After seeing Cecilia and Luke off, Randy and Liz headed toward the "Magical Beast Research Club," as originally planned, walking toward the building known as the Club Building.
The training building Randy and the others typically used was located near the center of the academy, but the Club Building was closer to the dormitories, situated behind the academy grounds and separated from the training building by the athletic field.
After a short walk from the dormitory, Randy and Liz arrived at the Club Building.
It was similarly built like the training building, it was made of brick with three floors above ground and one underground basement. This building was home to almost all the clubrooms of the academy's.
It was already after school, the time when the usually quiet building was at its most lively.
"The Magical Beast Research Club is in the basement, right…?"
Liz checked the information board near the entrance and turned to Randy, saying, "Yes, it's in the basement."
"Looks like it."
Peering over Liz's shoulder, Randy confirmed the location of the Magical Beast Research Ckub. What caught his eye, however, was the huge variety of clubs listed.
There were combat-focused clubs such as swordsmanship, shooting, and martial arts, alongside fantasy-themed ones like magic and magical artifact research. Additionally, there were clubs that reflected noble's hobby, such as dance, horse riding, art, music, and literature.
But what drew Randy's attention was…
"Huh, there are even sports clubs like football."
Though small in number, the list included sports like football, swimming, and even lacrosse, which were unfamiliar to former ordinary people like Randy.
"Yes, those sports have recently gained popularity as activities that could be enjoyed by people of all ranks" Liz said with a nostalgic smile.
It reminded Randy that he knew very little about her time at the academy before her exile. Scratching his cheek in frustration at his own stupidity, he asked
"So, which one were you in?"
"Huh?"
"You seem pretty familiar with this place. Did you belong to a club or something?"
Liz hesitated, blushing slightly, and traced her finger over one of the clubs listed on the directory.
"…The lacrosse club. For about two months."
Her shy smile left Randy utterly baffled. Lacrosse? He had assumed she was part of a cultural club, but to his surprise, she had joined a sports club—and one he knew nothing about.
As Randy tried to process this unexpected revelation, a group of students passed by them.
Watching them go, Liz explained that she had to leave the club shortly after joining due to her engagement and the queen training she had to undergo.
"I actually met Cecilia at the club," Liz added.
"Really? Cecilia too?"
Though Randy didn't understand much about lacrosse, he could sense that Liz held fond memories of her time in the club.
"You'd like to play again, wouldn't you?"
When Randy smiled, Liz returned a conflicted smile and said, "Well… if I'm being honest, yes. But it's not very realistic."
Liz shook her head, explaining that her current responsibilities, like managing the salaries for Harrison and Rita and working on the new camera project, left her little time.
And there was another reason…
"Given the possibility that someone is still targeting us, it's not wise to put myself in a vulnerable position."
After the recent assassination attempt, it was unclear who the intended target was. Liz was right—avoiding risky situations made sense. But accepting that logic was another matter entirely.
"You're not wrong, but…"
Randy trailed off, gazing through the window toward the athletic field.
The horse riding ckub was practicing, with students skillfully guiding their horses over obstacles.
"…We shouldn't have to hold ourselves back because of some idiot out there."
As if responding to his words, one of the horses soared over a particularly high obstacle.
"Then again, I was the one who forced you to do things," Randy admitted, scratching his head apologetically.
Liz quickly shook her head. "Not at all. I enjoy working on projects with you, Randy. I'm here because I want to."
Her smile left Randy momentarily speechless.
Not wanting her to notice his flustered state, he simply muttered, "I see," and shifted his gaze back to the window.
"Then there's no problem if I'm there to keep an eye on you."
"Keep an eye on me… playing lacrosse?"
"Yeah."
As Randy watched the galloping horses, Liz lowered her gaze shyly and said, "I appreciate it, but…"
"What's the issue?"
"Well, the uniform is a bit too cute, and I don't think it suits me… I mean…."
Liz fidgeted in embarrassment, Randy resists the urge to cover his face. Instead, he flashed his usual mischievous grin.
"That sounds like a good idea. I'm looking forward to see it."
Pleased with his confident response, Randy gave himself a mental pat on the back. (I'm amazing. I nailed that.)
But Liz was overwhelmed by embarrassment
"You two, how long do you plan on flirting?"
Ellie appeared with an exasperated sigh.
"We're not flirting," Randy retorted, sighing back, he seized the chance to redirect the conversation to Ellie
"Anyway, what about you? Lacrosse seems fun, doesn't it?"
Ellie turned her head away with a dismissive "Hmph" at Randy's smiling face.
"My opinion hardly is of no concern to you. I have no interest in such activity."
"What's with the sulking?" Randy asked, tilting his head.
"I'm not sulking," Ellie huffed.
"Nope, you're sulking."
"I am not."
Their exchange continued until some passing students disrupted the moment.
Once the students were gone, silence fell between the two.
(She's been acting strange since Cecilia and Luke… Is this about her past?)
Randy recalled Ellie's words about being "abandoned by the world."
Perhaps seeing Randy and Liz's friendly banter reminded her of her past memory. Perhaps she feels envious, as she thinks there's no way an abnormality like her could be accepted.
