“This is troublesome,” he muttered.
“It seems like your body has dirt everywhere,” I remarked.
“Ha… What can I do about it?” he sighed.
“……”
The man paid no attention to my words, lost in his own predicament. Why did he keep touching his face and muttering to himself? If I had water or a bucket in my hands, I would pour it over him without hesitation, so repulsed I was by his behaviour.
“The academy, you see, it’s not here, but over there, by the stream. If you follow the path, you’ll come across a grove of maple trees. Take a right turn there, and right next to it is a narrow trail…,” I explained.
“Just a moment, please,” the man interrupted, gripping his temple with one hand and extending his other hand towards me. I took another step back, avoiding the hand that seemed immensely displeasing to touch.
“So…the orchard comes first?” he asked sharply, his eyes gleaming with a faux sense of wit.
“No, it’s the stream,” I corrected him.
“Oh, I made a mistake. Then it’s the orchard, right?”
“No, it’s the maple trees.”
“Hmm… I should have known,” he said with a hint of self-assurance.
The man nodded, crossing his arms and lowering his head. He seemed to have expected everything to go wrong.
“Indeed, I lack any talent when it comes to memorizing routes.”
“…It’s quite impressive how quickly you externalize self-criticism.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery.”
I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being entangled with an incredibly bothersome individual. How can I escape this? Just when things were resolved with Leo, now this strange person appears to torment me. My life is really a peculiar one.
“Having wielded a sword since I was young, I must admit that I am somewhat inexperienced in finding my way.”
“……”
The man spoke in a serious tone, trying to defend himself. However, his words were filled with contradictions. What does wielding a sword have to do with finding directions? It was evident to anyone that he wasn’t just a little inexperienced but a complete stranger to navigation.
“Nevertheless, my swordsmanship skills are recognized by many in various places. Going to the Academy is an opportunity for me to share my teachings as a swordsmanship professor…”
“Wait, wait, what did you just say?”
I doubted my own ears. Did I hear that correctly? I took a couple of steps closer to the man, closer than when I had retreated.
“Are you saying my swordsmanship skills are exceptionally great in various places…?”
“No! Aside from that, what’s behind you?”
“I have been appointed as a swordsmanship professor at the Academy. Is that what you meant?”
I wrapped my head with my hands and then covered my mouth. That wretched scoundrel… Now that I think about it, he has blond hair and blue eyes. I was so focused on his dirty appearance that I didn’t properly examine his facial features, but now that I look again, they are surprisingly attractive. Handsome.
I slowly lowered my hand and swallowed a dry saliva.
“May I know your name?”
“Luke Florence.”
That’s right. Of course! I forced myself to swallow the scream that was about to burst out and repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fists. Stay calm. I must stay calm.
“Oh, so… you’re… Luke Florence…”
“Do you know me?”
I quickly crossed my arms and denied it.
“No, not at all. It’s the first time I’ve met you.”
Reason and my long-lost first love, Luke Florence, who desired to prevent the darkness of Kamian. And now, there he stood before my eyes.
He may not be clad in the resplendent golden armour I had always imagined, riding on a white horse. Nonetheless, he was unmistakably Luke Florence.
Just a minute ago, he had seemed like a bumbling fool who had no concept of hygiene, but now he began to appear courageous and righteous, like a noble knight. My heart swelled with overwhelming emotions. So, this is what Luke looks like. I captured every detail meticulously, from his deep double eyelids and elegant nose to his chiselled jawline.
Even though I blatantly observed his face, Luke maintained a composed demeanour, showing no sign of discomfort. His countenance exuded courtesy and seriousness. It seemed that nothing else occupied his mind other than finding his way.
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, may I ask for directions to the Academy?”
“…Yes, I happen to have some time.”
Luke, who had maintained a stern expression throughout, finally relaxed his lips. He breathed out as if relieved, and his eyes narrowed. His face, adorned with bright, captivating smiles that revealed his pearly white teeth, shone like gazing directly at the sun.
