I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 34

Chapter 34: I Want to See Rine’s Cute Side

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

Around three months after moving up to the middle division, the academy was buzzing about a certain topic. The academy auditorium was unusually noisy. I probably knew the reason. It had been talked about for a while. The academy headmaster standing on the stage cleared his throat.

“Silence.”

The atmosphere tightened. Everyone looked somewhat tense.

“It has been officially decided that we will begin an exchange study program with the Holy Theocracy Luminaria.”

A brief silence, followed by a quiet explosion of voices.

“What!?”

“The study destination is the Theocracy!?”

“Isn’t that a country with more history than the Kingdom!?”

The headmaster continued calmly.

“Twelve students will be dispatched from this academy.”

The commotion stopped. That switch was impressive. I had no idea what was going on. If twelve people were going, someone I knew might be among them. It was not a small number, but not a large one either. A perfectly balanced selection. Though I had no idea how they would choose them.

“The selection criteria will be based on the overall evaluation. Magical capacity, practical skills, written exams, and dignity.”

Thanks for saying that so clearly. That meant I was completely out of the running. I had thought about doing some sightseeing if I happened to be chosen, but of course there was no way I would be selected. I glanced at the people beside me instead.

Serena looked expressionless as usual. Kaiel had his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Allen looked sparkly, and Elysia was expressionless. Considering the selection criteria, Serena or Elysia seemed likely to go. I wondered how it would turn out.

After school, a crowd gathered in front of the bulletin board. A sheet listing the selected students was posted. Familiar names were written there.

“Oh, Serena and Kaiel.”

Serena Alfilia.

Kaiel Valdio

Just as I thought. I already knew they’d make the cut. There were other names that sounded vaguely familiar. Oh, Princess Mireille was there too.

…Alright.

“I wasn’t on the list. Though honestly it would have been troublesome if I was.”

Yuka spoke from beside me.

“Luka-sama, are you pretending not to care?”

Be quiet. Even if my family was a ducal house, my personal specs were too weak. If I studied abroad, the only thing I could realistically do was sightseeing. This time I would just support the main characters from the sidelines.

◇

A few weeks later. About two days after Serena and the others departed, the day arrived when the students from the Holy Theocracy would arrive. Leaving the princess aside, parting with Serena and Kaiel had been sad.

“…Luka, think of this as me and keep it with you at all times.”

What she handed me was a ring and a small pouch. Confused, I looked inside the pouch and saw a few strands of hair. It seriously startled me, but according to Yuka and my mother, it was like a charm meant to pray for a man’s safe return. By the way, she was the one traveling, not me. Was she really that worried about me?

…I ended up putting the ring on a chain and wearing it as a pendant. I had no idea what to do with it otherwise, so Elysia’s suggestion really helped.

As I remembered the farewell, white carriages lined up in front of the academy’s main gate. They were decorated with a golden crest and the Theocracy’s symbol known as the Holy Mark. The atmosphere felt a little different.

The door opened. Two people stepped out. One was a girl with brown hair. She had a quiet aura, about the same age as us. She might even be in the same year. The other was a boy with black hair. His posture was straight, and his eyes were sharp. The surrounding crowd stirred, and I heard someone whisper.

“…Hero candidate.”

Someone muttered it. The black-haired boy stepped forward and gave a refined bow.

“I am from the Holy Theocracy Luminaria, ranked seventh among the Hero Candidates.”

His voice was calm, but it carried clearly.

“My name is Leonis Arseid.”

…Ranked seventh? Doesn’t that confirm he is a strong character? No thank you.

Next was the brown-haired girl.

“I am also a Hero Candidate, ranked eleventh.”

Her voice was soft, clearly the quiet type.

“My name is Elphiria Seraphina.”

There were twelve Hero Candidates in total, and these two were among them. Maybe only these two came for the exchange program. Also, why were their carriages so much higher quality if there were only two of them? Since there were twelve candidates and the exchange program also selected twelve students, I thought all of them would come.

And the ones who came were ranked seventh and eleventh. Well, it had nothing to do with me for now. I had to hurry home and play with Fia, that was my mission.

…Or so I thought.

Why was I the guide?

Leonis looked around the academy. For a moment, his gaze stopped when he saw Yuka and Elysia.

“…Interesting. People like that are here…”

He grinned.

“This might not be boring after all. It might even be perfect.”

He smelled like a battle maniac. I should stay away from him. Elphiria smiled quietly as well. But her eyes somehow had the same look as Leonis. They were bloodlines chosen by the gods, descendants of the legendary hero.

…They were not just a group of berserkers, right? I watched all of this from a short distance away. Guide? If someone wanted that job, they could have it. Here, I’d leave it right there.

“…Yuka, I feel depressed.”

Yuka spoke softly.

“Luka-sama, I do not think you need to concern yourself with the bloodline of heroes.”

“Right. I don’t have any reason to get involved with them.”

Classes would resume again tomorrow. Maybe Rine would heal my spirit. Actually…For a healing presence among battle maniacs… maybe Fia was the better choice. I should absorb some Fia energy at home before coming to school.

◇

“These are the exchange students who will attend classes with the Magic Swordsmanship Department starting today. They will also participate in training from today.”

After the instructor said that, the handsome black-haired boy gave the same elegant bow I had seen earlier.

“I came here from Luminaria as an exchange student. I look forward to studying with you.”

Turn off that sparkling effect. Also stop doing those instant two-panel manga moments. If I had not absorbed some Fia energy earlier my body might have collapsed.

“I am also here as an exchange student. My name is Elphiria Seraphina.”

Of course the “also” person was here too. Yuka was a liar. Training began just like that.

“Luka-sama! Let’s do it again today!”

“…Yeah. Please go easy on me.”

“Yes!”

Uoooo… I still could not fully trust that. Actually I was surprised. Since it was Rine, I thought she would say something like “I’ll go beat up the newcomers!” and go straight for the exchange students. (extreme prejudice)

“Rine, aren’t you going to spar with them?”

“They look strong and I am interested, but I am devoted to Luka-sama!”

Yes. Full-body bruises and muscle soreness confirmed.

It’s over. (high-tension despair) Wait.

The me with an IQ of 89, which was a realistic number for me, had just come up with a solution.

“…I kind of want to see Rine’s cool side again after so long.”

“Huh!? Luka-sama, w-wait a second!”

Heh. It’s working. (evil grin) Now I just need to push her toward the Hero Candidates. (evil grin 2)

“Rine, those two are said to be Hero Candidates and really strong. If you beat them, you would be the strongest, Rine. Even more than before you would be…”

“I’m going.”

That was fast.

Run, heroes. Actually, no. Fight her.

They accepted the challenge easily, but since they were Hero Candidates, they were probably the elite among the elite. There was a chance Rine might lose.

…Actually, wouldn’t Rine lose? Would I get to see her shy maiden side?

Go for it, heroes!

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー