Chapter 130: The Background of a Certain Student (Upper) ~Reunion~

He is one of the students studying at Rotsgard Academy.

But he is no ordinary student.

A prominent noble, recognized throughout Limia, the second son of Lord Hopelace.

Furthermore, he excels in both literary and military arts, and possesses a strong sense of justice. A true paragon.

Since the eldest son must pursue his career, he is fighting at the front lines in the war against the demons, and the second son, aware of the danger facing his elder brother, chose the rigorous education of the Academy.

In other words, in case something happens, he will serve as a replacement, an insurance policy.

But this is not unusual in the households of nobles, and Ilumgand Hopelace understands and accepts this reality.

Then, is he an obedient second son to the head of the family? No.

Ilumgand disagreed with the decline of the Limian nobility, even harboring resentment. Yet, he dutifully followed his father’s wishes, playing the role of a submissive child.

Hidden within him is a desire for noble reform.

The responsibility of those in the upper echelons of society.

That is Ilumgand’s ideal.

Born a noble, he will live a life worthy of his lineage, protecting the weak, becoming their sword and shield.

He will swear genuine loyalty to the king, and consequently, be granted land to manage.

He holds a conviction, desiring a just and righteous government, which is why the people under his rule revere their noble lord.

He wasn’t great because he was chosen from birth.

This ideology is truly unusual among the nobles of Limia.

Two individuals shaped his way of thinking.

The first is a girl from a family with whom they were friends.

When he expressed his youthful ideals, she affirmed them with a broad smile and applause.

Words that were more performative, at that moment, transformed into a dream for Ilumgand. The sound of the applause and her smile, for him, became a more profound memory than a goddess’s blessing, vividly imprinted in his mind.

The other was the recently arrived female hero.

The hero who descended unexpectedly one day.

She spoke words unburdened by noble doctrine or monarchy, words filled with freedom.

She learned to temper her words, but the core of her ideology remained unchanged.

For many nobles, her opinions were considered dangerous, but Ilumgand felt she held the essence of his vague, ambitious dreams and ideals. He was acutely aware of his dreams and reform plans, and it was upon meeting the hero that these dreams began to take concrete form.

That is why he secretly sought out the hero’s teachings, instructed to not involve himself excessively with his father.

At times, he cooperated with her to the extent permitted.

The hero, Otonashi Hibiki, grew tremendously, easily surpassing Ilumgand, but he felt no jealousy towards her otherworldly growth.

Instead of lending his skills, he primarily provided information or assisted with financial matters.

“When you graduate, let’s fight together,”

One day, he finally received a heartfelt plea from Hibiki.

Honestly, he desired to be her strength, even if it meant leaving the academy. He yearned for her to share more of her ideologies.

Ilumgand heard she was around his age, but he felt Hibiki possessed a certain maturity. Perhaps because her words resonated with his aspirations, and her thinking was several steps ahead of his.

However, Ilumgand Hopelace considered his family’s intentions and decided to remain at the academy until graduation.

The war against the demons was a protracted conflict, spanning several years. If he were to inherit the Hopelace household, it would be advantageous for the reform of the nobility.

For the sake of cooperation with Hibiki, he could not squander the opportunity to learn at the academy and forge connections.

Looking back, this was the moment he diverged from the path.

—

In the spring of that land.

At a holiday in the academy town, he reunites with a certain girl.

Both had changed considerably in appearance. But because of a distinctive accessory, Ilumgand recognized her instantly.

A black choker with a bell and ribbon.

The young girl and the current girl wore the same accessory, but the atmosphere was undeniably different. He accurately connected the person from his memories with the one before him.

“Ruria? Are you Ruria Ansland?”

With a slightly dazed voice, Ilumgand instinctively called out to the girl about to pass him.

It was the name of an incredibly unexpected person.

Unforgettable to him, yet the name of a girl he was supposed to never see again.

“… ”

Called by her name, the girl turned around.

The girl, dressed as a waitress, judged the owner of the voice to be Ilum walking around town with his friends, and looked at him.

A girl with cold eyes, seemingly devoid of ambition.

The bell on the choker did not ring, merely a simple ornament.

“Why are you…?”

“Who are you? Have we met before?” (Ruria)

“It’s me! Ilumgand! From the Hopelace household of Limia! Haven’t we met several times in Kaleneon, in the Ansland territory? You don’t… remember?”

“!!”

Not the words Ilumgand or Hopelace, but the word Kaleneon caused Ruria to react, stiffening.

“I remember. We played in the flowerbeds of Agarest. Oi Ruria, what’s wrong?! Why are you trying to leave?!”

“I-I don’t remember student-sama well. Excuse me!!” (Ruria)

“Wait!”

Ilumgand grabbed Ruria’s hand, restraining her attempt to leave.

At that moment, her body trembled violently, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at the grasped arm.

One of Ilumgand’s companions made a gesture, as if pondering the name Kaleneon.

