Chapter 48
Hunter Academy.
An academy is usually a place where students receive a relaxed education by grade level, but with Gates opening, that concept has changed somewhat.
Because Hunters and Healers with powerful abilities cannot simply be kept tied to school, they complete the essential curriculum at breakneck speed and are sent into actual combat.
That's why, academy in name only, it's practically a six-month camp.
"The social season lasts about two weeks, so... I thought I'd do a little advertising. When do you ever get a chance to appeal to this many families?"
It was an idea meant to kill three birds with one stone: saving time, doing business, and socializing.
But contrary to my expectations, Han Jihye looked down at me with a slightly troubled expression.
She lowered herself a little and said.
"Lady Raebi. There's no way the head of the family will allow it."
"Ah..."
"And the second semester is practical training. I don't think there's any need for you to display your abilities ahead of time."
"......Oops!"
......She's right.
It was a problem I hadn't considered.
If not for the rank-increase mission, perhaps, but in a situation where I had to show results, I needed to be careful.
Nothing ever seemed to be a simple matter.
"Also... I feel like I'm getting a little long-winded, but may I continue?"
"Yes, please."
"I understand that item crafting consumes mana. If higher-ranked nobles send you commissions timed to coincide with the exams, you wouldn't be able to refuse, would you? That would negatively affect your performance."
This, too, was clearly something they could exploit maliciously.
Although I was a speed type, I hadn't trained for combat or physically conditioned myself, and I couldn't exactly let the pygmies loose, either.
If I ran short on mana as well, it would be difficult to fulfill my role. The fact that I was stronger than my publicly known rank was the only variable.
Han Jihye went on to add that leaning on power wouldn't help this time, either.
Unlike planting a parasite in another family to usurp the position of family head, this was a legitimate business request.
"So I fully understand what you're getting at, Lady Raebi, but given the circumstances, please bear with it just this once."
"......I understand. But I can still invite Lady Iroha, right?"
"Of course. It would be good for strengthening our alliance with the Shimizu family, too."
And so, my plan for a spectacular promotional campaign was completely scrapped.
I prepared for the social season while updating the information on the new students she passed along to me. I also tended to the workshop from time to time.
The social season began.
Usually, this involved inviting one another to their lodgings.
It was held by country at first, and apart from China, India, and other countries with excessively large populations, gathering everyone together wasn't too difficult.
"You'll behave this time, won't you, Baron?"
"Of course, Sis. They say a position makes the person, so I've come after reforming my ways."
I grew even closer to Livi.
Partly because the ‘Bella Assault Incident’ had given us a strong sense of camaraderie, but also because, in case I went off the rails, she always hugged me tightly and refused to let go.
I also had to report to her about every little thing whenever I went anywhere.
Yet it wasn't particularly bothersome, because Livi treated me like a cute youngest member who got into trouble.
Of course, that didn't mean there were no problems.
Kim Chahun approached while we were in the middle of checking the seating arrangements.
"My princesses je t'aime, are you all ready?"
"......"
'I want to kill him.'
Just when I thought I'd gotten a little used to it, I hadn't heard it for a few days, and my aversion response started up again.
I wanted to tell him to stop, but could I really criticize the speech of the candidate to head Korea's top family?
Unless he had groped me or something, it was hard to call something that mild sexual harassment.
"Lord Chahun."
"Hmm?"
"You inherited Silla's bloodline, right? Then shouldn't your speech resemble that of people like the Hwarang?"
"......I see. What a thoughtful young lady, to offer me such sound counsel."
'......'
"Th-that's right. That would actually be a little better."
Tap-
'Huh?'
Beside me, Livi silently shook her head. Come to think of it, I remembered the tip she'd given me when I first arrived here.
'Don't mention his way of speaking, and avoid him whenever possible.'
Even if I did, I absolutely mustn't praise his speech.
Only then did the earlier advice come back to me, and I hurriedly looked at Kim Chahun.
The corners of his lips were curling upward ominously. He wore a smile that seemed to contain all the world's sinister creepiness.
"I shall maintain this wonderful atmosphere for the beautiful flowers of Japan visiting us today as well."
