Ch 197
“You’re nineteen?”
Miss Charlotte’s eyes widened as she realized Lisir’s shocking identity（?）.
Lisir flashed a sly smile.
“Why are you all so surprised? Doesn’t it look that way at first glance?”
That appearance with traces of a Boy.
Lisir’s confidence was justified, in that his youth had not yet waned and was in full bloom.
The two Noble Ladies had no dissatisfaction or doubt about that part.
Perhaps if they had first met him at a Social Gathering, they would have felt impressions like, ‘How cute?’
Looking only at his appearance, he was unmistakably a Young Master of their age.
But-
“…You’re nineteen?”
“Miss Charlotte?”
Charlotte was acting like a broken Mechanism, as she was so surprised.
Heynya watched Charlotte with a warm Gaze from the side, as if she thought it was a truly natural reaction.
“…Is this a Joke?”
“…What kind of Joke are you talking about?”
“…There must be Magic like that. Magic to maintain youth━”
“It does exist, doesn’t it…?”
Right now, Marina, Heynya’s Magic Master, was maintaining the appearance of a young Woman in her prime in the same way.
“Teacher is using that to maintain her youthful appearance, right?”
Lisir’s mouth gaped open.
He was about to say firmly, ‘I’m not,’ but seeing Charlotte’s reaction, he felt like he shouldn’t.
‘Ah, come to think of it-‘
Lisir realized why Charlotte had been using the title ‘Teacher’ and using polite language even while engaging in a Showdown with him.
‘She thought I was a Monster who hid my age with real Magic?’
While their shock deepened.
Heynya, unable to watch any longer, intervened.
“Well, it can’t be helped that Charlotte thinks that way. If someone like Lisir now suddenly appeared before me as my new Tutor ━ I would have reacted the same way?”
“Someone like Lisir now…”
Heynya’s empathy.
And a meaningful Statement.
Charlotte, now somewhat stable, spoke to Heynya.
“You’re saying that Teacher Lisir wasn’t like this from the beginning?”
“Right? When I first met him, he had just reached the beginning of the 4th Rank.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Charlotte take a deep breath and relax her body.
“So… Teacher wasn’t a Monster from the beginning… Like other ordinary people, there was a time when he was an ordinary Human…”
Charlotte said as if persuading Herself.
Heynya’s Expression, who was watching the scene, became complicated.
Ah.
I know.
That feeling.
How long had it been?
Charlotte, looking distinctly calmer, looked at the two and said.
“By the way, Heynya. Unexpectedly, it seems like you’ve known Teacher for a long time?”
“Well, it’s not like we’ve only known each other for a day or two? But, a long time ago?”
For some reason, Heynya felt an unknown sense of incongruity with the expression ‘a long time ago.’
“Didn’t you just say that? When you first met Teacher, he had just reached the beginning of the 4th Rank.”
“Right?”
“Yeah. If you’ve known each other since then, you’ve known each other for at least a few years, right?”
Ah.
Heynya finally realized the identity of the incongruity.
“Not ‘a long time ago,’ but should I say we’ve known each other for a while?”
“What does that mean?”
“The first time I met Lisir was a few months ago from now.”
“?”
Charlotte’s Eyes turned to the upper left.
“???”
Then to the upper right.
“??????”
The series of processes was repeated for quite a long time.
✦✦✦
Charlotte, still unable to escape from the shock.
Heynya eventually left Her alone and resumed the conversation.
“Anyway, is that for real?”
“Are you, Heynya, even doubting my real age?”
“Of course I doubt it. To be honest, if your Mask came off now and some Elder popped out, I wouldn’t be surprised, but relieved? Well, anyway. We’re not talking about this now ━ I’m talking about the Starbirth Festival. Are you serious about participating? You?”
Heynya’s worried Gaze.
Lisir inwardly felt wronged.
‘What am I, a pathetic adult going to a place where young Child play and causing a ruckus?’
A young person is going to a Competition where young people compete in skill-
What’s the problem with that?
‘…Well, it is a problem.’
Of course.
