Chapter 77 - Chapter 76: Cleiria's Feelings
The first day of the second week of the first month of water.
It was the start of a depressing week.
"Haaah~~~~..."
Sighing early in the morning, Mika shuffled his way toward the school building.
He had asked everyone in the Leventein Group to go ahead, and Mika tried to enter the classroom as close to the end of the morning homeroom as possible.
To reduce the time he had to endure Cleiria's sorrowful gaze.
"How long will this kind of thing continue..."
If Cleiria stopped fixating on Mika, he wouldn't need to run away like this for now.
But judging by last week's behavior, it seemed it would take some time yet.
When Mika approached the classroom, there was a strange commotion inside.
Usually, the children in the classroom are relatively quiet.
They must be tense because the daughter of a Marquis is present.
The bodyguard knights standing behind Cleiria also stand out.
Pressed by the strange atmosphere surrounding Cleiria, the children in the classroom were shrinking back a bit.
When Mika entered the classroom, he was startled and stopped in his tracks.
Because Cleiria was right in front of him.
Usually, Cleiria sat in the very back seat, the furthest corner of the classroom.
Considering the bodyguard knights standing behind her, sitting anywhere else would be a nuisance to those around her.
But today, that Cleiria was sitting in the very front seat of the classroom.
And she was sitting in the seat closest to the entrance.
All the children in the classroom were making a fuss looking at such Cleiria.
The children who usually sat around there didn't know where to sit and were panicking.
"Good morning, Mika-sama."
Cleiria smiled brightly and greeted Mika.
Mika, who had been stunned with surprise, began to understand his current situation with that voice.
Virone and another bodyguard knight stood right behind Cleiria with feigned ignorance.
They were being watched by the people of the Marquis House.
With his awareness focused too much on that, Mika couldn't even return the greeting in time and ran away.
Ignoring Cleiria, he walked straight into the classroom and headed for an empty seat near where the Leventein Group was.
Because Mika did not return Cleiria's greeting, one of the bodyguard knights wrapped himself in a hostile atmosphere and tried to speak to Mika.
"Hey you, Lady Cleiria has greeted you---."
"It is fine..."
Cleiria spoke to the bodyguard knight and then bowed her head down.
(It was the Marquis House that told me to keep my distance! Control Cleiria better!)
If things keep becoming irregular like this, Mika can no longer do anything about it.
Mika doesn't want to take such an attitude either.
Rimliche, who was sitting at a slightly distant seat, came over to Mika.
"Mika-kun..."
"I know... I know, so... please don't say anything."
Mika groaned as if in pain, and Rimliche returned to her seat without saying anything.
After the heavy academy classes ended, Mika went out to explore the capital city.
Recently, on weekdays, he has been walking around the district facing Southeast Main Street like this.
There are eight main streets in the capital city, and the districts divided by those streets are numbered.
From the northern district clockwise, District 1 to District 8.
In other words, the district facing Southeast Main Street becomes District 3 and District 4.
By walking around like this, he finally found a district that could be called the Blacksmith District in District 3.
A group of blacksmiths gathered in an area quite close to the Second Wall, and nearby there were several weapon shops and armor shops.
When he tried peeking inside, it felt exactly like specialized stores for each weapon and armor.
Shops that handle only swords, shops that handle only battle axes, shops that handle only knives, and so on.
"Whoa~..."
An exclamation of admiration slipped out involuntarily.
He understood the reason why Ninetiana said, "If you want good things, go to the blacksmith."
If there are such specialized stores, he would be able to find things that truly suit him, and he could even have them made.
Mika doesn't know the quality of things, but he understands that everything here is quite high quality.
The price is quite steep, but items suitable for first-class adventurers were lined up.
"Amazing~..."
He stared intently at the bulky knife in front of him.
"Super cool~..."
A knife size too big for Mika's hand to hold.
It had a knuckle guard, and it was a knife with a look that was super Mika's preference.
