Ch.1111. Victory Banquet (6)

# How Would People React?

When a girl who is loved by everyone and whom everyone wants to approach shows a serious face instead of a smile for the first time, how would people react?

They say it’s scarier than someone who gets angry often.

And in these situations, there’s always at least one tactless fool who grates on her nerves.

“Lady Renias seems to have misunderstood something. Let us explain properly…”

“You’re not trying to hastily fabricate reasons why these people shouldn’t be allowed in, are you, senior?”

“N-no, that’s not it. The professors… oof!”

One third-year student quickly covered the mouth of another who had just mentioned professors.

He realized that uttering the word “professor” itself was a fatal mistake, but it was already too late.

“Oh my~ The professors? Which professors would have said such things?”

“W-well, you see! T…”

The fool who stepped in to smooth things over was just as bad.

“Professor Terrier is absent from today’s banquet. Professor Tornian is on sick leave. Or perhaps there’s a professor at Levrant Academy whose name starts with that sound?”

Mentioning professors was a mistake from the start, and having even a syllable reach Renias’s ears was irrefutable proof that their actions were unauthorized and revealed their greatest blunder in engaging in improper conduct.

As the guest of honor who understood nearly all the internal affairs, there was little she didn’t know.

At most, she might not have known that students she rarely met were about to burst into the banquet hall in what looked like a protest.

And today, having witnessed the reality of Levrant Academy firsthand, Renias realized that something quite serious was happening beyond her notice.

“Didn’t you say earlier? That these people caused a disturbance and should be punished according to proper guidelines.”

Renias instantly created six magical formations, ready to fire beams.

“Then I too plan to cause a disturbance to you three, just like these people did. Would you like to try punishing me?”

Renias was essentially saying, “Try doing to me what you did to these people.”

The self-proclaimed guards, understanding her meaning, became mute as mules, while the twenty or so students who had been denied entry despite being right in front of the banquet hall couldn’t hide their expressions of immense satisfaction.

“Why? Even if I’m the guest of honor, shouldn’t rules apply if I do something wrong?”

“T-that’s…”

“So this is how you’ve been bullying only vanguard and support positions all this time. How pathetic.”

Renias’s voice, which had always been bright, sank low as she addressed the reality of those who picked on and mocked only the weak.

The three people, intimidated by Renias’s fierce anger, could only watch nervously.

“Apologize properly before I cause a scene. Every single one of you.”

Indeed, she was a jewel of Levrant Academy.

Someone everyone wanted to approach, someone everyone desired to see up close—a precious and valuable object of admiration.

This was Renias, who had never received a harsh word or complaint from students or faculty alike.

A girl with a kind heart and beautiful appearance that appealed to people of all ages and genders, who had only ever shown a pure, bright smile untainted by any darkness.

The girl who had sparkled by her mere existence was now completely devoid of any trace of a smile… making the atmosphere of this place deeply shadowed and heavy.

As Renias, heated by the uncomfortable truth happening in the academy’s dark corners, showed her fierce face, the three students standing as “guards” lowered their tails, bowed their heads one by one in apology, and fled.

After the three third-year students left, a brief silence lingered before the silver-haired girl immediately turned around and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry… for realizing too late.”

Why were there no award recipients among the vanguards? Why weren’t their names even mentioned?

Renias had assumed there must be some criteria for judging, or some plausible reason for those selected as representatives.

But she had failed to notice that her partner Ronelion had never received an award, and that despite having worked with Princess Ophelia’s expedition team, there wasn’t a single instance of recognition. She should have questioned this sooner.

Vanguard. A position named as such was the place of noble sacrifices who would be injured and suffer the most.

Perhaps the position that should receive the most respect and constantly bear the risk for the sake of those in rear positions.

Having realized the truth, she bowed her head deeply and offered her sincere apology.

It was Renias’s heartfelt consolation to those who had suffered inside and out.

‘Well, that seems to have resolved everything.’

The situation appeared to be settled.

The girl’s sincere apology seemed to have been well-received by everyone.

Junon, seeing that Renias was there, decided he didn’t need to worry about the aftermath and returned to the dormitory.

“…It’s not your fault, so it’s fine. Since you didn’t know…”

“Yeah, even if we feel wronged, we can’t be angry at an innocent junior.”

“Um… ahem, if it’s not too much trouble, could you help us enter the banquet hall? We’d like to get some advice from the senior students.”

Unlike the bright, festive atmosphere of laughter and chatter inside the banquet hall, the entrance had been filled with a chilly, shadowy air.

But when the academy’s precious jewel of a girl sincerely apologized, the cold gazes soon dispersed like dandelion seeds.

“I’ll guide you personally. There’s no rule saying the same thing can’t happen inside the banquet hall.”

