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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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The day after Ethan’s housewarming party.
Sepia and Tesha gathered in the club room at Tia’s request.
Tia was waiting for them, a serious expression on her face.
“What’s this about? Why did you call us here? What’s so important?”
Sepia grumbled as she entered the room. Tesha also looked puzzled.
“Sepia, and Tesha, I have an important announcement.”
Sepia remained indifferent despite Tia’s serious tone.
“Sepia, you like Ethan, right?”
“Of course.”
Sepia readily agreed. A semester ago, she wouldn’t have even imagined herself admitting such a thing.
“Tesha, do you like Ethan?”
“What? Me?”
She was still confused about her feelings, but if she had to choose between liking him and not liking him…
“If I have to choose… then yes, I like him.”
Ethan had saved her twice. She definitely had feelings for him, feelings that went beyond friendship.
“I love Ethan.”
Tia declared, placing her hand on her chest. Tesha and Sepia were stunned.
They hadn’t expected her to be so direct. Her confidence was almost admirable.
“W-what? Suddenly? Why are you telling us this? Did you eat something weird yesterday?”
“Um… Tia, that’s… admirable, but… this is a bit sudden.”
It was the reaction Tia had expected.
“Did you see the ring on Ethan’s left hand yesterday?”
Tia calmly explained her reasoning.
The mention of the ring made Sepia’s expression serious. It had been bothering her ever since she saw it.
But she hadn’t had a chance to ask him about it.
“It had the Linchester family crest.”
“So? He probably got it from Professor Sylvia. As a reward for his training.”
“I wish that were the case.”
Tia sighed.
“According to the information I’ve gathered, there was talk of a marriage between Ethan and Sylvia.”
“That’s just a rumor. It’s not reliable.”
Sepia shook her head.
Rumors, especially those circulating in high society, weren’t reliable. They were mostly gossip and exaggerations.
Like rumors of a noblewoman having an affair. Most of them were unsubstantiated.
“Sepia, what if it’s true? What if Ethan actually likes Sylvia?”
Sepia hesitated.
‘No, Ethan likes me. He even protected me in Airasvan…’
He had even hurt himself to resist the drug. And he had revealed his true feelings while she was asleep.
‘Why are you so cute…? You’re like an angel…’
She could still hear his voice in her mind. Ethan would marry Sylvia? Leave her?
‘Why? Because I’m from the Logness family and I’ll be forced into an arranged marriage anyway?’
Her father was looking for a suitable husband for her, but nothing had been finalized yet.
“Of course, we don’t know for sure if Ethan likes Sylvia. But Sylvia might have feelings for him.”
Sepia felt a pang of anxiety. Love required mutual feelings, but marriage was a practical matter. She was also facing an arranged marriage.
“Ethan is Sylvia’s first and only disciple. And she brought him as her partner to the social gathering. She even gave him a ring with the Linchester family crest.”
It did sound like Sylvia was interested in Ethan.
“My family has hundreds of rings with our family crest.”
Sepia shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. She had dozens of rings with the Logness family crest.
It wouldn’t be strange for her to give one away.
‘But do people usually give rings with their family crest to their disciples…?’
It was suspicious.
“What if… Ethan and Sylvia are actually involved?”
“That’s just your imagination.”
“Are you sure? Do you think Ethan would reject Sylvia if she proposed?”
Sepia’s eyes wavered.
She couldn’t answer with confidence. There was always a possibility. Marriage was a practical matter. And she was also facing an arranged marriage.
“So, what’s your point?”
“We shouldn’t be fighting each other. We need to join forces.”
“Join forces?”
It wasn’t a bad idea.
“I love Ethan. I finally realized my feelings.”
But if she confessed now, she would probably be rejected. She had to make him like her first.
Tia explained her plan.
“Let’s form an ‘Ethan Alliance.’ We’ll stop fighting each other and work together to make Ethan fall for us. What do you think?”
“What would this ‘Ethan Alliance’ do?”
Tia explained her plan.
They would share information about Ethan: his likes and dislikes, his habits, his thoughts, and his feelings. They would support him, both emotionally and financially.
And they would subtly undermine Sylvia while maintaining a good relationship with her. And most importantly, they wouldn’t fight or get jealous of each other.
“It’s not a bad idea. But I have to be his first choice.”
“Sepia, you seem to forget that you’re going to be forced into an arranged marriage.”
“I know! But I won’t let that happen…!”
