Ch.112The NPC Taking a Leap of Faith. (5)

“I thought you’d hit me with your fist, but a forehead flick? What a cute punishment?”

“No. Would I really do that to a middle-aged woman who came to speak with me respectfully?”

“Yes. You would.”

“…No, and it’s not punishment, you know? This was a request from the Spirit King.”

What exactly do I look like in your eyes? I’ll have you know I’m a civilized person who lived through the 21st century.

We can talk without Attorney Ju, you know?

“Setting aside what you did to me, I didn’t think you’d let go of what was done to Ira so easily.”

“Huh? Let go? I didn’t let anything go.”

“Huh?”

“What would I be letting go of? You guys already made that death face over there in my place. There’s no need for me to hit anyone else.”

Originally, I was planning to hit them in that operation, but Ragni took my place for that violence. She found her self-esteem on her own.

It’s just that I couldn’t step in directly, but the Chancellor looked so haggard until just now that I’d believe it if someone said she was contemplating suicide.

I don’t particularly want to kill Deus Ex Machina, okay? The world is already on the brink of chaos, so what wealth and glory would I gain by tearing apart a major power?

One forehead flick was enough satisfaction.

Besides, now she’s Ira’s benefactor?

“…So you’re saying, I’m in your place? In other words, I’m the official wife?”

“What?”

I flinch involuntarily at Ragni’s sudden comment.

Wait a minute. I’m a commoner, right? An illiterate peasant? Why suddenly talk about official wives? When did I ever mutter to myself that I’d have both of them?!

“Hehe. Why so flustered? I just meant I took your place, right? So, I’ll take it as me being ahead of Rey.”

“……”

What should I do? I’m suddenly too embarrassed to speak.

In the past, I would have spat out some harsh words, but lately both Rey and Ragni have been so quiet. They’ve been working hard for me and Ira, so it’s difficult to say anything mean.

Come to think of it, I was single in my past life and this one too—could I really live well with two women? Suddenly, practical concerns start to arise…

“Hehe. If you say I did well, should I receive a reward like Gorc? Do you have any plans to drink before leaving for Siltra? I’d like it if you could do that thing with my butt again…”

“If you just shut your mouth, you’d really get more than halfway there.”

“Ah♡! A harsh comment after so long!! I love it!!! I’ve been missing this!!”

I’m the idiot for worrying seriously. I thought she’d been unusually quiet lately. She must have been in power-saving mode because of how busy things have been.

I let out a deep sigh as I watched Ragni openly caressing her own butt while grinning with delight.

*

About two hours later, students began filling the practical exam venue.

“Over here!!”

As expected of a fantasy world, the children’s hair colors could put Power Rangers to shame.

But among them, Ira’s red hair—practically a protagonist color—stood out distinctively, and I waved my hand with all my might.

And upon finding me, Ira smiled brightly and waved both hands.

Oh, my adorable little sister! You did well on the exam, didn’t you?!

“Looks like the exam went well. Her expression is so bright. Look, Rey is coming.”

“I’m here!”

“Rey! Did you see Ira on your way out? What did she say?!”

“I saw her briefly, and she made a V-sign with her fingers while smiling. She was very cute, and it seems she did really well!”

Hahaha! That’s my sister. Unlike her brother, she’s smart! And Rey, did you see that alone? Didn’t you take a picture?!

As the children continued to fill the venue, the Chancellor I met earlier appeared out of nowhere in front of them.

I knew it. That Chancellor can use [Teleport]? Honestly, if she just taught Ira that one skill, I personally could forgive everything that woman has done so far.

“You all worked hard on the written exam. As in previous years, I’m especially grateful that such exceptional students like you have come to enter our Academy.”

Her voice resonates throughout the entire practical exam venue without even a microphone…

“…That woman. She’s not just saying empty words, but speaking sincerely?”

Indeed. As I thought when I saw her eyes earlier, something has definitely changed within her.

Well, with Ragni’s confirmation too, it’s certain.

“I, Neity Naika, as the Chancellor of [Neity Academy] and the leader of this city, declare that even if you fail the exam today, you are all undoubtedly exceptional children who will shoulder the future.”

“So don’t stop because you stumble once here. ‘Just’ an academy cannot be your entire life, and our evaluation cannot perfectly measure each of you as individuals. Therefore, give your all in the exam, and even if you fail, never despair. And…”

The principal—no, Chancellor—who started giving a somewhat boring speech, moved her eyes and clearly met mine.

And then her gaze turned to…

“I swear on my life here. My students, those who will attend my Academy, and those currently enrolled—you are all my children from today onward, and if anyone lays a harmful hand on you…”

-Woooong….

Blue magical power begins to envelop the space. The tremendous magical power emitted by the level 520 Spirit Master Chancellor.

Honestly, I can only see it without feeling anything, but the children seem to feel something as they open their eyes wide like startled rabbits. However.

“Wow… such incredible magical power!”

“Is, is this the Chancellor’s magic?”

“It’s spirit magic. This isn’t just ordinary magical power!!”

“My father told me the Chancellor has military-grade power, and it’s true?!”

Each child murmurs, evaluating the Chancellor’s magical power, expressing surprise, praising her, and even clapping.

Yes, her magical power, which Ragni said had pressured her, is only visible to the children without posing any threat.

“Under my name [Neity Naika] and the blessing of the Spirit King, I will not leave anyone who harms these children on this earth. You who hear my words are witnesses, and this is my oath to myself.”

“…!!!”

Some children even cry out in surprise at her oath, which invoked her own name and even the Spirit King.

