Chapter 182

“It’s bleak.”

That was my honest impression.

The atmosphere was exactly what you’d expect from a military city.

Armed soldiers were visible here and there on the streets.

There were several places with signs saying ‘No Entry’.

They seemed to be locations with military secrets.

It was completely different from the Holy City, which, despite being a religious city, had a free atmosphere.

“Haha, it is a bit like that, isn’t it? There are a lot of professional soldiers here.”

Allen responded, scratching his head.

Professional soldiers, unlike conscripts, serve while receiving regular pay.

Naturally, they were elite soldiers.

As befitting its nickname ‘City of Iron’, the quality of the soldiers seemed quite high.

“Hmm, this place is sturdy.”

Riviera commented bluntly.

I’m not sure why she’s evaluating that first, but getting the Blood Witch’s approval meant that the defenses here were certainly ironclad.

‘At least there won’t be any problems from outside,’ I thought.

Well, I had already judged that the possibility of any issues arising, aside from the exchange competition, was extremely low.

“We-We seem to have arrived.”

Elaine, who had now become our classmate, spoke up after a long time.

She had looked unwell throughout the journey.

I knew the reason.

It was because she couldn’t ride horses for long periods.

It seems that no matter how extraordinary, a mage is still a mage.

“Indeed.”

As Elaine said, the knights and soldiers guiding us led us to a place with a large iron gate that was impressive even at a glance.

Beyond that iron gate, a wide area with several large buildings was visible.

The knight spoke.

“We’ve arrived, everyone. This is the Schwarzfeltz Knight Academy.”

We had finally arrived at the Schwarzfeltz Knight Academy.

* * *

“…It’s completely like a military academy.”

That was my second honest impression.

If the Lepheria Academy I attend is like a university campus full of youth and romance, this place is not a university but a military academy itself.

First of all, the atmosphere was completely different.

While Lepheria Academy has a very free atmosphere, this place has a stiff, rigid atmosphere.

The faces of the students were also full of discipline.

This was especially evident in the relationships between seniors and juniors.

At Lepheria Academy, the relationships between seniors and juniors are basically like those in a normal university.

In contrast, here they treated seniors as if they were superior officers.

Starting with the energetic salute as a greeting, it felt like I might get PTSD.

‘Damn… If I had been possessed into this place, I would have just reset my life.’

This is just like going back to the military.

…I’m really fortunate it’s Lepheria Academy.

“Tastes bad.”

Riviera shook her head and put down her fork.

The dry, soulless-looking food on the military-style tray.

It looked tasteless just by looking at it.

It was incomparable to Lepheria Academy, where you could freely choose your favorite dishes from a high-class buffet.

“I-I agree.”

Even Allen, who was from the kingdom, couldn’t defend it and readily agreed.

He seemed to dislike the taste too, forcing himself to eat as if chewing stones.

“…Happiness was not in a distant place.”

Grateful for the massive donations from the religious order that made the beautiful welfare of Lepheria Academy possible, I also put down my fork.

Even the simply salt-seasoned wild game meat that my High Elf senior would grill on the spot tasted much better.

“Am-Am I the strange one?”

Elaine asked, flustered.

True to her character as the typical poor heroine, she was eating this flower-blooming food of hardship without much trouble.

I sincerely respect her.

“No, no. Everyone’s taste is different, right?”

I shook my head.

I couldn’t hurt the pitiful poor heroine.

Just then,

Someone approached our table.

“Well, well, it seems the students from the renowned Lepheria Academy have refined tastes?”

Words that anyone would perceive as sarcastic.

I looked at the guy who spoke those words, as if observing him.

A male student with a prominent scar on the corner of his mouth.

His uniform had the insignia of a third-year student.

Since the Schwarzfeltz Knight Academy is a three-year program, he was one of the highest-ranking students.

Come to think of it, I think I saw lower-grade students saluting him with even more tense faces when he passed by earlier.

