I didn’t come here to watch you make friends

Loya already understood Kalandria’s true nature well enough.
There was no need to learn anything more about it.

He knew perfectly well that this woman, who cared for no one but herself, was simply playing the same old tricks.

Earlier, she had deliberately hinted that the Swan Lake Adventurer Team might soon replace its captain,

dangling that vague, uncertain opportunity like bait.

And now she was putting on an intimate display with the second young master of the Holy Sword family,

implying that the two families would share close interests in the future.

Perhaps Swan Lake really would benefit from it someday,

perhaps the team would go further,

perhaps it would truly become the starting point of a hero’s path…

But none of that had anything to do with him anymore.

From the very beginning, Loya’s goal had never been to become an adventurer.

No matter how tempting the promises sounded, no matter how dazzlingly Kalandria dressed them up,

in the end they were only meant to keep exploiting others.

Whether ordinary teammates or political marriage partners,

in the eyes of this noble lady, they were nothing more than tools.

He would not fall for it again.

No one keeps blindly charging forward once they realize it serves no real purpose.

Especially now that he had seen through her completely.

The more he recognized the scheming hidden beneath Kalandria’s every action, the more repulsed he felt toward her.

Looking back now, his earlier attempt to persuade Timos to leave Swan Lake had not been interference in a student’s autonomy at all, it had actually helped the naive elf girl avoid the fate of being used as a disposable tool.

“Seeing how close the two of you are really makes me happy for you from the bottom of my heart.”

Loya wore a gentle smile, showing no trace of displeasure, and his tone sounded sincere.

“I wish you both happiness.”

Kalandria instantly felt a surge of anger.

Her eyes widened like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

‘Don’t you like me?’

‘Seeing me standing so close to another man—aren’t you jealous?’

‘Fine, maybe because you’re a commoner you know your place and understand the gap between us.’

‘But at least show some frustration!’

‘Isn’t that how it goes in all those romantic knight stories?’

‘When the woman you love throws herself into the arms of a more outstanding man,’

‘shouldn’t you feel some unwilling resentment?’

Mosoren beside her was also stung by that “blessing.”

Trying to salvage the relationship with the little elf girl before it even began,

he forced a smile that looked closer to tears and hurried to patch things up.

“Mr. Loya must be joking. Even if Miss Kalandria and I admire each other, our relationship could never compare to that of the Swan Lake members.

After all, you’re the companions who walked through countless hardships with her.”

Heh.

The smile on Loya’s face cooled considerably.

Hani, who stood nearby, lowered her eyes slightly after hearing that, offering no comment.

“Perhaps.”

No emotion could be read in Loya’s eyes.

His tone was calm, like someone recounting an old story long past.

“But there is one thing I should clarify. I’m no longer a member of Swan Lake.”

Kalandria’s right eyelid twitched sharply.

What did he mean by “clarify”?

He was talking about their connection as if it were some kind of stain.

Behind her back, out of others’ sight, her hand clenched tightly into a fist.

Back when they were still at the manor,

she would have already swung her hand and smacked Loya over the head by now.

Hearing the emphasis hidden in her teacher’s words,

Timos felt rather pleased.

That stupid woman wanted to go after her teacher?

Looks like she had absolutely no chance now.

But before she could fully enjoy it, Loya added,

“For now, I suppose I can only be considered a normal friend…”

With that single sentence, the mood flipped instantly.

At the edge of the group, unnoticed by others, Timos frowned slightly.

Why didn’t Teacher make it clear-cut?

Was he still leaving room for that stupid woman?

Kalandria, meanwhile, let out a quiet breath of relief.

Loya was still Loya.

She knew he was just throwing a small tantrum.

So all that earlier talk had simply been reverse words, pretending to be magnanimous.

In truth, neither of them understood what Loya actually meant.

Those words had never been meant for the teammates nearby.

From start to finish, he had been looking only at Mosoren.

“So Mr. Mosoren doesn’t need to overthink it. There’s truly nothing between us.”

Normally, since the man was Kalandria’s fiancé,

clarifying the relationship would be the most natural thing.

At the very least, he didn’t want people thinking he had some unclear involvement with another man’s fiancée.

After all, Loya still hoped to use his connection to reach the Holy Sword family and eventually contact the Knight King.

But what Loya said was one thing,

what Mosoren heard was something entirely different.

The young master narrowed his eyes.

He hadn’t asked much earlier, but now Loya was suddenly emphasizing it.

If nothing suspicious had happened, who would believe that?

But since his fiancée was Kalandria—someone he liked… or rather disliked—even if the noble lady really had some shady relationship with an old teammate,

Mosoren didn’t care at all.

They were nobles after all.

What was strange about having an exciting private life?

In fact, it suited him perfectly.

If she had her own scandal, she’d have no right to complain about him flirting around outside.

“I understand, I understand. Mr. Loya is reliable and handsome.

Having a friend like you as support is truly enviable. Even though you’ve left Swan Lake, I’m sure you’ll shine elsewhere.”

Mosoren smiled naturally.

Just then, the music in the banquet hall changed.

The young master seized the moment.

“Ah, it seems it’s time for the dance. Since you’re honored guests, please join us in the center of the floor and enjoy the ball together.”

“Thank you for the invitation. It’s an honor.”

Loya nodded slightly.

For now, things were progressing according to plan.

Since it offered a chance for closer contact, there was no reason to refuse.

Seeing the two appear so amicable, Kalandria felt even more dissatisfied.

In her eyes, it was one thing for Loya to stubbornly pretend to be generous,

but why was this hanger-on smiling along as well?

At least act like a fiancé and put on some authority.

Why bother trying to charm people with friendliness?

It was as if they were guests invited by him.

Where had that arrogant playboy attitude everyone talked about gone?

I didn’t come here to watch you make friends!

Of course, anger aside, Kalandria knew this was not the time to be stubborn.

If she couldn’t provoke Loya no matter what,

then the pressure simply wasn’t strong enough yet.

Fortunately, Mosoren had suggested going to dance.

It was a perfect chance to push things further.

Led by the young lady of Lewincete and the second young master of the Holy Sword family,

Loya’s group walked from the corner of the banquet hall toward the dance floor.

As the elegant symphony swelled,

many nobles were already dancing gracefully.

Pairs moved with elegant steps, drawing bursts of applause from the crowd around the floor.