Something called one’s imagination.
But even so, others did not have much interest. No, I still felt the surroundings gazes.
But that should be obvious. Orsted had been using the office on the outskirts of town for a while now. There weren’t many people who had seen him in person, but there were plenty who knew of this appearance of his. A black helmet and a white cloak.
The main street was closer to the school too.
“Yep, that’s good.”
Killing two birds with one stone.
Right, next time I should propose a『Dragon God Festival』where everybody dresses up in black helmets and white cloaks and dances in ecstasy.
With that in mind, I started moving towards the main street.
“Wha!?”
And, in that instant, I quickly turned around and hid myself.
I had glimpsed a familiar red haired person in the main street. And with that red haired person was the figure of a large white dog. And on the dog’s back were two children.
They were Eris and Leo. And on Leo’s back, Lara and Ars.
No, it was different for me. That was a farce of a walk for my own satisfaction. What Eris and Leo were doing was territorial scouting.
But what do I do now?
The answer is no.
……
Now that I gave it more thought, it really wouldn’t be a good idea. I even went to the trouble of a disguise. I should just go back home. I made it this far through a lapse in judgement, but wouldn’t waiting at home with Sylphy and greeting Lucy when she comes back be the better option?
…………
But I wanted to see Lucy in her hour of triumph. I know it’s selfish but it’s different from what Sylphy said. I definitely wasn’t doing this because I didn’t trust Lucy. And it’s not so I could help her out from behind the scenes. I promise. I swear to God.
Nice one Rudeus buddy. That’s the line. That’s the line that wouldn't break my promise with Sylphy. Though I had decided on things on my own, without consulting with Sylphy first, but as long as I kept that promise, I wouldn’t really be going back on her words. But still, after all of this is over, I’ll properly tell her and apologise.
Alright. Good boy, Rudeus.
“Woof! Woof!”
Ah, in any case, it seemed that Leo had noticed me. His nose was twitching and he was looking in my direction.
“What is it?”
Eris noticed too. It’s not like it’s a problem if I’m found, but explaining this getup would take a while. Getting held up would also be a pain. Let’s take a detour.
“Whoever’s hiding there! Come out!”
But it was already too late, I was already found out by Eris. These clothes stood out too much…
The two of them were looking at me blankly, their gazes pure.
“Orsted…?”
Eris looked confused and removed her hand from her sword while I turned around. Nonchalantly.
“Tch…!”
Eris called me to a halt. Was my cover blown? Eris was a Sword King. A warrior who went almost toe to toe with the former Sword God. Looking at my demeanour, you could tell in an instant that I’m not Orsted.
“No, I’m just imagining things. It’s fine. Let’s go, Leo.
But as soon as I stopped, she said that, turned around and started walking. Leo was glancing in my direction but he didn’t chase after me and followed Eris.
The dazed Lara and the puzzled Ars. They watched me from Leo’s back.
It also felt like there had been an increase in Elves, and Beast and Dwarf races since my time as a student. There also seemed to be a large number of Demon races.
I heard from Roxy in the dining room that the main members of the student council were from the Elven race, and the next chief of the Dwarf race, so that seemed to be reason.
A small portion of the nobility of the Magic Triumvirate apparently did not approve, but they are like that, proud by nature.
I was walking down the hallway pondering about such things, when suddenly, while I was turning a corner:
“Uff.”
Well, sometimes that person might be wrong, but that mistake also includes the truth.
Let those words resound within you ─ grasp their meaning, and any may attain strength. Oh students who earnestly accept those words ─ ponder their meaning and think about how you must live. Oh students, right now, all of you are in bliss.
“…Orsted?”
That person, with suspiciousness lurking beneath those slightly sleepy eyes, looked up at me. Several seconds later, those eyes opened up wide.
“No, Rudy? It’s Rudy, isn’t is. It’s Rudy, right?”
As expected of Roxy. That keen insight of her’s wasn’t something I could fool.
“…How did you know?”
But I asked nonetheless, because the foolish I couldn’t help but seek the truth. Though it was clear to me that it was the wisdom of Roxy. I asked whether she had reached the truth without any real reason.
“It’s obvious, the only person with the courage to wear that (Imitate Orsted), would have to be Rudy.”
There was a reason. As expected of Roxy!
“Is Orsted-sama aware of this situation?”
“I see… Then that means that there’s some reason for it.”
Roxy nodded her head and began scrutinising my outfit. I felt like she had some kind of convenient misunderstanding.
“…”
But is that alright? Should I deceive Roxy? Should I lie to Roxy for a momentary period of selfishness? Is that fine? Rudeus, is that fine with you?
“No, there’s no important meaning to it.”
There’s no way that’s fine. I cannot lie to Roxy. Lying to Roxy has a different implication than lying to Sylphy or Eris. The thought that lying to Roxy in an important situation is something is wrong, that can’t be helped. If I lie here, the next instant, I will come flying in from 20 years in the future and hit myself with a Stone Cannon. Or this very second, I, having lost my identity will suddenly have my limbs melt and turn into an indeterminate existence.
“Then why are you wearing that?”
“…Wanted to see? What about your promise with Sylphy?”
It’s just that, I just─ I just wanted to see what she was like in class…”
While I flusteredly said that, Roxy silently looked at me, with reproachful eyes. The surrounding students too were perplexed at such a sudden development.
I just saw that Orsted had simply come to the school to inspect it.”
“Just this once.”
“That’s for the best.”
I’m pardoned. I am no longer any match for her. From now on, I will bow three times in Roxy’s direction, five times a day.
