Chapter 134: 134

It was after school, and the classroom was basked in a reddish hue from the setting sun.

I left my seat after the end of HR and headed towards Prince Atol, who was reclined back in the last row looking pompous.

“Prince, may I have a word?”

“… what?”

The same irreverent attitude as ever.

It’s like the feeling of royalty, but it makes me angry to think that this is the one who’s been sulky ever since I heard Kayone’s story.

“I’m not sure if it’s better to wait until after the others have left, or would you like to go somewhere else?”

I turned and asked Kayone, who was seated in front of the prince with a graceful posture.

“Yes, do you mind if we wait a moment?”

The duel was not something that should be spoken openly about.

I had a bad reputation to begin with, and it would cause even more rumors. Besides, it would be a scandal for the prince’s side if they knew that he was picking a fight with someone from another country.

“I understand.”

I nodded at Kayone and sat down on an empty seat nearby.

It was the seat of the tiger boy who had scurried off when I approached him.

He was a regular member of the soccer team, I believe, with an almost human appearance.

I remember that when he introduced himself at the beginning of the semester, he excited everyone in the class by declaring that he would be a regular member of the team by the end of the year.

It’s incredible, isn’t it?

Beastmen really do come in all shapes and sizes.

The tigers in this school alone range from the white tigers who look exactly like bipedal tigers, to the short-haired tigers like the boys in our class who look almost human and have tiger patterns on their faces.

In mainland China, where the worlds collided, there are also a few tribes such as the blue-haired tiger and the sabertooth tigers. They’re all the same tiger beastmen, but their appearances can be completely different.

Even Gasara of the Lion tribe said that he rarely meets lion beastmen that looks like him.

Speaking of Gasara, he told me that I could use the ring at the Paradise siblings’ hideout during lunch break.

This way I wouldn’t have to worry about the location or being seen.

I’ll have to thank Gasara’s brother, Seijitsu, the sloth beastman, sometime.

I wonder what his sister, Nanairo, is like. To be honest, I’m scared of her because she had such a strong impact on me when she saved us during the Tusk Crag Incident.

Gasara also said that she’s a power type and a battle junkie.

I don’t know what I’ll do if she suddenly wants to fight me like the prince. I don’t think I can win at all.

“Kunpei-kun, would it be alright if we intrude on you tomorrow for lunch?”

Makio came up the stairs from the front of the classroom.

“Ah, that’s right. My dad is really excited about the barbecue, so come hungry, okay?”

“Haha. As you can see, My sister and I are small eaters. Please go easy on us.”

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to talk about it.

Tomorrow is Saturday, and we’re having a welcome party for Rouge.

I’m actually looking forward to it, since we’ve gathered quite a few people.

Makio’s sister, Hina-chan, will be there, and the Saeki siblings and Mikuma will also be staying over.

When I get home today, I’m going to be very busy.

“See you tomorrow then.”

“Yeah, see ya.”

After re-carrying his large backpack, Makio walked down the stairs and headed for the classroom exit.

The class president, Rina, a short-haired calico cat beastman was waiting outside the classroom. Unlike the prince and Kayone, these childhood friends don’t seem to have any quarrels or disagreements.

They take their textbooks home with them, don’t they? That’s how earnest they are.

By the way, I keep everything in my desk. I go to and come back from school empty-handed.

Homework? What is that, is it tasty?

By the time Makio left the classroom, most of the students had disappeared.

I’m sure I’m overthinking this, but I think the fact that I’m still in the classroom is one of the reasons why the others are leaving school earlier.

I’m usually the first guy out of the classroom.

What the hell. You don’t have to avoid me so blatantly, do you? I’m going to cry.

“Hmm. Is that enough?”

“Yes, I think it’s good now.”

Once I looked around and confirmed, Kayone agreed with me.

Well then.

“Just get to the point, I also don’t have the time for this.”

Prince Atol, who was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, opened his mouth.

You can’t say anything but hateful words, can you? You’re a guy who irritates people in a different way than that Alba rat.

“What are you talking about? All you do when you go back to the mansion is muscle training.”

“What? What’s wrong with that? There’s nothing I can do but work out my muscles, so I’ll do my best to do that.”

“No, there are many other things. Foreign languages, etiquette, general education and magic studies. You’ll find a lot of things to do if you want to, such as reviewing Dailan’s history and having dinner with emissaries from other countries. What is it with you and your muscles in your spare time? The ceremony to select the “servant of the sea dragon” is already over, you know. You need to reduce the amount of martial arts and muscle training you do and start doing other things.”

It started again.

They’re going to leave me behind soon, these guys.

“Hmph! I’m sure my older brother and Satol can do better and get the best results even if I don’t do it. Why should I do something when I know I’ll lose!”

“Are you saying that again, Your Highness, the prince is steeped in a loser’s mentality! It’s not about winning or losing! And if you give up before you even try, you’ll never be able to do it!”

“Because I know I won’t be able to do it even if I tried!”

“What are you basing that on…!?”

“Stop! Stop, both of you! Please, wait until I’m done!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

My words brought her back to herself, and she hung her head in shame.

“Hmph.”

Prince Atol snorted and looked out the window grimly.

Oh god, this sulky prince.

If I don’t speak a little bit forcefully, this conversation won’t end anytime soon.

“About the duel, if there are no problems with the boxing rules we talked about before, I’d like to have it Sunday. The day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow, is it? It doesn’t matter what time it is because we suggested it from our side, but is that okay with you? Isn’t that a bit rushed?”

