Ch.18Pilot (1)

《Screech-!》

The sound of steel fragments raining down follows the thunderous noise.

Hundreds of blades rush in like a storm. It was a sight that naturally inspired awe in anyone watching.

It seemed like a display of an insurmountable wall of talent.

But.

There was a boy who wasn’t intimidated by such calamity.

Golden hair fluttering in the wind.

He stretched his arm toward the fiercely rushing wave. As if he intended to block it.

《Break.》

Everyone thought the boy was reckless.

However, the moment his lips uttered the incantation, the mundane flow of events was overturned.

《Boom-!》

The screen shakes with a thunderous noise.

Beyond the roughly flashing scene, a pitch-black shadow instantly devours everything around it.

It was darkness, ominously rippling.

《Clang-!》

Immediately after, the barrier covering the circular arena shatters.

The wall of talent that had seemed untouchable just moments ago breaks into pieces like mere glass.

It gradually turns to dust and scatters.

It returns to a state as if it never existed.

All of this happened in less than three seconds.

《Huff.》

The golden-haired boy calmly catches his breath.

He seemed to think this was the expected outcome.

The scene freezes on the image of him brushing off residual mana from his fingertips.

“”······.””

The faculty members silently stare at the screen.

They had been replaying this part several times, but it was still difficult to overcome the shock.

The intensely fluctuating killing intent.

The mana waves extending to their limits.

The composure maintained even in dangerous situations.

Everything far exceeded student level.

As each person continued in complicated silence, someone unconsciously muttered:

“…Is this really a student who just entered the academy?”

The dazed voice was filled with surprise.

It seemed to represent the feelings of all faculty members currently sitting in the waiting room.

They stuttered briefly like malfunctioning magical devices, then began to overload.

“What did I just see?”

“Rewind to that scene quickly! Wasn’t something recorded incorrectly?”

“Impossible.”

“Is this magic possible at a student level…?”

“Did he cause dispersion by reversely utilizing minimal mana? That’s not a technique students can handle, it’s incredible!”

“Where did this kid come from?”

They look at the screen with excited eyes.

Perhaps because he had overturned the prediction of an overwhelming defeat, the faculty’s reaction was exceptionally heated.

It was truly the emergence of a gem that would leave its name in history.

“I didn’t expect much from the son of a snake… but what interesting talent.”

“To think there would be a genius surpassing even Her Highness the Princess.”

“This goes far beyond even graduate level, doesn’t it?”

“At minimum, assistant level… if we push it, he could even be considered professor level, right?”

“Ah~ That’s going too far.”

“I suppose so?”

The young professor scratches his head awkwardly.

It seems he had made an excessive evaluation.

The professors at Gallimar Academy were monsters, each one extraordinary beyond comparison, so there was no basis for comparison.

Of course… exceptions always exist.

This was intentional on the boy’s part.

During the process of breaking the barrier, he skillfully controlled his power and didn’t reveal himself beyond a certain level.

To others, the boy would appear to be merely “a rough gem of tremendous talent.”

“Still, it’s amazing.”

“Amazing doesn’t cover it. He’s better than the teaching assistants.”

“To reach this level at such a young age… his future looks promising.”

The faculty didn’t know.

The fact that the boy could easily slaughter all of them if he wanted to.

Sometimes ignorance saves lives.

The ignorant professors continued their heated discussion for a while.

“Everyone, please be quiet.”

The one bringing order to the noisy atmosphere was none other than the Chancellor.

The white-haired old man responded calmly. His unwavering pupils revealed his years of experience.

“Selena.”

“Yes, Master.”

“It seems we’ve determined the top student for the class placement exam.”

“Indeed.”

Selena gives a lukewarm response.

Her red eyes, soaked with fatigue, blink.

With her purple hair flowing carelessly, her delicate hand held a bottle of strong alcohol as always.

She clearly looked like a drunkard.

“······.”

The Chancellor deliberately swallowed his sigh.

He wanted to point out her attitude immediately, but he was currently somewhat indebted to her.

Reluctantly, he speaks in an admonishing voice.

“I made a mistake.”

“What do you mean suddenly?”

“About the freshman top student. I doubted the documents you approved and even pressured you with conditions.”

“Ah… well, yes.”

The woman shrugs indifferently.

It seemed like she hadn’t cared from the beginning, but as Chancellor, he couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“I knew you would answer like that… but is there anything you want?”

“What do you mean by ‘want’…?”

“I’ll grant whatever I can within my authority.”

“Hmm.”

Selena finally begins to show interest.

She remains silent for a moment as if deep in thought, then parts her lips with a faint smile.

“Then I’ll tell you. For this class, I would like to……”

The request that followed from his disciple.

The other faculty members’ pupils dilate at the unexpected content.

Her fellow professors stare at her blankly.

Regardless, Selena simply brings the alcohol bottle to her lips.

***

The plan had completely fallen apart.

Originally, I was going to lose spectacularly in the exam and give up the top position… but the situation became too complicated, leaving me no choice.

It was my mistake for not considering Sharlotte’s excessive consideration.

But the flow wasn’t entirely hopeless.

I managed to properly acquaint myself with the young prince and even exchanged a few casual words.

His reaction wasn’t bad either.

At least he didn’t seem wary of me.

‘Considering Sharlotte’s personality, he probably won’t go around talking about me either.’

It’s not like I can turn back time anyway.

Actually, there is someone who can do something similar… but it wasn’t the right timing to get involved with that person yet.

Let’s be satisfied with this for now.

With that thought, I raised my head.

The first thing visible through my blurry vision was none other than the circular arena.

“Hmm.”

I was watching the exam while seated in the waiting area.

