Chapter 38 – 37. Lucia
In the forest where the wind blows.
There were many trees, but there was one particularly small and ugly tree. And in front of him stood a young Arthur.
“Ah. The condition is getting worse. Is there a lack of water?”
The reason why the tree gradually withered was because the tree was short and could not photosynthesize properly, but Arthur, who was young, did not know that.
“Lol. “I’ll give you a lot of water. Do you really need to perk up and grow like other trees?”
A particularly ugly tree.
It was only natural that Arthur would have a special affection for this tree. Unlike other peers, she had many shortcomings, and those areas seemed to overlap with hers.
Therefore, young Arthur wanted to help this tree. So she went to the tree every day, said good things to it, and gave it water.
However, nature is sometimes cruel, and despite Arthur’s efforts, the tree slowly died day after day.
“Uh.? Why are you like this. I gave you water every day and said kind words.”
That day, Arthur learned for the first time in her life that you can’t always achieve what you want just by trying.
“I’m sorry. I guess I gave too much water.”
Although the reason the tree died was because of photosynthesis, and because Arthur gave it water, the tree survived for a long time, the truth was not important.
Because Arthur knew for certain that the tree had died due to his own shortcomings.
In the end, on the day the tree died, Arthur warmly hugged the tree.
“Next time, I hope to be born as the biggest tree in the world. I’m sure the goddess will take pity on me and make me the biggest tree…”
ㅡBwaaak!
“Evil!!”
Ah. It hurts so much. What hit me.?
Arthur touched his back due to the throbbing pain, and next to him, he saw the stone that had supposedly attacked him.
Who threw it… Huh? They’re village kids.
There were many other kids his age in the village, but Arthur, with his physical defects, was just good prey for kids of that age.
“Stupid Arthur! “You’ve been doing strange things alone again, right?”
“I saw earlier that you were just talking to yourself. I think you are out of your mind!”
“My mom told me not to play with a kid like that! Let’s just go, kids.”
“I have a better idea! Let’s kick them out of our village!!”
When one of the kids said they should kick him out, the others nodded and started picking up rocks and throwing them at Arthur.
-Wow! Sigh!
“Ha. Don’t do it! It hurts!! Hmm.”
Arthur begged the children to stop throwing the stones, but seeing him like that made the children throw the stones even harder.
“If you throw just a little more, they’ll run away from our village!!”
After a while, only the children’s maniacal laughter and Arthur’s screams remained in the forest.
In fact, there was no way for Arthur to avoid the rocks. All she had to do was move her body and hide behind the ‘dead tree’. As always with children at a young age. If Arthur had avoided the stones, she would have gone mad quickly.
But Arthur didn’t do that. Because she didn’t want to do that. She didn’t have any grand reason, she just didn’t feel like it.
“Get out of our village, you monster!”
I’m not a monster. I didn’t do anything wrong, just because I’m a little different.
Why do you keep bothering me… I… Furthermore, I…
‘Is there a reason to hold on like this?’
‘You could just kill it, then no one would bother you.’
Ah. No. That’s not it.
‘Hmm. I think they want to kill you.’
Is it.? After listening to it, I think it’s true. Why do I have to have such a hard time.? Just kill them all
“Hey!!! “Turn everything off!!”
A white-haired girl suddenly barged in and started pushing Arthur, hitting her with stones.
“Go away! Everyone go! Arthur is much smarter and kinder than you! So, you are the ones who have to leave our village!”
“What is it, Aris? Why are you protecting a guy like that! That thing is a monster!”
When a boy shouted that, Aris’ hands began to tremble.
“Profit!! What kind of monster is Arthur!! “Your face looks more like a monster!!”
“No… The words are too harsh…”
However, when Aris threatened her by brandishing tree branches that she had picked up somewhere, her children had no choice but to run away.
“Joy! It’s no big deal, but you’re harassing Arthur? Next time we meet, I really won’t leave you alone!”
Aris, who was looking in the direction where her children had disappeared, stopped fussing and turned around to walk towards Arthur.
“Arthur? Are you okay.? I was late, sorry.”
“… “
“No, thank you for helping me.”
Now that I think about it… All the other kids hate me, so why does Aris help me? I am a monster…
“Aris. Why are you helping me? “I am a monster”
“Use it! Don’t worry about that! And we go, we’re family! So… I will always protect you from now on, so don’t worry!”
“I see. Thank you, Aris.”
‘Tsk.’
…
“Ah.”
Was it a dream? I think I saw Aris…
Arthur turned his head and looked at her watch.
“Omg! It’s already been so long.!!”
Arthur was in a good mood right after she woke up, but when she realized she had to go to class, she started to get very depressed.
Should I just not go. But then my attendance score will be greatly reduced.
I hated going to class so much, but my grades were going to hit rock bottom during the finals, so I couldn’t take points off for that.
We have to go anyway, so let’s just hurry up… If we go late this time, we might get hit again.
After making up his mind, Arthur packed his bags and headed to the classroom.
“Arthur.”
“Huh.?”
Today was different from usual. I always called him hey or you, but today he didn’t seem angry, and he called me by my name properly.
“I’ll be a little busy from now on, so I don’t think I’ll be able to help you study.”
So you’re saying it won’t bother me anymore…? Really?
“Then I’ll go, don’t look for me!”
“…”
She didn’t even answer, but the woman who always harassed me disappeared as if she was running away.