If he got cut by this, his wrist would probably fall off easily.
"The price is eight gold coins."
Eight hundred thousand rats.
Even Mika's steel knife costs one hundred thousand rats.
The size is completely different, and probably good materials are used.
(Fighting with this... I really admire it! Using these casually is so cool.)
If Mika bought something like this now, he would probably brag about it to everyone around.
But adventurers who handle such things as if they were nothing are truly cool.
Like, "I always use this, so what?" kind of vibe.
He couldn't help but smile and stare, but unfortunately, he couldn't reach it.
Moreover, the sad thing is, even if he got such a knife, he couldn't use it properly.
Mika's main strength is magic.
The knife is just an insurance, "Maybe I'll use it if I have it?" level.
(I wonder if someone teaches Knife Arts somewhere.)
Many adventurers use knives.
Including those who handle them not as main weapons but as sub-weapons, I think the proportion is quite large.
How does everyone learn to handle weapons?
Maybe self-taught?
(I want to learn this kind of thing someday too.)
The "forms" they made him do at the academy were probably not for knives.
The stick handed to him was too long for a knife, so it must be a different weapon.
Thinking about it, there is one point of interest among the academy students.
Some of the academy students carry short swords, small swords, maces, etc.
Some hide them in their uniform robes, while others wear them openly.
He was surprised at first, but it seems to be normal at the academy, and no one outside the new students cared about it.
Maybe the academy in the Leventein domain taught the "forms" for handling these weapons.
(I don't want to become a soldier, but I really want to be taught combat techniques.)
He knows he is saying selfish things, but that is his honest feeling.
When Mika stepped out of the shop, the sky had turned quite red.
"Yikes, I've been here too long."
Mika now could return with plenty of time before curfew, but he wanted to avoid rushing in a panic.
With [Physical Enhancement] boosted four times, if he ran and bumped into someone, he might injure them.
Mika hurried moderately and ran through the back alleys while being careful.
Arriving at the main gate, Mika caught his breath lightly.
There was people coming and going in District 3 in front of the main gate, but perhaps because curfew was near, no academy students were visible.
"If I get here, I'm safe for now."
The western sky was red, and the eastern sky was dark.
And the sky in between painted a beautiful gradient, showing a beautiful purple color.
Mika looked up at the sky and walked toward the dormitory.
"......Mika-sama......"
As Mika was walking, a small voice called out from behind.
He casually turned around, and there was Cleiria.
From behind the tree planted in the academy, Cleiria with a sorrowful expression appeared.
"Wha...!?"
Mika was so surprised he froze right there.
(----Why is Cleiria here of all places!?)
Cleiria bowed her head, hugged her hands in front of her chest, and had an expression like she was enduring pain or holding back tears.
Mika stared blankly at Cleiria's figure, but soon came to his senses.
He looked around, but there was no sign of the bodyguard knights.
He thought it was impossible, but could Cleiria really be alone?
(The kidnapping incident was only a year ago! What are the Marquis House knights doing!?)
He was ordered to keep distance by the Marquis, but this is truly impossible.
If something happened to Cleiria if left like this, that would be worse.
Mika hurriedly ran toward Cleiria.
"Lady Cleiria! Why here!? Where are the bodyguard knights!?"
Mika asked anxiously, but Cleiria shook her head slightly.
"I came alone. I wanted to talk to Mika-sama no matter what..."
Cleiria with a determined expression said that and then closed her mouth.
Even if Cleiria said she went alone, she wouldn't be allowed to go.
She probably slipped out of the mansion.
(This is bad, bad, bad, what should I do? What should I do about this!?)
Mika seemed to be panicking.
What is the best thing to do now?
Leaving her like this is out of the question.
Even if ordered to keep distance, that is for normal times.
In an emergency, emergency measures are required.
Insisting on normal instructions at a time like this is the height of foolishness.
