Once I woke up from my seemingly long slumber, my right arm felt numb. With her smooth neck and messy hair resting on my arm, I just need to use my imagination to fill the gaps.

I had the urge to wake her up, however, she’s sleeping so soundly like she doesn't have any care in the world. Instead, I wrapped my free arm around her, tucked her closer to me and ran my finger on her smooth and silky shoulder. By doing this, I remembered everything we did the night before. It made me feel a bit embarrassed and warm and fluffy at the same time.

The chirping of the birds outside the window, some pecking the window pane and the cool breeze sweeping through my room, made me realize that morning has come. It’s usually the time where I’d go out to train with the busy footsteps of the attendants outside the door to my room. However, all I could hear was silence.

It must have been my senior’s doing. Not allowing anyone to walk past my room ever since last night to give us some privacy and freedom to do what we wanted.

Although my training had already become a habit, a daily occurrence and event in my life, lying beside her, didn’t feel so bad. And made me think ‘This doesn’t feel so bad at all.’

It is thanks to the sound coming from outside the window that I managed to see Lady Aira’s figure. She is the first woman in my life. I don’t know how many women I will come and go in the future, however, I’m sure she will be my most unforgettable first experience.

Without realizing it, I was already stroking her hair. The feeling of stroking her hair made me forget about everything else. And before I knew it, she was already awake and was staring at me, blinking her eyes as if trying to wake herself up.

I started the day by apologizing. My actions must have been the reason for her untimely awakening.

“I apologize if I woke you up.” I told her, still stroking her hair.

“N-Not… at all…”

She sounded somewhat nervous. Because she’s resting her head on my arm, I could feel her face heating up.

It made me wonder if it's because of the way we acted last night. I wanted to ask her if it was because of ‘that’ however, I didn’t.

“I apologize for dragging you into this mess, Lady Aira.” I pulled the blanket closer to her, “We didn’t really have enough time to talk about it last night.” I added.

“Well… like I told you last night. I wasn’t forced to do this.” she fiddled with her blanket, “I volunteered… to do this.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to thank you for saving me.”

Huh? I just did what I thought was right, thought?

“I thought about all the possibilities that would have happened to me had you not come to my rescue made me realize that I should pay you back of the same value.”

“And this is the repayment you thought of?” I inquired further.

“.... this is actually not the first option I had. But after Master Valter sent a letter to my father, I figured this is not a bad option at all.”

What? My senior sent them a letter?

“A letter?”

“Yes. Master Valter sent a letter to my family… asking if we want to participate in something…”

‘Participate in something, huh?’ I repeated in my head.

“Did you have any idea that this is what the content of that letter meant?”

“.....”

She fell silent for a minute before responding.

“Looks like my senior did something unnecessary. I wasn’t expecting him to go that far,” I said,

“Not at all, even my father agreed wholeheartedly to this.” she told me, “As I said, neither I nor my father are forced to do this.”

After clearing up the situation, I received yet another vital piece of information that sent shivers down my spine.

“Master Valter sent a lot of letters to the other Houses as well. And among all of those who wanted to participate, we were lucky enough to get chosen.”

It was subtle but I was able to feel it. Lady Aira grasped the hem of the blanket as if she was holding onto dear life. I don’t know why she would act that way, maybe it’s because of what happened just recently, but is that really enough?

“So… how was House Pyro chosen to participate in this?”

At my question, I felt Lady Aira’s gaze upon me.

There was a slight bit of hesitation in her voice. Nevertheless, she still told me the reason.

To my surprise, there was no concrete determination to be chosen. Now that I’ve heard about the reason, all I could think was that my senior chose them on a whim. But knowing him, he wouldn’t do something so irresponsible.

I don’t want to dive deep into the details and just leave it as it is. Knowing more wouldn’t change anything. What’s done is done and it can’t be undone.

It was already morning and it was time for us to leave the bed. We cannot stay like this forever, after all.

As I slowly started to move, unwrapping my arms around her, I felt her grabbing my arm as if stopping me from what I was about to do.

“Can… Can we stay like this a bit longer?”

Without uttering a single word, I nodded my head. Even though I could refuse if I wanted to. For some reason, I can’t bring myself to do so. Something tells me that she would be hurt if I refused, and so we stayed like that a little longer.

A little while later, we got dressed. And now that a little time has passed, we are slowly starting to get conscious of each other. Even without seeing her face, I could sense her hiding her face.

Did she actually forget the fact that I can’t see?

