Guardians of Purity
The school trip was very loosely structured.
There was no set schedule from the Academy.
It was simply a matter of exploring the vast island with our group members.
'Is this normal...?'
Was this what a typical school trip was like?
Dropping students off on a deserted island and letting them entertain themselves?
I wouldn't know.
I'd never been on a school trip before.
While my classmates went on their trips, I was stuck in the training hall.
Of course, that was my father's doing.
"..."
Come to think of it, that man had taken a lot from me.
A heavy feeling settled in my chest as I exhaled slowly.
"Haa..."
"What's with the sigh all of a sudden?"
The idiot next to me looked over.
I shoved away the milk chocolate-colored face that was getting too close for comfort.
"It's nothing. Get some space."
"Geez, I was barely even close..."
Golden Boy pouted at my disgusted reaction.
I chuckled at his expression and slowly turned my head, taking in the surrounding scenery.
The clear blue sky filled my vision.
Beyond it were streaks of bright, distinct clouds.
The warm sun beat down on a vast, sprawling meadow, an endless expanse of green.
We were walking through a picturesque landscape straight out of a fairytale.
"Wow... It's so beautiful here! Don't you think so, Violet?"
"Eek... Y-yes! I think so too!"
Margaret and Violet's voices rang out from beside me, engaged in a friendly conversation.
Margaret, with her usual affability, was chatting Violet up.
Violet seemed a little overwhelmed... but it was probably fine.
Margaret wasn't going to bite, after all.
"You know, this place is more interesting than I thought it would be."
"Yeah, not bad."
I nodded in agreement with Golden Boy.
It wasn't chosen as a travel destination for nothing.
The island was quite beautiful, with its rare natural scenery and unique atmosphere that couldn't be found in the capital.
Maybe this was what the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived, looked like.
-Chirp, chirp, chirp...
The cheerful chirping of birds filled the air.
The meadow breeze carried a fresh, earthy scent.
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp autumn air.
It felt as if the constant worry and anxiety that clogged my throat had cleared away.
Peaceful.
I muttered to myself and reached into my pocket.
My fingers brushed against a small, smooth box.
The case containing the Death Weed.
I pulled out a single Death Weed and put it in my mouth.
Then, I took out my magic lighter and lit it.
-Click, hiss...!
As a red flame sparked from the end of the stick, thick smoke filled my lungs.
I exhaled the smoke that filled my breath and tapped the end of the stick lightly.
"Haaa..."
This hit the spot.
The hazy sensation of the Death Weed mixed with the fresh scent of grass created a unique feeling.
"Ugh... were you smoking?"
"It's not a cigarette."
I replied to Golden Boy, who was subtly putting some distance between us, and took another drag.
Now that I thought about it... was I addicted?
I found myself reaching for the Death Weed even when I wasn't feeling down.
"Boy! Shall we go over there?"
Margaret, who had suddenly turned towards us, called out to Golden Boy.
...She knew I was here too, but she didn't even bother asking me.
"Yes, Lady Phyler. Where are you referring to?"
"Over that hill, where the other students are gathered!"
Margaret pointed to a spot where about twenty students were gathered, seemingly looking at something.
Golden Boy tilted his head.
"What's over there?"
"Hmm... the map just says 'Garden of Purity'. There's no other explanation."
"There must be something there. Let's go check it out."
"Okay! Violet, you coming?"
"Y-yes...! I'll come too!"
The three of them chatted happily as they walked away.
I was left alone, staring blankly at their retreating figures.
Hey... what about me...?
.
.
.
"What's with the long face? You sulking?"
As I walked with a sullen expression, Golden Boy nudged me with his elbow and asked.
A smug grin was plastered across his face.
"Don't tell me you're upset because we went off without you."
"...Don't be ridiculous."
"Look at you, so petty. This isn't the magnanimity I'd expect from the academy's S-rank maniac."
-Whack!
I couldn't hold back any longer and smacked the back of his head.
Golden Boy cried out in pain, clutching his head as if I'd just mortally wounded him.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"Maybe you should watch your mouth."
"What the hell, man! You hit me every chance you get!"
"That's because you're always asking for it."
He really was an idiot.
Who else in the world would dare to mess with the eldest son of the Lishite Dukedom so casually?
Even the Academy students who badmouthed me behind my back could only tremble in fear when I was around.
Did this guy have a death wish or something?
I sighed and smacked him on the back of his head again.
-Whack!
"Ow! What was that for this time?!"
"No one disrespects the Lishite family like you do in this entire Empire."
"I never disrespected the Lishite family! I disrespect you, sure, but not your family."
"..."
This guy was hopeless.
-Whack!
"Argh!! Why, why, why!!!"
"I don't know, you tell me."
-Whack! Whack!
"Ugh! You're insane!!"
"Just keep taking your punishment."
"Argh!!!"
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