• The story retold from Geo’s POV

“—Okay, listen here. Absolutely do not say anything unnecessary. Even if something weird is going on, shut up. As long as it isn’t dangerous, shut up. You are no match for the students of that academy! If you say anything rude, you’ll be in big trouble!”

“It’s okay, I’ll just be frank with them.”

“—That’s exactly the problem!”

As the departure time for the Magic Stone Express drew near…

After being seen off in a grand manner by the owner and employees in front of the store, a friend of his offered to take him to the train station. There, he especially advised Geo who listened attentively.

“Wherever I go, the spirit always bestows its light upon me. There’s no place that the light can’t reach. I vowed that I’d never disobey the Spirit of Light no matter where I go.”

“Okay, okay! Even if you lose that power, you’ll always be welcome here! Remember, your life is the only thing that matters!”

“Ted, I’ll be okay, trust me… I’ll never lose this power.”

“—Yeah, because you’ll lose your life instead!”

Geo, an orphan, was taken in by the store when he was 10-years-old. For the past six years, he’d been working there as an apprentice employee and miscellaneous worker. There, he met Ted, someone who wasn’t only around the same age as him, but also shared his circumstances. Ever since then, the two had been like comrades-in-arms, sharing their joys and sorrows together.

“At the very least, give me heads up about how you’re holding up on a regular basis! Send me reports on what happened, what you did, and what you caused—!”

“Letters, is it? Of course, I’d have written them even if you didn’t tell me…”

Ted was probably worried about Geo who had to leave his long-time home after being mandated to attend an academy full of innocent children. Ever since that letter arrived from the government, Ted wouldn’t stop reminding him to behave.

How unnecessary.

After all, Geo had no intention of changing his way of life—no matter where he was or who he was dealing with…

“All right, then. Ted, please let everyone know that I departed safely.”

“No, we need to know that you safely arrived…!”

It’s a shame that we have to part, but time waits for no one.

Once again, Geo reassured his friend, who was still indignant, before boarding the two-story Magic Stone Express.

◆◆◆

—There’s nothing I can do about it.

“Aren’t uniforms considered formal attire? I don’t understand the common sense of aristocrats.”

…A week later.

Geo was about to write his name on the attendance list in front of the party venue, only to be stopped by the receptionist. After being told that he couldn’t participate unless he was wearing formal attire, Geo helplessly went back to his dormitory on his own.

He didn’t expect to be turned away despite donning such a regal uniform.

However, it was probably common knowledge among the aristocrats, as they hadn’t bothered to make it known. The teacher who told Geo to attend the party didn’t think that far ahead, either.

Well, it can’t be helped. I don’t think I can participate anymore. I don’t have time to buy formal attire.

“The moon is beautiful.”

Even though he was unable to participate, there were things to be grateful for. On the way home, he did realize that the night was brighter than usual, but before he knew it, not a single cloud could be seen in the vast night sky. The moon was shining brilliantly.

I wouldn’t have noticed it if I was at the party.

Deciding to bask in the view for a while longer, he veered off the well-maintained path and stepped into a grassy area, all the while looking at the sky. That way, even if there were people passing by on the road, he wouldn’t bump into them.

Although, most of the students were in the middle of a party right now.

“Hm?”

Just when Geo thought that no one else would be passing along that way, he heard the faint sound of heels coming from behind him.

“…!”

After quickly hiding behind something, he tried to catch a glimpse of the owner of those footsteps and soon became breathless.

Illuminated by the moonlight, her slender, white limbs emerged from the darkness of the night. Her head was lowered, so he couldn’t see her entire visage. Nevertheless, her side profile alone was enough testament to her beauty. Every single movement she made was ethereal, as if she were a marionette of Heaven.

She seemed so… weightless, for a moment he was convinced she wasn’t of this world.

But suddenly, the girl untied her hair.

“Why, even I…!”

Her loose hair streamed down her back, flowing smoothly and fluttering slightly at its ends. Under the moonlight, her hair was pure white.

“—Even I know I’m hideous, I’m all dressed up for nothing!”

Just as he was admiring the fantastical sight, as if the Milky Way had spread across the planet, her words dragged him back to reality.

“There’s no way that’s true.”

---

***T/N: The Despised Lady… Retold from the perspective of the Rizzgod.

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