Youth is wonderful, some say. As someone going through their second youth, I wanted to insult them and call them liars. But at this moment, I can't contradict them for a reason.
"Rudel-san, good morning."
"Ah, good morning, Irisdina."
The girl who suddenly appeared behind me is a commoner named Irisdina. We met after I saved her from some troublemakers, and she appeared before me later to thank me. I thought she wanted to set a trap for me, but that wasn't the case.
I felt a little bad for speaking ill of her, and after trying her cookies—which were not poisoned—I discovered she is very good at baking cookies.
"Rudel-san, how did you do on the exams?"
"I tried my hardest since I was busy organizing gatherings that no one goes to."
"I-I understand, it must be very difficult for boys."
"No, I think it's only for me. I don't see anyone else suffering like I am."
I was heading to the notice board to see my grades and coincidentally ran into Irisdina. She is a good girl without a doubt, always greeting me with a smile and saying goodbye with another. It hurts to remember the horrible things I said to her.
"Irisdina, you in class one, don't you take etiquette like the rest?"
"Eh! Ah yes, but for us it's a bit more demanding, and we can't... better said, in my case, I just can't afford anything that's expensive."
I see. She, unlike other commoners, has problems and can't get the money.
"You know, Irisdina, this might sound a bit strange, but what do you think if I help you with your expenses?"
"Eh! I couldn't ask you that, Rudel-san, not even as a joke. I would feel terrible, and Rudel-san is someone as poor as me..."
Ahh, I want to cry. She is a good girl without a doubt; she doesn't want anyone, not even acquaintances, to lend her money.
"You see, although it may not seem like it, I am someone who has a lot of money thanks to the island I found. And because of that, I have so much money that I even give a monthly allowance to my entire family and still have plenty left over."
"Even if that's the case, I would feel bad asking Rudel-san for money, who worked very hard to get it!"
I want to cry. She is a very good girl. I wish my wife could be as angelic as her.
"Hmm... what about this? You bake me cookies, and I pay you for them. That way you earn money and get what you need for your class expenses."
"..."
"Y-Yes, Rudel-san, if that seems fine to you, I have no problem with it." She responded, timidly lowering her head. Damn, she's cute.
While thinking about how happy it is to help a good girl, we arrived at the grades notice board. It was a huge wooden board on which spells were used for easy writing.
There were over two hundred names corresponding to the first year. I looked for my name since the grades were published in order from the highest number—being the worst—to the lowest number—being the best. What a classist system that was.
After a few minutes, I found it. I felt excited by the search, but disappointment is my faithful companion.
"Waaah~ rank one hundred thirteen. That's really low. How about you?"
I asked Irisdina, who still seemed to be looking for her name.
"Ahh, I found it, Rudel-san, look!" She pointed happily, and I looked where she pointed to make a face of maximum surprise.
"I-Is that for real... rank six. That's too amazing, Irisdina!"
With a face of astonishment and happiness, I told her, and she seemed to blush.
"Thank you, but I wasn't expecting this result. I studied very hard in all subjects except magical theory. The teachers refused to answer me, and I don't know anyone who knows about the topic."
After hearing her problem, an idea occurred to me.
"What if I help you with the theory? Even though I have little magical power, I still know a great deal about how it works."
"Is that really true?! Thank you very much, Rudel-san. Today you have done a lot for me. You truly are a great fri— person!"
I thought I heard something strange, but it must have been my imagination. After finishing talking, we separated and went our different ways.
◇◇◇
On the side where Irisdina was going, three boys were coming, and she passed by them. One of the boys kept looking at her as she turned.
"Oh, that girl was very cute. I should talk to her later."
Said a tall, thin boy in a white uniform who had long green hair and eyes.
"Hey, she's a commoner, don't you see? Your old man will be furious if you end up causing problems with girls again."
Responded a boy taller than him, but in the same uniform, though with his sleeves rolled up. He had a very robust body, as if he were a bodybuilder. His hair was red with black roots, styled short and back, looking like a porcupine.
"You are the least qualified person to talk to me about problems!"
"I heard you tried to get into the commoner girls' gathering and His Highness the Crown Prince had to stop you!"
"That was because I smelled tasty food and couldn't help it!"
"Are you a caveman to go running after food?"
The two boys were airing their truths, and the boy in front, also in a white uniform, turned to speak to them.
"You two, we've arrived. Be quiet."
"We are very sorry, Your Highness. Forgive our disrespect."
Said the two boys, bowing respectfully to the boy in front.
"Good. You two should focus more on knowing if you have good grades instead of looking at girls."
After saying that, the boy with platinum hair and purple eyes looked for his name on the board. The other two boys also approached to look for their names.
