Youth is wonderful some say, as someone going through his second youth I wanted to insult them and call them liars. But at this moment I can't contradict them for a reason.
"Rudel-san, good morning."
"Ah, good morning, Irisdina."
The girl who suddenly appeared behind me is a commoner named Irisdina. We met after saving her from some dudes and she appeared to me afterwards to thank me, I thought she wanted to set me up, but it didn't turn out to be like that.
I felt a little bad for badmouthing her and after tasting her cookies that weren't poisoned I found out that she's really good at baking (cookies).
"Rudel-san, how did you do on your exams?"
"I tried my best since I was busy organizing meetings that no one goes to."
"I-I understand, it must be very difficult for the boys."
"No, I think only for me it is, I don't see anyone else suffering like me."
I was heading to the bulletin board to look at my notes and happened to run into Irisdina. She is a nice girl no doubt, she always greets me with a smile and says goodbye with another, it hurts me to remember the horrible things I said to her.
"Irisdina, don't you class one guys watch etiquette like the rest?"
"Eh! Ah yes, but for us they are a bit more demanding and we can't, rather, in my case only I can't afford anything that is high."
(I see, she unlike the other commoners, has problems and can't get the money).
"You know Irisdina, It might sound a bit weird what I say, but how about if I help you with your expenses?"
"Eh!I couldn't even jokingly ask Rudel-san for that, I would feel terrible and Rudel-san is someone just as poor as me..."
(Ahh I want to cry, she's a good girl no doubt, she doesn't want to borrow money from anyone or acquaintances).
"You see, even if it doesn't look like it I'm someone who has a lot of money thanks to the island I found, and thanks to that I have a lot of money that I even give a monthly pension to my whole family and still have plenty to spare."
"Even if that's so, I would feel bad for asking Rudel-san, who worked so hard to get it, for money!"
(I want to cry, she's such a nice girl, I wish my wife was that angelic like her).
"Umm... how about this. You bake me cookies and I pay you for it, this way you earn money and get what you need for your class expenses."
"..."
"I-if Rudel-san, is okay with that for me no problem" -She replied shyly ducking her head. Fuck how cute she is.
While I was thinking how joyful it is to help a good girl, we came to the note board, it was a huge wooden box which was written by spells to make it easier to write.
There were over two hundred names which corresponded to the first year. I looked for my name as the grades were posted in order from the highest number being the worst to the lowest number being the best. What a classist system it was.
After a few minutes I found it, I felt excited about the search, but disappointment is my faithful companion.
"Wah~ rank one hundred and thirteen, now that's low, how did you do?"
I asked Irisdina who still seemed to be still searching for her name.
"Ahh, I found it Rudel-san look!" -She pointed happily at me and I looked to where she pointed to make a face of maximum surprise.
"I-I-It's seriously... post six, That's too awesome Irisdina!"
With an astonished and happy face I said to her who seemed to blush.
"Thank you, but I didn't expect this result, I studied very hard in all subjects except about magic theory, the teachers refused to answer me and I don't know anyone who knows about it."
After listening to his problem an idea occurred to me.
"How about if I help you with the theory stuff? Even if I have little magical power I still know much of how it works."
"Are you serious!!! Thank you so much Rudel-san today you've done so much for me, you really are a great ami-person!"
I thought I heard something weird, but it must have been my imagination, as we finished talking we parted ways and went our separate ways.
◇◇◇
From the side where Irisdina was leaving, three boys were coming and she passed by them, one of the boys stares at her as she turns around.
"Oh, that girl was really cute, I should talk to her later." -said a tall and slim boy in a white uniform who had green eyes and long hair.
"Oe, she's a commoner, don't you see her? Your old man will be furious if you end up causing trouble with girls again." -Responded a boy taller than him, but in the same uniform, although with folded sleeves, he had a very robust body as if he was a bodybuilder. His hair was red with black roots and combed short backwards looking like a porcupine.
"You're the wrong person to talk to me about problems!"
"I heard you wanted to sneak into the commoner girls' meeting and His Highness the crown prince had to stop you!"
"That was because I smelled tasty food and couldn't help myself!"
"Are you some kind of caveman to go running for food?"
The two boys were spouting their truths and the boy in front, who was also in a white uniform turned to speak to them.
"You two, we're here, be quiet."
"We are very sorry Your Highness, forgive our disrespect." -said the two boys bowing respectfully to the boy in front.
"Well, you two should concentrate more on finding out if you have good grades instead of looking at girls."
After telling them that, the silver haired boy with purple eyes looked for his name on the board, the other two boys also came over to look for his name.
The green haired boy shouted in excitement pointing to the board.
