At Arpeggio’s firm reply, Riley furrowed her brows.

“How can I appear more cunning?”

“Well, you have a rather naive and foolish look, so it might not be easy for you to appear cunning.”

“I see.”

As Riley pouted, Arpeggio sighed and said,

“Why do you need to appear cunning in others’ eyes? You are smart.”

“But I’m not smart, that’s the thing.”

“I know. You’re too naive. You have a face that’s perfect for being scammed.”

“Is it that bad, what should I do?”

Riley was stung by words that could have been passed over lightly.

Having been picked on twice from day one, she began to wonder if her naive and foolish impression made her an easy target.

But there was also a sense of injustice.

Everyone is bound to be nervous in an unfamiliar place, but Riley was especially so. Naturally, since she had rarely mingled with many people.

The academy’s communal life was her first experience. Being a greenhorn was inevitable.

But if looking like a greenhorn leads to fights everywhere, she was anxious about how many more people would come to pick fights with absurd excuses.

“What’s the big deal?”

“I just want to live quietly and safely at the academy. I also want to… make lots of friends.”

“From what I see, your face might be gloomy and foolish, but that’s not the only problem.”

“Then there’s another problem? What should I fix?”

“It’s not about what you should fix. The problem lies with those people, not you.”

“?”
“Those fools who picked a senseless fight with you from the beginning, do you think they’re right? It’s just that their level is exactly there, so such a nonsensical problem arose, but why do they look for the cause in you?”

“They ignore you because you’re easily ignored.”

“Who?”

“Some man.”

“Hmm, I don’t know who it is, but he has a keen eye. But even so, it’s not your fault. Is there a law that says you can be ignored just because you look easy to ignore? The one doing the annoying thing is wrong.”

“I know, I’m not at fault.”

Arpeggio continued to speak, wondering why she was counseling the sniffling girl here.

“You see, magicians, there are many who are steeped in privilege. On top of that, nobles? On top of that, from the Prestige lineage? Enough said. They are the ones who deeply think themselves of noble birth and special beings. The only people who can communicate with such guys are of the same kind.”

“……. ”

“Especially at Horizon Academy, there are many nobles from the Prestige lineage. Among them, the magicians belonging to the magic department are those who poke the sky with their noses and are arrogant. This is not just about you; it has been like that since ancient times. So, either stop associating or ignore it completely, it’s one of the two.”

“Should I just keep ignoring them then? What if they continue to harass me even if I ignore them? Or would it be better to just endure and live?”

“It’s good to endure and live. But is that easy?”

Riley nodded her head.

She had become accustomed to being bullied while staying at the abbess’s house, but being used to it did not mean that the bullying wasn’t painful.

“No, but why are you worrying about such useless things? If it doesn’t work, just use your husband.”

“?”

“You’re going to be the mistress of the Lianster family soon, why do you let those guys get you down?”

“I haven’t married yet.”

“You will, won’t you? Is there any reason to hide the fact of marriage? Tell Gibnen to officially announce the marriage. Then no one will touch you. You will receive a lot of attention in another way, though.”

At Arpeggio’s words, Riley lowered her head.

“I want to live my academy life as quietly as possible. The issue of marriage is not something I can argue about, and Gibnen will probably handle it wisely.”

“That’s why you’re only being used.”

“Being used?”

Arpeggio sighed heavily, feeling helpless with this young chick, and wrapped her head with her hand.

“You can use him as much as you want to be used. I don’t know about anyone else, but you can. No, please use him.”

Just then.

“I’ll teach you something good.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Turning around, Gibnen was waving with a smile. Then he teased, looking joyful.

“What profound conversation are you having, just the two of you, with my wife?”