Afterwards, when I had finished performing my share of the researching, we parted ways.
By the time we came out of the library, it was becoming dark.
On the way back to the dorms, I have a leisurely chat with Fitts.
He appears to have lots of guard work and miscellaneous duties after all, however, it seems that once every 10 days he has free time.
[Come to think of it, Rudeus-kun. I saw you at lunchtime today. It was impressive.]
Though he said lunchtime, I put on a puzzled expression.
Now what was I doing at lunchtime?
[It's actually surprising to see how that Zanoba Shirone has taken to you like a puppy.]
[...Haa]
So by lunchtime, he means the time when I was eating a meal at the impromptu café terrasse I created outside with Zanoba and was being watched by everyone.
[You might not already know this but, from the moment he enrolled here, he only ever got into fights, and was nothing but a hooligan and problem child.]
Hearing that he was nothing but a "problem child", I smiled wryly.
Even if you go and say it like that...
That makes it seem that he wasn't a victim of bullying.
You know, a person who can easily rip someone's head off might not be so easily bullied after all.
[After all, Rinia and Pursena were said to be... Misbehaving too when they were controlling the students, before they were made to be docile.]
Well, it seems that Rinia and Pursena happen to be the school banchou[5].
The new student who was raging challenged them to a fight, and was defeated.
Two against one.
I won't say it was cowardly.
Then Zanoba seems to have been treated as an underling of those two.
I haven't seen much of that kind of scene though.
[Please be careful around Rinia and Pursena, since they may decide to pick a fight with you soon.]
[I get the feeling I'll be fine...]
I have already shown submission to them.
I don't need to show my face anywhere near them.
While I don't know where the delinquents gather, I rarely see them in the dining hall.
[Umm, That is... I think that they don't want to meet me again]
[And why is that?]
[During the time I was a first year, in order to mess with Ariel, they picked a fight, and I ended up defeating them.]
[The two of them against you?]
[Yes, however that is... I think they might still be holding some resentment towards me.]
Indeed.
However if that's the case, it's definitely decided that Fitts-senpai is strong.
Fitts senpai took out Rinia and Pursena's 2v1 and Zanoba lost to their 2v1.
Since I beat Fitts, does that mean I am the strongest?
No way, right?
There would be an issue of affinity.
Good affinity as to whether or not he also could use the chantless incantation Disturb Magic now that I had used it on him.
But it could also be that it was just a surprise attack too.
[However if it's Rudeus-kun I think you'll be alright.]
[Now then, why's that?]
[Because there is no one in this school who can defeat me one-on-one. And even though I may appear this way, I had never lost until you.]
Although Fitts praises me by saying that, I would rather commend Fitts-senpai's disposition.
An undefeated person was defeated for the first time.
And to top it off he doesn't carry a grudge.
Are there no feelings of regret?
[That magic, was... called Disturb Magic? It was incredible! Teach me it next time.]
[Eh? Sure thing!]
I cheerfully consented.
If Fitts masters the Disturb Magic, it may become impossible to defeat him.
Even though I think that, I don't have the thought to decline teaching him.
[Ah, but, since it's like that, take care of yourself.
Because some of those [Special Student]-types are rather eccentric...
The one called Cliff is quick to start a fight, and even Silent also caused a number of problems back when they were admitted. Furthermore, I even heard that there was a strange Elf adventurer who became a first year student. She has been attacking boys.]
Although I am not properly acquainted yet with the first two people mentioned, I am with the third person, though the meaning of "attacking” is a bit different.
[I'm the kind of person who will try and walk away if I can, instead of getting into a fight..]
While I was talking, we came to a fork in the road.
If I continue straight ahead, I will be at the women's dormitory.
Though it is not completely dark yet, I have never again had the nerve to walk down this road.
[Ah, I have errands from Ariel-sama that still need to be done.]
[Right. Thanks for your hard work today. Let's do it again sometime.]
[I don't have much time tomorrow, but I'll try and drop in at the library anyway.]
Fitts said that as he started walking towards the woman's dorm.
Free to come from and go to that garden of women... I don't really feel jealous,
Maybe it's because I still have the memories of Muscle-bomber-san from the other day.
...Or else.
Just maybe.
Is putting my trust in Fitts-senpai who can enter that garden of women the key to the ultimate reason I have entered this school for?
As of yet, I still cannot see the intention of Hitogami's advice.