Chapter 46.2: The Feud with the Branch Family

The voice came from behind for a third time. This time, Alphonse turned slowly.

A man with a twisted grin was standing there.

“Long time no see, Alphonse.”

“…Lloyd”

The boy Alphonse called Lloyd had spiky orange hair and appeared to be around the same age as Alphonse. He wore a uniform with a different design from the ones Alphonse and the others wore.

Unlike Crawford Magic Academy’s black-based uniforms, Lloyd’s was white-based—something Shion also recognized. It belonged to Alvarez Knight Academy, which held a yearly competition against Crawford.

“Someone you know, Alphonse?”

Standing beside Alphonse, Shion asked. Alphonse answered.

“This is Lloyd—Lloyd Sigurds. The Sigurds Family is a branch of the Freed Family, so basically, he’s my relative.”

The person who objected to that explanation was Lloyd himself, standing in front of them.

“A branch, a main family… The Freed Family’s arrogance never changes. You think you’re all high and mighty just because our family names differ?”

“…I’m not talking about who’s above or below. More importantly, why is a student from another academy here?”

Alphonse shot Lloyd a slightly cold stare.

“You… You’ve learned to talk back, Alphonse…”

Lloyd glared at Alphonse.

“For the record, I’m not trespassing. I have business here.”

“Business?”

“Your Magic Academy and our Knight Academy are doing that joint session before the competition, right? I brought the schedule notice from our side. While I was at it, I decided to tour the campus…”

Lloyd pulled a thin plate, about the size of a playing card, from his pocket.

“See? My entry permit. I got proper authorization from the gate staff.”

He waved the plate back and forth.

“…I see. Well, thanks for the effort. I’m heading to the library with him, so I’ll be going now.”

Alphonse spoke politely and tried to end the conversation quickly.

But Lloyd stopped him.

“Hold up, Alphonse. That notice was just an errand—I’m here ‘cause I need you.”

“You need me?”

Alphonse frowned, and Lloyd continued while putting away his permit.

“I heard you got picked as one of the representatives for this upcoming match against our Knight Academy.”

“…Yes.”

“I was chosen too, so I came to see what kind of training you’re doing—like a little scouting. But when I got here…”

Lloyd went on, sounding annoyed.

“Two weeks before the competition, and you’re having a ‘study session?’ With a C-Class nobody? You sure look relaxed, huh?”

“I’m not acting relaxed.”

Alphonse spoke calmly, prompting Lloyd to snort in contempt.

“Then is your ‘training’ studying this dusty old Draconic magic with a C-Class?”

“!!”

The magic tome that should have been in Alphonse’s hands was suddenly in Lloyd’s possession.

“…Could you give that back, Lloyd?”

“Sure. Come get it.”

Wearing a self-assured grin, Lloyd held out the book. Alphonse approached and reached out for it.

However—

Right when Alphonse’s fingers were about to grab the book, they caught nothing but air.

“What’s wrong? Hurry up and take it.”

Lloyd, who had been right in front of him, was now several meters away before Alphonse even noticed. Remaining calm, Alphonse spoke evenly.

“I’m not playing around. Just give it back, please.”

“Hmph… You’re no fun anymore, Alphonse.”

Seeing that Alphonse didn’t anger, Lloyd clicked his tongue in boredom and muttered, “Whatever.”

“Here you go.”

He flung the book toward Alphonse from about three meters away.

“っ”

Alphonse readied himself to catch the fluttering pages.

Yet—

“!”

Right before it landed in his hands, the book vanished from Alphonse’s view.

And right after—

“Huh? Don’t want it anymore?”

Lloyd’s voice, which should have come from several meters ahead, sounded from directly behind Alphonse.

Alphonse spun around, but Lloyd wasn’t there. At the same time, he heard a stifled laugh from behind him.

“Hahahahaha! How many times are you gonna fall for the same trick? You’re such a slow, clueless fool.”

Lloyd’s gleeful voice rang out as he held Alphonse’s magic tome in one hand.

“……….”

“Hey, don’t give me that glare. I’ll actually give it back this time.”

With a nasty grin, he walked right up to Alphonse, dropped the book onto the ground, and—

“Pick it up.”

