Ch.66The Seven Deadly Sins (2)

When I arrived at Dellin’s Lake, carried at Lepen’s side, the situation had already ended.

“Ah, Ruide.”

Amelia was holding Bedro up with one hand like a radish root.

Bedro’s body hung limply.

“You caught him already.”

“He was already near death. I think your magic was quite useful, Rui.”

One of Amelia’s powers, ‘Wide-Range Sword Energy,’ was the strongest technique she could use.

However, as the name suggested, it was a technique meant for multiple opponents, so it was somewhat weak against a single target.

But since Ruide had gathered and concentrated all the sword energy into a single point, its destructive power was beyond imagination.

The evidence was the deep crater now carved into Dellin’s Lake.

“…Truly impressive. Is this the legendary Windsor sword I’ve only heard about?”

“Professor, thank you for safely bringing my brother. Now, please put me down.”

Ruide jumped out of Lepen’s arms. Instead of landing, he just lay down.

“…Rui?”

“Sleepy.”

“Well, you did move around a lot today, for you anyway. Still, I’m worried.”

Amelia tossed Bedro aside like garbage and crouched in front of Ruide.

“Your stamina is so weak.”

“You’re just abnormally strong, sis.”

After stroking Ruide’s head once, Amelia stood up. She muttered while looking at the unconscious Bedro.

“If I hadn’t gone all out from the beginning, it would have been tricky. That Black Mage was trying to escape. If it weren’t for Ruide’s barrier, he would have succeeded. I don’t know how to prevent a Black Mage’s fog transformation. It’s all thanks to you, Ruide.”

Amelia looked up at the sky. A translucent membrane surrounded the space. It was one of Ruide’s preparations.

‘As expected, my brother is so smart.’

Amelia’s eyes were filled with affection.

She was so proud of how such a cute and smart child was born in Windsor. She was truly proud to be his sister.

Ruide said triumphantly:

“I told you, didn’t I? That we needed to lure him.”

“Yes. If it weren’t for you, we would have been in big trouble. Well done.”

Amelia smiled brightly. Then she glared at Bedro again and asked curiously:

“But how did you know? That he would appear in Dellin’s Forest?”

“It’s a feint strategy.”

This episode doesn’t end here. Actually, Bedro’s capture wasn’t even part of the original story.

Like most higher-ups, Bedro enjoyed setting up incidents and watching them unfold. Among Black Mages, there are different types, and Bedro was a ‘Necromancer.’

In other words, he was originally a very tricky opponent. Since he would only hinder Justin’s growth rather than help it, Ruide deliberately made him exit the stage a bit earlier.

“When stealing something, creating a distraction is standard practice. Dellin’s Forest is the best place to draw attention.”

“Hmm. I see.”

This seemed too complicated for Amelia to understand.

Ruide reached out to Amelia. She had a different role to play.

“I want to sleep. Carry me.”

“Y-yes, of course.”

Amelia lightly picked up Ruide and held him in her arms. Ruide wrapped his arms around Amelia’s neck and slowly closed his eyes.

And he muttered to himself:

‘Justin, it’s your turn now. It’ll probably be hellishly difficult, but… fighting!’

His role ended here.

What remained was the protagonist’s role.

**

Yawn! Miho opened her mouth wide and yawned.

“What is Ruide plotting?”

Hersy, Damon, and Irina were walking steadily through the second floor of the main building.

“Hmm. I’m not sure. But it seems like it’ll be fun.”

Irina’s narrowed eyes curved prettily. She linked arms with Hersy and spoke familiarly:

“By the way, do you like Ruide, Lady Hersy?”

Whoosh! At Irina’s sudden question, Hersy’s face turned bright red.

“W-what are you saying, Lady Irina?”

“Well, you know? A cute junior known as ‘Hersy of the Wind’ for being so aloof is following Ruide around…”

“That nickname is… because I’m a Minerva.”

“No, no. I’ve heard it. They say when someone tries to talk to you, you disappear with a whoosh, hence ‘Hersy of the Wind.'”

