Extra in a Romance Fantasy

18 – Estelle von Reineberg (2)

No matter what happens, time continues its relentless march.

Whether I suffer in the stifling air of the club, feel stressed by someone approaching for unknown reasons, time marches on.

Because time is so unyielding, we suddenly find ourselves in the latter half of the first semester.

And that means exam season has arrived at the academy.

Students facing the season of exams were so heated that one might suspect they were burning their own bodies, adding even more heat to the already hot academy.

The library, training grounds, research labs—everywhere was bustling with students.

Some students even stayed out of the dorms past curfew without a care.

Academic competition is inherently fierce.

The academy’s diploma is a testament to one’s abilities and is known to secure a worry-free life with just that piece of paper.

It not only speaks to the status of the academy but also proves how challenging it is to graduate from here.

Indeed, every year, a certain number of students are expelled for academic underperformance.

These are students who have passed rigorous entrance exams to get here.

Therefore, students have no choice but to strive. To remain in the academy and to obtain that shining diploma.

Of course, not everyone is motivated by the same reasons.

Some gather at the academy where the continent’s prodigies converge to prove their abilities, while others move their bodies simply out of a sense of improvement.

In any case, because of the gathering of such individuals, the academy during exam periods was intense.

And I found myself in the current location of that boiling intensity—the library.

Amidst the sounds of flipping pages and the scratching of pens on paper in the library.

I turn the pages quietly, like everyone else.

However, my actions only resemble theirs; I’m not putting much effort into studying.

In the first place, I’m not particularly interested in studying.

To maintain an average grade is enough to receive scholarships and tuition support, and that level of achievement doesn’t require significant effort.

Therefore, I, who originally don’t study for exams separately.

Why am I now stuck in the library?

It’s not because I suddenly developed a desire for improvement or any such reason.

There’s another reason.

A more certain and urgent reason to not miss the club.

The atmosphere of the current history research club is beyond awkward.

Though not evident on the surface, even senior Luna seemed oblivious, I can feel it.

The air is becoming stifling, awkward, and unbearable.

I’ve endured it in my own way so far, but now, the desire to take a break suddenly rose, and I couldn’t resist the outcry of my heart; I chose to escape.

However, even though the history research club is practically a club without any regulations or rules, leaving without any reason might draw attention.

I had to prepare a justification that anyone could accept.

That’s why I am here right now.

For a student, the excuse of studying for exams is an invincible shield that can block anything.

With this, I won’t have to suffer in that awkward air for a while.

With that thought, I turned another page of the open book.

Meanwhile,

I felt a gaze.

Someone is looking at me.

Realizing this fact, I instinctively lifted my head to see the direction from which the gaze came.

And there, our eyes met.

A woman with a noticeably tall stature. A vivid red tie is visible.

Undeniably beautiful, yet her face exudes an unapproachable chill.

Recently known to me as Estelle’s escort knight, René.

As our eyes met, I hastily lowered my head.

With no movement or sound, I held my breath, but the gaze fixed on me didn’t waver.

I hoped it was just a hallucination, but no matter how long I waited, the gaze didn’t disappear.

No, rather, it intensified beyond that, approaching me along with a sense of popularity.

Finally, that sense of popularity reached right in front of me.

“Wade Heblon.”

“……”

The exterior matched the imagination, a voice that was firm and cold.

Originally, such a voice wouldn’t have stirred any special emotions in me, but today it left a significant impact on my heart.

“You’re looking for something.”

Whether I answered or not, the woman continued speaking.

Omitted subjects and verbs, brief words, but I instantly understood what the woman wanted to convey.

…No, in truth, I knew without needing to hear her words, from the moment I sensed her presence.

What purpose had brought her here?

Should I rather jump out of the window?

An impulsive thought crossed my mind, but the impulse didn’t materialize into action.

I sighed inwardly and stood up from my seat.

“Let’s go.”

***

One of the most splendid buildings within the academy.

Its top floor.

The Rainberg Empire Student Council Room.

Stepping into a place where I had no connection, a familiar voice welcomed me.

“You’re late.”

Of course, the owner of that voice was already known.

“I thought I’d run out of patience.”

Estelle von Rainberg.

The one destined to become a giant moving the continent, was waiting for me.

“By the way, quite unexpectedly. You didn’t seem like someone who studies so diligently.”

“…I am a student too.”

Though embarrassed, I managed to reply, concealing my unease.

“Hmm. So you say… Anyway, have a seat.”

Following her words, I sat across from her.

I had no right to refuse such an invitation at the moment.

“So, why did you summon me?”

Considering the deliberate effort to bring me here, there must be a reason.

I looked into her eyes and asked.

“hahahahaha!”

However, Estelle burst into laughter instead of giving a response.

…Why is she acting like this again?

I looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“…Ah, I guess I owe you an apology.”

She stopped laughing and offered an apology with a face that showed no remorse.

I still couldn’t understand English, but since the other person was who they were, I could only nod politely.

“Yeah, it’s about business.”

Her distinctive violet eyes sparkled.

“Actually, there’s nothing specific.”

“…Excuse me?”

…What is this about?

I was so bewildered that I immediately questioned her.

“Exactly. There’s nothing specific. I just called you to see your face, that’s all.”

“….”

I stared at Estelle with a perplexed look.

“Don’t make that expression. If we must pinpoint, it’s your fault.”

“Excuse me?”

Me?

“Yeah. Haven’t you been avoiding me with ridiculous excuses?”

“….”

Thunk.

The sound of my heart creaking echoed.

“…It might not be an excuse, but a genuine effort to prepare for exams, right?”

