episode_0009

After that, no expelled student complained. To be precise, it was more that they couldn’t complain. Because Afro Ganis, who had expressed dissatisfaction, was still unconscious.

“Successful students can come to the academy starting a week from now! Also, dormitories will be available for move-in starting a week from now.”

Since this was already announced during the entrance test, no student would be unaware. I also knew of a cheap and cost-effective inn, so there was no particular problem.

Most commoners would look for a cheap inn like me, and nobles residing in the capital would sleep at their own homes. Lower-ranking nobles with homes outside the capital would stay at expensive, good inns, and high-ranking nobles with homes outside the capital would likely own at least one mansion in the capital, so there would be no issue.

“Then I’ll see you all in a week!”

As Professor Gerda finished speaking, all the students rushed out of the auditorium.

The students leaving the academy auditorium showed mixed emotions. Those with bright faces were clearly students who had passed the exam, and those with dark faces were surely the ones who had been expelled.

“Does it make sense to expel someone on the day of the entrance ceremony?”

“How am I supposed to tell my parents I got expelled!”

“The villagers even threw a party for me, saying I passed…”

“There’s a good restaurant nearby, want to go together?”

“Great! Let’s go quickly.”

I don’t know if these words would comfort those who were expelled, but it might actually be better to be expelled now. From now on, numerous incidents will occur at the academy, and students could die in the process.

Of course, I’ll try my best to prevent such things from happening.

Among the students rushing out, there was one particular head of hair that stood out. It was common hair in my original world, but black hair was rare to see in Croaca.

“Clara-ssi~!”

At the voice calling her, Clara turned around. At first, her expression was full of annoyance, but upon realizing it was me who called her, it changed to one of bother.

“What is it?”

I couldn’t see her clearly during the battle earlier, but seeing her up close like this, I realized how beautiful she was.

Unlike her jet-black hair, her skin was extremely fair, and even from this close distance, not a single blemish was visible. Her red eyes resembled rubies.

Is this what it feels like to be enchanted just by looking?

“You called me, so why aren’t you speaking?”

“No, Clara-ssi is so beautiful that I was mesmerized and momentarily forgot what I was going to say!”

“Ha… are you flattering me too?”

Clara sighed as if this wasn’t her first or second time experiencing such a thing. Indeed, given her status as a ducal family member and her position as the Magic Tower Master’s disciple, many people must have rushed to flatter her since she was young.

Because of that, she strongly disliked people who flattered her. But I’m not flattering her, am I?

“Flattery? What a hurtful thing to say! Are you implying that I’m saying things I don’t mean just to please Clara-ssi?”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t know how to lie! I merely convey what my heart speaks through my mouth.”

Clara looked at me with an incredulous expression. Well, who else besides me would say such things while being handsome?

“What part of me is so pretty?”

She probably wasn’t asking because she didn’t know. She was probably trying to use my hesitation or stammering as an excuse to leave.

A normal person would have been flustered by her question of ‘what part is pretty’ and wouldn’t have been able to answer immediately, but I wasn’t.

‘Alright, clown, get to work.’

“Clara-ssi’s black hair is dark like the night sky, but just as the night sky glows with stars, Clara-ssi’s hair shines beautifully. And Clara-ssi’s red eyes, if compared to jewels, would be rubies, and if compared to flowers, would be roses. And her skin—”

“Stop!”

Although I still had a lot more to say, Clara yelled, cutting me off. Perhaps because of her fair skin, her reddened face was even more noticeable. Why was she like that?

“Clara-ssi, if you yell like that, other people will stare.”

“Whose fault is it that people are staring?!”

Clara uncharacteristically yelled and left. I trailed after her.

“Clara-ssi, whose face is all red, where are you going now?”

“What concern is it of yours?”

She said, looking back. Her flushed face had subsided a bit, but her ears were still red.

“Oh, come on~ Don’t say such hurtful things between us.”

“What ‘us’?”

“Of course, we’re friends!”

“When did I ever… Ha, never mind. I’m going to the Magic Tower. Happy now?”

“Then I’ll see you at the entrance ceremony. Goodbye!”

“…..”

Clara tried to leave, ignoring my greeting. Not a chance. I used Shadow Walk to get in front of her.

“Goodbye!”

“…..”

“Goodbye!”