The green-haired boy shouted with excitement, pointing at the board.
"Oh, I knew it. You really are a caveman. Never doubt my reasoning."
The red-haired boy approached where the green-haired boy indicated.
"Ehh, let's see... rank one hundred ninety-nine is for Chlust van Arses... What the hell is this, my old man will kill me if he sees this terrible score!!" The red-haired boy shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Ahahaha, you really are a caveman, no—an orangutan, since you're not even human, hahaha." The green-haired boy laughed at his companion for the mediocre grade he got.
"Ah yes, let me see your score, seaweed head!" Demanded the red-haired boy to his companion who was laughing at him.
With a finger and a smile, he pointed to the first column of the first row. Rank number nine indicated and belonged to Frey van Nightray.
"Damn it, how did a gigolo like you get into the top ten and I didn't!"
"It's simple, my orangutan friend. You never studied; you spent your time training those ridiculous muscles, and your head was just an ornament. In fact, it's incredible that someone more inhuman than you got a worse rank, being a certain Erselica."
"Damn seaweed head!"
"Red primate!"
The two boys argued while the platinum-haired boy looked for his name until he found it.
"Ohh! I didn't expect this. First place for the best student. Liam von Altfode. I don't remember studying so hard to get an excellent score."
"What are you talking about, Your Highness? It's normal for you to be in first place. There is no one else in this place who is better in knowledge than you."
"Even if you say that, I feel I should have been at least in third place, which belongs to Klein. Look! Even Alicelotte is in second place, having the same score as me."
"Who cares about that? What matters is that you started off well, Prince. Nothing is more important than that."
It was the red-haired boy who responded in a confident manner that confused the prince even more.
These three boys were not ordinary students. They were the main characters of the RPG game that Erselica played in her past life, and they were: Chlust, the one who attacks first and then asks why he did it. Frey, the strategist who supports from long range. And Liam, the protagonist and prince of the Altfode Kingdom, who possesses an honest and righteous heart.
According to the game's story, Liam had little experience in life outside the palace. He didn't know how things in the country or schools worked, but thanks to a certain individual named Rudel, the prince learned about the malice and corruption of people and nobles.
Throughout the game's story, events happened where the prince had to defeat Rudel to gain the experience he needed in a world that treated him like a child.
A few moments ago, a main event that marked part of the protagonist's life had been triggered. A commoner girl was being harassed by Rudel. The girl was Irisdina, and as a commoner, it was impossible for her to defend herself or go against a noble.
The protagonist would see that and rush to the rescue, and she, as a thank you, would bake him cookies that would mark the beginning of their sentimental relationship. However, that was what a certain girl hated to see because, just like Rudel, she was a villainess who made life impossible for the heroine.
Since the harassment never occurred, the event of meeting the girl who was supposed to be the main heroine never happened.
After finishing their conversation, the boys headed to the dining hall. No one knew that a great, irreversible catastrophe had passed.
◇◇◇
Somewhere beneath an island, a shadow emerged, growing larger. From it came creatures shaped like wasps with black bodies and sharp red wings. They flew out, heading somewhere.
◇◇◇
After several hours of flight, the black insects reached a dungeon and pounced on the largest creature there, stinging it repeatedly until they disappeared. The creature began to change its body, and its head took on the humanoid form of a man without eyes in its sockets and a mouth from which huge pincers emerged. The creature let out a scream from beyond this world and disappeared into the darkness.
◇
"Rudel-san, I don't quite understand this part. Could you explain it to me?"
"O-Of course..."
I was in the library with Irisdina. I offered to help her with things about magical theory that she didn't know because her teachers didn't teach her.
Once again, how clumsy and optimistic I was. At this rate, I'll die someday.
"I see, so that's how it is. Now it's clearer to me. Thank you very much, Rudel-san."
"O-Of course, I-I'm glad you understand it."
I was stammering thanks to the girl beside me.
The reason was simple. This girl is a huge genius!
The reason the teachers refused to teach her wasn't because they were terrible educators, but because this girl asked questions that would make a professional on the topic cry inside. Her questions are at the level of a high school student asking about quantum physics. Anyone would cry if they had to explain something so advanced and didn't know about the subject.
That's the situation I was in. To make it more terrifying, she had already read and memorized all the books for the school year.
I wanted to run out of there crying for having a fragile mentality. I answered her vague, nonsensical things, and she somehow solved them, completely understanding what I said.
(I'm sorry, Irisdina. Sorry for lying to you.)
While I was lamenting like a little girl inside, I suddenly noticed something.
