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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The main event of Chapter 3.
[The Descent of the Demonic Beasts: The Gate of the Underworld]’s time was approaching.
Today was the eve of the Holy Fire Festival.
And I was in the Hall of Contention, receiving private magic lessons from Yeriel.
As the second-year magic department’s student representative on the temporary committee, she seemed a little tired, perhaps due to being busy with festival preparations.
-No! I want to train with Lev…
My mana capacity had sufficiently increased, so I told her she could rest for the middle day.
Anyway, despite being so busy, she had just washed up, and her clear skin was filled with a soft, fragrant scent.
“Lev…”
“?”
“Did something happen yesterday?”
Yeriel checked the mana detection device and looked at me with a serious expression.
It was rare to see her, with her smiling bunny-like face, make such an expression.
“Yesterday?”
The only things that happened yesterday were getting my magic checked by her,
Clearing Trial 3…
And being purified by Aria…
They were significant events, but things I couldn’t fully explain.
“Uh… I guess?”
Fortunately, I didn’t need to come up with a suitable answer.
“Your mana has noticeably increased… I definitely thought the upper limit was around the 4th Circle.”
“Really?”
-Ding.
It was probably because my overall stats increased after clearing the trial.
“It must be… because I have a good teacher.”
As I quietly muttered, gauging her reaction,
“You’re doing it again?!”
Yeriel narrowed her eyes, as if asking if I was teasing her again.
“Just kidding, just kidding. So, is today’s lesson over?”
“Uh…?”
A moment of bewilderment crossed Yeriel’s face.
The social gathering was the day after tomorrow,
Tomorrow, there was Professor McClone’s illusion magic performance and a treasure hunt prepared by the student council.
And when the cadets were scattered throughout the academy for this treasure hunt event, that was when the Gate of the Underworld would open, and the demonic beasts.
Therefore, today could be considered a relatively safe day.
“You worked hard.”
“Wa, wait, Lev!”
“?”
As I was packing up to leave, Yeriel called me to a halt.
“Have you practiced your dancing… for the social gathering…?”
“Ah.”
The original Lev Denec would have learned to dance, being a noble and all, but
I was a terrible dancer back in Korea.
While I was contemplating whether it was a necessary event,
Yeriel closed her eyes tightly and said to me,
“They’re letting us reserve the Hall of Culture in advance for dance practice…! I was going to practice with some others, but if you’re okay with it, I can help you practice as your partner…!”
-Junior! It’s okay. I was like that too. Let’s do our best together!
Yeriel was described as a fox wearing an innocent rabbit’s mask, unknowingly charming others with her eye smiles and gentle tone,
But I wondered why she was so shy, as if she was still uncomfortable around me.
“Weren’t you busy?”
“That’s why I finished all my work and came… It’s fine!”
“Hmm…”
Yeriel repeatedly touched her fingers together, making a face that seemed to ask, ‘Wouldn’t it be okay…?’
It felt like a strangely orchestrated situation, but there was no harm in learning.
“Alright.”
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-♩♪♪~
Classical ballroom music spread throughout the reddish Hall of Culture.
Of course, it was a smaller version of Claris’s main hall where the actual ball would be held, but it seemed to have been designed with that in mind, with its high ceiling and hanging chandeliers, making it quite realistic.
“There are a lot of people.”
“Yeah, more than I expected…”
When Yeriel and I arrived, many cadets were already practicing in the Hall of Culture.
In fact, it was more like finding a partner under the guise of practice.
Because it was the principle to enter the Claris Academy’s social gathering with a partner.
Of course, it wasn’t mandatory to only dance with a predetermined partner.
Claris Academy outwardly pursued equality.
Therefore, it was considered polite to accept when asked to dance, as much as possible.
The dean’s intention was to create a place of harmony where everyone could mingle.
Anyway, in this kind of situation, it seemed right for the man to lead,
So I took Yeriel’s waist and her opposite hand.
“!!”
Yeriel seemed momentarily surprised by the sudden physical contact, her waist muscles tensing up.
Even though she was wearing a uniform, not a dress, I could feel the curve of her figure.
And Yeriel, not looking at my face, pressed herself against my chest.