(What can be done now...)
Mika's head spun full speed.
What Mika can do is limited.
There are two realistic responses he can think of?
・Send Cleiria back to the mansion.
However, Mika has no way to enter District 1.
Once he reaches the First Wall, he needs to think of another method.
・Contact the academy.
Pass the buck to the teachers remaining at the academy.
If he does that, the responsibility afterwards shifts to the academy.
He doesn't need to worry about the First Wall either.
If teachers are remaining, it seems best to pass the buck to the academy.
Deciding on that policy, Mika made a gentle expression.
"Lady Cleiria, it is late today, so let the academy teachers take you to the mansion."
Even when Mika said that and tried to turn back, Cleiria did not move while bowing her head.
Her hands held against her chest were clenched so hard they turned white, and her tightly pressed lips trembled slightly.
"...Even so much..."
Cleiria whispered in a trembling voice.
"......So much, am I... hated by Mika-sama...?"
Tears streamed down her cheek, unable to hold them back.
Even seeing Cleiria like that, Mika was left speechless.
Saying "That's not true" here is easy.
But after that?
Even if he says that's not true, the days of running away from Cleiria will come again.
If so, wouldn't it be better to just make it so here?
He thought such a thing.
"I... it is shameful, but I have no friends..."
Cleiria began to speak in a trembling voice.
That there were no children of the same age around her, and she was alone despite having bodyguard knights and servants.
That she was happy thinking she could meet children of the same age once her talent for magic was discovered.
But her father, the Marquis, did not allow it, and she could not attend the Magic Academy in Sarbengeal.
"...You can laugh at me as foolish. When I was kidnapped, they said, 'You can talk to children who go to the academy.' They lured me out with that. It's funny, isn't it? ...Even I think, how stupid am I."
Saying that, she laughed with a hint of self-mockery.
But then, she met Mika.
"I might be killed. I might never see my father or mother again. I was about to be crushed by anxiety and terror wondering what terrible things would happen to me."
Locked in a cart for a long time, when the floorboards were removed one by one, she trembled with fear thinking "I might be killed."
But then, Mika appeared.
At first, she thought he was a younger girl.
Thinking he was a servant boy of the bandits who kidnapped Cleiria.
But that girl said she came to save Cleiria.
And, carrying Cleiria on her back, she ran all the way to Yaunasun at amazing speed.
At that time, she realized.
"Could this child be a mage? Maybe she has learned [God's Miracle] like me?"
That child seemed unable to hear, so she couldn't get answers to what Cleiria wanted to ask.
But,
"Can we become friends...?"
She thought that from behind Mika's back.
In Yaunasun, there was trouble because Mika couldn't hear.
Mika didn't understand the soldier's words that he could enter the town, and he desperately threatened the soldiers.
"At that time, I was really worried about what would happen, my heart was pounding. If she really was a mage, the soldiers would be in big trouble. I desperately tried to persuade them not to approach."
Remembering that time, Cleiria chuckled laughingly.
She was truly surprised to learn that the girl who saved Cleiria and returned safely to the Marquis Leventein mansion was actually a boy.
And when they met again at the mansion, they promised to meet again.
"Let's meet again in the capital city."
Holding that promise in her heart, she worked hard for a year.
Cleiria's expression twisted.
"...I wanted to show you my current self, Mika-sama, so I worked hard. Even in hard times, in difficult times... I wanted you to see the me who worked the hardest to meet you in the capital city..."
Cleiria trembled her lips, choked on her words, and appealed to Mika.
She wants you to look at her.
She worked so hard for the day she would meet Mika.
Cleiria's feelings pierced through.
How much Cleiria had been hurt by Mika's attitude.
Mika bit his lip.
"...I have no friends, so I don't know. What is it about me that made Mika-sama... so angry."
Cleiria, who had been bowing her head, raised her face and looked at Mika.
Her face was a mess with tears.