“If you join the alliance, I’ll help Ethan become a powerful mage. Then you won’t have to worry about an arranged marriage.”
Sepia considered Tia’s offer. Mages were wealthy, but training to become one was expensive.
Tia, as the only daughter of the Erze Trading Company, could provide significant financial support.
“How are you going to help him?”
“I’ll sponsor him anonymously.”
“And you’re not planning to steal him for yourself, are you?”
Sepia was still suspicious of Tia.
“Of course not. How about this? To prevent any betrayals, we’ll all agree not to confess our feelings to Ethan first. What do you think, Sepia and Tesha? Does that sound fair?”
Tesha’s eyes darted back and forth between them.
‘Doesn’t Ethan like me…?’
She had been ignoring his feelings because she prioritized the empire.
‘Was I mistaken? Or is Tia the one who’s mistaken?’
There were no answers. But if they formed an alliance, at least Sepia and Tia wouldn’t be fighting over Ethan.
‘I might need the support of the Erze Trading Company and the Logness family in the future, so it would be beneficial for them to get along.’
Her mentor had told her to find allies.
Arthur, Ethan, Tia, Sepia, and Anya would be powerful allies.
“I’ll join the Ethan Alliance. I’ll help you win Ethan’s heart.”
They needed a mediator. And so, the Ethan Alliance was formed.
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The second semester was starting tomorrow.
I had received my grade report shortly after summer break began.
I was ranked 25th overall.
20th in practical exams and 27th in written exams. Not bad.
The reason I wasn’t ranked higher was because the overall score was calculated based on both the midterm and final exam scores.
So, Reus and Tesha were still ranked 1st and 2nd.
I wasn’t exactly a top student yet, but my grades were improving.
And honestly, I wasn’t that concerned about my grades.
I wasn’t aiming for a scholarship.
I had enough money from the anonymous sponsorship, the demon hunting rewards, and my investments.
[My lord, what is it you wish to test?]
Lien and I were standing in a forest outside of Eastvan.
Lien had grown much stronger since becoming a Chaos Knight.
He was probably stronger than me now.
“I want to spar with you.”
I pulled a wooden staff from my shadow and handed it to Lien.
Lien nodded. Hessia looked at us with anticipation in her eyes.
“Don’t hold back just because I’m your master.”
“As you wish.”
I had acquired the “Combat Intuition” skill.
And my Linchester Swordsmanship – Modified had reached level 6.
I wanted to see how strong I had become.
“Daddy! Go! Lien, go!”
Hessia cheered us on as we faced each other in the clearing. I removed the lead weights from my wrists and ankles.
Thud.
The lead weights hit the ground. It reminded me of a fighting anime.
“Lien, release your mana.”
“As you command.”
A red aura enveloped Lien.
I kicked off the ground and charged towards him.
My body moved instinctively. Was this my Combat Intuition?
Lien easily blocked my attack.
I ducked and aimed for his legs, my elbow striking towards his armor. Lien twisted his body, dodging the attack.
I had anticipated his movement and unleashed a burst of mana, propelling myself forward.
Thump!
I slammed my shoulder into Lien’s chest, sending him stumbling back. I immediately followed up with a lightning spell.
Bang!
The lightning spell pushed Lien back further. I closed the distance again.
Linchester Swordsmanship, Third Form: Swift Sword.
Blue mana surged through my arms. My blade flashed, striking Lien’s waist. If it had been a real sword, it would have cut through his armor.
Lien pushed his staff forward, deflecting my attack. He spun the staff, creating a whirlwind of force.
I ducked, and he aimed a kick at my legs.
I caught his foot and tackled him to the ground.
He swung his staff as he fell, but I blocked it with my mana-infused wooden sword. I stepped on his right arm, pinning it to the ground.
My wooden sword was at his throat.
Checkmate.
“Good heavens…”
Lien stared at me, speechless. I was puzzled.
“You’ve become much stronger, my lord!”
“Did you really give it your all?”
I was suspicious. Had he been holding back?
“I swear on my honor as a knight.”
“R-really…?”
“Daddy! You’re the best!”
Hessia cheered, her eyes sparkling.
“How strong am I?”
I honestly didn’t know.
Could I defeat a high-ranking demon general?
Of course, Lien wouldn’t know. He had never fought them.
He thought for a moment, then spoke.
“At this rate, you’ll surpass your master soon, my lord.”
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Oh wow, I didn’t think a harem ending would be possible but it seems the author has opened up that possibility.
