Volume 3 Chapter 12 No Need For Resolve From The Start
After seeing off Cecilia and Luke, Randy and Liz headed towards the building known as the "Circle Hall" to visit the 'Beast Research Club' as originally planned.
The training building that Randy and the others usually use is located almost in the center of the academy, but the Circle Hall they are heading to is also close to the dormitory. It is situated near the back of the academy, across the playground from the training building.
After walking for a while from the dormitory, Randy and the others arrived at the Circle Hall. Like the training building, it is a 3-story brick building with one basement level, housing almost all the club rooms that exist in the academy.
The time was already after the afternoon classes, in what is commonly referred to as after-school hours. This is when the usually quiet Circle Hall becomes the most active.
"I'm pretty sure the Beast Research Club is in the basement..."
Looking at the directory board near the entrance, Liz turned to Randy and said, "...It is indeed in the basement."
"It seems so..."
Randy peered over Liz's shoulder at the directory board. He confirmed that the Beast Research Club was indeed in the basement, but more importantly, there were a variety of clubs listed.
In addition to combat-related clubs like swordsmanship, shooting, and martial arts, there were also fantasy-themed clubs focused on spell and magic tools, as well as clubs that seemed to cater to noble tastes, such as dance, equestrian, art, music, and literature.
However, what caught Randy's eye was...
"Wow. They even have sports clubs like football."
Though few in number, there were sports like football and swimming, and even lacrosse, which was unfamiliar to someone like Randy, who was once an ordinary person.
"That's right. Those kinds of activities are quite popular these days, enjoyed without distinction between nobility and commoners."
Liz smiled, looking somewhat nostalgic. Randy realized he had hardly heard anything about her experiences at the academy before her expulsion, and he scratched his cheek in embarrassment at his own shortcomings.
"So, which club were you a part of, Liz?"
"Huh?"
"Your knowledge of the place is quite detailed, so I was wondering if you were involved in something."
As Randy returned his gaze to the directory board, Liz shyly replied, "Well, it was just for about 2 months..." and traced the name of one club with her finger.
"...the lacrosse club."
Randy was utterly confused (Huh? Lacrosse?). He had assumed it would be a cultural club, but it turned out to be a sports club. And lacrosse. For someone like Randy, who had no familiarity with the sport, it was completely unimaginable.
As Randy tilted his head in confusion, a few students passed by him. After watching them leave, Liz revealed, "I got engaged right after enrolling..." She explained that due to the subsequent royal education she underwent, she had to leave the club early.
"I actually met Cecily in the club."
"Oh, really? Cecilia too?"
Though Randy didn't understand lacrosse well, he could tell that Liz had some fondness for the lacrosse club.
"You want to do it again, right?"
In response to Randy's smile, Liz returned a somewhat troubled smile and said,
"Well, to be honest... 'yes,' but it doesn't feel very realistic."
Liz shook her head and mentioned the salaries of Harrison and Rita, as well as the new challenge of handling a camera.
Additionally...
"There's also the possibility that I'm currently being targeted."
Since the assassin directed at her the other day was unknown, it wouldn't be wise to create a situation where she could easily be targeted. While Liz's reasoning was sound, whether Randy could accept it was another matter.
"You're right about what you said, but..."
As he spoke, Randy turned his gaze towards the playground visible through the window. It seemed that the equestrian club was using the area today, as students were elegantly jumping over obstacles set up in the playground while riding horses.
"...we shouldn't have to endure because of some idiot."
In response to Randy's words, a horse jumped over a particularly large obstacle in the playground.
"That said, I was also someone who pressured you, wasn't I?"
Randy scratched his head apologetically, and Liz quickly shook her head, saying, "No."
"Working with you, Randy, is enjoyable, and I like being with you."
Randy was momentarily at a loss for words at Liz's smile, but he murmured, "I see," and turned his gaze back out the window.
"Well, if I'm watching with you, there shouldn't be any problem."
"Lacrosse, is it?"
"Yeah."
As Randy watched the running horses, Liz shyly looked down and said, "I appreciate it, but..."
"Is there something inconvenient?"
"Um, the uniform is cute, but I don't think it suits me very well... or something like that──."
Seeing Liz fidgeting shyly, Randy held back the urge to cover his face and returned his usual confident smile.
"That's actually convenient. I'm looking forward to watching."
Feeling pleased that he managed to respond with such confidence, Randy thought to himself (I'm great. I did well), but Liz seemed too embarrassed...
"Kid. You two, how long are you going to be all lovey-dovey?"
...when Ellie appeared with a sigh.
"Hey, we're not being lovey-dovey. This is an important conversation."
Randy replied with a sigh, but then took the opportunity to turn to Ellie.
"Actually, what about you? Lacrosse seems interesting, right?"
With a smile, Randy watched as Ellie snorted and looked away.
"My opinion doesn't matter, does it? I have no intention of getting cozy."
"Why are you sulking?"
To Randy's tilted head, Ellie replied, "I'm not sulking."
"No, you are sulking."
"I'm not sulking."
The conversation between the two, which was going nowhere, was interrupted by passing students... After the students left, silence flowed between them.
(I thought it was strange from my interactions with Luke and Cecilia... Is it that? Something from the past?)
What Randy was recalling was that Ellie felt 'abandoned by the world.' Perhaps seeing their interaction reminded her of the past or made her envious... and she probably thought that she could never be accepted as an outsider.
