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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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Three days off… but there were no special events. The Academy was unusually crowded, since everyone was outside, unable to go anywhere else. Even the usually empty cafe was full.
“Is that her? The Sword Saint’s…?”
“Hmm… So she’s moving to the Clover Kingdom after the wedding?”
“Probably.”
“How did they even get engaged…?”
Thanks to the Sword Saint, River was the center of attention, whispers following her everywhere.
They weren’t being malicious, just curious. River was known for challenging anyone who badmouthed her, and I was known for beating people up without a word.
Hera had told me that our reputations had spread throughout the Academy.
“Atlas… should we move?” Amy asked, noticing my discomfort.
It was River they were talking about, but I still felt… irritated. I hated being stared at, whispered about.
“Sorry… it’s because of me…” River mumbled.
“…No, it’s my fault. I’m being too sensitive. Let’s grab our drinks and go.”
“Okay.”
We grabbed our drinks and headed to the training grounds. Unlike me, River didn’t seem bothered by the attention. I was like a pressure cooker about to explode.
‘I used to be like that…’
I couldn’t remember when I had become so… sensitive.
“Ah… finally, some peace and quiet.”
The crowds thinned as we moved away from the main building. There was nothing to do there anyway, other than gawk at the students from Clover Academy.
“The weather is nice today.”
“No assignments, it’s peaceful.”
The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect. A perfect day for a nap.
“By the way, Atlas, what happened with your height?” River asked, seeing the marks on the tree.
I had boasted about growing taller, but I was still stuck at 0.1 centimeters. She was understandably curious.
“The potion isn’t working as well on me, since I’m much stronger than the others. Praha is searching for a more potent ingredient. Something about a werewolf’s essence…”
“A werewolf’s essence?”
“Huh?”
Amy looked confused. River, however, looked shocked. I was annoyed, but not shocked. “It’s… nothing… it’s nothing.”
She quickly changed the subject. The Seymour family’s swordsmanship was called the “Wolf Swordsmanship”. Did she know something?
“What?!”
This time, it was Amy who was surprised. “N-nothing! It’s nothing!”
She was waving her hands, like she was trying to dispel the thought. ‘What’s wrong with them?’ I had a bad feeling.
I was explaining about werewolf essence to Amy, but then, a group of students appeared.
“Hey, is that him?”
“Yeah, that’s him!”
They were from Clover Academy. They surrounded us, staring at River, their eyes filled with curiosity.
“Is it true you’re engaged to the Sword Saint?”
“How did that happen? He never leaves his country…”
They closed in.
They weren’t as polite as the Empire’s students. ‘I should beat them up.’
“Atlas, don’t! It’ll be a diplomatic incident! The Sword Saint is here…!” Amy grabbed my arm.
A diplomatic incident? I had beaten nobles before. It was nothing new.
Then, a sharp voice cut through the air. “Get out of the way.”
A woman pushed through the crowd. She had purple hair, tied in a bun, and wore a thin sword at her waist. She was the student representative from Clover Academy. The one who had taken over after the Sword Saint left. She stood in front of River, arms crossed, studying her.
She seemed arrogant.
“Hmm… you don’t seem like his type… what did you offer him?”
River’s expression turned cold. So did mine. Amy, sensing the tension, grabbed our arms.
“Let’s go somewhere else…!”
She was trying to avoid a conflict. But the student representative blocked our path.
“Where do you think you’re going? I’m talking to you.”
“We’re busy, let us through.”
The representative smirked. “The Sword Saint’s fiancé(e)… I thought you’d be someone special… but you’re just a whore.”
-Crack!
My blood boiled. What did she just say?
“I don’t know what you gave him… but you are not worthy of joining our Clover Kingdom. You are beneath us.”
“A… Atlas, no…!” Amy grabbed my arm, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I pulled my arm back.
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My fist, aimed at her stomach… stopped.
“River?”
“This is my fight.”
River had stepped in front of me. I had almost hit her. It was a dangerous move. Did she think I’d stop in time? She didn’t even look back.
“You seem eager to fight me.”
A student blocked River’s path. “How dare you! This is Lady Margaret Alvan! Heir to the Duke of the Suar Plains!”
“Pfft.” River laughed at his words. Margaret’s face turned red with anger at her laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“Your boasting. Your kingdom is smaller than Frigia, both in size and economy. And you think your title means something here?”
Her face flushed red.
“You have nothing to be proud of…!”
“I’m not that good with words, but I’m decent with a sword. Do you want to settle this with a duel?”
“…!”
River touched the hilt of her sword. So did Margaret.
A tense silence. Two warriors, facing each other.
“…Let’s go.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Margaret frowned and ordered her students to retreat.
They left. River had won the staring contest. Killing intent wasn’t always a sign of strength, but it often was.
Margaret had backed down. “Tsk… pathetic.”
River turned to me, a playful smile on her face. “I told you I could handle it!”
She poked my cheek. “Don’t look so grim! You’re scaring people.”
She was smug. She wanted praise.
“Yes, yes, you’re amazing.”
I watched Margaret leave, remembering the sword at her waist. She was planning on participating in the exchange tomorrow.
‘I have to speak to Hera.’
I might have to join after all.
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