A Failed Knight Who Went to the Academy To Get Married

008 Misunderstandings for Fools

“I am Shia, the fifth daughter of King Altoria. Please take care of me.”

At a cafe near the station, Princess Shia politely greeted Train, who was sitting across from her.

“Ah, I’m Train, a fellow knight-in-training in the same department as Prince Shiran.”

“Oppa mentioned you a lot in his letter, praising you, Traein.”

“Is, is that so?”

“I was also deeply impressed by the video of your duel, Traein.”

Traein laughed awkwardly, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.

Something was terribly wrong.

And it was seriously wrong, to the point where he couldn’t tell where it began.

He wanted to ask Prince Sirian for an explanation,

but he had already fled, claiming he had other matters to attend to.

Even before leaving, he had thrown a disgusting wink at Traein.

After taking a sip of iced tea, Traein cautiously opened his mouth.

“Um… that… haha, why did Prince Sirian want to introduce me to Princess Shia?”

“You don’t have to hide it. It’s because of this, isn’t it?”

Princess Shia said with a smile, extending a small poster.

‘Seeking one to break Princess Shia’s curse.’

‘A grand reward awaits the one who breaks the curse.’

“Those who fail shall be executed.”

And then it hit me; I had heard it before.

Princess Shia was cursed to die at the age of fifteen.

About five years ago, the king issued a decree to find someone to break the curse.

But so far, no one has appeared who can lift it.

“Execution is just an empty threat, a bluff. There have been many con artists with ulterior motives.”

Only then did Train understand his current predicament.

In other words, this was the situation.

Prince Siran mistook Train’s intended rescue target for his own sister.

And he thought Train’s escape was ‘to avoid execution.’

With resolve, Train spoke.

“Actually, I think there’s been some misunderstanding.”

Train briefly explained the situation.

In truth, the person he intended to save was someone else.

At that, Princess Shia covered her mouth with her hand and said,

“Oh my! That’s quite serious.”

“I’m sorry to have disappointed you.”

“What should we do? It has already reached my father’s ears, so it won’t be easy to dismiss it as a misunderstanding.”

“I… uh…”

“If father finds out, he might fly into a rage and actually sentence me to death.”

Train couldn’t say a word and just flapped his lips in silence.

Then, Princess Shia removed her hand from her mouth and said with a playful smile,

“So, let’s keep this matter just between the two of us.”

“Is that really okay?”

“I actually thought it would come to this from the beginning. Sirian oppa is known to be quite careless, isn’t he?”

Train exhaled deeply, relieved at the thought of having escaped execution.

After a pause, Princess Shia continued,

“But in return, please do me just one favor.”

“Of course! Anything.”

“The academy is having a sports festival the day after tomorrow, right?”

At the mention of a sports festival, Traein frowned.

“Surely you’re not planning to attend as a spectator?”

“Siran brother told me not to come. So, I’m going to sneak in and watch.”

“Sneaking in…”

“So, please keep it a secret from brother and escort me, Traein.”

Traein had a hunch.

This was definitely going to lead to trouble later on.

But if he didn’t accept, it was as good as a death sentence; he had no choice.

“…Understood.”

“It’s not much of a trade-off, but I’ve prepared a little gift for you.”

As Princess Shia offered a book to Traein, his eyes sparkled as he exclaimed,

“Could it possibly be a magic tome?”

“Hehe, just as brother said, you really do love magic tomes.”

“Thank you!”

Traein eagerly reached out to take the magic tome.

Princess Shia held onto her book without letting go, beaming a bright smile.

“Just so you know, if big brother finds out, the promise is null and void, okay?”

***

On Monday morning, as soon as Instructor Eloi entered the classroom, he exclaimed,

“Sports Day starts tomorrow! Everyone, prepare thoroughly!”

The students stared at Eloi intently.

They were somewhat excited about Sports Day, but,

Why was the instructor so fired up as well?

With a rather serious face, Instructor Eloi told everyone,

“Those in the know are aware, but every year at Sports Day, the Knight Department has been branded with the stigma of ‘false champions.'”

At those words, a few students displayed a slightly sour expression.

They were certainly the top students in terms of mock combat entrance exam scores.

However, since the entrance exam scores were a composite of swordsmanship, magic, and marksmanship,

It couldn’t be said that they excelled in any one subject.

