Ch.99. Victory Banquet (4)

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Had people told her to treat Junon like a wall—to not even glance at him and just stand still?

They said he was someone who ruined other students’ grades and then, adding insult to injury, claimed he did nothing wrong before charging like a wild boar and throwing punches.

Class E’s troublemaker, the weakest vanguard. These were the nasty nicknames that defined Junon.

But the character Renias saw in Junon was the complete opposite of the rumors.

Just considering the incident that happened earlier proves it. He had grabbed her hand suddenly, but how did he handle it?

“He was someone who recognized his mistake and apologized sincerely. When he bowed his head in apology, it didn’t feel forced at all.”

There are people so steeped in prejudice and bias that they don’t even recognize their own mistakes.

Moreover, when pride gets involved, they can’t even apologize properly to others and create situations that make you cringe.

But at the very least, someone like Junon who could easily make such a simple apology couldn’t possibly appear as a bad person in Renias’s eyes.

“He seems to be hiding something… but on the surface, he was someone without any issues.”

I really shouldn’t blindly believe what only one side says.

With that thought, Renias shook her head at the students’ prejudice.

“But what did he mean by feeling uncomfortable?”

Victory banquets were held every time they returned from expeditions, and students were customers who offered congratulations and support from the position of sponsors of the banquet hall.

However, their conversation hadn’t properly concluded there.

-“Students are customers of the victory banquet hall anyway. Isn’t it fine for students to freely come and go?”

-“I’m from Class E, so I feel a bit uncomfortable.”

-“What does that mean?”

-“Well… there’s something like that. Anyway, it wouldn’t look good to be late to such a big event, right?”

There was only one reason for this exchange.

It was because Renias only knew about what happened in the light of Levrant Academy.

Junon immediately realized that Renias was still unaware of the academy’s darkness and set up an appointment.

There was no way this untainted, gem-like girl would notice this fact.

“I’ll just make an excuse about training with my senior at the right time and slip away. Sorry, senior.”

The silver-haired girl, planning to use her partner as an excuse, stuck out her tongue mischievously and sent a small apology toward her unseen senior as she headed toward Mizar Hall.

While Renias appreciated the support from nobles, professors, and students, she wasn’t particularly fond of banquets.

Not only did it seem like they were putting her on a pedestal, but the boisterous atmosphere quickly tired her out.

So, at some point, sneaking out of banquets had become a habit, and this time she planned to legitimately escape using the excuse of preparing for the end-of-term evaluation with Junon.

“Hmm♪~”

The girl hummed as she headed to the dormitory, unaware of the uncomfortable truth that would soon reach her.

***

The next day. After Princess Ophelia’s expedition team arrived at Levrant Academy, the academy honored their efforts with awards.

“You’re truly remarkable. With this, the northeastern part of Sheet has become virtually a safe zone.”

“It wasn’t just me; it was the entire expedition team, Professor Flocan.”

“You don’t need to be so modest. Leading twelve teams from the center position isn’t something just anyone can do.”

The current department head of Levrant Academy, Professor Flocan, elevates the princess’s achievements with a kind face.

Although Ophelia didn’t show it, she found his words distasteful. He completely omitted acknowledging the hard work of the entire expedition team.

Only the representatives of each of the 12 teams that made up the expedition were on the platform, with Ophelia at the front receiving the award.

She was displeased that the situation seemed to elevate her solely based on her status as Princess of Ardelion and her magical aptitude.

“It’s not just anyone who can do this—it’s those who, covered in monster fluids on the battlefield, directly strip off shells and carapaces, thrust weapons into them, and block the approach of dangerous claws and teeth toward us.”

“Sigh… Princess, you’re being stubborn again.”

Close-combat vanguards who deflect enemy attacks with their weapons and counter-attack, and close-defense vanguards who completely block incoming attacks.

True to the name “vanguard,” they take the front position, guarding the most dangerous place where monsters can reach.

Despite being in the position where their lives might be in the greatest danger, they entrust their backs to those behind them—the very embodiment of a position of trust.

“I don’t know how many times I need to tell you before you’ll give up your stubbornness. No matter how much the vanguards swing their weapons infused with magic, no matter how much the support classes hold back and weaken the monsters, it’s only the positions from center to rear that can deliver the final blow.”

Not content with restricting their actions, is he now trying to extend his reach to the support-class mages as well?

Ophelia swallowed her rising indignation and warned him once more.

“The correct understanding is that even that requires vanguards for magic with sufficient firepower to be cast.”

“You must have seen the simulations conducted at Mizar Hall. Vanguards are merely those who can only defend. If they wear out, they can simply be replaced with others—they’re just consumables.”

“Marquis Flocan!!”

Ophelia finally couldn’t hold back and shouted, but Professor Flocan responded without concern.

“My, shouting like that might reach the ears of the students below the platform. If the princess gets angry on such a good day, the students might think something strange.”

Ophelia knows better than anyone that even if this conversation were made public, the situation wouldn’t change.

The collusion between noble forces and faculty, along with the alliance of scions from prestigious families, creates an axis of public opinion that silently buries even existing incidents.

It would be the same even if someone courageous stepped forward.

Public opinion about the vanguard position is already at rock bottom, so they would instead blame those who raise the issue for causing discord without understanding the subject.

They might even use it as an excuse to extend their reach to support positions.

Half a year ago, a female student who served as a vanguard informed Ophelia that she was being threatened by Professor Flocan, but she ultimately couldn’t overcome Flocan’s manipulation of public opinion and ended up taking her own life.

