Chapter 94.3 - The Second Year at the Academy - The Noble Knight of Integrity (3)
"Anniiiiikiiiiii!!"
An unexpected shout and an approaching presence.
I immediately activated [High-speed Movement] and dodged the two who were jumping at me.
"What, did aniki disappear!?"
"There's no way he'd disappear. Don't push an injured person too hard."
As I stood behind them, Ishmira and Corpus were also surprised.
Don't push him too hard.
Right now, I'm barely holding it together.
Even though the bleeding has stopped, it could easily reopen.
"I'm surprised. You can still move that fast?"
"Well, yeah."
Ismira was impressed.
Next to her, Corpus was also surprised but raised an eyebrow.
"But earlier, you didn't seem as fast... "
"Of course not. I can escape easily, but when it comes to winning–
What's wrong, Ishmira?"
Ishmira had a meaningful smile.
Why is she smiling?
"Does that mean... you trust us?"
It was Zeret who answered the question.
I see. Well, she's not wrong.
"You're a bit late. We saw that with the goblins—"
"Aniki disappeared!"
"That's enough! What, did aniki disappear!?"
I dodged the two who were rushing towards me, crying and sniffling, using [High-speed Movement] once again.
I really wish they'd stop.
Ah, the wound reopened.
I took out a healing potion and applied it to the wound.
That's not important.
Probably, this has happened before. I see.
"Ishmira, did you suggest using Selene as a base?"
Sighing, Ishmira nodded.
So it wasn't the first time, huh?
They had clashed with a noble, a big merchant, or some other powerful figure in the past.
That's why she moved her base to Selene.
The council members here are all commoners, and even the likes of Yarz Alastar and Lisria are just powerful wizards. It's an ideal environment for "Eternal Bounty."
I looked back at the two and continued.
"The way you live is your strength, and you can be proud of it. However, you need to develop the ability to judge opponents who don't follow the rules. If you can't do that, you and your comrades will eventually be killed. Use your instincts to identify them. When you sense the same scent or presence as that girl earlier, leave it to Ismira or Corpus. You guys should only act when there's no other choice. When you get permission, go all out."
Whether my enthusiasm got through or not, Zeret and Barden nodded vigorously.
"Leave it to me, big bro! We'll hold back until we get permission, right!?"
"I get it! We'll hold back until we get permission, right!?"
Yeah, that's correct, but it's a bit strange.
Ismira, as if she could see through my unease, spoke up.
"It'll be fine."
"Well, yeah, I emphasized the part about going all out, but was that last part unnecessary?"
"Patience is also part of getting permission. I'm a bit embarrassed to hear those words from these two, but I'm really moved."
"You're really going through a lot, aren't you... "
As I sympathized with her, Ismira stood up and bowed her head.
"Thank you so much today."
"That was like a natural disaster. If we don't help each other out..."
"Nobles are like that too, in many ways. There are people like you and those like Lushena."
Saying that, Ismira smiled.
Suddenly, I envisioned the Eternal Harvest swaggering through the streets of Riedwald.
Is that a future that could happen someday?
Maybe it's more suitable for us than Selene.
I'll be there in two years.
Anyway, for now, let's go back to Selene.
