Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 89

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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With so many obligations piling up in the second semester, I ultimately failed to complete even three hundred strikes. I resolved to engage in plenty of sparring matches whenever I had a training partner available.
Eugene, true to his nature as the leader of the first-year delinquents’ den, had much to teach me. Even when he abandoned his familiar weapons to fight with a staff to match my level, I couldn’t find a single opening. The moment I gathered all my focus to land a solid blow, he’d immediately counter-attack, and I’d find myself battered from multiple angles.
After each sparring session, I’d be drenched in sweat, which genuinely felt like proper exercise. It was rather gratifying to notice that Eugene perspired more heavily with each passing day when facing me. Today, I even managed to land one effective strike.
“Miss Evan, Young Master Eugene. Shall we take a break here?”
The Butler who managed the Townhouse and White One arrived with cold water and towels. I thanked White One for deliberately bringing a towel to dry myself and gave him a thorough pat. My house lizard was undoubtedly a genius lizard.
I was fawning over Eugene about how our White One was a genius, when the mustachioed Butler poured me a glass of water with floating lemon slices and showered me with praise.
“I’m astonished. To think there’s someone among your peers who can push Young Master to such an extent.”
“Push me? That’s an overstatement. I merely shed a few drops of sweat.”
“That person has spent nearly half their life on the Battlefield, after all.”
Indeed, Eugene during the concert was formidable. He’s probably still going easy on me now.
Perhaps because I was a benefactor to the Northern Region, the Butler lavished praise upon me before asking if I was Eugene’s classmate in the same department. It was Eugene, not I, who answered.
“Kane.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“She’s from the Department of Magic….”
….
The Butler took three steps back from me. Then, speaking loudly enough for me to hear, he whispered to Eugene.
“A mage doesn’t lose to Young Master in raw strength?”
“There’s another one like her. Reina.”
“Isn’t she from House of Letem?”
Reina’s prodigious strength had quite the reputation. I’d never paid attention to anyone besides Seian, so I hadn’t known. Even in the original work, there was no particular description of Reina’s exceptional physical abilities.
….
Surely this girl wasn’t pretending to be frail back then because she was playing the “big sister to everyone” concept? Wait, no. Even if that were true, when she collapsed Sky Island or when she would have died without exerting all her strength, surely she wouldn’t have held back….
I could think about it. Right, this girl was always calculating her escape timing even during the concert. No matter what concept she adopts, human nature doesn’t change. Reina was always prepared to abandon everything and flee if necessary in the original work. Since the eldest daughter of House of Letem’s life was said to be more precious than Princess Sera’s, this was one hundred percent certain.
“Reina’s really something else.”
“Yeah. Among my peers, Reina was the first person with that much one-on-one combat experience.”
“No, I was talking about her terrible personality.”
“That’s true too.”
Eugene and I nodded in agreement, appreciating both Reina’s despicable nature and her combat prowess. She fought so naturally that I’d wondered if she was really a count’s daughter, and it seemed Eugene felt the same way.
“Why is she so good at fighting?”
“I’ve only heard rumors, but apparently in House of Letem, the mother and daughter fight at least a dozen times a day.”
“Skill earned by risking one’s life, then.”
I recalled Count Letem from the festival, breathing flames. Even as fireworks burst in the sky, he shot out clear flames, and Reina had been fighting someone like that since childhood.
“Should we go a bit longer?”
“Yeah. Even now, Reina’s probably becoming more of a monster.”
If no one kept Reina in check, it would be a serious problem in many ways, so I picked up the staff again and swung it. Eugene seemed to feel the same sense of urgency, and the moment I finished preparing, he seized the initiative and began thrusting at my vital points.
After finishing our extended sparring session, we were about to head into the bathhouse together to wash away the sweat when we stopped short at the door. We’d forgotten that we were different genders.

◇ ◆ ◇

On the day of the Crown Princess’s birthday gala, the Townhouse in Brandenburg was filled with employees Reina had sent and Club members. This opportunistic fool must have desperately wanted to show off to her mother—from early morning, she had me polished, made up, and styled to perfection, sparing nothing.
I was terrified the makeup would fail to hide my freckles and expose my identity, but she insisted I needed to look more masculine, so she raised my nose bridge and accentuated my jaw and cheekbones, transforming my face into something utterly unlike Mitchell’s. And once I put on the custom suit with shoulder pads and naturally elevated shoes, an extraordinarily beautiful boy was born into this world!
“Ohhhhh!”
“Oh, wow.”
“The touch of a professional really does make a difference.”
Sera said she couldn’t tell what had changed about me, but Reina, Eugene, and Sunbird marveled at my handsome appearance and even applauded.
I wanted to show this look to Seian right away and boast that I was more handsome than him. He’d said he planned to hide until the gala began because he didn’t want to make a joint entrance with the Crown Princess.
“Hehehehe! Just you wait, Mother! I’ll show up with a man even more impressive than you!”
This girl must have a lot pent up against her mother. After all, they fought constantly and she never won, so she must be desperate for even this kind of victory.
“Hey.”
But there was something I needed to say before that. It was clear this fool was forgetting something in her excitement to brag to her mother.
“Aren’t you going to get ready?”
“Gasp!”
Crazy girl.
I chased after the hurrying Reina and said goodbye to the rest of the Club members, promising to see them later.

