Chapter 58 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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"…It's hard to say, but I have plans. Something personally important."
"Don't feel burdened—on a day like this, just relax, student."
It didn't get through. He's got sharp instincts where he shouldn't.
The professor left the classroom with a kindly expression.
Seeing Elias's face, squeezing out tears while smiling silently, made me chuckle despite myself, but watching Leo's friends glance around nervously as they left turned it into a hollow laugh.
"Ha…."
Doesn't the professor know this just puts people in an even tougher spot?
There's no malice, but I never imagined I'd end up in a situation like this.
'…The upside is that the professor sees me in a somewhat positive light….'
Otherwise—unless he was trying to screw me over—there'd be no reason for this meddling.
But he'd left the classroom looking genuinely pleased with himself, so it probably wasn't some childish attempt to mess with me.
He'd just tried to help in his own way, and I'd ended up with unintended emotional damage.
"…You okay?"
Leo, who'd come up beside me at some point, asked while gauging my mood.
"You know asking stuff like that just makes it worse, right?"
"Sorry."
Only a few students remained in the class by now. They seemed more afraid something might happen to me than eager to watch the drama.
I slipped out of the classroom quickly and murmured to Leo in a volume only he could hear.
"Go hang out with your friends. I've got stuff to talk about with Narke."
"I already sent them off. And what's it about?"
"There is something. Anyway, go call them back. I'm heading to the library now."
"Lib…!"
Leo froze in place, unable to continue.
"...."
I'd let my guard down because the guy's such a stickler for rules. Going to the library on festival day must be shocking news even for him.
I calmly clarified my intent.
"You're misunderstanding—I'm not saying I'm going to the library just to study. I mean I'll check the timing."
"…Let's just wander around. I prefer one person over a crowd anyway. Plus, last night we spent the evening saying stuff Elias wouldn't get… You didn't go to the 3rd training academy, and freshman year you just holed up in the dorms. This isn't your first festival, is it?"
It wasn't.
But I couldn't say that. It was Luca's first.
'Wandering around during the festival isn't off-limits anyway.'
With the professor involved, hanging out with a friend wouldn't make my brother suspicious, and since I needed to boost Luca's reputation anyway, I'd have to put up with some scrutiny from him now.
"What'd El say?"
"Dodging the question confirms it. Anyway, let me ask this first: is it okay for you to be seen openly hanging with me?"
"Even if it gets back to my brother, the professor won't come up, right? It's obvious they'll say he made us pair up."
"Yeah…. If it doesn't spread school-wide by tonight, we're lucky."
Is that all…?
While I was at a loss for words, Leo spoke up again.
"You said you had something to tell Narke, right? Then let's play around and meet up midway, then join forces."
"Sure."
It was the most natural approach.
Narke had probably already sensed I was suspicious anyway, so calling him aside wouldn't be an issue.
'Since Pie's here too, I'll have to take him back later.'
I absently stroked the furball brushing against my left hand fingers. Pie was still clinging to my hand.
"Anything you've always wanted to do?"
"Hmm…."
Luca hadn't been to one, but I had, plenty of times, so nothing came to mind.
What do people even do at festivals? I should think back to high school ones rather than college….
All that pops up is stuff like making mosquito repellent.
I pulled out the guidebook the school had given us.
'Not bad—better than expected.'
You could tell everyone had put real effort in.
Closing the booklet, I noticed stamp collection spots on the back cover.
Leo nodded toward it.
"Might as well collect them all while we're at it and grab the prize. Student council went all out."
"What's the prize?"
"You'll see once you fill them."
For once, he dodged without flinching, totally casual.
Must be a common question.
I nodded and glanced out the window.
"Yeah, but first, let's grab something to eat."
* * *
"Leo! Ah…."
Stepping outside let me feel the situation even more vividly.
Felt like a monkey at the zoo.
Students who'd heard the rumors were staring from a distance.
Not content with that, some approached Leo with friendly smiles, only to back off the moment they spotted me.
Leo waved at the retreating student, tried dodging other stares, then—unable to adjust—cast a soundproof spell and whispered.
"This is no joke. You seriously live like this every day…?"
"Not to this extent. It's because of you."
"What?"
The guy who'd openly hated Luca was walking with me now—it must seem novel.
