Lilia's Tale

Chapter 82: Rumors

I had been played. There was never any mention of becoming an honor student, or at least I didn't recall any. This would explain why I was given so many keys to facilities. Maybe Mark had told me about it and I forgot? I wasn't sure.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"I might have been told before and forgot. In any case, it's a bunch of responsibilities I don't want."

"You don't want...?"

"Yeah, I don't want to explain. To put it simply, I want a normal, basic life, so responsibilities and being an honor student are bad for me."

She seemed sceptical and confused, but I didn't want to go any further on the subject. I wanted to minimise the chances for me to say something I shouldn't.

"Well, moving on. Is there anything you wanted to talk to me about being an honor student?"

"Ah, well, yes and no. I did want to ask you to come to the honor student room tomorrow in the morning, but I mostly just wanted to talk to you about yourself. We can't work with someone we don't know, after all."

"Fair enough. Anything you wanted to ask?"

"Well, there are a lot of rumors surrounding you, so I wanted to ask about those."

"Oh dear. What are the rumors?"

"Well, let's start with the oldest one. Apparently you're the daughter of the Great Summoner, Kouji Jirou?"

"Ah. Yeah, I am. Adopted daughter, though."

Her eyes suddenly showed a large interest.

"Oh my god! How is he like?"

"Huh? Uhm, I'm not sure, he was just an old caring guy?"

"Is he really as talented as everyone says he is?"

"About that..."

"Does he still look young despite his age?"

"No-"

"Is he really capable of summoning a Holy Knight without any need for preparation or incantations?"

She was bombarding me with questions without even giving me any time to answer.

"Is he actually around the capital now?"

"Do you think I could meet him one day?"

"Do you think he would-"

"WAIT!" I nearly yelled. "Calm down. Do you realise just how you've been?"

"I...I started fangirling again, didn't I?"

"You did."

"I'm sorry, I can't contain myself if it's about the Great Summoner."

"Are you in love with him or something?"

"Well, I'm an A-rank summoner, and I always looked up to him as some kind of idol to try and reach..."

"I'll be honest with you, he genuinely felt more like an old guy in need of a family than he did some kind of magic genius."

I could tell she was quite surprised. Her idol, a normal man?

"I'm being honest," I continued. "He cared a lot, maybe too much, so maybe I only saw his fatherly, caring side. But don't forget that he is human as well. Just like you."

"That...is true. But still, how can he be so strong?"

"Well, that much I can't tell you since I don't know just how strong he is."