"Ah, yes... Do as you please."
"Haha, what's with that expression? Are you that embarrassed?"
"What? ......Why would I be embarrassed?"
"You just fell for me, didn't you? You weren't very forward, but you clearly thought I was handsome for talking like this..."
"…!"
Smack!
"Oof...!"
My hand shot out reflexively. Kim Chahun, struck on the lips without warning, covered his mouth with his hand, while Livi also looked at me in mild surprise.
Even if it was only a weak blow, an assault was still an assault.
If Kim Chahun decided to make an issue of it, this could turn into a serious problem, but I merely stared blankly at both my palms.
A thrilling rush of satisfaction had swept through me.
Kim Chahun glared at me angrily. As the ‘reality’ of having struck an Asadal noble belatedly sank in, I swallowed hard.
"Wh-why?"
"......You're the first woman ever to hit me like this."
"……."
'Wow, he really is amazing.'
"A woman? I'm only ten years old."
"Hmph... I can see the future. Five years from now, you'll be a beautiful woman."
In the end, I gave up on the conversation.
Still, perhaps he had some sense, because he told the attendants to keep what had just happened quiet, and they nodded as though that were only natural.
When Kim Chahun had stepped away for a moment, Livi spoke.
"Baron Thebes, that was refreshing, but you do know you now owe Lord Chahun a debt, right?"
Her tone was extremely polite. I looked at her with a question mark over my head.
"I know, but why did your speech suddenly change?"
"It means we're strangers until you settle that debt. If he makes some strange demand, I'll drag you down with me..."
"Ah! Sis, what's gotten into you?! We're soulmates!!!"
"L-let go of me?! Don't even dream of it!"
She badgered me, saying, ‘Didn't I tell you to behave?’ It wasn't anything too serious, but she said he'd make some bothersome demand.
It could be tea time all day, tea time for two whole days, or tea time day and night for three days.
But I had no intention of handling it alone. Wasn't Livi the one who promised to protect me in the first place? I felt a little sorry, but I resolved that we would definitely face it together.
Then Livi suddenly grabbed me by the shoulders.
"Wait, Raebi!"
"Yes?"
"Instead of doing this..."
She began whispering an astonishingly shameless plan into my ear.
***
"Have you been well, Lady Iroha? Thank you for last time."
"For what? We didn't even need to do anything."
The Japanese contingent came over to our side.
There were six A-ranks and one S-rank. Compared with Korea, whose maximum strength was only three A-ranks, the difference in power was substantial.
If we faced them in the second semester, it would be a major problem.
The social gathering remained somewhat tense. The atmosphere was different from the private time I usually spent alone with Iroha.
Just because the Shimizu and Douglas Kim families were close didn't mean Korea and Japan were close.
They hadn't even concluded the commonplace 'Gate Emergency Crisis Treaty.'
'So it'll be all right. This is for the greater good, after all...'
When I wiped away my cold sweat, Iroha asked,
"Lady Raebi? Are you uncomfortable somewhere? Your expression..."
"Ah... haha, I'm not used to gatherings like this. More importantly, Lady Iroha, I have something I'd like to propose."
"Please, tell me anything."
As always, Iroha gently stroked my head with a radiant smile.
Feeling my heart prick at her pure goodwill, I opened my mouth.
"How about we spend a little more time today with the people we haven't gotten to know yet?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"The Shimizu family and I are close, but Korea and Japan aren't, are they? I'd like us to get closer so that neither side feels uncomfortable!"
"Ah..."
Iroha looked toward the social gathering hall. The Korean and Japanese students were sitting awkwardly in silence.
She nodded as though agreeing.
"That sounds nice. It is a little disappointing, though, since you said you'd invite me to your home, Lady Raebi..."
Fortunately, she accepted it as a good idea.
After waiting a little, the greasy-looking guy returned from leading the group around.
Iroha introduced the Japanese nobles first, and Livi followed with the Korean introductions, speaking in a strangely hurried tone.
"Japan's true chrysanthemum has blossomed here... A pleasure to meet you. I am Kim Chahun of Asadal."
