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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 47: Gossip is Sharply Punished
Team Iris Defeated, Winning First Place in the Group Battle.
This victory sent shockwaves through Zerion Academy.
No one had ever imagined that Iris, known as the strongest, could lose.
Of course, some opinions attributed the victory mainly to Sharin's presence.
However, what was mentioned most often was the lightning strike that finished off the final apostle, Thunderbird.
A bolt of lightning had unexpectedly struck the arena.
While some argued that defeating Thunderbird through a natural phenomenon was nonsense, those with sharp eyes had already noticed the truth.
Just before the lightning fell, I had raised my hand to the sky.
Thanks to that, a new nickname stuck with me from that day onward.
"Lightning Bastard."
Wow, what an impeccable sense of naming.
“Hey, Lightning Sweet Potato!”
And there was someone else whose nickname had also changed.
Seron greeted me with an enthusiastic wave as soon as I entered the classroom.
Seron's face was lit with a bright smile.
This was the first time I'd ever seen her smile so cheerfully in her life.
“What’s with that creepy grin?”
“Heheh!”
Seron didn't stop smiling when I snapped at her like usual.
“Of course, I can’t help but smile—my allowance doubled!”
Doubled?
No wonder she’s grinning like that.
“Well then, you’re treating us today.”
“Hehe, fine! The cutest Seron in the world will treat you!”
Even though there was a strange embellishment in her words, I didn’t bother denying it.
You have to take good care of your generous sponsor, after all.
“By the way, Lightning Sweet Potato, my dad said he wants to talk to you.”
I was wondering what to ask for as a treat when Seron suddenly brought up something unexpected.
“Your father? Wants to talk to me? Why?”
“Don’t know. Maybe he wants to give you some allowance for doing well in the group battle as my teammate.”
Seron shrugged as if she had no clue either.
I recalled Seron’s father, who had come to watch the group battle, cheering her on fervently, pamphlet in hand.
He had “overprotective dad” written all over him.
For some reason, I felt an uneasy premonition.
Surely he didn’t misunderstand something ridiculous.
“Seron, the next time you see your father, make sure to tell him I don’t even see you as a guy.”
“Huh? Does that mean you’re a girl, Lightning Sweet Potato? Should I call you Princess Sweet Potato instead?”
This idiot clearly has no grasp of the situation.
“Hey, you.”
As I pondered the best way to smack Seron without hurting her too much, I heard a voice behind me.
I hadn’t expected the other person to speak first, so I turned with a surprised expression.
“Isabel.”
It was Isabel, addressing me in the classroom.
Naturally, all the students’ gazes shifted to us.
Whenever Isabel and I talked, we inevitably clashed.
Everyone was tense, wondering if another fight was about to break out.
But Isabel looked at me without revealing much emotion.
“This time, I lost.”
Her eyes shone with an intensity I hadn’t seen before.
“…I won’t lose next time.”
Isabel’s team finished with a time of 38 minutes and 23 seconds, placing third among second-years.
It was a significant achievement considering that some teams hadn’t even reached the tenth apostle.
But Isabel wasn’t satisfied at all.
Her rival—me—had outdone her.
There was a burning determination in her gaze.
‘Bit by bit.’
Isabel was clearly making progress.
Someday, she would overcome the shadow of Lucas and smile as brightly as she used to.
On that day, she would no longer need me.
And I looked forward to that day more than anything.
“…Are you smiling?”
At her words, I realized too late that I was smiling.
When I touched my mouth, my lips were indeed curled upward.
Thinking about Isabel’s future had made me smile unconsciously.
She stared at me with a slightly dazed expression.
“Yes, I’m smiling.”
I lifted the corners of my lips even higher.
“Smirking, actually. Because you’ll never beat me.”
For now, I still needed to remain her rival.
Isabel looked at me for a moment, sighed, and turned away.
“You’re as nasty as ever.”
With that, Isabel walked off.
Oddly enough, she didn’t seem as upset as she used to.
‘Is she getting used to my provocations?’
I might need to refine my taunts in the future.
With that thought, I returned to my usual seat.
Although seating was generally free, the combat class students avoided sitting in the spots Seron and I often occupied.
It felt like we had designated seats.
Something sticking out of my desk drawer caught my eye as I sat down.
Curious, I pulled it out.
It was a letter.
Had someone mistakenly left it here?
“What’s that? A letter?”
Seron, who had followed me, looked at the letter curiously.
“I don’t know either.”
Since this was always my seat, it was unlikely someone had left it here by mistake.
When I turned the letter over, I saw writing on the back.
The name written there made my expression strange.
It was no wonder—“Hannon Irey” was written on it.
This letter was addressed to me.
“W-wait, what? Is this a love letter?”
Seron looked at me with a mix of shock and disbelief.
I was just as baffled.
I’d never imagined someone would send me—a “Lightning Bastard”—a love letter.
‘Well, considering Hannon’s background, I guess it’s not impossible.’
After all, he had noble blood running through his veins.
Maybe someone had been impressed by my performance in the group battle and fallen for me.
“…Why, though?”
And then Seron got a flick to her forehead.
Rubbing her stinging head, she demanded to see the letter.
Although I wasn’t particularly thrilled about reading a letter that someone might have written sincerely in the company of this girl, I couldn’t deny that I was curious.
When I opened the letter, a single sheet of paper fell out.
It was an invitation to meet at Sky Park during lunch.
Since Sky Park is on the rooftop, it’s usually empty during lunchtime.
The meaning was clear: it was a request for a one-on-one conversation.
“What are you going to do about it?”
Seron asked me casually.
“I’m going.”
I had received the letter, after all.
Whoever it was, if they were from the martial arts class, they must have seen me read it.
