"I'll head out first. The young lady said she has something to do."

"Alright."

Once again, Isella left first, saying she had something to take care of today as well.Luca considered waiting for Ottbo at the student cafeteria, but decided to just go straight to find Ottbo instead.For some reason, Ottbo was always late.

'Well, I guess Isella and I are just fast.'

Because Luca and Isella had earned the privilege of skipping the finishing practice by serving as Kryphi's assistants, they could finish classes earlier than Ottbo and Isella.So, they always tended to get to the cafeteria first or wait at the School of Magic building.

'It should be around here. Where is it?'

Since Luca always followed behind Isella on the way to the magic faculty, it wasn't easy to find on his own.

"Ugh!"

Clatter!

At that moment, a commotion sounded ahead.

"Hehe! You should've watched where you were going~."

A group of students were laughing and jeering at someone surrounded in the middle.

'So it's no different just because this is a place for nobles.'

Luca clicked his tongue.With energetic students around, it wasn't strange at all for trouble or bullying to happen.The target was probably a commoner, making it hard to fight back.

'Let me see who got caught.'

Luca subtly peeked through the crowd to get a look at the face of the student picking up books on the ground.As soon as he saw the student's face, his brow furrowed.

"... Ottbo?"

* * *

"Sorry, Ottbo. I have plans today, so I'll head out first."

"Oh? Uh, alright! See you next time."

"Yeah, see you~."

Watching Milia walk away after saying she had plans, an empty look settled on Ottbo's face.

'Right... Unlike someone like me, Milia needs to meet lots of people.'

Ottbo felt bitter.From the very first day, after causing such a scene, no one talked to him.At least Milia would chat with him, but she wasn't exactly friendly.

'She only treats me well when Luca's around.'

It was as if she was nice to Ottbo for being Luca's friend, not for Ottbo himself.

'Can't help it. If it were me, I'd like Luca better than someone like me, too.'

He wasn't particularly smart, nor so handsome that anyone would be in awe, nor was he treated well by his family. Of course Luca was more likable.

'... Why does Luca hang out with someone like me, anyway?'

Of course, Luca wasn't particularly well-treated by his family either, but appearing in Party People Monthly and being popular, Ottbo thought he could make friends whenever he wanted.

'Not to mention his abilities.'

Even in the class designation exam and from the rumors, it was said he already had A+ grades in most classes he was taking.

'Thinking about those rumors is a bit unpleasant. Since there are some strange rumors going around. Is that why he hangs out with me?'

Thinking of the disturbing rumors about Luca lately, Ottbo trembled and sighed.

'Well. Why bother thinking like this. I should just go have lunch.'

Ottbo gathered his books and stepped out of the classroom. And, just as he turned his body to head to the student cafeteria—

Thud!

"Ugh!"

Clatter!

Someone kicked him in the leg from behind.Ottbo fell rather spectacularly, dropping his books.Someone then approached and burst into laughter.

"Hehe! You should've watched where you were going~."

"Yeah! Look at that pathetic way you fell."

"......"

Ottbo wanted to protest—How was he supposed to watch if someone kicked him from behind?—but upon seeing their faces, he clamped his mouth shut.They were both from the S-Class: Igar Hetoff, eldest son of Marquis Hetoff, and Perpi Dogal, eldest son of Count Dogal.Both were from powerful mage families, and in terms of grades or notoriety, they were on a whole different level compared to Ottbo.

"Hey, why are you doing this to the kid? He might be an idiot who can't keep up with the S-Class, but thanks to him, our grades look better."

"It's annoying to see a guy who barely scraped into S-Class with family connections waltzing around without any shame."

"True~."

While they laughed and mocked him, Ottbo didn't say a word and just picked up his fallen books, knowing any reply would only lead to more ridicule.

"Tsk."

Flick!

Seeing that Ottbo said nothing, Igar Hetoff clicked his tongue in annoyance and knocked one of the books Ottbo was picking up to the side with his foot.Ottbo flinched but silently picked up the book that had rolled farther away.

"Is he ignoring us?"

"No fun. Shouldn't he at least react?"

Flick! Flick!

They continued to nudge Ottbo's books and even his body with their feet, but Ottbo remained quiet, picking up his things and standing up.He tried to leave without even looking at them.

"Hey, where do you think you're going!"

Flick!

With a rough tone, Perpi Dogal swung a punch at Ottbo.But it connected with someone else's body instead.

"Huh? Who are y—huh?"

Seeing the person's face, Perpi looked surprised.

"You started it."

Thud! Flop!

"Pe, Perpi!"

With one kick, Perpi was knocked off his feet and hit the ground, instantly losing consciousness.Igar, flustered, checked Perpi's condition.

"How fragile. That's mages for you."

"...!"

Having trouble processing the sudden commotion, Ottbo looked awkward.

"... Luca?"

* * *

'So I couldn't hold back.'

Upon seeing Ottbo being the target, Luca had considered stepping in but initially held himself back.Intervening unnecessarily could just make things worse for both sides.But when they kicked the books, he couldn't hold it anymore.

-shuk!― D-don't play soccer with my books...― Hey, Lee Myunghyun you jerk, stop killing the mood, can't you see we're having fun? You don't like it?― B-but...― Ugh, I'm so pissed. My mood's ruined 'cause of you, now what?

It brought back old memories.Especially since he was getting beaten much like back then, he stepped in without realizing.