"Irisdina, you have a ribbon in your hair. It's new, isn't it?" I felt curious about the navy blue bow-shaped ribbon she had on the right side of her hair.
I wanted to tell her she looked very cute, but I thought that would be too much and kept it to myself.
"Eh? Umm, thank you for noticing. I wanted to make a change since tomorrow is my meeting with the leader of the first-year girls, and I'm very nervous."
"Is she that terrifying?"
"I wouldn't know how to say since I've never had contact with her until tomorrow. Some girls who said they were her entourage came to inform me about it. I'm a little scared because I don't know what to do."
I was thinking about what to say about that since I have no knowledge about girls in this world, when suddenly I heard some noises coming from a bookshelf. I went to see, and Irisdina followed me, worried. Upon arriving, I saw something that shouldn't surprise me, but the girl behind me was stunned and amazed by the scene.
"W-We shouldn't do this when it's still daytime. At least let's wait until it's night."
"Nonsense, doing it during the day is much better, and there's no one in this place."
The scene of two passionate youngsters expressing their love shouldn't surprise me since it's not the first time it's happened here. In fact, there are even worse things I've heard in some empty classrooms. (Damn sexually active kids.)
I took Irisdina by the shoulder and pulled her out of there, not before feeling a discomfort towards the boy who was savagely kissing the girl. He wore a white uniform and had blonde hair, a style similar to Irisdina's, but with his left eye covered by his hair. I don't know why, but I felt like hitting him and knocking his teeth out.
We took our things and went to a table farther away so as not to hear those disgusting sounds. I spoke to Irisdina, who seemed very affected by what she saw. It pained me to think she might be like that someday with someone.
"Is this the first time you've seen monkeys—I mean, boys expressing their affection?" I asked in a casual tone to distract her from what she saw.
"E-Ehh, umm, I'm a little shocked, yes, but as far as I know, that's very normal for a couple in love..." She said in a tone still of astonishment.
"A couple, huh? I doubt they are that, much less that she's his fiancée. In any case, it's not our business, and we should concentrate on your studies."
I spoke in a serious and very mature tone, only to realize once again that I was digging my own grave. My fear of her intense questions returned...
"Umm, Rudel-san, have you ever done the same as them?"
"Huh?" I responded in a confused tone to her question.
"I mean... have you ever been in a similar situation like that with a girl before?"
"There's no way that could be."
"Eh! Is that so...?"
Indeed. There's no way a girl would want to get together with someone like me. They reject me or ignore me when I try to invite them to my gatherings. If it weren't for my cruel brothers, my self-esteem and confidence would be on the floor right now.
(I still don't understand why she asked me that? Maybe she thinks all boys are the same and that I'm also like that... don't worry, Irisdina, I assure you not all men are like that. One day you'll find one who treats you like a princess.) I responded in my head to her strange question.
◇◇◇
While Rudel was pensive, ignoring his surroundings, Irisdina's embarrassed face changed to one of joy. Her mouth made a cheek-to-cheek smile, murmuring quietly, "That's good."
After returning to reality, they continued studying, while behind them, on a bookshelf, louder sounds could be heard.
◇◇◇
Just as Irisdina told Rudel yesterday, she was in an overly luxurious meeting room. Everything from the carpet to the painting looked as if it were a palace. The servants were even of a high level.
She was sitting at a long rectangular table that was two meters long, but only on one part of it were there snacks, tea, and two people sitting looking at each other face to face.
One of them was the guest, to see if she met the minimum expected behavior at a tea party. And the other was the person who organized the meeting but didn't handle any preparations; she just ordered her servants to leave everything impeccable.
The girl on the left was a little terrified; it was Irisdina. While the girl on the right took an elegant and small sip from her teacup without any complication, she was Alicelotte von Bismarck, the daughter of one of the three great lords of the kingdom.
Although neither of them knew it, they were rivals in the game's story. Irisdina was the commoner girl who had caught the prince's attention, making the noble girls seem to have an inferiority complex. The girl in front of her was no exception.
Alicelotte had a mentality that commoners exist to work for nobles and that it is the duty of aristocrats to show them reality. That was her personality.
From the day Irisdina became friends with the prince, the verbal abuse and harassment towards the commoner began. The poor girl, while conversing with her special person, held pain and sadness towards the mockery and insults she received from the duke's daughter and her entourage. Until one day, at an important event, everything was revealed, and the cruel villainess Alicelotte got her just deserts.
That's how the story was supposed to happen. But at this moment, none of that had happened nor would it happen, because the main factor named Rudel was not involved in any way.
