Chapter 58: Schoolmate part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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We were guided into what seemed like a reception room in the mansion and served tea. As I looked around the room, it was clear that, being a count’s residence, the interior was quite lavish.

“I’m truly sorry for the trouble caused by our friends.”

“Don’t worry about it. But why isn’t Lewisbell coming to school?”

“I hesitate to speak about it, but Lewisbell-sama is considering leaving home.”

“Why would he want to leave?”

“It seems he’s not fond of being under the care of the Count Sandra family.”

“I see. So, in short, it’s a rebellious phase?”

“A rebellious phase…? That’s an interesting way to put it.”

As we conversed with the butler, we heard voices arguing from within the mansion. The voices were getting closer until the door was flung open abruptly.

“Now, apologize and thank your friends properly.”

It was Olivia who opened the door. Although it was her own house, I found it surprising for some reason.

Lewisbell was being dragged by Olivia, wearing an irritated expression.

“Go on, thank your friends and a… “

Olivia froze when she saw me.

“Why is Aldo here?”

“It’s been a while, Olivia. I came to visit Lewisbell.”

“Aldo is Lewis’s friend?”

“Well, it seems to be the case.”

After scrutinizing both me and Lewisbell alternately, Olivia seemed to understand.

“Aldo is in the same D-Class as Lewis…”

“And also in the same team.”

“Yeah. Even in the same team…”

Muttering to herself, Olivia and Lewisbell took their seats together.

“Aldo, I want to ask you something.”

“What?”

“It’s about Lewis.”

“Understood.”

Lewisbell looked at me with a displeased expression.

“This kid thinks that just because I’m the top-ranked student and he is in D-Class, it’s a reason to leave home.”

“Why would that be a reason to leave home?”

“He says his presence lowers the status of the Count Sandra family.”

“If that’s the kind of thing that would bring it down, it would have brought it down already.”

“I’ve told him not to worry about such things…”

“Is that so, Lewisbell?”

“I’m a demon. I’ll leave home when I turn 15 anyway. So it won’t make any difference if I leave now.”

“If it won’t make any difference, then wait until you graduate from the academy at 15.”

“You wouldn’t understand! In this country, just being a demon isn’t accepted.”

“That may be true, but what’s leaving home going to solve?”

“Become an adventurer and live freely.”

“An adventurer? You probably won’t live very long doing that.”

“What do you know!”

I showed him my adventurer’s card.

“I’m a G-Rank rookie, so technically, I’m your senior in this.”

“…”

“The Guild’s sub-leader told me, ‘Those who push too hard don’t live long.'”

“Push too hard…”

“Have you pushed too hard? Dropping out of school, running away from home… Can you even fight?”

“I can fight!”

I looked at Olivia.

For a moment, Olivia looked concerned, but then she turned to Lewisbell.

“If you can defeat Aldo, I’ll acknowledge it. I’ll also talk to Father about it.”

“Really?”

Lewisbell looked at Olivia, appearing happy.

“If you win…”

Olivia’s voice sounded unusually cold.

We were moving to the corner of the Count Sandra’s mansion, where the arena is located.

Lewisbell is fully armed with leather armor and a wooden double-handed sword.

As for me, I just took off my jacket to avoid getting it dirty.

“I don’t care if you get hurt.”

“Alright, no holding back, come at me with all you’ve got.”

“You’re underestimating me.”

We faced each other. Lewisbell is wielding the double-handed sword in a mid-level stance, while I’m just standing naturally.

Olivia is officiating from the sidelines.

“Are both of you ready?”

“Ready!”

“Ready anytime!”

Olivia takes a deep breath and announced.

“Let the match begin!”

Upon her signal, Lewisbell rushes toward me.

As he closes the distance, he swings his double-handed sword aggressively.

(Whoa, this is dangerous! If it were someone else, they might get seriously hurt!)

For a 12-year-old, he wields a sharp sword.

“Feel free to use magic.”

Upon my provocation, Lewisbell steps back, seemingly to cast a spell.

However, he seems quite focused, leaving himself open.

I need to figure out when and how to knock him out, any timing should work.

As Lewisbell finishes chanting his spell:

“Fire and wind, appear before me. Let fire blaze and wind howl. Let the flames and the wind unite, and strike down my enemy. Firestorm!”

I wait patiently. A tornado of fire appears, heading straight toward me.