'If there's a problem, I'll just duel again.'

His way of thinking was becoming more like Luca Traverse day by day.Luca glanced at Ottbo, who looked stunned, and nodded his chin.

"Let's go."

"... Okay."

As Luca and Ottbo walked away, other students whispered.

"Oh my, what's going to happen? The rumors must be true!"

"We better watch out. Did you see Perpi flying just now?"

"What are the teachers doing, leaving someone like that alone?"

While hearing this muttering, Ottbo glanced at Luca.

"......"

His face was as indifferent as ever, so there was no way to guess what he was thinking.

"This should be far enough."

In a quiet corner of the academy, where almost no students passed by, Luca scanned his surroundings and let out a faint sigh.Then, he glanced at Ottbo.

"Are you alright?"

"... Yeah."

"Then that's enough."

Honestly, there wasn't much else to say. Any half-baked comfort would only make things harder.Luca sheepishly scratched his neck and turned away.

"Let's go eat."

"Why did you help me?"

The question made Luca's footsteps halt.

'Maybe I shouldn't have gotten involved.'

Even helping can hurt someone's pride. That's why he tried not to interfere—but he simply couldn't help himself.But explaining all that would be too complicated.So, Luca feigned ignorance.

"What do you mean?"

"You helped me. With those guys."

"I was just on my way to find you, and some punk attacked me. So I struck back, that's all."

Seeing Luca answer so flatly, Ottbo gave a wry smile.

"I see. Right, okay."

"..."

"Luca, why do you hang out with me?"

Luca subtly turned his head to look at Ottbo. His gaze was unusual.

"You know by now, right? That I'm worse than you thought."

"Worse?"

"Didn't Milia tell you? I can't keep up with the S-Class."

That was news to Luca. Milia was never the type to talk about these things.

"I didn't know. Not that I really care about that, either."

"Haha, I guess that's true. You're doing fine."

"But I do wonder... You were properly assigned to the S-Class in the entrance exam. Doesn't that mean you're quite capable?"

At the mention of the placement exam, Ottbo's gaze wavered—and then faded further.

"That's only because my only strength is drive magic."

"How is that a problem?"

"I can't do anything except drive magic. Even at the placement exam, I only got into S-Class by bringing along my family's magic device. People might say, 'What an excellent drive magic you have!' but the truth is, I can't even cast basic spells, I'm just a half-baked mage who can only use drive magic."

Ottbo's voice gradually rose with emotion.

"Everyone at the School of Magic knows by now—knows I'm a half-baked mage like that. About all I'll be qualified for is managing automatic carriages or working as a magic power train engineer. That's my only future. So why would you hang out with someone like me?"

"..."

"My looks, skills, even my family's treatment, you beat me in all of them. Isn't it because standing next to me makes you look better?"

Luca twisted his lips.

'Now I finally get why this kid was on my mind.'

He realized why he had been so bothered about Ottbo.His pettiness, inability to hide emotions, deep-seated inferiority complex—

Ottbo Gress was reminiscent of Luca's past self—of Lee Myunghyun in his previous life.

'So what should I do about that?'

Luca thought he had already saved Ottbo Gress—at the very least, kept him from wandering alone.But that wasn't the real solution. There was something more fundamental.And another thing.

'What did I really want back then?'

If Ottbo resembled his past self, he must need what that "him" once wanted.The thing missing in his life, what he longed for—he would need that.

'... Surprisingly, I think I've already gotten it from this guy.'

Realizing this, Luca spoke up.

"Did I seem like the type to pick friends based on abilities, looks, or family?"

"... Friends?"

Ottbo looked genuinely surprised at the word "friends."Indeed, this was probably the first time Luca had ever called him a friend.

"Why are you surprised? Going to school together every morning, having lunch together, hanging out in each other's dorms in the evening—doesn't that count as a normal friendship?"

"W-well... I guess..."

"Do people only become friends if they say so out loud? Then I'll say it—I'm your friend."

Seeing Ottbo's eyes go round, Luca smirked.

"Funny, though. You were the one who first offered to be friends, and yet now you say things like that."

"M-me? I did?"

"Don't you remember? What you said to me the first time?"

Both in Luca Traverse's memory and now, Ottbo had said to him:"We're both younger brothers always compared to our older siblings, both second sons of count families. Didn't you suggest we should be close?"

"...!"

"I'm disappointed. Was that just something you said and didn't mean?"

When Luca clicked his tongue and turned away, a flustered Ottbo grabbed his arm.

"N-no! I mean... you're right! I mean... uh..."

Ottbo stammered, lost for words. Watching him, Luca turned to face forward again.

"I'm kidding. Seems like your weird worries are over, so let's go get food. I'm actually getting really hungry."

Watching Luca walk off without waiting for an answer, Ottbo stared at his back for a moment, then hurriedly followed.

"A-am I really your friend?"

"If you're going to doubt it, then just forget it."

"N-no! I believe it! Really! We're friends!"

Seeing Ottbo nodding eagerly, Luca grinned.

"That's all I needed."

"...!"

Seeing that smile, Ottbo's face turned blank.

"... I think I understand why Milia likes you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. I just suddenly got hungry too. Wonder what the cafeteria has today?"

With his usual laid-back look, Ottbo made idle chit-chat, and watching him, Luca murmured,

"Not bad."

For once, those were purely Luca's own thoughts.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=This is a heart-warming chapter...Sometimes, all you need is a friend...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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