The Perfect Knight and the Illusionist (BL)
Chapter 7: The Perfect Throw

Chapter 7: The Perfect Throw

MARIUS

For a moment, I was pleased with myself that I spotted the little bird, Skylark, from about one hundred twenty paces away, my hyper-vigilance paying off—I was not to be caught off guard a second time in a day.

But then frustration came crashing down on the moment of joy as the question arose in my mind: ’Why are you so occupied with petty concerns, Marius?’

Thankfully, Alexis helped me regain my attention when he asked me,

"So, Marius, have you thought about what clubs you’d like to join?"

"Not yet."

"I’m sure there are—"

As Janice spoke, Beatrice cut her off with a knowing smile before she could complete the sentence.

’Considerate and tactful, this lady,’ I thought to myself.

"I’d like to apply for the kick ball club," Dimitri said, his voice enthusiastic.

"Shouldn’t you be starting to take your studies a little more seriously?" Briant lamented.

"Oy, kick ball is a serious exercise and requires a lot of tactical planning and execution."

Dimitri stood his ground.

"I’m hoping I’ll pass the audition for the choir," Janice said.

That caught my attention, because I did enjoy listening to good singing, but a dread crept up from inside at the inevitable question that I knew would follow.

"Mr. Valenkraft, do you enjoy singing as well?"

Music.

Especially singing.

I would not say I was exactly tone-deaf, but it was possibly one of the most neglected skills of mine.

It was better to be honest about it now and use it as a chance to be humble than to try to hide it.

"Haha. I do enjoy music greatly, but I must admit I’m a horrible singer."

"Aw, that is a surprise! I can’t imagine you being bad at anything!" Janice said, laughing.

"How about you?" I asked Briant to my right, trying to divert attention.

"I’d wager I’m worse than you, Marius."

We shared a hearty laugh and continued our walk, but the pleasant tranquility was disrupted by someone shouting from afar,

"Watch out!"

I turned instantly to where the sound came from and spotted a kickball flying high up in the air, its trajectory clearly indicating that it was going to land where a group of three students were—

Skylark...?

My body moved on its own with trained reflex. I quickly scanned the ground and was lucky to find a small pebble a step away. I picked it up immediately, pulled my arm back, and threw it with precisely controlled force toward the ball, aiming to hit it midair and change its trajectory. Then—

Beatrice and Janice gasped. Alexis groaned.

And the girl who was standing next to Skylark shrieked as the pebble I threw hit the boy on the head and he fell to the ground. The kickball landed about three paces away from them and harmlessly rolled away.

I... missed...?

"Ouch, you hit the bird with a stone," Dimitri said.

It was only when I saw Beatrice rush to the scene to check on the boy that I thought to do the same, but I actually arrived first.

Skylark was lying flat on his back on the grass but thankfully, he wasn’t bleeding. I knelt next to him and asked him,

"Are you hurt, Skylark?"

"Mary...?"

At this point, I was worried the boy had a concussion.

"No, it’s Marius."

"Ah... Mario..."

Then he slowly got up, rubbing the spot where the pebble had hit.

"I can bring you to—"

But before I could finish, Skylark bowed to me and started to mumble,

"I... I’m really sorry about bumping into you in the morning. I won’t do it again..."

Wait...

Huh?