I decide to dodge to the right. Surprisingly, instead of pursuing me, it passes by my initial position and dissipates after advancing about 20 meters.

“Is that all?”

Perhaps taking my words as provocation, Lewisbell’s face turns red, and he rushes at me again, wielding his double-handed sword.

5 minutes have passed.

I was dodging incessantly, uncertain about where to make a move. Lewisbell, on the other hand, was covered in sweat, swinging his sword desperately. It seemed like he wasn’t considering holding back anymore.

I glanced at Olivia, who was watching us with an expression of disbelief. Sensing it was enough, I sneaked through his defenses, lightly tapped his pigeon-tail, and gently brushed my fist against him.

With a thud, Lewisbell fell forward, eyes rolling, twitching spasmodically.

I swiftly cast a healing spell on him and laid him down gently.

“Is Lewis okay?”

“He’ll be fine. I’ve cast a healing spell; he should wake up soon.”

While Lewisbell was unconscious, there was something I wanted to ask.

“Are Demons shunned in this country?”

Olivia looked troubled by my question.

“Do you really not know?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Alright. About 500 years ago, this world was plagued by inter-species wars.”

“I see.”

“There were conflicts between humans and elves, dwarfs and magic beings. They changed sides and fought constantly.”

“That’s terrible…”

“All the species were exhausted by the wars. Eventually, a non-aggression treaty was formed.”

“I can imagine.”

“Since then, each species established their own countries and limited their interactions to a minimum.”

“…”

“500 years have passed. Humans began advocating for friendship among all species.”

“…”

“Elves developed their unique magical culture and became exclusive.”

“…”

“Dwarfs advanced their own forging techniques.”

“I see…”

“Beastfolk started to respect strength within their own unique culture.”

“Interesting…”

“Lastly, the Demons also founded a country, but the land was unfavorable—barren, constantly afflicted by hunger. They sought better lands, violating the non-aggression treaty and initiating another war.”

“…”

“This war turned into a conflict between the Demons and all other species, resulting in the defeat of the Demons.”

“…”

“After the war, the country remained, but it was inconvenient for other species to have scattered the Demons. Consequently, they were left with a barren land and wilderness. Many of them fled to the living areas of other species due to the inhospitable conditions.”

“And that’s Lewisbell?”

“His mother was an adventurer. His father noticed her and, well…”

“Half-human, right?”

“Only humans can have children with other species, and in such cases, the child will always belong to the other species.”

“I see.”

“Some theories suggest that humans are the base from which all other species were born.”

“…”

“Despite the fact that Demons should have higher magical and physical abilities than humans, Lewisbell believes he’s inferior, thinking he’s not like that.”

“…”

“Aldo, can’t you help Lewis gain some confidence?”

“Confidence… What do you think confidence is, Olivia?”

“As the word suggests, believing in oneself?”

“Then, how do you think one can start believing in themselves?”

“Having a strong mind, maybe?”

“I think it’s about having experiences of success. Accumulating small successes builds up, leading to self-belief.”

“Experiences of success…”

“What he needs isn’t just someone’s words but to experience the results of his actions firsthand, don’t you think?”

“That might be true.”

“Will you let him become an adventurer with me?”

“An adventurer?”

“Teaching him combat skills at the academy and then let him gain confidence through practical experience, I think that’s a good idea.”

“I see. I’ll talk to my father about it.”

“Okay.”

So, I and Nero left Lewisbell, who had fainted, in Olivia’s care and returned home. Nero arranged for a carriage since it was a distant place. But I declined as I had guards and my house was nearby.

The next morning…

When I entered the class, Lewisbell was seated.

“Good morning.”

I greeted everyone as usual, and surprisingly, there was a faint greeting from Lewisbell among others.

I sat down and took out my bag.

Lewisbell, sitting diagonally behind me, started talking.

“Thanks for yesterday. I’ll be relying on you from now on, Senpai. Ah, the Blood-soaked Shura-dono.”

I swiftly turned to face Lewisbell.

“W-Where did you…?”

“I wonder.”

“Don’t ever say that!!”

“I wonder!”

“Oi!”

“Oops, I’m counting on you for the body reinforcement training soon.”

“Mugigi…!”

Lewisbell speaks with a laugh. You can do this kind of face, can’t you? I muttered in my mind.