Chapter 20: A Promise at the Festival
"It's boring..."
I muttered to myself as I sat outside the student council room, waiting for Alysha to finish her conversation with Violet. The dullness crept in, and I felt restless. Boredom was one of the things I couldn't tolerate, but in this case, I had no choice. I closed my eyes, attempting to calm my thoughts and distract myself from the gnawing impatience.
"What's wrong, Nao?"
Startled by the voice, I opened my eyes to see someone standing before me. A boy with a confident stance and an armband on his right arm. It took me a second to recognize him, but the realization brought a smile to my face.
"Arthur? Oh! Long time no see, about a year, right? How are you? And what are you doing here?"
Arthur Miles, an old friend of mine, had grown up considerably since I last saw him. The once-small kid was now taller than me, with a sharp appearance that exuded maturity.
"I'm doing well," he said with a smile. "I'm now the vice president of the Discipline Committee. What about you? What brings you here?"
Discipline, huh? He's indeed the type of person who likes to protect others. When we were kids, he always said he wanted to be a superhero to always be on the side of justice.
It seems that's something that hasn't changed about him. I think it's a trait that shows who he is. About his position as vice president, I guess it doesn't need to be asked. A great person like him always has a place wherever he is.
"Oh, that. I'm waiting for Alysha."
"Why wait here? Can't you just go straight into the student council room? You're a student council member, right?" Arthur asked, pointing with his thumb towards the student council room on the second floor behind him.
"You... how do you know I joined the student council?" I asked, surprised.
I guess I just joined yesterday; how did he know I joined the student council? Considering my activities this morning, I haven't told anyone about this. How did he know I joined the student council?
"Isn't it easy? Of course, because Imelda is the student council president."
Ah, of course. I had forgotten how persuasive Imelda could be. Arthur was also a student council member when we were in middle school. He always helped me with my student council work. So he knows Imelda's nature well.
"Are you thinking a lot? It's unusual for you to miss small details like that."
"Yeah, more or less I have personal issues. But it's not that serious. It's just sticking in my head."
Is the thought of Violet burdening me so much that Arthur, who I haven't seen for a long time, noticed it? I guess it's bothering me if I think about it more deeply.
"Just let me know if you need my help."
"Yeah, sure," I answer calmly.
"By the way, the big question is, why did you accept? Didn't you quit in middle school because of too many tasks? Why did you accept now?"
Arthur is puzzled because of my reason for accepting this time. Great thinking. He still understands even though we haven't seen each other for a year. As expected of my old friend.
"Well, if you put it that way, I can't say I like it," I admitted, leaning back in my chair and gazing at the open sky. After a moment's pause, I added, "But I'm not doing it for the student council or Imelda. I joined because I wanted to help someone." A small, almost sheepish smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
"Someone? Who?" Arthur's curiosity was instantly piqued.
"Violet Edina. I'm sure you've heard of her," I replied.
There wasn't much need to elaborate. Arthur already knew the context, considering I had shared my struggles with him and our group before.
"Violet Edina, huh..." Arthur echoed thoughtfully before something seemed to click in his mind. His expression shifted to one of regret. "Ah... Sorry, Nao, I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," I interrupted gently. "I know."
Arthur's reaction was telling; he realized he had unintentionally brushed against an old wound. I cut him off before his guilt deepened. He didn't mean any harm, and there was no point in dwelling on it. Still, the moment left the air between us feeling heavy and awkward.
For a while, neither of us said a word, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably.
"Um... since you're waiting for Alysha, how about you hang out in the Discipline Committee room?" Arthur finally broke the tension, his voice a little too eager.
"Eh? Oh... sure, why not," I agreed, relieved to shift the mood.
Arthur's invitation was likely an attempt to steer the conversation to safer ground. Refusing would only make things more uncomfortable, so I stood up and followed him into the building, heading toward the Discipline Committee room.
*
Upon stepping into the Discipline Committee room, I immediately noticed that its size was roughly equivalent to the student council room. However, the atmosphere was starkly different. Beyond the usual tables, sofas, and shelves of documents, an entire wall was lined with weapons—knives, swords, spears, and even a firearm. Were they replicas? I couldn't say for sure, but they looked unsettlingly real.
My gaze shifted to the chair at the head of the room, where a man sat with his legs casually crossed on the table. His posture screamed rebellion, despite his uniform being meticulously neat. The guy was built like a tank; his broad frame and defined muscles were impossible to ignore, even under the fabric of his uniform. If I had to sum him up in one phrase, it'd be "Big Guy."
Just from this initial impression, I could tell he was someone I'd find difficult to get along with. There wasn't any particular reason to assume we'd clash, but something about his aura made me wary. Still, I kept my thoughts to myself, following behind Arthur in silence.
"Arthur, who's this?" the man asked in a deep, commanding voice. His tone carried an edge that could easily be interpreted as annoyance.
"This is Naozumi, an old friend," Arthur replied smoothly, gesturing toward me. "Nao, meet Vain Grayer, the chairman of the Discipline Committee."
The man's sharp gaze flicked toward me, his expression unreadable. So this was the chairman—Vain Grayer. Judging by the way he carried himself, it was clear he wasn't someone to be taken lightly.
"Arthur, why did you let him in here? Only Discipline Committee members and strong individuals are allowed in this room. Otherwise, the only people who enter are those facing punishment. Are you trying to break the rules?" Vain adjusted his posture, shifting to sit properly, though his tone carried a clear edge of irritation.
