Clothes that looked like something nouveau riche vulgarians would love to wear—overly adorned for their material.
A scabbard even flashier than the outfit, studded with jewels everywhere, hung blatantly at his waist.
Above all, the black embroidery on his chest depicted what seemed to be a tiger emblem. This guy was probably a noble.
But glancing around, no one appeared to recognize this Golden Sun bastard.
'Not from a famous noble house, then.'
"I am Isaac Bahern of the great Empire's Bahren Viscount Family."
"Yes. I see."
"...Are you perhaps a noble yourself?"
"? No."
"Such insolence! A lowly commoner like you dares to hold your head so high before a noble!"
Whoa... this guy's the real deal.
At Golden Sun's outburst, most of the people around turned away as if they'd witnessed something unsightly, shaking their heads in dismay. It was pretty amusing.
Dozens of people shaking their heads in unison was certainly a rare sight.
Especially a few in upscale attire—they looked like they were wondering why that idiot was causing a scene while they had to feel the embarrassment, dry-washing their faces. Hilarious.
Other nobles from the Empire, probably.
According to the Academy regulations I'd read, status didn't matter inside the Academy—everyone was equal as students.
By that token, the idiot in front of me was a walking disqualification.
I figured calling an Academy official would squash him easily, but the crowd's reactions were too entertaining to end it now.
They seemed eager to shoo away the embarrassment but didn't want to get dragged into the mess, so they just averted their eyes while pricking up their ears toward us.
That just made me want to toy with him more.
"So, what business does a great noble of the Empire have with us?"
Shame I'd never met a moronic noble like this before. Made me think novels were just novels—turns out they exist in real life!
A pathetic noble who looked like he'd fold without trouble if prodded right. How could I leave him be?
I even emphasized my accent, and I caught snippets from the presumed Empire nobles: "Oh my god," "Ugh, I don't want to be seen," and even "The Empire's honor, sullied like this... smash his skull?"
Hey, smashing skulls might be going too far, no?
People usually die from that.
"You lowly commoner! Clearly, you won't get it unless I spell it out."
Huh? Looks like he's not done. Blue-hair buddy, put the fist down for a sec. I haven't had my fun yet.
"The woman beside you said she's your property. I'll overlook your rudeness, so hand her over."
How does he spout such clichéd lines so casually? Amazing.
When I'd called Lili "property" earlier, the blue-haired guy had glared at me in contempt. Now he was shooting Golden Sun a look that went beyond contempt.
I'm the one insulted, so why are you scowling harder, blue-hair?
Whatever.
'Dares to?'
I'd half-expected it, but that didn't mean it didn't piss me off.
Daring to eye my Lili like that and spew such garbage? He deserved punishment.
The situation might turn violent—specifically, because I planned to make it so—I tried to gently push Lili away from my side for a moment.
"I can't stand by and listen to this."
A man with striking red hair and a somewhat fierce impression pushed through the crowd, speaking up.
His tone burned with fury, but oddly, his face was pale as if he'd seen a ghost, making him look unwell.
Lots of sickly folks among Empire nobles, huh.
"Hah? And who the hell are you?!"
"Jeras Pairan of the Pairan Count Family—your favorite Empire house."
"P-Pairan Count Family... you're...?"
"You've disregarded everything else, but surely you read the Academy rule stating that students' statuses are irrelevant? Calling yourself an Empire noble yet so casually ignoring even that minor clause... I can't just stand by. What do you think, Sir Isaac Bahern?"
"Th-that's..."
As Jeras pressed him, the moron who'd picked a fight with me stuttered like a glitching robot, scrambling for excuses.
Hmm. What is it—super high-ranking? But a count family isn't that far above a viscount. Why's Golden Sun trembling like that?
"Return to your place if there's nothing else. I can't bear to watch further disgrace."
"M-my apologies."
Even as he said it, his eyes screamed this is your fault. Reinforced how human nature doesn't change easily.
I shot back a crooked smile, and Golden Sun bit his lip, realizing this wasn't his place to act out. He bowed silently and slunk back to his spot.
Hmm. What to say...
"Boring. What a letdown."
That about summed it up.
I'd planned a satisfying smackdown, but some noble with an unexpectedly upright mindset ruined it.
Couldn't pour that refreshing soda on Golden Sun, disappointing. But witnessing a noble with proper thoughts and the guts to act on them? Not a total loss.
They're a rare breed.
"A letdown? What do you mean, Master?"
It could've been awkward for her as a slave, but Lili gazed at me steadily with her usual eyes. Made me think, yeah, she's mine.
Not trying to show off, but I answered.
"Was gonna make sure he never messed with us again, but it fizzled out."
"Oh my. Were you getting angry for my sake?"
Her sly eyes knew but wanted confirmation. Score one for Lili.
"Of course. Lili's mine, after all."
Plus, as long as I didn't cross the line, I could've royally screwed over Golden Sun in a fun way.
I'm an adventurer who's cleared over 15 floors of Dungeon City.
Empire law doesn't make me a noble proper, but it grants quasi-noble treatment—so I could push hard.
The Empire's policy of encouraging dungeon clears was great.
I had the right to crush Golden Sun via duel or whatever if insulted.
Of course, since he's just some viscount's kid.
Mess with too high a rank, and it gets messy.
Was gonna land at least one good whack. Shame.
But him stepping up for me touched Lili, it seemed. She wrapped my hand softly and guided it to her chest.
"Hee hee. I'm happy."
"...About what?"
"Separately, you'd prefer trash like that disappears too, right, Master?"
"Yeah, yeah. Guys like that should've vanished long ago."
Walking public menace, that one.
"Hee~ Lili's touched."
Squeeze.
Lili pulled my hand tighter, and violent softness pressed against my knuckles. I savored it wordlessly.
...Screw the ceremony. Time to consummate today.
I'd pass the exam easily enough, right?
Entrance exam's one-and-done, so bolt home after. Let's go, Yuha!
Grab Lili and...
"Well, then, I'll be off."
"Ah."
Only then did I notice the count's heir—who'd tried to help us out of goodwill—staring at us like we'd put on a bad show.
Well, we were rubbing it in pretty openly.
"Thank you. We resolved it without issue, thanks to you."
"No need... Just the right thing to do."
This guy's a real gem. Empire noble hope spot?
Total opposite of Golden Sun—refreshingly novel.
"Any trouble?"
The attendant who'd been unsure about letting me bring Lili into the exam hall earlier approached, looking brighter—like she'd gotten a clear answer from her superior.
She neared with a cheerful face but sensed the odd vibe and asked me.
No need for details, so I gave a rough summary of the incident.
"Hah? Hah... Still some moron trash arou— Anyway, thank you for holding back without causing a scene. As for bringing... your slave inside, we've approval, so proceed as scheduled."
"Got it. Understood."
"I apologize for our poor management..."
"No, it's fine. Hands are only two—can't control everything."
"...Thank you for understanding."
Things were settling, so I replied casually.
Nothing more to say, anyway. Time to grope Lili till then. Hehe.
"Kuh."
What was that?
"...Pardon. Nothing."
The count's red-haired guy seemed to stifle a laugh and fail.
Managing his expression like nothing happened, but traces of emotion lingered on his face.
Fun guy.