Ch.107Red Sea (1)

The protagonist received a cold glare from the princess.

The chilly atmosphere that had been one-sided seemed to ease only after my belated intervention.

Was it because of these two people who never would have met in the original work?

As much as I wanted to just watch this interesting situation unfold, I stepped forward thinking that Lezia might actually burst into tears if this continued.

I lightly added my words.

“Please forgive her at this point. It’s not good to put others in difficult situations.”

A calm, resonant voice.

Even though I was clearly offering a gentle admonishment, the girl only furrowed her brow and glared at me.

As if I were annoying her, she shot back a retort.

“…Are you taking her side now?”

Oh dear.

Is she shifting her target so quickly?

Her eyes were filled with irritation.

At the same time, I could sense a strange feeling of disappointment.

I might have felt stung by her sharp response, but I remained completely composed as I soothed the girl.

After all, calming down upset children was second nature to me.

“How could I take anyone’s side? Both of you are precious connections to me.”

I gently stroke her head.

Red hair tickles my fingertips.

As I caress the soft, scattered petals, her slightly softened muttering passes through thin lips.

I was indulging her continuing complaints.

“Just stroking my head isn’t going to make me feel better…”

“Hehe.”

A sulky response.

The rose shoots back with a displeased expression.

“You said you were on my side before.”

“Of course I’m on your side.”

“Except for that commoner you’re hiding behind your back.”

“But Your Highness knows it was all a misunderstanding. I don’t think it’s right to trouble Miss Lezia in such a situation.”

“I wasn’t really trying to trouble her…”

“Harassment doesn’t only exist within intentions. Especially when there’s such an enormous status gap between you two. What might have been simple pressure from Your Highness could have approached as tremendous fear for Miss Lezia.”

“Nagging, nagging… you’ve always talked too much.”

“This advice is also for your happiness. You need to learn how to live with others now.”

“You never stop talking.”

“That’s because I’m sincere.”

I display a gentle smile.

“…”

Elise looked up at me silently, then sighed as if admitting defeat and grumbled.

Her eyes turned slightly toward the intimidated pink-haired girl.

“…I’m sorry. I was momentarily irritated and acted out.”

“W-what? Your Highness?!”

“I apologize if I bothered you.”

“Y-Your Highness?! I’m completely fine, you don’t need to bow your head for something like that…!”

The rose offered an apology in a casual manner.

She might have been stubborn with an easy target, but she was readily admitting her mistake.

Perhaps this reflected her inherent goodness.

Having been caged for over ten years, she was simply awkward with people, not deliberately malicious or cruel.

Even when she shows her thorns, her essence is still that of a flower.

“Hehe.”

I smile faintly.

As I gently stroke both their heads, suddenly a shadow standing beside me pokes my shoulder.

It was Ameila, who had been watching the situation from the side.

Her transparent pupils reflect me.

Pink and red, docilely accepting my touch.

Looking at the girls who had somehow been tamed, the villainess suddenly exhales a complicated sigh.

Her head-shaking gesture contains resignation.

“Haah… you really.”

“Lady Duchess?”

“It’s nothing. I just want you to know that you’re quite the sinful person.”

“My~ I’m indeed counted among the most sinful in the empire.”

“…When you say it, it doesn’t sound like a joke at all. Please refrain from making such tasteless jokes.”

“Well…”

Is it really a joke?

As I make such an expression, I receive a horrified response.

The atmosphere continues boisterously.

We walked through the academy streets, chatting.

The air, which had grown noisier with the increased number of people, made me realize their presence with every step I took.

I savor the brief moment of joy.

“I watched your match today. Your ability was unprecedentedly powerful.”

“I-I’m honored…!”

“Now I understand why the court physician took notice of you.”

“I’d heard rumors… but I never expected you could actually command a dragon. Why were you so helpless last time?”

“During the last exam… well, I had some… circumstances.”

“You weren’t holding back, were you? I trust you wouldn’t do that against me.”

“O-of course not…!”

Everyday conversation.

Being caught between such high-ranking individuals, the only commoner couldn’t help but flounder and sweat.

Especially with the princesses, she still seemed awkward.

She was flustered even by a few simple compliments.

Of course, from the outside, it looked like perfect friendship.

Is this why they say life is a tragedy when seen up close, but a comedy when seen from a distance?