“Well then, I have to teach these children until the next class begins… By the way, do you know where Lucy’s classroom is?”
“Well then.”
Roxy said that, gripped my hand once tightly and continued down the hallway. The students saying “Who was that just now!?” followed after her. She’s quite popular. It’s only natural. She’s my teacher after all.
“Alright.”
After I had once again fired myself up, I set off down the hallway.
Part 3
I messed up.
Well I guess it’s fine. As long as I can see Lucy, I’ll be satisfied.
She seems to have already made a friend of a similar age. Have they become friends?
It’s still only the first day of class and the teacher didn’t seem to have any intention of teaching anything too significant. Looking at the blackboard I could see that they’re starting from the basics of the basics. Lucy had already learnt this stuff years ago.
“Aggregate magic power isn’t decided the moment you’re born, it increases when magic is used during childhood. I think what you just said is wrong!”
Compared to what’s taught in schools, what Sylphy and Roxy taught her was slightly different. But I feel like it might have been better if she had left it unsaid. Having their own failings pointed out isn’t something teachers like very much.
“What’s your name?”
“Greyrat… Which meant you’re Roxy-sensei’s Daughter?”
“Right, you must have received a special education since you were young.”
The eye’s of the teacher shone.
He wouldn’t disrespect a parent in front of their daughter would he?
In fact, he seemed like a good teacher.
“That is all. Lucy, do you have any further questions?”
“Good. Please be seated. I will continue with the class.”
The teacher gave a hearty laugh and Lucy sat down. And the applause burst out from the class. Lucy looked backwards surprised, her face became red and she looked down.
It’s alright Lucy. You just said something correct. Putting aside whether you’re truly correct, those who think you are are giving you applause. So raise your head.
And as I thought that, the girl hesitantly reached out and pet her head and said something.
Hmm, hmm.
Life is long so it’s better to let her seldom associate with bad children.
“Haa.”
The last class ended. I was satisfied. I was able to learn Lucy’s daily life at school. Of course, I wasn’t worried. She was Sylphy’s daughter and had been properly taught by her, Eris and Roxy.
While thinking that, I removed the mud wall made partitioning screen by rescinding the magic.
“…Ah.”
Standing on the other side of the mud wall was a single woman. White hair and a slender body. Pants that looked easy to move in and a sleeveless top. The white arm extending from her shoulder, her hands placed on her hip and a face with a mix of anger and disappointment.
It was Sylphy.
“Ahem… Do you need something?”
I tried my best to mimic Orsted.
“Rudy, what are you doing here?”
Of course, it was futile.
“No, um… Sylphiette-san, what are you doing here?”
“Aah… Indeed.”
It was Leo. He betrayed me. He didn’t see me, he confirmed it with his nose. Or maybe because Orsted’s scent was mixed in, rather than Leo, Lara noticed. Leo and Lara can understand each other after all. No wonder Lara was looking my way.
“…Going as far as to wear that.”
Sylphy’s shoulders were shaking. She was very angry.
Gloomy. This is a gloomy person. A gloomy person, not an angry one.
I wanted to see her in class, asking the teachers questions. I wanted to watch her diligently studying.
“It is. It’s just, I couldn’t hold back any more, I had intended to tell you after it was over.”
“It’s true. I had intended to apologise to you.”
“Yes.”
I said that and Sylphy put her hand out and helped me up. She had already stopped crying.
“Then I’m in the wrong here, because even though you only thought about just watching and went so far, I forbade you to even look.”
“Yeah… You did.”
As we were talking and such, Sylphy’s gaze suddenly raised up. The look on her face said she messed up. When I turned around, I understood the reason.
“Aah…”
Before we noticed, the students were already looking at us through the classroom window. And with them, was obviously, Lucy.
Lucy looked at the both of us with a somewhat sullen face.
Part 5
One by one, she explained all the fun things that happened today in school.
“You know, Belinda-chan is the daughter of a minister of the Ranoa Kingdom. She’s still little, but she’s really smart, so that’s why she came to school. She says she’s going to become the best in the school and make her father notice her.”
“And guess what, the first class was with Blue-Mama. At first, everyone made fun of her and I almost got mad, but then Blue-Mama, she showed us a little bit of magic and everybody was like “wow”. And then Blue-Mama said, “Well, it’s up to you whether or not you listen to my class.” She was so cool!”
“Yeah!”
Lucy nodded with extreme happiness. When I saw that I thought that there was nothing to worry about.
“See, Papa. Lucy was fine right?”
As if reading my mind, Lucy said that.
“Yeah, you were just fine. Good girl.”
“Ahaha, way more amazing than Papa.
Lucy was outstanding. No matter how you look at her, she’s outstanding. Compared to her father who’s not alright at all. A guardian was necessary.
“By the way Rudy.”
Suddenly, Sylphy raised a finger.
“Hm?”
“Correct. Lucy’s smart. I can expect good things from you in the future. As expected of my daughter.”
“Okay.”
I’ll have to bear with it for a little while, but I’m happy.
Part 6
The next day.
Rumor lasts for only 75 days. I obviously knew that it’s groundless, and since Sylphy and the rest of my family knew that too, it was fine.
While thinking that, when I went to Orsted to return the coat, Orsted was glaring at me with a scary face, and I had to come up with an explanation…
Orsted’s Coat: The material is the pelt of an ancient White Dragon. It carries an absurd amount of magic power, and possesses high physical and magical defence. It possesses self-restoration against ageing and damage. Because the Ancient White Dragon is now extinct, it’s a unique Item