Ch.261Exploding NPCs. (2)

“Grace, is something bothering you?”

“Uh, huh?”

It was afternoon at the library after classes. Ira, Latina, and I were studying there to prepare for the final exams.

“Oh, no? Not really. Why do you ask so suddenly?”

“You don’t seem to be smiling much lately?”

“Y-yes, I felt that too. Is there perhaps some issue with your intermediate spirit?”

Oh dear, I’ve been trying hard not to let these two notice. Was it that obvious? But wait, have they always been paying attention to my smiling face? Really, Ira is so cute and kind. I really like her!

“Ahaha… Not particularly? I’m just being a bit more serious because I’m preparing for the finals. I need to take the top spot again.”

“You were overwhelmingly first in the midterms. Do you really need to worry that much?”

“That’s right! Grace, you take such good notes too, so I don’t think you need to be so tense!”

During the midterms, Ira and I tied for first place in the practical exam. Ira got a perfect score for defeating a monster that should have been handled by high school students. I received a bonus for effectively leading the children, resulting in our tie. I told the professor separately that I was following Ira’s instructions…

[Even if it was Ira’s knowledge, I heard that you were the one who immediately led everyone and executed that knowledge in a critical situation. So just accept it graciously and be happy.]

It seemed a bit forced, but the professor ended the conversation there. In the end, I achieved first place in both practical and written exams.

For reference, Latina ranked 9th in the written exam, and Ira was 16th. Ira’s score seemed lower than the ability she usually showed in class, but well, she might just be a bit weak in written test situations.

“But it’s really amazing. The fact that Grace, a first-year, contracted with an intermediate spirit, and that I could witness it up close—I think it was incredibly fortunate for me.”

“Yeah, it was so cool when that fiery spirit appeared like whoosh! And said ‘Let’s make a contract~’!!”

“Hehe. Someday Latina and Ira will be able to contract with intermediate spirits too. Actually, Latina, didn’t you say you had low spirit affinity before? But recently you contracted with two lesser spirits, right?”

“Yes. I was told I had practically no affinity at all, but somehow the spirits agreed to contract with me.”

Latina smiles shyly as she explains how two lesser spirits suddenly appeared on her way home and perched on her head and shoulder. She’s not quite as cute as Ira, but still really adorable!

As we chatted quietly in the library, we ended up talking more than studying.

“Ah! It’s time to go home now.”

“You’re right. I wonder if we’ve been distracting Grace from her studies.”

“Heh. You two were deliberately talking more because you were worried about me. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Eh! Ehehe… We’ve been found out.”

“Y-you noticed? But I’m glad. During our conversation, you were back to your usual self, Grace.”

Feeling healed by the sight of Ira and Latina grinning at each other after being caught, then smiling at me, we packed up our things and left the library. Phew…

“Oh, right. I forgot I needed to borrow a book from the library.”

“Hm? Then shall we…”

“No, it’s fine. Look, Mr. Gor is waiting over there. Ira and Latina, you two go ahead. I’ll just borrow the book and head home after.”

After saying a casual goodbye to the two of them and sending them on their way, I entered the library entrance, then came back out after seeing them walk away and headed toward the main building. Sigh, Ira and Latina are such good kids.

‘That’s why I didn’t want to part like this…’

Entering the main building, it didn’t take long to reach my destination—the Class A faculty office.

*Knock knock knock*

[Who is it?]

“Professor. It’s Grace Mueller. Do you have a moment?”

[Come in.]

Upon receiving permission to enter, I see the professor and a beautiful assistant(?) sprawled out sleeping on the sofa. Huh? Is it okay for an assistant to sleep like that while the professor is working?

“What is it? Was there something you didn’t understand in class?”

“Ah, no. That’s not it…”

I took out a paper I had prepared in advance from my pocket and handed it to the professor. Sigh, I really didn’t want to submit this.

“…This is.”

“I think I need to take a leave of absence after the final exams.”

“Classes end a week after the finals. Can’t it be resolved by then…”

“Our Mueller Baronial family is from a frontier territory that can’t spare troops for the Empire’s war with other countries. Moreover, there are rumors that nobles who don’t send troops will be treated as traitors.”

“Then, all the more reason for you to remain here…”

“I can’t stay here comfortably while leaving my family behind.”

