Ch.212212. Stupid Senior (2)

# Always, there were words on people’s lips.

The top second-year magician with Mizar-type magic.

The Arkab Party.

The Lantana Ducal Family.

These were always glossy titles that I heard, but such modifiers never bothered me.

On the other hand, the phrase that concerned me most…

“Daughter of the hero couple who saved the Artena Empire.” Being called the child of Lord Alcaide and his wife.

People say:

As the child of heroes, she’ll achieve just as much.

Everyone expects it.

With such bloodline, she’ll surely become the greatest magician. And being a Mizar type only inflates those expectations further.

So the girl tried her best.

To honor the reputation of her mother and father who left behind great achievements before their honorable deaths.

She learned magic. Starting with basic spells, she gradually mastered high-level magic.

She received much advice to freely handle any spell, practicing over and over.

Naturally, she became able to summon her magic armor, and within days could overlay magic onto weapons.

That was the Shell-type armor, the next stage after Mirage-type. She learned it was the most commonly used armor in actual combat.

When the faculty told her she was sufficiently prepared, she happily left the training room to step onto the battlefield.

What meaning would there be in letting well-honed magic go to waste? Now that she could handle magic armor, it was time to face real magical beasts.

Her first beast subjugation went smoothly. People praised her for being amazing, and from then on, she felt some relief.

“Wow. Impressive.”

“Your future looks promising.”

“As expected of Miss Renias.”

…

Relief? There wasn’t even time to savor such a thing.

‘No. I’m being praised. I just need to work harder. I’ve been granted permission to participate in magical beast subjugations regularly, right?’

She bowed deeply and smiled, thanking them for their praise.

People’s expectations are a good sign, aren’t they? At least I’m not disgracing my parents.

From then on, she trained even harder.

Then one day.

She made a mistake.

On the battlefield, her eagerness led to an error.

Of course, since it was Ophelia, no one was hurt… but that doesn’t erase the fact that she made a mistake.

Ophi encouraged her, saying anyone could make mistakes. Her uncles and aunts also cautioned her not to be too hasty, but… as always.

She just needed to smile and say it was fine. That she’d do better next time, showing a clenched fist with a smile, and everyone would stop worrying. But why did they all sigh with anxious looks? It was strange.

After her first mistake, she didn’t hesitate to train to handle magic perfectly, which meant she got more sleep at night. Ah, her personal time also decreased a bit.

Postponing social gatherings like parties, clubs, and salons became routine. Even for meals, a piece of bread from a street vendor became more convenient than steak.

People who observed this would nod and say, “As expected, Miss Renias is such a model student.” This must be another positive sign, right?

As time passed.

She awakened her unique magic alongside her twin brother, Ronelion—Ron for short—who had a strange habit of challenging her.

While the awakening process typically follows germination, they were said to have awakened to their unique magic unusually quickly.

Moreover, since their magic type was Mizar, their learning speed increased exponentially.

When she asked what that meant, the explanation didn’t really resonate with her. It wasn’t important anyway.

After officially receiving permission for beast subjugation, she always went to the battlefield with Ronelion.

Usually taking the role of a sorceress, delivering finishing blows to beasts or countering their firepower, she was never in danger of getting hurt.

Ronelion… occasionally got injured, but he said he never had any serious wounds.

After a week, a month, a year. As time passed, their names gradually became known, and seeing how they could defeat beasts even as a duo, they were exceptionally granted the right to establish a party.

Establishing a party? It seemed like a pretty good idea. A party was proof that their names were recognized.

Since it was an award given by the state in recognition of their contributions, it finally felt like they were making progress.

Although Ronelion initially opposed it, he gave in after a little persuasion. Thus, they successfully established their party.

They named it the Arkab Party, after their mother’s middle name.

After accumulating achievements, they were granted middle names—the twins each took names from the binary star Arkab.

Soon after, everyone—uncles, aunts, and even Ophi—said their accomplishments were impressive enough and told them not to push themselves too hard.

That’s when she realized. Everyone had noticed. That’s what “don’t push yourself too hard” meant.

But even if they noticed, she couldn’t be satisfied with her current state. Not after coming this far.

So she continued to work diligently. As always, for the sake of her parents’ reputation.

…

However.

Was it around the time the Duchy’s army was marching to subjugate Defornice III?

Yes. It was probably from then.

Sensing a strange magical energy, she rushed outside the academy thinking some spell had been cast, but nothing seemed significantly changed.

Yet… things were very different. Because she saw people pointing fingers at her and openly speaking ill of her.

“Acting like you’re giving advice, but actually looking down on us, right?”

“What? What do you mean…”

“Smiling on the outside, but really? You’re mocking us inside, aren’t you?”