Why? Is that something impressive?

“…Ha. It seems she received proper mental education? Did your forehead flick change her mind too?”

“Really? What does that mean?”

“When someone blessed by the Spirit King makes an oath in the King’s name, they can never break it. So, by reciting her oath in front of so many people, it means she will definitely punish anyone who harms the children, whether individuals or groups… even if it means going to war against a nation.”

Miho answers my question, and when I turn to Ragni for confirmation, she nods that the explanation is correct.

And when I look back, the Chancellor’s eyes are still fixed on Ira.

In other words, by looking at me and then making this oath in front of all these people, she was speaking to me.

“Well. Having more people willing to protect Ira is unconditionally good for me.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

She’ll make sure something like this never happens again, protect and nurture Ira. And.

“Well. I guess I should be careful not to get a forehead flick from Ira.”

“…What on earth are you talking about?”

“A forehead flick? From Miss Ira to Master Jack?”

“Eh? I can’t even imagine Ira hitting Jack. Did something happen?”

All three women tilted their heads in confusion when I unconsciously rubbed my forehead while speaking, but I just looked at the Chancellor and smiled bitterly.

*

After the Chancellor’s oath and performance, the children’s morale soared endlessly.

Literally, entering the Academy meant having the Chancellor’s protection—essentially a national-level bodyguard—so that said it all.

“Alright, alright! Quiet down! I will now explain the practical exam!!”

After the Chancellor descended from the platform and disappeared, another woman wearing glasses took her place and began explaining the exam.

The practical exam involves each candidate having three 1:1 matches with other test applicants, with examiners scoring their performance.

While winning matters, they explained that they don’t automatically fail those who lose. The examiners evaluate magical power usage, spirit techniques, or tactics themselves, so it’s possible to pass even after losing all three matches. Conversely, someone who wins all three but mindlessly overpowers opponents or deliberately causes serious injuries could fail.

“Huh? This is different from the exam we were told about?”

“Yeah, the exam I researched was supposed to be a 1:1 skill assessment with an Academy assistant before being dismissed. Something’s changed?”

“If it’s Miss Ira, she won’t lose to or get hurt by kids her age, so that’s fortunate! Right?”

Ragni and I tilt our heads at the changed content, but Rey speaks positively, and we both nod.

Well. It’s definitely better if Ira can get through without getting hurt. There’s no way any kid at their level could beat Ira now…

“Of course. I’ve purged over forty assistants in the past two days. Including professors and regular staff, it’s not just a matter of cutting off limbs—it’s insufficient. I’d like to recruit people capable of immediate service as assistants and professors right now.”

“…Chancellor, why do you keep coming here so naturally?”

“Hmph. A woman who beat me up, a woman who cut my magic with her sword, and a man who flicked my forehead. With such people gathered, how can I not come to pick a fight?”

The Chancellor, who suddenly appeared next to Rey via teleport with a furrowed brow, sits down and quietly watches the children receive their exam numbers.

Her gaze has indeed completely returned. Though her dark circles and disheveled hair remain the same, those will recover once she goes to wash up and rest.

“Don’t you need to go watch over the children’s exams?”

“I can see everything from here. Besides, I didn’t just come to pick fights mindlessly. I came to finalize what you proposed. And I have something important to ask.”

What we proposed? And what else does she want to ask…

“That child, Ira. You said you’d attend school with her as a guardian while she studies at the Academy. So, your blue hair, and the blonde here, and the golem hiding down there protecting Ira—I’ve made all three of you my direct ‘temporary secretaries.'”

“What?!”

“W-wait a minute! Why should we be your secretaries…!!!”

“Don’t worry, I don’t particularly plan to make you work. I’ll accept help if offered, but I’m not so incompetent that I need to bring in reluctant people. This was just the quickest and simplest way to handle it. It’s a position you can quit immediately if you want. If you really hate it, tell me and I’ll remove you right away.”

Ragni and Rey’s expressions momentarily distorted, but they quickly returned to normal after the Chancellor’s explanation. Hmm. Our kids as the Chancellor’s secretaries… and the Chancellor said she’d teach Ira herself. It’s definitely not a bad position.

Besides, it’s not bad if the two of them support the Chancellor when she’s too busy. The Academy’s instability could have been a minus factor in delaying Ira’s [Class Change].

After listening to her explanation while watching Ira receive her exam venue assignment, the Chancellor continued to speak to me with a furrowed brow.

“So, what exactly happened?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t play dumb. That child, what on earth happened in the past 5 days for her to gain such ridiculous spirit affinity? Plus, she’s currently contracted with a fairly high-level spirit, isn’t she?”

…Oh. As expected of the Chancellor, she figured that out just from a brief look? As my various evaluations of her begin to trend upward and I let out a small exclamation, the Chancellor raises her eyebrows even higher in disbelief.

Whoa, whoa. You’ll get wrinkles that way.

“Don’t you all know what situation that child is in right now?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“What? What’s wrong with Miss Ira?”

“Is there some problem with Ira?”

“…Crazy. I came to ask if you knew the cause of her condition, but none of you know?”

Apparently dissatisfied with our answers, the Chancellor let out a big sigh and then opened her mouth while keeping her gaze fixed on Ira.

“Right now, all the low and mid-level spirits in this area that can’t materialize are clinging to that child. To put it a bit extremely, there are more spirits attached to her than there are people in this exam hall right now. Truly, she’s so radiant it’s hard to look at her directly.”

The Chancellor, still furrowing her brow, says that my sister is literally glowing.