In my mind, we'd been close for a while, but to others, they'd only seen the public faces from freshman year.
Leo just nodded without much reply.
Ignoring him as he started moping again, I pointed to a distant snack booth.
"Let's get ice cream. We can check events while eating."
"…Yeah…."
I headed to the booth ahead of him.
No cooling devices here apparently—an upperclassman from next door was diligently casting cooling spells.
"Hey, too cold! You're gonna make ice!"
"Oh, how low should it go?!"
"...."
Manually freezing ice cream with magic felt oddly fresh.
I chimed in casually.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, yes… Huh?!"
"Two vanilla, please. Drizzle honey on one."
Whether he wanted me gone quick or not, he served fast.
For some reason, I handed Leo the one smothered in cherries.
"Eat."
"Thanks. But what's with the cherry overload?"
Scooping some, he saw more cherries inside and raised a brow.
I'd suspected from Elias hauling back a whole basket yesterday after doing nothing, but… there must be tons left. This was cherry ice cream, not vanilla.
"Now that I think, what's El up to?"
"Probably hanging with my friends, but not sure."
I turned to scan for familiar faces.
The school was decked out in decorations and banners unlike usual. Amid the waves of dark purple uniforms, a few students in unfamiliar school outfits were mixed in.
Now that we'd been out a bit, the stares on me had lessened.
'Elias won't get much play thanks to his leg.'
Especially in crowds like this.
He'd probably head to the orphanage to pry info since he couldn't roam much, but no need—I had ways to get the list without that.
Looking around, I pulled Pie from my robe pocket.
Startled by the sudden emergence, Pie whipped his head around.
"Peep?"
"Pie, can you find Elias for me?"
Pie rolled his eyes then nodded.
Talking to an animal made Leo turn with a dubious look, like he'd misheard.
I tucked Pie back in the pocket, and he warped away instantly.
"Let's check stuff out meanwhile."
"…You really think he'll come if you send Pie?"
"Probably."
"Yeah…. Hmm, let's try there."
"Art club?"
Entering the first floor, we found a booth much like in reality.
'Face painting….'
Not called that, but same deal. Just absurd. No escaping it here or there.
Human ideas must not change much in a hundred years—or is there another modern person here besides me…?
Pushing aside the reasonable suspicion, I opened the door.
Students inside froze, eyes wide on me. I waved a hand and shook my head.
"Pass."
Relief washed openly over their faces.
"Phew…."
'....'
These guys….
As another hollow laugh bubbled up, Leo got grabbed by a junior.
"Sunbae!"
"Oh, Johanna."
"What brings you here?"
"Came for the stamp. This is my classmate, and student council junior, Lucas."
Leo alternated pointing between us.
The junior seemed thrilled just to see Leo, showing no animosity toward me.
"Hi! Sunbae, wanna try? I think I've got some talent."
"Nah, I'll pass too. We're heading next door."
Leo waved off the brush she held up.
But she wouldn't let him off easy.
Leo grimaced, rubbing his cheek as he moved on.
"Whew…."
"Pretty tame."
"Can you not deflect? Makes it even more depressing."
Leo dry-washed his face with a sigh.
It really was tame—a thumbnail-sized Bavarian flag on his cheek.
Next booth: art club exhibit.
Belle Époque paintings hung on stark white partitions. Not many members, few pieces.
"Hmm, I get why you picked here first."
"Right? Quick look, one stamp. Thirty booths total, but only need ten, so hit the easy ones."
Leo answered under a soundproof spell.
Kid's got shortcuts too.
I laughed in disbelief; Leo tilted his head, unsure if it was mockery.
Anyway, thanks to his intel, we were out in a minute.
A student with the stamp beckoned.
"How was it~?"
"Makes me wanna come back."
"Oh, thank you~! Draw on the guestbook, get an extra stamp! We're walling the participants' art."
"Hmm…."
Student council right there, and they're pulling hacks.
While I was surprised, Leo pondered.
"Sure, pen please."
"…Wow."
"...."
Leo stared at me incredulously, then sketched a familiar animal.
"That's Pie."
"Huh, spotted it quick?"
Objectively well-drawn. Recognizable counts as good.
'I'm not drawing.'