“N-no. Why would I…”

“You probably never intended to teach us. Being Renias of the Arkab Party, you must think lowly creatures like us could never catch up.”

A senior who had asked for advice on magic phase control suddenly turned away with sarcasm.

It was strange. Normally, this senior would nod and thank her with a smile…

Maybe they were just in a bad mood today. Let it go.

But afterward.

At the academy, she had to hear words close to condemnation.

Usually, just giving a smile meant no other words were exchanged. Why now?

She wasn’t angry. Just… a bit shocked. About people changing so suddenly.

With incidents following one after another at the academy, there were twisted students like Cayden or Demian, so she let it pass.

But soon, she heard the words she feared most.

“Is this all you can do?”

“With such a bloodline, this is your limit?”

“Your mother and father would be so ashamed. To have such a flawed daughter.”

This won’t do.

It might be fine if I’m the one being criticized, but my mom and dad shouldn’t be condemned.

“I-I’ll work harder! I’m sorry!”

She immediately bowed her head. Though the gap might have narrowed, she couldn’t tarnish the reputation of her parents who saved the empire with her own flaws.

From then on, she didn’t even wonder why people who had always been friendly were acting this way.

I need to do better. I need to work harder.

With such thoughts, she kept bowing her head, when suddenly:

“How nice, Renias. Being an honor student, do you see insignificant people like me as bugs?”

Senior Junon appeared.

“Senior Junon…?”

“Why do you call my name like that? Why not just call me a bug? Isn’t that what you really think?”

Why is the senior acting like this?

They’re not the type to say such things.

They wouldn’t say the same things as those people.

I can assert this.

We’ve worked as partners before, and I’ve continuously received advice on physical enhancement.

Unlike others, they never ask anything. They’re someone who doesn’t attach any modifiers.

Just remembering the senior’s figure from a few days ago, head bowed low while being stoned, I could assert they weren’t the type to blame others.

‘Then this is…’

Raising her head with doubt, she realized people weren’t acting normally.

It was a poor-quality hallucination created by a wave imbued with a spell. That’s when she recognized it as a mental interference magic.

When she cleared her mind with magic and opened her eyes to reality, the surroundings were already in chaos. She was shocked to see people glaring at each other, ready to kill.

It was a hallucination that brought many thoughts, but addressing the situation was the priority. In the midst of it, she naturally met Senior Junon.

Seeing the normal senior, she finally felt relieved.

At the same time, she wondered if she could have escaped that magic without Senior Junon.

Anyway! Afterward… she knocked out academy students and faculty affected by the illusion magic to prevent injuries.

When the lycans invaded, she helped Senior Junon in the defense battle. Additionally, they cleared up the misunderstanding with the Lycan tribe. All this was clearly orchestrated by one person.

Then she naturally blurted out:

‘As expected, Senior Junon is… Ah?’

Those words they said while looking at her.

‘I see.’

The statement that they expected that person would succeed.

Though the intention was close to expectation, to the person concerned, it felt like an unexpected burden.

Having spent years striving for near-perfect results, she now understood why the senior had said such things.

Was that why they didn’t try to get close to people?

Even when deserving praise, they passed it off casually without claiming it as their achievement?

Is that why Senior Junon said they feared expectations?

If so…

She wanted to ask. Right away.

The urgent fires had been mostly extinguished, so now she could go find the senior and ask.

“Hehe. Sir, I saw you talking with Senior Junon earlier… Do you know where they went?”

But Senior Junon was nowhere to be seen.

During the fight, briefly. Before the lycans invaded, when she was knocking out students, briefly. And before that… were they with the Lycan tribe?

Anyway, since they weren’t visible now, she thought those people might know.

“Hmm? That friend…”

She was told the senior had already left Lebrant. Around the time the defense battle against the lycans was wrapping up, they left the rest to her and others.

Borrowing a horse and riding as fast as possible towards Algenib Province, she found another battlefield unfolding there.

The fact that they had reached this place after knocking out or subduing people in Lebrant, fighting a round with the lycans, and still making it here…

The ominous feeling intensified once more.

Though this was reality and not a dream, it was clear the senior intended to move alone, just like during the hostage situation at Dubekan.

After finishing the battle and dealing with the Lycan troops under the Sacred Emperor’s control and the Beholder, just as things were wrapping up.

Turbid and sticky magic surged from the lakeside.

In response, another magic rose from the lakeside.

Pure and clean, the senior’s distinctive magic was detected.

She feared the worst, but as the two magical forces collided…

“Senior!!”

She saw them barely supporting their body in front of the Sacred Emperor.

“Senior? What should I do…! Don’t close your eyes… Huh?”

Without time to think, she went down to the lakeside, and Senior Junon immediately collapsed.

