LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 35
The academy square was still bustling with people, but for some reason, it felt emptier.
Booom!
Rudion. He had returned alone after being called by Professor Reina.
Thud!
Every time I thought of that guy’s name, my heart raced. Now, denying my feelings for him felt painfully unbearable.
Thump!
I once thought that maybe I’d get over him soon since my feelings were so premature. But now I’m certain.
Dum dum!
What I felt back then was purely instinct.
Ding!
Lately, though, my feelings had intensified.
Swish!
I was watching every casual thing he did!
Zap!
Like when he helped out during school service even though it clearly wasn’t his fault, putting in maximum effort with no traces of reluctance.
Whoosh!
Or when he tidied up on his own while helping Lilith with her training.
Rustle!
Every day, he seemed to pay more attention to when I arrived at school, gradually adjusting his own schedule.
Tick-tock!
He knew I was uncomfortable hanging out with others, so he didn’t waste time expanding his social circle.
Crack!
And then… he created an opportunity for me to showcase my skills when I was feeling down about not being involved in the Student Council.
Pom!
He always acted for others rather than himself, as if it was just natural.
Whoomp!
Of course, if you asked me if that made him the perfect guy, I’d say not at all.
Whack!
He sometimes spilled food while eating neatly, or would say the weirdest nonsense that made no sense.
Splat!
He’d casually fix Lilith’s disheveled outfit during training.
Bam!
And no matter how urgent the report was, he still ended up alone in a room with Alkiné… Sigh!
‘…Speaking of Alkiné, her gaze was definitely different from the first day.’
Compared to the first time Rudion encountered the Student Council, Alkiné now looked at him with subtle but clear enthusiasm.
Twinkle!
I didn’t find this sudden change weird.
Blink!
Since we were all in the Student Council, I had heard enough to guess what interactions had occurred.
Glimmer!
Of course, it wasn’t like he intended it that way… But that made it even worse.
Yikes!
I wished he understood what it meant for a capable man to help others.
Ugh!
He was completely oblivious to my feelings, picking the perfect moments to annoy me.
Grumble!
But…
Hmm!
‘Falling for such a person is something I must bear.’
Thwap!
First to fall ends up losing, my dad always said so.
Ding ding!
[Current Affection: 27/100]
[13 left until the next reward.]
I had already crossed 20 affection and received my reward.
Ta-da!
[You achieved 20 Affection!]
[You receive special rewards and exclusive stats.]
[You gain a bonus of ‘Magic Acceleration’ from Affection reward.]
[Exclusive stat ‘Time’ is unlocked.]
[Current Time Value: 0]
I never imagined that the reward would enhance my abilities instead of being something material.
Whoosh!
I couldn’t grasp what this exclusive stat was about.
Boom!
It had merely been unlocked, so I couldn’t use or analyze it.
Buzz!
But thanks to the performance of ‘Magic Acceleration’ exceeding my expectations, I could unleash more powerful magic faster than before.
Zing!
It had been a while since I felt the thrill of rapid growth, and it made me slightly giddy.
Whee!
In the end, I hadn’t landed a single effective blow on Rudion, but…
Thump!
‘…Seriously, why is such a person still at the academy?’
Scratching head!
That question lingered in my mind.
Ding!
But I had no intention of digging deeper.
Zip!
What mattered was that it no longer concerned me.
Whew!
If I just kept moving forward, wouldn’t I eventually reach him? That was my only wish.
Sparkle!
Lost in those thoughts, I found myself back in front of the 1st Year Advanced Class Building.
Woosh!
I could have gone straight to the dormitory, but I hesitated. Rudion was likely inside.
Dun dun!
However, I couldn’t step inside.
Step!
Professor Reina had instructed Rudion to come alone, so I had no reason to intrude.
Hop!
Just then, I unexpectedly locked eyes with Professor Reina, who was standing outside.
Gasp!
She approached me with a mischievous grin, clearly ready to tease.
Chuckle!
“Who do we have here? I only called Rudion. Why is Seria here too?”
Gulp!
“…Where’s Rudion?”
Clatter!
I knew showing panic would only make me a bigger target for her teasing, so I stood my ground.
Stand firm!
Professor Reina grinned wider.
Evil grin!
“Oh~ I see, he’s currently in a chat with the principal.”
Tilt!
“Really?”
Blink blink!
“It’s nothing serious, don’t worry. Want to eavesdrop and hear for yourself?”
Yikes!
Professor Reina said, pulling me along.
Pull!