"Oh, I knew it, you really were a caveman, never doubt my reasoning."
The red haired boy walked over to where the green haired boy was pointing.
"Ehh, let's see... rank one hundred and ninety-nine goes to Chlust van Arses... But what the fuck is this, my old man will kill me if he sees this lousy score!!!" -shouted the red-haired boy at the top of his lungs.
"Ahahaha, you really are a caveman, no. An orangutan since you're not even human hahaha." -The green-haired boy laughed at his classmate for the mediocre grade he got.
"Ah yes, let's see show me your score seaweed head!"-The red-haired boy demanded to his partner who was laughing at him.
With a finger and a smile he pointed to the first column of the first row, the number nine spot indicated and belonged to Frey van Nightray.
"Damn, how come a gigolo like you made it to the top ten and I didn't!"
"It's simple my orangutan friend, you never studied, you spent all your time training those ridiculous muscles and your head was just an ornament, in fact, it's unbelievable that someone more inhuman than you got a better place being that one Erselica."
"Damn seaweed head!!!"
"Red Prime!"
The two boys argued as the silver haired boy searched for his name until he found it.
"Ohh! I didn't expect this, first place for the best student. Liam von Altfode, I don't remember studying so hard to come up with an excellent score."
"What are you talking about Your Highness? It is normal for you to be in first place, there is no one else in this place who is better in knowledge than you."
"Even if you say that I feel that I should have been at least in third place, which belongs to Klein. look! Even Alicelotte is in second place having the same score as me."
"Who cares about that, what matters is that you started on a good run prince. Nothing else is more important than that." -It was the red-haired boy who responded in a confident manner that made the prince even more confused."
These three boys were no ordinary students, they were the main characters of the RPG game Erselica played in her past life, and these were. Chlust, he who attacks first and then asks why he did it. Frey, he strategist who supports long distance and Liam, the protagonist and prince of the Altfode Kingdom who possesses an honest and righteous heart.
According to the story of the game, Liam, had little experience in life outside the palace, he did not know how things worked in the country and schools, but thanks to a certain individual named Rudel, the prince knew the malice and corruption of people and nobles.
Throughout the story of the game, events happened where the prince had to defeat Rudel to gain the experience he needed in a world that treated him like a child.
A few moments ago a major event arose that marked part of the protagonist's life. A commoner girl was being harassed by Rudel, the girl was Irisdina and as a commoner, it was impossible for her to defend herself or go against a noble.
The protagonist would see that and run to the rescue and she as a thank you would make him some cookies that would mark the beginning of their sentimental relationship. However, that was what a certain girl hated to see because, like Rudel, she was a villain who made life miserable for the heroine.
Since the harassment never happened, the event of meeting the girl who was supposed to be the main heroine never happened.
After finishing their conversation the boys left for the dining hall, no one knew that a great irreversible catastrophe had happened.
◇◇◇
Somewhere underneath an island, a shadow emerged which grew bigger, from it came out some wasp-like creatures with black bodies and stinging red wings. These flew off somewhere.
◇◇◇
After several hours of flight, the black insects arrived at a dungeon and rushed towards the largest creature in the place by poking it repeatedly until it disappeared. The creature began to change its body and its head took the humanoid shape of a man with no eyes in its sockets and a mouth from which huge pincers protruded, the creature made an out-of-this-world scream to disappear into the darkness.
◇
"Rudel-san, this part I don't quite understand how it is, could you explain it to me?"
"S-Sure..."
I was in the library with Irisdina, I offered to help her with things about magic theory that she didn't know due to her teachers not teaching her.
Once again how clumsy and optimistic I was, at this rate I will die someday.
"I see, what that was with, it's clearer to me now. Thank you very much, Rudel-san."
"S-Sure, I'm p-pleased that you understand."
I was hesitating thanks to the girl beside me.
The reason was simple. this girl is a huge genius!
The reason teachers refused to teach her was not because they are lousy educators, but because this girl was asking questions that would make a professional in the field cry on the inside. Her questions are on the level of a high school student asking about quantum physics. Anyone would cry if they had to explain something so advanced and not know about it.
That's the situation I was in. To make it scarier, she had already read and memorized all the books for the school year.
I wanted to run out of there crying for having a fragile mentality, I would answer her vague nonsensical things and she would somehow solve them by fully understanding what I was saying.
Sorry, Irisdina. Sorry for lying to you.
As I was wailing like a little girl inside I suddenly noticed something.
"Irisdina, you have a ribbon in your hair. It's new, isn't it?" -I was curious about the navy blue bow ribbon she had on the right side of the side of her hair.
I wanted to tell her she looked really cute, but I thought that would be a bit much and kept it to myself.
