I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 78: 0. Sword Master of the Academy (3)

"Is there anyone more timid than this lady of a duke's family?

Moreover, Delia was not someone who had no acquaintance with Veris.

She was a girl who had received help from Veris alongside Maria during an incident in the past led by Professor Theon.

"Don't be too uncomfortable."

"Yes, yes!"

"...."

Could a private soldier sitting in front of a commander act like this?

Veris shook his head. It didn't seem like there was a sharp remedy for this situation.

"Delia, I heard you didn't go back to your hometown during this summer vacation... Is that true?"

Maria, who knew that Delia had a complex about her grades, cautiously asked.

"...That's right. I felt ashamed to face my father."

With a small voice, Veris tilted his head in confusion.

The Sword Duke, Duke Hindenstaufen.

Even Veris, who had little interest in worldly matters, knew of his reputation.

He was a typical soldier who cared for his subordinates and was loyal to the Empire, known for his boisterous personality.

That was the public's evaluation of the Sword Duke.

"Are you afraid of being scolded?"

"...Yes."

Delia, who seemed to shrink infinitely, answered in a voice that barely reached above a whisper.

Naturally, the others who were sitting quietly observing her also chimed in.

"The entrance exam doesn't determine everything about the academy. Lady Delia knows that, right?"

Arwen's gentle tone. It seemed Delia hadn't expected the famous Arwen to speak to her directly, as she hesitated for a while before responding.

"That's true. But..."

"There must be something you can't say."

Noticing her seemingly troubled expression, Veris took the initiative.

Maria had gathered with her friends after a long time, so it was only natural.

Besides, he wasn't in a position to criticize Delia.

"...Thank you for your consideration. It's not something I can't talk about. The truth is..."

Delia began to explain.

In noble society, it was not uncommon for families, like Veris's family, the Count family of Vitelbach, to arrange engagements even before a son was born.

It seemed Delia was not exempt from such common knowledge.

She appeared to be horrified at the thought of marrying someone whose face she didn't even know.

She had asked her father, the Sword Duke, to cancel the engagement if she achieved meaningful results at the academy.

"Is that so?"

Beatrice, who was also in a similar engagement as Delia, widened her eyes in surprise.

"I have three older brothers with a significant age difference."

"...?"

Delia's whisper was hard to understand.

"My fiancé is twenty years older than me."

At Delia's sorrowful confession, everyone's faces stiffened.

Even if it was an engagement arranged by their families, wouldn't there be room for reconsideration if there was such a large age gap?

Noticing everyone's unspoken questions, Delia added.

"My father values honor. He loves me sincerely, but he wouldn't break a promise without a reason."

"Ah."

Delia's additional explanation made everyone nod as they finally grasped the ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ situation.

"It's understandable to want to run away."

"Right?"

Veris nodded.

Thinking from her perspective, he could understand why she would feel that way.

Beatrice was only a year older than Veris.

It was hard to believe she was the older one based on her actions, but that was a matter to set aside for now.

"So you worked that hard for the midterm evaluation..."

Maria's sympathetic gaze fell on Delia, who quickly turned red.

This was something everyone here knew. The fact that Lady Delia, too, had shown results that were hard to believe for someone from B-Class.

Reaching the top 16.

Considering the hundreds of students evaluated, it was indeed an impressive result.

"I'm still lacking."

Delia said with a face full of determination.

Veris wondered if it was because she didn't like her fiancé that much.

"What kind of person is your fiancé?"

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"...!"

Perhaps she hadn't expected such a sudden question.

Delia flinched in surprise.

"That person is..."

Gulp.

Delia took her time, causing everyone's eyes to turn toward her.

In the meantime, Gunther seemed to feel a sense of tension, swallowing dryly.

"He's bald."

"...."

Everyone looked at Delia, who was making a sad face, in disbelief.

*

"What? Is that true?"

"Yes. It's confirmed information."

"Haha! It's a sight to behold in this long life."

The Sword Duke chuckled at the report from his subordinate.

