[Just linger around and subtly get on their nerves.
Since that person speaks so rudely, a harsh remark will undoubtedly come back at you.
At that moment, if you apologize neatly, they’ll probably feel so bad they won’t know what to do.
If you aim for that, you can ask for anything.
Enoch Gray, both in appearance and personality, seems aloof and cold-hearted.
Even though he speaks curtly like Gray, he’s actually kind.
He just comes across that way because of his manner of speaking.]
Revisiting Cherrya’s letter once again, Olivia recalled Enoch’s appearance just moments ago.
“Did he comply because he felt guilty?”
Judging by how he granted her request immediately after her apology, Cherrya’s words seemed to ring true.
Yet Olivia still found Enoch Gray hard to grasp.
When she was with Cherrya, she hadn’t noticed it, but observing Enoch alone like this made it all the more evident.
Enoch Gray only seemed to lower the walls surrounding himself when he was in Cherrya’s presence.
“Even though they bicker endlessly, in the end, Emblem and Gray understand each other best.”
As Olivia muttered to herself, watching Enoch’s retreating figure, she noticed a man trailing closely behind him from afar.
“Oh? That’s Kane. The one our Cherrya has her eyes on.”
Olivia’s gaze narrowed as she observed the scene. Kane was a prodigy in the academy’s fencing club.
The academy had seen two geniuses in the fencing club at the same time only during periods of intense rivalry, like the one between Gray and Emblem.
There had been pairs like Seffield Emblem and Jade Gray, or Melsia Emblem and Diana Gray.
Two prodigies in the fencing club at once? That usually signified the presence of both Emblem and Gray in the academy.
However, since Cherrya Emblem’s academy enrollment fell through, the current fencing prodigies were Enoch and Kane.
“Hmmm. This feels unsettling.”
Olivia recalled how Cherrya had privately inquired about Kane throughout her time at the academy, even sending various items under the radar.
‘What does Kane like? Wooden sword fees in the fencing club can’t be cheap, so I donated some money in the name of Emblem. Make sure it’s used for wooden sword production costs.’
‘Does he eat well? I sent some money, so ensure the fencing club gets some special meals.’
‘I heard he’s been using duel bets to send money to the mercenary group he owes. I’ll send the funds myself, so stop him from doing it. If he gets caught, he could be expelled!’
To fulfill Cherrya’s endless requests, Olivia even joined the student council. It turned out to suit her, and she eventually rose to vice president.
“That’s why you should make your care more obvious! Kane will never notice Cherrya exists otherwise.”
Yet, respecting Cherrya’s wish not to pressure him, Kane accepted the benefits given to him without suspicion.
When Olivia overheard him muttering about how generous the academy’s student welfare was, she couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
“He’s been following Enoch for quite some time now. But why?”
Like Cherrya, Olivia had also kept an eye on Kane. However, Kane and Enoch had never been particularly close.
They were in different academic years, and Enoch was constantly surrounded by the children of high-ranking officials from various nations, making it hard for Kane to approach him.
“Cherrya needs to arrive sooner than planned.”
By persuading Enoch, Olivia could elevate Cherrya’s reputation and honor at the academy.
Thanks to Cherrya’s advice, Olivia had achieved a great feat, and she planned to repay the favor handsomely.
“What were the regulations about the student council’s guest invitation rights again…?”
She quickened her pace toward the student council room, practically running.
As Olivia moved further away from Enoch and Kane, Enoch found himself startled by Kane’s sudden appearance after Olivia had left.
The very reason Enoch had secluded himself in the quiet library was now standing before him.
“I still don’t understand why I can’t join the Gray Knights.”
Although Kane had received numerous offers from various national knighthoods during his time at the academy, he had declined them all with finality. Yet now, he was persistently chasing after Enoch, intent on joining the Gray Knights.
“Is it because I’m not a noble? Does it mean the Gray Knights, as a symbol of nobility, see commoners like me as unworthy?”
“That’s not why you were refused. It’s because I don’t have the authority to involve myself in knight admissions.”
“That can’t be true. You’re the heir of the Gray Duke House.”
“That’s precisely why I shouldn’t interfere—it would compromise fairness.”
After days of relentless pestering, Enoch’s responses came automatically, as if scripted.
But each rejection only made Kane more determined and obstinate, his persistence growing stronger by the day.
“Then do you know why the Gray Knights haven’t extended an offer to me?”
“That’s none of my business.”
“I’d like to hear your personal opinion.”
“……..”
Eventually, Enoch stopped walking to avoid Kane and stood still, looking directly at him.
His dark reddish-brown hair, slightly sun-kissed skin, and faint scars scattered across his face didn’t detract from his striking features.
His poised demeanor and calm voice could easily be mistaken for those of a nobleman if no one said otherwise.
“I can’t think of any reason, apart from being a commoner, why I shouldn’t be eligible for the Gray Knights.”
Kane was the only student across all grades in the fencing club who could spar with Enoch for an extended period.
So, Enoch could understand why Kane was so frustrated by the situation.
“Why does it have to be the Gray Knights? I’ve heard you hate nobles. Surely you know the Gray Knights are the epitome of nobility.”
Kane bit his lip at Enoch’s words, pressing so hard it seemed like blood might spill. Seeing this, Enoch sighed and placed a hand on Kane’s shoulder.
“It’s not out of contempt for you being a commoner—it’s a genuine question.”
“…It’s because you’re in the Gray Knights, isn’t it?”
“Me? I’m the reason?”
“Yes, you.”
Kane met Enoch’s gaze directly, his dark eyes unwavering.
“Among the nobles wielding swords like greenhouse flowers, your sword was different. It made mine feel meaningless.”
“…….”
“That’s why I need to go where you are. I’ll stay by your side and somehow make your sword my own.”
Enoch was momentarily at a loss for words at Kane’s passionate declaration, which seemed to burn with ambition. Admiration and jealousy were often two sides of the same coin, difficult to distinguish.
As Enoch looked at Kane, whose expression flickered between resentment and reverence, he couldn’t help but see a resemblance to someone else.
‘He would get along well with Cherrya.’
The image of Cherrya Emblem, who would feign disdain for him but still be utterly vulnerable in his presence, came to mind.
“I also think that merely joining the Gray Knights—a group admired and respected by nobles—would serve as sufficient revenge against them, considering I’m a commoner.”
“…That’s quite honest of you.”
“You’re skilled at detecting lies, Senior.”
Kane’s blunt honesty and his thorough understanding of Enoch were traits that truly resembled Cherrya Emblem.
“……..”
If Kane were to join the Gray Knights, there was a high chance that Enoch would choose him as his adjutant.
Having observed Kane closely, Enoch knew that he possessed sharp judgment, exceptional intelligence, and strategic thinking.
Combined with his formidable swordsmanship, Kane was, in truth, an ideal fit for the Gray Knights.
Even Enoch found it puzzling why Kane hadn’t already received an invitation to join.
“I’ll contact the family and find out why you haven’t been offered a spot yet.”
“…! Thank you so much!”
As Kane bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude with a ninety-degree bow, Enoch took a moment to reflect.
Having an adjutant who reminded him of Cherrya wouldn’t be such a bad idea, after all.