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Chapter 28. The Head Of Garndi Baron Family

"Ash Garndi is the head of the Garndi family, who were newly titled nobility a few years ago. It seems the previous head was a magic knight who single-handedly defeated a powerful magical beast and protected the king. He was such a humble and wonderful person that he was given the title of baron as a special honor. But the exact details are probably only known by those at the top."

"Normally, wouldn't that previous head be the only one to hold the title?"

"I thought so too, but apparently, there were some circumstances... and the title was granted as is."

Huh... A magic knight becoming new nobility without a war... There might be more to it like they were given the title to keep them quiet about something?

"So? What about the previous head?"

"He fell ill. It seems he's still alive, but... it's unlikely he can hold a sword again."

"So his son inherited the title and came to this academy to make a name for himself as a magic knight."

Well... he must be desperate.

The noble status built on his father's valor has shaken greatly in just a few years.

If he shows incompetence, his title will be quickly taken away.

The fate of nobles who lose their titles is... miserable.

"What do you think she meant by 'interesting student'?"

"Interesting... who knows? Certainly, being a current head of a noble family might make him an interesting student, but I don't understand why that would be interesting."

Is it interesting because he's a current head, or is there something unexpected about him being ranked 56th... Or maybe his personality is just interesting?

"Do you know where this Ash Garndi usually hangs out?"

"He’s usually in the training grounds. He’s a serious, hardworking student who’s very strict with himself, to the point where people around him are worried."

"Why do you keep appearing in front of me, Jeremiah?"

"Why, you ask... because we’re students of the same academy, we should get along."

Stalker much?

He's smiling gently, but seeing him, Elixira hid behind me.

Despite his handsome face and gentle smile,

Elixira seems to have a bad impression of him.

Well, that golden-eyed gaze that seems to peer into something inside people is indeed unsettling.

"Baron Garndi is a really good person, he'll be a great inspiration for you."

"Should I be happy about that?"

"Of course."

Hey... If this handsome guy says it, does that mean he's a really troublesome person?

Or rather, why does this guy keep showing up wherever I go?

But the information Jeremiah has is valuable, so I can't just brush him off.

Even though it was getting late, as Jeremiah said, a man was swinging his sword in the training grounds.

Even from a distance, his graceful sword swings caught my eye.

"Hmm? Who’s there?"

Just as I stepped into the training grounds to observe,

the man noticed my presence.

I didn't expect to be noticed, so it surprised me a bit.

"I was thinking of watching for a bit... was I in the way?"

"No, watching is fine, but... with that stern look, are you Theodore Anthem?"

Why did he insult my look?

With white hair contrasting black eyes... Ash Garndi seemed to know who I was.

His face looked exhausted like a workaholic, which surprised me a bit, but

as Elixira had told me, he was a tall, slender man with white hair and black eyes... fitting the description.

"You know who I am?"

"Yeah... the meddlesome rank 1 student told me a lot about you."

That guy... he’s even started talking about me to others. Definitely stalker behavior.

"So, what's the famous troublemaker want with me?"

"Troublemaker... are you talking about skipping the exam?"

"Is there anything else?

Or do you have some other reason to call yourself that?"

No, I don't think I've done anything to deserve being called a troublemaker...

I mean, besides skipping classes when they seem tedious, but that's about it.

"So, what's your business... you're not in any faction, right?"

"...No, I’m not. As a member of the Garndi family, I'm aiming for the top.

I’m not here to suck up to duke families or marquesses."

Hmm... It's more of an individualist approach.

He probably feels he has to stand alone as the head of the baron family.

If that's the case, there's a chance he'll join our faction.

If he sees it as more beneficial to be with us than to fight alone for the baron family...

"I want you to join the Bifrance faction."

"...Bifrans family... another big noble family.

But the Bifrance family in this academy... is the dropout, Elixira-sama, right?"

As expected of a noble head, he knows her.

"She’s called a dropout, but Elixira has the talent to handle grimoires. I believe she can rise to the top."

"A grimoire, you say?"

He seemed uninterested in my recruitment pitch, but the moment I mentioned 'grimoire', his eyes changed.

As a noble head, he probably sees great value in grimoires.

That's why he reacted immediately.

"I'm a bit interested now. I've heard that those who can handle grimoires always succeed in some way... and that there's potential for anyone to handle them."

"Sorry if it’s rude, but do you use a grimoire?"

"I don’t. I’ve never even seen one... people usually hide them."

I see... So he wants to use a grimoire himself.

To restore the baron family, he likely wants to become able to use a grimoire himself.

That's his way of remaining a noble.

"...Would you like to spar a bit? I watched you, and your swordsmanship seems different."

Despite using a one-handed sword, there was something unusual in Ash Garndi's movements, and I grew interested in his swordsmanship and skill.

To gauge his strength... clashing swords is the quickest way.

"Alright. I was also curious about the person who caught the attention of the top-ranked student... your skill."

"Forget that."

I’ll definitely confront Jeremiah next time.