“Ha… alright. You go too.”

“Yes!”

I replied to her with a beaming smile, and just as I was about to head to the inn.

A man blocked my way. Kuran Isar, a man with striking bronze skin. He extended his hand to me and greeted me.

“I am Kuran Isar.”

“Nice to meet you, Kuran-ssi, I am Loki.”

I shook Kuran’s hand and greeted him. Kuran’s rough and scarred hands showed what kind of life he had lived.

“Loki, a honorable warrior! I look forward to working with you!”

“I look forward to working with you even more.”

I was about to leave, but on a whim, I spoke to Kuran.

“Kuran-ssi, where are you planning to sleep?”

“For the honorable Isar tribe, the ground is their home and the sky is their ceiling.”

In other words, he meant sleeping outdoors. I thought so, and it was indeed the case.

“There’s an inn called ‘Frog That Eats Snakes’. It’s cheap and good, so you should sleep there.”

“Hmm, since it’s the words of the honorable warrior Loki, I’ll heed them. Thank you for the good information.”

Kuran left after saying that. I had finally left the auditorium, and just as I was about to head to the inn, someone blocked my way. This time, it was someone I didn’t know.

‘Looking at his uniform, he must be an academy senior.’

“The Student Council President is calling for you.”

At the words that the Student Council President was calling, I followed the student who came to fetch me. This was because I knew why the Student Council President was looking for me.

Following the student who came to fetch me, I soon arrived at the Student Council office. The student who arrived at the door carefully knocked.

Knock knock.

“May I enter?”

“Enter.”

The voice that responded was as cold as ice. The student seemed accustomed to the cold voice and opened the door, entering without a hint of surprise.

“I have brought Loki, as you requested.”

“You’ve done well. You may leave now.”

“Understood.”

The student who brought me left, and I looked at the Student Council President.

Black hair, rare in this other world. An appearance as cold as ice, the top student of the academy’s third year, and the Student Council President. And he was Clara’s older brother.

True to the Adelian family, famous for its magical prowess, he reigned at the apex of the students with his magic skills alone.

Such a person bowed his head to me and greeted me.

“It’s been a long time, Benefactor.”

“Haha, please speak comfortably.”

Even after a long time, this person made me uncomfortable.

“How could I speak comfortably to my Benefactor? Please, have a seat here.”

It was too uncomfortable for him to speak so courteously with such a cold face and voice. I sat on the chair as he suggested. I was the first to speak.

“Is the Duchess doing well?”

“Thanks to you, Benefactor, she is healthy. It seems no amount of gratitude is enough for this.”

He bowed his head once again, expressing his gratitude. So uncomfortable!

“Ahaha, what great thing did I do? The truly great one is the Duchess, who endured until then.”

This was sincere. While I couldn’t say my help was small, the most amazing thing was the Duchess enduring it.

“My mother also wishes to see you, Benefactor.”

When speaking of the Duchess, his icy expression seemed to warm slightly.

“Is the Duke still healthy?”

“Of course. He’s so healthy it’s a problem.”

The current head of the Adelian family fought using his body to an extent that one wouldn’t expect from the head of the Adelian family, famous for its magic. The sight of the Duke, engulfed in flames, charging forward, is still unforgettable.

“Benefactor, where do you plan to stay for the week?”

“I’ve found a suitable inn. I plan to stay there for a week.”

“Please don’t. I have a villa in the capital. You should stay there.”

Staying at his villa would be comfortable, but in another sense, it felt too uncomfortable.

“Thank you, but I’ll decline. Oh, right! I met Clara-ssi today. She was a very strong and wonderful person.”

“…..”

He seemed very uncomfortable talking about his younger sister, Clara. Seeing that reaction, has Clara’s story not changed yet?

“Seeing that reaction, have you still not told Clara-ssi the truth?”

“That child only knows that Mother has recovered her health.”

“Don’t you think Clara-ssi should know the truth now?”

“I wish that child never knew the truth. Forever.”

I couldn’t say anything.

This wasn’t an issue I could interfere with.

.

.

.

The Imperial Palace, the greatest place in the Empire.

The Emperor, who had just finished a conversation with Lucas through a crystal ball, spoke to the empty air.

“Bring the child named Loki before me, unharmed.”

A voice was heard from the empty air.

“””Glory to the Empire.”””