At 'that way of speaking,' Iroha's brow twitched for an instant. Although we hadn't known each other that long, I recognized that as agitation.
She always smiled brightly, no matter how novel or bizarre the thing she heard was.
Afterward, Iroha approached Kim Chahun, while Livi and I went over to the remaining Japanese nobles.
Since I still had a little conscience left, I whispered one last thing to Iroha.
'I'm sorry.'
She whipped around to look at me, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes.
……She'll forgive me. If it's her.
I'd effectively sold out my friend to pay for hitting him on the lips, but she wouldn't notice.
-I'll let you spend the whole day with Lady Iroha.
I looked at Livi as I recalled what she'd said to Kim Chahun.
"Sis Livi."
"Yes."
"We'll probably fall all the way to the very bottom of Hell when we die."
"That's all right. At least we'll be happy while we're alive."
After that, we spent a truly happy time with the Japanese nobles and the students from both sides.
I could see Iroha repeatedly trying to escape and come over to us, but Kim Chahun stopped her every time.
Rank and power were irrelevant. He had a peculiar talent for keeping people confined.
And so, the following night.
On our way back after the social gathering with Vietnam, my phone went brrring-.
"H-hello."
-Shall we meet for a moment?
It was a call from Iroha.
Her voice was no different from usual. But the absence of her everyday greeting made it clear that she was absolutely furious.
I had nothing to say even if I had a hundred mouths, so I went to the place she designated.
"Um... Ms. Jihye, did I do something really wrong?"
"There was no problem from a noble's perspective."
"What about as a friend...?"
"Heh, there was a major problem."
I arrived at the designated place.
It was a hidden-gem restaurant Pyeon Dayoung had discovered the other day. Since it served alcohol, minors were barred at this hour, but that sort of rule posed no problem for nobles.
When I opened the door and went inside, Iroha was beckoning me with a faint smile.
We exchanged brief greetings and began sipping our drinks.
As I nervously wondered what she would say, she opened her mouth.
"Lord Chahun is going to make an excellent magic-type Hunter."
'Huh?'
The compliment came with an utterly relaxed air. She didn't look as though she was all that angry.
Relieved that this might unexpectedly be her sort of thing, I answered.
"Hehe, I'm glad you liked him. But a magic-type Hunter...? I thought Lord Chahun was a power type."
"That can't be. His debuff skills were quite something, weren't they?"
Huh. Debuffs?
Had he obtained some runestone I didn't know about?
"Debuffs, you mean..."
"Dizziness and induced vomiting. I may take that as a declaration of war, right?"
Yikes.
I stared at her with my mouth hanging open. Iroha's expression had turned stern, all traces of her smile chillingly gone.
I repeatedly bowed my head, saying 'I'm sorry,' but even after accepting my apology, she apparently wasn't appeased. She grabbed my face and kneaded it over and over.
In the end, she forgave me only after I promised her a weeklong Douglas Kim and Korean sightseeing package.
"And we have to visit Japan too, right?"
"Huh...?"
"Don't you want to?"
"No, I do. Hehe..."
Douglas would flip if he heard, but what could I do? As a fellow woman, I'd done something I shouldn't have.
In any case, I was satisfied that I had managed to avoid meeting Kim Chahun.
'I never really traveled anywhere even after I started making money... This worked out.'
After settling my karmic debt, Iroha brought up the main matter.
"Oh, right—but I called you here for another reason."
"What is it?"
"Hehe... I should have started with this, but somehow the conversation wandered."
She said she couldn't help it; the moment she saw my face, her resentment had welled up. I apologized again, looking thoroughly ashamed.
"I'm truly sorry. ......But what did you want to talk about?"
The corners of Iroha's mouth stiffened slightly.
Then she gently took my hand and said,
"There's a women's social gathering for the thirteen highest-ranking families two days from now. You'll have to come with me."
"What? …I don't mind, but I don't think I qualify for that, do I?"
"Hehe, you can designate a companion. By the way, this social gathering is being held at Lady Bella's initiative, under the leadership of the vice student council president. You understand what that means, right?"