ILDBL 102

Chapter: 102

It had been several days since they enrolled in the Academy.

During that time, Karina and her companions had adapted quite well to academy life.

Kai included.

For some reason, Kai genuinely seemed to enjoy going to the animal kindergarten.

That day as well, his cheerful steps toward the kindergarten made Karina tilt her head in confusion.

It wasn’t long before she discovered why.

The moment she set Kai down inside the kindergarten fence, all the animals immediately lined up in neat rows.

Then, as if performing a formal bow, they all dropped flat onto the ground.

Kai sat proudly before them with his chin held high, looking completely at ease.

As Karina stared at him in disbelief, the kindergarten caretaker quietly spoke up.

“It’s all thanks to Kai. The animals have been so well-behaved lately.”

“Really…?”

“Yes! And I’m not just saying this because he’s the young lady’s pet. Kai is incredibly smart!”

Even though it wasn’t praise directed at her, Karina somehow found herself puffing her shoulders up with pride.

“He understands everything people say! He can even tell the time by looking at a clock!”

Well, our Kai is pretty smart.

Feeling strangely pleased, Karina gently patted Kai’s head.

“I’ll come pick you up at lunchtime, so have fun until then.”

As if to say that was no problem at all, Kai let out a long, lazy yawn.

“Young Lady! You’re going to be late for class!”

Outside the kindergarten, Johanna and Ariel were anxiously stamping their feet.

Chuckling at the sight, Karina left Kai behind and walked out of the kindergarten.

“Isn’t there still plenty of time before class?”

At her question, Johanna shook her finger.

“Today’s professor is famous for being extremely strict. I’d rather get there early and not worry.”

As the three of them headed toward the main building for their general education class, they heard a commotion.

“Eek! I think the Second Prince came to school today!”

“Where? Where? I want to see him too!”

A crowd had gathered around the entrance, making it difficult to get through.

Wondering what was happening, Karina peeked through the crowd.

A blond-haired boy was entering the building under the escort of several knights.

He looked remarkably similar to the Crown Prince she had seen at the Batius banquet.

If the Crown Prince appeared calm and easygoing, then the boy before her seemed much more carefree and rough around the edges.

So that’s the famous Second Prince.

She was about to pass by without much interest when a familiar name reached her ears.

“I heard the eldest son of House Batius came to school this morning too.”

“Really? Don’t upperclassmen mostly skip school since they’re focused on field training?”

“Exactly! Today’s our lucky day!”

Karina already knew Xavier was officially enrolled as an academy student.

She also knew that he rarely attended because he was busy subjugating monsters and handling ducal affairs.

But wait… why is everyone’s reaction so different compared to when Isaac and I showed up?

Sensing her dissatisfaction, Johanna quietly explained.

“The eldest son of House Batius is really famous at the Academy.”

Karina frowned.

“What’s there to be famous about? He barely even comes to school.”

Johanna wagged her finger.

“Young Lady, you really don’t know. Every winter, the Academy holds an end-of-year tournament.”

Karina looked at her as if asking, So what?

Johanna continued with a meaningful smile.

“That’s where they choose the best academy student of the year. Not only do they crown the champion of the swordsmanship and ability tournament, but they also vote for the most beautiful and elegant student.”

These people really love ranking everyone.

While Karina was thinking that, Johanna excitedly continued.

“And! The winner of last year’s tournament and the person chosen as the most beautiful student… was Xavier!”

“What?”

Karina looked at her in disbelief, but Johanna continued dreamily.

“He’s a mysterious figure that hardly anyone gets to see. The heir of House Batius is like forbidden fruit! Of course all the ladies go crazy over him. And whenever he actually shows up, he sweeps every competition he enters!”

Oh, really now?

Watching Johanna with hearts practically pouring out of her eyes, Karina snorted.

So if you win that end-of-year tournament, people start treating you differently?

Before she knew it, Karina’s competitive spirit was blazing.