“Uhm, Ilum-san. When you said Kaleneon, you mean the country around Elysion that collapsed early in the demon invasion, right? That name came up in a previous class,”

“Y-Yeah, that’s right. She is a noble from that Kaleneon. The daughter of the Ansland household,”

“Isn’t that strange? If I remember correctly, that country was destroyed immediately by the demon invasion. In that case, a prospering noble family from that land should have fallen as well…”

“Hey!”

Ilumgand interrupted the potentially insensitive comment.

The question was natural, but Ilumgand, practically certain the girl before him was an acquaintance, considered Ruria’s emotions and stopped himself.

“Ah, sorry. No, well, you must have confused me with someone similar.” (Ruria)

“You should be Ruria. That choker around your neck, and the bell that doesn’t ring. If I remember correctly, she wore the same thing. Also, you certainly reacted to what I said. You are… Ruria, right?”

Ilumgand’s voice, usually brimming with confidence, was tinged with uncertainty.

Excelling in both literary and military arts, he usually exuded self-assurance, yet this was the first time his companions had seen him so bewildered.

Kaleneon was one of the countries completely destroyed by the demon invasion.

The chances of a noble from there, Ruria, surviving were so slim that it shook Ilumgand’s confidence.

“… Yes. I am indeed Ruria. I don’t remember my childhood much, but it’s probably not wrong that we’ve met before.” (Ruria)

In time, under Ilumgand’s unwavering gaze, Ruria admitted it, as if giving in.

That she is a noble from a ruined country.

And in truth, Ruria wasn’t pretending ignorance.

Ruria and her sister Eva escaped the war’s devastation with their parents, and suffered terrible treatment as a result.

That’s why she subconsciously forgot the memories of her childhood, and in reality, she practically doesn’t remember anything from her life in the Ansland territory.

It’s true that she was scared of the keyword Kaleneon and tried to leave because of her feelings of not wanting to get involved.

“Sorry but, can you please release me already? It hurts.” (Ruria)

Pointing to the hand that was hurting, Ruria asked.

“… Sorry.”

“Don’t mind it.” (Ruria)

The two, unable to connect words properly.

A conversation of someone wanting to leave as soon as possible, troubled by how to end it, so it’s obvious it would turn out this way.

“Ruria, why are you in this town? Your country should have fallen in the war with the demons,”

Ilumgand’s words were slightly different from his true feelings, directed at Ruria.

In truth, he wanted to be happy about Ruria’s safety and wanted to embrace those feelings.

For him, Ruria is undoubtedly his first love. Moreover, she is the girl who gave him a beautiful memory, coated with dreams and ideals.

But because he was with his companions, he held back from expressing it.

What emerged instead was the expected noble demeanor and the inconsistency of Ruria’s safety.

“I was… led to escape. By my parents.” (Ruria)

“!!!”

Ruria’s words shocked not only Ilumgand but also his companions.

Ilumgand’s nascent first love was the foundation of his current ideals.

For him, Ruria was the partner he pledged those ideals to. She was supposed to have sacrificed herself as a noble to protect the people.

That’s how deeply she was etched in his heart.

But the reality was that she was still alive, and moreover, she had abandoned her people and escaped.

A profound conflict arose within Ilumgand. Various emotions clashed and rebounded.

What could he say? He couldn’t collect himself.

‘What happened to the pledge of that time?’

‘If she is alive, that in itself makes me happy.’

‘For a noble to survive is an embarrassment.’

‘It must have been harsh to lose your parents.’

‘The hero-sama is currently at the forefront, protecting the people from the demons, fighting with everything they have, and yet…’

‘It’s fine. From now on, I will be here for you.’

These contradictory emotions and words battled within Ilumgand.

“… You abandoned your country and people, and escaped?”

One of his companions spoke to Ruria with scornful eyes.

“You are the worst. If you are a noble, you should be the first to clash swords with the enemy to protect the people.”

“You even fell to the point of being a waitress to protect your life? Know shame.”

Harsh words.

But a part of Ilumgand felt the same, even if not entirely.

That’s why he couldn’t stop his companions’ words.

Ruria’s expression was one of resignation, as if saying, ‘just say whatever you want.’

No objection.

Seeing her like that, Ilumgand couldn’t contain his emotions.

“… An embarrassment of humanity. Ansland and you. Even though we are learning at the academy every day to defeat the demons. Just like everyone said, for a noble to fall into the streets just to survive, that’s only an embarrassment!”

“… Even though you have never experienced the possibility of dying. You don’t even know how I have lived until now, so please don’t go talking as if you know.” (Ruria)

Hearing Ilumgand’s words, Ruria’s brows slightly trembled, and she refuted.

A small, weak voice.

But without hesitation, she said it to the end.

It wasn’t as if she had simply escaped and lived an easy life.

She had taken the job of a waitress in this town, and before this, she had endured harsh treatment and suffering. Even now, she was haunted by her past, unsure how long she could continue like this.

Saying all that while living in a prosperous environment and enjoying academy life, she probably couldn’t stop herself from voicing her feelings.