Pie sets the bar.
I flipped a page and scribbled lines.
"Whoa, what's that? Seriously…."
"...."
"What even is this, Lucas? You gotta?"
A lion.
Looks fine to me?
I handed over the guidebook without replying.
The stamper asked cautiously.
"Ooh, um… can I hang this now?"
"Go for it."
Clear why he wanted it up ASAP, but stamp secured.
I left Leo still reeling behind and exited the building.
"Yeees~"
A familiar voice hit right outside.
Elias emerged from the alley beside, Pie on his shoulder.
Leo, following, spotted him and yelled sans greeting.
"Your clothes…!"
Not uniform—Prussian Investigation Bureau outfit. He'd really meant to check the orphanage.
'Just like the novel.'
"The rabbit hopped on my shoulder outta nowhere? Was heading out, but he wouldn't budge no matter what—felt like a sign."
"Dude, wandering like that?"
Leo's deadpan drew a lazy shrug from Elias.
"Thought it suited me? Clothes make the man, huh?"
"Who said it suits?"
"Can't argue~ Means it does?"
He'd shut Leo up by blocking his rage; Elias grinned, satisfied, scanning around.
"Figured it was festival vibes. Even removed the badge on purpose. Don't worry, class rep."
Elias emphasized the end. Leo, suddenly the uptight rule-monger, grabbed his nape with a loaded smile.
'They're having fun.'
Better together, these guys.
I peeled a cherry for Pie eyeing my ice cream from my shoulder, thinking.
"So, not even an hour in—what've you been up to?"
"Nothing yet. Got two stamps from art club."
"Nothing? Your face says you had fun."
"You know how it went, roughly…."
"Yeah, I do."
Elias smirked, turning.
"Anyway, came to return the rabbit—should I do one thing before going?"
"Nah, stay and play. Where you headed?"
"Maybe…. Haunted house? Kids, get disciplined for touching in there?"
"Yep."
I nodded at the obvious.
More importantly, Elias kept forgetting his leg treatment.
"You'll have to run in there—sure you're good?"
"Oh, right."
I reopened the guidebook.
Looking up at the marked spot, a crowded building twinkled afar.
"That one?"
"Hm?"
Elias clapped at the shiny sign.
"Ooh, casino~ Leo, how'd this get approved?"
"Just the name—no betting. Ends with honor roll names per game."
"Oh~?"
No stakes lit Elias's eyes.
* * *
"Even without betting, who greenlights a place like…."
Leo scowled at the blinding interior.
"No money means pure welcome. Real gaming, no casino commission BS that pisses you off."
"How old are you?"
Elias ignored Leo, sat laughing.
"Poker round. Been years."
"Forgot the rules."
"Aww, model student. Let's put a name up. Luca, you in?"
"Yeah."
Here already, why not.
Glancing around, tons of students obsessed with names despite no gains. Pure victory lust in free games.
I had no drive to crush anyone, so I let Elias have his fun.
Resting chin on hand, I watched him tap the table.
Third win solo already.
"Hahaha! Won again~"
"Mm…."
"That's your level, Leo. Accept it."
"How with forgotten rules?!"
Elias whistled, shaking head at Leo's retort.
Then clapped.
"Oh, wait. Add one more? Need four for the honor roll probably."
'He's pumped.'
Worth suggesting.
Then, a black-clad student approached.
"Sir."
"Me?"
Elias asked.
Student shook head, pointed at me.
"No, this gentleman."
Leo and Elias eyed us alternately, puzzled.
I was too, but stayed calm.
"Yes?"
"They ask if you'd join their table. Interested?"
Turning, three upperclassmen—juniors by uniforms—played poker, laughing relaxedly our way.
"...."
Obvious target.
I shook head.
"No thanks."
"Understood."
Student left; Elias scoffed.
"What the? Let's do our own game."
As Elias grabbed crutches to rise, the student returned, awkward.
"Um… they said one more ask?"
Elias now laughed hollowly.
"What? I'll go then."
"No, they want this one…."
"...."
Poker's popular—players everywhere.
Picking me specifically? I'm the 'obvious loser' they know.
Makes sense. Freshman Luca fits that image.
Still….
'Been a while since this treatment.'
What to do.
I mulled, then stood.
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