Chapter 139
The lazy spear wielder Pertigle doesn’t like to step forward.
He avoids busyness and enjoys being alone.
He hates hustle and bustle and seeks a laid-back life.
In the novel that Liam read, he had that kind of image.
He only appeared late in the festival episode that began when the protagonist’s party reached the second semester of their first year, and he was too lazy to even swing his spear before a fight.
Originally, he tends to avoid places full of people and noise, so even then, he tried to stay hidden.
However, no matter what anyone said, he “showed up” at the scene while lazily yawning.
It wasn’t hard to figure out why the sleep-loving, peace-seeking Pertigle showed up.
“Why is this festival so long… Isn’t today the last day? Let’s not drag it out longer and wrap it up quickly. I just want to sleep peacefully afterward.”
This was the sort of thing he said when he appeared in front of Arterion and his party.
“When it’s over, she won’t be a bother anymore…”
The “she” Pertigle referred to was Clemens, a fellow first-year and a candidate for student council president.
She was smart and ambitious, having noticed early on that Pertigle was hiding his strength and had approached him several times.
Since Pertigle had never shown his true self even once until that point, she disrupted his sleep every day to confirm it properly.
For these two reasons, Pertigle finally stretched his legs and placed a hand on his spear.
To others, it might have seemed like he was cursing or had a dismissive reason, but he collided with Arterion’s party, who were the top first-year fighters at the time.
They had a fierce showdown that was a “neck-and-neck” match.
Considering that Arterion hadn’t learned the red aura for long, it was clear he wasn’t alone.
The fact that he was accompanied by his sturdy shield, Lauga, and the quite talented magician, Fallon, directly showcased how impressive Pertigle’s spear skills were.
Once he revealed his true abilities, he ended up getting more hassle from Clemens than before, leading to a result that was contrary to his original intentions. Yet, it was clear what kind of person he was.
“Ugh, that’s enough. You all completely ruined my sleep…. I need to go somewhere else.”
With light movements, Pertigle leaped down from the tree.
Nothing too special about the action.
But remarkably, it was very graceful.
He was carrying a long spear, yet despite the added weight, the ground he landed on didn’t even make a single rustling sound.
After showing such an incredible sight, he continued to yawn as if nothing happened.
He was still yawning loudly as if nothing was wrong.
Facing him, Kaiman was poised, burning with a will for combat against the strong, which was completely the opposite.
In Pertigle’s eyes, there was not a hint of will. Only the emotions of sleepiness and annoyance were clearly communicated.
He spoke in a languid tone.
“Hmm? Now that I see, you’re quite a familiar face, New Student. …Ah, it’s a bit weird to call you a New Student since it’s already the second semester.”
Pertigle glanced at Liam. Liam, feeling noticed by the prominent figure Pertigle, asked.
“Do you know me?”
“Sort of…? Well, it’s more that I know your swordsmanship a bit.”
“Swordsmanship?”
“It’s because our spear art and style are the same. Since the roots split a long time ago, the movements are quite different, but since hardly anyone uses it, it caught my eye….”
Pertigle answered while rubbing his sleepy eyes.
The swordsmanship Liam practiced fundamentally followed skills, and these skills had a uniformity, though it seemed to be based on an original form rather than being the original itself.
Liam, who had little information about skills, wanted to ask more, but seeing Pertigle in his half-asleep state made him feel sorry for keeping him any longer.
Pertigle said,
“It’s good that First-Year Students are energetic, but please don’t do that where I am. I dislike noise… Haam. Anyway, just so you know, I’ll be going now….”
Kaiman completely ignored him and tried to back away.
As he turned his body and began to step away, he paused for a moment and continued speaking.
“Oh, and while I’m at it… could you tell that kid with black hair and fierce eyes to be a bit quieter? He’s too noisy.”
“The kid with black hair and fierce eyes… could it be Vargan?”
“Yeah, that kid… he’s the loudest in Academia these days. If he could just be quiet, it would be a bit more peaceful….”
Pertigle trailed off his unfinished sentence.
“If he keeps disturbing my sleep, no matter what, it’s going to get annoying… so I’m asking for a favor.”
That was the last thing he said before drifting away.
Before Liam could even ask what “noisy” meant, Pertigle disappeared in an instant.
Even extending his senses, Liam couldn’t figure out where he went.
All that was left were the leaves floating in the wind.
*
“So that happened….”
“And so what am I supposed to do about it?”
Liam fell silent at Vargan’s dismissive response. Vargan glared and said,
“It’s quite a strange coincidence to run into Pertigle, but am I supposed to change my pattern of behavior just because of some silly warning?”
“I didn’t say that much.”
“If following that guy’s advice alters my range of actions and I can’t achieve my planned goals, are you going to compensate for that?”
“No, wait. I didn’t say that far.”
“Then why bring it up and waste my time, Liam?”
“…….”
Liam briefly surveyed his surroundings.
He mentioned his encounter with Pertigle while subtly sharing Kaiman’s identity with Vargan.
From Liam’s observations, there was no change in Vargan’s expression, making it difficult to assess; he was curious if Vargan had already anticipated this fact and was acting accordingly.
If there were no special changes, asking directly might be an option.
Asking is also a method.
The story that follows is a conversation only among the reincarnated, and there could be problems if outsiders overhear it…
“Liam! You’ve been coming to the laboratory often lately. What’s up?”
“Oh, Emily….”
