Chapter 7 | The Assassin and the Hero Become Friends
A party was being held in the dorm’s dining hall to celebrate the new students’ arrival. It was a magnificent feast, complete with alcohol.
“Hey, this food isn’t bad,” said Dia.
“Naoise probably eats this kind of food every day,” I remarked.
Given the liveliness, the banquet had clearly started before our arrival.
A large crowd of students encircled Epona.
If I had approached him before the entrance exam, he would’ve thought of me as just another face in a giant swarm of people trying to force themselves into his life. Now that I was the head of the class, however, I would stand out.
The crowd parted as I approached Epona.
I’d been observing him this entire time. I’d watched his every move intently during the exam. For that reason, I knew exactly how to deal with him.
All right, time for first contact.
“I’m your classmate, Lugh Tuatha Dé. It’s nice to meet you.”
“N-nice to meet you, too. I’m u-uh, Epona. Epona Rhiannon.”
Epona squeezed my outstretched hand tightly.
His skin was calloused. It wasn’t the sort that came about from regular sword practice like you might’ve expected the child of a distinguished military family to have, however. It was the kind that came from agricultural work. His muscles also betrayed the build of a farmer. He really didn’t seem to have much combat experience.
“We’re going to be in the same class, so we should be friends. Let’s do our best to support each other,” I said with a smile.
“O-okay. But I don’t think I have anything I can teach you—”
“There’s no need for modesty. You’re very gifted physically. There’s a lot I would like to learn from you.”
“R-really? Then can you please teach me how to study? I didn’t understand anything on the exam.”
“Sure, I’d be happy to help.”
I spoke to him cheerfully, and our conversation began to pick up steam. I thought it best not to be overly formal. Epona may have been the hero, but I knew he didn’t want that.
He’d known only cruelty most of his life, but once he became the hero, he was quickly subjected to nothing but the highest flattery. He was alone growing up, and becoming the hero had done little to change that. It was clear to me that Epona was starved for the warmth of human affection.
That’s why he looked so lonely despite being surrounded by so many people.
What Epona wanted was someone who’d converse with him as an equal, and that’s what I was aiming to provide.
Eventually, the flow of our conversation changed. Initially, Epona was only responding to things I said, but he began to take the initiative and introduce topics himself after a little while. That was proof he was opening his heart to me. I thought it wise to withdraw soon.
I wanted to leave him only with favorable memories of me but still wanting more. He needed to be reluctant to see me go.
Just then, a professor approached me. It was time for me to deliver my address as a representative of the new students.
“Sorry, Epona. It looks like I have to go,” I said remorsefully.
“That’s okay. You’re head of the class, so it can’t be helped. It’s amazing you were able to achieve so much despite being from a baron’s family like me.”
I thought I saw a flash of envy in Epona’s eyes.
“I can’t say that birth is irrelevant, but it isn’t everything,” I replied.
“You’re amazing, Lugh. You’re so mature, daring, and cool. Also, if I have you…it seems like you won’t get hurt.”
Epona said that last part in a barely audible whisper. I probably wouldn’t have heard it without my enhanced hearing.
“It seems like you won’t get hurt.” What did he mean by that?
Naoise and I moved to a location in the dining hall where we would stand out the most and gathered all the new students’ attention.
Naoise spoke first.
“I don’t feel like dragging this out, so I’m just going to say what is foremost on my mind. I want to compete with every one of you. The growth I will gain contending with you all is the main reason I came to this academy. Force me to improve by threatening my spot as head of the class! Let’s all strive to get stronger together. That is all I have to say.”
After his extremely manly speech ended, the students erupted in applause.
Well, isn’t he cool? That’s not going to be easy to follow up.
Naoise gave me a mischievous look. Clearly, he’d given me a tough act to follow on purpose.
His words hadn’t been a lie, though, so I couldn’t be mad at him for it. Nothing he’d said had been merely to rile everyone up.
All right, I need to focus on my speech. I’m up next.