“Lady Aira…”

“Please don’t look at me right now.”

“What?” I kept my thoughts to myself.

I know that if I blurted anything right now, it would only embarrass her even more.

But after going through all that, her figure suddenly turned stiff. And with a rather slow gaze, she turned over to me as if she just realized what she just said and could not believe herself.

“Sorry… I forgot… you act like a normal person, so I completely forgot about your impaired vision!”

Following her apology, she jerked her head and bowed.

I reached out to her. She didn’t need to go that far. If it were me, I would have most likely made the same mistake. For a blind person to act and move around just like everybody else, will certainly make me forget about that person’s disability.

Although I’m quite baffled by Lady Aira’s unexpected clumsiness, I kept myself composed. I did not expect her to make a simple mistake. I’ve always seen her as someone who is always composed. Even among the other nobles I’m a little close to, she is easily the most composed one out of all of them.

So hearing that same person make a simple such as this, threw me off a little.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t really bother me that much.” I told her.

The moment I told her those words, her fidgeting frame calmed down. It’s not like it’s a mistake that’s worth worrying about, so why was she acting like that? Is it because of the fact that I am evaluated too highly by the House heads?

While thinking about the reason for her behavior, I remembered the one time I’ve shown her something traumatizing. It was an incident just the other day. Without asking her for the reason for her behavior, I concluded that that must have been the reason.

Because of that, I felt somewhat distant. Despite having an intimate night together, it looks like I can’t just approach people so easily.

As I was trying to take a few steps back, I felt a warm sensation on my arm. She was holding on to me.

“Please don’t misunderstand…” she said, trailing off “I’m just a little embarrassed right now. I didn’t think that I would be able to do something like this. This is like a privilege to me to have someone like you for my first time,” she added,

I was surprised. I did not expect her to say something like that.

A privilege? Is that even a thing? How can something like this be considered a privilege? That’s not how I consider something as a privilege.

“Why?” I asked immediately.

She didn’t answer me immediately. Instead, my brain fed me with the image of her getting all fidgety again.

Is she perhaps embarrassed to tell me the reason?

“I understand. You don’t have to tell me if it’s embarrassing. I don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

“Not at all. It’s just that…” she said, trailing off, “... in the span of just a few days. Especially after what happened just recently, I managed to get to know about Jakob a lot more. "If it’s him, I wouldn’t mind giving him my first time" is what I thought.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Lady Aira’s words filled with affection tickled my ears as if I was listening to beautiful music.

I may not be able to see the expression on her face right now. However, I’m sure that, right as of this moment, I can confidently say that she’s staring at me.

I could feel her affectionate yet sorrowful gaze upon me. ‘Privilege’ she says, yet why does she exude such a sorrowful aura?

“Then why are you so sad?” I turned to her, “

I was hoping that she’d somehow at least tell me the reason, however, she remained silent at my question.

Sensing her distress, my shyness disappeared. I walked towards her and swiftly wrapped my arms around her. I could feel her body turn stiff as if she wasn’t expecting me to do something like this.

“Wait- w-wha- w…”

Her flustered voice accompanied by her frantic body movements, I could tell she’s in disbelief.

I just can’t help it.

I don’t particularly hate Lady Aira. Among her circle of friends, the nobles who often visit me, she is easily one of the people I don’t mind being around with.

To help her ease up, I whispered something to her ear. And the moment I did, she calmed down.

At the same time, my heart beat faster. It was loud enough to allow me to see the outline of Lady Aira’s face. The corners of her mouth are raising, she’s smiling.

And as if to pay me back for what I did abruptly, she wrapped her arms around me. Once again, we felt each other’s warmth.

Although we didn’t do anything like the night before. It feels like we are more connected than before.

“That’s a promise, okay?” she whispered.

While embracing her, I felt something slide down my shoulders. She’s crying, however, compared to earlier, she’s not exuding a sorrowful aura. The fact that I can’t sense any negative emotion from her, it’s safe to say that she’s happy, and it was tears of joy.

We hugged each other for a while until the maids came knocking on our door.

I never expected what happened next.

The maids cheerfully brought Lady Aira to their side and inquired about what happened despite me, the subject of their topic, being present. And they don’t seem to mind at all.

I already finished talking to Lady Aira about the important things. All that’s left is to let her relax in the company of other women.

Thinking that it’s okay to let her be in the company of other women, I left and went to my senior’s study room where he and his wife were sitting as if they were waiting for me. The loud ‘thud’ sound made by the door as soon as I closed it behind me showed the elated look on their faces. The arched smile on their faces made me think they are fully aware of what transpired throughout the night.