"Huh? Umm, thank you so much for noticing, I wanted to get a change since tomorrow will be my meeting with the freshman girls' leader and I'm walking around really nervous."
"Is she that scary?"
"I wouldn't know since I never made contact with her until tomorrow, some girls claiming to be her entourage came to inform me about it, I'm a little scared since I don't know what to do."
I was thinking about what to say about that since I have no knowledge about girls from this world, suddenly I heard some noises coming from a bookcase. I went to see and Irisdina, followed me worriedly, when I arrived I saw something that shouldn't surprise me, but the girl behind me was stunned and shocked at the scene.
"W-we shouldn't do this when it's still daytime, at least let's wait until it's nighttime."
"Nonsense, doing it in the daytime is much better and there's no one in this place."
The scene of two horny young kids expressing their love shouldn't surprise me since it's not the first time it's happened here, in fact, there are even more worse things I've heard in some empty halls. Damn sexually active kids.
I grabbed Irisdina's shoulder and pulled her out of there, not before I felt uneasy towards the boy who was wildly kissing the girl, he wore white uniform and had blonde hair similar style to Irisdina's, but with the left eye being covered by the hair. I don't know why, but I felt like punching him and knocking his teeth out.
We grabbed our stuff and went to a table farther away so we wouldn't hear those disgusting sounds. I spoke to Irisdina, who seemed very upset by what she saw. It pained me to think of her being like this someday with someone.
"Is this the first time you've observed monkeys-I mean boys expressing affection?" -I asked her in a casual tone to throw her off by what she saw.
"E-Ehh, umm, I'm a little shocked yes, but as far as I know, that's very normal for a couple who love each other..." -She said in a still shocked tone.
"Couple, huh? I doubt they are that or much less his fiancé. In any case, it's none of our business and we should concentrate on your studies."
I spoke in a serious and very mature tone to then realize that it fits once again my own grave, returned my fear about his intense questions....
"Umm, Rudel-san, you have already done the same as them?"
"Huh?" -I replied in a confused tone towards his question.
"I mean... you've already been in a similar situation like that with a girl before?"
"There's no way it's like that."
"Hey! Is that so...?"
Indeed. There's no way a girl would want to get together with someone like me, I get rejected or ignored when I try to invite them to my meetings. If it weren't for my cruel brothers my self-esteem and confidence would be in the dumps by now.
(I still don't understand why she asked me that? Maybe she thinks that all boys are the same and that I am like that too... don't worry Irisdina, I assure you that not all men are like that, one day you will find one who will treat you like a princess). -I was answering in my head to her strange question.
◇ ◇ ◇
As Rudel stood pensively ignoring his surroundings. Irisdina's embarrassed face changed to one of joy, her mouth made a cheek to cheek smile muttering under her breath "good thing that's so".
After returning to reality they continued studying, while in the back, louder sounds could be heard from a bookcase.
◇◇◇
Just as Irisdina had told Rudel yesterday, she was in an overly luxurious meeting room, everything from the carpet to the painting looked like it was a palace, the servants were even high-class.
She was sitting at a long rectangular table that was two meters long, but only one part of it had sandwiches, tea and two people sitting facing each other.
One of them was the guest to see if she met the minimum expected behavior at a tea party. And the other was the person who organized the gathering but didn't take care of any preparations, just ordered her servants to leave everything spotless.
The girl on the left was a bit terrified, she was Irisdina. While the girl on the right took an elegant little sip from her cup of tea without any complications, she was Alicelotte von Bismarck, the daughter of one of the three great lords of the kingdom.
Although they both did not know it, but they were rivals in gambling history. Irisdina was the commoner girl who had caught the prince's eye by making the nobility look inferiority complexed, the girl in front of her was no exception either.
Alicelotte had a mentality that commoners serve to work for the nobles and that it is the duty of the aristocrats to show them the reality, such was her personality.
From the day Irisdina befriended the prince is where the verbal abuse and harassment towards the commoner began, the poor girl while talking with her special person kept pain and sadness towards the mockery and insults she received from the daughter of the archduke and his entourage. Until one day, at an important event, all was revealed and the cruel villainess Alicelotte received her comeuppance.
This is how the story was supposed to happen, but at this point nothing like that had happened nor will happen since the main factor named Rudel. He was not involved in any way.
"Correct order of sitting, drinking tea, use of napkins, eating snacks and using cutlery. I can see that for a measly commoner you didn't do badly at all. Did you even get help? You must have since you even brought a thank you gift for the invitation, the other commoners failed from there and I recommended they leave immediately so as not to be embarrassed."
"T-Thank you for your kind words." -Said Irisdina in a loud but shy voice.
