The Tale Of A Dark Horse

Day 114, year 3000.

"Lucia, wake up."

After pulling off an all-nighter to complete her assignments, Andria was trying to wake her friend up.

"Hmmm...Master William, be gentle~"

Just like always, she was in the middle of a perverted dream fantasy.

"Sir Rimu must be waiting for you. Get up!"

The perverted grin on her face widened. Drool started to drip from the corner of her mouth.

"No~ Master William!~"

Pressing her face on the mattress, Andria couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

"Shut up! What if someone hears your voice?"

She moved her sight towards the neighboring bed.

'Phew.'

The girl to their side was still sleeping.

She looked back at her friend, who was busy scratching her backside.

'Sigh.'

It wasn't worth the effort.

"I guess I'll have to go."

Leaving Lucia to her fantasies, she decided to go and bring the notes herself.

On her way to the library, she was preoccupied with her thoughts regarding the trials.

There hadn't been an update on the winner. She only had the information on the semifinalists in the competition, and that too was only made possible because of Lucia and her networks.

The students that weren't participating in the Trials simply weren't made privy to the information. The red-knights responsible for their studies were all available, and the classes went on as usual for them.

'He must have won.'

The door to the library was open. She stepped inside.

"Excuse me, Sir Rimu. I am here to collect the notes on behalf of my friend."

The third-tier Red Knight was busy with a book titled, 'The tale of a Dark Horse.'.

"Name?"

"Lucia Fredrichs."

He pointed towards a nearby table.

"Not a scratch."

She slightly bowed and picked up the books from the table.

"Ask her to bring these back in two days."

"Y-yes, sir."

Only after taking the books off the table did she realize that the books were heavier than she had originally imagined. Nonetheless, she braved the challenge, and slowly carried the twelve books out of the door.

'One should know when to ask for help.'

Rimu spared a glance for her, only to immediately return to his book.

'This is fine.'

The veins in her hands were starting to throb. Desperate for help, her eyes were constantly on the lookout for someone. Even she knew, however, that even if someone appeared right now, she wouldn't be able to ask them for help.

A few more minutes passed. Slowly but surely, she could sense the loss of feeling in her arms.

'Tap, tap.'

The sound of footsteps.

"He is-"

One of the four people to make the semifinals, and a former 'acquaintance' of hers.

'I can't ask him for help.'

Instead of waiting around for him to arrive, she increased her pace to move away from him.

"Andria?"

'Shi-'

Startled by his voice, she tripped to the ground.

'Bang!'

Falling headfirst to the ground, the books were all sent flying in different directions. Fortunately for her, one of the books protected her face from hitting the ground.

Gawain arrived in front of her.

"Are you fine?"

Awkwardly raising her head, she said,

"Yes..."

There was probably a scrape on her knee.

"I'll help you."

One by one, he started to gather the books and placed them right in front of her. She sat on the ground, just as embarrassed as before.

"Here. I'll see you around."

After all of them were in place, he turned around to leave as if nothing happened. Andria was rendered speechless.

A moment later, however, she lowered her head and came to terms with his decision.

'I wasn't there for him at his worst. Why do I expect him to treat me any differently?'

It was simple. She didn't deserve his help.

'I am sorry.'

"Stop acting like an abandoned puppy. If you want my help, then ask for it."

She raised her head. He was right in front of her. Once again, she was speechless.

"Come on. I don't have all day."

He folded his hands and started tapping his left foot on the ground. Only now did she notice that his arms were injured.

"But your arms..."

"I can carry four books, you can carry eight. I have made this very simple for you."

She was being forced into asking for his help. With no other option, she said,

"Can you-"

"Wait a minute. I have one more thing to add."

He interjected.

"Wh-what is it?"

She was puzzled.

"I am not doing this as a favor to you. Nor am I your acquaintance. I am helping you because I want to, and that is the end of the story. You don't owe me anything after this. Now, ask away."

He closed his eyes and continued to tap his shoes.

After a moment of silence, Andria weakly said,

"...help me?"

"Can't hear you."

He was doing everything to piss her off. She raised her voice and said,

"Can you please help me?"

He opened his eyes and smiled.

"That is more like it."

He helped her get up from the ground. After distributing the work, they started to walk toward the dorm.

Right now, there was only one word to describe the atmosphere between them.

'Awkward.'

For Andria at least. Gawain wasn't paying attention.

'He is helping me. I have to be nice to him.'

She took a deep breath in.

"What happened to your arms?"

'She is engaged in small talk. Color me surprised.'

"The trials weren't kind to them. Nothing too serious though."

He was cordial in his answer.

Another awkward moment of silence.

'Maybe something to praise him...'

"I heard that you made it to the semifinals. Congratulations."

'She doesn't know. That makes things interesting.'

He decided to reign in the conversation to dig deeper.

"Were you rooting for me?"

Her words caught her by surprise.

"N-not really."

It was the truth, but it sounded like a lie.

"Is that so..."

And another one of the awkward silences.

'Did I upset him? Even after he is helping me?'

She wanted to hit herself on the head.

"Don't get me wrong... One of my close friends competed."

"Was it Arnis?"

It made sense. They were both in the same house.

"Y-Yes."

Gawain saw through her. Now, she was lying.

"It wasn't? Then Tomoe?"

It couldn't be Tomoe. She didn't know anything about her, except that she was very strong.

"Don't tell me...It was Hugh?"

"C-can we stop talking about the trials?"

She got uncomfortable at the mention of his name. Gawain could only stretch this topic so far.

"Sure."

After that, the final bout of awkward silence continued to the dorm room. He helped her place the books on her friend's bed after entering the dorm. Everyone was still asleep.

"All done."

He rubbed his hands together. She slightly bowed in his direction and said,

"Thank you."

He graciously accepted her gratitude.

"You're welcome. By the way, I have to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Come closer. It is a secret."

She hesitated for a moment.

"Quick! It is really important."

She got closer, but only slightly. He whispered.

"You can rest easy now. Your 'close friend' didn't win."

Taking out the violet pin from his pocket, he said,

"I did."