A week had passed since the battle with Pfeil, an assassin from the Assassination Organization Waalthe, at the Alway Ducal Family’s villa.
Jared Murphy was finally given permission by his doctor to return to the academy for the first time in a while.
He felt a nostalgic fondness for the white uniform he wore again after so long. The bandages wrapped beneath the uniform made him feel a little awkward, but he felt relieved as he moved his body, realizing how much he had recovered.
His slightly long black hair had been burned in the fire, so Trane had given him a quick haircut, making it much shorter. However, Olivier and the others had complimented him, saying it suited him, so he secretly decided he would keep his hair a little shorter from now on.
He felt a nostalgic longing for the academy, which he hadn’t visited in over a week. Before, he had only thought of the academy as a place to kill time on days without requests from the Mage Association, but now, he felt his heart leap with joy just at the thought of heading to the academy where his friends were.
Despite the severe injuries Jared had sustained, his recovery was faster than expected, thanks to the treatment from the Alway Ducal Family’s physician and a healing magician. Even though powerful magicians could use their magic to enhance their healing capabilities, his recovery was still astonishing.
Olivier had told him to rest more, but living in a room in a mansion he wasn’t yet accustomed to, surrounded by overly luxurious beds and furniture, was wearing on Jared’s spirit. Olivier, who looked after him despite his complaints, and Trane’s devoted care had been a great help, but he was truly surprised when Hannelore also offered to help.
He had never heard of a Duchess looking after the eldest son of a Baronial Family. He politely declined, but her immensely disappointed expression had left a strong impression.
Fortunately, there had been no further attacks on the villa since the battle with Pfeil.
He had discussed it with Duke Alway when he visited, and it seemed the discreet guards protecting the villa hadn’t detected anything. It was possible that the consort who was targeting Hannelore had severed ties with Waalthe, but he couldn’t relax without confirmation.
He thought that his appearance as a protector might have created hesitation for direct action.
Even so, he couldn’t let his guard down. True peace wouldn’t come until the mastermind was exposed.
“Murphy-kun!”
As he walked through the academy building, he heard a familiar, nostalgic voice.
“Crysta!”
Searching for the source of the voice, he found his classmate Crysta Oken running towards him with a smile. Behind her were his friend Lars, and along with him, his comrades from the dragon-slaying expedition, Laurentz Herring and his retainers, Berta and Kurt Bartram siblings.
“It’s been a while, everyone! How have you been?”
“That’s what we should be asking you, my friend. I heard about the dragon extermination from Laurentz, and I was worried when you didn’t show up at the academy, but I never knew you were injured. However, you seem unharmed from what I can see, so I’m relieved.”
Lars, perhaps worried, showed genuine relief.
“I was the most worried! After the dragon extermination, you suddenly flew back on a wyvern, and I couldn’t get any information from Duke Alway. You have no idea how worried I was!”
“I’m truly sorry, Laurentz. I intended to contact you once things settled down, but the watchful eyes—no, the nursing care was too strict.”
“What do you mean?”
“N-nothing. Forget it. Anyway, I did get injured, but I’ve recovered and I’m relieved. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”
While he was recuperating, Laurentz had sent a letter on behalf of everyone. Reading the letter that mentioned Crysta and even their teacher, Kirsi Santala, were worried warmed Jared’s heart.
He had sent a reply, of course, but it was clear that Laurentz and the others were relieved to see him safe in person.
“But you know, while I was worried, I was more surprised that Murphy-kun has started living at Olivier Alway-sama’s villa.”
“Indeed. While I knew the malicious rumors weren’t true, I was worried considering the age difference and Jared’s circumstances, but it seems to be going surprisingly well, which is for the best.”
Lars chimed in after Crysta’s remark. However, Laurentz merely offered a wry smile, seemingly hesitating to express something he couldn’t quite articulate.
When Jared and Laurentz met each other’s eyes, Laurentz quietly nodded.
Laurentz likely hadn’t taken Jared’s living arrangement as merely cohabiting with his fiancé. It was understandable. He knew that Jared had been attacked by Waalthe during the dragon extermination. Well, he didn’t know the attackers were Waalthe, but he knew for certain that someone had attacked Jared and could likely guess that Duke Alway was involved in some way.
However, he hadn’t spoken of it to anyone, keeping it to himself. Jared couldn’t be more grateful for Laurentz’s consideration.
Berta and Kurt also expressed their concern. Jared thanked them and headed to the classroom with everyone else.
Their lighthearted conversation flowed, and he was reminded anew of the preciousness of friendship.
“Jared, could I have a moment?”
As everyone else entered the classroom, Laurentz called out to him.
“What is it?”
“I’d like to talk for a bit, over here.”
With no reason to refuse, he moved away from the classroom and walked towards the windows in the hallway.
“I belong to the Herring family, which is aligned with the Alway Ducal Family, so I hear various things about the ducal family. There are things I’d like to ask, but I’ve also decided not to ask them.”
“I appreciate that.”
“However, there’s one thing I really want to ask—Are you alright?”
Laurentz might know.
He might know that Hannelore Alway was being targeted for removal as a consort. Not only that, but he could easily learn from aristocratic gossip that adventurers were being hired for assaults.
However, not asking directly was probably Laurentz’s way of being considerate. And asking if Jared was alright, from that position, was his way of showing concern for Jared’s current situation.
That’s why,
“I’m fine. Not a problem at all.”
Jared’s answer was decided, so as not to worry him further.
Laurentz observed Jared for a moment, and though he likely didn’t take Jared’s answer at face value, he seemed to process it in his own way and nodded.
“If anything happens, please rely on me anytime. Not just me. Crysta and Lars, Berta and Kurt also want to help you. You might be able to handle most things by yourself with magic, but humans can’t live on magic alone. That’s why we’re always waiting for you to rely on us.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Don’t worry about it. Ah—and, just to let you know, do you remember Drew? Something’s off about him. I don’t want to think he’d do anything to you, but please be careful just in case.”
Jared remembered the classmate who had insulted Olivier a few days prior and clicked his tongue. Knowing her circumstances, he couldn’t forgive those harsh words from back then.
Laurentz still seemed concerned, but Jared was already starting to forget about her. He didn’t want to remember someone like that for long. However, his statement that something was off piqued his interest. He had no connection with her since then, so Jared had no clue.
“I apologize for always worrying you. I have the best friends imaginable.”
“I’m happy to hear you say that, but it’s a bit embarrassing. I wish we had become this close sooner.”
“What are you talking about? It’s still plenty of time, our lives are just beginning.”
“—! That’s right!”
Seeing Laurentz’s happy expression, Jared felt immense gratitude. Not just to him. He couldn’t be more thankful to Crysta, Lars, Berta, and Kurt.
It was painful not being able to tell everyone who was worried about him the truth. The thought of involving them made it even harder to speak. He didn’t know who might be listening or which enemy might be lurking.
—Olivier-sama must have felt this way.
Olivier, who couldn’t even trust her own father while trying to protect her mother, who was being targeted. The only people she could let her guard down around were her mother and Trane.
Even Jared, at this moment, while not suffering, felt a pang of heartache.
He could only imagine what Olivier must have gone through, living for years in a state of not being able to trust anyone after being targeted herself.
He wanted to free her from this suffering as soon as possible. Jared thought of his absent fiancée and hardened his resolve.