"...My shortcomings... I will fix them. So..."
Large tears rolled down Cleiria's cheeks.
"...So... don't hate me..."
Cleiria collapsed in tears.
That figure was just a single girl.
Whether she was the daughter of a Marquis House or not, it didn't matter.
Mika had hurt her, and even so, she was crying and appealing that she didn't want to be hated by Mika.
She was just a girl.
(This... is this... your wish, Marquis...!?)
The clenched fist trembled, and the gritted back teeth creaked.
He didn't save her for this.
He didn't save Cleiria to hurt her.
The sun had already set, and looking up at the pitch-black sky, he let out a deep breath.
As if expelling all the gloom that had accumulated in his chest.
Mika squatted in front of Cleiria and gently placed his hand on her trembling shoulder.
"Cleiria..."
And so, he gently stroked her shoulder and waited for her to stop crying.
Waiting for Cleiria to calm down, Mika and the others moved to in front of the main gate.
The place where they were just now was too dark, and they couldn't even see each other's faces.
You can't talk properly in such a place.
In front of the main gate it is also dim, but the light of the city in District 3 reached a little.
From the other side of the rotary, it would be difficult to distinguish that Mika and the others were there.
That was the extent of the light.
"I don't hate Lady Cleiria or anything like that."
Mika was worried about how to explain to Cleiria, but for now, he decided to clear up the misunderstanding.
"...Then, is there no place you want me to fix...?"
Places you want me to fix...?
Yes?
Of course, there are plenty.
No, saying "plenty" is an exaggeration, but there are definitely places you want me to fix?
Thinking such a thing, Mika choked on his words, and immediately tears started pouring from Cleiria's eyes.
"...So, that's why you hate me... sob..."
"It's not, it's not!"
Mika hurriedly comforted Cleiria.
"Even among friends, everyone has one or two places they want fixed. But that doesn't make them hate you."
Well, actually, sometimes they do keep distance because of that!
Let's not say unnecessary things now.
"Is... is that so?"
"Yes. That is how it is. So, don't think about it so much."
Really, please.
It is really troublesome when a girl cries.
"Then, what part of me do you think Mika-sama wants me to fix?"
"Eh? Part...?"
Won't you stop with that "Mika-sama"?
He wanted to say that, but can he say it?
But, shouldn't he say it?
It's strange for a Marquis House daughter to add "-sama" to a commoner.
"Shall we stop with that 'sama'? You can call me Mika, okay?"
"But, Mika-sama is Mika-sama."
Who decided that?
"Among friends, normally 'sama' is not added."
"Oh, is that so!"
Cleiria clapped her hands and was exaggeratedly surprised.
"Then Mika-sama, please call me Cleiria."
Cleiria said that with a big smile.
No, no, no, that's bad. Forgive me.
"No, calling Lady Cleiria by her name is a bit..."
"But just now, you called me Cleiria."
Eh, did I call you by your name?
When?
While Mika was breaking out in cold sweat, Cleiria made a sad face.
"You said friends don't use 'sama', but you use 'sama' for me... So, you really don't want to be friends with me... sob..."
"That's not true!"
"...But... sob..."
Cleiria seemed about to cry.
Seemed...?
Really?
Isn't this fake crying?
Although he felt a bit suspicious, there was no way to confirm...
"...Cleiria."
"Yes, Mika!"
When Mika called Cleiria, she answered immediately.
And she had a super nice smile.
When Mika glared at her, Cleiria stuck her tongue out.
Cute, hey.
A bit unladylike though.
And so, they got a little closer with Cleiria, and decided to see her to the mansion.
(Haa... how am I going to persuade the Marquis?)
At least, she was desperate enough to resort to such strong measures.
He had to exploit that and get concessions from the Marquis.
On top of recent stress, just imagining persuading the Marquis made his stomach hurt.
As he rubbed his stomach, Cleiria asked with concern, "Is your stomach hurting?"