The twenty students, their faces relaxed from what had been filled with hatred, became guests and spectators at the banquet.

With Renias showing herself simply as a fellow student and junior of the same academy, no one in the banquet hall challenged them.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that no one could pick a fight or find fault.

Neither those steeped in vile superiority complexes nor the professors who had been plotting divisive slander were exceptions.

Many were considerably taken aback by the sight of the academy’s idol-like figure openly expressing her feelings and warning them, while others were puzzled to notice lower-class students entering only now.

Thus, on this day when the innocent girl who had been ignorant of the underworld finally realized the truth, the event the regressor had been concerned about did not occur.

***

Wooooo-

A large ship entered the harbor of the peninsula at the easternmost point of Mirpark in the southeastern region.

“Sigh, me as a professor. What nonsense.”

On the ship, a man who had received a medal from the Artena Imperial Family and had been immersed in new research since developing the Talbert Arc fifteen years ago—an invention that had stirred all of humanity—was lamenting.

Recently, he had to set aside his research and head to the southern continent on the Emperor’s direct orders. And for what reason? To take up a professorship.

It had been years since someone from the Imperial side, rather than goods or personnel, had been sent from the eastern continent after the Duchy had been officially recognized as a country by the Empire.

“To think the Grand Duke would make an emergency request.”

Grand Duke Ardelion had appealed to the Empire because the Duchy’s situation was unfavorable, and had asked the Emperor’s minister, Muniher.

As the ship docked, Princess Ophelia herself came to receive the distinguished guest who had rushed from the Empire.

“I apologize for having to receive you under such circumstances, Count Zelbarten.”

“It’s quite alright, Princess Ophelia. But let me ask again, are you really sure about this?”

Though they exchanged courtesies, Professor Muniher questioned once more about the Grand Duke’s potentially drastic decision, knowing the Duchy’s situation from their correspondence.

And Princess Ophelia nodded, conveying the Grand Duke’s firm resolve once again.

“I will relay the rest of the information in the carriage. Shall we go, Count Zelbarten?”

The distinguished guest from the Empire smiled wryly, trying first to dispel Ophelia’s negative feelings.

“That doesn’t seem to be my name at the moment.”

“…Pardon? What do you mean…”

“Since I’ve come as a professor now, please call me Professor Muniher. Wouldn’t that be more appropriate?”

His playful banter somehow reminded her of Goden.

It was just a small wordplay, but perhaps it was a case of like master, like student. Thanks to this, Ophelia’s heart felt somewhat lighter.

“Very well, Professor Muniher. In return, you must treat me as just a student, not a princess.”

“Haha. You got me there. Agreed, Student Ophelia.”

The Empire’s top magical researcher and the Imperial Family’s foremost strategist had arrived at Levrant.

***

-Squeak squeak!

Missed again.

“Haaa…”

Using weapons was proving to be disgustingly difficult, contrary to what I’d thought.

I planned to spend all the time until the end-of-term evaluation on physical training and weapon practice. Next year, I might not even have time to train like this.

Leaving what would happen at the victory banquet hall to Renias felt too passive.

To think, judge, and prepare proactively, I needed to draw out my still insufficient strength.

So I thought I’d pick up a weapon and train before the year ended, but…

“Argh, seriously!”

-Squeak squeak! Squeak squeak squeak!

“…You’re not laughing at me, are you?”

-Squeak squeak squeak! Squeak!

-Squeak! Squeak squeak!

Somehow it felt like it was calling me slow, which made me feel bad.

The way it tapped its waist and ran away was really making my blood boil.

“AAAAARGH!!! REALLY!!!!”

This mouse was a summoned illusion from a magical engineering device, a mouse-shaped magical beast called a Kud Rat, about the size of four palms.

When you attack the summoned illusion and inflict a fatal wound, the illusion returns to being just a lump of magical power.

In summary, I was training by beating up summoned creatures.

This is what they call a “mock battle,” where you can face magical beasts in advance. It’s a basic step toward practical experience beyond theory, so it’s mandatory training for all students without exception.

Anyway, if the goal is to grow, there’s no reason to refuse.

Haven’t I been training my body these past few days? So I thought I’d give it a try.

But this mess is making me a bit angry.

-Squeak squeak!! Squeak!!

“Haaa…”

I stopped the device to end the mock battle, wanting to cool down the heat building in my head.

I could easily deal with these creatures by blocking their movement paths with my unique magic.

“But that would defeat the purpose…”

I always need to remember why I chose to train my body instead of relying on my unique magic.

What’s the point of growing dependent on magic I might lose later?

Even if it’s a bit harder now, I thought it would be better to build my physical strength and learn to use at least one weapon.

However, the measurement results didn’t give me much hope for weapon proficiency.