‘This isn’t going to work…’
It was rare to see such stiffness from her, usually so gentle.
There was a risk of injury.
I spoke to ease Yeriel’s tension.
“You said you’d teach me?”
“…I, I said I’d help you, not teach you…!”
“Alright, relax your hand first.”
“…Lev! You seem more familiar with this than I am…”
“I’m a noble, too.”
“Right…”
But that was it.
When I just held the pose and didn’t move further.
“What the…!”
Yeriel let out a small laugh, and the dance lecture began.
.
.
.
-Carefully, match your steps.
-Yes, slowly like that.
-What, Lev. Were you pretending to be bad at this…?
-……
Just like with magic, Yeriel’s dance instruction was detailed.
Of course, I was able to get used to it quickly due to the game system’s proficiency correction.
Gradually, I could lead Yeriel and take steps without conscious effort.
She, too, had now completely entrusted her body to me.
.
.
.
“Lord Lev! Lady Yeriel!”
“…?”
Just then, the one who suddenly inserted herself between us was the knight, Abelin.
“It is truly an honor to meet you here.”
She greeted us with dignity and then approached me.
“I need some practice as well, would you mind partnering with me?”
Taken aback by her sudden friendliness, I replied curtly,
“No.”
“…!”
When I spoke honestly, Abelin’s expression turned sour.
And, Yeriel tugged at my sleeve.
It felt like she was worried about me.
Well, this was the Hall of Culture, and there were many eyes watching.
“Just give me five minutes.”
“…Thank you.”
.
.
.
-♩♪♩
When the dance with Abelin began, a slightly faster-paced music started playing.
“Why did you avoid me in the capital?”
“We’re not close, and it was uncomfortable.”
“…That’s… true, but!”
Strictly speaking, it was because I knew the story that would unfold later.
According to the fanfic, even if Kaelan hadn’t been parasitized by me, he would have been absent during the vacation.
This was the author’s way of somewhat suppressing Kaelan’s power inflation, and also to build the narrative for the villain guild, Crow Fey,
And at this timing, the relationship between Melissa, Abelin, and Edwin gradually recovered.
The three went on field trips and formed a party together…
But the problem was the main episode in Chapter 4 of the second semester, the Hero Selection Exam.
-I’m sorry, Edwin! I’m thinking of… leaving this party…. You understand, right?
-I feel the same way. You’ve worked hard… until now. I hope to see you… at a higher place.
-Ah, could Edwin leave…? That would be a bit more comfortable…
Kaelan returned, and with the overwhelming skills he demonstrated,
Abelin and Melissa abandoned Edwin.
The general narrative was that Melissa did it for the revival of her duchy,
And Abelin did it out of an inferiority complex towards her siblings and a single-minded ambition to prove her own worth.
‘Does that make any sense?’
After that, it was simple.
The original heroines still had no presence, but Edwin didn’t give up and continued to grow.
Incidentally, this story of growth and academy life was described in great detail and length.
So, I naturally anticipated Melissa and Abelin’s regret towards Edwin,
And I patiently read through it, looking forward to seeing Edwin soar with the original heroines…
But what awaited me in the latter half was,
-Edwin, do you want to join my party? Things are going to get a bit bothersome, so… If you don’t want to, that’s fine.
Kaelan’s offer.
In the end, Edwin, who had lived only for the hero, abandoned everything and, for the sake of eradicating evil,
Took on the dishwashing role in Kaelan’s party, taking care of all the miscellaneous tasks.
I’ll skip all the frustrating things that happened along the way…
And so, the final mission assigned to him was to be sacrificed on a bridge…
“It makes me want to cough up blood just thinking about it again.”
“What did you say?”
Anyway, because of this situation, I couldn’t like Abelin or Melissa.
“What’s the reason you keep coming to me?”
“…”
-Tremble.
She might appear dignified on the outside, but she was the type to let her strength speak before words.
I didn’t know the exact reason, but it seemed like I was in the position of power now.
Even with my rude tone, Abelin took a deep breath and forced herself to compose her emotions, saying,
“I, I came to make a go, good proposition to a ‘B’ rank like you… I, I.”
“One-sentence summary.”