Now that I think about it, his expression looked like he was afraid of something… I don’t know… It would be a good thing if there was one less person bothering me. Hehe.
…
After class, I went to the cafeteria, but so far no one has bothered me.
If it were normal, you would have come to me and let out some light anger… Are you sick of it now? Well… What’s fun about torturing me… I’m really glad. From now on, I have to focus on my studies!
Since nothing had happened all day, Arthur’s mood had improved considerably, and she almost cried as she ate a normal meal for the first time in a long time.
Yum yum.
ㅡTap!
“.?”
I was eating deliciously alone, but someone came and sat next to me.
Who is it.? You’re just sitting next to me, right?
When I looked closely, I saw that he was wearing a sword at his waist, so I could only assume that a student from the knight department was sitting next to me because there were no seats.
Yum yum.
“Hello?”
What.? Why are you greeting me.
First, accept the greeting. If you ignore it, they may bother you again.
“Hello.”
“Hmm. Your name is Arthur, right?”
“!!”
“There’s no need to be so surprised, you’re Aris’ boyfriend.”
What. Are you Aris’ friend?
“That’s true, but. Who are you?”
“The name is Lucia Cardenas, Aris’ friend.”
Omg! Nobility.? Even if it’s Cadenas, it’s from the duke’s family… Isn’t it the vice president of the knight department? Why did someone like that look for me.
“Don’t worry, there is no such thing as nobles discriminating against commoners at the academy.”
“It’s just..? I saw you while eating yesterday, and someone was bothering you, so I wanted to help you.”
Ah. It was Lucia who helped me.
“I’m a little embarrassed. Thanks for your help. I wondered what was going on again. Hehe.”
“I’m glad it helped. But just in case, I’ll take care of you until Aris comes back.”
I thought all nobles were bad people, but there were such good people. And since he says he’s Aris’ friend, I can believe it!
“Well, I think I’ve finished eating, but I don’t have anything else to do. Should I just show you around the Knights’ Faculty?”
“Huh! Good!”
Lucia’s sad smile and her words of help made Arthur let go of all his guard, and he followed Lucia, humming to her. She had no idea what would happen to her.
“But… How did you become friends with Aris? “You don’t tell me about your friends.”
“Women become friends quickly after sparring a few times.”
“I see.”
“Aris didn’t tell you about me?”
“Huh! “She always tells me not to worry… And that women are wolves and that I shouldn’t trust anyone but her!”
“Phew! Arthur, I’m a woman too? Is it okay if I follow you like this now?”
Uh. Is that so? He’s a noble and Aris’ friend…
“Uh. You helped me too. And there’s no reason to bother me, so wouldn’t it be okay.?”
“Okay? But I could suddenly kidnap you.”
As she spoke, Lucia raised both her hands and struck a pose as if she was going to grab Arthur.
“Hey. What do I have. I’m a total piece of shit? Grab it!”
“Really? Then I will have to catch you.”
After hearing Arthur’s words, Lucia moved behind her and put her arms into his armpits, lifting her up.
“How is it? “I’m kidnapping you right now, and if you’re scared, I’ll tell you.”
“Ugh. This is a bit embarrassing.”
After a few minutes of Lucia walking with Arthur, an empty lot came into her eyes.
“Lucia? But where is this place?”
“This is a physical training center, but it’s no longer in use so no one comes. And do you see the iron gate over there? The tools needed for physical training are probably stored there.”
“I see… So why did you come here?”
“… “
“Lucia?”
Lucia did not answer Arthur’s question.
Only then did he realize that the situation was going strangely, and Arthur felt his fear growing.
“Lucia!! “Let me down now!”
“I’m scared.! Please drop me off quickly!”
Just as Arthur was about to start struggling against her, Lucia’s hands began to move.
Ah. It was a prank. For a moment I thought it was real. If you drop me off, I have to tell you that the prank went too far…
“Turn it off…?!”
However, contrary to Arthur’s expectations, Lucia did not put him down, but shifted her arm and began to put pressure on Arthur’s carotid artery.
“Ugh. Release. Give me…”
She tried to use her lack of breath to ask for help, but the strength of her arms grew stronger, and they tightened around her neck.
Before she could no longer breathe and lost consciousness, she heard Lucia’s voice in her ear.
“Arthur, I told you not to trust anyone.”
ㅡChuuk.
With those words, Arthur completely lost his mind.
“… “
“Whew. Luckily it ended easily. “Sir, come out now.”
At Lucia’s call, a woman with blonde hair and bronze skin approached from afar.
“This time, honey?”
Lucia smiled brightly and answered the woman’s question.
“Yes. It’s okay, so you don’t have to worry about it. If the situation arises, I can use my strength.”
“Hmm. What do you know? It doesn’t matter to me as long as you give me money. I like your face more than that because you have a handsome face. It must be fun to play with.”
“Ah yes. Take care of that yourself, and make sure to keep what you promised.”
At Lucy’s words, the woman took out a small square object.
“Don’t worry, I’ve never tried it before, but it looks fun and good.”
“But you don’t? At this level, it’s worth trying it yourself at least once.”
Lucia waved her hand at the woman’s words.
“Uh. That’s enough. “I don’t want to deal with commoners.”
“Kick. I thought so, anyway, I’m going to work?”
“Then please take care of me, Senior Eora.”