“What?!”

“A traitorous and cowardly noble is insulting us?!”

“Like hell I would run away from a fight and cling to my life like you!”

“I have the resolve to die uprightly!”

“People who say such lofty things only know how to persecute the weak, you know? You are so detached from the fight, comfortably studying. Do you think you can do anything like war?” (Ruria)

“Shut up!”

Ilumgand’s companions couldn’t tolerate Ruria’s rebuttals any longer and shoved her.

Ruria stumbled back, but the fire in her eyes remained unwavering.

“Ruria… you, just how far will you… Even so…”

“Hey, say something!”

While Ilumgand was surprised by Ruria’s change, her existence stirred something within him.

His first love.

She is alive.

The girl who was supposed to share the same ideals, has fallen and lived a life of disgrace.

He couldn’t maintain his composure.

‘I have to say something,’ and as he was about to speak…

“Ah, can you leave it at that?”

Two figures intervened.

Both dressed like magicians.

But what stood out was the small, ugly man.

By the standards of the humans in this world, undoubtedly the ugliest.

A beast-type demi-human. More accurately, a monkey-like demi-human.

But he was probably on the edge of that classification. This was the first time he had such a negative impression of someone since coming to the academy.

Right now, that’s not the issue.

“… Who are you guys?”

“Oioi, can’t you see these clothes? Are you guys stupid?”

One of the companions pointed out the Rotsgard Academy uniform, trying to drive away the two.

Unable to process his emotions, he addressed the two, who seemed unrelated to the academy, with a stern tone.

That’s not how a human of his standing should act. Ilumgand understood this.

But right now, his mind was consumed by Ruria.

‘At any rate, I want to talk to her, just the two of us.’

That’s what he thought.

But…

Those two, Raidou and Shiki, completely obstructed Ilumgand’s desire, becoming a significant obstacle.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Overwhelming power.

That’s the strength Raidou and Shiki displayed.

For Ilumgand, that was a vivid memory.

He somehow managed to locate the place where Ruria worked.

Gotetsu, a restaurant that also served as a bar.

But since Raidou and Shiki had dealt with them, every time he tried to meet Ruria, they stood in his way.

More precisely, the Kuzunoha Company stood in his way.

He didn’t encounter Raidou himself, but every time he tried to approach Ruria, an employee of that company would obstruct him.

Sometimes, with schemes.

Sometimes, with force.

Humiliating.

Ilumgand’s frustration grew.

The words he spoke during their reunion might have been too harsh, he thought.

‘That’s why I will meet her again and apologize.’

He wanted to clear the misunderstanding.

After all, he was undoubtedly happy that she was alive.

But he was unable to do so.

Using funds from his family, he hired help, but it didn’t work.

‘No matter how much I regret, you will get in the way, huh.’

Ilumgand’s anger towards the Kuzunoha Company slowly turned to hatred.

Actually, Shiki and Raidou were not involved in this.

When Kuzunoha Company employees went to Gotetsu for a meal, Ruria indirectly told them that Ilumgand had been following her and asked them to keep an eye on him.

Lime Latte was the first. Then the Forest Oni, Akua and Eris, and also the Elder dwarf.

They worried about Ruria, and while being ordered by Raidou to protect Ruria from a different matter, they also obstructed Ilumgand and anyone related to him from getting close to Ruria.

Ilumgand was unaware of this.

That’s why the Kuzunoha Company and Raidou became targets of his hatred, without distinction.

“Ilumgand Hopelace-sama, right?”

“Who are you?”

“Don’t you want power? From what I’ve heard, things haven’t been going well for you.”

At that moment, an unknown student spoke to Ilumgand.

Ilumgand’s words were laced with caution.

The Rotsgard Academy was vast.

Many students he didn’t know existed.

It wasn’t unusual for a student he hadn’t seen before to approach him.

But Ilumgand was cautious because he was approached alone, in a sparsely populated area.

“Power? Are you implying you know my strength?”

“Of course. Your strength, and also your heart that desires more power.”

“?!!”

“This may be rude, but at the current rate, it’s questionable if you will be able to assist the hero-sama. Someone who can’t even handle one obstacle. That’s what you’re thinking, right?”

“You, who are you?!”

“Your ally. I have something being developed at the academy. A magic medication that will enhance your physical and magical power. A groundbreaking creation. Testing it on a common student confirmed a certain degree of effectiveness. It should be a student you already know, Ilumgand-sama.”

Several names of students Ilumgand knew were mentioned.

Students who showed extraordinary growth.

Ilumgand’s heart wavered.

“No side effects, and it’s also academy-approved, so inspections won’t cause problems. After confirming its effect on someone as exceptional as Ilumgand, the academy plans to distribute it. How about it? It may be a blunt way to put it, but will you cooperate as a sample?”

“The academy approves of it… Medicine that will make me stronger.”

“Yes. You will gain the power to make your wishes come true.”

“… Got it. I will cooperate. Do you have any conditions?”