242 Commoner Allen’s Slothful Day

I blinked my eyes open.

The first thing I saw was the ceiling, looming way too close for comfort. It was the bottom of a bunk bed.

This was the room I shared with Duke. Even though I had the option to move into a private room, I’d turned it down and stubbornly stayed put. It was modest—unbelievably so for a place like Noblesse Magic Academy—but it was where I felt most at peace.

I’ve heard Weiss’s room is incredibly luxurious, though.

I was a little curious to see it, but I’d avoided going because I knew I’d just end up green with envy. I really should do something about this sore-loser streak of mine.

Right then, Duke came vaulting down from the top bunk with a reckless amount of energy. He landed with a heavy thud and—yawning the whole time—immediately started doing push-ups.

"Uooooooh! Mornin’, Allen!"

I’d once asked him why on earth he did that the second he opened his eyes, and he’d told me it was the best way to blow the sleepiness away. It sounded like it made sense, but then again, it really didn't.

Once he finished his daily routine, he turned to me. "So, what are we eating?"

"Sorry... I'm a burden as always."

"Don't sweat it. Let’s see what today’s menu is. I'll go check."

"Thanks."

Duke walked over to the Nobless Cafeteria menu he’d pinned to a wooden board. The way he performed a full point-and-call inspection on the list was actually kind of cute.

Just then, a knock sounded on the half-open door, and Shari peeked in.

"Morning! You two are up early for once."

"Well, today is that day, after all," Duke replied.

"I guess life is tough for little Allen," Shari teased.

She approached my bed with a look of pure, unadulterated glee. She looked exactly like a mischievous child about to pull a prank. I tried my best to sound intimidating, but it came out more like a desperate plea.

"Shari, stop. Don't! I mean it!"

"Ehe... ehehehe. Now then, let’s see how you’re holding up~"

Shari reached out and poked my shoulder as I lay there.

An instant later, I let out a strangled shriek of agony. "G-Gwah...!"

"I thought so. You’re definitely feeling the hit," she noted clinically.

"You... you did that on purpose..."

"It’s an important palpation! I’m properly checking you with my Mana."

I seriously doubt that...

"Still, it's proof of how hard you worked," she said, her voice softening. "Even Weiss was actually praising you. Rare, right?"

"Was he...?"

"Shari’s right!" Duke added with a boisterous laugh. "He had this look in his eyes like, 'Damn, that guy's actually got some moves!' Probably! I think!"

As Duke roared with laughter and Shari gave me a gentle smile, the tension that had been locking up my body finally started to ease.

After the examination ended, my body had been hit with a staggering price. Beyond the intense pain, I was currently unable to use Mana, and—as was always the case—I could barely move. I could manage to shuffle around the room if I dragged my feet, but I didn't have the energy to make it to the cafeteria. I could have borrowed a wheelchair, but since my hands were useless, I wouldn't have been able to do anything anyway. It was better to just stay in bed and recover.

The more I overused my Gift, the longer my Sloth period lasted. Using Eva’s "hand" had resulted in the most severe Bound I’d ever experienced. It was powerful, but if I wasn't careful, I risked my Mana cutting out in the middle of a fight. I wouldn't go as far as to say I'd stop using it entirely, but I definitely needed to stop overusing it during class.

"Anyway, I’ll go grab some of the daily specials for us to take away—Wait, Shari, what's with that bento?! Don't tell me... you made that yourself?!"

"I could have asked the cafeteria to pack something, but I wanted a change of pace. I did get beaten at the end of the match, after all," Shari said. "Here, Allen. Say 'ahhh'."

"Wha—?! E-Eh?!"

"Just kidding! I cut everything into small pieces and put toothpicks in them, so just lean forward and eat. You can manage that much, right?"

"You scared me... Thank you."

I glanced to the side and saw Duke staring at us, looking incredibly envious with his finger in his mouth. Does he undergo some kind of infantile regression when he uses too much Mana?

"Here, yours is this one," Shari said, handing him a container.

"Uooooh! Are you serious, Shari?! Is this okay?! Really?! Two of them?!"

"Idiot. One of those is mine. Come on, let's all eat together."

