Chapter 101.3 - The Second Year at the Academy - [Lanain] (2)
“Jonas has been a friend since childhood.”
Ignoring my suspicions, Elliott began introducing Jonas.
He was from the same Philsatch as Elliott and, due to his father’s job, often visited the company. With few peers around, they quickly became friends, sharing dreams of Elliott becoming an adventurer and Jonas a wizard.
Later, when Elliott decided to go to Selen, Jonas persuaded his father, even going as far as asking for the tuition fees.
“So, I want to improve my skills quickly and start earning tuition fees,” Jonas added.
A likable motive.
However, my face tightened at his next words.
“Jonas’s father is an alchemist. He’s excellent as a wizard too—”
Elliott boasts about his companion.
But in my mind, the missing piece clicked into place.
This guy—the one roaming the garden!
Of all people…
Does Elliott know? This is the one the dean chased with a broomstick.
I had a bad feeling and concentrated, scanning the surroundings.
“Ted. Are you planning to introduce your sister to us now?”
“Well, yes. Why do you ask like that?”
As expected.
My ‘sense detection’ had caught the familiar presence approaching.
Ted stood up at the knock.
And amidst everyone’s gaze—
“Lily-san!?”
As expected, Jonas jumped up.
Then, he rushed over, pouring out words in a torrent.
“Nice to meet you after yesterday, Lily-san! I couldn’t greet you this morning due to some errands, I apologize! Anyway, meeting you in a place like this! Surely, it’s the fate guided by the goddess Letya! We have no choice but to be together! Let’s date with marriage in mind! No, let’s get married!”
Lily’s eyes rolled in their sockets.
This was not the best place for this. Elliott, do something instead of being surprised.
While everyone was frozen, Lily somehow managed to bow her head.
“I’m sorry. Even if it’s someone I’m meeting for the first time, to say such things—”
“Hahaha, Lily-san is good at jokes! When you were working in the garden, I watched over you from the rooftop of the magic forge, and when you went home, I saw you off to your house!”
“A stalker, aren’t you?”
I couldn’t help but interject.
This guy is worse than I imagined. He’s not the kind of boy with innocent romantic feelings.
“A stalker? A monster?”
Jonas looked around the room, puzzled.
Anyway, saying he sees her off means he knows Lily is a refugee.
I didn’t expect it to be revealed with such a motive and action.
Well, if it’s the dean, he’ll probably handle it well, and there’s no need to worry.
Besides, these kinds of guys are possessive, so I can’t imagine him telling anyone else.
Now—how to deal with this guy.
When Elliott and I made eye contact, he desperately shook his head.
“It’s a coincidence! I never thought Jonas would have feelings for Lily-san!”
“Even if that’s the case, what are you going to do about that?”
Before I knew it, Jonas was pouring out fantasies about married life.
The person in question calmly brushed it off, seemingly lost in thought about something.
Probably trying to remember who Lily is.
When I saw her at the academy, Lily greeted everyone she passed with a polite bow.
That may work for encountering nobles, but it’s causing trouble by attracting weirdos. Enrollment in alchemy classes has actually increased.
To stop the escalating fantasies, Elliott stood up.
And that’s when it happened.
“You won’t have my sister! If you really want her, try defeating me!”
Ted jumped in between them, spreading his arms boldly.
Not only Jonas but also we had dumbfounded faces at the sudden declaration.
What are you saying out of nowhere?
However, it seems the bizarre thought process unique to overly positive stalker types has created a mysterious scenario.
Jonas tightened his face.
“Fine. Whoever tries to bind Lily-san will get no mercy!”
“Wait a minute! I’m Lily’s sister too!”
For some reason, even Jema joined the fray, standing side by side with Ted.
Jema’s age seems uncertain, and she might not be older. She’s not related by blood anyway.
“No one will disturb our happiness! Whether it’s a brother or a sister, even the old man in the garden, we’ll defeat them all!”
Ah, it’s over.
Upon hearing the last words, Lily’s expression changed.
The old man in the garden is not just an employer; he’s also a benevolent figure treating her like a grandchild.
It must be an unforgivable statement.
Jonas, completely intoxicated with himself, didn’t notice that Lily’s gaze had become sharp.
It was a fleeting love.
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