(Attendances… plz…)
….
At night, Dinner Hall:-
The ridiculously long table was laden with food, and the seating arrangement was identical. Gojo sat on one side, Roswaal occupied the head of the table, and across from Gojo sat Emilia and Subaru.
As always, Rem and Ram stood silently behind their master, their presence as constant and unobtrusive as the portraits on the wall.
"I dooo hope you are making progress with your magic training," Roswaal said, his musical drawl cutting through the quiet clinking of silverware.
"I heard Puck-kun helped you in identifying your magic affinity. Not what I had expected, but to have an affinity with Yin magic… hahaha, truly maaaarvelous."
Gojo, in the middle of taking a bite, laughed along with him. "Hahaha! Well, I'm talented in that area, so it was expected." He gestured vaguely with his fork.
"I also got a teacher… technically. That's still a work in progress, but I'll make it work." He leaned back with a smug, confident air that was more pronounced than the day before.
"I think I'll get even stronger from this point on. I mean, what else do you expect from someone of my talent? Hahaha."
He was laying it on thick, acting with the overt, prideful arrogance of his teenage years, as if daring someone to challenge him.
"Tch… cheat showoff," Subaru mumbled under his breath, just quiet enough that no one else could hear him over the sounds of the dining hall.
"Well, I expected you would be talented in magic," Roswaal said, his clown-like smile never wavering. "I am glaaad you have decided to explore that area more."
"Yeah, thanks," Gojo said. "I think I'll learn it way faster once I can read the books myself. After learning the writing and basics, of course. Can't believe I have to start from scratch, but at the same time, it's kind of exciting."
As he spoke, Gojo looked straight at Roswaal, his own easy smile a mask for the thoughts churning behind it. He could see right through the lord's overly happy, painted-on expression. It was too much, too fake.
'Why would a powerful noble, one of the top magicians in the country, try so hard to look like a friendly, eccentric clown?' he wondered.
More importantly, Gojo couldn't figure out Roswaal's angle. What did he possibly gain by supporting Emilia? A half-elf.
The discrimination was clearly a huge deal here.
Why would a man in his position risk his reputation on a candidate the people were predisposed to hate? If he just wanted more power and influence, there had to be safer, more popular candidates to back. It just didn't add up.
He decided to put a pin in that particular puzzle for his future self to solve. Changing the subject, Gojo asked, "So, why isn't Betty here? Is she like a shut-in?"
"Oh, you have met Beatrice?" Roswaal said, his eyes twinkling. "Well, I dooo invite her, but she blatantly disregards my invitation every time. She just enjoys her time with her books more, I suppose."
"Hmm… well, it was kind of accidental, but she's my teacher now," Gojo said with a grin. "Puck told me about her. She's a real teaser, I must say."
"What?! She talked to you?!" Subaru suddenly exclaimed, his voice cracking. "She threw me out the moment I stepped into her library! I was just about to say hello and introduce myself, and the next second I was flying through the air! And then the door was gone!"
"Well, maybe she just doesn't like you," Gojo said with a shrug. "I had fun with her. We even had a teasing competition… sadly, I lost." He sighed dramatically. "Though her skills at giving nicknames are a little underdeveloped, I think. She just called me a 'creepy man'."
"Well, maybe she saw right through you then," Subaru shot back, his voice dripping with accusation.
Gojo paused, a piece of food halfway to his mouth. For the first time that night, his playful smile faltered for just a second.
"Huh?"
"I hope you didn't take it to heart," Emilia said to Subaru, her voice gentle. "Beatrice is just… not very good with people. Especially new ones." She then looked at Gojo with renewed surprise.
"Though I am impressed you found her in the first place. Her library is almost impossible to find, since it's constantly moving."
"Well, why would I take it to heart?" Gojo replied with a dismissive wave. "She's fun to be around. Not to mention, I have to rely on her to teach me Yin magic, so we'll have to get along." A confident smirk spread across his face.
"She won't be able to resist my radiating charm for too long." He then struck an iconic, dramatic pose, placing a hand under his chin as if he were modeling for a magazine cover.
Emilia let out a bright, genuine laugh. "Hahaha! You're funny, Gojo. You're like a child sometimes. I've never met anyone like you." And she was telling the truth.
She couldn't comprehend how someone could be so shamelessly confident and theatrical. She would be far too embarrassed to even think of doing something like that.
Subaru, however, was not laughing. Seeing Emilia's delighted reaction to Gojo's antics made his grip on his fork somewhat tighten. 'This bastard,' he thought, his mind forming unnecessary thoughts.
'He's trying to butter everyone up. Not only is he planning a harem, but he's even trying to get that little doll-like cutie on his team… what a lolicon. And now he's trying to impress Emilia with these stupid jokes.'
"You okay there, kid?" Gojo's voice cut through his thoughts. "You're eating less and using that fork like a stress ball."
"It's nothing," Subaru snapped back, trying to keep his voice even. "I don't think it concerns you."
"Well, if you need help with anything, feel free to ask," Gojo said, his tone unbothered.
"Well, I'll be counting on that," Subaru replied, forcing a tight, insincere smile onto his face. He had a plan, after all.
"Well, I almost forgot," Roswaal chimed in, smoothly redirecting the conversation. "Ram, would you be sooooo kind as to go to the village tomorrow for some shoppiiiiingg?"
Before Ram could even form a reply, Gojo spoke up, his voice full of casual enthusiasm. "Oh, if you're going outside, I'd really like to tag along for a stroll. Since I'm new here, it would be helpful to get to know the area." He then turned a charming smile on the pink-haired maid.
"Of course, I hope that's not a problem… but being as kind as you are, Ram, I know you wouldn't deny my request. So, thanks in advance!" He had asked, assumed, and accepted his own invitation all in one breath, leaving no room for anyone to object.
He then turned to Emilia. "Oh, hey, good idea. Why don't you come with us, Emilia? I think it would be good for you to get outside for a day or two, instead of being cooped up with your studies."
A flicker of something, fear, or maybe sadness, crossed Emilia's face. "Gojo, I… I don't think I should come," she said, her voice suddenly small. "And I have a lot of work to do as well, so I'll pass. Maybe some other day." She forced a smile. "But I hope you enjoy the trip… Oh, yeah! Subaru, why don't you go with him? You might like it!"
"Nah!" Subaru said quickly. "I think I'll go next time with you, Emilia. And don't forget, I also have a lot of chores to do." He glanced at Rem and Ram as he said it. His real reason for declining was simple: with Gojo gone for most of the day, he'd have more time alone with Emilia.
Plus, it was a bonus not having to look at Gojo's cheat-character face, which only reminded him that he didn't have any cool powers of his own.
Gojo saw right through Emilia's excuse. The way her voice changed, the way she avoided his gaze… it was obvious. 'Discrimination, huh?' he thought. 'Even in the village right under her sponsor's mansion?'
He didn't push it. Instead, he just smiled brightly. "Well then, looks like it'll just be me and Ram on a trip, I suppose! I'm counting on you, Ram."
….
A/N: Well how was it?! I think i need to look around and rewatch the season 1 to get to know their personalities and events better.
But oh well, though just to let everyone know, i wont make gojo be like he entered the village and then immediately know who Meilei is and what is that all about.
I mean he cant see other people blessing and all, but he surely can see if one is acting or not. Like he know how roswal is try to act in front of him, the acting just doesn't work on gojo eyes when they see more so than an eye.
&
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