I was enjoying the comedy.

“Come to think of it.”

A voice suddenly returned.

It was the villainess again.

“Everyone’s finished their practical exams, right? A-class had all their dates clustered on the first day.”

“That’s right.”

“So you’re the only one with a schedule remaining?”

Is she asking about the faculty competition?

As it was an event scheduled just a few days away, it seemed to be becoming a topic among students.

In a way, it was an enjoyable spectacle.

After all, duels between professors or teaching assistants were rarely seen.

It wasn’t strange that expectations were gathering.

“I plan to take it moderately.”

“I’m not sure what ‘moderate’ means by your standards…”

“Hehe.”

I give a vague answer.

As we continued walking while discussing various topics, I suddenly noticed students gathered in a crowd, murmuring.

They were standing in a circle as if watching something.

Is there something interesting to see?

Before I could take interest.

“Um… Professor Selena is there…”

The protagonist’s words alerted me to the situation first.

I belatedly looked around.

Indeed, my mentor was there.

Students watching from a distance, and in the center of the spectators stood a woman with purple hair.

As always, she had a tired expression.

“The person in front of her is…”

She was facing off with someone.

Whether drunk again or not, her pupils were hazy, but the light with which she glared at her opponent remained unfaded.

Recognizing that opponent, I quietly murmured.

“Professor Cadel…?”

The person with the strongest position among the current faculty, and a candidate for the next chief professor.

At the same time, he was Selena’s adversary.

I couldn’t help but tilt my head as I watched the two facing each other.

“What’s going on?”

Why is she confronting that man?

***

Cadel Evans.

After Selena’s fall from her position as chief professor, he was the person with the widest influence and support.

He was also mentioned as the next chief professor despite his young age.

A man of skill who could become the academy’s pillar despite his youth.

Currently, he was confronting the drunkard.

“Professor Selena.”

“…”

The story of the poor relationship between these two was well-known.

Cadel ostracized her with the faction he had gathered among the faculty, and Selena seemed annoyed by his constant provocations.

The two had endlessly clashed and opposed each other’s opinions until last year.

Recently, they hadn’t shown any particular conflict, but that ice-thin peace was broken today.

Cadel, who had been silent all along, had issued a declaration of war.

“I trust you haven’t forgotten about the competition in a few days.”

The date of the approaching competition was the reason.

After the drunkard’s fall.

The young man had been waiting for an opportunity.

An opportunity to completely remove a bothersome rival.

It was perfect timing.

“As it happens, we’re matched against each other, aren’t we? You’re truly a rat in a trap.”

Although.

A variable had occurred when the first-year valedictorian, evaluated as having unprecedented talent, became Selena’s direct subordinate, but that alone couldn’t reverse the declining position of a faculty member.

No matter how talented, he was still an unripe student.

It was a fight that would end with suppression from the side with greater authority.

Cadel spoke with a sinister smile.

“Last time, we were indebted to your side.”

He mentioned the incident from two months ago.

When the second-year valedictorian received a duel challenge from the snake and ended up suffering the humiliation of dancing in front of the entire school.

He was referring to Ian Ternado, who had been Cadel’s head assistant.

“This competition will be revenge in many ways.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“I’m not really the type to hold onto such things.”

“Your composure is admirable. But I must tell you this. You can never match me in combat.”

“…”

A provocation tinged with deep mockery.

Whether he was saying it for the watching students to hear, his voice was clearer and louder than when pronouncing other sentences.

Selena had to furrow her brow at the blatant intention.

Of course, it was true.

Cadel was among the top three strongest faculty members. It was an overwhelmingly disadvantageous setup for Selena, who specialized in illusion magic.

She was the type recognized more for scribbling with a pen than for violence.

The compatibility wasn’t good for a direct confrontation.

“What can you do with mere illusion magic?”

It was true.

However, in the intention behind mentioning that fact, there existed an impurity aimed at belittling the opponent.

He intended to humiliate her in front of the students.

“This time, I plan to crush you thoroughly. I suppose the student you recently took in will be no exception.”

“How petty.”

“Shouldn’t the students know? What happens when they meet the wrong mentor.”

“Your bad habit of disguising your narrow-mindedness as education remains.”

The long-standing enmity between the two.

Now the flames had spread to their direct students, burning into an increasingly complex problem.