“……”

Hersy turned tomato-red and looked down at the floor as she walked.

“…Is it that obvious?”

“Oh my, oh my.”

Irina covered her mouth and slightly opened her eyes. It was a habit she had when seeing something interesting.

“Honestly, a little…?”

Hersy felt like all the hair on her body was standing on end.

With confused eyes, she asked:

“D-do you think Ruide has noticed?”

Irina briefly thought about Ruide and then shook her head.

“That boy wouldn’t notice even if a war broke out right next to him.”

“Right…?”

Hersy wasn’t sure whether to be happy or upset about that.

“What a trivial conversation.”

Damon clicked his tongue and folded his arms.

“My, what an impertinent little brother.”

“If you’re a princess, maintain your dignity, woman.”

Irina looked at Damon and smiled slyly.

“I gave up my princess status about 10 years ago. Isn’t it the same for you? Delinquent Prince.”

“Hmph, I’ve never once cared about such titles.”

When Lucius, the original crown prince, became emperor, both Irina and Damon gave up their titles as princess and prince and were granted the surname Kairos.

That was a story from over 10 years ago.

‘…They’re completely different from the Windsor family.’

Damon and Irina seemed to be on very bad terms. Beyond not getting along, they didn’t even appear to be close in the first place.

‘I guess Windsor is the unusual one.’

Just look at Amelia, who’s desperate to shower Ruide with affection. Children of noble families being close to each other is truly rare.

“Where is that commoner? It’s quite impudent that he doesn’t even show his face when I’ve personally come to see him.”

Damon put his hands in his pockets with a dissatisfied look.

“He’s probably in Room 9.”

“Oh? How do you know that?”

“…Calling me ‘you’? That’s quite rude.”

“Don’t mind the trivial things, Hersy.”

Yet Damon sweetly changed his form of address.

“Room 9 is next to the Chancellor’s office. From what I’ve heard, he stays in Room 9 and receives private tutoring from the Chancellor.”

“Private tutoring? Is that guy worth that much?”

“Well, I heard he has a rare attribute or something. Anyway, I understand it’s a rare case, so the Chancellor is personally instructing him. Though he seems to be struggling quite a bit, as the Chancellor isn’t exactly a kind person.”

“Huh, that old man must have been quite bored. Has he gone senile since stepping down as Chancellor?”

Soon, Room 9 came into view.

“Move aside.”

Damon opened the door to Room 9. Justin was indeed inside, along with four or five commoners and Catherine.

Damon walked in with heavy steps. Hersy and Irina watched his back.

“…Why did Ruide give such instructions? Does he dislike him?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m excited. To play the role of a suspicious squinty-eyed character who appears when conflict reaches its peak. I’ll definitely fulfill this role.”

Irina covered her mouth with her clenched fist. Her eyes were half-open with a slight blush on her cheeks. She was anticipating what was about to unfold.

**

Justin was chatting in Room 9.

“Do you even understand the value? It’s personal tutoring from the Academy Chancellor!”

Catherine was fiercely questioning him. Justin scratched his head.

“Well… it’s just really hard.”

“Ugh, how frustrating! Why would the Chancellor even bother with someone who doesn’t understand such value…!”

Recently, Justin had been receiving private lessons from Clifford.

After regular classes ended, he always went to the Chancellor’s office for various training.

Of course, Justin knew this was an incredible opportunity.

He knew, but…

“I just run for half the day. He’s never taught me magic even once.”

“…?”

All Clifford did was take him to the field and make him run.

“‘Physical strength is essential for a mage,’ he says. I’m doing it because he tells me to, but honestly… I want to quit. I must succeed.”

Justin had two goals. One of them was to succeed, return home, and give back to the people in his neighborhood.

For that, he absolutely needed magical achievements. But it was frustrating to keep wasting time on unnecessary things.

“T-that is a bit strange. I heard he was a fitness enthusiast, but I guess it’s true.”

“More importantly, Justin.”

At that moment, Jose, a commoner who had been quietly listening, seriously brought up a topic.

“Did you tell the Chancellor about it? The major contradiction in the merit-demerit system.”