“This is troublesome,” he muttered.
“It seems like your body has dirt everywhere,” I remarked.
“Ha… What can I do about it?” he sighed.
“……”
The man paid no attention to my words, lost in his own predicament. Why did he keep touching his face and muttering to himself? If I had water or a bucket in my hands, I would pour it over him without hesitation, so repulsed I was by his behaviour.
“The academy, you see, it’s not here, but over there, by the stream. If you follow the path, you’ll come across a grove of maple trees. Take a right turn there, and right next to it is a narrow trail…,” I explained.
“Just a moment, please,” the man interrupted, gripping his temple with one hand and extending his other hand towards me. I took another step back, avoiding the hand that seemed immensely displeasing to touch.
“So…the orchard comes first?” he asked sharply, his eyes gleaming with a faux sense of wit.
“No, it’s the stream,” I corrected him.
“Oh, I made a mistake. Then it’s the orchard, right?”
“No, it’s the maple trees.”
“Hmm… I should have known,” he said with a hint of self-assurance.
The man nodded, crossing his arms and lowering his head. He seemed to have expected everything to go wrong.
“Indeed, I lack any talent when it comes to memorizing routes.”
“…It’s quite impressive how quickly you externalize self-criticism.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery.”
I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being entangled with an incredibly bothersome individual. How can I escape this? Just when things were resolved with Leo, now this strange person appears to torment me. My life is really a peculiar one.
“Having wielded a sword since I was young, I must admit that I am somewhat inexperienced in finding my way.”
“……”
The man spoke in a serious tone, trying to defend himself. However, his words were filled with contradictions. What does wielding a sword have to do with finding directions? It was evident to anyone that he wasn’t just a little inexperienced but a complete stranger to navigation.
“Nevertheless, my swordsmanship skills are recognized by many in various places. Going to the Academy is an opportunity for me to share my teachings as a swordsmanship professor…”
“Wait, wait, what did you just say?”
I doubted my own ears. Did I hear that correctly? I took a couple of steps closer to the man, closer than when I had retreated.
“Are you saying my swordsmanship skills are exceptionally great in various places…?”
“No! Aside from that, what’s behind you?”
“I have been appointed as a swordsmanship professor at the Academy. Is that what you meant?”
I wrapped my head with my hands and then covered my mouth. That wretched scoundrel… Now that I think about it, he has blond hair and blue eyes. I was so focused on his dirty appearance that I didn’t properly examine his facial features, but now that I look again, they are surprisingly attractive. Handsome.
I slowly lowered my hand and swallowed a dry saliva.
“May I know your name?”
“Luke Florence.”
That’s right. Of course! I forced myself to swallow the scream that was about to burst out and repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fists. Stay calm. I must stay calm.
“Oh, so… you’re… Luke Florence…”
“Do you know me?”
I quickly crossed my arms and denied it.
“No, not at all. It’s the first time I’ve met you.”
Reason and my long-lost first love, Luke Florence, who desired to prevent the darkness of Kamian. And now, there he stood before my eyes.
He may not be clad in the resplendent golden armour I had always imagined, riding on a white horse. Nonetheless, he was unmistakably Luke Florence.
Just a minute ago, he had seemed like a bumbling fool who had no concept of hygiene, but now he began to appear courageous and righteous, like a noble knight. My heart swelled with overwhelming emotions. So, this is what Luke looks like. I captured every detail meticulously, from his deep double eyelids and elegant nose to his chiselled jawline.
Even though I blatantly observed his face, Luke maintained a composed demeanour, showing no sign of discomfort. His countenance exuded courtesy and seriousness. It seemed that nothing else occupied his mind other than finding his way.
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, may I ask for directions to the Academy?”
“…Yes, I happen to have some time.”
Luke, who had maintained a stern expression throughout, finally relaxed his lips. He breathed out as if relieved, and his eyes narrowed. His face, adorned with bright, captivating smiles that revealed his pearly white teeth, shone like gazing directly at the sun.
