Chapter 52

My first gathering.

I had slipped out quite early, but Ark later told me that the whole thing had been quite awkward.

“As there was the recent official announcement regarding the abolition of the Dragon Master Fund, only one Patron can be chosen from this year on.”

“The Dragon Master Fund… That whole idea about crowd-funding a single Dragon Master.”

“Yes. They announced that only one Patron would be chosen at the Dragon Welcoming ceremony. So even smaller groups that might not have been considered funds, have nowhere to go now.”

This announcement had come right before the gathering.

As the competition had suddenly become very severe, the participants were under a lot of pressure.

“I’m glad that I slipped out then.”

Honestly, I didn’t want to be in that kind of tense environment.

“Well, this is the first time, right? I think they might loosen the rules a little next year, if they see that it’s not going too well.”

“It sounds like you’re saying that they’re not really thinking things through.”

“Well, it’s important to listen to people and be able to adapt.”

“I see. Regardless, this has nothing to do with me.”

“The fund, in general, was seen as wrong to many people. So it seems to be well-received for the most part.”

After all, funds lowered the value of Patrons. So it was no wonder that many were against it.

“Is there anything that will affect us directly?”

“Not really… Well, there is one thing that you should keep in mind. You can only choose one Patron. So don’t go around making promises to multiple people.”

“That…is not something I had any intention of doing.”

“Also, battles will likely erupt over the First-Years. As some would already have chosen Patrons, I think that it leaves about 20 of you.”

“20… Is that a lot? No, probably not.”

“It’s not. We’re talking about nearly 1,500 students from the Royal Academy here. You should either chose a Patron quickly or make your will known in order to avoid getting caught in any trouble.”

“I’ll definitely avoid getting in any trouble.”

“Yes. That’s good.”

“Thank you. Hearing that helped me decide on a direction.”

I would avoid drawing attention and stay away from the students of the Royal Academy.

But that was just the first gathering, so there were four of them left.

I really wanted to avoid getting involved in anything.

That’s what I thought.

○

Several days after the gathering. I received a delivery of flowers from Linda.

It was just like last time. I hadn’t contacted her, so she sent me the flowers to show that she was irritated.

Had I forgotten to do something?

I tried to thinking back, but there were no unkept promises that I could recall.

Of course, ignoring her seemed like it would lead to horrific consequences. And so I wrote Linda a letter.

“…The same restaurant, huh.”

I received a reply immediately. She said that she wanted to meet on our next day off.

There was something about her wording that seemed cold.

“…Is she angry?”

But I really could not figure out why.

I suppose I would have to wait until I met her.

“…So, would you mind explaining things to me?”

Linda was furious. Furious at Miss Rosanna.

Well, maybe half of it was towards me? Who knew.

“But, Linda…”

“…What?”

“I…I think you were just tricked by Miss Rosanna.”

“Huh?”

She was so surprised that she froze up.

This is what happened.

The day after the gathering.

For some reason, Miss Rosanna was in a very good mood, in spite of her suspension.

It was so obvious, that everyone else could see it.

She would hum to herself and skip and chuckle happily.

The other students became suspicious, but most of them just stared from afar. Finally, a brave classmate approached her and asked. ‘Why are you so happy?’

“Oh, you know Leon? He slipped out of the gathering just so he could come and see me.”

She then smiled the biggest and happiest smile they had ever seen. Her classmates became very excited.

“Leon!?”

“When? And where?”

“What is your relationship?”

The rumors began to spread. It was still morning when the rumors spread throughout the entire school.

“What!?”

Linda was filled with rage as the stories came pouring into her ears. And so she went to confront her directly during recess.

“Such foolish nonsense! You have some nerve!”

“Oh? And who or what might you be?”

“I am Leon’s childhood friend. Linda Lucena!”

“Ahh, the noisy one… Oops.”

“The what!?”

Miss Rosanna held up a hand to her mouth as if she regretted saying that. But Linda would not let it slide, and they began to argue.

Things were said on both sides.

The argument began to escalate and their voices rose higher and higher.

Apparently, they had a huge audience after a while.

But the fight ended when recess did.

However, Miss Rosanna continued to whisper her lies into the ears of others, and every time, Linda would confront her about it. This was all very public knowledge at this point.

“You are saying that I’ve been had…? What do you mean?”

“I never mentioned you by name.”

Rosanna didn’t know who Linda was.

That day on the terrace, it was just three of us First-Years and Miss Rosanna.

In other words, no one in her school could say that she was lying.

Miss Rosanna had detected several things from my attitude and decided to spread some lies in order to smoke Linda out.

And Linda had fallen for it.

And that wasn’t all of it.

She had pulled Linda up into the same fighting ring.

“You fought her during recess, right? That’s like declaring that you’re rivals with the same footing. I don’t know. At least, that’s how the others will see it.”

“…B-but…”

Linda must have been very shocked to be put on the same level as the infamous and hated Rosanna. Her mouth dropped open.

“Maybe it was also a way of suggesting that anyone who goes against her will then be seen as her equal. In the same circle. Now, she is going to be strongly associated with me.”

After thinking about this for a while, Linda’s shoulders drooped.

“I understand now…I was careless!”

“It was a battle of information in a way. But I suppose she got the upper hand for the first round.”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve lived in this city for a long time now. I know about what happened at the end of the year.”

“One of my classmates knew about it. It’s well-known, right?”

The great incident regarding the attention of a Dragon Master.

And this was between proud nobles as well.

Well, it would have been an entertaining story for many.

“I saw it as soon as I entered the school… She was looking forward. Those weren’t the eyes of someone enduring a punishment. The odd looks and the rumors seemed like they didn’t affect her at all.”

She was strong. But I realized something else as well.

The suspension wouldn’t stop her.

The insulting words of others were not going to phase her.

“In spite of her reputation, her eyes were so clear.”

Most people would have probably fled from the school.

Even if they didn’t, they would look down as they walked and would have vacant eyes.

But Linda remembered seeing Rosanna for the first time.

“She is strong. I think that too.”

Though I didn’t know her very well.

“And so… If it were anyone else that was spreading those rumors, I would have laughed and said they were just embarrassing themselves. But not her. My blood began to boil, and before I knew it, I was confronting her.”

Linda hugged herself and shivered.

“So, you think she’s a strong enemy?”

“She not only has the strength to act, but she has a heart that will not break.”

Linda let out a long sigh.

It seemed like she wasn’t in the mood to say anymore. And some time passed as we sat there silently.

“It’s getting late. I should go.”

“Yes… Thank you for meeting me today.”

Linda had been very quiet for a while, but the sight of her growling angrily as we separated would stay on my mind for a while.