The early morning hours passed slowly, as they always did.
Given the recent events, the practical lessons in swordsmanship and combat arts were not intensified.
Instead, the instructor opted for light training—deliberately so—after having personally witnessed the suffocating tension caused by the incident the day before.
Beatrice stood beside Athena, watching her with a worried expression.
"Are you sure you're okay? You didn't even sleep well… Why don't I tell the instructor I'll take you to the infirmary?"
"It's fine, Beatrice. I already told you I'm alright… It's just exhaustion from training."
Athena replied with a faint smile.
However, her pale face made her words anything but convincing.
Seeing her condition, Beatrice hesitated for a moment before adding
"But you're not the type to get tired from something this light. Who are you trying to fool?"
"…"
Athena couldn't bring herself to tell her that it wasn't insomnia causing this.
She was used to skipping sleep back when she lived in the marquisate.
This time, however, her unease stemmed solely from her sister—the one she had lost all contact with some time ago.
On the other side of the training grounds, Gilbert watched Athena with concern, their earlier conversation resurfacing in his mind.
Just a few hours ago, she had informed him of the results of her investigation—both through observation and by attempting to examine her sister's class schedule.
Aside from that, she seemed unable to obtain further details, as the administration had taken excessive precautions regarding student records.
Since Alice's situation remains uncertain, I can't step in and say anything that might only worsen Athena's state…
But is there truly nothing I can do?
Gilbert sighed as he returned his wooden practice sword to its place among the others—only to notice a familiar figure doing the same.
Raymond Baskerville.
The latter quickly averted his gaze, attempting to withdraw, but Gilbert's voice stopped him despite his hesitation.
"Baskerville… I need to talk to you. May I have a minute of your time?"
Raymond sighed before turning to face him, answering in a serious tone.
"I believe I have something to say as well.
So… which of us is going to start?"
Gilbert gestured toward a spot behind Raymond and added
"I'd rather not talk here. Let's sit on that bench instead."
"…Understood."
Raymond turned his back and walked ahead with steady steps until the two reached the intended spot.
Gilbert was the first to break the tense silence.
"Alright… about what happened before…
When I spoke to you that way…
I believe I overreacted and wronged you greatly. So… I apologize."
For a brief moment, Raymond looked as though his thoughts had frozen.
His eyes widened slightly, a faint confusion flickering within them.
Lucas's words from earlier that morning crossed his mind, and he remained silent for a moment.
Then, clasping his fingers together, he replied
"Are you apologizing for being cautious about words that would confuse anyone if heard so suddenly?
I believe I already told you—it's good to be a skeptical person."
Gilbert looked away, intertwining his own fingers as he continued hesitantly
"Even so… I think I took it too far.
You merely pointed out an obvious truth. Why should you have to bear hearing words like that?"
Raymond raised his gaze, his expression calm as he studied Gilbert's visibly unsettled face—watching him struggle to articulate his thoughts—until Gilbert found himself letting out a faint, self-mocking smile.
For a moment, Raymond found it oddly amusing to see Gilbert display an expression that didn't suit his usual composure.
But he quickly reined himself in, turning his eyes back toward the training grounds where their classmates were receiving instructions.
For an instant, his gaze seemed lost in memory before he spoke again.
"I think you also have the right to express what you feel—without forcing it.
And of course, the way I phrased my words contributed to making you feel that way.
But I meant everything I said.
When I saw your condition, I thought…
You must have endured difficult times throughout your life, trying to hide things so as not to burden those around you.
And yet… I also felt it was right to tell you to be careful.
You know that this empire harbors many suspicious organizations.
A single mistake—even an unintentional one—could cost you your life… or even the lives of those around you."
He lowered his head slightly, rubbing the back of his neck as he continued in a hesitant voice.
"So… what I'm trying to say is—I only wanted to offer advice, even though I know I have no right to interfere in your affairs."
A long silence settled between them.
Raymond felt he had spoken too much, that his words hadn't reached Gilbert the way he intended.
A sense of frustration and awkwardness welled up inside him—
Until Gilbert's sudden laughter caught him completely off guard.
Raymond looked at him with a confused, embarrassed expression.
Gilbert added, watching Raymond's reaction with a wry smile
"What a foolish person I am…
You're a genuinely good young man, and yet I misunderstood you."
Raymond averted his gaze, avoiding Gilbert's face as embarrassment mixed with irritation at that teasing tone.
"On what basis do you say that?
Does simply giving advice make someone a good person?"
Gilbert couldn't help laughing at Raymond's reactions.
After a moment, he spoke again in a gentle, calm voice.
"Honestly, Baskerville—or should I call you Raymond… or perhaps Ray? I think the last one sounds better.
Anyway… what kind of world have you been living in?
People don't usually think of others that way.
You're more honest than anyone I've ever met…
I don't even know why I misunderstood you in the first place.
I apologize once again for what I said."
At that moment, Raymond stood up, intending to leave as his embarrassment reached its limit.
But he stopped, as a thought crossed his mind, and added quietly
"You're similar to him in that regard…
That's probably why you're friends."
Gilbert tilted his head slightly, looking at Raymond in confusion.
"Who do you mean?"
"Lucas. You're exactly as he described."
Gilbert rose as well, walking beside him as he spoke
"Now that you mention it—you're his roommate.
Wait… what kind of things has he been saying about me?"
Raymond smiled wryly before replying,
"He didn't say anything bad. He just…"
The two continued their brief exchange—until Gilbert casually suggested a friendly duel.