Just then, Ariel, who had been quietly listening, cautiously spoke.

“But… is it really okay for us to be taking our time like this?”

Only then did Johanna snap back to reality.

“Ah! At this rate we’re going to be late! Run!”

“Ah! You can’t do that! Come over here this instant!”

Denian looked strangely at Emily, who had been sitting beside him and constantly muttering to herself.

Why does she keep hovering around me?

“You can’t do that! No! Stop rubbing your face against him!”

And why did she keep talking to herself?

For someone like Denian, who usually went an entire day without saying a word, she was an impossible person to understand.

Giving up on trying to figure her out, Denian turned his gaze toward Jeremy as usual.

He had to perfectly carry out the task Karina had assigned him today as well.

Watching him quietly, Emily spoke with a sympathetic expression.

“Denian, why don’t you just go talk to him yourself?”

“…”

“I’ll cheer your relationship on!”

“…”

“If you keep bottling it all up like this, you’ll get sick, you know?”

Unable to endure it any longer, Denian slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s… not like that…”

Emily immediately let out a startled scream.

Not only Denian, but everyone nearby turned to look at her.

Realizing her mistake, Emily hurriedly covered her mouth and whispered so only Denian could hear.

“I’ve never heard your voice before!”

Was that really something worth screaming about…?

Wondering what had suddenly put her in such a good mood as she started humming happily, Denian let out a weary sigh.

“Ah! I said don’t cling to Denian! I’ll bring you some ice later!”

Ignoring Emily as though she didn’t exist while she resumed her incomprehensible muttering, he turned his attention back to Jeremy.

Just then, several familiar faces entered his field of vision.

It was the same group that constantly bullied Jeremy whenever they had the chance.

The larger boys seemed especially determined today. They had even come inside the classroom, shoving Jeremy’s head and shoulders while snickering.

What should I do? Should I help him?

But Karina’s orders had only been to watch over Jeremy.

He also didn’t want to waste his strength on something like this and risk exposing his abilities.

Once the professor arrives, they’ll probably back off.

Just as he thought that, Emily suddenly made a huge fuss.

“Oh no! Denian’s Jeremy is getting bullied again! Denian! Are you just going to watch?”

Seriously…

Denian sighed and pressed a hand against his throbbing forehead.

At that moment, one of the bullies kicked Jeremy, who had been ignoring them as though they were ghosts.

“Are you deaf?!”

Crash!

Jeremy toppled over together with his chair. As always, he sighed irritably while adjusting the broken frame of his glasses.

It was always the same pattern.

He was always the one being beaten up, yet he constantly looked at everyone with eyes that seemed to look down on them.

Perhaps irritated by that expression, one of the bullies picked up the notebooks Jeremy treasured.

They were the books he was always writing notes in during class and even during breaks.

The boy gripped one of the books with both hands as if he were about to tear it apart.

Jeremy, who had never reacted no matter how many times they threw his books around, suddenly widened his eyes.

“Stop.”

It was the first time Jeremy had shown any agitation.

Grinning mockingly, the boy ripped the book straight down the middle.

The other bullies immediately joined in, gleefully tearing apart the rest of Jeremy’s notebooks.

Jeremy lowered his head and clenched his fist tightly.

“You insolent little bastards…”

“What? What did you just say?”

One of the boys casually nudged Jeremy’s shoulder with his foot while he was still on the floor.

In an instant, Jeremy grabbed the boy’s ankle and slowly lifted his head.

Suddenly, an indescribably strange atmosphere spread around him.

Realizing something was wrong, the boy tried to pull his foot back.

But for some reason, the foot trapped in Jeremy’s grip wouldn’t budge at all.

A dangerous light flashed in Jeremy’s eyes as he glared at the boy.

At the same time, an overwhelming surge of power erupted.

BOOOOOOM—!!!!

The terrifying burst of energy made Denian instinctively leap to his feet and step in front of Emily to shield her.