He was already annoyed. Judging by his manner of speaking, he seemed like the type who valued strength above all else—someone temperamental and highly selective about the company he kept. The mention of rules piqued my curiosity. Was this some self-imposed regulation of his? As the chairman of the Discipline Committee, it wasn't far-fetched to assume he could make such decisions.
"Of course not. I'd never break the rules," Arthur responded calmly. "As for strength, Nao is more than qualified. In fact, he's stronger than us." Arthur pointed at me with a confident grin while maintaining eye contact with Vain.
"Stop it, Arthur. I don't want any trouble," I hissed, leaning closer to whisper in his ear.
Why did he have to say that? In stories, a declaration like this almost always leads to a challenge. I had no interest in fighting, especially not with someone who clearly enjoyed testing others.
"Oh~ so there's someone capable of impressing Arthur, the Knight, one of the special cardholders? Interesting," Vain's lips curled into a grin, his eyes lighting up with curiosity.
"Then fight me," he declared, the excitement in his voice impossible to miss.
I knew it! Just as I'd predicted. Damn it, Arthur! I told you not to drag me into unnecessary trouble. He'd better brace himself for a long lecture later.
"Even if this sounds interesting to you, it's not interesting to me. Besides, there's no benefit in it for me. Sorry, but I'm going to have to decline."
I quickly turned him down, my annoyance evident in my voice. I wasn't even going to pretend to be polite. What was the point? My disinterest in duels wasn't just about avoiding conflict—I genuinely didn't see the appeal.
Sure, I enjoyed watching Skill and Magic battles, but I had no desire to participate in something that would likely turn me into a punching bag.
"Oh~ so you're the type who only does things if they benefit you. Hmm... How about this: if you win, I'll grant you one wish—within reason, of course," Vain offered, his grin widening.
The proposal was unexpected, and while it might intrigue others, I couldn't think of anything I wanted from him. Still, the idea of a wish piqued my curiosity.
"May I ask a question?" I asked, crossing my arms.
He nodded, allowing me to continue.
"Regarding the wish, could I add a condition to the Discipline Committee's rules—something discreet?"
Vain tilted his head, considering my question. "Hmm... That should be fine, as long as the condition doesn't harm others or create unfair advantages. If it does, I can't allow it."
His thoughtful response caught me off guard. My initial impression of him as a brute had shifted slightly. Beneath the intimidating exterior, Vain Grayer seemed to have a strong sense of responsibility. Perhaps I'd misjudged him.
"That's not a problem. The rule I have in mind will only apply to one person, and it won't harm anyone else," I replied with a confident smile.
"Hahaha!" Vain threw his head back and laughed heartily, placing his hands on his waist.
"Alright, that's fair. Now, about the match... how about we settle this a week after the festival?"
"A week? That's almost a month away," I said, feigning annoyance. "I'm not the type to wait that long. And what happens if I lose?"
"You don't need to give anything if you lose. I'm the one asking for this, so the risk is all mine," he explained.
I considered his offer. Without any stakes on my side, the situation seemed less daunting. Still, the timing felt off.
"How about we settle this during the festival instead?" I suggested.
"The festival tournament? It might be tricky for us to end up facing each other. Besides, I'm not the only strong participant," Vain countered, his tone measured.
"Then how about this: whoever ranks higher in the tournament wins," Arthur chimed in with an idea.
Vain's grin returned. "Now that's an interesting twist. The tournament format will allow you to prove your strength without a direct match. Alright, let's go with that."
Arthur's suggestion was clever and added a layer of excitement. It was a fair compromise, and I couldn't find a reason to disagree.
"Alright, I'm in," I agreed, sealing the deal.
And just like that, our match was set—on a whim and with little thought. Still, I couldn't deny the thrill of competing in the festival arena.
"Brother~!! Brother Nao~!!" Alysha's voice called out, interrupting our conversation.
I sighed in relief. "Well, that's my cue," I said, excusing myself.
I left the room, eager to escape before anything else could be added to my plate.
After Naozumi exited the room, Arthur and Vain were left in silence for a moment.
"Arthur, is he...?" Vain's voice held a hint of confusion, clearly piecing together what he'd just observed. Alysha, one of the school's most formidable figures, had referred to Naozumi as her brother.
Arthur chuckled lightly. "Chairman, you just realized? They share the same surname. Naozumi is Alysha's twin brother."
"I don't pay much attention to names. Everyone gets a nickname from me anyway," Vain replied with a shrug. His straightforward mindset reduced the uniqueness of names to irrelevance in his eyes.
Arthur smirked knowingly. "One more thing, Chairman. I'd like you to keep this between us. Let's avoid provoking him. Antagonizing Naozumi would be... unwise."
Vain nodded, recognizing the weight of Arthur's tone. "Alright. I'll keep it to myself."
Arthur leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "He's one of us—someone with a special card. And more importantly... he is definitely one of the strongest Esper in this world."
The revelation made Vain pause, his usual bravado giving way to a rare moment of quiet reflection. "I see," he muttered, swallowing hard.
Arthur straightened, his expression calm yet firm. "I trust you'll make the right decisions regarding him."
Vain gave a small nod, watching as Arthur settled onto the sofa, a thin, enigmatic smile on his face.
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