Short Story 4: Pantile Cherishes Greed and Swallows Fallacy
Short Story: Pantile Cherishes Greed and Swallows Fallacy
Jenniferlin Pantile’s Classmate.
Shin Longdagger—the second son of an unbelievably Impoverished Viscount Household, a noble yet also an adventurer—was a monster.
By what miracle he came to be, he himself assessed his own abilities as utterly mediocre.
But Pantile’s golden eyes had certainly perceived his true worth.
Normally, even with Pantile’s Appraisal Skill, he appeared mediocre, but the appraisal results when he used Physical Enhancement—as if a “Lid” had come off—were enough to startle Jenniferlin Pantile, who had appraised countless people with her Skill.
She truly doubted whether he was even human.
However, among Jenniferlin’s Classmates were two genuine monsters.
The Maiden of Light and Erika Solntsalri.
Pantile’s eyes judged those two as monsters beyond any doubt; when Jenniferlin Pantile first saw them, she had conversely doubted if they were truly monsters precisely because they possessed human forms.
Their positions, their abilities—they were certainly two conspicuous individuals.
One was the Maiden of Light, beloved by the gods; the other was her close friend, the eldest daughter of the Solntsalri House, who was effectively becoming the Maiden of Light’s shield.
If the rumors were true, the power balance of noble society could shift dramatically depending on whom Solntsalri introduced the Maiden of Light to.
But that wasn’t why Jenniferlin paid attention to the pair.
First-mover advantage was certainly appealing, but Jenniferlin preferred overtaking and crushing the pioneers later on. Besides, getting involved between those two now seemed like too much trouble.
The reason Jenniferlin paid attention to them was because the monster she doubted was human, Shin Longdagger, was paying attention to them.
The suspected monster was, even now, quite skillfully ignoring the lecture and casting glances toward the two girls.
Hmm.
Jenniferlin Pantile thought this seemed interesting.
＊
At the academy, there were exams twice a year.
That being said, it was an academy attended by the children of nobility.
Advancement was only truly contested during the first year.
After that, even if one’s grades fell below average or a teacher branded them a failure, they could still advance and wouldn’t be expelled from the academy.
A proper noble, however, would likely feel ashamed and leave the academy even after the second year if explicitly deemed a failure by a teacher.
But the boy Shin Longdagger, who was unconcerned with such aristocratic shame, wore a look of utter relief—a truly vacant expression—having passed the first hurdle of the first year.
“Looking forward to four months from now, Shin.”
“Whoa, trying to land a fatal blow with a surprise attack? What kind of friend does that?”
Since her friend (Shin) had such a vacant look on his face, Jenniferlin couldn’t resist teasing him right off the bat.
Well, hearing him say “as a friend” means this exchange is profitable, Jenniferlin thought with a smile.
“Having my merits as a friend questioned, only to be met with a smile… that’s rather unsettling for a self-proclaimed friend, wouldn’t you say? Perhaps I should doubt my standing as your friend?”
“Rest assured, my friend. In my eyes, your position already rests upon ground firmer than a Dragon Scale.”
“Feels more like I’m being forced to stand on one leg on that firm ground,” Shin muttered while preparing for the next math class.
Hmm, quite skillful.
＊
Jenniferlin was more impressed than exasperated.
He skillfully used her own body—the one that had approached him—as cover while preparing for class, talking to her, and subtly, naturally, casting glances toward those two girls.
It reminded her of the eyes of a Scout-type Adventurer hired to guard a merchant caravan.
In other words, her dear friend was watching them—or rather, one of them—with the same intensity as an adventurer staking their livelihood and life.
A question suddenly popped into her head.
“Surely not… assassination?”
“Is there someone you want killed?”
His eyes held a look of exasperation, yet also conveyed a willingness to help if that were truly the case. Oh? Now that’s an unexpected reaction, Jenniferlin thought, hiding her inner turmoil as she shook her head.
Shin’s tone wasn’t that of a noble plotting murder; it carried an air suggesting he wouldn’t hesitate to get his own hands dirty if necessary.
No, no, this isn’t good.
Casually displaying such resolve isn’t good, my friend.
Heh heh, Shin, you sly dog.
She composed herself, realizing this wasn’t the time to be pleased.
Still, he answered instantly. An instant reply, huh? Weheheh.
“It’s nothing, my friend. It just seems you have someone you’re interested in, yes? I was just wondering which one it might be.”
Jenniferlin didn’t miss it.
