Chapter 35

Lola took a small breath but said nothing.

I continued speaking calmly.

"Like I said before, I can only use Magic Arrow. The academy doesn't value students like me. Just before the final exam that would decide my expulsion—out of fear, I ran away from the academy."

I still remember it.

That night, running down the road with my luggage, crying alone in the dark and gloomy capital.

A bitter feeling welled up in my chest.

"My father didn't forgive me for running back home. Though I didn't mention it, my family is a noble one—a marquis family."

Lola's eyes widened, perhaps because this was the first time she heard this information.

I continued speaking.

"The son who ran away from the academy—just a stain on the family. My father scolded me and expelled me from the house. That's when the house you remember was prepared for me—the one I lived in."

"..."

"The eldest son of the family was expelled. But it wasn't a big problem. My family had an excellent second son. A truly excellent man... he's now the commander of the Lizardman extermination army."

"Eh, that's—"

I nodded.

"Arranzia Luminas. That's my brother's name."

Lola's expression suddenly changed.

"Didn't you get invited by Rihilt to meet the commander...?"

I nodded.

"...Yeah. That's where I met my brother, Arranzia, again."

"...How was it...?"

I smiled faintly.

My face must have looked sad.

"It wasn't a touching reunion. Arranzia said, 'Nice to meet you, Albert.'"

"...That's terrible!"

It was a surprisingly sharp voice for Lola.

"That's too much! To say that to your brother! How could you... do such a thing!"

"It's not surprising. To my brother, I'm just a stain on the family."

I answered.

Indeed, at that time, I accepted it easily, thinking, "That's right."

But—

I was still a bit shocked.

I had hoped, even if it was just a tiny, less than 1% chance, that he might say something like, "Long time no see, brother. I'm glad you're doing well."

I shook my head.

"...So, that's why... thinking about the reunion with my brother and all the unpleasant things from the past, I was feeling down."

After telling everything—

I was a bit afraid of what Lola would say next.

I'm a failure who ran away from the academy and was expelled from my family.

If Lola dislikes me, it's understandable—

Lola let out a big sigh.

It was a sigh of relief.

"Oh, that's what it was. I'm relieved."

Lola said this in a bright voice.

Then, she said, "Ah!"

"I-I'm sorry! I said such a thing about your worries, Albert!"

I was taken aback by Lola's reaction.

"...You don't dislike me...?"

"Why would I?"

Lola blinked, genuinely confused.

I spoke.

"Because, you know—my embarrassing past. Failures and setbacks. That's all I am."

"So what about that!"

Lola looked me straight in the eye and said,

"What does that matter! You just failed! That won't change how I see the current Albert!"

"—!?"

"Failures and setbacks are what shaped the current Albert. And I like the current Albert! That won't change anything!"

After saying that, Lola became flustered.

"Um, that is! I mean, as a... friend! Yes!"

I laughed a little at Lola's reaction.

"Thank you, Lola."

I see.

What matters is the 'now' me.

There are people who laugh at my past, like Arranzia and the drunk noble I met later.

But there are also people who see the current me.

Lola didn't care about my past at all.

Furin, who knew my past, genuinely rejoiced in my commendation at the academy and celebrated the current me.

The world isn't full of enemies.

Not everyone thinks I'm worthless.

There are people who accept me—accept the current me.

The world moves on, time progresses.

And the people around me change. My father and brother who dislike me aren't the whole of my world.

Before I knew it—

A wonderful new continent had spread out in my once gray world.

I can just ignore the people who laugh at my past.

"Lola"

"Yes?"

"I'm really glad to have you as a friend. I may be a bit unreliable for my age—but please stay friends with me."

Lola took my outstretched hand with both of hers.

"That night, you said you'd be friends with me forever, no matter what. So—"

Lola smiled and continued.

"This time, I'll make the promise. We'll always be friends. I'll stick to this no matter what happens."

But as soon as she let go—

Lola took a few wobbly steps back. She tensed her shoulders and looked at me intently.

There was a sense of distance.

Ah, that...

Was what she said just a spur of the moment thing?

Did she not really mean it?

Is my sense of relief about to shatter?

Lola spoke hesitantly.

"Um... I was talking too casually just now, but, you know, Albert is a great noble! I'm sorry! Even though I didn't know, I just—"

...Ah.

Yes, in this world, class is absolute. There's a huge, insurmountable wall between commoners and nobles.

It's natural for Lola to be concerned.

But—

I smiled and shook my head.

"Forget it."

"Huh?"

"You don't need to worry about my background. I was expelled from my family anyway. I'm just Albert. That's enough."

I want to value the people who see the current me. It's strange to cling to the old, faded titles from my past.

I should just throw them away.

"Stay friends with me as you always have, Lola. Otherwise, I'll be sad."

Hearing my words, Lola nodded happily.

"Yes! I look forward to working with you!"

I learned about Lola's background—

And Lola learned about my past.

I felt that we had finally become true friends.

That's when—

"Break's over! Let's get moving!"

The captain's voice echoed.

Lola and I looked at each other and headed back to our positions.

The burden in my chest was gone. A refreshing feeling spread through my heart.