39 - Can I Cry Now?
Episode 39
Over the past few days, the people who flocked around him and Ruska constantly asked what classes they were taking.
They were desperate to take even one class with the two of them.
People full of desire to meet and become close to them even a little more often.
But the child who he thought would try the hardest to seize such an opportunity was jumping up and down in surprise as if it were absurd.
Everyone was approaching to become close to him and Ruska, but this child was recoiling in horror.
Arcel didn't like that behavior for some reason.
"It would be nice to take it together! Arcel, you'll take it with me, right? You'll take it, right? We're confirming that class? No betraying me?"
Arcel answered curtly to Ruska's voice, who was clinging to him and urging him annoyingly.
"Alright."
It wasn't a bad thing.
He was curious to know how much knowledge the child who got the second-highest score after him had.
'Once I confirm it to some extent...'
He could persuade the professor to change the class. That wouldn't be a big problem for Arcel.
Seraphina Dean might say no, but it wouldn't be difficult to come up with a reason that she could accept.
Just then, Ruska saw the book that Ibi had placed on the table and picked it up.
"Advanced Mathematics? Have you already learned all of this?"
"Ah, that's!"
It was a book he received from Professor Maless. Because it wasn't his book, Ibi couldn't even ask for it back and grabbed the book in Ruska's hand, feeling flustered.
Then Ruska gave a playful smile and pulled the book towards himself with force.
It was a common prank and a battle of strength that he often had with Arcel.
But the problem was that this time, the opponent was Ibi.
As soon as Ruska pulled, Ibi's body fell forward too easily.
"Uh!"
Ruska, surprised, tried to stop, but it was already too late. The moment Ibi's body was about to hit the ground.
"I knew this would happen."
With Arcel's indifferent voice, Ibi's body floated into the air.
Arcel had grabbed Ibi's waist and lifted him up.
He let Ibi stand upright and asked again.
"Are you okay?"
Ibi was startled and quickly pulled his arms away, bowing repeatedly.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine!"
But Arcel frowned and said to Ruska.
"Apologize, Ruska. Ibi could have gotten hurt."
"No! I'll be careful next time!"
Ibi desperately shook his head and answered. Cold sweat ran down his back.
An apology? Ruska was said to be the son of the Marquis Ragselb.
He didn't know much about nobles, but he knew that it was a very high title.
'Our city's mayor was a baronet.'
Even if Ruska hadn't received a title yet, the Duchy of Ragselb was a high position that he couldn't dare to look up to.
Anyway, once he grew up, he would receive one of the noble titles owned by his family. Or maybe he would earn it with his own abilities.
There was no way such a person would apologize to him...
"Sorry, Ibi. I was thinking about how I play with Arcel and didn't adjust my strength properly. I'll be careful next time."
Ruska tilted his head slightly and apologized to Ibi as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ibi felt like he was about to faint at the sight.
What should he do? Should he get on his hands and knees and tell him not to say such things?
He heard that when you enter the Academy for the Gifted, you are treated as the same student regardless of your status, but that was only possible in books, and it was impossible not to be conscious of your status outside.
He didn't know why, but the two of them were kind to Ibi anyway.
He didn't dislike it, but he didn't know how he should respond at all.
At that time, there was a group watching the three of them from afar.
"Hey, isn't that a commoner? And next to them are Arcel and Ruska!"
The student who shouted in surprise realized that her voice was too loud and shut her mouth.
But she didn't take her eyes off them.
Not only that student, but everyone around them couldn't take their eyes off the three people in the distance.
"Why are those people with that child?"
"I know. I thought it was all over after they watched over him for two days during the missing person case the other day?"
"Ruska often talks to other students, so that's one thing, but why even Arcel..."
Arcel would only give a short greeting when students greeted him, and never had any further conversations.
But now Arcel was continuing to talk to Ibi.
He even spoke to him first.
The eyes of the students watching the scene became sharp.
They didn't like it. No, it twisted their insides.
They could chase after them all day and might not even hear their voices once, but he was enjoying it so casually.
'This doesn't make sense.'
But they couldn't go and argue with them.
Even if they didn't like it, what could they say?
Besides, if they went to talk to them now, they would surely receive Arcel's cold gaze.
'I really wish there was a way to get rid of that thing.'
They racked their brains. Among them, someone carefully opened their mouth as if they had thought of a good idea.
"This... Irene would be very upset if she knew, right?"
Irene, who was rumored to be as good as being appointed as the Crown Princess among the people.
Therefore, she wouldn't like it if someone lowly was close to the two people who were likely to become future emperors.
That's why Irene wasn't with Arcel and Ruska when they were next to Ibi Elden the other day, wasn't she?
That was clearly a quiet warning to that young commoner not to have unnecessary thoughts.
Besides, Irene is that thing's roommate, isn't she? So there are many ways to punish it while avoiding the eyes of the Academy for the Gifted staff.
'Besides, Irene will take care of it even if we don't do anything.'
There was nothing to lose for them.
"We should go and tell her quickly."
"Yes. We can't say much, but Irene will be different..."
The students hurried to find Irene.
Fortunately, not long after, they could see Irene sitting in the cafeteria surrounded by other female students.
Even though she was wearing the same uniform, Irene's beauty was exceptional. Moreover, even her elegant attitude.
Even the fact that she seemed a little indifferent to others and didn't talk much perfectly matched the aristocratic attitude they imagined.
"Irene!"
When they called out, Irene frowned slightly.
A student who noticed that she was not in a good mood said urgently.
"T-That is... Ibi Elden is... with Arcel and Ruska."
Then another student who had rushed over with her spoke up as if to help.
"The two of them found that child the other day, right? And they took care of him for two days. It's clear that he's using that as an excuse to cling to them and try to get close to them. He was smiling and talking so much just a moment ago..."
"What?"
Before the student could finish speaking, Irene raised her voice.
Then she put down the teacup she was holding and ordered with a sharp look.
"Tell me in detail what you just said."
She was always quiet and dignified. But such a violent reaction.
'She must be angry.'
The students excitedly told her what they had seen. Of course, with a little exaggeration.
"The way she smiles so happily every time Ruska talks to her..."
"She's sticking so close to Arcel and pretending to be friendly, it's really..."
As the students continued to speak, Irene's expression hardened.
"That's not all. She pretended to fall on purpose and fell into Arcel's arms. I don't know where a child learned to do such a thing...!"
The student who was chattering was panting as if she was upset, even making up things that didn't happen.
Her expression grew even colder at her words, so she gained courage and continued to speak.
"They both seemed to be holding her hands and asking if she was okay, but anyone could tell that the child did it on purpose..."
"So you're saying that those two were talking to Ibi, holding hands, and playing around?"
The student who was chattering shut her mouth at the cold voice like a winter wind.
"Ha, I was suspicious the other day. So she's approaching them again in that way to try to get close to them."
Everyone was convinced by Irene's voice, which was full of displeasure.
That Irene would somehow kick Ibi out of here.
The students who believed that their plan had succeeded did not notice.
The fact that Irene called Ibi by his name, but vaguely referred to Arcel and Ruska, whom everyone admired, as 'them.'
