Chapter 33 - Volume 3 (1/2)

School Arc – Chapter 14

The recklessly-stated rumours were rapidly embellished through hearsay.

Eventually, the rumours that『Lilium Valley was involved in causing the injuries』 and the like, were told as if they was true.

Some of the students ended up getting frightened by this rumour.

The new students, in particular, who still hadn’t gotten used to dormitory life, raised their unease, and some girls ended up crying, so for the prefects and I, it was chaotic.

While trying to calm the girls down by soothing and humoring them, I was worried sick about Lily.

In the end, though it was inexcusable for me to do so, I snuck away, leaving the new students in the care of the prefects. When I headed towards Lily’s room in a quick pace, sure enough, I had a problem of my own.

「If you’ve caused harm to people by using magic for your own self-interest, then you’re not fit to be a student of this school」

The voice that said this to Lily, and which resounded all the way outside the room, was a familiar one. A person in the same year as me, that is to say – a final year student by the name of Viola. In the previous year, she was also the person that served as a prefect together with me.

Even though she’s a little quick at jumping to conclusions, she’s intense when she makes up her mind. When I said it that way, it would seem like she’s a person that wasn’t appropriate as a prefect, but, coincidentally, Viola was a woman that was both diligent and helpful. Since her grandfather was a multimillionaire, he was awarded the position of a baron, but it couldn’t be inherited – a life peer, as one would call it. The fact that she, who never had high standings if we’re talking about her social status alone, became a dormitory prefect, meant her appointment was largely due to her own wit and popularity.

I drew in a slightly long breath to calm down. If my opponent is Viola, I had to get her to understand without agitating the situation.

Although Lily’s room was blocked by the curious onlookers, I still managed to see the situation inside.

There were three people who were confronting the owner of the room, Viola and her two friends. From a step behind Viola, sending a relentless look to Lily, was a brown-haired female student. If memory serves me right, her little sister was part of Art’s entourage. Maybe she couldn’t sit still with her little sister injured, but coming to a lower-year student’s room as a trio to yell at Lily was cruel all the same.

「…I… didn’t use magic at that time…」

Even though it was in a soft voice, Viola’s friend had to raise her own voice in order to drown out Lily’s resolute reply.

「As if I’d believe you! Don’t you know that everyone present there was injured? Everyone, that is, except you, Lilium Valley!」Her agitated voice was shrill, turning a deaf ear to Lily’s words. It seems this one is even harder to crack than Viola.

「Excuse me. Would you kindly let me pass.」

When I raised my voice, everyone stared in my direction. The curious onlookers all had on a look that said『oh, dear!』 and apologetically opened a path for me.

When I stepped into the room and met their gazes, Lily cast her eyes down in a complicated look. I didn’t expect that reaction to sting, but at any rate, right now, I had to do something about this commotion.

「First, I’d like someone to explain why, as final-year students, the three of you are causing a commotion at a place like this」

I turned back from Lily, facing Viola and her group.

Taking into account the trio’s personalities and power dynamics, I believe persuading Viola would be the best course of action.

But, I wonder if she’d decided to visit this place before taking a bath. Her golden hair was still in a flawlessly vertical roll that hasn’t changed at all since morning. I’ll be saying it once again, her golden hair was in a vertical roll. Maybe I’ll say it one more time: GOLDEN HAIR. VERTICAL ROLL.

She is the most dazzling beauty of the magical academy. Her golden lashes should’ve absolutely had a weak claim compared to black hair, but even at the best of times, her big violet eyes more than stood out for it. Since it looks like around five matchsticks can be put on it, I’ll certainly try testing it out someday. (1)

With an impressive pointed nose, she unyieldingly displayed a mix of confidence and cuteness. Her stature wasn’t tall, yet, due to her dignified behavior, she had presence.

「As a final year student, Lilium just arrived at this school, so I merely thought to explain the significance of using magic to her」

「Even if that’s the case, there’s no need to have three people, is there?」

Looking as if I hit her where it hurt, Viola glanced behind her.

Although she had a slight tendency to be reckless, she wasn’t someone who’d form a clique just to show someone contempt. She probably ended up driven to righteous indignation after seeing her friend in tears.

「That’s… certainly as you say. Doing things in this way wasn’t right」

It seems Viola had quickly reflected on her actions.

When I nodded and said “great, great”, pleased with myself, I was given a tense glare by Viola.

「But having said that, did you clearly understand why we came here after circumventing you, the dormitory head?」

「Eh?」

「There’s a rumour within the dormitory」

「If it’s the rumour about Lilium, then I know about it. It’s completely unfounded」

「It isn’t just that. There’s also a rumour related to you. And if you ask me, that rumour may be even more serious」

My eyes widened in surprise and Viola nodded as if to say ‘it’s just as I thought’.

「It seems you are not aware of it. The rumour goes like this:『Dorm head Lycoris is covering for Lilium Valley because she’s a very close friend. Since there is partiality, she probably won’t hand down fair judgment against Lilium 』」

I listened to those words, feeling bitter.

The curious onlookers watched over, holding their breaths, wondering how I’d answer Viola’s words. When I observed that situation, I could tell that the rumour that Viola voiced out had circulated as common understanding among the girls.Naturally, there was an occasion that came to mind. During the incident when the glass fell today, I had called out to her with a『Lily』. Even if I hadn’t, it wouldn’t be strange for someone to notice, perchance, that Lily and I were meeting in the dormitory’s library.