26: The Villainess Supports her Friend
“Wouldn’t it be better if you took a leave of absence?”
The one who suggested that right after the opening ceremony was none other than the Genius Magician, Eivind Dahl. For his oh so magnanimous advice, I expressed my gratitude.
“Well, thank you for your concern. So tell me, why do I have to give up on an event that I’ve been looking forward to because of someone I dislike?”
“It’s for your own safety.”
Eivind, who was quick to responded, seemed quite serious.
He seems to be really worried about me.
I couldn’t help but feel somewhat touched by his sincerity—
“—Besides, you’re only participating in the class relay, the one everyone participates in at the end, right?”
Okay, I take that back.
That’s right, I’m the lonely kid who only has two real friends in her class.
“But I have to give my support!”
Brimming with enthusiasm, the place I went to was the one and only tennis court. I intended to support my best friend, Anita Helge. Her partner in the women’s doubles match was Hana Field, a transfer student whom I was gradually bonding with, bit by bit.
Although Anita was dazzling in her cute tennis outfit and sporty twin tails… Hana was still wearing thick glasses and had braided her hair today…
Don’t those glasses bother her?
However, it soon became clear that my worries were unfounded.
Hana was super athletic. No matter from which direction the ball flew, she was able to flawlessly bounce the ball back with her nimble white legs. She also made a nice team with Anita. Each time they scored a point, the crowd would erupt in cheers.
While I couldn’t help but stare, Eivind patted me on the shoulder.
“As you can see, Ms. Heige is doing very well, isn’t she? You’ve seen a little bit of the match. I’m sure she’ll understand if you explain the situation afterwards. Let’s just ditch school today. If you have nothing else to do, you can just relax in my lab, or maybe we can take a stroll in town?”
“Hm, hold on? Are you going to skip too?”
Eivind tried to wrap his arm around my waist and lead me away, but I shoved him off.
With a seductive smile on his face, he replied.
“Of course. I was the one who proposed the idea in the first place. I won’t just abandon you.”
“…You really like me, don’t you?”
“I believe I’ve said that many times.”
Still, I spun around, slipped out of his reach, and ran to the front of the audience.
“Anitaaaaaaaa—! Do your best—!”
As I screamed on top of my lungs, Anita suddenly bit her lips, her cheeks burning red as she gripped the racket.
Ah, today as well, my friend is acting very lovable.
“You’re being too noisy—!” Angry, she suddenly pointed at me, making my smile even bigger.
At that moment, someone grabbed my arm. At first, I thought it was Eivind, but when I looked up, I saw an unexpected face.
“Are you Cecily Travasta?”
…All right, why does His Majesty the King know about the lowest-scoring student?
No wait, Cecily was the daughter of a marquis. Perhaps, they had come into contact in a social event before…
…However, Cecily shook her head, so that didn’t seem to be the case.
Yet, the king, who was still holding onto me, smiled warmly at me.
“I asked the teachers. You seem to have been making rapid progress recently. You’re working hard. There may be various circumstances in your home, but from now on, I intend to create world that isn’t bound by the family head. Continue to believe in the future and strive to improve yourself.”
“U-uhm, okay… t-thank you…”
Maybe he just wanted to encourage a student.
I tried to express my gratitude as casually as possible, but I couldn’t ease the tension.
Looks like he has other business…
“However, I noticed you’re refraining from participating in individual events. Is it due to health reasons?”
“N-no, it’s nothing like that…”
“Are you not good at sports?”
“I-I, I guess you can put it that way…”
Although I wanted to deny it, I had a track record of hurling my racket at my opponent in tennis.
I gently told him that being seen in the audience there wouldn’t be a good idea, but why did the king refuse to let go of my hands?
“The sports festival is, of course, a way to display the pros and cons of athletics, but there’s more to it. Even if you aren’t good at something, it’s important for you as a student to participate with others, don’t you agree?”
The one who asked that was a teacher.
Right, I had forgotten to point this out, but the king didn’t just wander into the audience seats.
We were surrounded by several teachers, including the principal who showed him the way, and the knights who were escorting him.
As such a large group entered the seating area, I naturally became the center of attention, even more so than the tennis court.
I don’t want to stand out like this!
However, due to Cecily’s grades, I managed to hold back my complaints. After seeing the principal and others buzzing in affirmation at that question, the king himself finally released me and clapped his hands.
“Then, shouldn’t we let her participate in the competition as well? Are there any vacant spaces? I’m certain there are other students in her class not participating in any events as well. How about we let them participate together?”
What public servant would be able to refuse such goodwill from His Majesty the King?
“So, the teachers at the academy are all civil servants.”
“That’s right. The same goes for the Royal Institute for Magic, but… this academy is also run by the government. Thus, the de facto head is His Majesty the King.”
“I see? So, even the Modern Era Sage can’t disobey his orders?”
“…Well, not in most cases.”
Thus, Eivind and I, who were the only ones in our class who hadn’t registered in any events, were forced to participate in the mixed double competition.
…Well, it doesn’t matter. I wanted to participate with Hana—only to be stopped by Anita and Eivind.
The person I was up against refused to listen to me.
“—If I win, I’ll make you apologize for everything you said about breaking our engagement!”
On the other side of the court was Cecily’s fiancé, whom I suspected to have dropped the bomb-shaped vase on me.
He’s a sophomore, but what was his name again…?
***T/N: The king is such a sussy baka.
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