Is he the boss?

If so, that means…

‘Is he trying to establish dominance in advance? How childish.’

I twisted the corner of my mouth.

“I don’t like to argue about food.”

“For someone who doesn’t like to argue, you seemed to be chewing quite enthusiastically. Right, Allen?”

The guy tilted his head and acted familiar with Allen.

They seemed to know each other.

“N-No, not really.”

Allen denied it.

Far from being close, his expression was stiff, as if he disliked the guy.

“Hmph, you’ve changed since going to that famous academy, haven’t you?”

“…Don’t insult our academy, Raquel.”

“Huh…?”

Raquel, as he was called, opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

He seemed surprised that Allen had expressed his opinion clearly without stuttering.

Ha, kid.

It’s a mistake to think he’s still that glass-hearted, timid Allen from before.

I’ve been feeding him experience and raising him diligently.

“Well, well, I’ve lived long enough to see everything.”

Raquel’s expression showed he was forcibly suppressing his rising temper.

If he had been alone with Allen, he probably would have grabbed him by the collar already.

He looked like that kind of guy.

Raquel glared at Allen with the eyes of a bully.

Then,

“Wait. Don’t tell me…”

Raquel looked at Allen in disbelief.

“You’re in the Royal class? Someone like you?”

He must have seen the Royal class insignia.

“So what?”

Allen responded, his eyes filled with strength.

It’s worth raising him.

“Puhahaha!”

Raquel suddenly burst into laughter.

Wiping tears from his eyes as if he couldn’t hold back, he spoke again.

“This is rich… Lepheria Academy must have gone to the dogs too. To think that the idiot eldest son of the Benesse family would be in the Royal class.”

Allen’s clenched fist tightened.

Seeing that, I intervened.

Because when usually quiet people snap, it can be even more chaotic.

“And who are you?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking who you are.”

“Me? I’m Raquel Vanderas, the proud class president of the 3rd year, 1st class of Schwarzfeltz Knight Academy.”

He introduced himself, puffing out his chest and tilting his head up with pride.

But.

It’s not a name I’ve heard before.

Meaning he’s not even villain-level, just a small fry.

And this small fry dared to laugh at Allen?

I sneered.

“I see. If someone like you is the class president of the 1st class, then Schwarzfeltz Knight Academy must have gone to the dogs too.”

I threw his words right back at him.

Raquel’s expression turned ugly.

“How dare you! Are you insulting me, Raquel?”

“It seems you were the one who insulted first, though.”

“You insolent…!”

The situation was about to explode.

Tap.

Someone grabbed Raquel.

“That’s enough, class president. The place to break their arrogant pride isn’t the dining hall.”

A large male student.

He looked capable at a glance.

“Yeah, yeah, class president. They say even dogs shouldn’t be bothered while eating.”

A female student with cat-like slanted eyes.

Her skill at subtly provoking while seemingly trying to stop the fight was not ordinary.

‘Ha, interesting.’

I realized.

These must be the culprits who caused severe injuries to the third-years every time I played the game.

“Huff, right. You’re right. This isn’t the place for this.”

Raquel calmed down and composed himself.

He wasn’t just a figurehead, it seemed.

Raquel looked alternately at me and Allen, smiling with bared teeth.

It was exactly the smile of a beast baring its teeth in threat.

“Look forward to the day after tomorrow. Rest well and be in your best condition to entertain us.”

“The same goes for you.”

“Hmph.”

Raquel and his group turned away with a snort.

“Th-Thank you, Team Leader.”

As soon as they disappeared, Allen expressed his gratitude to me.

But why is he stuttering again?

I really can’t understand him.

“It’s ten people, right?”

“Huh?”

Ten representatives from each class.

It was called an exchange competition for growth.

But in reality, it was a fierce battle where pride was at stake.

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

“You must participate too.”

“M-Me?”

“Is there a problem? You’re ranked 10th in our year.”

