Sword, Magic and Academic Society

I stealthily took a look at the banquet hall's state as I leaned slightly on the one-sided door that was right behind the food table.

I spotted a few people frequenting the balcony, which I guess must be there for people to take a breather, so I acted naturally and entered from there, pretending to be one of them.

The banquet hall was extremely vast— something I noticed due to my old habit, attended by at least 1500 people. The interior was a masterpiece, though given the hotel's long-standing history of 300 years, it would be strange if it wasn’t. The design, while grandiose, had a certain elegance to them, one that you couldn't find any fault in.

However, I had a huge doubt that the entire crowd was composed of just young nobles. It was a joint event of two great nobles, but I didn't think even the royal capital would be harboring that many of them. I presume rest must be composed of quasi-nobles, the attendants, and some influential commoners.

I also spotted quite a number of young ones, seemingly the siblings of some of the attendees, who came from other schools than the Royal Academy.

They all were dressed in varying dresses, from formal to stunning casuals, something that fit their status well. I was wearing a light gray jacket over a white shirt and beige pants— something my elder sister had chosen for me during our shopping trip the other day.

Honestly, I was about to drop by in my usual, easy-to-move attire, but recalling that Rune Makize was a first class hotel, I changed my mind. Phew, I so wanted to pat the back of the old me. It would have been so embarrassing if I really walked in wearing a T-shirt and short pants equivalent from Earth. And I must pass my gratitude to my elder sister too, who found this attire for me.

I couldn't tell precisely due to the crowd, but it seemed like Fey and Jeu were somewhere in the prominent position of this banquet, and similarly, some of the students from the Royal Academy also seemed to be there.

Well, it was one burden off my shoulders that I wouldn't run along with them there. I served myself some of the delicious looking dishes, stuffing my cheeks with them while quietly listening to the conversation of a group of six girls, all appearing older than me.

"The young Lady Jeuri of the Leverance family is so pretty. I always knew she was a talented seed, still I can't contain my awe for her. Qualifying for Class A in the Royal Academy, and a user of holy magic with talent said to be on par with 'Saintess Sari'. She's an ace in both academics and magic. Last I heard, she's even providing healing for free at the church. I honestly have nothing but admiration for her as a fellow woman~."

"I myself had been startled by the beauty of Feyrune-sama when I had the chance to gaze at her for the first time. What does she not have? She's the legitimated child of the Dragoon family, and a talented artificer. Yet, she is also quite brave to dauntlessly face this crowd! Dignity like that at this age is definitely the sign of a great person!

I can totally understand why even Meria-sama, the 'Empress' of the Dragoon family, would choose Feyrune-sama as her successor even though she is barely past the age of 12, granting her the title of 'Von'. It is indeed truth when she's called the treasure of the Dragoon family!"

Oh~? For a moment, I thought they were talking about someone else, but it was about those two idiots, huh? I guess I gave them too little credit for their charisma.

I quietly glanced at the two. Fey was wearing a gleaming dress that revealed her shoulders, while Jeu was wearing a one piece dress with minimal exposure and a calm color. Both of them looked dignified as they chatted with the participants lining up to talk to them.

Behind them were their knights acting as their escorts at an appropriate distance, making sure to not get in the way of their master, while also at a range they could immediately react to anything untold that might happen to them.

Wow, they truly look like exalted members of a prestigious marquis family at this moment. Oh wait, not just 'look' like, they really were part of one. It was really hard to remember this with how they typically acted.

"The man with piercing eyes standing next to Feyrune-sama is Parry Abenil-sama, I presume? He's so handsome. I think I may have a thing for that wild aura he's emanating. What a martial spirit at such a young age.

It's definitely impossible to cultivate that fortitude without shedding sweat in training constantly. Heehee, I may already be head over heels for him. I wonder if I can have a chance to greet him."

A beautiful older sister said while gently clapping her hands, her eyes bore an awestruck look as if she was looking at her favorite celebrity.

Parry-kun...... Maybe we weren’t meant to be friends in this lifetime......

Then the topic of discussion amidst the group of six girls shifted to the other students, sharing the news about one Royal Academy student after another. It was in such detail that I really wondered if they were present back when the events happened.

Well, though they occasionally spoke of some idiotic things, like how they liked it when their coach yelled at them or in another case, talking about the mystery surrounding Popol-senpai in the Hill Road Club. I listened to all this with an odd expression when someone suddenly called out to me.

"Heya. What're you doing standing here alone? You know you ought to make the best of this opportunity, as they say ‘Time waits for no one’. Oh, maybe it's your party?"

I turned around to the direction of voice and came face to face with an amicable looking grandpa— actually he was just a 10-year-old boy, but I couldn't help but relate him to one of those grandpas with the 'kind' aura he was emanating.

