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Chapter 39

Altena Magic Academy, a few days after the commendation ceremony.

Saegusa and I were granted a special transfer from the bottom class to the regular class.
It would be unsightly to dismiss students who had accomplished deeds on the level worthy of commendation from the king, and it is also unsightly if they were at the lowest level of treatment.

Well, in this case, there was a great consideration for both me and Saegusa.
By the way, here is the treatment Cordelia and the others received for their ogre subjugation:

Cordelia: Silver Knight (Second-highest rank within the Knight class, higher than most nobles).

Lilith: Pre-Adept (Fourth-highest rank within the Magician class, typically for people at the top, even though she was just a student).

Saegusa: Quasi State Guest (A treatment akin to royalty for a foreign student).

And as for me… just knight treatment (eighth-highest rank within the Knight class).

Yeah, they’re really looking down on me just because I’m just a Villager.

Cordelia had already achieved numerous feats as a hero and originally belonged to the fourth rank of the Knight class.
Lilith was a top-tier student at the Magic Academy, and Saegusa, despite her fall from grace, was a foreign student from a prominent family.

Each of their treatments was quite reasonable as a fallback position.

I felt a bit frustrated, but it was the start of my realization that this was not a good situation.
And so, I decided to take a leave of absence for a while just enough to avoid retaking years at the Magic Academy,

「So, I plan to quickly become an A-rank adventurer for now.」

At the front gate of the Altena Magic Academy, Lilith and I are preparing for our journey with Cordelia and Saegusa seeing us off.

「…Quickly become an A-rank, huh?」

Cordelia said with a sour expression, and Saegusa continued, seeming exasperated.

「Suddenly… You really say outrageous things.」

「Hmm?」

「Well, you’re saying it so casually, but… I guess you can do it quickly, though.」

I had already become quite strong.
Even if I stood out a bit, I could handle most things with my strength.
It wouldn’t matter if I stood out a little… It should be fine.

I didn’t mind being looked down upon as a Villager, but it would be really inconvenient if I couldn’t support Cordelia in the future.
For example, I wanted to avoid a situation where I couldn’t join a high-ranking monster subjugation squad.

So, what should I do?
All I can do is quickly become an A-rank adventurer and use my title to silence those around me.

「When I’ll be back is uncertain, but I intend to secure enough class days to avoid retaking a year. Well then, see you later.」

「I see.」

Cordelia made a slightly sad expression for a moment but then smiled warmly.

「Come back as soon as you can, okay!」

「Sure, I’ll do my best!」

I glanced at Lilith.
She muttered some words, seeming somewhat annoyed with Cordelia and Saegusa.

「…Well then.」

‘She is as unfriendly as always’, I thought, as I walked away, waving with my hands behind my back, while still smiling.

As their figures disappeared from view, Saegusa questioned Cordelia.

「Is this really okay, Cordelia-san?」

「Hmm? What are you talking about?」

There was a brief silence, and Saegusa seemed hesitant but continued with his question.

「You… like him, don’t you? Lute-kun.」

A moment of quietness enveloped the two.
Then, Cordelia furrowed her brows, her cheeks twitching, and her face turned beet red as she spoke with a trembling voice.

「Well, what do you think?」

Saegusa was on the verge of bursting into laughter but held his hand over his mouth.

「Hehe… Cordelia-san, you’re not very good at lying.」

「…」

Cordelia shrugged as Saegusa pursued even further.

「So, Lilith-san and him went together, but… are you sure it’s okay to let him go? It’s a two-person trip, with a man and a woman, right?」

Thinking for a while, Cordelia looks up at the sky.

「Hmm… Well, I have already given up on a lot of things about him.」

「Giving up?」

Sighing, Cordelia raised both of her hands in surrender, as if there is nothing else she can do.

「Yeah. Lute has his own way of doing things. He never listens to what others say, does whatever he wants, and somehow manages to accomplish everything he sets his mind to… So, it’s fine, you know?」

「So, it’s fine?」

With a radiant smile that was almost dazzling, Cordelia laughed.

「It is fine. I believe in him.」

And so, Cordelia and Saegusa continued waving their hands at the backs of the two figures for a long, long time.