Ch.157157. End of Term Ceremony

Artes’s growth was truly remarkable.

Rising from the bottom of the lower class to the upper ranks of the intermediate class despite being in a stagnant state due to some butterfly effect issues was no easy feat.

It might seem less impressive because Frang was growing at the same pace right beside him. But that just meant Frang was exceptional too, not that Artes deserved any less credit.

Whatever the case, Artes was currently brimming with confidence.

Even small realizations became stepping stones for growth, and just a bit of training yielded results dozens of times more effective than others achieved.

He was growing noticeably day by day. How could he not be confident?

At this rate, he would clearly reach the advanced class soon.

Artes knew this too. That’s why he wanted to show it.

To the advanced class man who had helped him rise.

To Ludion, the current strongest first-year who had claimed the top position.

He wanted to show his growth so far, and his determination to grow even more.

But then…

Clang-

It ended with just one clash of swords.

His sword was instantly deflected, dragging his body along as he maintained his grip on the handle. When he came to his senses, he was already sitting on the ground.

The strike had been so powerful that his entire body tingled and wouldn’t move for a while.

“My victory. Bring the alcohol and meat!”

“Ludion. That’s childish. And what alcohol are you talking about in the academy?”

The way he started chatting casually, as if Artes wasn’t even worth dealing with anymore, was enough to make Artes feel powerless.

Come to think of it, this man had faced all incoming students since the entrance exam. There was no way someone like himself, who had just barely reached the upper ranks of the intermediate class, could be a match for him.

‘I was arrogant.’

What achievement?

What determination?

He couldn’t even exchange a single sword strike.

If Ludion had received his attack even slightly and shown some admiration, he might have become satisfied and complacent with his current situation.

But Ludion didn’t. He deflected his growth as if mocking it and completely lost interest.

As if this level wasn’t even worth noticing.

That poured fuel on the already burning fire.

“Next time! I’ll definitely make you notice me!”

Leaving only those words behind, Artes, the protagonist of the original story, fled the scene.

///

The match with the well-ripened newbie ended anticlimactically.

Actually, I initially wanted to tease him, but his eyes were so serious that I felt bad doing so.

It was a shame to use a parrying cut on the first attack in a PVP that the newbie himself had requested, but thinking about it, Artes wasn’t really a character suitable for teasing, so I decided not to regret it.

So I was just exchanging a few words with Celia when Artes suddenly shouted and left.

“I-I’m sorry! He’s good in many ways, but he has this side to him! I’ll go after him!”

Frang followed Artes as well.

With both of them suddenly disappearing, only Celia and I remained, creating a brief moment of silence.

In that situation, I expressed my puzzlement about Artes running off.

“…What’s with him?”

“I don’t know. I don’t care. I’m just… glad that Artes is the same gender as Ludion.”

“Why?”

“If he were the opposite gender, I would have had to step in after that comment.”

Come to think of it, he did say something about definitely making me notice him.

I didn’t think much of it, considering it as a rivalry between people of the same gender, but thinking about it from Celia’s perspective of an opposite-gender relationship, it did feel rather uncomfortable.

…More importantly, what did she mean she would step in?

I didn’t think I’d learn anything good by digging deeper… so I decided not to worry about it.

“Well then. Let’s go to the vacation ceremony.”

“Yes.”

We decided to return to the auditorium in time, following Artes and Frang who had run off.

When we arrived at the auditorium, it was already packed with people.

It seemed like Celia and I were the very last to arrive.

Lilith, who noticed us joining the ranks late, approached us.

“Where have you been that made you so late?”

She seemed quite displeased that we had gone somewhere without her.

She looked a bit hurt, but since she was the one who left first, and we hadn’t done anything special, I decided to give her a simple explanation.

“We just met someone we knew, talked a bit, and ended up being late.”

“I thought you two were just being lovey-dovey. Surprisingly, you have other friends too?”

“Well, I guess?”

Friend… it’s a bit of an ambiguous relationship, but it’s not entirely wrong, so I decided to let it slide.

While we were talking, the buzzing auditorium gradually became quiet.

It was because one person appeared at the front of the auditorium.

Who it was… was a face I knew all too well, without needing any explanation.

“I am Alkine, who holds the position of student council president. There’s no need for lengthy speeches. I’ll start the vacation ceremony procedure right away.”

Student Council President Alkine.

Right. As the president, she should make an appearance at such a major event.

She looked around at the students gathered in the auditorium… and suddenly met my eyes.

…Please manage your expression, Madam President.

“Then… um! Let’s… start!”

Please manage your speech too… It’s troublesome if you start feeling embarrassed about your concept now…

///

Though it started a bit awkwardly, the vacation ceremony conducted by Alkine proceeded very successfully.

