The Academy’s Crude Pink-Haired Martial Artist

There were quite a few things happening over the past two days.

My father and uncle visited the Academy, and even the Nameless Captain showed up too.

The next day, I received an invitation from the Imperial Palace, entered the Treasure House, brought out an Artifact made by Luna, and stumbled upon headache-inducing information in the Forbidden Library.

And that night, I wrapped up a very fair and tidy deal with the Information Guild.

So after those long, eventful two days, the following day was remarkably peaceful.

There were no rumors about me and Yurasia visiting the Imperial Palace, nor were there whispers about us raiding the Treasure House and Forbidden Library.

Surely the Emperor wouldn’t let even the Royal Family’s minions have their way?

Whatever it is, it’s a good thing.

Being in the spotlight is nice, but getting more attention than I can handle is burdensome.

However, there was one change from before.

The students were avoiding me.

Of course, they avoided me before too.

Being the only daughter of the Eustetia line, I might be pretty, but my demeanor is terrible, my speech is rough, and I had that incident with the Vice Headmaster and my homeroom Professor… so it’s no surprise they avoided me.

But now it’s intensified.

It feels like they don’t even want to look my way. No, it seems they’re even reluctant to be in the same space as me.

Earlier, when I went to the bathroom, a girl washing her hands panicked and bolted out when she saw me.

Well… I don’t really care, but I worry that Yurasia, who sticks by my side, might lose her friends too.

And then, a new student… or rather, a new follower has attached herself to me.

“Eliaernes.”

A student with flowing platinum hair and a haughty gaze glared at me.

“Good morning.”

Silina de Herman.

The student I least wanted to become close with keeps sticking around.

She had been looking at me with a strange gaze for a while, so I dashed away nervously, but we ended up bumping into each other in the classroom.

What could I do? We’re in the same class…

“Good morning.”

“Did you get home alright yesterday?”

“Well, it was alright.”

“I heard Yurasia came back to the Academy first and you returned at midnight after curfew. Is that true?”

…I must have asked the security guy guarding the Academy’s main gate to keep it a secret, but he spilled the beans.

“I was late because I was having dinner with my dad.”

“I heard that Duke Eustetia left a note saying he would return to the duchy around 9 PM.”

Silina’s eyes narrowed.

“And I heard there was a huge fight in the back alleys last night.”

“Isn’t that just a normal occurrence?”

“They said it happened at a tavern called [Pierceous].”

Does she know what I did yesterday?

Did someone in that tavern have contact with Silina?

I should’ve told them to keep their mouths shut, I shouldn’t have left them with intact jaws.

Once the outdoor restrictions are lifted, I’ll go crush their jaws. Damn dogs.

I clicked my tongue inwardly and shrugged my shoulders.

“Sounds like you got drunk and started a brawl.”

Meanwhile, Silina seemed determined to continue glaring at me with her narrowed eyes.

With a strange snort, she continued to glare.

Ugh, I really want to stab her.

“Who do you think I heard this information from?”

“Hmm.”

“I heard it from Fabiana.”

“Oh, I see.”

Silina, who was staring at me with a bored expression, leaned slightly forward and whispered.

“The tavern you wrecked yesterday? To be precise, the [Uranos] Information Guild. That’s managed by Fabiana.”

I was curious how that shabby Information Guild could have so much info, but if a princess was backing it up, that changes everything.

But…

“Is that trashy… I mean, the person who founded that guild is Fabiana?”

“She didn’t found it, but she has a similar level of control over it… no, it’s different from yours.”

They seemed to be of such low quality that it’s hard to believe she could exert that kind of control. Did she purposely pick those kinds of people?

Is that really Fabiana?

It’s hard to believe.

Just by looking at her yesterday, it was clear she had no idea what her subordinates could do or where they were.

And it’s the Cartel that actually controls them.

Fabiana was only making selfish deals with them and isn’t really their boss.

Well, that’s that.

“So, what’s it to me?”

What does she want me to do?

“…What?”

“Whether I break it down or go out and kill them, what’s your reason for asking?”

Silina’s expression turned blank.

For a moment, she composed herself and put on a faux serious expression and spoke in her typical condescending tone.

“Even if they’re trash, they’re still citizens of the Empire living within it. Committing acts of ruthless violence against such people is against the Empire’s laws.”

Ruthlessness and violence, or whatever nonsense.

I snorted – wide-eyed and stared at Silina.

“Don’t dance around and just get to the point.”

“…About that info you requested yesterday.”

Silina’s lips began to flap.

Then she cautiously looked around before leaning a little closer. The citrus scent wafting from her lush platinum hair was striking.

