"Extra! Extra! Those who still don't have copies, we have many more here! Extra! EXTRA!"
A loud shouting from a girl who was running around throwing pages of newspapers can be heard. It seemed like this girl doesn't even care about the spoken rule of no littering and running in the hallway. Anyway she just keeps on running, throwing all the papers she has in the open air passing through the classrooms.
"Hmm, what's this?"
Ellisbeth blurted a question as she bent her body, slowly picking up the piece of paper that flew right in front of her. It looked like a flier rather than a newspaper. It was only one page but it even had a description besides the photo on it.
"Wha—what's the meaning of this?!"
Shocked. Ellisbeth exclaimed after seeing what's written on the flier.
On the paper was an image of Guren beside the and one is of the prince. And the text was written like this "'A big duel! The unnamed Transfer Student Vs. The Crown Prince Alexander de Flame-Wisteria!'—The battle will take place at the magic arena three days from now. And All the students are required to attend. This mandate was declared no other than by the Academy's strongest, the Student Council President Mei Freezia!"
Ellisbeth held the paper with her eyes widened. The information was spread and is now in the full control of the students council.
She knows that the academy's Newspapers club is strongly under the influence of the Student council, thus everything that the president told them will be done without a second thought. Thus, the newspapers were made.
"This... has become even more terrible..."
Ellisbeth sigh at the sight of the paper she clenches.
¤
The Hallway Leading to the Classroom.
"Hmm? So there's also newspapers in this place huh? That's somewhat unexpected."
"Master, your eyes are dead in this photo. Not that it's any better even now."
"Was that a praise? Thank you Andrea."
"That was sarcasm. Don't mind it."
Andrea and I are on it again. Despite how lovely she looks, Andrea has a sharp tongue. Considering that she lacks knowledge about emotion, she has this insensitive and blunt side of her.
"Hey, why are you so calm about this? This is a big problem, you know?"
Ellisbeth said with a voice a little raised. I was looking at the flier she brough and while Andrea was making fun of my photo there, we casually stated our calmness. However, after what Ellisbeth started her discontent about my behavior, I snorted
"What are you talking about? That very moment we accepted the duel it has already become a trouble. Having newspaper club know about it will never change a thing. You should calm down a little too."
News or not, the trouble won't get bigger right? or that's what I thought, but then
"Hmph! You've underestimated the Newspaper club! Now that the Academy's News paper club has held the information, it will eventually spread through the whole kingdom..."
"Eh? I-is that so..?"
I don't know about that!
Ellisbeth continued.
"...everyone will hear about it. And the Royal palace is not an exception."
Eh? Hey... aren't we in deep shit then? I can feel my back being wet with the pouring cold sweat...
"Mai, say something too!"
She turned her gaze to Mai, who was just watching from the side. Standing there with a dignified posture in her school uniform. Because school and work are separate matters, she wears a uniform just like any other student. On the other note Ellisbeth really had changed this past few days. She was always fighting with me just recently, and now here she is, helping us with the information. Wait, is this what we call a "gap moe?." surely no way.
On the other side, as Ellisbeth was finding her support for her complaints was turned to Mai but Mai seemed to be not listening. She was making a serious face on her side. And in a voice nearly inaudible, she murmured.
"So she made a move again. That stupid..."
"Mai?"
"Ah, eh... It-it's nothing my lady."
Seeing as Mai was silent all this time, Ellisbeth called again to her. But she just weakly answered in an non straight way. She looked worried and somehow made a perplexed expression. Is there something she's worried about?
"Mai, do you know something? You look so worried."
I inquired.
I stared at her bite her naturally red lips. Damn that was so sexy! I mean, yeah, she's worried. And then
"Mei is my twin sister."
She answered in a sad sounding voice.
"My full name is Mai Freezia. Daughter of the rivaling clan of the Wisteria family. Mei hated the fact that the Flame and Blaze family took the role of ruling the Royal Capital, thus she was against almost everything that the Royal family does. I don't know where she got the information regarding you Guren-sama, but I feel like that foolish sister of mine has a again did some scheme behind my watch."
She looks really anxious. So this is yet again another political related bullshit, huh. I really hate this genre of the story. I already know that Mai has a sister. I saw her at the entrance ceremony. But what surprised me is that Mai is a daughter to a high ranking family. Even so, I wonder why Mai is a maid of a household their family hates?
Meanwhile on the other side, Chika was left silenced clenching her fist showing a sign of gritting her teeth in silence.
I glanced at her with a neutral expression, and as I turned his eyes back to Ellisbeth, I said
"Well, it already happened. So matter what we do, it will never change. Besides I already saw this news earlier at the board in the reception hall. You two just didn't read it earlier, that's why you're so surprised. Read the information wall once in a while, okay?"
I said coldly with my gaze sharpened for both of them.
"You- you don't have to say it like that!"
Blushing. Flustered, Ellisbeth responded by my cold, sarcastic remarks. Mai chuckled at her expression and was refreshed for some reason. On the other side Chika gave away her stiff expression as well after hearing my collected words not being bothered by the news. As expected, Chika knows something about this farce. I'll tend to it later.
Everything was running smoothly when suddenly,
"Hey, peasant! Did you see the news? The duel of you and His highness will take place in the Magical Battle Arena! Everyone will see that shameful defeated face of you! Don't dare to run now! Bwahahaha."
Huh? Who the hell is this monkey?
He just arrived and made a malicious discern. If I can guess, he is one of that idiot Prince's lackeys. He was laughing disturbingly loudly, bothering all the people who were with us in the hallway.
"Master, can I punch a hole in his ugly person's stomach?"
Ah, Andrea is now pissed.
"No!"
"Too bad, then!"
—This is Andrea already ready to punch that unseemingly remarkable guy.
"Heh, enjoy your remaining happy days, you dog. His highness will surely feed you with dust! Bwahahaha!—guh?!"
Suddenly, he grumbled.
"A-Andrea-chan?! What did you just..?"
Ellisbeth said worriedly after seeing the guy collapse with a "Bump!" after Andrea landed a leaping great chop on his head. He lost consciousness.
"Heh... pathetic!"
—This is Andrea looking down at the guy on the floor with a disgusted look on her face.
"Master, the hindrance is now gone. Let us head on to the classroom."
I heaved a sigh...
"I told you no, right?"
As I said that. Andrea just tilted her head as if puzzled with my words. Then right after, words just came naturally off of her mouth.
"A chop is not a punch in the stomach. So that's okay!"
She said that with a big movement of her arms circling above her head as if creating an O letter. I laughed at her, and with a shrug, I told her "Is that so? Let's go inside the classroom then."
"B-but what about this guy?!"
Pointing the guy lying on the floor of the hallway, Ellisbeth asked in a trembling tone. Maybe she is worried that the dispute between the prince and us will grow even further after this incident. But Andrea just looked back with an empty expression and said,
"Leave that trash be. Let him feed on the dust of the hallway!"
—This is Andrea. Merciless Andrea.
"Ri-right..."
I chuckled in silence as I looked at them, listening to what Andrea had said. Never minding the guy sleeping on the floor we head right inside the classroom just like Andrea said.
¤
Chika also went down to the first floor where the first year was designated. Her face was less stern, but in her mind a web of entangled thoughts was not going away. And from less, her anxiousness keeps on growing. After all, if she never gave information about Guren, then probably the Students council will let them be. But what is done is bygone now. She can't return to time.
And just like that, the news of the battle being a big deal was known thoroughly throughout the whole academy. And the date of the dating drew near as soon as it was expected.
...To be Continued...