On the third day of the week, I found myself waiting outside a classroom.
I was waiting for Fran to finish one of her optional classes so we could both go together to a special class Teacher Crowbell had prepared for the S-class students.
The announcement came out of nowhere this morning. Crowbell suddenly entered the classroom and explained that we'd be having a special magic-related class after our optional classes were over.
Normally, the required classes always come first since they have set times arranged for every student, so having a required class as the final subject for the day be a weird feeling.
Especially a class with Crowbell. I've become used to it since I have that class with him and Gdenlaw teaching me advanced stuff.
"Theo and Cecil should already be in the arena we'll be taught in," I muttered to myself, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed.
I didn't know what kind of lesson Crowbell had prepared, but I needed to be ready.
"Alen?" a male voice called from my side. A hand rested on my shoulder and gave me a light shake.
"Huh?" I blinked and looked over. "Oh—Teacher Iaves! Sorry, I was just thinking about something." I laughed awkwardly.
"You tend to do that even in my class," the elven man replied, letting go of my shoulder. "Do I really mean that little to you?!"
Enyoll Iaves clutched his chest dramatically and staggered backward.
"Who says I don't pay attention to your classes?!" I protested.
"I know, I know. Your notes are one of the best in my class. I'm just messing with you." He waved a hand to calm me. "Anyway, what are you doing here? Don't you have other matters to attend to? I hear you're a busy guy."
"I'm waiting for Fran to finish her optional subject so we can go to Crowbell's special class," I replied, glancing at the classroom door.
"Fran… that's Princess Von Themys, right?"
"Uh… yeah?" I raised an eyebrow, confused.
"I'm still not used to seeing someone be friendly with that kid."
"You knew her from before?"
"She's the Montanev kingdom's princess. Everyone knows her."
"I guess so…"
Enyoll snorted and waved dismissively. "Seriously though, I've been to a few Montanev royal parties as a guest. I've seen her from a distance since she was a little girl. Even then, she avoided everyone outside her family."
"That does sound like Fran," I chuckled.
"You're a brave guy, taking on that impossible challenge," the elf said, resting his hand on my shoulder with a faint smile.
"Why do I feel like you're seeing me off to my death with that expression?!" I burst out, shaking his hand off.
He laughed hard, holding his stomach. "Every man must go through one of those trials at least once. Some come out victorious, while most suffer defeat."
"Don't talk about relationships like that!"
"Anyway," he continued after catching his breath, "wasn't your friend trying to get a dungeon exploration pass like you?"
"Yeah. Fran wanted to explore dungeons with me."
Enyoll raised both eyebrows and stepped back. He clenched his fist in mock determination. "You… having someone willingly go on a dungeon exploration with you, because of you… I'm definitely jealous."
"Just tell me what you want to tell me," I sighed, shoulders slumping.
"I heard from Crowbell she performed spectacularly on the recent test. Considering the talent he mentioned, I think she should talk to Goldenlaw to get that pass."
My eyes widened. "Really?"
"Goldenlaw still has to approve it, but she has both Crowbell's and my recommendation. And you can help her train and prepare for dungeon knowledge."
"Thanks, Teacher Iaves. I'll make sure to tell her!"
"It's up to her in the end—and up to you to prepare your girlfriend to be eligible for the pass." He stepped back, eyes shifting behind me even though he was still facing my direction.
"She's not my girlfriend…" I whispered, cheeks heating.
"But you're not against the idea, eh?"
I looked away.
Fran was definitely a great girl. One I really liked in the game, even with her villainous role. I loved spending time with her and learning all these new sides of her I never got to see.
But…
"She deserves more than a random peasant who came from nowhere." I smiled faintly, though it felt wrong to say it out loud.
Because it was reality.
A noble princess, heir to her kingdom, could never be accepted with someone as weak and influence-less as me.
For the first time, Enyoll dropped his playful smile.
"Haa… no one is unworthy of love, Alen," he said quietly. Then he turned and walked away, raising a hand in farewell.
I agreed no one should be unworthy of love. But someone can become unworthy. And I am.
I lie and hide things from her. Not just her—from everyone. Because I'm afraid of straying too far from the story I know. Because I'm selfish. Because I want to do things alone. Because even if I trust them, I won't reveal the truth. Not because I can't—because…
"Finally!"
"Yeah, that class was so long!"
"Huh? Who's this guy waiting at our door?"
"Dude, don't look at him! That's Alen from S class."
"No way… he's probably here for Princess Von Themys."
"Don't talk to him. I heard he's aggressive and cunning. He'll trap you and make you lose all your points."
"And wherever he goes, Princess Von Themys is with him. I want no part of that."
As the classroom door opened and students exited, I heard them whispering about me.
I ignored them. As long as they didn't interfere with me, they didn't matter.
