I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 85: 0. Birthday (2)

"Interesting. Is this what it means to be a professor?"

Evangeline was smiling. Her gaze was directed precisely at Veris, who was sitting in the corner of the classroom.

"I like talented individuals. If there's a student here stronger than me, feel free to come to me anytime. Since today is the first lecture, I'll substitute this introduction for the class."

"...That's me, right?"

Bang!

Evangeline, who had been spouting incomprehensible words, coolly exited the room.

It was only natural for expressions of 'What was that?' to appear on the faces of all the students.

"Is it true that Evangeline the Grand Duchess is a visiting professor?"

"Oh my, she's the best in Gallia!"

After a brief silence, the students erupted in astonished voices.

Despite being the top talent among the gifted gathered at the academy, they seemed like mere young boys and girls.

"...What are we going to do now that the time is suspended?"

As the shocked students began to leave the classroom one by one, Arwen subtly asked.

The Grand Duchess's exit had been absurdly swift. Veris crossed his arms and looked out the window.

It was still before lunchtime. It goes without saying, but lounging around in the mansion wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Well, what are you all going to do?"

"...We're planning to go to the café."

"Is that so?"

Veris nodded nonchalantly.

The café, known for its sweet cakes and bitter coffee, was a place they liked.

But not Veris. He felt indifferent about going or not.

"I'm going back to the mansion. Take your time and enjoy yourselves."

"Are you not going, Veris?"

"I'm tired."

To be honest, he was just too lazy to go to the café.

With Veris's words, the other girls also left the classroom.

For some reason, even Beatrice, who usually didn't mingle with them, left with a disgruntled expression. It seemed there was something important to discuss.

And then.

"Why aren't you joining us?"

Gunther approached with a vague question. He looked curious, as if he found something fascinating.

"Sometimes, girls want to talk about things among themselves."

"Wow..."

Gunther looked at him with admiration.

"I don't know how you understand women's hearts so well, brother."

Gunther sat down right next to Veris. Veris chuckled softly.

"Women's hearts are as cold as ice. I'm just doing what I think."

"Are you really denying it now?"

Seeing Gunther's incredulous expression, Veris had no words left.

Veris had few friends.

It was amusing to say, but aside from Gunther, he had no other male friends.

However, the peculiar thing was that there were always many female friends around Veris.

Well, it was strange to even call them friends.

"Sometimes, there are things I want to learn from you, brother."

"What is it? Swordsmanship?"

"No."

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At Veris's innocent question, Gunther shook his head with a serious expression.

Gunther usually displayed an endlessly carefree demeanor. But in this unusually heavy atmosphere, Veris couldn't help but ask the reason.

"Do you have something on your mind?"

"...That's right."

Gunther sighed heavily, which was uncharacteristic of him.

He turned his head, confirming that no one else remained in the classroom aside from Veris and himself, and continued speaking.

"Actually, there's a woman I like recently."

"What? You?"

"Shh! Please lower your voice."

Veris looked at Gunther with a bewildered expression.

The big guy was being so cautious, his face full of longing.

"...Who is it?"

It would be a lie to say he wasn't curious.

The Gunther he knew was an obsessive maniac when it came to swords.

But suddenly, he had a woman he liked!

As far as Veris knew, Gunther was not engaged in an arranged marriage. He couldn't help but wonder who had stolen the heart of the academy's top student, Gunther.

"Um... It's a girl named Anna who is in B-Class."

"Anna?"

Veris tilted his head.

He had no idea such a person existed in B-Class.

"Yes. In fact, the first time I saw her was when I went to see you in B-Class the other ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) day."

...He hadn't asked that.

That thought crossed his mind, but Veris didn't interrupt Gunther's words.

He patiently waited for Gunther to continue.

"By chance, she passed by me. And at that moment, I felt it. Ah, this person is my destined partner."

"Haha."

It was a mechanical laugh. But perhaps because he was thinking of her, Gunther's face was filled with youthful affection, and he didn't seem to notice.

"Since we're on the topic, I have to ask."

"...?"

"Could you possibly arrange a meeting for us?"

Veris's face turned to one of disbelief.