Before I knew it, we were at the research lab door, and I could hear voices from inside.
Whisper!
It was the voices of two people, one of them clearly being the principal and the other, Rudion.
Listen!
The conversation didn’t stray far from what Professor Reina had said; it was about whether he should endure it alone or expose the truth.
Hmm!
However, now that rumors had spread, consequences would surely follow if he didn’t clarify the situation.
Ding!
So… I thought Rudion would definitely choose to clarify the truth this time, but…
Facepalm!
“Let’s just go with the rumor being true.”
Wait, what?!
“No… You really don’t have to go that far.”
Uh oh!
“No, please let me handle it by myself.”
Ugh!
He chose once again to shoulder everything alone.
Groan!
My face heated up. I felt both happy and oddly angry at the same time.
Sizzle!
While I selfishly fantasized about revealing my connection with Rudion to the royal family, he continued to try to protect me.
Bam!
I found myself feeling pitiful because of this unknown kindness, and it made my stomach churn.
Grrrr!
Of course! I was glad he thought of me. I was happy, but…
Hmmm!
I didn’t want any help that came at the sacrifice of him.
No way!
Before I knew it, I burst into the room.
Crash!
As soon as I entered, those familiar eyes locked onto me.
Zap!
Rudion. A unique person with unknown powers.
Hmm!
A dull person who hardly reacts to anything.
Yawn!
A foolish guy without a calculated action.
Pffft!
A strange person whose thoughts I sometimes couldn’t grasp.
Shrug!
Someone who doesn’t easily refuse help even while tired of everything.
Zzzz!
A clueless person who doesn’t notice my feelings at all.
Tch!
But… he’s the one I like.
Thud!
For him to be labeled as a “pervert trying to invade the girls’ dormitory”… I categorically refuse.
Nope!
Thinking of a scenario where he would be blamed for something he didn’t even do made me want to smash everything in sight.
Kaboom!
And… for some reason, I felt like the moment his reputation fell, he might distance himself, thinking about my reputation.
Oh no!
“That’s something I can’t allow. Absolutely.”
Resolve!
To prevent that, I decided to be more proactive than usual.
Charge!
I would resolve this. If needed, I’d use this name ‘Rubetia’ to do it.
Shining!
And… perhaps through this incident, I could stake a claim that he was mine… right?
proud smirk!
[Firm Resolution! Affection increases by 7!]
[Current Affection: 34/100]
The numbers regarding affection now resembled something I could actually be pleased about.
Yay!
The higher value made my previously fading face blush again.
Blush!
///
In progress!
Due to Seria’s outspoken opinion, my decision was completely thwarted.
Skid!
The following actions unfolded in a flash.
Zip zap!
The truth about the situation was already known, so that was a given, but finding the source of the rumors turned out to be remarkably swift.
Quick like a hawk!
Caught in almost an hour? This must have been because the princess got involved; things moved fast.
Zoom!
The spreader appeared to be a boy from the intermediate class… It was a name I didn’t recognize as an extra, and I really didn’t want to confront a foolish kid, so I chose not to get involved.
So long!
I knew the academy would handle it well without me bringing it up.
Whew!
“Seriously, Rudion is too soft-hearted.”
Sigh!
“It’s better to be friendly. He’s been hurt once now, so he’ll be more careful.”
Phew!
“No one in the world would let such an unfair situation pass by simply because it’s friendly…”
Uh-huh!
“True, but it’s already done, right?”
Confirmation!
“That’s what I mean by soft. If it were me, I’d have told my dad and made a scene!”
Boom!
Oh… so you’d want to ruin the guy’s life after being provoked, huh?
Slam!
Not exactly fitting for someone with a ‘Absolute good’ trait. Though I didn’t think it was intentional.
Shrug!
And then, the next morning.
Rise and shine!
The same routine of school commenced, and students filled the classroom.
Chatter!
Before the lecture started, the professors were set to spread the truth about the rumor, so everyone would quickly be in the know.
Drumroll!
But… something felt off.
Hmm?
“Hey, Seria. Isn’t this a bit too close?”
Tilting!
“Is it?”
Huh?
“Yeah. Way too close.”
Whoa!
Seria was way closer than usual, practically glued to me. Just a slight move and we’d touch.
Cling!
It was to the point where… if I took notes separately, it’d be impossible to manage.
Uh-oh!
So, I had to directly ask…
Drumroll!
“Well, I guess so.”
Yup!
She brazenly replied and showed no intention of creating space.
Uh-uh!
What’s gotten into her suddenly?