“Here comes the big boy!” My senior rose from his seat and walked towards me, “I know that it was your first time. But still, I didn’t expect that you’d last the entire night,” he added, teasingly.

“And I didn’t expect my senior to be some kind of pervert who observes his junior doing something no one should see.” I turned my head “Are you into voyeurism, senior?”

“Goodness, no! Why would I do that? The attendants I’ve left to take care of all your needs reported to me. That’s it.”

He shot me a worried glance as if he is getting a little worried that my image of him is starting to get distorted. Sensing that I wouldn’t believe her husband, Mistress Mylene supported her instantly.

“Although my husband is quite a radical person, he never lies,” said Mistress Mylene, enjoying her tea.

As expected of my senior’s wife. She is quite aware of him as a person. But why does it feel like the words she spoke felt a little off?

My senior did not let it go and immediately responded with a rather hoarse response.

“Please don’t make it sound like I’m crazy. You of all people should know I only have good intentions.” he fixed his clothes, “Especially when it comes to my junior. I will not spare any effort to make his life better.”

“So you thought asking all the other nobles to do this is one of the things that would make my life better?” I chimed in.

“It was all voluntary.”

“So I’ve heard. But it was something that most of them wouldn’t be able to refuse had you demanded.”

“No need to sweat the little details,” said my senior, patting my shoulders, “all that matters is that I managed to get the result I wanted.”

His lips arched, looking satisfied. As if he has achieved something that he should be proud of. It’s written all over his face.

I don’t want to ruin his mood. However elated he can be right now, I should not forget what I came here for.

“I’ve done my end of the bargain. And now, I have come to discuss ‘that’.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it splendidly. All you have to do is wait for a little while.” he told me.

Seeing as how the conversation is going, Mistress Mylene cuts in.

“It wouldn’t take long, Jakob. After seeing what you’re capable of. I’m sure the other nobles would definitely give you their recommendation.”

As usual, Mistress Mylene gives off a calm feeling around her. After that incident the other day, I’m beginning to understand her better.

After starting my business, I planned to leave immediately. Since my senior is a noble of this city, he tends to be busy doing things like all House heads do. However, as I was about to leave, Mistress Mylene said something that immediately caught my attention.

“It will be swift, however, I’m sure there are parties that would not be pleased by it.”

“Won’t be pleased?” I turned my head towards her.

Only being able to see the outline of her body, I see her nodding her head.

“Yes. Before you ask to attend the academy from my husband, there are nobles who were already in line before you,” she said.

I don’t even need to hear the rest to figure out what those words from earlier meant.

“As you can see. We cannot send all the Misfit nobles in the academy at once because we need to maintain our military might. Had all the Misfits leave for the academy, and an emergency like ‘The Purge’ to occur again. This place, this city will cease to exist,” she explained further, “That’s why the House heads can only send a few Misfits to the academy through recommendations. And right now, there are 3 Misfits attending the academy from our city with our daughter included. Our city can only send 4 every year, so this is the last slot.”

“So, you’re saying that if I replace the other nobles in line to go to the academy, I will undoubtedly make enemies, huh?”

Mistress Mylene nods her head slowly, “Yes. Although they cannot argue since you’ve already proven your strength. They will undoubtedly hold a grudge against you since this is one way to elevate their status in our modern society,”

‘Elevate their status in our modern society’?

As if to answer the question in my head, my senior jumped in.

“You’re unaware of it since you’ve been locked inside a dungeon for years. But ever since the appearance of monsters coming out of dungeons, the demand for Misfits to take care of them have soared. Thus, offering prestige to those who participated. And because of that, the young ones who wanted to have a taste of that want to make a name for themselves. And that is why every single slot is like a pot of gold to them,” my senior explained further,

I see. Considering the high return from joining the academy alone, I can understand the weight of cutting in line. However, I cannot back down now.

“I understand,” I said, softly, “Unfortunately for them, I will not back down,” I declared.

My senior then pats my shoulder as if to say he agrees with me.

“That’s right, you shouldn’t and I know the other House heads wouldn’t want you to. After all, it’s been a long time since our city was able to send in a strong Misfit. Ha! Ha! Ha!”

Wait, what does he mean by that?

“What are you talking about, senior?”

His words. He made it sound like this city doesn’t have a good reputation in the academy.

“Oh? You didn’t tell him anything?” Mistress Mylene finally joined in again.