He curled his lips.

“……….”

Without saying a word, Alphonse crouched down.

Just as he reached for the book on the ground, Lloyd crushed it underfoot.

“…っ”

“That pathetic look suits you, Alphonse.”

A cold, low voice filled the air.

“Enjoy feeling big just because you defeated Schwaldius, the Black Dragon of Demise, while you still can. The Freed Family’s era ends with you, and I’ll be the one to end it. If we face each other at the competition, be ready.”

Alphonse stayed silent, still crouched. He only spoke once.

“…Move your foot, please.”

Lloyd glowered at him for a few moments in silence.

“…Fine.”

He mumbled, then lifted his foot.

“Anyway…”

He raised his gaze.

“───What’s with that dirty look, huh? You.”

In a flash, Lloyd was suddenly in front of Shion, who had been standing a short distance away, and glared at him.

“Ah! Lloyd!!”

Alphonse noticed and called out in alarm, but Lloyd ignored it and went on.

“You’ve been glaring at me this whole time, haven’t you? What’s your deal?”

He shot Shion a sharp, intimidating look.

“Not much of a ‘deal’… But—”

Shion showed no fear.

“You’ve been yapping nonstop like a little dog. The weaker the dog, the louder it barks.”

“Wh-what…?”

“(Shion-kun…!?)”

Lloyd’s temple twitched angrily, and Alphonse looked rattled. Paying no mind, Shion spoke again.

“A small fry like you can only preserve your ego by doing petty stuff like this. Must be tough on Alphonse to put on an act just to send you home feeling good.”

“Pretending not to see movement thaaat slooow…is quite a feat.”

Without looking away from Lloyd, Shion spoke in an even tone, causing Lloyd’s voice to tremble.

“Must’ve misheard that… What’d you just say…? Say it again, C-Class…”

Lloyd’s expression stiffened, his voice low and menacing.

Still, Shion remained unruffled.

“You heard me. I said it’s harder to pretend not to catch up with a sloooowpoke like you. Spinning around to someone’s back, then back to the front, showing off with all that round-and-round bravado—that’s your idea of speed? I was dying of secondhand embarrassment just watching. Were you trying to run a shame campaign?”

He fired off his words matter-of-factly.

One phrase in particular hit a nerve with Lloyd.

“Hey, C-Class… Did you just call me, Lloyd, a sloooowpoke…?”

“How many times do I have to say it? I’ve been saying that from the start. Even if you try anything, you’re so clumsy and slow you couldn’t even lay a finger on me, a mere C-Class, let alone Alphonse.”

Lloyd’s shoulders shook as he hung his head. Then he muttered:

“…Hey, C-Class…”

He raised his face.

“You… You don’t think I’ll let you take back that spit you just spat, do you…!?”

Lloyd glared at Shion, his eyes bloodshot.

“I can’t just ignore that. I don’t give a damn if you’re a nobody—there’s a limit to how much trash I’ll swallow…!!”

Even with Lloyd practically screaming in his face, Shion didn’t break eye contact, his expression unchanged.

“So the weak one’s acting tough, huh…!? Fine by me! I’ll—!!”

“Stop right there, Lloyd!!”

Just as Lloyd raised his fist, Alphonse rushed in to halt him.

“Stay outta this, Alphonse! This is between me and this guy!!”

“I’m stopping you for your own good, Lloyd.”

“What?”

Lloyd turned, glaring at Alphonse.

“This is Crawford Magic Academy territory, and you’re a visitor from another school. If word gets out that you caused violence here, I doubt your strictly-run Knight Academy will just let it slide.”

“…Tch.”

“Besides, you’re officially here on Knight Academy business, right? Starting trouble would be even worse for you, don’t you think?”

“…”

Lloyd paused, fist still raised. After a few seconds, he clicked his tongue.

“It ticks me off that you’re the one telling me this, but yeah, I can’t risk fighting right now…”

He spoke in frustration, slowly lowering his fist.

“You got lucky, C-Class. Your buddy saved your hide. But next time, if you don’t wanna die, don’t go riding his coattails to mouth off.”

Lloyd said that to Shion, then turned on his heel to leave the way he came.