Chapter 11. 5. Stepping Stone for Growth (2)
Lumian swallowed dryly.
Honestly, he had agonized over it quite a bit. The original owner of this body had quite disliked this guy.
He had resented Theodor Schutegarn—who, despite holding the title of being one of the best in the class, not only didn't help him but looked at him with disregard and contempt.
Of course, the current Lumian didn't feel that way. Not that Theodor had done right, but at the very least, a knight should know how to protect himself.
However, due to old memories, he couldn't help but feel an instinctive aversion toward this guy.
'Even so, the reason I asked him to teach me about romance was...'
It was because Theodor Schutegarn was among the most popular students in their grade.
Looks? Decent. Height? Naturally tall. Voice? Baritone. He possessed most of the elements women favored.
But beyond that, there was no denying he was exceptionally popular.
The guy probably had plenty of know-how for seducing women he didn't even know.
'To reach higher realms, an excellent teacher is essential.'
The reason he had been able to become a splendid knight in his previous life was also because the senior knights of Zenas had shown him the right path.
Romance was no different!
Lumian intended to reach a whole new level through this enviable and annoying master of romance.
"Ha, haha."
"...."
Theodor Schutegarn let out a hollow laugh.
He seemed to have not anticipated his statement at all.
That was understandable. Even he hadn't expected to ask for help so openly.
But having brought it up despite the embarrassment, he was determined to get what he wanted from this guy one way or another.
'He probably won't just teach me for free.'
This was Theodor, who already looked at him like he was some insect on normal days. There was no way such a guy would readily accept his sudden request.
But there was a method. Lumian concentrated energy into his right hand.
Wuuuuung
With a faint sound, the aura within his body gathered.
He had absolutely no intention of beating Theodor. Rather, Lumian was thinking of offering to teach him.
'If I reveal my true skills and offer to teach him aura utilization or swordsmanship, wouldn't he show interest?'
It was a lamentable state of affairs.
The knight second only to the Knight King in renown, Sword Master Ryan Fromhart!
Knights seeking his guidance had been countless from olden times. Whenever he visited various countries, knights requesting sparring and instruction were enough to form a sea.
And he was bringing out that precious card for the sake of 'how to be good at romance.'
"How about it? Can you do it?"
Of course, Lumian didn't think about such things at all.
Romance, and the bedroom. These were the most important things to him.
For the sake of those, Lumian was prepared to do anything. He could bestow instruction any number of times.
However, Theodor's reaction was different from what he expected.
"Dragged me out suddenly and I wondered what he was saying... haah."
"Of course, I'm not asking you to teach me for nothing. I have my own sincerity to offer..."
"No. Stop the nonsense. Hah, become my romance teacher, romance teacher, romance teacher..."
Theodor paced around with his head slightly bowed, stroking his chin.
Lumian admired even that trivial action.
How does even that kind of look have atmosphere?
If he practiced at home, would he be able to do it too?
While having such thoughts, Theodor suddenly stopped walking.
Then he looked at Lumian and nodded.
"Alright. I'll teach you."
"Huh? Really?"
"What is it? You asked for help, why is your reaction like that?"
"Ah, no... I'm just so grateful. But what kind of reward should I give..."
"Cut the bullshit. Why would I take anything from you?"
Depending on how one heard it, it could sound slightly obnoxious, but Theodor's tone was fundamentally laced with goodwill.
He was definitely different from last year. Seeing Theodor finally treating him as a person, Lumian harbored a question.
'Why is this bastard suddenly like this?'
There was nothing bad about it.
Rather, he felt like dancing at how well things were turning out. Lumian approached Theodor to shake hands, and Theodor slightly frowned and took a step back.
"I don't want to hold a man's hand."
"Ah, alright. Thanks anyway."
'This bastard really is a player.'
But that made him trust him more.
Lumian nodded and spoke urgently.
"Then, when will you start teaching me? Is there anything I need to prepare?"
"Hmm. Wait a moment. Let me think. I've never taught this kind of thing to anyone before..."
"You don't need to feel too burdened. Just how to talk to women without being awkward, things women would like, how to create atmosphere, how to naturally make physical contact, how to make them attracted to me..."
"...."
Despite saying not to feel burdened, Lumian poured out all his desires.
Theodor looked at him with an absurd expression, but he continued spilling out what he wanted while still in his excited state.
Theodor raised his hand to block Lumian's mouth.
He shook his head and spoke.
"This won't work. I can't teach this well with words. I've never done it before either."
"Huh?"
"I didn't exactly think about romance or dating while doing it in the first place. I just do it naturally... explaining and teaching this is a bit..."
'This bastard! So annoying! Is he saying since he has talent, it just works out however he does it!'
Lumian was seething inside.
But at Theodor's following words, his expression brightened immensely.
"I'll just show you instead. Roughly how I do things."
"What? Show me? How?"
"Let's go to a ball together this weekend."
"A b-ball?"
Lumian gulped.