Kneeling and sitting on the ground, she laid their head, covered in cold sweat, on her thigh.

Afterward, she called for medical staff and prayed for their recovery.

But then.

“You foolish senior. How is this okay?!”

It doesn’t look okay at all.

Not only were they busy running around everywhere, but they were also the most injured this time too.

“You could have at least said something before leaving, you could have asked me for help!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, she vented her anger.

***

“I’m sorry, Renias.”

Junon whispers from their face buried in her chest.

Despite stroking her back along with the apology, it doesn’t quell her anger.

She’s not sure why she’s so angry. Reflecting on the cause, the senior was injured fighting to subjugate the Sacred Emperor, an enemy.

“What is it this time? Do you have another plausible plan or reason for doing this alone again?”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering?!”

“I’m sorry. For getting hurt like this.”

“Senior…”

Again, they don’t tell her.

They try to gloss over it with apologies, hiding and concealing what they’re keeping secret, never revealing it.

As expected, the senior is again shouldering something alone.

Now she understands why she’s angry.

Because they recklessly used magic to subjugate the Sacred Emperor alone and got seriously injured as a backlash?

Because she was worried they slept for so long without waking up?

While not incorrect, both were far from the reason for her anger.

‘You promised not to lie to me…’

She had known for a while that the senior was a liar. She confirmed it when watching them leave the hospital, and afterward, she asked them not to lie in front of her.

That meant she would help if there was a problem, that they could call on her anytime.

Because there was no one else to help them.

Since the senior was always getting involved in incidents, they needed at least one person to help.

That’s why she offered. That she would take their hand whenever they needed help.

But they repeatedly refused to grasp this hand.

They try to deceive with words like “it’s fine,” and with a faint smile saying “nothing’s wrong,” they never reveal their old secrets.

‘But you know what, Senior?’

Lying? That’s what I’ve done the most.

I know best about wearing a smiling mask in front of people and pretending not to be struggling.

Who are you trying to deceive?

Having acted that way for years, I’ve noticed everything—that you’re hiding something, the deception, and even the existence of another face hidden beneath your skin.

I can’t let it go anymore.

“Renias? I can’t move like this.”

“That’s the point. I don’t want you to move.”

“What? Even so, this kind of joke is a bit…”

“It’s not a joke, so tell me now, Senior. What have you been hiding all this time?”

The senior tried to push her away, saying they didn’t understand what she was talking about.

The more they tried, the tighter she wrapped her arms around their face. With the intention of not letting go until they spoke.

After holding them tightly for a while, a warm breath touched her chest. It was a sigh.

“It’s true that I deliberately didn’t immediately dispel the rumors spreading among students. I had my reasons.”

And then they continued.

Information about the ampoule analysis results heard from Aunt Dalia.

The connection between the corpse found at Dubekan and Demian.

The situation facing the Lycan tribe and their story, mentioning Calix and Pimpert summoned by the Sacred Emperor.

They claimed they didn’t dispel the rumors because of Pimpert’s mental interference magic, and alerting someone would only bring confusion.

In summary, circumstances that started from suspicion linked one after another, leaving no room for breaks, and consequently, they had to push themselves through successive battles.

“That’s not all, is it?”

But Renias knows. That’s not everything.

If she were to point out everything they’ve been hiding, she could hold a hearing.

Junon remains silent for a long time before finally giving an answer.

“The rest after I recover. Please wait until then. For now… even my head isn’t clearly organized.”

“…Really?”

“Really. I can promise.”

Though the tone was somewhat subdued, it didn’t have the nuance of never speaking about it, so she also took a step back.

As if to say she wouldn’t forgive any retraction, Renias took Junon’s hand, placed it on her palm, and hooked their pinky fingers.

“Next time… if anything happens, tell me too. Please. You get hurt like this because you don’t.”

Junon nods and thanks her for the concern.

It seemed like the conversation between the two was wrapping up, but.

‘Should I ask for this promise too?’

It’s not something to say in this atmosphere, but she had a ominous dream.

Though the frustration was resolved, the uneasiness from the dream still lingered.

Renias was about to ask for one more promise.

At that moment. A voice checking the situation comes from the entrance of the hospital room.

“Um… can I come in now?”

The owner of the voice is Charlotte, with her distinctive blue roll-bun hair, peeking her head in hesitantly.

Outside the door, Senia also raises the corner of her mouth with a smirk, watching like an exciting drama.

Judging by the question of whether they could enter now, they seemed to have seen everything from beginning to end.

“Uh, uwaaa?! This is nothing! What you saw! It’s nothing…!”

“Hmm~? By ‘nothing,’ do you mean how you two were hugging tightly?”

“Forget it…! Please forget it…!!”

Renias’s face turned as red as a ripe persimmon.