Ch.256256. School Performance (2)

# Turning Back Time

Time to rewind a bit.

The morning of the talent show. The day of the final battle.

“But what exactly is the Elphante talent show?”

“…You’ve attended Elphante before. You don’t know?”

[I only attended briefly before being drafted into the Imperial Army. I didn’t even complete a year.]

“Ah.”

[And after that, I was immediately assigned to the Guardians with all my personal information classified. How would I know about talent shows?]

I see.

Elia also came to Elphante to find this person’s last traces, if I recall the setting correctly.

So here’s a general explanation for Calivan Chrysanyx who doesn’t know what this is.

“Well, as I mentioned before, it’s basically like an exposition.”

I say this while pulling open the curtains of the dormitory window.

Though it’s an exposition, the scale is somewhat extraordinary.

Looking up slightly, there were enormous letters engraved in the air with magical sparks.

It looked like massive calligraphy written across the sky. Or perhaps like the sky shows I occasionally saw in the world before my possession.

[Welcome to all distinguished guests attending the 1022nd Elphante Academy Talent Show.]

The number of times it’s been held is impressive, proportional to Elphante’s formidable history, but what’s even more noteworthy is the “money flex” itself.

Creating magical sparks of that size in the air would be impossible without pouring out mana stones like water. I wouldn’t be surprised if they spent about a month’s worth of operating costs for a major city.

Using that just for a welcome message is a performance meant to match the “caliber” of the visitors to this event.

“People gather from across the former Empire, no, almost the entire continent. It’s one of the largest events not just for Elphante, but for the entire Empire.”

In reality, the Holy Empire’s Grand Temple and the Tribal Union’s Crucible of Struggle also hold similar events, but they’re overwhelmingly inferior in both scale and the “quality” of the exhibits.

Though held only once every few years, it showcases all kinds of inventions and research results that are difficult to see elsewhere.

[…Do they normally call an event of this scale a talent show?]

Calivan expressed his disbelief, but this time I had to agree.

Honestly, an event of this magnitude wouldn’t be out of place if held in the Imperial Palace.

“It wasn’t always this big… The truth is, the Empire doesn’t have much to ‘show off’ to other countries.”

In terms of technology, they lag behind the Tribal Union, and in academic/cultural achievements or historical significance, they’re behind the Holy Empire that produced the first Hero.

Although the current Hero is Elia Krisanax, an Imperial citizen, that doesn’t give them a significant cultural advantage.

Therefore, the Empire’s greatest strength to showcase to other countries is the quantity and quality of its “human resources.”

“Every few years, they show off like this. If nothing else, this is what we do best.”

It’s like establishing dominance.

The “quantity” of various resources that’s on a completely different level from the Holy Empire and Tribal Union. Everything big, massive, and flashy.

And when you invest that much human resource, naturally some incredibly creative and innovative things emerge occasionally. So other countries come despite knowing the intention all too well.

“…Given those characteristics, it’s perfect for what I’m trying to reveal.”

The Darwood Campbell showcase, as it were.

To make an impact across the “entire continent” with what I’ve prepared, an event of this scale is necessary.

Saying that, I leave the room to head to the booth assigned to the Exorcism Club.

And as soon as I exit the dormitory room…

“Oh, we meet again.”

I encounter the gentle cyborg once more.

“…”

From Calivan’s reaction, I gathered that a Demonic Spire Executor is such a high-level talent that their mere appearance would astonish the entire Empire.

Isn’t he moving around too freely?

“Why such a lukewarm reaction? It’s not like we’re meeting for the first time.”

“…Well, no.”

I scratch my head as I answer.

His name was Alpha 11, wasn’t it?

As I awkwardly trail off, the Demonic Spire Executor falls in step beside me with a friendly gesture.

As we walk in stride, I can feel the gazes around us shifting in our direction all at once.

“…What brings you here?”

I asked with confidence that he surely hadn’t come just to see the talent show, and judging by Alpha-11’s shrug, my prediction wasn’t far off.

“I came as an escort. That person was so insistent on seeing you.”

“…”

I immediately felt a sense of foreboding upon hearing those words.

Considering what this person said when he came looking for me recently, and the troublesome individual who keeps trying to appear…

And as soon as we arrived at the Exorcism Club’s booth, my anxiety was proven right.

[My sooooon-!]

“…Professor Astrid. Are you planning to commit filicide?”

