯.

To think we were talking about magic and reading at an Exchange Meeting. It was a situation that could make one laugh out loud. If she and I were stubborn, we were truly stubborn.

However, it was also true that I felt at ease during that conversation. Being able to focus solely on the conversation without any ulterior motives was certainly a pleasant thing.

Seeing her relaxed expression, it seemed Arien probably felt the same way.

♪♫-

As our conversation was getting into full swing, I heard the sound of a performance ending in the hall of the Exchange Meeting.

There were many people in the hall, and it seemed the music had been playing for them to dance.

Arien also turned her head in that direction as the music was ending⋯⋯ and waited until the music stopped.

And, when the music was completely over, she opened her mouth. I expected her to comment on the music, given her personality, but⋯⋯.

My prediction was splendidly wrong.

“Rain, would you care to dance with me?”

“⋯⋯.”

What?