“Swordsmanship has almost always been dominated by the Swordsmanship Department. The same goes for the other two departments.”

In the end, the Knight School was second in every category.

Only by combining the three categories could they claim the overall first place.

That’s why they were branded with the stigma of being a “fake first place.”

“Let’s aim to be the real number one this year, not a fake! If we’re first in every category, this instructor will treat you all!”

At that, the students cheered in unison.

“But if we don’t get first place in every category, it’s double homework for a month.”

The cheers quickly turned into groans.

Instructor Eloi grinned and said to Train, “Got it, class president?”

All eyes immediately turned to Train.

Feeling the pressure to say something, Train stood up.

And then he shouted with vigor, “I resign as class president!”

Of course, his declaration was completely ignored.

***

“Let’s head to the gym for the sports festival training.”

During lunchtime, Lisbeth suggested to Train and Jisoo.

There was no particular reason to refuse, so they quietly followed Lisbeth.

As the three walked together towards the gym, Lisbeth handed something to Train.

“It’s a magic potion. Use it tomorrow if you need to.”

Train’s magical power and recovery rate were significantly lower than an average person’s.

Unable to discern the reason, he thought it was a mental issue.

After all, summoning his magic sword once meant he couldn’t use magic for days.

That’s why the magic potion was essential for Train.

Train took the small glass bottle and said,

“Thanks. How much?”

“I’ll give it to you for free.”

“Isn’t this quite expensive?”

“The academy sells it for a gold coin. Pretty cheap, right?”

“A gold coin?!”

Train blurted out without realizing it.

As a commoner, he had never even seen money higher than silver coins.

“No way, you’re just giving this to me? Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming.”

“If it bothers you that much, pay me back after you become a noble.”

“I have no intention of becoming a noble… but if you insist, I’ll gratefully accept.”

Then Jeez, standing beside him, chuckled and said,

“The atmosphere between you two has been quite peculiar lately, hasn’t it?”

Train ignored the comment and quickened his pace when suddenly…

Jeez let out a short scream, clutching his side and collapsing.

Train, startled, asked Jeez,

“What’s wrong? Why are you like this?”

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

Train looked at Lizbeth, and she said with a nonchalant face,

“Let’s hurry. We’re wasting time.”

Just then, suddenly, a male student blocked Train’s path.

“Ah, isn’t this the class president of the Knight Academy who’s been doing so well lately?”

I was already accustomed to this kind of provocation.

Ever since the duel with the second-year senior, it had been like this.

So, as usual, Train decided to quietly avoid it.

“I’m sorry. I won’t cause any trouble.”

From noble mtl dot come

But the male student followed and said,

“Wait up. You’re competing in the fencing category, right? I’m in fencing too.”

“Oh, really? That’s impressive.”

“I’m Ark from the first-year Fencing Department. Just so you know, I’m also a commoner.”

The male student extended his hand to Train as if asking for a handshake.

Reluctantly, Train took his hand.

Then, suddenly, the other squeezed Train’s hand tightly.

“Ugh!”

Train cried out in pain and quickly withdrew his hand.

“Ha! So it’s true that you’re such a cripple that you can’t even hold a sword because of your injured hand.”

Lisbeth cut in front of Train and said,

“What are you doing?”

“Just exchanging greetings among commoners, so the noble sir should step aside.”

“Train is my friend.”

Lisbeth drew her greatsword.

“I’ll take that as an insult to me as well.”

Then the other sneered and drew his sword from his waist.

“Oh, how terrifying. A duke can kill a commoner without punishment, must be nice?”

“This isn’t about status; it’s about your attitude.”

“If you have a complaint, come at me.”

The atmosphere was tense, as if they would clash at any moment.

That guy named Ark,

Clearly, he provoked with the intention to test his skills beforehand.

Usually, Lisbeth would have backed down calmly, but-

“I’ll fix that rotten mouth of yours!”

Why are the nobles so susceptible to provocation?

Elizabeth charged at her opponent first.

Train, taken aback, tried to intervene between them.

“Wait, calm down you two-“

Train couldn’t finish his sentence.

It was because he was struck by the sword blows of two people simultaneously.

***

On the morning of the sports festival.