How Shin’s gaze flickered unnaturally away for an instant at her words.
And where it landed.
“Ah, well, those two do stand out.”
Shin’s uncharacteristic attempt at subterfuge was inwardly amusing to her.
“As a member of the nobility, one can’t help but follow them with one’s eyes.”
Oh? You’re saying that? she thought, putting on her business negotiation face. Shouldn’t you say that after acting more ‘like a noble’ usually?
It was incredibly amusing to see Shin trying to hide something, even if it deviated from his usual style.
More accurately, she was delighted by the desire—a desire even she could understand—finally shown by her negotiating partner.
Jenniferlin Pantile affirmed Greed.
She believed in those who walked the path of Greed; their ceaseless steps were venerable and precious.
Hey, hey, and yet you try to hide it?
Keep it secret within your heart?
—That’s not like the greedy you I know.
“You’ve got a wicked look on your face.”
Jenniferlin, unaware that Shin had muttered this while looking at her face, simply smiled.
＊
The obstacle was Erika Solntsalri.
A great Marquis House, whose head was the kingdom’s Prime Minister.
Dealing with the eldest daughter was enough to make even Pantile hesitate.
My, my, to think Shin harbors feelings for the Maiden of Light… isn’t this fascinating?
His viscount house might be somewhat peculiar, but facing royalty and high nobility was apparently enough to make even the formidable Shin Longdagger keep his feelings hidden.
He might have had more of a chance near the start of enrollment, but now Erika Solntsalri’s shield prevented lower nobles from getting close.
Through conventional means, it would be difficult for Shin to approach the Maiden of Light.
Now, what should be done?
Jenniferlin pondered.
The idea of eliminating Erika Solntsalri from the academy was quickly discarded.
She wasn’t foolish enough to throw the country into chaos just to prioritize her own amusement.
Besides, if she were to take on the Solntsalri House, it would be easier and faster to reduce the country to rubble.
When fighting an opponent burdened with many responsibilities, targeting those burdens is easier and more fun than attacking the person directly.
Ah, no good. My thoughts keep drifting towards destruction.
This is Shin’s fault too.
It’s Shin’s fault for creating such a worthy opponent.
But well, I suppose he wouldn’t want that.
Somehow, she felt that was his disposition.
However, if that’s the case…
Ah, no, wait.
If they say it’s Unbecoming for Shin Longdagger to harbor feelings for the Maiden of Light…
Then I just need to break Shin Longdagger.
＊
“And so, Shin, how about you become a hero?”
“Sorry, but I don’t know any doctors.”
“Instantly questioning my sanity makes for a truly enjoyable exchange, but the Pantiles are rather mad even in normal times, so please stop questioning my sanity. Realizing it hurts my feelings.”
“What a troublesome family,” Shin grumbled, pausing his lunch to face Jenniferlin.
She no longer questioned the gaze he skillfully directed behind him.
To Jenniferlin, that was nothing less than a clear answer.
First, about two years of groundwork.
Once practical combat training begins in class, even Shin will surely notice his own abnormality.
She would make preparations by then.
She would powerfully obstruct any nuisances trying to approach the Maiden of Light, and on the appointed day, her friend Shin Longdagger would stand beside her as a hero, faster than anyone else.
What a delightful culmination of Greed!
The astonished faces of Erika Solntsalri and the other royalty and high nobles would surely be a sight to behold.
Jenniferlin Pantile herself would pave the way there!
If there were no enemies, she would create them.
If great deeds were needed, she would create trials.
This was Faltar; creating either was easy.
Jenniferlin laughed, imagining the path to heroism she would pave for Shin.
Oblivious to the thoroughly annoyed look on Shin’s face for having his lunch interrupted, Jenniferlin was satisfied with the method of “investment” she had finally found.
It would be roughly two years later that she would end up shouting, “It was her?!”
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Thank you always for the comments, likes, etc.
They are greatly encouraging.
I was having quite a bit of fun writing the past arc, or rather, the short stories, to the point where I was worried progress on the main story might stall. However, since it’s become clear that my day job is definitely going to get busier, I intend to focus on the main story.
It was fun playing with the small details, like how Jen and Shin start calling each other by name when the mood is casual, while Erika and Shin switch to using ‘kimi’ and ‘anata’ when they’re lost in their own world.
Unfortunately, I’m a slow writer; I actually wanted to write stories about Shin back when he was a student adventurer, too.
I hope I’ll have the chance to write them someday.