"It is not a compliment, but an affirmation to your ears that you have done well for someone who did not expect you to do so well."
"..."
Irisdina flinched a little at the sharp words of the girl who was still sipping tea as if it were nothing.
"Take me out of the mystery, who helped you and why?" -Alicelotte asked in a tone that seemed threatening to Irisdina.
"W-Was it a baron!!! His name is, Rudel van Bradford!" -Irisdina shouted at the top of her lungs.
The aristocratic girl told her to calm down as she was curious.
(So a baron huh? I never thought that someone from the countryside could have so much knowledge about a tea party. I'm really astonished and surprised at such a miracle). -Alicelotte thought as she was being stared at by Irisdina.
In her mind, Irisdina thought staring at the girl in front of her.
(How beautiful she is.)
(Her hair is as golden as the sun.)
(A hairstyle almost like mine, but reaching to her shoulders in a short ponytail, with a braid running from the back of her ear to the other end.)
(Her eyes are red and bright like a rabbit.)
(Her figure is almost like that of a goddess.)
(In addition...)
Irisdina's eyes clearly focused on one part that caught her attention more than anything else.
(I-is it really possible to have such a large chest?)
Irisdina stood in awe at the huge monuments of the aristocratic girl to then look at her own.
(Mine aren't that big... but, I think they are bigger than average).
Putting her hands on the top of her jacket, she tried to compare how much difference there was in the cleavage of the two. At that moment, a maid approached Alicelotte's right ear and whispered something to her. Alicelotte reacted to the maid's whisper and got up from her chair very quickly.
"I-I'm sorry for this interruption, but I must leave immediately on a vital matter."
"Don't worry about the meeting either, you did very well and shouldn't leave the academy! Now with your permission I'm leaving!"
After saying that, she quickly left the room not before Irisdina noticed how her huge monuments bounced up and down from the speed.
"I wonder if Rudel-san would like them this big?" -said Irisdina muttering to herself after watching the girl walk away.
◇◇◇
Alicelotte was walking at a very fast pace in a wide hallway.
"Impossible!!! I told him several times that he shouldn't do that and I don't think he just ignored me like I was air!!!"
Alicelotte muttered to herself as she walked ignoring all the stares around.
After a short while, she found the person she was supposed to find.
"There you are, Klein, I've been looking for you and I want you to clear something up for me!!!"
A boy was walking along, hugging two girls on either side when he turned to see who was calling him.
"Hah!? ...It's you Alice, what the hell do you want from the great me?"
With a mocking and unimportant tone, she answered the boy.
"Don't play dumb!!! I just got word that you spent all day yesterday with a girl in the library and today you were seen coming out of a salon with two girls!!!" -Alicelotte shouted regardless of the presence of people around. The students and teachers who saw this left the way they came including the girls around Klein.
Klein was expressionless for a few seconds and then spoke.
"Who the hell do you think you are to order me something!!!!!I am the son of Duke Kingsfort, I am Klein von Kingsfort, listen well you bitch!!!"
Screaming like a beast, Klein grabbed Alicelotte by the jacket and pulled her in front of him.
"Don't forget that you are nothing more than my fiancé!!! Bismarck Household is nothing more than a household built a hundred years ago!!!!!I am the son of Duke Kingsfort, I am Klein von Kingsfort, listen well you bitch!!!"
Screaming like a beast, Klein grabbed Alicelotte by the jacket and pulled her in front of him.
"Don't forget that you are nothing more than my fiancée!!! Bismarck House is nothing more than a house built a hundred years ago!!!!! You think that a miserable daughter of a mere duke is on the same level as someone who will be the next heir to a principality, eh!!! Answer me, you whore!!!"
After that insult, Klein, raised his right hand and slapped Alicelotte's left cheek hard, knocking her back on her haunches.
Klein continued to yell as she put a hand to her red cheek.
"Remember this well - you are nothing more than my fiancé, so don't try to meddle in my life!!!"
As Klein finished speaking, he spat on Alicelotte's fancy shoes and walked that way.
Slowly trembling, Alicelotte, stood up and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket to her cheek. Her eyes were red and tears wanted to come out.
She slowly walked back toward her room while saying to herself in her head.
(Be strong. A lady of the aristocracy must not show any weakness in the face of adversity).
Even though she said that to herself, tears overflowed from her face as she bit her lips.
◇◇◇
Inside a dungeon was a strange creature which fed on magical beasts from the surrounding area.
The creature every time it ate it grew bigger and stronger.
From its mouth stained with visors and blood it stopped chewing to see a light coming from the front.
The creature smiled terrifyingly and out of its mouth came something impossible to believe.
"R...U.... DE...LLLLLLLLL!!!"