Volume 7 Chapter 42 Recently I've Been The Teasing Character Position, But I'm Actually A Capable Man
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Elcia stood silently in a corner of the school building, where golden light painted the dull hallway walls. Just around the bend lay the Dario faction's election strategy office—the group she belonged to.
She had come here for two reasons.
First, to report the failure of her infiltration mission.
Second, to formally request her withdrawal from the faction.
Elcia took a long, steady breath. Not just because the mission had failed, but because she doubted they would let her go quietly.
The political tides were shifting in Randy's favor, and in times like these, every vote counted. The faction wouldn't give up a member easily—especially not one they considered valuable.
She expected resistance.
(If they just tried to stop me, that would be fine... but...)
What she truly feared wasn't rejection—it was intimidation. Threats.
If it came to that, maybe they'd even go as far as sabotaging the upcoming social gathering.
That was the kind of people she was dealing with. If she openly said she wanted to leave because Randy had influenced her, she'd be forced to endure a barrage of words—each designed to corner her.
It wasn't insults that scared her. It was the idea that, through those words, she might lose sight of her feelings... and bury her true self.
Elcia wasn't strong. Not the kind of girl who could stand tall against threats.
And if she gave in now, if she gave up what little resolve she had... she might never laugh freely at school again.
That's why she stood in the corridor, clasping the hem of her skirt, taking breath after breath, quietly whispering to herself, "It's okay."
To her, those few seconds felt endless.
Then, a burst of cheerful laughter echoed down the hall. Someone was coming.
Her heart jumped. Without thinking, she stepped forward, as if trying to hide what she felt.
But it was too late.
As soon as she peeked around the corner, someone from the faction office noticed her.
"Ah."
A student waved her over. "How was it?" they asked casually, already guiding her toward the room.
She wanted to run.
But she couldn't. Not yet. Not until she saw this through.
If she didn't end things properly, she'd never be able to smile honestly with anyone again.
Conflicted by the desire to flee and the need to face it, she followed as the door creaked open.
"Come in."
A voice from inside. Calm, commanding.
Elcia froze for a moment, then stepped in.
The room, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, looked more like a salon than a classroom. Plush sofas lined the walls. A board game table sat in the center, along with a refrigerator stocked with drinks.
On the largest sofa sat Dario, Chris, and several nobles from the Central Houses.
None of them stood to greet her. They just looked up and smirked.
"So it's you," one said.
"How'd it go?" another chimed in. "Heard some wild story about the Dark Spirit King showing up."
Elcia drew in a breath, then began to report the gathering's events—calmly and truthfully.
At first, the others wore smug expressions, but as her story continued, their smiles faded.
The tone shifted. One voice, sharper now, asked, "So what's your point?"
They didn't want to admit it, but it was clear: the gathering had been a success.
Elcia exhaled softly.
"...The gathering went well. The mission failed. I'm sorry."
She bowed deeply.
Someone stood up. "You—"
"Wait," Dario interrupted, raising a hand.
"...Was it Miss Laurent?" he asked, tilting his head.
Elcia nodded. "Yes."
Dario frowned, walking slowly to the window.
"...That's disappointing. I had high hopes for you."
He turned back to her.
"So, what should we do with you?"
Still bowing, Elcia lifted her gaze. "It's my responsibility."
She stood straight.
"Please expel me from the faction. A failure like me will only be a burden to Sir Weissman."
That was all she could say.
She didn't have the strength to say, "I'm leaving because I hate you." It wasn't just fear—it was also her way of protecting Randy and the others.
If she angered Dario and Chris too openly, they might turn their spite toward them.
But even though she chose her words carefully—
"I see. So you've been swayed by Victor."
Dario sighed. He saw through her instantly.
Of course he did. Elcia wasn't used to deception. She flinched, her shoulders trembling.
"N-no, I'm here because—"
"It's fine. That's enough."
With another sigh, Dario returned to his seat.
"You want out, right?"
She nodded.
"Alright. But there's a condition."
"A... condition?" Elcia's voice shook.
Dario nodded. He looked at Chris, who took the cue and spoke.
"I hear your father—the Baron Laurent—is a respected legal official."
He paused as if in deep thought.
"That's right... You should find a way to bring down Victor's popularity."
The moment he said it, Elcia's mind screamed, Impossible.
Victor had talent, influence, and capable allies. She was just a girl. There was no way.
Especially with the election only a week away.
Chris smiled, amused. "Of course, my father owes your father quite a bit. That's why I've always tried to be nice to you."
Elcia hesitated. Her mouth opened, but no words came.
Just hearing her father's name unsettled her. As a supporter of the former Minister of Justice, he stood out in the ministry—and not in a good way.
"Then what should we do?"
Chris leaned forward, clearly enjoying this. He had forgotten any fear he once had of Randy.
His smile twisted into something cruel.
He knew there was no right answer.
What they wanted was simple: for her to say, I'll try again.
That's why they backed her into a corner.
And Elcia knew it.
But whether she could endure it... was another matter.
(Three years. If I can just last three years...)
If she could just survive school life—
She lowered her head. "Sorry──"
But then a sudden shout rang out from outside the classroom.
"Who's that?"
One of the students stood up in alarm as the door burst open.
"Get a teacher!"
Julius stepped inside with a sigh. "Back off. This is going to get messy."
Behind him, standing boldly at the entrance—was Livia.
"Y-Yes, Julius... former prince—"
The moment someone shouted, "Who's that?" the tension in the room broke. The speaker shrank back, retreating onto the nearest sofa as if trying to disappear.
Directly across from Dario's personal seat, a young man casually dropped himself onto the opposing sofa—no invitation, no hesitation. He sprawled out like he owned the place.