Apart from feeling wronged, Lisir tended to try to look at Himself from an objective Viewpoint.
What he realized from the many Events and Accidents so far-
His innate power or Ability was very far from ordinary.
That was an undeniable fact.
‘If I go to a Competition where diligent young people are bickering and competing with this, I’ll really become a pathetic adult causing a ruckus in a place where young Child play, right?’
Someone might say no-
At least that’s what I think.
Lisir came to that conclusion and nodded.
“Ah! For reference, I don’t have any thoughts!? I have no intention of saying anything if you go to the Starbirth Festival? I’m just asking because I’m curious. Because, in my opinion, you don’t seem like the type to be very Interested in that kind of thing━”
“Well. Those are wise words. If I had been Interested in the Starbirth Festival from the beginning, I wouldn’t have heard the news from Heynya.”
“…By any chance, are you changing your mind because of me?”
“Of course. Why would I change my mind because of Heynya? I don’t listen to the Order of someone weaker than me. Uhehehe.”
“Ugh. Annoying. For a moment, I had the stupid thought that I wanted to meet you as an enemy at the Starbirth Festival.”
“Why is that a stupid thought?”
“Because I’ll obviously lose.”
“Heynya, it seems like your Personality has changed a lot since I last saw you? Surely, the Heynya I know is someone who pushes up her glasses and says, ‘I can do it. If it’s me.’ or something like that━”
“What are you talking about? I’ve never said that before? And what glasses ━ well, anyway. You don’t have to worry about that.”
Hmph.
Heynya sniffed cutely and flashed a confident Smile.
“My Personality hasn’t changed at all. It’s just that I’m showing this side of me only in your presence, which is a special case.”
“Hehe. A special case…”
“Anyway, that means you’re not thinking of participating, right?”
Heynya crossed her arms and pondered.
“Then this, it might really be worth aiming for the championship?”
Arrogance and Confidence, that borderline.
Heynya’s Expression lit up with her unique Smile.
“Lisir, do you remember what you said just now?”
“You mean that I would learn something from you for the Competition? Of course I remember. But, instead of learning from me, wouldn’t it be better to seek Teaching from the Tower Master? I’m currently working as Miss Charlotte’s Tutor by chance, but ━ you know? I’m not that great of a Teacher.”
“I know. The skewed Sensation of geniuses like us tends to be a hindrance when sharing opinions with others. Huh? What’s with that look? Are you dissatisfied with lumping you and me together as geniuses? Do you think I’m laughable?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Well, anyway. The key here is that we’re both geniuses who deviate from the general Standard.”
“So, you’re saying that if we give and take with each other, there might be something we can realize through it?”
“That’s right! Wait ━ I told you not to look at me like that!?”
“I really didn’t do anything.”
Lisir, while saying that, was considering Heynya’s proposal.
He inwardly nodded.
‘Instead of going to the Starbirth Festival and winning, I’m helping Heynya win-‘
Lisir, who had given up his Greed but still had Interest, felt Interest in Heynya’s proposal.
“I understand. I’ll seriously consider it.”
“Really!?”
Heynya jumped up slightly from her seat and expressed her Joy.
“Huh?”
In the meantime.
Her Gaze turned to the side.
“She’s still like this…”
She was talking to Charlotte, who was still blankly staring into the air.
The two felt a strange sense of Guilt.
✦✦✦
Tutor Lisir’s Lessons ended quickly.
This was because Charlotte, the Student, suffered a study injury due to the unavoidable Mental Interference（?）.
“Heynya. Please ━ take care of Miss Charlotte.”
“Don’t worry. She’ll get used to you while going through this.”
“What am I?”
Just as he left the room and closed the door.
“Huh?”
Lisir, suddenly feeling a Gaze, turned his head to the side.
There, a Woman with striking red hair was watching him.
With Eyes as red as that hair.
‘Is she trying to enter this room? Ah, come to think of it ━ they said another person was scheduled to come?’
A figure who will share a seat with the Noble Ladies of the two great Families.
