Chapter 8: The Girl (…?)
“Next is the practical exam for your Skill. Hugh Pnosis, since you possess the Nature Skill, please head to the Second Ground. Just follow this path straight ahead and take a left at the end.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
I bowed to the staff member who guided me and made my way outside the school building.
Once I confirmed that there were no signs of people around, I crouched down and let out a deep sigh.
“Hah… I managed to pull it off.”
I never expected that I could actually rewrite the Skill display using the Brainwashing Skill. It’s worth trying even if it’s a long shot. I have no idea how it works, though…
“That said, there’s no way I can manage the next practical exam.”
There’s no way the rewritten Skill would work as it is, so I should probably think of an excuse in advance. Something like having a stomachache or something along those lines should suffice. The immediate threat of my Brainwashing Skill being discovered has passed, so I feel a bit more at ease.
That’s why I was a little too relaxed.
“Um, are you okay?”
“Wah!?”
Startled by the sudden voice, I lost my balance and fell backward from my crouched position.
As I lay on my back, I saw a girl (…?) peering down at me with a worried expression.
“Ah, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you by calling out like that!”
“N-no, it’s fine. I’m the one who should apologize.”
“Can you stand?”
The girl (…?) extended her hand to me.
The reason I was unsure about whether she was a girl (…?) was due to her outfit.
Her short silver hair sparkled in the sunlight, and her youthful face, with its large, round navy-blue eyes, gave her an even more innocent appearance.
From the neck up, she looked like a girl.
However, her petite frame was clad in a shirt and coat typically worn by noblemen.
“Thank you, you really helped me.”
“Hehe, you’re welcome!”
With her help, I stood up and expressed my gratitude, and she smiled shyly in response.
…Ugh, she’s cute. A different type of beauty compared to Lily and Lecty.
…She is a girl, right?
“Um, I’m Hugh. Hugh Pnosis. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Hugh. I’m… no, wait. I’m Rouge. Rouge Vect.”
“Rouge… so you’re a boy?”
“Muu. Do I look like a girl to you, Hugh?”
She pouted, looking offended. That gesture was also quite adorable, but is she really a boy…? For a moment, she almost said “I” instead of “I’m.”
Well, if she is a girl, there must be some reason she’s pretending to be a boy. It would be troublesome to pry too much and stir up trouble. I should just go along with the flow.
“Ah, I’m sorry if I offended you. I was lying down, so the way the light hit your face made it hard to see. Your voice is a bit high for a boy, so I couldn’t tell your gender.”
“I see. Yeah, that makes sense. I’m sorry for getting angry. …Oh, by the way, I noticed you were crouching earlier. Are you okay? I thought you might be feeling unwell, so I called out to you…”
“Ah, actually, I have a bit of a stomachache.”
“Eh!? You should go to the infirmary! If you’re feeling uneasy being alone, I can accompany you!”
“No, that’s fine.”
“Fine…? Uh, do you want me to go get you a change of clothes?”
“I’m not going to wet myself, you know?”
Why does everyone think I’m going to poop my pants?
“I’m really fine, so don’t worry about it. More importantly, are you also heading to the practical exam?”
“Yeah. I was told to take the exam at the Second Ground, so I was on my way there.”
“Then let’s go together. I was heading to the Second Ground too.”
“Really? I’m so glad! I was feeling a bit lonely by myself.”
Rouge flashed a carefree smile.
She’s really cute. I seriously can’t believe she’s a boy.
I walked alongside Rouge toward the Second Ground. Rouge was about shoulder height to me, even smaller than Lecty, whom I met earlier.
“You’re really tall, Hugh. I was a bit surprised when you stood up just now.”
“My father is quite tall.”
If anything, it’s Rouge who is short, but I feel like mentioning that would just make her angry again.
“That’s nice. I want to grow taller too. Then I won’t be mistaken for a girl anymore.”
“Is that so…?”
I think the reason Rouge looks like a girl is due to her face and voice. Even if she grew taller, I doubt it would change much.
“Hugh, are you thinking something rude?”
“Not at all. By the way, look, isn’t that the Second Ground?”
As we walked, we reached the end of the path. Turning left, I saw a spacious sandy ground below the embankment. Participants were unleashing fire and water at targets shaped like people.
When it comes to practical exams, this is what I expected. It’s just as I imagined.
“Let’s go, Hugh!”
Rouge pulled my arm, leading me toward the Second Ground.
This time, there’s no way I can hide behind the Brainwashing Skill.
It’s a shame that I’ve just made a new friend in Rouge, yet it seems we’ll have to part ways here…