"Correct, it's my first time. I was a bit clueless, so here I am. Was it so obvious, though?"

The boy's smile deepened.

"Haha, kind of. In fact, I had been watching you since a while ago. Your clothes look fresh out of the shop, plus your meek persona. It told me you prefer to make your spot at ease rather than forcing your way into the horde eager to make a connection with the bigwigs. By the way, I’m Makite from Leverance. Pleased to meet you."

Makite-san spoke, introducing himself as he held out his hand.

"Yes, you're so correct! And likewise, it's my pleasure! I’m from Dragoon, the name's Pork......"

......Shit. I ended up using the accursed alias that I had sealed in the depths of my memory. I just wanted to avoid giving away any clue that may accidentally connect Ren and Allen's identity!

"Pig? Are you, err, the son of some pig farm owner or something?"

"......Embarrassingly, I am."

I spoke while scratching my face at my fumble. Though Makite-san looked straight at my eyes and said,

"......W-What a wonderful name! Your parents must have chosen this name on the basis of their adoration for pigs! It rocks!"

......Maybe Makite-san was truly just an extremely good-natured person.

Afterward, he taught me some etiquette like how to correctly hold my plate. Apparently, I looked like an oddball due to my inadequate manners.

"Basically, you should hold all your dishes, glasses, and forks with your non-dominant hand, keeping your other hand free at all times.

With a bit of practice, anyone can do it.

Like earlier, it’s fine if there's a side table nearby when you need to shake someone’s hand, but it’s not very smart to scramble to find a place to put things down when there isn’t one."

See, I was totally correct. He was definitely a helpful person.

"I get it now! Thank you very much!"

I bowed in gratitude.

Meanwhile, the group of 6 girls seemed to have changed their topic again, seemingly having enough about the gossip of the Royal Academy students.

"Everything's good but...... that person is really not gracing the party with his presence, huh?"

"So it seems. Maybe that person is truly an aloof person, or else he wouldn’t relentlessly put up a cold front when Fey-sama and Jeu-sama are expressing their love for him so obviously."

"Like a cold knife, if I may. You know touching him would result in naught but a wound, yet you can't resist the fatal temptation. Ah, what a sinful man, truly."

"I believe he must be a man of unparalleled charm......"

I could feel the nerves on my face cramping.

Please let it be Leo. Please let it be Leo. Hell, I would totally garland him if he professed himself as a sinful man, or a man with unparalleled charm.

““Oh, where are you~, Allen Rovenne-sama!””

............Ahahaha, I guess I had enough of this party. Time to return.

I had just made my resolve to fade out immediately from the scene when Makite-san grabbed my shoulder and grinned.

"Right, let me show you how to expand your acquaintance circle at a party. I just happen to have exciting information in my hands."

Then, while keeping his hand on my shoulder, he called out to the girls' group.

"Good day to you, ladies. Would you know, I just happened to have a piece of information for your liking? In fact, I would say you can't do without this information— the key person you must see through if you want to close the distance with Allen-kun, yet everyone overlooks him."

◆◆◆

"Oh, where are my manners. I am Makite, from Leverance. One of my friend's acquaintances is actually in the Leverance information department, and that's how I managed to get my hands on this piece of information. But I assure you ladies, no one is privy to this name, despite having their presence in the party."

Makite-san was brimming with confidence, yet I could only feel as if a demon was screeching.

Besides, wasn't a friend of a friend basically a stranger in Earth's terms? Maybe I was mistaking how this world worked?

Nevertheless, the girls’ eyes gleamed in radiance.

"A super-important figure everyone has overlooked......?"

"I absolutely do want to know. Would you please share the details with us?"

Makite-san quietly murmured in triumph seeing that the girls had taken his bait.

"Of course, but you know right, equivalent exchange? I assure you this information has not reached anyone else's ear yet, and knowing it means victory. No, you would have absolute dominance over your competitors."

"......Oh? I feel more and more inclined to hear your words, Makite-san. But are you sure that person is here at the party?"

Huh, why do I feel like the girls here seem to be aware of all my friends already, or at least have a general grasp of them.

"If I say so, then it's true. A credible person knows better than to spread a baseless rumor, after all. It's a surefire way to lose your credibility."

......

Makite-san looked delighted as he saw the girls frolicking around him...... I may not be right, but it felt more like they had 'surrounded' him.

My mind was seized with nervousness, compelling me to say something here. However, the name Makite-san pronounced with such confidence instead stunned me...... more due to how the name that should hardly be relevant suddenly popped up here.

"The man's name is...... Duid Moonlight. He's the son of a viscount family in the Dragoon territory, and similarly, a student of the Royal Academy."