“Well, there’s a possibility. It’s not common for someone who barely visited the library after entering the academy to suddenly wake up and pour effort into studying, but it’s not impossible.”

“….”

Cold sweat ran down my spine.

It seemed like Estelle had already completed her investigation on me.

“Without solid evidence to prove that it’s a lie, if you manage to hold on until the end, there’s not much I can do…”

Estelle laughed softly.

“Will that be possible?”

“I’m sorry. It was an excuse.”

Originally, the quicker the admission, the better.

I quickly admitted my defeat.

“hahahahaha!”

As I lowered my head, Estelle burst into laughter again.

…I couldn’t quite grasp the point of this woman’s laughter.

“Well then, let’s overlook this one generously.”

Estelle said with a truly satisfied expression.

Then, once again, she brightened her face with a radiant smile.

“Indeed, you’re an interesting fellow.”

“……”

It didn’t seem like she meant it in a bad way, but honestly, I couldn’t find any reason to be pleased. I couldn’t even guess the reason she might find me interesting, and her interest in me was not exactly flattering.

Uncertain of how to react, I simply kept my gaze on the table without saying a word.

How long passed in silence?

“Wade Heblon, don’t you want to become a noble?”

Suddenly, Estelle brought up a strange topic.

“…Yes?”

“I asked if you want to become a noble.”

My ears weren’t so dull that I couldn’t hear her words directly in front of me. Nevertheless, my question was prompted by the unexpected nature of what she said.

“Since you’re an interesting fellow, if you want, I’ll specially make you a noble. How about that?”

“……”

“What rank appeals to you? A viscount, a marquess, or a duke, I’ll grant it if you wish.”

It sounded absurd, but if the speaker was Estelle, it was no longer absurd. She had the power to turn those absurd words into reality.

She was the next emperor of Rainberg, and currently, Rainberg’s imperial authority was overwhelmingly powerful. Once she ascended to the throne, turning an ordinary commoner into an imperial dignitary overnight would be entirely possible.

The proposal personally extended by the continent’s most powerful figure would undoubtedly captivate anyone.

However.

“No, not very interesting.”

Those words did not apply to me.

I honestly wanted to avoid becoming a servant of Estel.

… Well, even if the one making the proposal wasn’t Estel, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.

I have no desire to become a noble, nor do I have any desire for wealth and glory.

“…Hmm. I see.”

Estel looked at me thoughtfully and nodded shortly thereafter.

It was a cleaner reaction than I had anticipated.

At least, I didn’t feel any regret.

“Can I leave now? It’s getting late.”

Since the designated time was approaching, I used it as an excuse to rise from my seat.

“Go ahead.”

Estel politely saw me off, and I left the student council room.

***

After Wade left, the student council room was left with only the two of us.

“…Does the author like it that much?”

Amidst the disappearing conversation and the ensuing silence, the knight asked her owner.

It was rare for her to ask such questions.

She always chose her words carefully and never questioned her owner’s actions.

But this time, even she found it hard to suppress her curiosity.

Was it because her owner had made an unconventional proposal to the council?

No, that wasn’t the reason.

Considering her owner’s temperament, such a proposal wasn’t unusual.

The reason she couldn’t hold back her question was her owner’s expression.

Estel, with an intriguing expression and a smile on her lips, was gazing at the door Wade had just closed.

Seeing that expression, the knight realized her owner was harboring a deep interest in the man who had left.

“Hmm, well… I’m not sure if ‘like’ is the right word.”

At the question from the knight, Estelle finally tore her gaze away from the door.

But the lingering smile remained untouched.

“I just find it amusing, that’s all.”

“…What is it about that man that you find so amusing?”

Rene couldn’t quite grasp that point.

He may be an unusual man as the rumors suggest, but he’s nothing special. His abilities are rude and arrogant even on ordinary matters. He doesn’t seem like someone the owner would find interesting.

The answer to such a question from the knight came promptly.

“Well, wouldn’t you know if you look at him?”

Estelle laughed brightly.

“Who else, besides him, could be so audacious in front of me?”

Most people fear her. The majority either can’t even meet her gaze or, despite their seemingly confident actions, hide fear behind their eyes.

If one knows who she is and the rumors circulating about her, such reactions are only natural.

But this man, Wade, is different.

With no background whatsoever, just an ordinary commoner, he confidently expresses his opinions in front of her on a subject that doesn’t even warrant a sound from others.

Normally, one wouldn’t even dare to make a sound, fearing that a spark might ignite.

From the very first meeting, that man was already different from the others.

Of course, Wade avoids her.

In fact, even this time, he made excuses and avoided her.

However, his actions didn’t seem to stem from fear.

Rather… yes.

‘Annoyance.’

It seemed as if he was avoiding getting involved with her to escape from something troublesome.

No fear towards her could be sensed in his eyes.

That fact intrigued her.

And…

“The statement about not being interested. That was sincere.”

When any person is presented with gold right in front of them, their gaze changes.

Even those who feared her pushed aside their fear and revealed their greed when presented with treasures beyond compare.

Desires have the power to drive people mad.

Yet, Wade Heblon was different even from that.

His refusal wasn’t calculated.

There was no trace of hesitation or disgust in Wade’s eyes as he turned down her proposition.

That very fact fueled the ember of interest towards Wade’s direction even more.

If he had accepted the proposal, he would have thrown in a suitable pretense. One who would rule an empire couldn’t afford to speak lightly.

However, simultaneously, the interest in the man had cooled off.

“As expected, quite an interesting fellow.”

Estelle’s lips formed a deep smirk.