“That’s true, but… I feel like I’m still lacking in many ways…”

“That’s why you need to fill those gaps, idiot. Do you think they’ll fill themselves if you just sit still?”

“Ah, I see…”

“Good, let’s pulverize them together.”

Riviera chimed in, clenching her cute fist.

Her gaze turned to Elaine.

“Love rival too.”

“Ugh… I’ll just… and stop calling me love rival!”

Elaine complained.

…Sorry, I can’t handle her either.

“Betrayal not allowed.”

“Be-Betrayal? Why are you saying that?”

Elaine looked like she was completely at a loss.

“Then, fighting!”

Riviera forcibly brought our hands together.

“Fi-Fighting…”

“Fighting…”

“…What are you doing, it’s embarrassing with everyone watching.”

We ended up doing a group cheer, resolving (?) ourselves.

Ah… I want to leave this place quickly…

But just then,

Riviera whispered in my ear.

“Have something to talk about.”

* * *

The girls’ dormitory.

…Who am I, and why am I here?

I shouldn’t be here.

But someone forcibly dragged me here, so I had no choice.

It was truly a semi-forced abduction.

“Sit down.”

“Where…?”

“On the bed.”

“Hey, that’s a bit… Whoa!”

Thud.

A small hand pushed my body, and I was forcibly made to sit on the bed.

Riviera swiftly threw herself down next to me.

“What’s the big deal? It’s not the first time, it’s the second.”

She was referring to the time during the festival when she dragged my drunk self into her room.

…It’s truly a dark history.

She even made a not-so-joking joke about taking responsibility, which scared me so much.

“Sigh, fine. Whatever happens, happens.”

I continued with a resigned face.

“So what did you want to talk about?”

“Hmm.”

Riviera’s mood had changed from earlier.

I had sensed it from the moment she first spoke to me.

That’s also why I had obediently followed her.

“Something’s bothering me.”

Riviera said bluntly.

“Something’s bothering you?”

My expression turned serious, tinged with surprise.

It was because these words came from Riviera, of all people.

The Blood Witch Riviera.

Although she had an incomprehensible mindset, she wasn’t someone who would say such things lightly.

“Yeah.”

“What is it?”

“Hmm.”

Riviera stared blankly into space.

She seemed to be thinking, or perhaps choosing her words.

Seeing her reaction, I suddenly had a guess.

‘Perhaps.’

There might be a reason why she can’t give me a detailed explanation.

And if that’s the case, it means…

‘It’s related to the organization.’

The secret she’s hiding from me.

The fact that she’s an executive of the Red Rain organization.

It would be a secret she could never reveal.

And if it’s related to such an organization…

It’s understandable why she can’t explain it to me.

Then, the speculation leads to one more thing.

‘The heart.’

By taking the heart that was important to them first, I’ve been completely marked by Red Rain.

Even so, as long as I have the heart, they couldn’t touch me recklessly.

There hadn’t been any suspicious movements at the Academy either.

But.

‘It seems they’re planning to do something.’

I knew they wouldn’t stay quiet forever.

But it was unexpected that they would try to do something outside the Academy rather than inside.

Just the key executives I knew of, there were two at the Academy.

The Blood Witch in front of me and Armin, Number 2, who entered as a freshman.

‘No, maybe that’s exactly why.’

Red Rain, which clearly has a purpose at the Academy.

If they move rashly at the Academy first, it might interfere with their original purpose.

While I was lost in thought…

“It’s just a feeling.”

Riviera finally spoke.

As expected, it seems difficult for her to explain anything.

I understood.

Even in this strange relationship, our positions are completely different.

Just telling me this much was very kind of her.

If I hadn’t known, I might have been caught off guard.

“I see. Thank you.”

I expressed my sincere gratitude.

Did it get through to her?

Riviera’s face seemed to flush slightly.

Or maybe it was just my imagination.

“…Be careful.”

I smiled faintly.

“I will.”