Lisir immediately realized that She was no ordinary person and showed Respect.
A polite bow.
Curiosity arose in the Woman’s red Eyes.
She pointed to the door of the room Lisir had come out of and said.
“Miss Mastien. Miss Bollard?”
‘Is she saying that the two are inside?’
Lisir nodded.
“Yes. Both of them are inside.”
Then, the Woman brought the hand that had been pointing at the door and pointed it at Lisir.
And after leaving a meaningful Smile, She went straight into the room.
‘Who is she?’
Lisir left the place, leaving that Curiosity behind.
✦✦✦
Lisir, who left the Bollard mansion, headed straight to the street to check the Atmosphere of the City.
After looking around once-
‘It seems to be true, the Starbirth Festival.’
It had not yet been officially announced to the public, so it was not crowded with ordinary Citizens or tourists.
However.
He could find differences in various places on the street that were different from usual.
That age group.
That Atmosphere that seemed to be from out of town.
And, that extraordinary Presence.
People who seemed likely to participate in the Starbirth Festival were often seen.
‘That person over there seems like they’ll participate in the Starbirth Festival. That person over there too, that person over there too-‘
Lisir felt a strange Excitement.
The fun of finding Starbirth Festival participants hidden among the general Civilian was quite enjoyable.
‘That person and that person too-… Huh?’
In the meantime.
Lisir sensed a strange Aura flowing between two people presumed to be Starbirth Festival participants on the other side of the street.
People passing by on the street glanced at them-
Some even took a seat and watched them.
‘Is that Atmosphere, is there a fight?’
As soon as he thought that, one of them drew his sword.
A scream-like exclamation poured out from the surrounding onlookers.
‘Drawing a sword in the street? With a bunch of people around? It’s so hot that the City will burn down.’
Lisir, with admiration rather than admiration, quickly approached them.
As he got closer, their Conversation, which had been hidden among the noise of the street, could be heard.
“I’ll give you one last Opportunity. Retract what you just said.”
“I want to, but ━ I can’t figure it out? What mistake did I just make? I think I only said what’s right?”
“…I have no choice. Draw your sword. I’m challenging you to a Duel.”
“Hehehe, I knew words wouldn’t get through ━ as expected. He was a guy who couldn’t understand with words. Anyway, that’s what I wanted.”
The Man with a serious Atmosphere drew his sword first-
But the Man with a rough Impression seemed to be provoking him.
The only thought Lisir had while watching the two facing off was one.
‘Challenging to a Duel and accepting it? Surely not right here and now?’
A Duel in a public place.
It was a clear violation of Bondales’ City law.
‘Looking at the way they’re acting, they seem like Nobles-‘
Lisir shuddered as he recalled the average of the young Nobles he had forgotten for a while.
“Hey, what’s going on!”
The Bondales Guard arrived just in time.
They immediately surrounded the two and shouted.
“Put down your Weapons!”
“You guys! Do you know who this person is!”
It was the shout of the Man next to the Man with a rough Impression.
Then, as if not to be outdone, the Woman next to the Man with a serious Atmosphere also shouted.
“Don’t interfere! It’s a matter of the Young Master’s Honor!”
“…”
Confusion arose on the Guards’ Expressions.
From the Atmosphere of the two Men and the response of their companions-
They realized that they were Nobles.
And quite high-ranking ones.
That was the Reason why they could act so brazenly in the middle of the City street in broad daylight.
Of course.
The City Guard had the Authority to subdue them.
Nevertheless, the Guards were afraid of the fallout that would splash on them if they intervened with them, so they couldn’t move rashly.
At that, the Man with a rough Impression shouted with satisfaction.
“This is not a riot! It’s just a defensive act to protect my Honor!”
“That’s not the problem.”
It was then that Lisir stepped forward.
“I am Lisir, an Honorary Mage affiliated with the Grey Tower. Here in Bondales, violent acts on the street are strictly prohibited. I’m not trying to interfere with the two of you, but if you respect the will of the City, how about moving to another place at least?”