"Correct order of sitting, taking tea, use of napkins, eating snacks, and using cutlery. I can see that for a miserable commoner, you haven't done badly at all. Did you receive help? It must be so, since you even brought a thank-you gift for the invitation. The other commoner girls failed from there, and I recommended they leave immediately to avoid embarrassment."
"T-Thank you for your kind words." Said Irisdina in a loud but timid voice.
"It's not a compliment, but an affirmation for your ears that you have done well for someone I didn't expect to do so well."
"..."
Irisdina shuddered a little at the sharp words of the girl who continued drinking tea as if nothing.
"Solve the mystery for me. Who helped you and for what reason?" Alicelotte asked in a tone that seemed threatening to Irisdina.
"I-It was a baron!! His name is Rudel van Bradford!" Irisdina shouted at the top of her lungs.
The aristocratic girl told her to calm down since she was curious.
(So, a baron, huh? I never thought someone from the countryside could have so much knowledge about a tea party. I am truly astonished and surprised by such a miracle.) Alicelotte thought while being intently observed by Irisdina.
In her mind, Irisdina thought, staring intently at the girl in front of her.
(How beautiful she is.
Her hair is golden like the sun.
A hairstyle almost similar to mine, but reaching her shoulders with a short ponytail, with a braid going from behind her ear to the other side.
Her eyes are red and shiny like a rabbit's.
Her figure is almost like that of a goddess.
Also...)
Irisdina's eyes clearly focused on a part that caught her attention more than anything.
(I-Is it really possible to have such a large chest?)
Irisdina was amazed at the enormous monuments of the aristocratic girl, then looked at her own.
(Mine aren't at that level of size... but I think they are bigger than average.)
Putting her hands on the top of her jacket, she tried to compare how much difference there was in the necklines of both. At that moment, a maid approached Alicelotte's right ear and whispered something. Alicelotte reacted to the maid's whisper and got up from her chair very quickly.
"I-I apologize for this interruption, but I must leave immediately for a vital matter."
"Don't worry about the meeting either; you did very well, and you shouldn't leave the academy! Now, with your permission, I'm leaving!"
After saying that, she quickly left the room, not before Irisdina noticed how her enormous monuments bounced up and down from the speed.
(I wonder if Rudel-san would like them that big?) Irisdina said, murmuring to herself after watching the girl leave.
◇◇◇
Alicelotte was walking at a very fast pace in a wide corridor.
"Impossible!! I told him several times he shouldn't do that, and I don't think he ignored me as if I were air!!"
Alicelotte murmured to herself as she walked, ignoring all the looks around her.
After a short time, she found the person she needed to find.
"Here you are, Klein. I've been looking for you, and I want you to clarify something for me!!"
A boy was walking, hugging two girls on each side, when he turned to see who was calling him.
"Hah!? ...It's you, Alice. Can I know what the hell you want from the great me?"
With a mocking and indifferent tone, the boy responded to her.
"Don't play dumb!! I was just informed that yesterday you spent the whole day with a girl in the library, and today they saw you leaving a classroom with two girls!!" Alicelotte shouted, not caring about the presence of people around. The students and teachers who saw this went back the way they came, including the girls who were around Klein.
Klein was expressionless for a few seconds and then spoke.
"Who the hell do you think you are to order me something?! I am the son of Duke Kingsfort. I am Klein von Kingsfort, you heard right, you sow!!"
Shouting like a beast, Klein grabbed Alicelotte by the jacket and pulled her close to him.
"Don't forget that you are nothing more than my fiancée!! The Bismarck Household is nothing more than a ducal house built a hundred years ago!! Do you think a miserable whore, daughter of a simple duke, is at the same level as someone who will be the next heir of a principality?! Eh!! Answer, you brute!!"
After that insult, Klein raised his right hand and slapped Alicelotte's left cheek very hard, knocking her onto her hips.
Klein continued shouting while she put a hand on her red cheek.
"Remember this well. You are nothing more than my fiancée, so don't try to meddle in my life!!"
After finishing speaking, Klein spat on Alicelotte's elegant shoes and walked away.
Slowly trembling, Alicelotte got to her feet and took a handkerchief from her pocket to her cheek. Her eyes were red, and tears wanted to come out.
She walked slowly to return to her room while saying to herself in her head.
(Be strong. A lady of high nobility must not show any weakness in the face of adversity.)
Even though she told herself that, tears overflowed from her face as she bit her lips.
◇◇◇
Inside a dungeon, there was a strange creature that fed on the magical beasts around it.
The creature grew bigger and stronger every time it ate.
From its mouth, stained with viscera and blood, it stopped chewing to see a light coming from the front.
The creature smiled terrifyingly, and from its mouth came something unbelievable to believe.
"RUU... DEEEEEL!!"