It would feel wrong not to go.
“Sigh, guess that means I won’t be able to hang out with Lightning Sweet Potato anymore.”
Seron muttered to herself with a dejected look.
What’s that supposed to mean?
“Come on, think about it. If you get a girlfriend, she’ll 100% get jealous seeing me hanging around you. I don’t want to be dragged into any love drama.”
I tilted my head.
Why would my girlfriend be jealous of you, Seron?
“Are you dumb? Of course, a girlfriend would be jealous seeing her boyfriend hanging out with another girl...”
Seron frowned, her brows furrowing deeply.
Oh no, did she figure it out?
“I’m not in the mood for teasing today.”
“Of course, they’d get jealous. Obviously.”
Seron was clearly offended.
“Anyway, you don’t have to worry about that. Even if someone confesses, I don’t plan on dating.”
“You should be grateful that someone even wants to confess to you! Why not?”
“It’s not the right time to date.”
I just don’t have the luxury for that.
I’m already struggling with progressing through the scenarios, let alone romance.
“Well, that’s good for me. Easier that way.”
Since when did she get so comfortable hanging out with me?
The way Seron was losing her social skills lately was starting to concern me.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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* * *
After the morning classes,
I told Seron to grab lunch and play with Card on her own.
Though she looked displeased, she didn’t have anyone else to eat with.
I watched her head off reluctantly, bickering with someone along the way, and then made my way to Sky Park.
Honestly, I was a bit curious myself.
Who could’ve left me such a letter?
‘Could it be someone I know?’
With that thought in mind, I climbed the stairs and soon saw the door to Sky Park.
It was as quiet as expected for lunchtime.
Creak—
The door opened with a soft grinding noise.
I peeked inside and saw a lone figure standing in the distance.
For some reason, their back looked familiar.
It was someone I least expected to see.
“You’re here.”
Short, chestnut-colored hair.
Fingers adorned with rings.
Sharp eyes that radiated a fierce personality.
Second-year magic class vice-representative,
Dorara Corazon.
In other words,
a guy.
I stared at him quietly for a moment before wordlessly turning back around.
And then, I closed the door.
“Wait, where are you going?”
Startled, Dorara ran to grab the door.
Was he trying to challenge me to a strength contest?
I guess it’s time to demonstrate the results of my training with Aisha.
As I forcefully shut the door, Dorara was pulled along with it.
I could hear him shouting in frustration.
“Why are you running away?”
“Sorry, but I’m not interested in guys. I understand your preferences, but don’t drag me into them.”
“You idiot, what nonsense are you spouting now?!”
His eyes widened as if he’d just realized the absurdity of my words.
“Hey, what the hell! I like girls too, okay?! Why would I ever go for someone like you?!”
“Then why did you send me such a suggestive letter?”
“For crying out loud, I just wanted to talk to you!”
“Why me?”
I didn’t even have any connection with Dorara.
As I looked at him suspiciously, Dorara sighed in frustration.
“That’s what I called you here to explain!”
I conceded.
When I reopened the door, Dorara stumbled and hit the floor.
Clearly humiliated at being overpowered by someone outside the magic class, he grumbled but eventually got back up, brushing himself off.
“What do you want?”
My mood was already ruined.
I should’ve just ignored the letter.
I wanted to grab lunch instead.
Dorara exhaled and asked me,
“What’s your relationship with Sharin?”
“What do you mean by relationship?”
“You’ve been in the same team for the group battle, and you’ve been spending time with her in the evenings.”
Even though I had taken precautions to keep our movements discreet, he had still noticed.
“We’re friends.”
I answered, but then tilted my head.
“Maybe?”
“...Why do you sound unsure?”
My relationship with Sharin was ambiguous, to say the least.
We were technically tied together by a deal involving Isabel.
Given Sharin’s whimsical nature,
it was more likely she was helping me out of curiosity than anything else.
So, I couldn’t answer confidently.
“Pfft, so not even friends, huh? Figures. As if someone like her would have any real friends.”
Dorara muttered sharply, clearly displeased with Sharin.
“That’s enough. If that’s all, I’m leaving.”
“Why did you call me here? Just tell me already.”
Now I was curious.
What was his motive for summoning me?
Dorara glanced at me before curling his lips into a smirk.
There was a strange malice in his smile.
“I just wanted to let you know something.”
“About what?”
“About how filthy her bloodline is.”
Of course.
It was exactly what I expected.
“You know? Her mother was a prostitute. Died of syphilis, too.”
Once he started, Dorara couldn’t stop himself from talking.
“And to think she hides all that, pretending to be so noble and admired. Disgusting.
If you keep hanging out with her, you might catch syphilis too...”
Dorara flew into the air.
More precisely, I planted my fist squarely into his jaw.
“Guh!”
Thud!
Dorara crashed to the ground with a loud thump.
Game or reality,
he was always the same pitiful bundle of inferiority.
So that’s why rumors about Sharin spread in the game.
It was this guy spreading them around.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
Dorara yelled, trembling with rage as he clutched his jaw.
I clenched my fist and looked at him coldly.
“Oh, nothing.”
Crack.
I stretched my fingers.
“It’s just that being called out for such a pointless conversation made me wonder if my reputation wasn’t scary enough.”
At Zerion Academy, my infamy was already widespread.
I even had the nickname Lightning Bastard.
Plenty of people had tried to pick fights with me in the past.
I never went after anyone unless they crossed the line,
but when they did, I made sure to respond with full force.
That reputation eventually earned me a spot in the student council,
and these days, fewer people dared to mess with me.
“Well, since we’re here, I might as well knock down the vice-representative of the magic class. Time for a real test of strength.”
Let’s see what a magic-user can do in battle.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!w
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