“Ha… One-sentence summary? Ah, to cut to the chase and get straight to the point, I want to recruit you to Divine Valhalla.”
“Rejec.”
“Wh… what did you say…?”
“It means ‘rejected’.”
“…!”
-Tremble, tremble…
‘She’s quite reactive, isn’t she?’
My socially awkward way of speaking seemed to be increasingly irritating Abelin.
She put on a forced smile with a slightly flushed face.
“I, I’m not joking!! Divine Valhalla is a large guild recognized even by the Imperial Family. Therefore, I believe it could be of great help to your family, the Denecs…”
She seemed to be testing the waters, suggesting this was her trump card.
Was this it…
I had long since been disowned.
Denec, shmenec… I was busy enough trying to make a living.
“I don’t care.”
“What… did… you…?”
“I said I’m not interested.”
“What… that’s…!”
Abelin stammered, as if in disbelief.
She probably couldn’t accept it because she lived and died by the honor of her family.
“Your, your family?! I heard there were talks of marriage. If you understood my, my words, how could you say such shameless things…!”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“Lo, Lord Lev… Please wait…!”
I pushed Abelin towards a group of men who were looking for partners.
“Lady Abelin wishes to be escorted.”
-Lady Abelin!
-Please dance with me!
“Wait!”
As I returned to Yeriel, I could hear her small shouts from behind.
.
.
.
While Lev was briefly with Abelin,
Yeriel was reminiscing about their dance.
She was surprised that he led so well.
The past rumors of his uncultured behavior could be believed to be mere rumors.
Anyway, it was a short time, but it was nice.
Entrusting her body to the music, leaning on him,
Step by step.
This was how she was exchanging emotions with Lev, one step at a time.
Just then,
“Huh?”
A familiar face.
Yeriel encountered Aria.
.
.
.
-Aria, I’m sorry. I was so selfish…
Aria had come to the Hall of Culture at Melissa’s request.
-I’m really sorry. I’ll bring Edwin. Wait for me here!
And Melissa had said she would bring Edwin from the training room, seemingly to dance with him.
-♩♪♩♪
As the two beauties faced each other,
The male cadets began to play a game of trying to be the one to ask them to dance.
“Lady Yeriel. We meet again.”
“Yes! Have you been well, Aria?”
“Yes.”
Aria thought she had become close with Yeriel after the awards ceremony in the capital.
Definitely…! She had.
But Lev Denec, he went out without permission again…
And Yeriel went out to look for him.
Even though Edwin warned her it was dangerous, she said she would just check the surroundings.
After that, it was a long time before the two returned to the dormitory.
‘That’s all it was…’
But this fact had unknowingly formed a knot in Aria’s heart.
The two, who had opposing personalities, seemed to get along surprisingly well.
-Junior! It’s okay. I was like that too. Let’s do our best together!
Yeriel, who was popular in the academy for her equal kindness to everyone.
-Aria, be my master just for today.
And Lev Denec, who sometimes seemed reckless but also seemed to act for the sake of others.
That was why she was curious.
How could their relationship be defined?
But asking directly what happened that day wouldn’t be polite.
“He was really a bothersome person.”
-!!
While Yeriel and Aria were each lost in their own thoughts, the man at the center of those thoughts, Lev, returned.
“Lev, did something happen with Abelin…?”
“Nothing much… Oh, wow.”
“…”
Yeriel, who had noticed Aria late, said to Lev,
“Since Aria’s here too, practice with her! I taught Lev well, so…!”
“I’m fine…”
“Don’t be like that! Quickly.”
As Yeriel was about to push the two together,
Something shining around Aria’s neck caught her eye.
“Huh…?”
Aria received Lev’s escort, as if she had no choice,
“There are points involved, so help me out.”
“…I’ll try my best.”
The two figures merged and moved away.
‘……Why is that…?’
She had definitely seen it when Lev had shown the inside of his backpack to assert his innocence? in the capital…
The pure white ring.
The ring she had thought was the Denec family’s engagement ring was hanging around Aria’s neck.
-♪♩♪
As the two moved little by little in their dance,
Yeriel’s eyes began to waver.
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As a great harem maker once said before being stabbed and kidnapped.
-” yabe!!!”