Julius crossed one leg over the other with ease, radiating the same imposing aura that once earned him the nickname King's Bearing from Randy. His gaze swept across the room, calm yet overwhelming. The others froze like frogs facing down a snake, eyes averted, shoulders tense.
Only Dario and Chris dared to hold his gaze, both simmering with unspoken hostility. But to Julius, their anger was no more than a breeze stirred by a mosquito's wings—barely worth his attention.
Sitting in the very heart of enemy territory, Julius looked entirely at ease. A faint smile curved on his lips as he said, "Not a bad seat."
"Prince Julius," Dario spoke with a strained voice, "Even for you, entering without knocking and sitting wherever you like... it's a breach of etiquette, isn't it?"
Julius raised an eyebrow. "Etiquette?"
"My apologies. Perhaps I've misunderstood. This is the Imperial Academy, after all. Technically, everything here belongs to His Majesty. And by the Emperor's grace, students are free to use all facilities—within reason, of course."
Leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, Julius replied with a faint glint in his eye. "Was I wrong, then? No one knocks to enter an empty classroom. And sitting on available furniture—even sofas—requires no permission."
He paused, his voice sharpening.
"Or do you think the Emperor's property is actually yours?"
Dario grimaced, his gaze faltering.
"Well... yes, technically, it is the Emperor's, but—"
Chris jumped in, trying to back Dario up. "That's true, but—"
"This is the Autonomous Region. And back in the Kingdom era, we had our own traditions. Like reserving classrooms during student council elections," Chris said, firm in his argument.
"So?" Julius asked, his tone unreadable.
"That's the point—" Chris started.
But Julius cut in. "Because this is an Autonomous Region? But Alexandria follows Imperial Law now, doesn't it? Same as Braubelg or Hartfield. Meaning, this academy is no different from any Imperial territory. And that change... well, it's thanks to your side, isn't it?"
His smile carried a trace of irony. Dario and Chris had no answer.
"I heard everything from outside," Julius said, reclining again on the sofa. "Quite the conversation. Should I start tanking Randolph's popularity?"
He murmured casually, but every word carried weight.
"After all, it's election season."
Dario clenched his jaw. "Victor's popularity won't last. If someone like him becomes the academy's face, the students will regret it. We want to prevent that. That's all. When I said we'd lower his popularity, it was just a figure of speech."
Julius nodded. "I see."
Then his eyes narrowed. "So, will you share your current methods with the rest of the student body?"
Dario choked on his words. "Guh..."
"Just kidding," Julius said, shrugging. "I'm not the type to humiliate others for fun. Still—"
His voice grew quiet.
"If you think someone as fragile as this girl can do what you couldn't... maybe you should do it yourselves. Or do you plan to shove the burden onto her because you couldn't handle it?"
Dario flinched, avoiding Julius's piercing gaze once more.
"You wouldn't force her to take on something even nobles like you can't handle, would you?" Julius added softly. "Even the proud Central Nobility—ah, pardon me. Former Central Nobility."
Dario and Chris both grit their teeth at the jab.
"So, what's your move? Handle it yourselves, or beg her to clean up your mess?"
"We'll do it ourselves!" Dario snapped.
Julius clapped once and stood. "Good. Then there's no problem."
He walked over to Elcia, who still looked stunned, and gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Well then, my lady. Shall we go?"
Elcia blinked. "Huh?"
"They say you're not needed. So, no reason for you to stay, is there?"
Julius smiled like the perfect prince, and Elcia found herself caught in it—
"CHEATER!"
A fist crashed into Julius's stomach.
"Ugh—Livia, wait—"
Julius doubled over, grimacing in pain. Livia glared fiercely.
"Even though someone like me around..."
"Got it, got it," Julius groaned. "I'll buy you something sweet later. Now calm down."
Livia's expression softened. "Then I'll forgive you."
Julius chuckled through the pain, then turned serious again.
"Now, back to the main point. She's not needed here, right?"
Dario raised his hand to respond, but Julius stopped him with a slight shake of his head.
"All of us are subjects of His Majesty. Our freedoms come from the Emperor's goodwill. Denying someone that freedom—holding them back—is dangerously close to rebellion. Do you really want to go there?"
Julius's gaze turned cold. Dario and Chris lowered their eyes, unable to answer.
The gap between them was obvious. Julius then turned to Chris with a faint smile.
"By the way, I've heard her father is rather capable."
Everyone but Livia looked confused.
"Huh?" they all echoed.
Even Elcia blinked in surprise. "Wait... what?"
Julius grinned.
"Surely no one would cast away the daughter of such a man, right?"
Laughing softly, he turned his back on the group, guiding Elcia out of the room with him.
"...Thank you," she whispered once they were far enough from the classroom.
"If you're thanking anyone, thank Randolph," Julius said. "He's the one who sent Livia and the others after noticing something was up between you and that other boy."
"Still, you both helped too."
Elcia bowed deeply again. Julius and Livia shared a small smile.
Seeing their gentle expressions, Elcia felt something swell inside her chest. Even after being exposed as a spy, there were still people who looked out for her.
Julius scratched his head. "Well, Randolph and I just couldn't ignore it. No need to feel indebted."
"Anyway, from today on, you're free. So live how you want. That said... if trouble finds you again, you can always talk to me. Or to Randolph."
He finished with a soft smile.
Elcia returned it with a bright one of her own, nodding firmly.
In that moment, she may have already sensed it—
That this was only the beginning of her journey with Randy and the others.
Notes:
• Elcia - A serious girl with long brown hair tied in a bun, from the Baron Laurent family. She is a spy for Edgar's faction, motivated by her family's declining status after political shifts.
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