Currently standing in the arena were a girl with pink hair and a blue-haired noble lady with a bun hairstyle.

I quietly check the match table.

[Test #23]

[Lezia Pillots vs Amelia Venatti]

‘A confrontation between the protagonist and the villainess…’

This was content I already knew from the original work.

I quietly recall that part.

[EP1. The Outsider]

Lezia enters the academy with an excited heart.

Waiting for her was an event… the class placement exam.

As a top-tier student, she felt pressure, but her expectation of meeting new people was greater.

She planned to get acquainted with the students through this opportunity.

-I’m going to make friends too.

-Ugh… I’m a bit nervous, but I’ll do my best!

Lezia, who had never had a single friend due to her wandering lifestyle.

She makes a resolution.

This time, she would definitely build good relationships.

And so, as she stepped confidently into the arena…

-How unimpressive.

The girl was utterly defeated.

Unfortunately, her opponent was unfavorable.

It was Venatti, the noble lady known as a genius second only to Sharlotte.

-You need to recognize your place.

-This is a place for those who qualify… not somewhere a mere commoner should aspire to.

The protagonist who entered as a commoner.

Naturally, the villainess treats her like a thorn in her side.

Then came the opportunity of the class placement exam, and Amelia thoroughly subjugated her opponent with skill.

Including her fragile heart.

-Leave, outsider.

A voice coldly directed at the girl.

The harsh words remain as a lasting wound in her heart.

That’s the general plot of the first episode, showing the protagonist’s struggles from the beginning.

“…I’m worried.”

An unconscious mutter escapes me.

Growth comes with trials.

I knew it was a necessary process, but I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.

As I watched the exam with troubled eyes:

“She’s really getting completely overwhelmed.”

“Miss Irene.”

The fox sitting next to me mutters.

The maid-dressed girl watching the exam while leaning against the backrest. Irene soon tilts her head and asks:

“But didn’t you say that pink-haired girl was a summoner last time?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why isn’t she summoning anything and fighting bare-handed?”

“Ah.”

Irene was right.

There wasn’t even a mouse to be seen in the circular arena.

The majestic wyvern she had shown at the entrance ceremony was nowhere to be found, and only a fragile girl was trembling in place.

I smile bitterly.

“There are circumstances.”

“Circumstances?”

“Lezia’s weakness… you could say.”

Lezia can’t use her abilities when she panics.

Mental strength, which is the top priority for summoning rituals, was overwhelmingly lacking compared to average people.

In urgent situations, her summons would mostly fail.

In fact, in the original game, when affected by “Confusion,” she would be unable to use any skills.

A powerful but high-maintenance character.

‘She eventually overcomes her weakness in the latter part, but…’

This was a point close to the tutorial.

In a way, it was natural for the exam to flow like this.

“That’s unfortunate.”

“It is unfortunate. But this too is part of Lezia’s charm.”

“But how do you know these things? The pink-haired girl wouldn’t have told you such stories…”

“Hehe… do you really want to know?”

I smile slightly.

Narrowed eyes and ominously curved lips. It was a smile that created an eerie atmosphere.

“…No, I’ll pass.”

“That’s a relief. I was wondering how to answer you.”

For some reason.

Everyone avoids my gaze when I smile like this.

Thanks to that, I’ve been using it effectively when difficult questions come up or when I want to avoid answering.

Irene slightly changed the subject.

“Anyway, won’t she get hurt at this rate? The pink-haired girl seems to only be able to use basic magic.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“On what basis?”

“Well…”

Although she appears as an extra villainess.

Amelia was a character who strictly adhered to her own principles.

She may have mentally broken Lezia several times, but she wasn’t the type to genuinely cause her physical harm.

“Actually, even as I say this… I can’t help but worry inside.”

“That’s unexpected.”

“Hmm?”

“You worrying about someone. I thought you wouldn’t worry about anyone.”

“Haha, how could that be? I’m merely a human being too.”

“…Are you really human?”

“No, what exactly do you think I am?”

“A chimera?”

“…Let’s drop this.”

I feel like we’ve had similar conversations several times before.

Psychopath, monster, and now chimera?

I was curious about what outlandish answer would come next.

‘After all I’ve done for her… she’s been treating me like Edward oppa inside.’

It was a lamentable fact.

With a sorrowful heart, I grab the fox’s tail.

“Eek?!”

“This is punishment.”

“W-wait…! N-not the tail! It makes me feel strange… hiiik!?”

“Accept it gracefully.”

I vigorously stroke the soft bundle of fur.

After disciplining the impertinent fox for a while, an announcement soon echoes.

It was a voice announcing the end of the exam.

《Test #23 has concluded.》

《Students who have completed the exam, please exit following the faculty’s guidance.》

Two girls stand in the arena.

The villainess turning her back with a cold atmosphere. Behind her, the protagonist kneeling.

《Lezia Pillots forfeits. The winner is Amelia Venatti.》

There were no surprises.

The pink-haired girl remained frozen for a while, then eventually stands up staggering.

She leaves the arena with trembling steps.

It was a particularly lonely-looking back view.

“Well… shall we get up too?”

“Already? There are still about 10 teams left.”

“There’s someone who needs me. When a friend is struggling, you should stay by their side.”

“What are you thinking now…?”

“Hehe.”

I smile instead of answering.

The sky I looked up at was particularly cloudy. With all those dark clouds, it seemed like it would rain.

I casually ask the fox:

“Miss Irene.”

“What.”

“It looks like it’s going to rain.”

“If you mean umbrellas, I brought them… there are only two of us, why did you tell me to prepare three?”

“Because there’s someone I want to share one with.”

I answer simply.

“I don’t want to leave them alone.”

Well then.

Shall we go give our protagonist some comforting pats?