Chapter 22: Miss Adryn is Popular (1)
Chapter 22: Miss Adryn is Popular (1)
Chapter 22: Miss Adryn is Popular (1)
‘Uh-‘
Kasha, who had resolved the situation, looked at Ceylon quietly this time.
Adryn had a bad feeling about this.
Of course she would feel that way.
Why would Kasha actively intervene to resolve the incident?
‘It’s annoying…!’
Just like a swarm of flies, those insignificant people flocked to Kasha with the intention of surpassing her in the exam and causing trouble for her.
And they even went as far as disturbing her peace of mind.
So it was only natural that everything about them would be irritating to Kasha.
Adryn believed without a doubt in that fact.
She knew Kasha well enough to know that she wouldn’t tolerate such behavior from anyone.
Of course, if you look at the situation alone, there could be a possibility that Kasha helped Silon who was in trouble.
‘No way.’
But as far as Adryn was concerned, there was no reason for Kasha to help Ceylon.
Didn’t Ceylon try to surpass Kasha by taking first place in the second exam?
Kasha’s personality would never allow it.
‘And on top of all this chaos caused by commoners against nobles…!’
Clearly, in Kasha’s eyes, a foolish guy who lacked intelligence and skills and blabbered without knowing his place like Ceylon must have appeared as nothing more than an annoying pest.
If given the chance, she would gladly trample Ceylon underfoot!
“Kasha-ssi…!”
Having lost her train of thought to that point, Adryn impulsively grabbed Kasha’s attention.
She thought she was the only one who could help Ceylon, that stupid, pathetic fool.
“…”
Kasha slowly turned her head to look at Adryn.
Her face pinched, as if she’d been interrupted in an important moment.
Interrupted?
Interrupted by what?
It has been decided already.
By deliberately creating an atmosphere to trample Ceylon, Adryn had interrupted the flow by intervening at that moment.
‘Well done, Adryn.’
Adryn trying to tied Kasha’s attention to herself so that Kasha wouldn’t pay any more attention to Ceylon until the end.
That was the only way to save Ceylon!
With determination in her heart, Adryn faced Kasha and spoke.
“Th-thank you for your help! Thanks to Kasha-ssi’s intervention, I have avoided a difficult situation. I will never forget your kindness. If there is ever a situation where I, Adryn of House Teln is needed in the future, please feel free to call on me without hesitation!”
She bowed deeply with utmost respect.
Contrary to Adryn’s intentions, Kasha’s attention did not linger on Adryn for a moment.
Kasha turned her gaze back to Ceylon before Adryn could finish her sentence, as if she didn’t care about Adryn.
“Kasha-ssi…!”
Adryn urgently tried calling out to Kasha once again but-
“…”
“…!”
Under Kasha’s impatient gaze as if telling her not to interrupt anymore, eventually her will was broken.
Why does Kasha want to trample that Ceylon so badly?
‘What should I do…! You foolish idiot-‘
Since it had come this far, there was only one thing Adryn could do!
Adryn shouted furiously at Ceylon.
Not with words but with her eyes!
‘Hey, you idiot!’
‘I’m begging you!’
‘Don’t mess around with her!’
‘Behave yourself…!’
‘You’re going to get yourself killed!’
Unfortunately, Adryn’s silent outcry seemed unheard.
“Oh~ As expected of Miss Kasha Hanahan!”
Adryn’s eyes widened as Ceylon opened the conversation with his usual calm demeanor.
“To resolve such a complicated situation so easily. Truly…! This, I still vividly remember. When Kasha-ssi said ‘Number 2’ in a sharp but deep voice, everyone understood her intention and immediately disbanded. Isn’t this the dignity of someone who stands at the top?”
Ceylon blatant flattery while acting all arrogant made Adrian’s mouth drop open.
What an obvious and shameless flatterer!
It was the kind of behavior, Adryn thought, that Kasha would find disgusting.
‘Oh, it’s over…’
Adryn looked to Kasha for a reaction.
“Flattery.”
That was Kasha’s response.
She turned her head away from Ceylon with an expression that showed disdain for his arrogance.
‘What…?’
Was it because of her mood?
It seemed like she felt somewhat embarrassed by that appearance.
‘Could that be the right answer…?’
With a doubtful mind, Adryn also tried saying something in defense of herself.
“Yes, yes! That’s right Kasha-ssi! You looked truly majestic!”
As the expression on Kasha’s face hardened rapidly, she glared at Adryn. Her expression seemed to say, “What are you up to again?”.
Adryn rolls her eyes in disbelief.
‘Of course, it wasn’t…!’
Well, obviously not.
How could Kasha possibly enjoy such blatant flattery?
The reaction earlier was not just a slight annoyance from being frowned upon by an arrogant person. It was pure disgust.
It felt unfair that Kasha reaction when Adryn did something and Ceylon did something were strangely different, but one thing was certain.
This is not right!
“Oh well. It’s really disappointing.”
But Ceylon, that idiot, didn’t even notice the obvious, so he continued in the same tone.