(I was surprised to find out that I, who thought I was a loner, actually had friends... or maybe something happened with her friends in the past──)
In any case, it was clear that Ellie's mood was bad. After all, the gaze Ellie directed at Randy was colder than he had ever seen.
However, Randy, who was being looked at with such eyes...
(What's this? She actually has a cute side.)
...had a relaxed expression. They say she is an ancient great magician, but it seems she is just a typical girl at that age. Realizing this, Randy broke the silence with a sigh, saying,
"For now, let's set aside the fact that you're sulking... And your opinion does matter. It's your body, after all. If possible, wouldn't it be great if you both could enjoy it together?"
With a furrowed brow, Randy noticed Ellie opening her mouth to respond, but she closed it again. Students, likely from the same circle, passed by them once more──
In the now quiet hallway, Ellie's sigh echoed.
"I'll tell you one thing. I am an ancient great magician, a forbidden existence cast away in this world. Do not treat me like an ordinary girl."
In front of Ellie, who crossed her arms and leaned back, Randy was convinced that his prediction was correct.
Ellie was watching their friendship──though he didn't know why──afraid of being abandoned again.
"I am a forbidden existence. From the very foundation──."
"That's a stretch."
Randy interrupted Ellie's words with a smile.
"To me, you're just Ellie, a girl who isn't honest. Nothing more, nothing less."
As Randy laughed heartily, Ellie narrowed her eyes.
"You think I'm a girl, do you...? Without knowing my wickedness, you say whatever you want."
"Well, I don't know. From my perspective, you're just a girl with a bit of a sharp tongue."
With Randy still smiling, Ellie's eyes narrowed even further.
"Very well. Then when I reclaim my body, I will show you my wickedness──."
"I won't let you."
"Huh?"
As Ellie looked dumbfounded, Randy repeated with a smile, "I won't let you."
"There's no way I'm going to let you and Liz do that."
Though he was smiling, the unyielding presence of Randy made Ellie's face twist slightly. Gritting her teeth, Ellie opened her mouth.
"Do you think you can stop me?"
"Of course. My strength is greater than yours."
Randy, who spoke nonchalantly, made Ellie's face twist even further.
"You seem quite confident. You don't even know the real me."
Ellie's eyes, filled with a hint of killing intent, were brushed aside by Randy as he waved his hand, transforming his expression into one of seriousness for the first time.
"It's not confidence. It's determination."
Not understanding what Randy meant, Ellie furrowed her brows, but Randy continued regardless.
"Before I find your body, I will become stronger than you, and I will accept all of you... that's my determination."
Silence enveloped Randy and Ellie. The voices of students from the gym and the club building sounded strangely distant.
"Wait, what...?"
"Yeah. It's determination. No matter how much you despair and struggle, I have the determination to take it all on, being stronger than that."
Ellie's eyes wavered slightly at Randy's confident chest-thumping.
"What do you mean by determination? Isn't that just foolish reasoning?"
"Being foolish is fine. Now that I've decided to accept you all, I will take responsibility for you until the end. I won't just throw it away halfway through; that's not how I roll."
Randy, snorting, continued to speak without giving Ellie a chance to retort.
"I don't know your grudges or anything, of course, not even your past. But if it torments you, I will smash it to pieces."
"That's so simple──."
"I don't care. I made the decision. It's not about whether I can or can't; it's about 'doing it.' ...Don't underestimate Randolph Victor, this me."
As Randy laughed defiantly, a faint light returned to Ellie's eyes.
"Now that I've said I will do it, I will find your body, free you from the chains of the past, and fill you with happiness and satisfaction."
"If... if I still can't stop──."
"Then I'll live with you. Even if the world forsakes you, I won't abandon you. To accept means that, right?"
With a smile from Randy, Ellie's cheeks flushed slightly...
"I-I will absolutely not abandon you either!"
...Suddenly, Liz's words made Ellie's presence dissipate. When Randy tilted his head at Liz, asking, "What was that?"
"'You can't win against a fool,' she said."
Liz, with a wry smile, spoke on behalf of Ellie.
"Is that a compliment?"
"It's the highest form of praise, you know."
It was an unclear resolution, but Randy let out a big sigh, thinking maybe he had somewhat convinced her.
"Well, now that the selfish queen's feelings have cleared up a bit──."
"Shall we head to our destination?"
As Liz nodded with a smile, Randy felt as if he could see Ellie behind her, saying, 'Who's the selfish one?'. With that confusing sensation, Randy couldn't help but smile as he took a step toward the stairs leading underground.
"I have to get stronger, but to be honest, I want to find Ellie's body quickly."
"Is that so?"
"Because it sounds fun, right? Going to school together as 3."
"That's true!"
Liz clapped her hands happily, showing an exasperated smile as she said, "'I don't want to be with a fool.'"
"Exactly! Liz and Ellie can talk, but... at least if we could chat together as 3, that would be better."
"Is it like Ellie's soul coming out of my body?"
"That's something you can't show to others visually."
The two, laughing as they disappeared underground, returned to discussing Liz's lacrosse.
(I should have run away the moment I met that fool Randy.)
(Haha. You're complimenting him, right?)
(Who knows...)
On this day, Eleonora finally accepted herself as Ellie.
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