“…”
The arrogant Noble group expressed Confusion at Lisir’s intervention.
‘A Wizard affiliated with the Magic Tower…’
No matter how high-ranking the Noble was, they couldn’t recklessly mess with them.
And then-
“Mr. Lisir.”
A familiar Voice.
Someone approached Lisir and spoke to him.
It was Maisy, Dray’s Secretary.
“You were here. Lord Dray is looking for you.”
Her Gaze as she spoke was directed at the Noble group.
“…!”
At that, the Noble group, who had been consistent in their arrogant Attitude, showed clear agitation.
The Man with a rough Impression suddenly started to read Lisir’s Nunchi and said.
“Ahem. Lord Lisir… did you say? In the meaning of respecting you, I will-…”
After that, the Situation ended as simply as it could be.
The Nobles hurrying away from the place.
“Lord Lisir!!! Thank you for your help!!!”
For some reason, the Guard was expressing Gratitude not to Maisy but to Himself.
‘This works.’
It was something he could never have imagined during his Illegitimate Child days.
A Noble who had considered his background was not picking a fight, but rather backing down.
He felt a kind of Excitement and said to Maisy.
“Ms. Maisy. Thank you. It seems like I avoided a difficult Situation thanks to you.”
“You’re welcome. Rather, they were the ones who avoided a difficult Situation.
Right?”
Maisy sent a meaningful Gaze.
Lisir smiled bitterly and replied.
“But, is it okay? Even using Lord Dray’s name because of me━”
“Of course. No matter how much it’s for Mr. Lisir, would I sell his name? It’s true that I came to the Bollard mansion to see Mr. Lisir on Business.”
“Yes?”
“To be exact, I was on my way to the Bollard mansion to pick up Mr. Lisir. I thought you would still be fulfilling your duties as a Teacher at this time, but ━ I almost missed you.”
“Ah, there was a Reason for that ━ anyway, what is that Business?”
✦✦✦
“…So, you want me to participate in the Starbirth Festival?”
Lisir, following Maisy, arrived at the place where Dray was.
There, he received an unexpected request from Dray.
“Yeah. As I said, we’ve obtained Information that Demon Worshippers have planted a Spy among the participants. I thought there was no one more qualified than you to find that Spy, so I’m carefully asking you this.”
“I, too, am asking you this politely.”
At that time, the person sitting next to Dray spoke.
Kordan.
He told Dray that he was an official from the Starbirth Festival organizing committee ━ and he was the one who brought the Information about the Spy.
‘Finding a Spy who came to disrupt the Starbirth Festival… also as a participant…’
This is how it turns out.
Lisir chuckled as he recalled the Conversation he had with Dray’s Younger sister, Heynya.
He put all his thoughts behind him and said to Kordan.
“Do you have any Information about that Spy?”
“Hmm.”
Kordan, as if he had been waiting, looked at Lisir and Dray and said.
“If we gather the Clue we have obtained so far ━ the target is highly likely to be hiding an abnormal power that is not suitable for the status of a Starbirth Festival participant. Do you two know what the participation Condition for the Starbirth Festival is?”
“Isn’t it under the age of twenty-three?”
“That’s right. Then, let’s imagine it? A Starbirth Festival participant who is in the 7th Realm.”
Kordan already knew the reaction the two would have.
Surely, they would express Doubt, saying that they couldn’t even imagine such a thing.
In that way, Kordan continued the story in a state where he had anticipated the two’s reaction.
“I imagined it.”
“That’s right. Of course, you can’t even imagine-…”
The flow of the Conversation was cut off.
They looked at each other with strange Gazes.
“…That’s right. It’s something you can’t even imagine.”
Soon, Kordan continued the story as if nothing had happened.
“How can you have that much power at that age? Therefore, I will clearly say it here. If you find such a person among the participants, immediately subdue them and bring them here. I can say with certainty that that person’s identity will be the Spy of the Demon Worshippers we are looking for.”
Kordan said with Conviction.
“Hmm?”
He checked the two’s reaction and said.
“Is there any problem?”
✦✦✦
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