Finally, Fran was one of the last to step out.
"Alen!" Her cold expression melted instantly when she saw me. "I'm sorry for making you wait so long."
Even as she apologized, Enyoll's words clung to my mind.
"I'd wait hours for you, Fran," I said with a bright smile.
"Unfortunately for you, I'll make sure you never wait that long in the future," she said, crossing her arms and puffing her cheeks.
As we walked through the halls, I told her what Enyoll had said.
"I'll speak with the director when I get the chance."
"I didn't need a test because of my dungeon experience, but Goldenlaw usually gives one."
"A test I'll ace so we can explore dungeons together. Alone. So I can be the one protecting you—because one, you don't take enough care of yourself, and two, you always explore with useless peasants."
I chuckled and shook my head. "I still want to explore with my friends in the second year."
"Then we'll drag them with us. But I don't trust them to protect you. They've already proven they can't."
"We were just unlucky. I'm sure the next dungeon will be calmer than the last."
"You powered through the unlucky situations with power, luck, and resolve, three things they clearly don't have. But you do, and that's what makes you the only one reasonably good despite being a year younger"
"Alen!"
I heard someone calling out to me.
"Don't get any closer. I already told you two that he's not interested" Fran shut down the two girls approaching me before they even had time to explain themselves. She stood in between them and me, as if shielding me from danger.
They were the tanned redhead, Yani, and the pink-haired main character, Kaida Thican.
"We really apologize princess. But... we're not here for Alen, right Kaida?" Yani asked while bumping her friend with her elbow, and winking a single eye.
"Eh—uhh... y-yesh...!" Kaida blushed and nodded along.
They clearly have something planned.
"Don't care if you don't want anything to do with Alen, you're still closer to us than I like, filth!" Fran commented in her usual, cold tone that could kill someone.
"Ehhh... it'll be a single second, princess" Yani clearly looked on edge, and she seemed to be pushing and forcing herself to act confident.
"I actually wanted to talk with you" Yani forced a confident tone while wrapping her arm around Fran and turning her around to talk.
As both of them were whispering between each other, I crossed my arms, waiting for my friend to finish talking.
I actually got surprised that Fran was allowing Yani to be so close with her and lead the conversation.
"U—umhhh..." in a single second, Kaida stood next to me.
Her cheeks were colored a light pink similar to her hair, while her hands joined together at her skirt.
"What is it, Kaida?"
"I wanted to ask you for help. But, not direct help! I know princess Von Themys would never allow it" Kaida mentioned with a hint of jealousy in her voice, but also understanding where she was placed in the hierarchy of the academy thanks to her label as a sinner.
"Sure, I'm always happy to help you, Kaida"
"R-really?!" As soon as she said that, her cheeks turned redder and her smile became wider.
"I'm always happy to help you become stronger"
"A-alen... d-do you l-l-like... strong... gir—people?" Kaida asked in a own voice, so low she practically whispered it.
I guess I do like her being strong, as that means better chances of survival, not only for me, but for the whole world as a whole.
"Yeah, I like strong people"
"I see..." she then seemed to have become a bit dazed while thinking hard about something.
"Kaida...? Do you need my help?"
"Ah! O-oh, yes... sorry" Kaida flinched and her eyes darted everywhere but me.
"I actually wanted to ask if you could write some spells you think are useful or good. We've been meaning to learn new spells for our next duel, but Yani and I don't have the creativity to come up with synergizing spells"
Kaida explained while frantically swaying her arms in nervousness.
"Sure, I'll see what I can find. Yani still is on the first circle? Are you still only on the second circle?" I asked.
Yani and Kaida both only have a single affinity, wind for the former, and lightning for the later.
"Yes, we're still the same" she eagerly nodded while letting out an awkward and embarrassed giggle.
"T-thanks, Alen! I'll make sure to repay all you've done for me one day" she whispered, mostly to herself, and quickly stepped away before I could talk.
I wondered why she stepped away, but Fran pushing Yani away was the obvious answer. Fran was no longer distracted.
"If that's all you had to say, then scram. You both wasted my time!" The white-haired coldly claimed.
"S-sorry, princess..." Yani apologized with the best smile she could force while her forehead was filled with heavy sweat drops.
"Y-yani!" Kaida called out, but stopped on her tracks once Fran turned to look at her.
"You're also lucky, sinner. We're it not for the fact that Alen is here, your forehead would be kissing the floor right now" on the princess' side, she was clearly clenching her fist, ready to take action against the person she hates the most.
"Thanks fo—"
"Don't talk! Who gave you permission to talk? Because I sure didn't"
"Fran, leave them be" I spoke up, stopping the princess before she lost her temper.
"Hmph!" She huffed and puffed her cheeks.
Fran walked past Kaida, crossing her arms.
"You two should consider yourselves lucky!"