“I heard it got to the Cartel’s ears.”

“And?”

“…I heard an order came down to cut it off.”

This time, I was a little surprised.

The information I requested yesterday was twofold.

One was about the underground of the system, and the other was regarding Eustetia’s side branch.

I’ve already gotten the first one. And I left the second for two days later.

So, what Silina is saying must be regarding the second one.

Eustetia’s side branch.
They cut the information about those guys from the Cartel.

Why?

What are they trying to hide?

“Silina, right now… if I just hear you out, my already negative opinion might plunge further down. Am I correct?”

Silina didn’t respond.

“If that’s not the case, are you trying to use me, or maybe Eustetia, as a political weapon of the Royal Family? That was the impression I got that the side branch leans towards the princes.”

“That’s not it.”

She responded immediately this time.

“Fabiana is worried about you. And… I worry about you a little, just a little. But still, Eliaernes, no matter how rude you are, you’re still my benefactor. Um.”

Who’s calling who rude?

I narrowed my eyes and glared at Silina.

Silina met my gaze confidently.

“If it’s a lie that the Cartel gave the order to cut off the information, you’ll be in big trouble.”

“No matter how you think of me, it’s not a lie.”

“Hmm.”

It’s true… it doesn’t seem like a lie.
It seems like she’s genuinely worried about me.

Then, for now, I can set aside my doubts about Fabiana and Silina, and shift my thoughts to the connection between the side branch and the Cartel.

What could they be teaming up for?

Eustetia’s side branch.
Specifically, I suspect the Shivria family.
Of course, I’ve heard there’s another side branch in this academy apart from Shivria, but right now the one I’m suspicious of is Shivria.

They’re being too flashy.
They’re barking without any fear.

It’s common for side branches to despise the main family, so I can treat that as normal, but this is excessive.
No, rather than hating, they seem to be disregarding the main family.

The side branch looks down on the main family.
They take it lightly.
They’re not doing that without any evidence; they must have some.

And if they share that evidence with other branches, they might conspire to do something ridiculous together with discontent folks from the main family. I’m sure of it.

And what they aim for in the end must be to rebel against the main family.

But even if they gather their forces, if Muyeong moves, they’ll do nothing and just drop dead.

They should know that too.
Why are they acting out like this?
And the most confusing thing is the order from the Cartel.

“Who did you hear that the Cartel ordered to cut the information?”

“…I have someone hidden in the Cartel.”

“If you can know the upper management’s orders directly, that person is probably of a pretty high position. So what do they do?”

“Why are you asking so confidently?”

Silina looked at me as if I were ridiculous.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you just told me?”

“…Why?”

Silina tilted her head. I also slightly leaned my head and looked at her.

“You really seem to lack political sense.”

“…What kind of nonsense is that? Even if it’s you… that statement just now I can’t let go easily if there’s no proper basis.”

Seeing Silina’s upset expression made me chuckle. I was about to explain immediately.

But…

Deeng- deeng-

The giant bell ringing throughout the streets of the system interrupted me. Following that, drurrrk, the classroom door opened, and the sound of elegant high heels filled the room.

Clack. Clack.

“Everyone, good morning.”

Our homeroom Professor, Adelia Baros.
Walking into the classroom gracefully, Adelia scanned the room and smiled brightly.

“I have some news for you all. So let’s quickly take your seats,” she said.

“…tch.”

Silina clicked her tongue softly as she turned to look at me after hearing Adelia’s words.

“Tell me later, during break.”

“I don’t like the tone of command.”

“…You are really so cocky.”

“What’s cocky between classmates?”

Silina’s face flushed bright red.

“…Will you tell me?”

“Think about it.”

I smugly grinned at Silina.

Then Silina crunched her fist tightly, but I pretended not to see and waved my hand.

“Go sit down.”

“…You better watch your back.”

With that parting comment, Silina headed over to an empty seat on the opposite side.
At the same time, Yurasia, who had been trembling from afar, hurriedly ran over and sat next to me.

“Ah, Young Lady…! Good morning!”

“Yeah. Good morning, Yurasia.”

Just a moment ago her face looked anxious, but now that she took the seat next to me, her face broke into a bright smile.

Her expression, which previously looked horrid while Silina had been around, was now in stark contrast – a cheerful greeting naturally appeared on her face.

As I chuckled at Yurasia’s bright expression, clap! Adelia clapped her hands to gather everyone’s attention.

“Everyone’s seated, great! First, before we start, I have good news and even better news? Which one do you want to hear first?”

Though she said there was good and better news, Adelia’s smile seemed to hide a strange annoyance.

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