A young woman stood in front of me, not too far away. I could see her curves and her modest breasts. Soon after, she ran and grabbed a towel to cover herself.
Her eyes, red as blood, pierced deep into my soul. I felt a chill run down my spine at that moment.
"D-did you see?"
Her expression was sharp and intimidating. I answered, stuttering slightly.
"N-no, I actually... I apologize for your roof."
In an instant, like the blink of an eye, that girl was already in front of me, her blade pointed at my neck.
'Extremely fast...'
"I don't like lies. Why that band around your eyes? Are you blind?"
"Huh?"
"So you really are blind... Well, that doesn't change the fact that you destroyed my mansion and entered without permission. And in my bathroom, no less!!"
I took a step back, but her eyes stayed locked on me. Just as I was about to say something, a door burst open.
"M-my lady! W-what is happening here?"
Another young-looking woman entered the room, glancing around at the mess that had been made.
"An intruder?"
"I'm not an intruder. I didn't come to harm anyone. I'm going to enroll at Eldara Academy. It's just... I had an accident, and before I knew it, I fell through the roof."
The red-haired girl, still in a towel and staring intensely at me, lowered her golden sword, which shimmered with faint traces of electricity.
"What's your name?"
"Arven. Just Arven."
She looked at me closely. I could feel her breath, her warmth. I had never been this close to a girl in my previous life. My eyes drifted downward, catching a glimpse of her medium-sized but well-shaped breasts.
"A commoner entering the academy? Clara, bring me some clothes and a towel for him to dry off..."
The redhead gracefully walked out of the large bathroom. Clara, her maid, approached me with a big towel.
"For you to dry yourself."
I dried my hair and body. My clothes were soaked, so I changed into some spare ones from my backpack — long pants, a thin black jacket, and a pair of closed shoes.
"I apologize for the mess I caused, but I'll repay the damage."
As soon as I showed her the gold coins, Clara replied,
"We don't need your money, but my lady would like something else."
"What?"
"She's waiting for you outside the mansion. Please, follow me."
I followed the woman through the mansion. It was the largest house I had ever seen. Not only did Clara work there, but there were also many other servants with different duties.
"She's waiting for you."
We arrived at the location. It was sunny, with a gentle breeze. In the middle of the garden were two chairs, a table, and a parasol. I walked over to the empty chair and sat down; beside me was the red-haired girl, sipping what looked like tea.
"My name is Elara Dusk, eldest daughter of Duke Dusk."
'Elara? But... shouldn't she be with her friends? Or maybe even with the hero?'
I was shocked to realize it was her. Meeting her like this wasn't part of my plans.
'She's really beautiful...'
"Well, I promise to pay for the damage..."
"Oh, you will pay."
'Huh?'
"I can sense your mana level. And back in the bath, your eyes followed me. At the academy, there are several factions, including mine. What I want is for you to become my support when I need it. Of course, you'll be rewarded."
From what I remembered of the novel, Elara was cunning. There were times I thought she could see the future — but maybe she didn't see me coming.
"I have another offer. I'll help you, but in the near future — and I decide where, when, and how."
Elara looked at me in disbelief, moving her lips several times as if searching for words.
"I made this offer because I saw potential in you... or was I mistaken? And what kind of breathing technique is that? When in the future do you plan to help me?"
"How about the student council presidency?"
Elara stopped sipping her tea and looked at me even more astonished. Her eyes studied me so deeply it felt like they were piercing my soul.
"What could a blind commoner possibly know about the student council? That position isn't so easy to obtain."
"Want proof of what I'm saying?"
I pulled a letter from my backpack — the same one Lady Emma had given me — and showed it to Elara. I needed her to trust me, and nothing could do that better than the vice principal's letter. Elara's eyes widened immediately.
"The headmaster's seal is on this letter... How does a commoner have ties with Lady Emma?"
My lips curved into a smug smile.
"Secret..."
"Fine, mister mysterious. You've got my attention now. How do you intend to give me the council president's seat?"
"That's also a secret."
"You talk as if you already knew me."
"Maybe."
I stood up slowly, turned my back to Elara, and said,
"See you tomorrow at the entrance exam, Miss Dusk."
+++++--------+++++++
POV: Elara Dusk
I had the best sleep I'd had in months that night — no training, no studying. I woke up and went straight to the bath, but then something happened: a strange, blind commoner came crashing through the roof of my mansion.
Black hair, pale skin, and a somewhat frail body.
'Did he just look at me? I'm sure he's staring at me!!'
Looking closer, I noticed a white band covering his eyes.
'So he really was blind...'
Relief washed through me, but then Clara, my maid, rushed into the bathroom in a panic.
"Help him change and give him a towel."
I hurried to my room to change clothes and dry myself. I put on simple garments and headed toward the garden.
When I was near that boy, I could feel his mana level — it was at D rank. How could that be possible for someone his age? I quickly decided to bring him into my faction at the academy; having him around could prove useful someday.
When I made the offer, I was sure he would accept, but he refused. Then he made another proposal — that he'd help me in the future — and even mentioned the student council seat. He was completely insane.
Until Arven showed me a letter of recommendation from none other than the vice principal and founder of the academy, Lady Emma. Her seal was clearly stamped on the paper. At that moment, I asked myself several times:
'Who is he...?'