Justin nodded.

“Of course, but he doesn’t seem interested.”

“Damn, so the Chancellor is on the nobles’ side after all.”

Among the commoners, there had been recent complaints that the ‘merit-demerit system’ was unfairly advantageous to nobles.

The system was supposed to award merit points for skill and demerit points for misconduct, but so far, the top ranks in the merit-demerit system were exclusively nobles.

This was because nobles generally had better magical skills and, having been taught etiquette, rarely violated rules.

“We need to unite. This garbage system is an evil practice that must be abolished.”

“Oh, but what’s an ‘evil practice’?”

Hans, the chubby son of a Kerben merchant sitting nearby, asked in admiration.

“…But using extreme methods isn’t good.”

“What do you mean not good! It’s our only means to stand against the nobles. If we don’t do that, who will listen to our discrimination!”

“Why do they need to tilt their ears? Do ears tilt?”

“We’ll just become like some of the nobles.”

“More importantly, listen to this. Guess what happened this time.”

…The commoners’ conversations were always all over the place like this. Justin sometimes felt frustrated.

But then.

“Hey, look over there.”

Damon was walking towards them.

What was he doing in Room 9?

But there was no way the delinquent Damon would approach commoners with good intentions. Justin raised his guard and said:

“…Damon Kairos.”

Damon was staring at him from the front.

Without saying anything, he raised his finger and twirled it.

“Huh?”

“Turn around, commoner. I have something to do.”

Justin blinked.

He wasn’t sure what it was about, but he did as told. It wasn’t a difficult request.

But then—

Thwack!

Damon kicked Justin’s backside!

“Ugh!”

Suddenly pushed, Justin fell to the floor.

Catherine approached with angry steps and shouted:

“What are you doing?!”

“Consider it an honor for your family.”

“……”

Catherine was left speechless by Damon’s overly confident attitude.

Justin, who had been mistreated, hurriedly got up. He was more bewildered than angry.

“Why, why suddenly do this?”

“Because I want to.”

Justin quickly regained his composure.

“This isn’t right behavior—”

“Well—”

Irina entered, clapping her hands lightly with a satisfied expression.

“Why are you two fighting?”

Damon frowned.

“…It’s not your turn yet.”

“…Was it not? Sorry. Should I, should I do it again?”

“Since you’re already here, continue.”

‘…What are they talking about?’

Justin couldn’t understand the situation.

Whether he understood or not, the situation continued to unfold.

Irina raised her index finger with a serious expression.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but fighting isn’t good~”

“……”

“Ah! How can there be fighting in the Academy… Argh, this is a disaster. I should have written down my lines!”

Irina pulled at her hair and hid behind Hersy.

Hersy sighed.

“You were too enthusiastic, Lady Irina.”

“R-really? Will Ruide be disappointed? I feel like he’s watching from somewhere…”

“Excuse me.”

Catherine’s brow was deeply furrowed.

“Would someone please explain what this is all about?”

Suddenly, Damon had kicked Justin’s backside.

Then Irina appeared with obviously awkward gestures and tone, trying to stop a fight.

A fight that hadn’t even started yet!

‘How little respect they have for people.’

Catherine was angry. These oblivious commoners might not know, but in the noble world, this clearly contained an insulting message.

“Why would you kick someone’s backside who was just standing there…”

Catherine, who was about to confront them proudly, had to stop.

“What should we do next…? Hersy, can you take over?”

“…I was only instructed to take a walk.”

“You really do answer like a model student who only follows the textbook.”

“Is, is that kind of woman boring?”

Beeeep—

A ringing sound echoed in Catherine’s ears. It sounded like a kettle.

She finally lost her temper.

“What on earth are you doing?!”

At that moment.

Crash!

The magic lamps started breaking one by one.

Crack—

The moment cracks appeared on the window.

Thud—

A pitch-black darkness where you couldn’t see an inch in front of you descended.

“I, I didn’t do anything.”

Catherine hurriedly waved her hands. Though it was too dark to see, she felt like everyone was staring at her.