Even after such an unfortunate incident, the academy’s public opinion remained unchanged, and the Grand Duke even came up to the platform to mention it this time.

Despite this, they brazenly continue with an attitude that says “try if you dare.”

“Tsk!”

Ophelia clicked her tongue at Flocan’s rebuttal, knowing that vanguards didn’t deserve such unfair treatment.

‘This so-called professor…’

He’s committing the most disgusting acts.

Watching his arrogant attitude as he brazenly displays his shamelessness with a face thick as steel makes her sick to her stomach.

A human who created conflict between positions by instigating student resistance and support, rather than differentiating based on ability.

And a human scum who solidified it as a social and educational policy through the method of class assignment.

That’s the true identity of Professor Flocan.

But even knowing this uncomfortable truth, Ophelia had to hide her expression as she came down from the platform, unable to take immediate action.

Even the Grand Duke expressed his difficulties, saying they had to let it pass for now since they only had suspicions…

“Please give a big round of applause to Princess Ophelia, our greatest contributor.”

-Clap clap clap clap!

“Next, Renias from the Arcab Party, please come up to the platform to receive your award.”

Once again, Marquis Flocan calls only Renias to the platform for the award, excluding Ronelion from the Arcab Party, which consists of only two people.

Ophelia had heard such words from Ronelion before.

-‘I’m fine, so don’t worry about it, Ophelia.’

What does he mean by “fine”?

She wishes he would raise hell and make a scene about the injustice, but Ronelion isn’t that kind of person.

And he even asked her not to tell Renias, saying that if they step in, the issue would only grow larger.

“Hoo.”

Ophelia took a deep breath in a well-ventilated place to cool down her heated body.

As Ophelia was calming her anger that had boiled up because of Professor Flocan, a deep, heavy voice reached her.

“It seems Professor Flocan said something again?”

The real role models for Levrant Academy’s students weren’t those who safely fired prepared magic from behind.

They weren’t the ones who insisted on elevating their own achievements or caused minor injuries to vanguards because they were stubborn about taking some trophies.

The person who should have received this award was this man who had come from the Artena Empire to the Principality and significantly reduced the expedition team’s casualties.

“…Yes.”

“I’ve mentioned this incident in the Principality through the vision orb. I’ve also sent the materials you’ve collected.”

The large-bodied man who approached Ophelia to report that he had handled her request was her childhood friend named Goden.

“Thank you, Goden.”

“No need to thank me for something like this. For now, even if you’re angry, please be patient a little longer. When news comes from the Empire, they’ll all back down.”

“I hope so. By the way… you seem to have grown a lot since I last saw you.”

“Haha. Do I? I was a bit of a runt when I was young.”

When Goden laughed and answered, Ophelia stood on her tiptoes to measure how much difference there was. Now the difference was immense.

“You were definitely shorter than me back then. Now I’d need to stack four of my faces just to barely match your height.”

“If I may say so to Princess Ophelia, I grew well, and you haven’t changed. Now you’re the runt, Princess.”

“W-what…?”

“By the way, now that you’re all grown up, shouldn’t you call me ‘oppa’… Owww!!”

With a cross-shaped vein popping on her forehead, Ophelia kicked Goden’s shin as if she couldn’t stand it.

“Is that your last wish?”

“Why are you hitting… No, are you trying to kill someone who came to help? That’s too much!!”

“I was just listening quietly, but it’s absurd. What? You want me to call you ‘oppa’?”

And she hit the exact same spot again. Goden started to dodge, saying it was unfair to hit the same spot.

“Hey! Stay still!”

“C-composure, Ophelia…!!”

“You’re talking about composure!”

“Sorry! I said I’m sorry!!”

As Goden tried to change the mood with a small prank, Ophelia’s face, which had been gloomy because of Professor Flocan, was now brightening.

The sight of the two reminds one of their childhood friendship.

Ophelia, a five-year-old child, and Goden, not the burly man he is now but a six-year-old little snotty kid.

The daughter of a duke’s family, a princess, and a commoner who lost his parents during the war—an ironic combination.

One was the only daughter of the only ducal family in the empire, and the other was the only son of a rural tenant farmer family among common commoners.

Although they seemed worlds apart, they became the best of friends.

Just like now—Goden teasing mischievously and Ophelia retaliating fiercely.

The two, who had been separated due to circumstances in the Principality, met again after 12 years and were catching up.

While Goden and Ophelia returned to their childhood during their reunion, the hollow award ceremony was already coming to an end.

***

The time had come.

As the sun slowly set, hired workers and maids bustled about, preparing the stage that would highlight today’s event.

The festival named the Expedition Victory Banquet was filling the chilly winter evening air with cheers and shouts, warming it up.

However, no one could enjoy this festival without entering it.

This was because people who were no different from security guards stood at the entrance, as if only selected people were allowed to enter.

“Ugh… it’s a bit chilly. I should have worn something more.”

Meanwhile, someone who hadn’t noticed this situation was feeling cold in just a white dress in the winter wind and took a seat in front of a brazier.

Saying she felt better now, her expression softened, and then, as if looking for someone, she tilted her head and muttered.

“I wonder when senior will arrive.”

As it happened, a silver-haired beauty was waiting on the terrace—a perfect spot to notice any commotion at the entrance—warming her hands.

Renias, as always, couldn’t enjoy the banquet and had slipped away to this terrace, saying she had someone to meet.

But no matter how much time passed, the senior she was supposed to meet didn’t come.

What greeted Renias was…

Bang-!

Instead of the voice of the senior she was supposed to meet, a mysterious noise from the entrance.