[ Three-bladed sword: 0.1% ]

[ Épée: 0.1% ]

[ Bow: 0.1% ]

[ Lance: 0.1% ]

[ Great Edge: 0.1% ]

[ Gladius: 0.1% ]

…

…

When I saw Senia or Goden wielding weapons and slicing through magical beasts, I thought I could do it too.

But that… was really a mistaken idea.

“How can I not have aptitude for ANY weapon??????”

Weapons just don’t suit me at all—it feels like wearing ill-fitting clothes.

I’ve tried everything from daggers and short swords to two-handed swords like Zweihanders and Great Edges, even spears of all lengths, but my body just won’t adapt. Looking at the proficiency shown by the training device, it’s like it’s telling me not to bother.

I don’t expect immediate results just because I, who have only ever defended, suddenly pick up a weapon.

But even after holding them for hours, I should at least develop some semblance of a stance! There should be some progress! Why can’t I do it?

It’s not just for geniuses. They say that when ordinary people complete the weapon curriculum, their proficiency immediately rises to at least 5%.

I followed the same procedure and invested even more time, checking multiple times.

…But no matter what weapon I try, I can’t get above 0.1%.

Not even a single digit, but the first decimal place! I’ve heard that at this point, professors would openly tell you not to bother.

“Please… why is only this one showing such a number…”

[ Shield types: 31.4% ]

Even 10% would be considered suitable enough to recommend practice, but I’ve exceeded 30%. It’s blatantly telling me to just use a shield.

It was the same during the comprehensive examination. The fact that my suitable position was vanguard might have been not just because of my magical power but also because of my shield proficiency.

My body is clearly demanding a shield.

The problem is, if I only carry a shield for life, how do I catch those things? That’s why I wanted to try using a weapon…

“This is really giving me a headache.”

Getting irritated, I scratched my head vigorously while staring at the mock battle magical engineering device, lost in thought.

“Talbert Arc…”

Magical engineering devices, called “objects,” are produced and circulated after numerous scholars and researchers base their work on magical engineering, publish papers, and conduct clinical trials.

Most objects fail inspection or fall into disuse, becoming junk, but the one before me is different.

Talbert Arc. In Imperial terms, it means “Cube of All Representation”—a small cube that can be held in one hand.

This tiny cube is the result of applying illusory and phantom magic, and inputting information about magical beasts that actually exist on the Kempriton continent.

Since the invention of the Talbert Arc, mock battles have emerged, and casualties on the battlefield have been reduced by 90%. What more needs to be said?

In other words, this is a masterpiece, and its inventor is the greatest inventor on the Kempriton continent.

“He must have arrived by now.”

Muniher Zelbarten Emerald.

A middle-aged man of forty-four, a confidant of the Artena Emperor, and the man who will uproot all the rotten roots established in the Duchy and reveal them to everyone—he is the legendary inventor who created the Talbert Arc.

To me, he’s what you might call a special yet strict teacher.

-‘Even if you can’t use magic, your body is still moving. Remember. Your mental strength is more intact than anyone else’s here.’

He is unparalleled in the field of magical engineering and at a level where most people can’t even approach him in magical research.

I still don’t understand why such a person took notice of me and wanted to nurture me.

Also, like Professor Jake, why he once wanted to entrust everything to me.

-‘I leave it to you. I’m counting on you, Junon.’

That was the last thing he said to me as he was buying time in a desperate situation. It’s also why I’m grinding my lips.

“…Why did you entrust the command to me of all people, Professor Muniher?”

In the end, I failed and died.

Raising my sprawled body to sit up, I kneel and look at the cube, questioning his ironic choice.

I know I won’t get an answer, but I just can’t understand it.

Why me of all people?

There were others from the Tembris party who remained here, and there were A-class students with outstanding skills and experience.

Why did it have to be me?

After being separated from the main force and having to wait only for support from the Artena Empire, I don’t understand why he tore off the alternate commander’s seal and gave it to me.

Why did he, like Professor Jake, point to me?

There was little I could do, having lost my power and barely able to properly fulfill the role of a vanguard.

I wasn’t the only one who thought so; everyone opposed it at the time. Some even opposed bringing me along at all, let alone having to follow my orders.

Then Professor Muniher shouted one last time.

That I could save everyone. That they should trust and follow me.

“Really… why was it me?”

Even now, I couldn’t accept the choice made by the Empire’s most renowned minister and strategist.

“Sigh, I should stop here for today.”

Noticing that lecture time was approaching, I immediately went into the shower room.

And as soon as the shower room door closed and locked,

Ding-

[ ── : 55.2% ]

[ Highest compatibility! ]

The result window for the last weapon the boy had measured appeared, just before he got lost in past reflections.

However, the result window, which was displayed for one minute, disappeared before the sound of water in the shower room stopped.