Chapter 14: Recruitment – Prefa Reroriu

“Next up is…”

I made my way to the library to invite Prefa.

It was irritating to admit I had lost, but with the second volume of the book I’d promised her in hand, I walked on with heavy steps.

Pushing open the library’s heavy doors, I found the space filled with a hushed silence.

As I stepped inside, the faint scent of old paper and ink tickled my nose.

But she wasn’t in her usual spot by the window. The soft sunlight poured in, but the place that so suited her was empty today.

“It seems she isn’t here.”

I murmured quietly, feeling a slight pang of disappointment that my expectation had been off. The library felt a little lonely without Prefa. Leaving it behind, I walked down the hallway to search for her.

That’s when I saw three gaudily dressed female students walking toward me. They were chatting loudly, and their voices grated on my ears.

“Ahh, that felt good~. That little vixen was a real eyesore, you know?”

The red-haired girl muttered with satisfaction, her voice dripping with obvious malice.

“I still laugh just thinking about it, lol. She wasn’t a vixen, she was a drowned rat, lol.”

The purple-haired girl added with a nasty, sneering grin. Their cruel natures were evident in every word.

“But are you sure it’s okay…? I heard a rumor that she’s from some former noble family…”

The timid-looking, brown-haired girl said anxiously, a hint of hesitation in her voice.

“Huh? She’s a commoner now, isn’t she? She can’t complain. She should know her place and keep her mouth shut.”

The red-haired girl declared haughtily.

The direction they came from was the corner with the restrooms and washbasins.

A terrible feeling took root in my mind, and I couldn’t shake it. I broke into a run. What I found there was a sight I could barely believe.

“…!”

A girl was crouched on the floor.

It was Prefa.

She was completely drenched. Water dripped from her uniform, forming a small puddle on the floor.

Her wet hair was stuck to her face, and her ears, which were usually perked up, drooped lifelessly.

Her head was bowed, so I couldn’t see her expression, but I could tell her small shoulders were trembling.

“…Prefa…?”

My throat felt tight. As a member of the Four Great Noble Families, this was an unforgivable sight.

I was overcome with the urge to grab those three and interrogate them, but I forced it down, taking care not to let any of it show on my face. Right now, I had to prioritize the girl in front of me.

“A-Are you alright?”

I asked, my voice hesitant. At the sound of my voice, Prefa looked up at me in surprise.

“Michelle-sama…? Why are you… here…?”

Her voice was hoarse, weak, and slightly strained.

“Why? I was looking for you.”

I approached Prefa and offered her my hand. Her wet hand was cold, but I squeezed it tightly anyway.

“Fire, wind, answer my command. Grant this body your warm breath!”

I chanted a fire and wind spell. Minimizing its power, I sent a current of warm air over Prefa.

White steam began to rise from her body, and I could see her gradually drying off.

“…Was it those three who did this to you?”

Prefa’s body flinched at my words. That was all the answer I needed.

“Why didn’t you fight back? You were strong enough to bea—… to win against me…”

I just couldn’t bring myself to say the word “lose.”

With her power, she should have been able to repel students like that with ease.

“…There’s no point in resisting. I’m a commoner.”

I was stunned by her words. I hadn’t truly understood the weight that the status of “noble” carried.

Even with memories of a past life, this was the first time I had come face-to-face with the deep, absolute wall that exists between the nobles and commoners of this world.

It was a stark reminder of just how terrifying the class disparity in this aristocratic society was. A look of resignation was etched into Prefa’s eyes.

“Didn’t you tell the teachers?”

“No… The teachers are nobles, too. They would believe the testimony of three nobles over the words of a single commoner.”

Prefa answered quietly, her expression full of despair. Her eyes held a deep resignation and the faint shadow of pain.

“That’s…”

I was speechless. Prefa’s words weighed heavily on my heart. Isn’t there something, anything, I can do? All sorts of ideas raced through my mind. Then, it hit me.

“W-Well then, you will join my party.”

I made the proposal with a serious gaze, my tone almost like a command. Prefa’s eyes went wide with surprise. She blinked repeatedly, trying to understand what I meant.

“My party has two members from the Four Great Noble Families. No one should be able to lay a hand on you so carelessly.”

I explained the practical benefits. For her, there could be no better form of protection.

“…! Why would you go that far…?”

A light returned to Prefa’s eyes.

“You beat me, after all. I just don’t want to see you looking so pathetic.”

I crossed my arms and said it bluntly. Admitting that I was simply worried was just too embarrassing.

“You should be about dry now.”

I stopped the spell. Her wet clothes were now completely dry and warm again.

I took a handkerchief from my pocket and gently wiped her face.

“And this is the book I promised you.”

I handed the book to Prefa. As she took it, her eyes lit up.

“Ah, thank you… Are you… really sure?”

Prefa clutched the book with trembling hands and looked straight at me. Her eyes were filled with gratitude and a faint glimmer of hope.

“Yes, of course. Well then, I’ll see you in four days.”

With that, I turned and left.

This should get Prefa to join the party.

And now that she’s in my party, those three shouldn’t be able to mess with her so easily. In the meantime, I need to think of a more permanent solution.

That makes three members. Just one more to go.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

I slowly stood up, gently pinching the hem of my uniform and patting it down.

The warmth of the magic Michelle-sama had cast still lingered faintly on my skin.

Pat, pat.

With each soft pat of my hand, it felt like the miserable feelings from moments ago were slowly fading away.

To be honest, I was surprised that the Michelle Starium would go that far for a commoner.

I had always thought she was proud, full of confidence, and not the type of person to ever bow her head to anyone. But today, she was clearly flustered. She was desperately searching for the right words, for my sake.

She didn’t just notice I was being bullied; she offered me her hand.

And then she invited me to her party. It was her own awkward way of hiding her true feelings, I suppose—blunt, but filled with a genuine kindness.

“…Heh.”

A soft, voiceless laugh escaped me. I realized that, despite the situation, a small part of me felt happy.

And when I received the book—the one she had promised me—the first thing I thought of was my little sister. I can read this to her. The thought sent a gentle warmth spreading through my chest.

What happened today was painful. But even so, to have gained something like this was a small salvation.

Maybe I can try trusting her, just a little.

Muttering quietly, I straightened the collar of my uniform.

I’m alright now. Telling myself that, I took a step back toward the library.