Kasha’s head turned slightly as if waiting!
Adryn can guarantee it.
If Ceylon provides another excuse there, then there will be no turning back.
Ceylon will be perfectly marked by Kasha Hanahan.
“Ce-Ceylon, from now on, I will speak to Kasha-ssi, and you can go first-”
At that moment, Adryn’s mouth froze.
‘Hicc-!’
Not exactly crushed but a strong pressure engulfed her like a fox trapped in a tight spot.
The source of that pressure was none other than Kasha’s gaze.
‘Don’t interfere.’
‘You nuisance.’
Unlike the soundless shout Adryn had given Ceylon, Kasha’s soundless shout reached Adryn with certainty.
“Uhh…”
Frightened and curled up like a fox with her body wrapped around herself tightly, Adryn was undoubtedly driven off stage this time.
Snap!
Kasha flicked her chin towards Silon.
She urged him to continue.
“What do you mean you’re disappointed?”
“Well? Ahh… Well…”
Ceylon pointed to his chest.
Kasha looked alternately between his chest and hers before understanding and let out an ‘ah’ sound as if she got it right away.
For just a brief moment disappointment flashed across Kasha’s face, but she quickly erased it and asked.
“Are you here to check my number too?”
“Of course I am, and it’s a shame, because I really wanted to be in the same group as you, Miss Kasha.”
Not only his words but also a clear sense of disappointment could be seen in his smiling expression.
“That-”
Just when Kasha was about to say something,
“Isn’t that right, Miss Adryn?”
Ceylon’s attention naturally shifted to Adryn.
“Huh?”
“You’ve always wanted to be in the same group as Kasha-ssi, haven’t you?”
“Well, Y-yes??”
“That’s unfortunate. But don’t feel too down. As I mentioned before, I think Miss Adryn alone is more than enough for me. The two of us can still achieve great results together!”
Adryn, who had been half-conscious under Kasha’s pressure, was brought back to her senses by Ceylon’s call.
Adryn regained her senses but couldn’t focus on Ceylon’s story because she was so concerned about Kasha.
“…”
“Heeek…!”
And just like that, Adryn eyes locked with Kasha’s, who was glaring at her with a murderous glare that she had never seen before.
“You.”
“Yes? Yes!?”
“What did you say your name was?”
“M-me? Me!?”
“…”
“Oh, s-sorry! I’m A-Adryn! From the Teln family!”
Upon hearing her answer, Kasha immediately turned around and left the place.
Adryn watched her retreating figure and felt a sharp pain.
At this moment. She knew for sure that she had been firmly recorded in Kasha’s memories.
Judging by Kasha’s reaction earlier.
It was clear that the list with her name on it was a list of those Kasha did not like.
“I-I-I-I-I-”
A face drained of soul.
Adryn stuttered like a broken machine for a moment, then finally managed to finish.
“Was I… marked…? By Kasha-ssi…?”
“Well, I’m not sure. But certainly, the last interaction from Miss Kasha didn’t seem pleasant.”
“What did I do…?”
“That’s what I’m saying. All you did was accompany me.”
“…!”
That’s it.
Adryn’s eyes widened, and she was about to ask Ceylon something.
“Are you two alright?”
A voice that couldn’t be ignored flowed into their ears.
A calm and composed voice that was more powerful than others screaming in anger.
It was Drin Lebringer.
She looked at Ceylon, sighed, and shook her head several times.
“I heard someone got into an argument with ‘that commoner,’ and of course it turned out to be you.”
“Of course it was me. To hear you tell it, one would think I was the only commoner who participated in this year’s Academy entrance exam.”
“It’s not about that, but undoubtedly, you are attracting the most attention among them. In both good and bad ways.”
“Well then, am I representing the commoners? It seems like an excessive responsibility.”
“Who asked you if you feel excessively responsible or not?”
“It may be excessive, but still if things turn out this way, it might not be so bad being in a position similar to Miss Drin during her noble representative days.”
“Oh my goodness! You really…”
Adryn was once again puzzled by their conversation.
‘What is going on…?’
According to Drin’s words, those two clearly had no relationship whatsoever.
Moreover, due to an incident during the second round of exams, Drin held negative feelings towards Ceylon.
That’s why she thought Ceylon was out of favor with Drin.
But what?
The conversation flowed as naturally as the exchange of money for goods and goods for money on the market.
Is that really how Drin Lebringer treats someone she dislikes?
Was there anyone else at the Academy who could have such a casual conversation with Drin Lebringer in the first place?
Adryn was about to slip into cognitive dissonance again.
“By the way, is she-”
Drin’s attention was drawn to Adryn.
Before Adryn could compose herself and say anything, Ceylon spoke up.
“Ah, this is Miss Adryn of House Teln.”
“Ah, I see. Adryn of House Teln-”
Drin words trailed off for a moment.
“Miss?”
As if the title bothered her.
Drin’s pure skin resembled a snow-covered plain, with subtle wrinkles forming on her forehead.
Adryn felt an inexplicable uneasiness.