"I request an audience! I am told a man named Hugo Clay is present!"
The door slid open with a thunderous clatter, followed by a voice that was just as loud.
The young man searching for Hugo stopped when he spotted Tadakatsu and the other fathers of the Warrior Shrine Maidens. Seeing them talking to a prominent man with a villainous face and flaming red hair, he strode over with a grim expression.
"You are Hugo Clay, I assume?"
"Y-yeah... That’s me. And who might you all be?"
"My name is Katsuyori Ikkaku! Next head of the illustrious House of Ikkaku!"
He delivered the introduction with such grandeur it felt as though a dramatic fanfare should have echoed behind him. He was, in a word, deafening.
He looks like the type who doesn't listen to a word anyone says, Hugo thought as he studied Katsuyori. Meanwhile, Setsuna and Sakura both cleared their throats.
"Ahem! Could you please lower your voice? This is a classroom, after all."
"Furthermore, when introducing yourself in these lands, it is customary to provide your own name first. It is well and good to take pride in your lineage, but there is a proverb: 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do,' is there not?"
"Guh! I—if you two say so, I shall endeavor to be more mindful!"
His voice was still quite loud, but a flustered Katsuyori obediently followed the Warrior Shrine Maidens' instructions.
I guess he listens to Setsuna and the others, at least, Hugo noted, revising his initial impression. As he did, the two men standing behind Tadakatsu spoke up.
"Then allow me to introduce myself as well. My name is Enji Jiko, the next head of the House of Jiko."
"Masanaga Azano, eldest son of the House of Azano! Hugo Clay! We have come to challenge you to a duel!"
"...Well, I had a feeling this was coming."
Hugo groaned, looking utterly exhausted as Masanaga leveled a finger at him to make his declaration.
It was exactly what he had expected, and he supposed he should be grateful they were getting straight to the point. He took a moment to observe the three strange guests from Yamato.
Katsuyori, who had taken the lead, was the spitting image of a wild warrior. He shared a similar temperament with Tadakatsu—the type to fly off the handle when his emotions ran high, but also similar in that he regained his composure when someone stepped in to restrain him.
Then there was Enji, the next head of the House of Jiko—a name that implied a house of deep compassion—but his vibe was uncomfortably similar to the early version of Marcos. He was arrogant and looked down on Hugo with total contempt. In fact, it seemed he had eyes for no one but Setsuna.
Hugo noticed a faint glint of lecherous interest in Enji’s eyes when they flickered toward Melt and Anhel. He immediately shifted his position, stepping in to shield the girls from the man's gaze.
Serves you right, Hugo thought as Enji’s face twisted into an expression of clear irritation. Finally, he turned his attention to the last man, Masanaga. With his sharp features and a slender but well-trained physique, Masanaga had the air of a typical honor student.
However, Hugo sensed that Masanaga was even less likely to listen to reason than Tadakatsu or Katsuyori. He felt uncomfortably similar to those students who had been branded as Hero Candidates.
"Ooh! There are so many people here now! Are these friends of yours, Marcos?"
"Elena, stay back. A tedious conversation is about to begin. And stop clinging to me. Let go."
Elena, who had stopped her little dance to hug Marcos from behind, asked her question innocently while resting her chin on his shoulder.
As Marcos delivered his flat retorts, Setsuna let out a sigh.
"The three of you, honestly. You've only just arrived at the academy—try to settle down instead of demanding duels immediately. You're being a nuisance to Hugo."
"Do not try to stop us, Setsuna-san! This is a matter concerning our family names and our pride as men!"
"The three of us have secretly harbored feelings for you all! We cannot stand by while some nobody approaches you during your time abroad and acts as though you are intimate!"
"We have heard that this man performed great deeds. However, was that not only possible because of your assistance? We have heard he is a useless son who was disowned by his family not long ago... It is only natural to suspect something underhanded is at play, is it not?"
"Well, it’s true that I’m disowned, and it’s also a fact that my achievements on Wind Island were only possible because I worked with Setsuna and the others..."
"Aha! He admitted it! As I thought, a man like you is not worthy of Raiha-dono and the rest! We shall use this opportunity to make you reconsider your relationship!"
"Good grief... Listen, could you please stop running away with the conversation? You show up out of nowhere and start nitpicking our lives—it's nothing but a massive bother, frankly."
"Setsuna-san, I apologize, but please remain silent. This is a conversation between men."
"As if I’d stay silent. This concerns my own life."
Hugo was starting to see the dynamics at play.
Judging by their behavior so far, Masanaga had feelings for Raiha and looked down on Hugo as a thug who had seduced his beloved girl.
Katsuyori was infatuated with Sakura, who shared his hot-blooded personality. Compared to the other two, he seemed like a decent enough person—just impulsive—but he was still going to be a handful.
And Enji was targeting Setsuna, the woman he was eyeing with such greasy intent. A chauvinistic streak bled through every word he spoke.
Knowing who is after whom makes things a little easier to manage, Hugo thought. Just as he was considering his next move, Ryuga, who had been listening silently, spoke up and addressed the newcomers.