She couldn’t get a word in edgewise amid the shower of gratitude and kindness.
“Were you hurt? I’m so sorry. We should have had the courage to step in ourselves.”
“And during that test…I should have lent you a pen.”
“We were so afraid of getting on the wrong side of the prince and his friends, we couldn’t do anything.”
When she looked in their eyes, she knew—they weren’t lying. As they braved their own shame to tell her how frightened and cowardly they had been, their voices were filled with pain and guilt.
The girl in front of her was weeping openly.
“Miss Brigitte, you’re incredible.”
The praise was all sincere.
…Now I see.
She had been so frightened of everyone, of being the center of attention. She’d assumed they all hated and despised her…and she’d thought of them all as enemies.
My perspective was so distorted.
She was the one who had shut her heart to the world. She had jumped to the conclusion that they all despised her. Of course, a few of them probably did. But almost twenty students had been waiting on the edges of their seats for her to return.
“I…”
She was about to respond, her voice quivering, when the back door of the classroom opened—and everyone gasped.
As twenty pairs of eyes fell on him, Nival said flatly, “I received permission to get my things.”
He doesn’t have any obvious wounds…
Brigitte was secretly relieved. But then, to her shock, she noticed something shiny on his neck that hadn’t been there before. She had never seen one before, but she was fairly sure of what it was.
A magic-suppressing collar.
The collars both contained the wearer’s magical power and confined the spirit that was the source of that power. Serious criminals were made to wear them, and Brigitte had heard they were applied to exiles as well.
Ms. Naha had said she expected Nival to get away without serious punishment—but this was quite severe. Not only would he temporarily be unable to use magic, but everyone would know instantly that he was being punished.
As the whole class stared, Nival walked toward his seat.
…But for some reason, he changed course partway there and turned toward Brigitte.
The other students rose to form a wall between her and Nival, but she shook her head. She was the reason he had lost control to start with.
“…Nival, if you have something to say to me, please feel free to say it.”
As his intense gaze fell on her, she met it with defiance.
The students watching held their breaths.
Slowly, Nival began to speak. “I… Th-th-th-tha…”
“…?”
Ththththa…?
Was this some kind of secret code? Nival’s eyes darted around; perhaps he had noticed her suspicion. Finally, he said in a voice barely above a whisper, “…Thank…you. You saved me.”
Brigitte was stunned.
The other students were exchanging disbelieving looks, too.
Nival wrinkled his nose. “And…I’m sorry I treated you so rudely in the past. I don’t think an apology will make it better, but at least let me offer one.”
Did he just thank me…and apologize…?
The infamous Nival Weir?
The boy who used to mock her was now bowing at the waist in apology.
Brigitte rubbed her eyes. “Please excuse me. I seem to still be dreaming.”
“This is no, uh, dream. I mean it. I feel horrible.”
“…I knew it was a dream.”
“You have to believe me!”
Nival’s forehead was practically touching the ground by this time. Brigitte could hardly tell him she didn’t believe him. Still, she couldn’t easily accept what was happening.
“…Are you sure this is all right?” she asked, lowering her voice.
He didn’t answer.
“If Prince Joseph hears that you lowered your head to me in public—”
“…I know. My family and I might face some sort of retribution. But I lost my future as a royal aide the moment I sent my spirit on a rampage. I’d say that burned my career prospects.”
Ah, so this is desperation?
But when he raised his head again, his face was surprisingly radiant. He didn’t seem too sorry about the situation.
“That’s not all,” she went on. “You hated me, didn’t you?”
“What?”
“Isn’t it humiliating to apologize to someone you hate?”
“I…”
For some reason, he seemed at a loss for words. Finally, though, he admitted she was right, his expression caught between laughter and tears.
“I… Yes, I did hate you.”
I knew it.
The truth was, she’d never liked him much herself. But he’d used past tense—which must mean he at least accepted her now.
Still, I never did find out anything about my spirit…
He shouldn’t be thanking her—he should be thanking the spirit that erased the windstorm and protected their classmates. But Brigitte had never heard of any light-emitting, windstorm-eating spirits.
She was more confused than ever. But there was something she wanted to tell him.
“Also, about your ariel…”
“…I’m ready.”
Ready for what? she wondered but went on anyway.
“I think your spirit is extremely kind for mirroring her master’s anger with her own. I know you won’t be able to talk to her while you have the collar on…but please, once it’s off, I hope you reward her for her service.”
Although I hardly have the right to say something like that…
She was ready for him to snap at her to mind her own business, but instead, he blinked at her in surprise.
“You’re…a very kind, strong person, Brigitte Meidell,” he said, topping off all the strange things he’d said that day.
“I th-think you must have hit your head, after all…!”
“I assure you, I didn’t. And from now on…if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me.”
His eyes were almost feverish. She felt like she’d heard something similar recently. Although the person saying them wasn’t nearly as earnest.
“I—I want to be of service to you,” he said.
Several of the girls nearby squealed.
Brigitte flushed. “Thank you… In that case, I do have one request.”
Nival’s face instantly brightened.
“Anything, just say the word! I’ll do whatever you wish—”
“Really?! Then please let me meet your ariel again!”
“Of cou— My ariel?”
Brigitte nodded eagerly at Nival, who was quite nonplussed.