“I didn’t really get the chance to tell him about it,” my senior said, confidently and continued, “Jakob, you see, our city has not produced a good student for many years now.”

Huh?

“But what about your daughter? Isn’t she doing well?”

“Well, my daughter is a different story. They aren’t able to say anything about me because of my contracted monster being in higher ranking and a disciple of the Sword Saint at that. However, aside from my House, the other houses are rather lacking.”

He said it with a hint of uneasiness in his voice. It is as if he doesn’t want to talk about it but has to. While thinking about it, he continued and made sure I didn't misunderstand.

“Don’t get me wrong. Those words came from the mouths of other nobles. That’s why sending you instead of the others before you is a great way to break the stigma of the nobles of this place. And I’m sure, they will see us in a new light.”

“I understand. So, when should I leave?”

Hearing that, my senior pulled me closer and pats my shoulder.

“There’s still time before you have to go to the academy. For the meantime, why don’t you relax?”

As if carefully calculated, a knock came to the door. It slowly opens and revealed Arnod holding the door open. However, there is one thing that’s different about him this time. The air around his is a bit different.What do you mean?”

“Exactly what that means,” my senior crossed his arms, leaning on the wall of his study room, “In the eyes of mostly everyone in the academy, “Arnod will be accompanying you the city this time,”

“City? For what?”

The moment I muttered the word, I could hear Mistress Mylene’s chuckle from the other end of the room.

“What else? To buy clothes of course. You don’t plan on going to the academy with a single pair of clothes, are you?”

“She’s right. Our best representative can’t definitely look bad. Otherwise, the other nobles there would look down on you,” my senior added,

I don’t really understand the concept of looking good or wearing nice clothes after I lose my eyesight since I can’t really see myself while changing. But since they mentioned it, I’ll have to follow what they say even though I really like the clothes I’m wearing right now.

After that exchange, Arnod escorted me to the carriage. My senior made sure that I wouldn’t have to worry about the money and pushed me out of the door before I could even voice my opinion on the matter while Mistress Mylene just laughed it off.

It seems like she enjoyed everything that happened in front of her. Sometimes, I have a hard time trying to understand her.

And just like that, I spent the rest of my day fitting clothes. I don’t know what my senior ordered from Arnod but based on the times I heard a bell ring, I assumed he purchased a lot.

“I can’t get used to this,” I told myself.

It’s literally what I had in mind everytime we visited a tailoring shop. And what’s surprising is that Arnod seems a little enthusiastic about it.the people from this city are mostly failures. They don’t expect anything from us.”

“If the people in the academy and other nobles look down on us, then why did you send your own daughter?” I ask, immediately.

“You may not know but my daughter is somewhat gifted in combat. She may not be as gifted as you, but the other nobles there would not underestimate her without paying the price.”

How strange. Despite knowing that his daughter is somewhat respected by the other nobles. My senior’s voice isn't very proud for some reason.

“She is indeed part of the strong individuals among her peers. It’s just that she tends to go overboard and ends up getting hated instead.” Mistress Mylene let out a sigh. Continuing what she’s saying, she also crossed her arms, “They fear her for her violent tendencies thanks to her inherited contract. Thus, she’s not seen as an exceptional individual from our city.”

Oh, so that’s why my senior doesn’t sound proud at all. She ended up becoming a problem child. And instead of lifting the city’s reputation, she dragged it even lower than it already is.

Thinking how complicated life in the academy will be, I strike my chin.

If that’s how it is in the academy, I wonder if I’ll be able to achieve what I’ll go there for.

Will it be worth it? Or will it be a waste of time?

The only way to find out is to go there to see for myself.

“Is there any need for me to help her?”

I asked my senior straightforwardly. He may have not asked for my help but after hearing all that, even I wouldn’t be able to sit still. Seeing how badly she is treated is comparably different from hearing about her situation. And she is the only daughter of my senior, as well.

I cannot just let her be treated like that. Regardless of her attitude, I have to look after her as what her father had done for me.

“No need. She is old enough to look after herself. And besides, she is not the type of person who would wanted to be saved, after all,”

“I was expecting you to spoil your only daughter, but to think you wouldn’t ask for my help. You’re strict even towards your own blood. You’re quite an absurd senior, you know that?”

“I’m merely telling you how it is. I know my daughter well,” he added,

I nodded my head. There was no need to convince him any longer so I turned to the Mistress, and saw the same look on her face.

To think that both of them have the same thing in their mind.