Reina’s preparations finished faster than expected. Despite me taking up half a day with skincare and hair treatments, she simply slipped on her dress, swept her hair up, fastened her jewelry, and rushed out of Count Letem Residence. Riding in a carriage adorned with red gems felt like escorting a princess from a fairy tale.
“Hey, you’re going to stand out more than Seian today, right? Kyaa! Our house’s stylists are absolutely amazing!”
Her mouth wasn’t that of a princess, but at least her appearance was beautiful. I’m impartial before all beauty. So I decided to compliment even Gorilla-Reina’s beauty.
“You look absolutely radiant and lovely today too. Even from a distance, everyone will recognize you as the eldest daughter of House Letem.”
“Why do I feel worse every time you compliment me?”
“Because your personality is twisted.”
“No, it’s not my problem. You’re just really annoying.”
This girl complains even when you praise her.
When we arrived at the Separate Palace, located west of the Imperial Palace—directly opposite the Academy—the sun was setting beautifully. Looking at how people were dressed and carried themselves… ahem, this was definitely a party for adults. I’d been here a few times before, so why didn’t I notice? I suppose my eyes were only on Seian.
The carriage stopped in front of the grand party hall after circling a large fountain, and recalling what the household servants used to do, I descended first and offered Reina my hand.
“Shall we go in, Miss Reina?”
“Ugh, so annoying, so unlucky, blech.”
“You’re the one who approved this escort, so you’re the one responsible for this, Miss Reina.”
Irritated, I gripped the hand she offered, and she squeezed my hand back with such force I thought she’d break it. This gorilla girl is nothing but strong—I should ask what she eats to become this powerful.
After entering the party hall, I immediately reunited with Eugene, and I faithfully played the role of an ornamental escort for Reina.
Whenever Reina made a claim, I simply agreed unconditionally; before anyone could speak to me, I kept silent; and for difficult questions, I merely offered a subtle smile. It seemed men generally performed their partner role this way.
“Hey, aren’t you doing this too well?”
“I learn quickly in these matters.”
“No, my cool and intelligent character is supposed to be clumsy.”
Well, I’m not a cool and intelligent character, and neither are you. While we were whispering and bickering, the ladies said we made a perfect pair and asked where we’d met. Since this seemed like something I couldn’t brush off with a laugh, I looked at Reina and answered, “It’s a secret.” The ladies laughed and made swooning sounds.
“Yoo-hoo! Count Letem!”
This girl was really going to brag about me to her mother. Reina linked her arm through mine and walked briskly toward her mother.
The woman who looked identical to Reina gave me a thorough once-over, then glanced at her partner’s face and frowned sharply.
“Reina. I can’t advance you any more allowance.”
“Oh come on, ma’am, I brought him for free!”
Reina was truly remarkable—young and firm-bodied, yet she spoke with such unbridled freedom, claiming she’d never pay money to bring a man along. I’d thought her loose tongue was reserved for us alone, but it seemed she was the same everywhere. Especially here, in the Separate Palace of the Imperial Capital.
“If you want to leave on both legs intact, watch your mouth. It’s embarrassing before His Majesty.”
“Pfft! Pffthaha! Say that if you can’t keep up!”
This woman was going to get herself beaten. The moment that thought crossed my mind, Count Letem’s right uppercut connected perfectly with Reina’s jaw. Before the woman collapsed onto the marble floor with her eyes rolled back in unconsciousness, I hurried forward to support her.
“You’ll have your hands full with her.”
“Yes, I’ll take good care of her.”
I bowed deeply to Reina’s mother. The ease with which my back bent told me she was genuinely formidable. She was practically on Hubert’s level.
“Is there somewhere she can rest?”
“I’ll bring a chair.”
Since I couldn’t carry Reina around, I asked Eugene for help. Eugene obtained permission from the Imperial Palace attendants and arranged a place for her to rest.
With Reina out of commission, I had to make use of Eugene instead. I had him lead the way as I introduced myself to people, revealed my region of origin, and promoted the Horse Racing Track that would open soon. My mouth diligently described the officially licensed Horse Racing Track of the Empire, but my eyes kept drifting toward Reina, so apparently some misunderstood and offered their encouragement, saying things were heating up between us. It left a bitter taste.
“Hmm, but Ilam is so far away….”
I knew this objection would come. Or rather, I’d been waiting for it.
“This is something I share only with the ladies.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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