As the atmosphere intensified.

“Excuse me.”

Suddenly, a shadow broke through the surrounding crowd and stepped between the two professors.

He greeted them with a meaningful smile.

“Good afternoon to both of you.”

Golden hair with a dull sheen.

Narrowed eyes that gleamed ominously.

And finally, a neat formal attire.

His distinctive appearance spoke his name.

Judas Snakus. None other than Selena’s head assistant who had just been mentioned.

***

“Good afternoon to both of you.”

A greeting offered casually.

Perhaps it was because the student who had just been mentioned appeared.

I gaze at the two hesitating professors.

Originally, I had planned to just quietly observe, but the words I heard were quite infuriating, so I stepped forward involuntarily.

Professor Cadel, who had been momentarily dazed, opens his mouth next.

“A sudden appearance. Good afternoon, Student Judas.”

Should I call it shameless?

Cadel responds to the greeting without any hesitation.

“What brings you here?”

“I heard an interesting conversation nearby.”

“This isn’t something a student should interfere with.”

“I can’t remain silent when I hear my mentor being insulted.”

“Hmm.”

I’ve received a lot of help recently.

Especially with the documents about the rose.

It feels like we’ve become allies, and my conscience wouldn’t let me just wipe my mouth and walk away.

I should at least get rid of this meddling extra.

I turn around slightly.

Selena was standing there.

Her eyes looked irritated, perhaps from fatigue, but she didn’t seem inclined to stop me from interfering.

After all, she was characterized as someone who found such power struggles annoying.

Realizing that her silence was a form of consent, I decided to confidently counter the other’s provocation.

Just then, Cadel speaks again.

“It’s regrettable that you rejected my recruitment offer last time.”

“I’m happy where I am now.”

“Your talent is being wasted. Joining under that woman will remain the biggest mistake of your life. You have the potential to reach the stars.”

“Either way, that’s my concern.”

It seems he’s trying to mock us collectively, but in that field, I’m no pushover either.

I slightly twist the corner of my mouth.

“Besides, I didn’t think there was anything to learn.”

“What did you say?”

“I’ve already faced your head assistant. His level was pathetic. Wouldn’t it be a waste of my star-reaching potential to be under such teaching?”

“Ha.”

Cadel lets out a hollow laugh at my direct counter.

Having struck a part bundled with pride, I could see his expression gradually turning cold.

His voice is tinged with frost.

“What an insolent remark.”

His eyes freeze over.

“Be aware that you are a student. No matter how outstanding your talent may be, I could subdue you with a single gesture.”

Boom-!

A faint noise accompanied by pressure bearing down on the surroundings.

Intensely flowing killing intent.

So strong that an ordinary student would have been crawling on the ground.

As the atmosphere grew ominous, Selena tried to intervene, but I maintained an unwavering attitude to reassure her.

Then I smile demonstratively.

“Hehe.”

A confrontation that follows, splitting the moment.

Silence descends heavily.

Only autumn passes through the space between.

The ominous atmosphere dominated the surroundings for a while, then scattered like a handful of ashes not long after.

Perhaps judging that it wouldn’t be good if the situation escalated further.

Cadel was containing his momentum.

“…There’s no need to get heated. We’ll face each other in the competition anyway.”

The young man dusts off his hands as if he’s lost interest.

His tone suggesting he’s giving special consideration is quite irritating.

As he turns his back to leave, I throw a final spark onto the spilled oil.

It was a fitting retort for someone with misconceptions.

“Do you know something?”

His tone had the feel of a champion waiting for a challenger.

Despite never having won even once.

He seemed trapped in quite an arrogant delusion for a perpetual runner-up.

I decided to correct him.

“I’m telling you this because you seem to be mistaken.”

With just one sentence.

“You are the challenger.”

“”…””

At that point, everyone’s mouths couldn’t help but fall open.

The students watching from around.

Cadel with his shocked expression.

Even Selena, who had been expressionless.

In the frozen time where no one reacted, only I wore a bright smile.

Controlling my involuntarily twisting lips, I murmur.

‘Ah.’

This feels thrilling.

This sensation.

Afterwards.

News about the madman who had issued a declaration of war to a professor’s face didn’t take long to spread throughout the academy.

It was truly an unprecedented scandal.