When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master.

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“To think that Hero Dan is a part-time lecturer… It’s a completely unexpected development, isn’t it, Lady?”

“Yes! Absolutely!”

“You, who had no intention of attending the class and were sleeping, even woke up.”

“Of course, since Dan-sama is there!”

Earlier, they had received an explanation from the teacher, Sakura Alleetia, that Hero Dan would be teaching various things at the Knight Training School as a part-time instructor. Hero Dan himself also appeared and briefly spoke to them.

At that time, Candy had winked to make her presence felt, but since their relationship was a secret, there was no reaction at all.

However, she understood that he was slightly conscious of her, so she was in a good mood.

“You seem to be in high spirits, Miss Candy.”

“…Who are you?”

“Oh my, forgetting me, your betrothed… How cruel.”

“…Huh? Seriously, who are you? Croco, do you know him?”

“This gentleman is Michael Usshisshi. He was previously betrothed to you, my lady. However, that matter has been broken off already…”

“Indeed… But I haven’t given up.”

(What an annoying person… The type my lady seems to dislike… Lady, please don’t say anything strange…)

“You seem to be such a troubl――”

Just as Candy was about to say he seemed like a troublesome person, Croco covered her mouth with her hand, then whispered to her.

“――If you say something careless, Hero Dan might not think of you as a refined lady, you know? Is that really what you want? After all, you have a good image with him so far.”

“Ah! That’s true indeed! Ohohoho! Um, Lykel-sama?”

“It’s Michael.”

“Ah, yes, of course. Anyway, I have something to do now. Excuse me!”

“…… It’s still not quite right, but… perhaps trying to restrain yourself is progress. Excuse us.”

Candy hastily left from in front of Michael, and Croco followed her. Watching her retreating back, a deep darkness stirred in Michael’s hands.

***

After school, Candy was heading home in a buoyant mood, having secretly arranged to have tea with Hero Dan. She took off her uniform and changed into a white dress, grooming herself in front of the mirror.

Students of the Knight Training School who can’t commute from home can live in the dormitory. And in the dormitory, a room is given where two can stay together. Since Candy and Croco share the same room, Croco, being a maid, always takes care of Candy.

“Oh my, oh my, oh my! Am I not too cute? Doesn’t this dress suit me too much?”

“You look lovely, Milady… I truly think you look wonderful.”

“O-hohohoho! Of course, darling. If you look up ‘beautiful’ in a book, my name appears just before it.”

“Indeed so.”

Candy changed from her uniform to a dress, and Croco changed into her maid uniform, and they hurried to the place where Hero Dan was waiting. The hero seems to be very busy, and there’s hardly any time available. He agreed to have tea with Candy, but only for a mere 30 minutes, and reluctantly accepted the condition since he’s so occupied.

They must go to a place out of sight so that their relationship doesn’t become known. Time is short. Therefore, she runs.

In order to make the most of the only 30 minutes available… However, her rushing feet suddenly stopped. In one corner of the royal capital, in a place like a wasteland where no one was around, the wind blew quietly, swaying her hair.

The maid tilts her head and asks her master.

“Milady?”

“… The one who has been following us since earlier, please come out.”

“Eh…?”

With a glare, her eyes, fierce like a dragon’s, are directed at a corner where a few trees grow. Croco, taken aback by her master’s icy gaze, holds her breath. However, the person being stared at makes an appearance without showing any guilt.

“It’s Master Michael, Milady.”

“Ah, the person from earlier.”

“I was a bit surprised. I thought I was hiding well.”

“I observe far more prestigious people on a regular basis. Noticing someone of your caliber is no trouble at all. So? What do you want?”

“Well, um… Circumstances have changed, and I would appreciate it if you could come with me.”

“I refuse. I have an important tea party soon… Besides, you’re planning to force me to come, aren’t you? Your murderous intent is as obvious as dust.”

“You truly are the daughter of the Elemental House. You noticed, did you?”

In Michael’s hand was a jet-black, ominous darkness. His eyes seemed transfixed, as though consumed by it. Upon seeing this, Croco immediately realized that it was an existence that brings harm to people, like a disaster.

She attempted to stand like a shield to protect her master, but…

“Milady!”

“Don’t worry.”

…Before she knew it, Candy was in front of her. The instantaneous movement was something she couldn’t even perceive.

(Eh… Was Milady this fast…? Could this be the result of her training with Hero Dan?)

“I’m going to meet my beloved gentleman soon. Having you around would lead to misunderstandings, and that would be dreadful, so I’ll take you down now.”

“You’re quite insolent. If you had quietly followed me, you wouldn’t have to suffer…”

Candy extends her left hand forward and holds her right hand back slightly, clenched. Her right foot sinks into the ground, and vibrations echo through the earth, leaving a hole.

“Oh? You can do a bit, can’t you?”

“Of course. I am a chosen being. I’ve obtained true strength.”

The fist thrown with the speed of a gust of wind was effortlessly caught in Michael’s palm. Although she had held back to some extent, he was unscathed, and she became more cautious.

“But you’re quite strong too. More than I expected… Well, not as much as me, though.”

This time Michael throws a punch. Had she been just a noblewoman, had she not been trained by Hero Dan, it would have ended here. She deflects the raging barrage of fists with her palms or backhands.

She wanted to transition into a counterattack, but he was too fast… and moving flamboyantly would surely tear her dress, so she couldn’t make grand movements.

(Ugh, moving flamboyantly will definitely tear it… I had it tailor-made just for this tea party…)