(She thought I was just a loner, so she was shocked to find out that I actually have friends… or maybe something happened between her and her friends in the past?)
Whatever the reason, Ellie's mood was sour. Her gaze was colder than Randy had ever seen it. But Randy, far from being fazed, simply thought:
(Huh. She's got a surprisingly cute side.)
Realizing this, Randy broke the silence with a sigh.
Though she was an ancient witch, it seemed inside she was still a young girl.
"Let's set aside the sulking for now."
"Your opinion isn't irrelevant. It's you are sharing body too. Wouldn't it be great if you both enjoyed it together?"
Ellie was about to reply but stopped mid-sentence.
More students passed by, chatting about their clubs, and quiet returned once again. Ellie let out another sigh.
"Let me remind you of something. I am a forbidden existence, abandoned by the world and the ancient great magician. Do not treat me like an ordinary girl."
Ellie crossed her arms and glared defiantly. Randy, however, felt more certain than ever at his prediction
Her behavior was rooted in fear—fear of being abandoned again.
"I am an abomination. Fundamentally different from you—"
"That's nonsense."
Randy interrupted her with a grin.
"To me, you're just Ellie—a girl who's not very honest with herself. Nothing more, nothing less."
Ellie narrowed her eyes. "A girl, you say… You know nothing of my evil and yet dare to speak so lightly."
"Of course, I don't know. But from where I stand, you're just a girl with foul mouth."
Ellie's gaze grew even sharper, but Randy's smile didn't waver.
"Fine. When I regain my full power, I'll show you the true depths of my evil—"
"Nope, not happening."
"What?"
Ellie blinked in surprise, and Randy repeated with a grin, "I won't let you do that."
"There's no way Liz and I would let you do something like that."
Though Randy's tone was light, his presence grew more serious, enough to make Ellie falter slightly. Her jaw clenched, and she glared at him.
"You think you can stop me?"
"Of course. I'm stronger than you."
Randy's casual declaration made Ellie's expression twist further.
"You're quite confident for someone who doesn't know my true power."
Her gaze now carried a hint of killing intent, but Randy waved it off. And for the first time, he wore a serious expression.
"It's not confidence. It's resolve."
Ellie furrowed her brow, seemingly unable to understand what Randy was saying.
Without waiting for her to respond, he continued.
"By the time we find your body, I'll become stronger than you, and I'll accept everything about you—no matter what. That's my resolve!"
Silence enveloped Randy and Ellie. The voices of students from the sports field and club building sounded distant.
"Re… solve?"
"Yeah, resolve. Even if you despair and lash out, I'll be strong enough to take it all in and handle it."
Randy thumped his chest with confidence, and for a moment, Ellie's eyes wavered.
"Resolve, you say? That's just foolishness."
"Foolishness, fine by me. I've decided to accept you both, so I'm taking full responsibility. No way am I going to abandon you halfway—it's all or nothing."
Randy snorted and pressed on, leaving Ellie no room to argue.
"I don't know your grudges or your past, but if those things are causing you pain, I'll destroy them for you."
"You make it sound so simple—"
"I don't care. I've made up my mind. This isn't about whether I can or can't. I will do it. Don't underestimate me—Randolph Victor."
Randy grinned fearlessly, and a faint light returned to Ellie's eyes.
"When I say I'll do something, I mean it. I'll find your body, free you from the chains of your past, and make sure your life is full of happiness and satisfaction."
"And if… if I still can't stop myself?"
"In that case, I'll live alongside you. Even if the world abandons you, I never will. That's what it means to accept someone, right?"
Randy's gentle smile made Ellie's cheeks turn slightly red.
"I… I'll never abandon you either!"
Suddenly, Liz's voice broke in, dispersing Ellie's presence. As Ellie disappeared, Randy tilted his head and asked Liz, "What'd she say?"
Liz replied with a wry smile.
"She said, 'I can't compete with idiots.'"
"Is that a compliment?"
"It's the highest form of praise, coming from her."
It was a confusing conclusion, but Randy was satisfied. He let out a big sih,
"Well, now that the spoiled queen is feeling a bit better—"
"Shall we go to our destination?"
Liz smiled brightly, and Randy thought he glimpsed Ellie's shadow who's murmuring, 'Who's spoiled?'
Chuckling at the absurdity of it, Randy took a step toward the staircase leading underground basement.
"I know I need to get stronger, but honestly, I just want to find Ellie's body soon."
"Why's that?"
"Doesn't it sound fun? The three of us going to academy together."
"That's true!"
Liz clapped her hands happily before adding with a wry smile, "Ellie says, 'I don't want to be associated with idiots.'"
"Exactly! You and Ellie can talk just fine… It'd be nice if the three of us could just chat normally."
"Like Ellie's soul leaving my body?"
"Yeah, but that'd look way too weird to show anyone else."
Laughing together, the two descended into the underground, their conversation naturally shifting back to Liz's lacrosse match.
"'I should've run away back then when I met this idiot.' That's what Ellie said."
"Heh, that's her way of complimenting, isn't it?"
"…Perhaps."
That day, for the first time, Eleonora began to accept herself as Ellie.
—
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