Chapter 2
After saving my notebook, Elenien began to follow me everywhere.
Given Elenien’s awkward way of expressing herself and her difficulty forming friendships, she probably wanted to stay close to me, the one person she’d become friends with.
Thanks to this, I didn’t have any free time to myself, and it felt like I was about to sigh heavily, but I held it in.
If I let out a sigh, Elenien would undoubtedly worry and keep asking about it.
I couldn’t exactly tell her she was the reason I was stressed.
“Hmm…”
Elenien, who had been watching her spirits play and frolic, turned her attention to me.
Even though we were in the library, her glowing, flickering spirits were distracting enough, but those eyes of hers were even harder to bear.
“What, what is it?”
I asked in a tone similar to hers, and Elenien responded.
“What, what are you doing… Se-Serupe?”
“This?”
“Yeah.”
If I didn’t tell her, she’d just keep asking.
It wasn’t like Elenien would go around sharing or misusing the information anyway…
“Fertilizer. I’m studying to make fertilizer.”
“Fertilizer? …Poop?”
Hearing the word “poop” come out of Elenien’s pretty lips felt odd, but seeing her clueless face made it oddly fitting.
“That’s for natural fertilizers. This is chemical fertilizer. In any case, it’s meant to help plants grow better.”
“Wow… that’s such a great thing to do.”
Maybe because she’s half-elf, the idea of helping plants grow seemed very appealing to her.
“Is there… anything I can do to help? I like watering flowerbeds… Want to do it together?”
“No, it’s fine. You don’t need to help.”
When I replied and went back to studying, Elenien seemed to go quiet.
Finally able to focus, I felt like I could breathe.
After studying for a while and stretching when I finished, I noticed Elenien curled up.
Her expression didn’t look good.
What’s going on?
“Is something wrong?”
At my question, Elenien shook her head vigorously.
What’s up with her?
Still, she followed me around while I put my books back in their places.
Something felt off.
Though I didn’t know what it was, it was clear she wasn’t in a good mood.
I checked my wallet to assess my finances.
Though I didn’t have the wealth of nobles, they didn’t extort money from me either—just flaunted their status to feel superior.
I still had a fair amount of money left from what my parents had sent me.
“Want to go eat something together? Aren’t you hungry? Do you like sweets?”
“Huh?”
Elenien’s expression brightened a little as she moved closer to me.
…She’s so beautiful that it’s a bit overwhelming.
Honestly, her following me from behind would’ve been just right.
I deliberately avoided looking at her as we headed to the cafeteria.
“Oh, Serupe. Still getting picked on by the nobles today, huh? …Wait, what?”
The cafeteria manager squinted suspiciously when he saw me bring Elenien along.
“Well, it’s no different than usual. I’ll have a Creamia and an Eldershoe, please.”
Creamia was ice cream, and Eldershoe was cream-filled bread.
They were popular among noble girls and sold well.
Though he might seem like just a cafeteria manager, only merchants of semi-noble rank or higher could run businesses in the academy.
In other words, he was wealthy.
When will I ever reach his level… sigh.
“Today, I’ll give you a special discount. Actually, how about an extra Eldershoe instead?”
“Huh? Oh, um, thank you.”
“Pfft.”
I tried to refuse politely but immediately gave in to my miserly instincts, snatching it up. The manager clicked his tongue at me.
Handing the elegantly wrapped Creamia and Eldershoe to Elenien, she happily munched away.
Damn it…
Is this what it feels like to feed stray cats?
While eating the extra Eldershoe, I noticed Elenien staring, her eyes sparkling—not at me, but at the Eldershoe in my hand.
“…Want some?”
Elenien hesitated briefly, then took the one in my hand and bit into it.
Her usually blank face blushed slightly as she chewed happily.
Then she looked at the Creamia in her hand, licked it, and suddenly seemed startled.
After a moment of hesitation, she handed the half-eaten Creamia to me.
“…”
Does she not care about swapping spit at all?
Well, it’s not like I mind eating something Elenien’s already tasted.
She probably felt guilty for eating both Eldershoes and wanted to give me the Creamia instead.
“…Thanks.”
Why am I thanking her when I bought it in the first place?
As I ate the Creamia, Elenien looked at me with a teary-eyed expression, as if she might cry.
Even though Elenien struggled with communication, I could guess what she was thinking.
“How could you eat the whole thing!” …probably.
In the end, I had to take the Creamia out of my mouth and give it back to her.