“……”

Neither my father, mother, nor sister forced me to take a leave of absence. But reading their letters, I could tell. All three of them were telling me to ‘stay’ at the academy, trying not to burden me. But I’m a noble’s daughter who has contracted with an intermediate spirit. I can’t just receive protection with this kind of power! Even if I end up being dragged to the battlefield!!

“Do Ira or Latina know? You seemed close.”

“…I’d prefer not to tell them. I’ll be heading straight to the Empire after the final exams.”

“Weren’t they your friends?”

“That’s exactly why. They’re both so kind that they would worry too much.”

Hearing my words, the professor furrowed his brow as if getting a headache and rubbed his forehead. Then he took the paper I handed him, put it in a drawer, and spoke.

“Alright. We’ll handle this here. And, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Yes.”

“Where did you hear that information about treason?”

“…Do I have to tell you?”

At this point, every academy student knows that the Empire, Ponia, Aigram, and Neti are preparing for all-out war.

I don’t particularly want to take sides with either the Empire or Neti here. But there could be situations where I might unknowingly sell important imperial information.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’ve already heard about it from other students requesting leave. It’s just…”

“?”

The professor suddenly seemed to have difficulty speaking, stroking his chin and pursing his lips. Then he shook his head and spoke again.

“No, never mind. Just, if any problems arise in your territory, contact us immediately. There may not be support at the city level, but we need to be aware of our students’ situations.”

“…Yes.”

That was the end of our conversation. I left the faculty office, closed the door, and let out a deep sigh.

“…Why do they even have wars? Adults are truly stupid.”

The imperial princess who started the war that’s separating me from my friends, and the Empire itself. I can’t stand any of them.

*

“Stop pretending to be asleep.”

“…I wasn’t pretending? I just woke up during the conversation.”

Of course, I did wake up right when Grace knocked, but I don’t bother mentioning that part.

“The Mueller territory is close to Neti, but it’s closer to the Holy Church. As long as I focus on interception and Ponia aims for defensive warfare, there’s no reason for their land to be caught in the conflict.”

“I see.”

“With even the top student taking a leave of absence, I expect that if the war drags on, about one-third of the total students will be on leave by next semester.”

“That’s what I investigated and calculated.”

“The Mueller territory is probably anti-war as well.”

“It seems so.”

“…Don’t you have any thoughts about this?”

“I’m thinking Ira will miss her.”

As I stretch and speak, the headmaster clicks her tongue briefly. Well, she might be annoyed, but it can’t be helped. Even if she’s Ira’s friend, she’s still an imperial citizen. Getting involved in some way was inevitable.

“If the Empire touches the Mueller territory, or any territory where our students are from, I won’t stand by and do nothing.”

“The oath you took during the exam? You’d draw your sword right away, even though war preparations aren’t complete?”

I look at the headmaster in slight surprise, and she nods with her eyes closed.

“I’ve already broken a promise and an oath with the Spirit King once. How can I be the head of this city, the headmaster for these students, if I can’t even keep an oath I made to myself?”

“…I see.”

Hearing the completely changed headmaster’s words, I get up from my seat. I need to change clothes and prepare for the evening meeting.

“…Don’t make choices you’ll regret either.”

“Yes, I don’t plan to. I’m going to prepare for the evening meeting, so finish your work and come when you’re ready, okay?”

As I wave my hand while turning my back to her, I hear a small sigh. Really, she’s being too obvious with me.

I walk out of the faculty office into the hallway. And suddenly, looking out the window, I can see the school gate…

‘…Ira.’

As if she had been waiting for Grace to come out, Ira is standing at the gate with Gor. And Grace, upon seeing Ira, starts chatting with a smile. Surely, that child is also pretending to be strong, hoping Ira won’t worry about her.

‘…Don’t make choices you’ll regret, huh? But I’ve already regretted, so I have no choice but to choose.’

It’s not that I regret because I chose; rather, I’m choosing for the first time because I’ve been regretting until now. Watching Ira smiling brightly at Grace, I feel the corners of my mouth lifting, and I hasten my steps.

‘I have no reason not to protect what Jack asked me to protect. I just don’t need to involve others in it.’

I might get scolded by Jack, but I’m certain this won’t be something I’ll regret. And so, I began my ‘preparations.’