I Became The Academy's Narrow-Eyes

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 – Narrow-eyed man’s favorite

April 4th, 2023

“I haven’t even finished eating yet, why…”

The man holding a skewer in both hands extended them as if to demonstrate, having heard Drin muttering to himself.

“Originally, holding something like this with both hands and eating it like this makes it more delicious.”

“I didn’t ask you to listen to me!”

“Oh, excuse me. I accidentally overheard. Anyway, thank you for guiding me this far.”

As the man began to create an atmosphere like he was leaving, Drin was taken aback.

“Excuse me? Wasn’t the destination here, in Zone 4?”

“No. But I think I can manage from here without your help.”

“Don’t be like that, let me guide you.”

“Do you know where I’m going?”

“…Where are you headed?”

“Hmm~”

The man looked at the woman with a meaningful expression, his eyes and mouth creased with a smile.

“D-Don’t look at me like that – ah! Don’t look at me with those eyes, just tell me where you’re going!”

“I was planning on heading to Zone 1.”

“Oh! If you’re heading to Zone 1, I can guide you there! That’s my final destination too. What a coincidence!”

Although Drin spoke with genuine enthusiasm, the man’s expression remained intense.

“Hmmm~”

“What now?”

“No, I was just wondering if you’re purposely trying to inconvenience yourself by guiding me.”

“Why would I do that?!”

“If you say so, I believe you. Why are you getting angry?”

“You’re the one who made the rude assumption!”

“Oh? Was that so rude? Then let me apologize.”

“I’m sorry for raising my voice too.”

Drin, who felt that only she was being emotional, cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure. But the man couldn’t help but laugh at her without her noticing.

“If that’s the case, could I ask you one more favor?”

“Just leave it to me.”

While walking ahead, she turned around to confirm that the man was following her closely. He was walking two steps behind her. She smiled mischievously.

“Did you find a reason to come closer to me now?”

This was a sarcastic remark as he had refused to get closer when she had led the path earlier, saying that there was no reason to get closer.

“Huh? Oh! You scared me! When did you come so close?

Drin’s expression became stiff upon seeing his reaction. The man, however, naturally laughed it off.

“Hahaha! Just kidding. You’re not a dangerous person anymore, I know that.”

“Then why are you still keeping your distance?”

“Well, scary things are scary, regardless of whether you’re a dangerous person or not. Remember the nobleman who was afraid of you?”

“He wasn’t afraid… Never mind. What did you want to say?”

Drin had chosen a path that led straight from district four to district one. Upon confirming that district one was close, she relaxed.

“By the way, what business do you have in district one?”

“Is it really necessary to have a reason? I could be from district one originally. Do you think someone like me could not be from district one? Is that what you thought?”

“Wow. If I said something wrong… Honestly, I had that thought, even if only slightly. I’m sorry.”

The man was surprised rather than amused by Drin’s frank apology as she lowered her head honestly.

“You’re really needlessly honest.”

“There’s no such thing as being too honest. Honesty is a virtue.”

“To call it a virtue, what if I was hurt by what you said?”

“…I agree. While honesty is a virtue, my way of talking has many shortcomings unrelated to that.”

“You certainly seem that way.”

Snap.

Drin forced a smile and looked at him.

“You are the one who is unnecessarily honest.”

“But you said honesty is a virtue?”

“Then stop beating around the bush and speak honestly! What business do you have visiting Zone 1?”

“To participate in the Academy entrance exam.”

“Ah. To participate in the Academy entrance exam- huh?”

Drin’s gaze looked up and down at him.

“Oh! Did you just think ‘he is going to the academy exam? The academy isn’t what it used to be.’, didn’t you!”

“What!? No! Of course not!”

“What did you think about it then?”

“Well, it’s going to be a tough exam…”

“Isn’t that so!?”

“Ahem, I’m sorry. You may have a talent that I don’t know about. By any chance, how about your proficiency in the sword?”

“I’m a beginner!”

“Ah…”

It was a deep sigh that came from the depths of his heart.

“No, what is that sigh!!!”

“Shouldn’t you keep those thoughts to yourself? Is that also some kind of honesty?”

“By any chance, where did you learn swordsmanship?”

He spoke, spreading his arms wide.

“There was no one for me to learn from. After all, isn’t the world which is full of teachings, the best teacher?”

“Ah…”

“Rather than sighing like you’re looking at a pitiful person, wasn’t it something to admire? I thought I said something pretty cool.”

“To be honest, to my eyes, it only looked like a superficial display.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Honestly, to my eyes, it seems like you don’t even have the basics down.”

“If we were to base it on the academy exam, how would it be?”