"Alright! Leave the drinks to me!"

"Yes, yes, we’re counting on you."

How did I get so lucky? Even though I was born a commoner, I was being looked after by these high-ranking nobles. I knew discrimination was wrong, but because I wasn't in their position, I sometimes felt a pang of guilt. But the two of them understood. Humans were equal, and where you came from didn't matter.

They really were the best companions I could ask for.

"Ah, this meat is delicious."

"Isn't it? They let me have the good cuts. Noblesse provides ingredients for self-catering too, so it's a real lifesaver."

"It's great!" Duke shouted between mouthfuls. "Maybe I should cook something next time! How about some Muscle Curry?!"

"Does that involve you climbing into the stockpot yourself?" Shari asked dryly.

"That's an option! My own broth would—Ow! Why’d you hit me, Shari?!"

"Stop saying things that kill my appetite while I'm eating."

"Haha... ow... It hurts my stomach to laugh..."

Once we finished eating, sleepiness washed over me, and I drifted off for a nap. Today was a holiday, but even if there had been classes, the Academy would have compensated with makeup sessions later.

When I woke up toward evening, Shari and Duke were gone. They were likely off doing their own thing. I was spacing out for a bit when another knock sounded at the door.

"Yo, Allen. You doing okay?"

"Darius? What brings you here?"

"Just checking in. Don't push yourself. If you need anything, let me know."

"...Yes, thank you. Um, I have one thing I wanted to ask."

"What is it?"

"How are Neil-senpai and Priscilla-senpai doing?"

"...They haven't shown their faces. I'm sure they have a lot to deal with, but for now, you just focus on resting."

"...I understand."

"And one more thing."

"Yes?"

"That was a good match. You’ve grown strong."

"...Thank you very much."

I really had been blessed with a wonderful mentor.

Lying here like this, I found myself reflecting on everything that had happened. It was a period of Sloth, but I didn't hate it; it gave me time to organize my thoughts.

Then, someone else spoke to me. I tried to bolt upright in surprise, but my head collided with the bedframe with a loud clonk.

"O-Oh! Are you alright?!"

"S-Sorry! I—Oh, Cynthia."

She gave me a gentle, kind smile. It was the first time she’d ever come to my room. I wonder why?

"I just came to see how you were. Is your body holding up okay?"

"Yeah, thanks. I think I’ll have to take it easy for all of tomorrow too."

The nature of my Bound was well-known among our year. Because Copy was the cause, many people resented me for it, but there were also plenty of kind people like her.

Suddenly, she handed me something. To my surprise, it was Melomelon Juice.

"...Eh?"

"It’s from Weiss."

"...What? Why?"

"Fufufu. He bought an absurd amount of them, you see. So many that they wouldn't even fit in his cabinets."

"I... see? But why give it to me?"

"He told me, 'If there are leftovers, give one to that slothful idiot.' Ah, I'm sorry... I probably should have phrased that a bit more politely."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. He always insisted he would never change, but he was changing, bit by bit. He probably wouldn't admit it to himself, but I could feel it.

"No, I prefer hearing his words exactly as he said them. It makes me happier. Tell him I’ll enjoy it."

"I will. Well then, please excuse me. ...Allen-san?"

"Yeah?"

"Please look after Weiss from now on."

"...Me?"

"Yes. It seems he thinks of you as someone a bit special, after all. Fufufu, keep that a secret between us. See you later."

"Yeah... see you."

Special, huh...?

I didn't know whether to be happy or terrified. I had a feeling I might just be at the top of his "people I want to punch" list.

Thinking about that, I took a sip of the Melomelon Juice.

"Mm... it's good."

It sounded like Cecil was currently investigating the Slave Crest. By tomorrow evening, I’d probably be able to move a little more.

As I lay back on the bed, I remembered that moment.

—“Allen, keep quiet about me. We have to defeat the Demon King, after all.”

The him who was Weiss, yet wasn't Weiss.

...Who on earth was he?

He had been terrifyingly strong, overflowing with a level of confidence that made me tremble. But he had been so cool.

I wanted to be like him.

...Weiss, let's work hard together.

So that we don't lose to anyone... anyone at all.