Quite a number of people were entering through the academy’s main gate.

Most of them were the families of students or onlookers.

Among them, a woman in a modest dress, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses was waiting for someone.

She spotted Train, who was looking around near the main gate, and approached him.

“Hello.”

“…Who are you?”

Then the woman glanced around cautiously before whispering.

“It’s me, Prince Siran’s younger sibling, Shia.”

At that, Train stumbled back in surprise.

“What?! Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you!”

“It’s okay. I’m under a spell that hinders recognition, so it’s natural you didn’t notice.”

“Ah…”

“But is your arm okay?”

Princess Shia asked, staring intently at Train’s cast-covered left arm.

Train let out a short sigh before responding.

“It’s just a minor fracture, two weeks’ worth, so don’t worry about it.”

“Doesn’t that mean you can’t participate in the sports festival?”

“I have to compete to make up the numbers.”

“You’re not feigning illness because you dislike me, are you?”

“That’s absolutely not the case.”

Train averted his gaze.

To be honest, he had considered it once, so he felt a bit guilty.

Princess Shia laughed as if she had heard an amusing joke and said,

“It seems I should be the one to escort you, Lord Train.”

Train entered the main gate with Princess Shia by his side.

For a while, Train couldn’t bring himself to say anything to Princess Shia.

Not that she was uncomfortable…

This year was to be Princess Shia’s last.

When they first met, he was too preoccupied to notice,

But Princess Shia was a year younger than Train or Prince Sirian, only 14 years old.

And the curse she bore would claim her life at 15.

It was heartbreaking, but there was nothing Train could do right then.

So he walked, sparing his words as much as possible,

Only to run into the very person they should not have encountered.

“Huh? Who is that?”

Prince Sirian stared intently at his sister standing next to Train, unrecognizable due to some spell of perception inhibition.

Train stammered slightly in response.

“Ah, that, over there, my cousin’s younger sibling.”

“Is that so? Have fun then.”

And with that, he nonchalantly brushed past Train, whispering into his ear.

“If you make my sibling cry, you’re dead.”

A cold sweat began to trickle down Train’s back.

Princess Shia asked from beside him.

“What did your brother say?”

“Oh, that, he said let’s do our best at the sports festival later.”

“You know if you’re caught, the promise is void, right?”

“Of course! Hahaha…”

Train laughed awkwardly as he entered the gymnasium where the sports festival was to be held.

The stands were divided into sections for commoners and nobility.

Train hesitated for a moment, but…

Indeed, it was impossible to take the princess to the commoners’ seats.

So, he tried to sneak Princess Sia into the nobility area, but…

A few noble young men nearby started to pick a fight.

“Hey! If you’re a commoner, you should be watching from the commoner seats. Why are you loitering in the noble area?”

“You think being top of the class means you deserve noble treatment?”

Train replied, somewhat flustered.

“Ah, I’m sorry! My cousin sister just wanted to look around for a bit.”

Then the students surrounded Princess Sia and said,

“Little girl, do you want to be executed?”

“You’re quite pretty. If you want, I could use you as a maid in our house.”

Those foolish guys…

Train stepped forward, trying to peel the male students away.

But before he could, Princess Sia spoke up first.

“Didn’t you know? This morning, Brother Train received the title of baronet.”

At that, the nobles were a bit taken aback and stepped away.

“Ah, really? If that’s the case, you should have said so from the start.”

“Tch. Is it some kind of special treatment for the class president? Must be nice.”

To Traine’s relief, the students backed down surprisingly easily.

However, he soon turned to Princess Shia with a troubled look and said,

“If you tell such lies, I’ll be the one in big trouble later.”

“It’s not a lie, though?”

“…What?”

Princess Shia playfully tapped Traine’s shoulders and forehead with her hand as she spoke.

“I hereby appoint you as a baron of the Kingdom of Altoria~ There, happy now?”

Traine stumbled backward in a fluster and exclaimed,

“What, just like that?! Can you really decide something so easily?”

“Well, I do have the authority, after all.”

“But still, it’s too sudden!”

“I’ve already got permission from my father, so it’s fine.”

As Traine made a somewhat dumbfounded face,

Princess Shia, with a radiant face, took Traein’s hand and said,

“Then, Lord Traein, shall we go inside?”