Chapter 17: A Fuzzy Feeling

Things got me pondering.

Hmm. Seriously, what should I do? This situation is quite troublesome. I tried to do things swiftly in that last test but the results of my action and reactions of my classmates are contradictoring each other.

I'd never thought that this Roderick would have such low sense when it comes to assassination techniques. Well, I can't blame the man. He was most familiar with honet to goodness frontal assault—of course having a dragon as your summon would make feel invincible —and at the same time make you vulnerable to assassins.

I could only heave a sigh.

Now what should I do for the last part of the duel? Maybe I'll try to do it with the basic hand-to-hand combat technique? And here I was hoping I could easily end it all, too. Ah, how troublesome. Really troublesome.

Showing off a little backfired at me. To think that only a few people would be able to see what I did.

Well, I guess it was an assassination technique after all.

A little surprising, though. Miss Tukogawa, huh. She's a little too perceptive.

"Wait. Come to think of it…"

The matter Jin talked about...

As I was thinking this, a voice brought me back to the hall.

"T-that was great, Gleren! Attacking it two times without even moving...! You're really amazing, aren't you?" Varvara called, following me from behind.

Her voice was still barely heard, and she's stammering a little, but her message was clear.

But there was something that she said that caught me off guard.

"Eh? Two times?"

No, that's not it… don't tell me, she saw it too? The Shadow's tail?

"You saw it too, Varvara?" I asked, my eyes narrowed in inquiry.

"Yes!" She replied brightly, not paying heed to my interrogative tome. "I never thought that a shadow would be able to do something like that. How did you made it so sharp? I was really surprised!"

No, no. I'm the one who's being surprised here!

And hey, miss Varvara, ain't yout a bit very excited about this? You're literally sparkling.

Well, seeing new reactions from her is a good refreshment, so I've got no complaints here.

"But…" she paused, her expression clouding. "I was just thinking,"

"Hmm? About what?"

I tilted my head as if there's a question mark popping over my head. She suddenly change her tone after all.

"Just slicing down the golem should be enough, no? Gleren is so mean. You do not have to pierce it on the forehead, don't you? I feel bad for the golem." She uttered with a sulky expression.

Well, it makes sense. Varvara manages to tame her golem, so looking at something similar being destroyed—of course, she'll feel bad about it.

No, wait, what?!

"You saw... the other attack?"

I asked wided-eyed, almost cannot believe it.

"Hm… Y-yes… is it bad if I saw it?"

I Fixed my expression and I raised my hand to assure her.

"Huh? Ah, no… I was just a bit surprised. That's all."

She tilted her head and then casually said,

"First, you used the shadow that the golem produced through the light from the ceiling to make a blade, no? Then using that blade, you sliced it instantly from its shoulder down to its torso. While at the same time, you used the shadow that was projected from the neck of the golem to make a small, needlelike blade—then poked the golem on the forehead using it; thus, breaking the mainstream circuit to completely immobilize it. Everything happened really fast that I was taken aback. I almost missed it, you know?"

"...'You know,' you say?" I copied her compounded expression.

You normally don't and literally can't make comprehensive review on an assassination techniques! Just what the heck is on with your senses! I feel like you could see me naked right now if you ever wanted too!

Not even miss Tukogawa manage to explain that much. But, her… Varvara saw it all. Even the source of the needle blade that I used to poke the golem's forehead—she saw it all.

Really what an incredible fighting sense she has. Every assasin based fighing style should be careful around her. She'd steal their techniques without intending to do so.

Also, her sulky expression is cute, too. Ah, no, that one's not related at all.

"Hello. Do you have a moment?" Another familiar voice called.

As I was caught up in my thoughts about Varvara's insane senses, Elisha popped up out of nowhere. She was calling to us—no, not us specifically, but to Varvara.

Varvara cowered a little and hid behind me instinctively. But seeing that it was Elisha, she moved forward to face her. She seemed really anxious, though.

"W-what…is it? D-do you need something from me…?"

Ah, this reminds me of our first conversation. Just how wary can she be around strangers?

But Elisha is our classmate, you know. Is she just wary of all the people around her?

Come to think of it, I haven't seen Varvara talk to anyone aside from me. Also, the way she hid behind me earlier ticked off something inside me... it makes me want to protect her.

A mother bird protecting its offspring? Yep, that kind of feeling.

"What are you grinning about? You creep me out."

Oh, no! I was lost in my Dreamland again! I wiped my expression and faced the girl.

"I'm grinning about something that's none of your business."

Shessh, how rude can this girl be? This lass, Elisha.

"You're really are annoying!"

"I'm glad that our feelings are mutual."

"Grr! Sigh… Anyway, I don't have time for you right now. I have something to talk about with miss Gauthier. Go now. Make your self scarce."

"What do you think of me a pest?!"

"Yes."

"At least hesitate a little!"

I sighed. I'll admit defeat this time.

"Fine then have it your way! Just don't be rude to Varvara, you hear?"

"Hmph!"

Our squabble ended fast today. Wait, didn't she say she doesn't have time for me now? So, she generally has time for me, is that it?

I don't really understand this girl. And here I believed that she was becoming warm and friendly towards me. Hot and cold, ain't she?

"Can I have a bit of your time, miss Gauthier? I just have something to ask."

"I-is that so? Y-yes… I-I suppose…"

Varvara said it in a really hard-to-decipher tone. Then she glanced at me. Is she worried about something? I guess I need to reassure her, huh.

Varvara is someone with great xenophobia, base on what I observed. It's not as severe as she would faint in front of them, but hers was still quite worrying. Will she be alright, I wonder?