He was seated inside a vintage carriage.

The carriage heading to the academy boasted comfort thanks to the skilled coachman.

In any case, the report he had just heard was quite surprising.

"Grand Duchess Wallenstein, that scoundrel is a visiting professor at the academy?"

In Gallia, she was called a guardian or even a goddess, blessed with overwhelming mana.

The woman who had created a storm of legends in high society since childhood was now teaching at the academy of a potential enemy nation, the Vera Empire.

"How interesting!"

The Sword Duke had met her during her childhood.

Before the strange tension between the Empire and the Kingdom arose, it was not uncommon for noble families to form marriages across national borders.

"What subject is she supposed to teach?"

"I heard she was appointed as a professor of mana studies."

"Hmm."

The Sword Duke recalled the actions of Evangeline de Wallenstein.

Blessed with extraordinary talent, she had been known as a genius across the continent since she was young.

Unlike Gunther from the Marquis family, whose political motives were somewhat involved, she truly possessed a talent bestowed by the gods.

But perhaps out of jealousy for such divine blessings, the Wallenstein family had faced great turmoil a few years ago.

The Demon Cult, those wretched beings, had somehow managed to dominate and manipulate the mind of the then Grand Duke.

"Quite a bold move for a scoundrel who killed my father."

The Sword Duke gazed out the window of the carriage, lost in thought.

Perhaps because they were getting closer to the academy, the road had become strangely crowded.

Most people were seeking shade under trees to escape the scorching sun.

"By the way."

As the Sword Duke silently observed the scenery, his subordinate turned to him.

"Have you gathered more information about a person named Veris?"

At the Sword Duke's question, the subordinate lowered his head.

He rummaged through the bag beside him and pulled out a piece of paper to hand to the Sword Duke.

"I've compiled the latest information."

"Indeed, there's a reason I value you."

Flipping through the paper, the Sword Duke quietly read it.

How much time had passed again?

"I can't believe it even when I see it with my own eyes."

"I think so too."

In agreement with his subordinate, the Sword Duke stroked his bearded chin.

Common sense.

That short and simple word felt distant when hearing about him.

He knew that the information was likely embellished.

When the Sword Duke was a student at the academy, there were even rumors that he had split the sky with his sword and defeated ancient Liches.

"Still, it doesn't seem bad."

He was itching to see the face of that kid who had returned the letter asking him to become his disciple without even reading it.

"B-Class..."

Muttering to himself, the Sword Duke eventually raised his gaze to the top of the paper.

'Veris, a student enrolled in B-Class at the academy.'

That was the phrase the Sword Duke read.

Then suddenly, one fact came to mind.

"Delia, that girl is also in B-Class."

"Yes. It seems she achieved high scores in the midterm evaluation, effectively securing her promotion to A-Class."

"How do you know that?"

"Out of concern for the young lady, I sent her a letter. Fortunately, she replied to me."

"Indeed, she had always followed you around, calling you uncle since she was young."

The Sword Duke handed the paper back to his subordinate, contemplating.

If luck was on their side, Veris and Delia might already be on friendly terms.

*

"Hmm?"

Worried about the tense atmosphere, Cecilia suggested going to eat something 'delicious.'

Delia, completely taken in by that, felt her ears tingle.

"Delia, what's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing! My ears just feel strangely tingly!"

Delia maintained an overly formal tone with Maria, which was unusual.

Maria smiled bitterly at that.

Though there was still some awkwardness now, she thought that after some time, Delia would return to her usual self.

"Welcome!"

"Hmm?"

Delia couldn't help but let out a curious tone.

The girls, led by Cecilia, had brought her to a mansion in the commercial district.

It was a quaint garden. But at first glance, it was well-maintained, pleasing to the eye.

"A famous restaurant?"

It looked more like a place where people lived than a famous restaurant.

Swish.

"W-what? Alcohol?"

Delia's mouth dropped open in surprise.

Perhaps feeling embarrassed herself, Maria, who was awkwardly smiling, was holding a luxurious bottle of alcohol.