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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Hey guys, did you hear? The Saintess transferred here!”
“I heard she has a scary-looking knight escort.”
“I saw him. He’s terrifying… I once saw an Orc gladiator at the arena in the imperial capital. He looked really scary, but this guy… he’s on a different level.”
“Come on, stop exaggerating. No one looks like that.”
…Honestly, I didn’t think I was that ugly.
I knew I wasn’t a pretty boy, but I had a rugged charm, didn’t I?
The whispers from afar ruined my appetite. But I couldn’t do anything to refute the rumors, it could negatively impact Karina.
My reputation would improve eventually.
Once I started intervening in the incidents that would occur during the second semester, my image would naturally improve.
“Johann, I’m going to give them a piece of my mind!”
“It’s fine.”
While I appreciated Milia’s sentiment, there was no need to worsen the situation.
“Just finish your food.”
“But…”
“I appreciate the thought, but it’s unnecessary.”
Milia, her face still etched with displeasure, angrily cut her steak and stuffed it into her mouth.
I watched her for a moment, then turned my gaze to Karina, who was looking at me with concern.
“Mister Johann, are you really alright?”
“I’m fine. And you can call me Johann. I’m your knight escort, after all.”
“…Hee hee. Then I’ll call you Johann.”
Karina didn’t like honorifics.
It was a useful tip I had learned from my numerous attempts to woo her in the game. It was ridiculous that I had forgotten it until now, but better late than never.
“Is the next class Basic Theology?”
“Yes. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to handle it, Johann. It’s going to be boring.”
“It’s fine. I have a high tolerance for boredom.”
It was definitely better than having an endless one-sided conversation with that cowardly air-headed friend.
What was his name again?
I couldn’t remember.
Was that a good thing?
I mechanically shovelled food into my mouth, my plate quickly emptying.
Spicy pork with rice was the best.
I was so glad there was a Korean among the game developers.
“Johann, is that delicious? It looks really spicy…”
“Try some.”
I pushed my plate towards Milia. She looked at the meat with curiosity, poked it with her fork, and took a bite.
I hoped she would be alright.
For me, this level of spiciness was just a nostalgic flavor, but Milia… I couldn’t help but watch her as she put the unusually red meat into her mouth.
“Are you okay?”
“S-Spicy.”
Milia’s eyes started to water.
As expected, she wasn’t used to the spiciness.
I quickly handed her a napkin.
“Spit it out if you can’t handle it.”
“No, I can eat it.”
“Milia, are you sure you’re alright?”
See? Even Karina was worried. But Milia, determined not to spit it out, swallowed the meat and started panting.
Where was the water?
“I’ll get some water.”
I quickly brought her a glass of water. Milia gulped it down, her face relaxing slightly.
“That’s really spicy! But… it’s kind of delicious…”
“Is there really a demand for this? I’ve been eating at the dining hall for the entire semester, and I’ve never seen this dish before.”
“I-It’s written in small letters at the corner of the menu… I’ve never seen anyone order it… B-But you seem to be enjoying it, Mister Johann…”
Elisa looked at me with admiration.
It wasn’t that impressive to eat spicy pork with rice. I finished my plate and awkwardly avoided their gazes.
…The thought of being stared at like this every time I ate this dish made me feel uncomfortable.
“…Eat your food.”
Stop staring at me.
They returned their attention to their plates.
“See you later, Mister.”
“S-See you later…”
Kalon Academy’s schedule was divided into General Studies in the morning and specialized courses in the afternoon.
This meant the four of us would have to split up for our afternoon classes.
Viola to Alchemy, Elisa to Magic, Milia to General Studies, and Karina to Theology.
We stopped at the intersection and looked at each other.
“S-See you tonight…”
“Later.”
“See you!”
We exchanged our final goodbyes and went our separate ways.
I watched them disappear into the distance, then resumed pushing Karina’s wheelchair. She looked at me with a complicated expression.
“It’s just the two of us now.”
“We’ll see them again tonight, so don’t worry.”
“I’m worried about Elisa and Milia.”
“They’ll be fine.”
Milia had actively participated in class and interacted with the other students throughout the morning.
Elisa… well, she needed more time.
A lot more time.
I had opened the door for her, but it was up to her to walk through it. With my guidance throughout the semester, she should be able to make a few friends, at least.
It was a futile hope, perhaps, but it was better than nothing.
Viola seemed to be doing fine, both socially and academically.
Things had been a bit awkward after she lost her arm, but the prosthetic arm we developed during the break had made her popular in the Alchemy department.
She was the only first-year student who had participated in product development and achieved such a significant result.
It was a particularly valuable product for Alchemy students, considering how often they lost fingers or limbs in experiments.
They were apparently lining up to order one.
Judging by the strange looks she had received after attending the department meeting before the start of the semester, no one would dare to bother her anymore.
They could just refuse to sell to them if they didn’t like it.
“Johann…”
“Yes?”
“P-Please be understanding if the Theology students are a bit… enthusiastic. They don’t mean any harm…”
Karina’s sudden request caught me off guard.
What did she mean?
What was she talking about?
“Alright.”
I gave a noncommittal reply and continued walking towards the Theology building.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too far from the main Kalon Academy building.
It was unnecessarily grand.
It looked two or three times larger than the other department buildings. But considering that Kalon Academy was the most prestigious theological institution on the continent, it wasn’t surprising.
This was the institution where the Saintess herself studied.
It had to be impressive.
“To think I would be here…”
Karina looked up at the building with a nostalgic expression.
“When I woke up on that deserted island, I thought I would spend the rest of my life there.”
“I also thought I would be trapped on that island forever. After ten years, I lost all hope of ever leaving.”
“…Ten years… I can’t even imagine. I only spent two months there, and it was difficult. Johann, you…”
“It was a difficult time. But I’m fine now.”
It had been almost half a year. It felt like a distant memory now, almost like it had never happened.
The constant incidents at the academy had kept me busy.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“You’re welcome.”
Lost in conversation, we quickly arrived inside the building.
The sound of hymns echoing through the halls reminded me that this was the Theology department.
“Is it prayer time?”
“Yes, I think so. Normally, I would be praying with them, but…”
Karina lowered her head.
“You can start now.”
“Hee hee, you’re right.”
Karina worried too much. Though it was understandable, considering her position.
“I don’t know where the lecture hall is.”
“Hmm…”
Neither of us had been inside the building before, so we didn’t know our way around.
I thought I had heard it was on the first floor… As we were studying the map on the wall,
“I-It’s the Saintess!”
“Saintess! Saintess! Saintess!”
“I can die happy now…”
“Don’t die!”
“Ahh…”
So this was what Karina meant by “enthusiastic.”
I sighed, looking at the group of Theology students rushing towards us.
This lecture wasn’t going to be easy.
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