CH 50

Sorry for the late release.

After school, I answered Alfred’s call and arrived at the back of the school building. The red bricks of the school building’s walls were dyed purple by the lack of sunlight at this time of day. Even in the shadows, I could see that Alfred was standing there with anger on his face.

I checked to see if there was anyone else around, and it seemed that Alfred was alone. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about how scary senior students call new students to the back of the school building, and how most of them end up getting lynched. So I was relieved to find him standing alone.

As I slowly walked towards Alfred, he seemed to have noticed me, and even though he chose the back of the school building, he shouted so loudly that I was sure others could hear him.

“You’re late!”

No, I don’t know which back of the school building it is, and I was only told that it was after school. I tried to argue with him, but it was just water under the bridge, so I decided not to.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. What can I do for you?”

“You! Why have you passed the test?”

“Huh. Is it the result of hard work?”

Alfred’s anger intensified at my flippant attitude.

“There’s an examiner who says he mishandled your test questions! Don’t tell me you don’t know that!”

“What? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“How can you say that? What kind of dirty tricks did you use to get in here! And you’re the top student? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“Huh. If I can find the question paper from that time here, will you admit that it is my ability?”

“If you have it, let me see it. We’ve got the exam questions too. If you’re wrong, I’ll expel you immediately!”

I took out the question paper from my bag, which I had taken the trouble to prepare in case it would be of any use since Alfred had called me.

“How about this?”

Alfred snatched the question paper out of my hand and looked at it closely, his face reddening even more as he shouted.

“I’ll have that examiner fired for sure! But this is no evidence! Even I can get my hands on it!”

I hope the examiner doesn’t get fired for real……And if it’s not evidence, don’t even try to look at the original……

“Then why can’t you admit that I got in on my own?”

“There is no doubt that you, such a fool, cheated your way into this school! I can’t accept that! No way!”

Oh? I was afraid he was going to make unreasonable demands, but he didn’t. And he really thinks I’m not good enough. Then I’ll take advantage of the situation.

“So, Alfred, If I get even one question wrong, I’ll gladly leave the school. In exchange, if I answer all the questions correctly, you’ll accept that I was admitted to the school thanks to my skills.”

Alfred paused to think for a moment, then lifted the edge of his mouth.

“Aah! All right! If you get even one question wrong, you’ll be expelled.”

Okay! I’m in!

“If you’re so worried, shall we sign a contract? I want you to keep your word as well.”

“Hmph! Are you insulting me! Do you think that I, a legitimate son of the honorable Duke of Orar, will not keep my word? I’ll have you draw up a contract! You’re the one who’s behaving like a fool, a viscount with no pride whatsoever! I don’t want you to forget your promise!”

“Yes. Then, in the contract, the loser will keep the promise he made before this question and answer, correct?”

“Ah!”

All right, he didn’t even notice my intentions. Honestly, since the answers to the exam questions have already been published and reviewed, it’s as if I’ve already won. I took a piece of paper out of my bag, made a contract, and ran a pen over it for Alfred to check. After reading it carefully, Alfred looked radiant and light-hearted as he ran his pen over it.

“I take it the deal is done.”

“Viscount Dreschord, you didn’t specify how many questions there would be, did you? So, I’ll have you solve all the questions right now!”

Alfred said with a grin.

So this is what Alfred wants. Normally, it would be impossible to get all the questions right, but since I have no future if I don’t get in, I’ve literally risked my life to study. I’ve already seen the answers, so it’s no big deal to answer all the questions correctly.

As I wrote down the answers, Alfred’s face, which had been relaxed, became tense.

“Done. Now let’s go look at the published answers to the questions, shall we?”

“I don’t need to see……to know that. Perfect score.”

“There may be a few careless mistakes, okay?”

“I know what I’m talking about! It’s a shame I couldn’t get rid of you!”

Alfred spat sulkily. That’s surprising. You’re smarter than I thought and fairer in the game. Maybe he’s as proud as he says he is, despite his habit of cheating.

“Then you’ll keep your word as per the contract, won’t you?”

“I’ll acknowledge that you got in on merit! That’s enough! I can’t stand to look at your face anymore, so get the hell out of here!”

“You don’t have to admit it. I just want you to keep your word.”

“What?”

“I believe you said that during the entrance exam didn’t you? That you’d be a good friend to me once I got here.”

“That’s not true!”

“The contract says that you have to keep the promises you made before I answered the questions.”

“Stick with…….”

Alfred bit down so hard that his face seemed to shrink around his teeth, and he revealed his frustration.

“You wouldn’t dare break the contract, would you, proud Alfred?”

“Damn it! I don’t need to hear it from you! See ya!”

Alfred couldn’t take it any longer, spat out his approval and left.

Hmmm. Now I have a good reason to go to Alfred’s side and can explore the faction of Duke Orar openly.