“To be honest, I think it would be difficult.”

“Um, I wanted to mention something while I have the chance. Just because you add ‘honestly’ in front of it doesn’t make everything you say truthful. Can’t you see the countless daggers that are lodged in my heart right now? Well, anyway. The truth is, I’m pretty confident. I’m taking the academy entrance exam.”

He raised his thumb confidently.

To Drin, it just seemed like he was forcing it and trying to look cool.

“What’s your basis for that?”

“That look on your face that says you really don’t know anything. It hurts. Well, to be honest. If you were to ask me what my basis is, I wouldn’t have an answer.”

“What? Then why did you come to Arienne to take the exam without any basis?”

“Isn’t it a great show of decision-making skills?”

“I think ‘reckless’ is a more appropriate term…”

“Ugh, one more dagger added.”

“What is this…”

Drin showed a surprised reaction but then fell into thought.

“Well then, how about this? If you’re okay with it, I’ll take a look at your sword for you.”

When Drin made a good suggestion, the man stared at her intently.

No matter what expression he made, his face always looked the same, but as I continued to interact with him, I could see a subtle difference in his expressions.

“What’s that expression?”

“Well, you seem to say such things with confidence that you can judge whether I can pass the Academy entrance exam. You have great confidence.”

“It’s a confidence based on evidence, unlike yours. Do you doubt me?”

“No way. I’ve seen what you can do. The fear from back then still…”

“I want to sow that fear in your heart once again. This time, more clearly. So you can’t waver anymore.”

Drin playfully tapped the handle of the sword hanging from her waist.

“I guess you thought you could hit me with that excuse of looking at my sword. I almost got in big trouble by accepting it.”

“Don’t worry about that. My sword isn’t so dull as to injure the weak.”

“Then what are the hundreds of blades piercing my heart right now… I guess looking at my sword is a way to test me?”

“There’s no more certain way to understand than your sword.”

“Hmm, I’m not really in the mood for it.”

“Why not?”

“I have an exam coming up, and I could get hurt.”

The Drin smiled at the man, as if he found him cute.

“What’s that expression?”

“No, the reason I avoid sparring is because I’m afraid I’ll get hurt. But there’s something about it that seems very much like you.”

Drin said confidently, with her hand on her chest.

“Anyway, you don’t have to worry about that. You won’t get hurt.”

“I said that considering the possibility of you getting hurt as well.”

“But that’s even more unlikely. If you so much as scratch me…”

“If I do?”

“It would be a truly surprising event.”

At the surprising conclusion, he cocked his head.

“A truly surprising event? Is that it?”

“What else do you want?”

“I find it rather dull.”

“Well, then. What do you suggest I do?”

“When this kind of thing happens, don’t you usually say something like ‘If you so much as scratch me, I’ll do whatever you ask!’?”

“Is that so? Then, if you win, I’ll grant you one request, as you suggested.”

“Ah, not so fast. Are you sure that’s okay? You don’t know what kind of request I might make.”

“You don’t have to worry or expect anything like that. You won’t be asking me for anything. Oh, then, even if I win, will you grant me a request?”

“Me? Why me?”

“Why not? Isn’t that fair?”

“Then does that mean you acknowledge me as an equal opponent?”

“Well…if that’s the case, then what should we do?”

“Are you asking me that?”

“You seemed to have talked as if you knew.”

The man shrugged his shoulders at Drin’s attitude, as if he was asking for rules of a game.

“Well, in that case, usually we would impose some restrictions.”

“Oh, restrictions. Then I won’t move from my spot. Oh, and I only use my right hand. By the way, I’m left-handed.”

“Oh, then I could aim to win by throwing rocks from a distance.”

“Go ahead and try. I’ll make sure it comes back to you so hard that you’ll be unconscious until the day of the Academy entrance exam.”

“Haha, of course it was a joke.”

Tsk.

A sound came out of the man’s mouth as he turned his head.

“Oops! I definitely bit my tongue just now!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. By the way, aren’t you underestimating me? Even if you don’t move from your spot and use only one hand, and my right hand at that, as a left-handed person.”

“Come to think of it, it would be difficult.”

“As expected, right?”

“It would be difficult for me to hurt you, so if I make you move from your position, I win. How about that?”

“…Are you going to grant my request?”

“You’ll know when you do that.”

“You won’t regret it later?”

“That’s up to you.”

They changed course and went into a deserted back alley.

It was a showdown.

It was a chance for her to earn respect from the man who treated her as just a scary and strong person.

At the same time, it was a chance to give the man who had been teasing her a punch in the face.

“Hehe…”