Elenien happily finished it off, leaving only the stick behind.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she handed me the empty stick.
Looking at the stick, I muttered softly, “Loser.”
Elenien peeked at the stick and looked disappointed.
Good grief.
Sharing food had been a bit heart-fluttering, but I barely got to eat anything myself.
Still, keeping Elenien happy was important.
Without her, I’d go right back to being bullied by the nobles, unable to focus on my research.
Even if my wallet was running low, as long as I could develop fertilizer…
As I glanced back at the cafeteria, the manager gave me a knowing smirk.
Ugh.
“Serupe, are you sick…?”
Elenien began touching my cheeks and checking over my body.
Why is she suddenly acting like this? It’s embarrassing.
“N-no, I’m fine.”
Her physical affection felt way too natural.
It didn’t seem like she thought anything of it.
Anyway, I had calmed Elenien down, finished my studies for the day, and thought about going for a walk.
Normally, I wouldn’t be able to stroll around so freely, but thanks to Elenien, the nobles only watched from a distance, too scared to approach.
Hehehe, pathetic fools.
Are you afraid of Elenien?
Actually, I find her a bit scary too…
“Are you thirsty…?”
While walking, Elenien stopped to look at a flowerbed and summoned a spirit to water the plants.
The petals looked even more vibrant and swayed gently in the breeze.
Standing together with her like this made it look like the cover of a magazine.
“Why, why are you staring…?”
Noticing my gaze, Elenien fidgeted and asked hesitantly.
Ah, right, I should watch where I’m looking.
“It’s nothing.”
I brushed it off and continued walking.
It was about time to head back to the dormitory.
“They said they’re assigning new dorm rooms today, right? Was it because of the rampant bullying among students caused by the nobles?”
“Y-yeah.”
Elenien nodded multiple times.
Since the matter concerned both of us, there was no way we wouldn’t know about it.
Sigh, most of the students at the academy are nobles.
High-ranking nobles don’t really use the dorms, but if I get stuck with the wrong person, I might lose my place to rest.
I could end up in the ridiculous situation of having to sleep outside despite the dormitory existing.
This wasn’t something I could ask Elenien for help with either.
It wasn’t just nobles who could cause trouble; even commoners might be an issue.
Some commoners were practically like nobles, while others were just naturally unpleasant.
These measures weren’t really a fundamental solution to bullying.
It was all for show.
Not that there’s an easy way to deal with the nobles anyway.
If a few lowly commoners died as stress relief for the nobles, no one in power would care.
That’s just how the world works.
Lost in these cynical thoughts, I let out a heavy sigh.
Elenien looked at me worriedly.
Ah, I should probably sigh less.
“I just hope I get a good roommate.”
“Me too…”
Since Elenien’s status was that of a commoner, the dormitory must have been important to her as well.
Sigh, last time I was lucky to have a room to myself because my roommate was a noble who didn’t care about the dormitory.
I wonder how it’ll go this time…
“I’ll walk you to the dormitory entrance. See you tomorrow, Eli.”
“Okay, Seri… Serupe, you too.”
When I shortened her name, Elenien visibly brightened and tried shortening my name in return.
But seriously, “Seri” is a bit much…
Anyway, we parted ways and returned to our respective dormitories.
At the entrance, I checked my room assignment and moved my belongings to my new room, only to find someone already there.
“Yo, I’m Karon. Who are you?”
“…Huh?”
It’s the protagonist…
What kind of cruel twist of fate is this?
“You seem to recognize me. I’m the third son of a baron family, so I’m not exactly famous. Wait, you’re the guy who was staring at me while I was training the other day, aren’t you?”
“Haha… No, that wasn’t me.”
“Yeah, it was. What’s your deal?”
“…”
His piercing gaze froze me in place.
I might just be some insignificant loser at the academy, but this guy… he’s the protagonist.
Though he’s often underestimated, he’s actually a swordsmanship genius who has awakened memories of his past life.
If I mess with him, I could end up dead in one strike.
“Ha! I figured it out. You’re interested in swordsmanship, aren’t you?”
“Uh, yeah, sure.”
“Relax, man. We’ll be sharing a room from now on. Let’s get along.”
This guy thinks he’s so funny, but I’m not laughing.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to get close to the protagonist.
But how am I supposed to deal with this fear?
How is this guy even my age?
Look at those arms…
“Y-yeah, sure, looking forward to it.”
“Why are you so scrawny for a guy? You need to start working out.”
Are you some kind of gym rat?
Please, just let me live…
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