No. If I spoil her too much, she won't be able to grow, and she'll be stuck with a single friend, which was me. I must step out of this one.

I nodded to her as if it were an affirmation that it was alright for them to talk. Varvara retuned my nod in response, giving me a wry smile.

I can see Elisha getting annoyed with our silent exchange. But hey, why does she care so much?

Seeing as my presence would not be needed here, I made my way to the last test.

The last part of their conversation that I've heard was Elisha saying something like, "Don't worry, there's just something I wanted to ask. I'm not going to do anything that is out of line."

I left it out to both of them completely.

***

"Good work out there. You didn't show any mercy for the golem, have you?"

"Right? I'm not even bothered by it."

Dio laughed lightly at my offhanded reply.

"You saw what happened?"

He gave a light chuckle. "With miss Gauthier or the golem."

"Idiot. The golem, of course."

"Well, well. Look at you…"

He smiled puckishly, probably trying to tease me with Varvara.

Then as if complying to the topic of our conversation, he shifted his gaze towards the golem.

"Hmm. Not at all. Haven't seen anything. You really should have considered how there's normal fellows like us."

"Oh, shut it you. How dare you say that to an F-ranker life me."

That confirmed it. Dio didn't see anything at all, eh?

It only means how amazing Varvara's senses can be. Varvara seemed to have the highest capability here when it comes to battle sense. A little mismatched for her character, really.

"But really, Gleren, how did you end up being so close with miss Gauthier? From what I know you saved her once, right? What happened after that?"

"Hmm? One thing leads to other. And just so you know, Varvara's a really good girl. She's ain't like other who only see people by the worth of their ranks."

Hearing what I said, he smiled more mischievously than earlier.

So, this is the kind of person he is, huh? Enjoyer of someone's' story.

"There it is. The 'I'm proud of my girlfriend' declamation. Also, I'd never thought you'd go with Miss Gauthier, though. From what I thought, having such a beauty of a sister and that childhood friend, Miss Yamada Reina, you won't look twice at girls below their tier."

"I see, so that's how you see me, huh?"

"Are you not, though?" He laughed lightly.

But… that's not it. That's not how it works.

"It ain't like that. Varvara is beautiful inwardly and all her expressions are fascinating. She never pretends to those around her and she's always true to herself. She may be very shy but she's unexpectedly very brave. She's afraid of strangers, yet she still went her way to thank me when I tried to save her. She's the first one to do that. Normally, people would turn away as soon as they see the rank imprinted on my left shoulder, but she's not like that. She has a beauty that is different from Reina and Sofy."

Also I find Varvara cute as she is. That onez I'll keep it to myself.

I can't see myself right now, but I can feel my lips moving upward turning into smile. What is this feeling. Somehow, talking about people like Varvara makes my heart warm and there's these fluffy feelings inside me.

"Dude..."

Dio was holding his face which was clearly blushing. Is he even trying to hide it?!

"Hey, it's not like that. It's not like that, okay?!"

"Yeah, sure. Pfft."

"Hey!"

"Yeah, yeah. I apologize then. I said some nonsense out of nowhere."

Try harder hiding your entertained expression!

"Well, no matter. Also, we're not into some kind of relationship, got it? Seriously. We're friends and I think it's rude to Varvara that we're talking like this about her behind her back." I told him.

"I got it. Don't worry 'bout that."

(That's how you think, but what about her own feelings though?)

I thought I heard him mumble something, but it was so faint that I barely heard it.

As we were talking, Reina went in front of everyone and once again explained the rules for the next test.

Well, since this is just the same old CQC (Close Quarter Combat) test, I can tell what's the rule. More or less.

I saw Elisha and Varvara done talking, too.

***

The first thing Reina did was gather everyone at the side of the hall. Then, in the middle, she asked her fellow students council members to lay huge mats. They rolled out five mats in total. It seemed that the CQC test would be done by class again. Wait, so what should we do about the duel thing, then?

The mats that were laid were thick enough, and it seemed like it would lessen the impact even when we were thrown down on it. Seemed fleecy enough to avoid some injuries caused by a fall. Hmm, Reina rocks!

Reina began explaining.

"At this part of the test, you will be doing hand-to-hand combat, as mentioned earlier. In this part, the use of magic and anything other than physical body is prohibited. A deed that goes against this will receive a punishment. So, take note of that. The battle style you use is for you to choose. As long as you utilize nothing but your body, that will be accepted. Your opponent giving up or rendered unconscious will be your victory; otherwise, it is your loss. No one is excluded in this test. Do you have any questions?"

No one raised a hand. It was, after all, a simple rule.

Then, seeing as no one would ask any more questions, Reina looked at me and Roderick who was standing nearby in turn.

"As consideration for these two fools who requested for duel, we will allow them to do so. They will be partnered despite not being in the same class. And as a consequence, for this favor, the two of them will be the first to partake in the test. After finishing their stupid duel only we will commence our normal test. Did you get it?" She glared at the two of us.

"Yes…"

"Y-yes." This Reina really is scary, whenever shes in a mode like this.

"Then with that being said, you two get over here."

We were called at the center of the mats that was laid. It was in the third mat and in the middle of the hall.

Everyone in the first year's class had their eyes on us, as we were put specially in display by Reina. I don't know what she is planning but, I guess I have to follow her whims this time. Don't want her get angry.

Miss Tukogawa was watching this time as well as Elisha who were standing next to Varvara. What? You two are friends already…?

"Follow the rules. Doing otherwise will automatically count you as the loser. Did I made myself clear?"

"Yes/Yes." We answered in sync.

And with the preparation done, the last part of my test officially begun with both me and this idiotderick put on the spotlight.

Well, uh... this time, let's try to do things normally.