It had a traditional feel like the previous entrance ceremony, and for students excited about the vacation, the initial mistakes meant nothing.

“Now, I will present awards to the outstanding students of this semester. Top students from each grade, please come forward.”

“Oh right.”

Because I became the top student, I had to go up and receive an award, which was a bit annoying.

Celia’s expression as she watched me go up was suspicious. Surely she didn’t secretly change the name to mine because she didn’t want to go up?

No way. No matter what, she wouldn’t do that.

I did see her talking with Professor Reina for a while yesterday, but it couldn’t be. Probably.

Right now, more important than that was receiving the award and getting back down quickly.

The person right next to me was watching me too closely, making me uncomfortable.

“…I’m sorry about that time.”

Using formal speech despite being a second-year.

Second-year top student. Mitein.

When my abilities were updated previously, I think I bullied him a bit too much. For him to speak politely to me, a first-year.

“It’s fine. Let’s forget about that time and get along well from now on.”

“Eek. Get along… yes…”

It doesn’t seem like we’ll get along well, but as long as he’s not hostile, I guess it’s fine.

This is better than being looked down upon.

As I was receiving the award… an awkward situation unfolded.

You see.

The third-year top student is Alkine, right?

But the person currently acting as the host is also Alkine.

Normally, someone else should speak on her behalf… but unfortunately, no such person was in sight.

So does she announce her own name and receive the award? While I was thinking that, Alkine handed me the voice amplification magic tool she was holding.

“Say the lines.”

“Why me?”

“…There you go again. I told you to speak comfortably.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Just be more mindful next time.”

After speaking informally under the influence of alcohol, I had agreed to speak comfortably with Alkine, but as I got used to it, I kept naturally using formal speech.

With her showing such obvious disappointment, I really should be more careful from now on.

“So, why are you making me do this?”

“Celia was supposed to do it, but you came up.”

“Really?”

I glanced at where Celia was, and she was smiling.

Wow, I thought it might be, but she really did change it on purpose?

I was dumbfounded, but since it was important not to delay the vacation ceremony, I decided to follow Alkine’s lines.

“Third-year award recipient. Alkine. The rest is the same, so I’ll omit it.”

According to the academy’s rules, family names are not emphasized. After finishing the lines with that in mind, Alkine immediately received the award and applause was heard.

Celia was also clapping with a bright smile.

…Was this really worth all that trouble just to avoid saying one line?

“Should we go out without Celia today?”

Suddenly feeling spiteful, I made such a suggestion to Alkine.

Since she prepared this hidden camera prank, I should give her a reaction.

“What about Lilith?”

Alkine asked such a question while smiling as if she welcomed my words.

[I hope to be alone with you.]

Reading her thoughts, it seems she wants me to exclude Lilith.

“…I’ll try to leave her out too.”

Since we already left her out once and arrived late to the vacation ceremony, she might feel hurt.

I’m sorry. But this happened because of Celia, so if you want to blame someone, blame her.

Bickering over such trivial matters for the top student position. If anyone were to hear this, they would find it quite ridiculous.

Other than that, I was able to finish the vacation ceremony without any issues.

“With this, I conclude the vacation ceremony. I hope you rest well and that we can meet again in good health.”

With Alkine’s final words, the packed auditorium emptied in an instant.

Since I was at the very front to receive the award, I could talk with Alkine as soon as it ended.

“Well, I have some cleaning up to do, so I’ll go do that. Come to the student council room after you’re done. Oh, you know, right? You have to come alone?”

“…Will I be able to pull that off?”

Thinking about it now, it seemed impossible to separate from those two, so I asked, but Alkine answered with a gentle smile.

“If you can’t… well, you know what happens then, right?”

“I don’t know.”

“If you want to find out, try failing once.”

“…Oh my.”

Though she spoke as if joking, I knew Alkine was serious.

Of course, she wouldn’t really torment me, but the pressure was immense knowing how desperately she wanted me to succeed.

Saying things like having dinner just the two of us… I felt like I had said something unnecessary, but I’m a man, right? I should keep my word once I’ve given it.

Thinking that, I turned around to find Celia and Lilith waiting for me.

Seeing my grave expression, they showed puzzlement…

“So that’s how you plan to get revenge, right?”

“…You heard that?”

She already knew. While Lilith was wondering what was going on, Celia clearly seemed to know what conversation I had with Alkine.

But it’s strange. No matter how good Celia’s hearing is, it doesn’t make sense that she heard such a quiet whisper from that distance.

“Please stop forgetting, will you? Please be aware that you have surveillance magic cast on you.”

“Ah, I see.”

So I’m just being stalked! How scary!