“Every one of us left our homes behind to come here. Honestly, two years is a long time, and I’m sure there are plenty of us who would rather have devoted this time to developing our own domains,” I began.
A good number of people laughed.
“Even still, we were summoned here to pledge our allegiance to the Alvanian Kingdom. I swear to you that your time here will not be a waste and that you will gain a lot during your tenure at this school. I want everyone to think of it that way, because this country’s prosperity depends on our growth. Let’s all do our best so that two years from now, we’ll look back and be glad we came here.”
Dia and Tarte clapped loudly, and then applause spread through the rest of the crowd like a chain reaction. My speech was pretty corny, but it was perfect for the sort of situation I was in.
A professor gave some closing words, and Naoise and I returned to the party. Dia and Tarte wasted no time in approaching.
“Lugh, that was so cool,” praised Dia.
“Yes, your speech was so grand. You really felt like the head of the class! It’s a shame there isn’t a spell that can preserve sound,” Tarte said.
“Thanks. It was a little embarrassing, though,” I replied.
“By the way, I picked out some food I thought you might like since you haven’t had a chance to eat yet, my lord. Here you go.” Tarte handed me a plate with a few different items arranged neatly on it. Just as she’d said, it was all stuff I liked, and she’d even gotten me perfect portions of each.
“You’re a lifesaver, Tarte. There’s barely any food left. Guess that’s to be expected with so many growing teenagers in one place,” I stated.
“So how did things go with our job tonight?” asked Dia.
“Good. I made contact with Epona. A lot of the people hanging around him are looking at me now. I broke off our conversation at the perfect time, so I expect him to approach me before long.”
I took a moment to look around and noticed someone walking toward me.
Then I caught sight of Naoise speaking with Epona. He was going for a different sort of approach to get close to the hero.
He’s skilled at this, I thought. The higher ranking a noble was, the greater the need to know how to deal with their superiors. The highest members of the aristocracy received special education from a young age for this purpose. I held no doubts that Naoise was perfectly capable.
One thing was bothering me, however. Naoise was talking to Epona as if the hero was a girl. Epona was officially a boy. I needed to look into the matter again. Naoise was the son of a duke. Perhaps he was privy to more information on the hero than I was.
“Dia, Tarte. On the surface, your social status means nothing here. But…,” I started.
“I understand, Lugh. I know that’s not how people think,” Dia affirmed.
“I’ll do my best not to shame you, my lord,” added Tarte.
So long as they understand, we’ll be fine.
A Class S boy from a notable family of knights sauntered up to me. I wanted to make sure I was on good terms with him.
After the welcome party ended, everyone was guided to their assigned dormitories.
“It’s weird to me that there are three different kinds of lodgings,” remarked Dia.
“It would be much less of a hassle if there were only one. I’ll never understand how rich people think,” Tarte agreed.
They were both puzzled as to why there were multiple places where students could live.
“There’s a reason the domiciles are divided. You’ll understand when we get there,” I stated.
The first dorm was only for Class S students and their servants. When we arrived at our assigned place of stay, Tarte’s eyes went wide.
“This isn’t a dormitory. This is a mansion!” she exclaimed.
“Students are treated entirely differently depending on what class they’re in. That doesn’t just apply to our lessons; it also extends to our lifestyle,” I said.
Once inside, we were each assigned our own quarters. Dia had rooms separate from mine, but since Tarte was my servant, she would be staying in the same suite as I was.
We had a living room, a kitchen, and three other all-purpose rooms. Our furniture and decorations were all top-rate items of the highest quality. Apparently, the school was even prepared to supply us with more furniture if we desired. Even our laundry was handled by academy staff.
“So this is our apartment, my lord.” Tarte marveled at the place.
“Sorry about this, Tarte. Servants are given a room in their master’s quarters. Your grade was good enough to enter Class S as a student. You could’ve had one of these apartments to yourself,” I said.