He knew. What kind of place a ball was.
A fantastic place where beautiful ladies and handsome men gathered together to converse and dance.
He just hadn't thought at all that an academy student could go to such a place.
He nodded his head greatly.
"Let's go. Definitely going!"
"Alright. Since it's your first time... don't think about trying to do something. Just watch how I interact with people, and remember anything you're curious about. I'll explain later."
Theodor snickered after finishing his words.
He seemed to find this situation amusing.
But Lumian didn't find it amusing at all. He wore an expression filled with emotion, like someone in a rural village seeing a high priest.
"Thank you. Really... thank you."
"Stop. It's disgusting. Let's go back in now."
"Ah, the next class is soon."
"And if you don't have clothes to wear to the ball, let me know. You don't have any, right?"
"Don't... have any."
"I thought so. I'm worried, so let's go buy some together before the ball. I'll help pick them out."
"Really, really thank you..."
Lumian bowed his head at a 90-degree angle, and Theodor snickered again.
Lumian also quietly smiled.
The two returned to the classroom side by side. The atmosphere was completely different from when they had left the building.
Lumian cheered internally. Things had resolved more smoothly than expected, and his mood was light enough to fly.
Though he hadn't learned a single thing yet, he was already excited as if all the women in the world were his.
He glanced at Theodor and thought.
'This guy, he's not as much of a prick as I thought.'
After actually talking to him, he was someone who could communicate better than expected.
He was prickly, but didn't feel that arrogant.
With such thoughts, as he entered the classroom, the guy suddenly tapped him and spoke.
"Hey."
"Huh?"
"You should have walked this confidently last year too."
"...."
"Doesn't look bad."
Theodor Schutegarn showed his signature cool smile and returned to his seat.
Lumian frowned slightly and watched his back.
'What is he saying? Didn't I just beg him really pathetically?'
Or not? Did I ask him to teach me about romance somewhat confidently? But that in itself seems a bit like being an unreasonable customer, doesn't it?
After contemplating for a moment, Lumian shook his head and returned to his seat.
What was important was that a new breakthrough had emerged in his love life, which had been at a standstill.
Lumian wore a goofy smile, and the students watching him whispered among themselves.
"What's with that? They went out looking like they'd fight, but came back on good terms?"
"What happened?"
"Don't tell me, did they acknowledge each other's skills?"
"Lumian is on the same level as Theodor? Nah, no way..."
"Even if not that much, maybe he became strong enough for Theodor to acknowledge?"
Lumian, whose mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the ball, didn't notice the children's voices.
There was someone else who paid attention to those words.
Crack
Looking toward Lumian, the large boy ground his teeth. The students around him, including the freckled boy, watched his reaction.
But there was nothing they could do.
Nothing but glare at Lumian, who was smiling like a fool.
***
'Clothes...'
After all classes ended, Lumian returned to the dormitory and fell into thought.
He knew that he needed separate attire for a ball.
A splendid tailcoat, shoes suitable for dancing, and gloves.
'It'll probably be really expensive.'
Lumian had no money.
It wasn't that he never had any. His father was a noble, after all, even if he was a rural lord.
But buying the poison was the problem. As payment for that, Lumian had to spend most of the money he had. That was also why he was currently relying on the free student cafeteria.
However, Lumian didn't worry.
He recalled memories from his previous life.
'When I was young, I went on many external missions too.'
Though he didn't receive little financial support, when on external missions, there were times when expenses exceeded expectations.
Could he return to the royal castle and ask for more money? He couldn't.
In the end, he had to resolve any shortage of funds himself.
'It's not a difficult matter.'
Lumian nodded once. Having made his decision, he took a set of clothes from the wardrobe.
Then, without anyone noticing, he slipped out of the academy.
Swish
The Tarajan Academy had guards, and many professors who were active knights. It was virtually impossible for a regular student to go outside without an exit permit.
But Lumian was no regular student.
Even though he had recovered only 1/10 of his previous life's skills, this much was easy.
'Not like they're Zenas knights. Piece of cake.'
Finally, Lumian successfully escaped the academy.
He put on the robe he had brought with him.
Pulling the attached hood deeply over his head, he took on a very secretive appearance.
He was confident his identity wouldn't be discovered by anyone.
In that state, Lumian quickly headed toward the bustling district.
And using aura, he enhanced his hearing.
"What the fuck, is this the kind of treatment I get?"
"If you're going to be like this, just close up shop. No, I'll make you close up. I have plenty of places to manage anyway, so this works out well!"
"Oh my, big brothers why are you being like this. Our guy didn't recognize the elders and just..."
Bang crash!
"Oh my!"
"I don't need that. Have the money ready by the next time I come. Boys, grab a few bottles of alcohol and let's go!"
'Perfect timing.'
They were street thugs that merchants feared as much as the grim reaper, but in Lumian's eyes, they looked like walking money bags.
Lumian's face beneath the robe brightened.
He secretly followed behind the thugs leaving the shop.