If he had an interest in a woman, he should approach her directly; why was he trying to go through Veris?

"Even though there's only a one-year age difference, I feel shy about approaching someone older first."

There was nothing more awkward than a bear-like guy twisting his body in embarrassment.

Veris learned one more fact he hadn't known.

"Now that I think about it, you're a year younger than the first years."

It was something he had forgotten due to Gunther's high profile.

"Please! I'm begging you!"

Gunther, seemingly having made up his mind, pleaded with Veris.

Veris let out a small sigh.

To be honest, it wasn't a difficult task. He just had to approach a girl and ask if she would like to have tea with a guy named Gunther.

"What a frustrating guy."

"Hehe. I'm counting on you, brother."

Gunther's silly laughter. Veris felt like he would burst into laughter again.

*

"...Is that her?"

"Yes. She's undeniably a beautiful woman, isn't she?"

For some reason, Gunther seemed to know her current location.

In front of the dormitory for B-Class students, a girl named Anna was reading a book in a small garden.

"So, honestly, tell me."

"...Yes?"

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

Gunther's goofy expression peeked out from behind the dormitory building.

It wouldn't be surprising if a report came in about a pervert appearing at the B-Class girls' dormitory.

"Um... I want to convey that I'd like to have a cup of tea with her. It would be nice to have a serious conversation too."

"Is that all you need to convey?"

"...Yes!"

Gunther's enthusiastic response. Veris couldn't help but chuckle.

He turned to look at the girl named Anna.

...She was an ordinary-looking girl, evaluated coldly.

She was pure and fresh, but to Veris, whose standards had been raised too high by those around him, she appeared to be 'ordinary' itself.

"I'm going."

"Gah!"

Without hesitation, Veris stepped forward confidently, causing Gunther to blurt out in surprise.

Regardless of Gunther's reaction, Veris approached the girl sitting in the garden.

"A guest has arrived."

Perhaps she sensed that Veris had business with her.

Anna, who had been reading under the shade of a tree in the garden, spoke first.

In a fleeting moment, Veris scanned her and couldn't help but tilt his head.

She didn't seem to have any particular charm that stood out.

Her first impression was that she seemed to have a good personality. She looked kind-hearted.

"I have something I want to ask."

Veris's casual tone slipped out naturally. But the girl was smiling brightly.

"What is it, Veris?"

Did she already know his identity?

Anna had closed her book and was now engaged in conversation.

"Anna, right?"

"If you've come looking for that name, then yes."

Veris nodded. He had thought about what he wanted to say during the brief walk.

"Anna. By any chance..."

"Yes?"

"Do you have someone you like?"

"Y-Yes? That's such a sudden question!"

Anna's face turned bright red. Veris couldn't help but scratch his face at her reaction.

'This isn't what I meant.'

Considering the situation, it seemed like Veris was trying to woo the girl rather than connecting her with Gunther.

It was a very natural form of flirting, honed over many years.

"I must have phrased it awkwardly."

"...Huh?"

"There's a guy who's interested in you. He seemed a bit shy, so he asked me to convey his feelings."

"Ah..."

There was a hint of disappointment in the girl's voice. Veris felt a burning gaze from behind him.

'Gunther, you rascal?'

If he had something to complain about, he should come and say it himself!

"Who is that person?"

Did she perhaps expect Veris to make a move?

The girl asked with a bittersweet smile.

"Do you know a guy named Gunther?"

"Of course. Did he ask you to convey something on his behalf?"

"That's the feeling."

Upon hearing Veris's words, the girl nodded slightly.

Perhaps she grasped the situation, she thought for a moment before letting out a small sigh and said,

"I can't trust someone who can't even express their feelings and has to ask someone else to do it."

"...!"

Veris couldn't help but be surprised.

It was a rather accurate statement. Gunther was likely enhancing his hearing with mana to eavesdrop on this conversation, and Veris was curious about how he would react.

Thud!

It seemed Veris's prediction was correct.

Thanks to a startled male student who dashed out from behind the dormitory building, it became clear.

"I'm disappointed, brother!"

"..."

In the sudden escape, Veris was left with a bewildered expression.

The big guy seemed to have a more delicate sensibility than this girl.