“I’m not unhappy about this at all! I’m glad we’re together. Sharing a room with you, my lord… We’ve been living in the same house for years now, but for some reason, I feel really nervous about it.”
Tarte suddenly clenched her fists tightly in front of her chest, and her breathing grew heavy. She was scaring me a bit.
There was a knock at the door, and I answered it.
“Lugh, Tarte hasn’t flung herself on you yet, has she?” Dia asked, peeking in.
“Wh-what are you saying?!” Tarte cried.
“Hmm-hmm, I’m sure sharing an apartment between just the two of you is making you feel uneasy. Maybe I should live here, too. There are enough rooms for us each to have our own.”
“But what will you do about your room, Dia?” I asked.
“I’ll use it for storage. It’s the perfect size for it,” she replied.
Spoken like a true noble who had spent their entire life in a castle.
“Are you serious?” I pressed.
“Of course I am. I’m fine with you forming that kind of relationship with Tarte, but I don’t like the idea of her getting a head start on me,” Dia replied evenly.
“I-I’m going to do no such thing! I’m not that daring!” Tarte exclaimed.
I was tempted to ask Tarte what she would do if she was a little more daring, but that would be stepping on a land mine.
“Anyway, I don’t mind you living here, Dia. You can move in if you like,” I said.
“I’m okay with it, too. It will be easier to take care of you this way. Honestly, this is a relief. If it had been just Lugh and me, I would’ve… Ahem.” Tarte left that last part unspoken.
“All right, I’ll get my luggage later,” Dia decided.
We would still have our own rooms in my quarters, so I didn’t foresee a problem.
…Though if my classmates hear I’m living with two cute girls, I’ll get teased relentlessly. On paper, though, they’re just my little sister and retainer.
“I’m shocked by how luxurious this dorm is. I can’t believe they give this much space to one student. I guess that’s to be expected of an academy built for mages, though,” Tarte observed.
“Well, they only go this far for students in Class S. Class A students are given their own rooms, but their beds, desks, and dressers take up most of the space. Those in Class B and down have to share a room with a roommate, and they have no choice but to either do their chores or have their servants do them. That’s why everyone works so hard preparing for the exams. It’s the only way to get into a higher class and live more comfortably.”
I thought it to be a perfect motivation. The pupils in the lower classes would undoubtedly study their best so they could get their own rooms.
“Wait a second, what about the students in Class B and lower who have servants? How do their servants take care of them?” Dia inquired.
“All servants who are not in Class S stay in Class C’s dorm in shared rooms designated for servants. They then travel between that dorm and their master’s dorm.”
“That means if my grades drop, I’ll be separated from you… That would be terrible. I’ll do my best so we can continue living together, my lord!” Tarte declared.
“I don’t like the sound of that, either. I’ll make sure to give it my all, too,” Dia added.
“You shouldn’t need that kind of short-term goal to want to study,” I muttered with a forced smile. In Tarte’s case, her place of residence depended entirely on my grades, so she didn’t need to study. I liked her enthusiasm, however, so I held my tongue.
“You’re right! I still can’t get over how incredible this place is. We even have a kitchen. I can use it for baking a cake to celebrate Lord Lugh becoming head of the class,” Tarte said, enthused.
“Let’s leave the cake for after training. There’s a workout room in the Class S dorm. You can make reservations, so I’ll be able to use it to teach you both Tuatha Dé techniques,” I replied.
“We have everything we could ever want here. All right, leaving the cake for after a workout sounds good. It’ll taste even better that way,” Dia decided.
“I agree. I’m going to be studying and training with Lord Lugh and then sleeping in the same apartment every night. This makes me feel bad for Maha,” admitted Tarte.
Maha was probably working hard at the store right now. I’d have to give her a request to perform a follow-up investigation into Epona. I needed to learn everything there was to know about House Rhiannon.
Dia, Tarte, and I headed to the training room. I was taken aback by the variety of equipment and the spaciousness of the place.
It looked like our new life at school was going to be quite comfortable.
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