At that perfectly timed moment, three ladies appeared.
Childhood friend Emily, along with Alicia and the uniquely fox-eared Frieda, approached with quick steps.
Seeing his childhood friend welcoming him like this, Liam couldn’t just brush off the conversation with Vargan.
Emily, who had come close, asked.
“By the way, every time you come to the laboratory, it seems like you two are talking. Are you getting along better?”
“Uh… not really…”
“If that’s the nonsense you came to spout, why don’t you go finish your training, Emily?”
Vargan brushed off Emily’s question as if shaking off dust. He turned his gaze to Alicia, ignoring her further noise.
When Vargan’s eyes landed on her, Alicia gave a gentle and pleasant smile.
“Alicia. Tonight, I’ll check how well you can handle the changes in the form of aura, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, I understand, Young Master. I will prepare thoroughly.”
“Also regarding Curse Magic…”
As the conversation flowed between Vargan and Alicia and then between Liam and Emily, Frieda, who was left alone, quietly observed Vargan.
Recently, following Vargan’s orders, she had subtly leaked some information about Francesca to Clemens’ closest aides.
Frieda had something to report and settle with Vargan about that.
Looking for an opportunity to break into the conversation, she tried to read Vargan’s expression as he spoke with Alicia.
‘It doesn’t seem like he’s changed since before…’
Frieda had heard the unbelievable news that Vargan had made a date with Alicia for the festival. It was a statement that would gather undue attention on Vargan, a genius from the renowned Schugenharz family, blessed with incredible talent and looks.
It was impossible to tell whether he had a specific goal… or if he really had feelings for Alicia.
Even though it would be difficult to find distinct traits on Vargan’s face, as he was better at expressions and handling situations than she was, she was still struggling to gain at least minimal hints.
…However, even with Frieda’s skill in deception and acting, she couldn’t figure anything out before Vargan and Alicia finished their conversation.
Instead, she seized an appropriate moment to subtly approach Vargan and said.
“Vargan! I have something to ask and tell you, so do you have a moment?”
With a hint of charm in her voice, Frieda’s tone was bright.
It wasn’t necessary to keep what she couldn’t mention to those here as a secret.
Just saying she wanted to talk privately with Vargan would naturally allow a change of location. After all, suddenly disappearing with just two people would be suspicious.
Vargan agreed and took Frieda with him to a separate room prepared in the laboratory.
Left alone were the three, with Emily chuckling as she watched Frieda’s swaying tail from a distance.
She didn’t know what kind of conversation the two were having, but it was clear to her that Frieda was making an effort and pushing forward.
“Wow, she’s quite something.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just… in various ways. Liam doesn’t need to know.”
Emily was keeping an eye on Alicia.
I watched Shia’s insight.
She probably wouldn’t get angry over something so trivial, but thinking of Erica made her eyes sad… Hmm?
“Alicia… You seem fine, right?”
“Yes? Yes… But what are you talking about?”
“Huh?”
Emily looked flustered.
Alicia always showed some sign when Vargan was chatting or going out with his fiancée, Erica, but this time there was absolutely no hint of that.
Emily waved her hand awkwardly and laughed.
“Oh, no. It’s nothing…”
While they were having this conversation, the door to the private room where Vargan and Frieda had entered closed.
*
Once inside the private room, Frieda quickly made her report.
She organized it in the manner Vargan preferred—fast and concise—so the information was delivered in no time.
“…And so, I was able to leak information to Clemens’ closest aides.”
“Good, well done.”
Vargan took out a pouch of silver coins he had prepared. After giving Frieda her instructions, he always rewarded her like this.
But for some reason, Frieda merely stared blankly at the pouch in front of her without taking it.
“I wouldn’t have skimped on the amount.”
“Ah… No, it’s not about the amount.”
“Then what is it?”
“Um….”
Frieda tightly closed her mouth, pretending to think, then raised her eyes to look at Vargan.
With both hands hidden behind her, only her tail gently swayed like a willow leaf.
“Lord Vargan, would it be okay if I asked for something else?”
“It would go against the existing rules, but fine. As long as it’s not excessive, I’ll listen. What do you need?”
Frieda’s right foot, slightly pulled back, tapped the floor lightly.
Vargan’s gaze, facing her, lowered.
In a hesitant voice, Frieda spoke.
“Do you remember what I said earlier?”
“Earlier?”
“That… the night I first revealed my ears and tail to you under the moonlight.”
Frieda’s tail curled slightly, and she caressed it with both hands.
It was a mention of the time when she got caught secretly watching Vargan train, just before Vargan and Erica’s engagement anniversary.
Vargan responded.
“I remember.”
“Then… you also remember what I said that time, right?”
Back then, Frieda had told Vargan that she was interested in him and suggested they go somewhere together.
To which Vargan had replied…
— I have a prior engagement.
“At that time, you had plans to go out with Erica, so it wasn’t possible. I… didn’t express it, but I was really disappointed.”
Frieda’s voice gradually diminished like someone losing confidence.
However, as if she wouldn’t give up, she raised her head with a lonely smile.
Frieda listened briefly to the sound of her heart.
There was surely a small tremor from deep within her body where everything felt false.
She attempted to put it into words.
“During this festival, could you spare some time for me…?”
“Sorry.”
But…
Before Frieda could finish her sentence, before he even felt her delicate tremor,
“I have a prior engagement.”
He coldly rejected her proposal without even a hint of hesitation.
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