That’s not really the case.

In fact, I’d rather end it right away because it’s the most excruciating thing to have this pent up feeling inside me.

It’s not that I don’t care if I win or lose, but I’m the type of person who likes to get troublesome things done first.

“No, it’s better for us if we finish quickly. I’ve already picked out the location for the duel, so if you could pick me up on the day, that would be great.”

“I see. I understand. Then we will prepare the gloves and headgear for you.”

Ah, that’s good.

I was wondering what I was going to do about the equipment.

In the worst case, I was thinking of asking the boxing club to rent it.

“By the way. How much healing magic can Kayone use?”

That’s another thing I was worried about.

We humans, who can’t use magic, can only imagine the effects of magic tools based on their grade and price.

You don’t see natural magic very often, and information doesn’t come to you unless you want to know it.

I don’t know how great medium rank magic is.

As far as I know, there are only a few demon healers in Japan who can use practical healing magic.

I heard that there weren’t even ten healing magicians who were summoned during the “Tusk Crag Incident” the other day.

“That’s right. If it’s limited to just His Highness Atol and Kazamachi-sama, I can manage lacerations, bruises, bone fractures, internal bleeding, and ruptured organs. If it’s limb amputation or something like that… it’s going to be a little difficult for me to do it alone.”

“I’m sorry to ask, but can you please stop using scary analogies?”

I just imagined it!

If you’re going to get your arms and legs blown off in a fistfight, that’s something close to killing each other!

Is it really just a healthy duel?

“Don’t worry about it, commoner. I’ll take it easy on you. We’ll end this quickly and without any noticeable injuries.”

“Ahh?”

What was that? I’m a little pissed off, ya know?

“Ah, I see. Going easy. Heh.”

My temples twitched.

This prince is irritating.

Just as annoyed as I was with Alba and Gasara a while ago.

“I was worried about you, you know. The prince going to school with crutches the next day, it’s too uncool to be a joke, you know? As an insignificant commoner, of course, I would be worried about that, I don’t want to overdo it.”

“Hoou?”

A dull glint appeared in Prince Atol’s eyes.

“I don’t know what you’re getting carried away for a commoner, but as someone who survived the selection for the servant of the sea dragon, I’m not going to be defeated by a human with low physical ability and can’t use magic.”

“Your Highness! That was rude, no matter how you put it! Apologize.”

Kayone stood up in a hurry.

I stopped her with my right hand and approached the prince.

What’s with this prince? He’s really pissing me off.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I offend you? I’m sorry, I wasn’t brought up well. I should have cushioned my words so as not to offend the prince. I’m reflecting about that.”

It’s already tit for tat.

My thoughts were slowly boiling over, and like a dam that had burst, I hurled my frustration at the prince.

The prince’s lips began to twitch.

“You’ve got guts, you commoner!”

“I’ve had enough of your attitude! I don’t care if you’re a prince from whatever country, you bastard!”

We both got up from our seats and grabbed each other by the collar.

It’s kind of like déjà vu for me.

I remember doing something like this just the other day: Ah, like with Gasara.

The prince and I glared at each other, so close that I thought the tips of our noses would stick together.

“Please calm down! Your Highness and Kazamachi-sama, please calm down! Uta-chan! Utai! Please help!”

While looking around nervously, Kayone called out for help to Utai, who was not here.

“Yes! You called, Kayo-san?”

You’re quick! You’re here already!

Utai, who had been called, came flying through the classroom door.

Her voice was as loud as ever. The empty seats rattled and shook.

“U-uta-chan! Stop His Highness!”

“What? There’s no way I can stop His Highness!”

The prince and I didn’t look away, even though our ears hurt from the sound of Utai’s voice as she ran towards us.

“You can look forward to the duel, you commoner.”

“What the hell. You must be a masochist if you’re looking forward to losing.”

“I’m going to make you regret that remark.”

“I’m giving it right back to you.”

The tone was calm, but both sides were already heating up.

The blood rising to my head was boiling and I felt like steam was going to burst out.

This bastard. I’ll make you cry. I will definitely make you cry.

“Hmph!”

The prince was the first to let go.

“Kayo! Utai! Let’s go!”

“Wait, Your Highness!”

“Hey! His Highness!”

The two of them chased after Prince Atol, who descended the stairs in a bad mood.

I glared at that while I tried to control my breathing.

Calm down.

Tomorrow is Rouge’s welcome party. If I go home feeling like this, I’ll make Aoi and Shouhei worried again, and frighten the kids.

“Kazamachi-sama! I’m sorry for the trouble we’ve caused you! Please forgive His Highness! We will be coming to pick you up early Sunday morning, I’m looking forward to working with you.”

With a speed that was unimaginable from her usual demeanor, Kayone bowed deeply and followed the prince, who had gone through the door first without waiting for my reply, out of sight.

“Sorry, Kunpei-kun!”

“Yeah, see ya.”

I waved my hand at Utai, who apologized in a loud voice, and urged her to go quickly.

Utai smiled and ran through the door, just like Kayone.

“… Fuuu”

It’s not like me.

I’ve never had such a low boiling point in my life, even though I’ve always been one to buy a fight when it’s sold to me.

I knew it, I don’t like him.

“Let’s go home.”

I mumbled to myself and moved my feet.

I hope tomorrow’s party is fun.

With that in mind, I left the classroom.