BSS 46

Chapter 46

I didn’t have any close friends in the delegation, but everyone looked familiar—so who was that kid?

Anyway, there wasn’t much meat left. My attention was clearly focused on the food.

“True, but Leo…”

“This is all because of that girl!”

The boy with lemon-colored hair, called Leo, puffed his cheeks and charged at me with big steps, but I was too busy being disappointed by the dwindling food to care.

This is exactly why you shouldn’t come late to a restaurant. Proper nutrition is important for growing children!

“I challenge you to a duel!”

“Ma’am, is there any more meat?”

“Hey!”

“Huh?”

Who is this?

I glanced briefly at the boy who seemed like a complete stranger, but that was all. I quickly turned my attention back to my plate.

Hungry as I was, I grabbed the largest piece of bread from the buffet-style spread and popped it into my mouth, chewing while ignoring him.

“Hey! You!”

Wrong person, buddy. My name isn’t “Hey”…

“I can’t hear a word you’re saying!”

I had no choice but to stop when he grabbed my shoulder. My mouth was still busy moving, though. This bread is delicious! Good inns really do have good food.

“My name is Leo!”

“I didn’t ask.”

“I just arrived in Valen!”

“Not interested.”

“I’ve been riding without rest, sleeping only two hours a day! You have to recognize my courage!”

“Oh my, why’d you do that?”

Honestly, I thought Leo was a bit strange. He suddenly got angry and shouted at me—it was absurdly rude.

“The teachers thought you were dead and called me!”

I realized late that he had been my substitute, but I still didn’t feel the need to be nice to him. There was no reason for me to show kindness to someone who wasn’t being friendly.

“Sorry about that. I’m alive, you see.”

“Do you know how much I suffered? I rode for ten whole days!”

“Ugh, just thinking about that makes me nauseous.”

“Damn it! I have to avenge the humiliation I suffered because of you! Duel…”

“…Pfft, did you just say humiliation?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Am I the only one laughing? I burst out laughing outright.

“Ha ha ha! Humiliation? You’re only ten years old! Do you even know what that word means?”

“I- I’m eleven!”

Still, it was funny. I laughed out loud for the first time in a while, and the more I laughed, the redder Leo’s face became.

It wasn’t embarrassment—it was anger.

But even that, in my eyes, looked like a childish tantrum. What could a child have to be furious about?

I briefly thought I should stop laughing since he looked so upset, but when he did something even more ridiculous, I couldn’t stop myself.

“Jini Crowell! I challenge you to a duel for a spot on the delegation!”

“….”

“The winner in a fair fight will earn the place on the delegation!”

“Puhahaha!”

I laughed even harder, clutching my stomach. Leo, provoked, clenched his fists and charged, but thanks to Teacher Irito stepping between us, no fight broke out.

I quietly calmed Lai, who had tried to rush out, keeping him in check.

[Master! That kid just—]

[He’s just a kid.]

Teacher Irito blocked our path with a flustered expression, more concerned with soothing Leo than me.

“Leo! What are you doing here? I told you to rest quietly!”

“But teacher! It’s so unfair!”

Sigh… Leo…

I watched Teacher Irito’s side profile as she let out a pitying sigh, still giggling quietly to myself.

“Teacher Irito! Did you hear that? He wants to duel me… Puhaha!”

“…Jini! You shouldn’t tease your friends! And ladies don’t laugh like that!”

“Hohohoho!”

“Jini! That’s even more annoying… No, anyway, tone it down!”

“Teachers forbid too many things. And he’s not my friend.”

I puffed my cheeks in protest. Why do adults always assume anyone of a similar age is a friend?

“He ran here for ten days and nights just for you. You should be grateful a little.”

“That was for himself, not me. Sacrifice and opportunism are different things, you know?”

“Jini!”

If it were another teacher, I might have been cheekier, but since I liked Teacher Irito, I decided to keep quiet and let her win this round.

“Understand this. Leo is just upset, that’s all.”

Despite her mediation, Leo continued puffing his cheeks and glaring at me.

The frustrated little guy looked ridiculous, so instead of laughing loudly, I sneered quietly.

That seemed to set him off again, and he vented his anger at me.

“Damn it! This is all your fault! That I got dropped from the delegation, that I was called in only to be told I wasn’t needed! It’s all because of you!”

That seemed to be the situation.

A vacancy in the delegation had led to him being called in as the top candidate substitute. He rode all night to catch up with the delegation, only to find my return had taken his spot.

What a cruel twist of fate. A substitute’s lot is indeed pitiful.

And no wonder he was angry. I could understand his frustration a little.

“So… you just needed me out of the way?”

“Yes! If you weren’t here, it would’ve been my spot from the start!”

“I see. Sounds like a good idea to me.”

“…What?”

“We seem to agree then.”

Leo, who seemed ready to attack, looked dumbfounded at my reaction.

“Why fight at all? You take it.”

I smiled brightly and spoke cheerfully. Now that I think about it, this was a perfect opportunity. I could be generous and also make things easier for myself.

I never cared about the delegation spot in the first place. I didn’t want it. I had no interest in a crude tournament where people just hit each other.

Besides, I was far too elegant to get into fights.

“Me… take it?”

Seeing his dumbfounded look, I explained clearly.

“Yes, whoever wants to do it should. I never wanted it anyway. Thanks for speaking up first. Now can I go back to school? Is that okay, teacher?”

“Good heavens! Jini! That can’t—”

“How far do you plan to toy with me, Jini Crowell!”

“Toy with you? I’m serious. Do you even know what ‘toy’ means?”

Even when I gave him what he wanted, he still got angry—a complicated boy.

Leo clenched his fists and trembled, but then suddenly struck a cocky pose and spoke arrogantly.

“Ha! Fine! You’re scared, aren’t you?”

“…What?”

“Yes! You’re pathetic, lacking any combat ability. You must be terrified. I hate weak mages, but worse are pathetic elementalist trash like you! Thanks to you, I know exactly how cowardly elementalist are!”

“Wow, you really run your mouth, don’t you.”

“Yes! I am your savior! Run away cowardly!”

Hold it together, hold it together.

“Why am I wrong? All you wimps! Useless in war! You’re just for show!”

I clenched my teeth slightly. Only dumb fighting club kids would fall for cheap provocations like that. I was intelligent and rational—I wouldn’t fall for it…

“Stupid blonde!”

“…Bring it on, you brat!”

“Fight me! Jini Cr—ughk!”

“Yikes! Gross!”

Why is he suddenly vomiting?!

I quickly stepped back. The smell was worse than a punch, so I covered my mouth with my hand.

Leo, already scruffy, had turned pale. Likely a consequence of overexertion from the rushed travel.

“See? Leo! I told you to rest!”

“Ughk!”

“Gross…”

Disgusting as it was, Leo had thrown up, and then Teacher Irito carried him off like a princess.

As a result, my appetite was ruined. I could only eat two pieces of bread, one egg, a hearty meat-filled soup, four snacks, and grab two apples before retreating to my room.

Ugh, I have no appetite.