The sight of a 5-meter giant robot trying to embrace me fiercely, only to be restrained by Alpha-11, was undoubtedly a scene that would inspire metaphysical terror even now.

#

[My, my, look at all these faces. Every single one of them is beautiful?]

“…”

“…”

“…”

Serath, Victoria, Faynol Leiphec, and even Elia were frozen with expressions that suggested they had no idea what to say.

In truth, anyone in their position would probably wear the same bewildered expression.

The primary reason being the steel giant who couldn’t even enter the booth and was speaking in a booming voice from the entrance.

And secondly…

[Son. Where did you find all these beautiful people to date?]

“…”

[Son?]

“…”

[Son…?]

“…”

There was Darwood Campbell, who was determinedly ignoring the steel giant.

His perfect disregard for the steel giant’s pitiful attempts to strike up a conversation was truly an impenetrable wall…

“…”

But even the tight-lipped Darwood had plenty to say internally.

‘This is full of strange points.’

If communication had been possible in any way, there would have been no reason not to come looking until now.

It’s also true that it’s difficult to empathize when someone you’ve never seen since birth suddenly claims to be your mother.

Regardless of the other party’s desperate attitude, there are plenty of reasons not to be pleased.

And above all…

‘…What about father?’

Setting aside the lack of discussion about his mother, as a family member, he knew all too well how large a portion this person occupied in Armin Campbell’s life.

His father’s room was still filled with his mother’s belongings.

From when he was young until he became a grown adult.

For those decades, meticulously maintained.

How much must he have missed this person to do that?

How significant must this person have been to him?

And yet.

Despite being able to come looking like this.

Not even once.

Not even once, to that person…

“…”

Darwood Campbell’s expression grew even more furrowed.

With a face that suggested he didn’t even want to deal with the situation, he sighed and stood up.

“…I’m going to make my presentation.”

[Ah…]

Before the steel giant called Professor Astrid could say anything, Darwood jumped up from his seat and left the booth without looking back.

An awkward silence immediately filled the space.

Everyone from the Exorcism Club present, and even Alpha-11, couldn’t help but watch Astrid’s reaction.

“…Are you alright?”

In response to the electronic voice tinged with concern, Professor Astrid let out a small laugh.

[Well…]

The steel giant sighed deeply and folded its arms.

[I’m not being welcomed as warmly as expected, it seems.]

“…”

Perhaps.

Those who detected that subtle ‘change’ in that moment were the more perceptive ones.

As soon as Darwood Campbell left his seat, the ’emotion’ mixed in the voice flowing from the steel giant became very subtle.

[Still, he grew up well. It was good that I came out, even if I had to push myself.]

As if.

As if there was no longer anyone to be ‘mindful of’.

[…Other than that, he’s as irritating as I remember.]

The ‘warmth’ that had been in that voice disappeared all at once.

Non-human. Non-personal. Beyond that, non-organic.

The ‘humanity’ that remained in some fragmented form seemed to switch off as soon as Darwood Campbell disappeared.

What flowed out was only a terribly inorganic voice.

[So.]

Perhaps more people detected the change in the following sentence.

On the surface, it doesn’t seem much different. But what underlies that sentence is…

A deep ‘contempt’ for the other party.

[So you’re the thieves who don’t know your place?]

-In an instant.

The air began to cool rapidly.

#

Selim Bronx of the Imperial Security Council was feeling tremendously bored.

The Elphante talent show attracts all sorts of people from various countries, making it a hotbed for incidents. Naturally, the Empire doesn’t want such a major event to be ruined, so elite agents like her are often deployed.

‘…This seems much worse than the previous talent show.’

Despite being entrusted with such an important mission, all she felt was terrible boredom.

Everything was either strange discoveries with no clear application, research that was impractical and merely showy, or lacking even the flashiness to catch the eye.

Of course, since the talent show is typically a major event, there are still many presenters remaining, but with such a start, it’s hard to have high expectations for what’s to come.

That sentiment was further amplified during the next club’s presentation.

‘…Exorcism Club?’

Even the name is strange.

The presentation will probably be as useless as those from the previous presenters.

What kind of worthwhile presentation could come from that unremarkable-looking man by student standards…

“Everyone.”

While Selim was thinking that and yawning…

“What do you think is the best way to eliminate war from the world?”

-Suddenly, such.

A suspiciously odd topic was dropped.