Chapter 19: Group Practice (5)

“What’s with that fox?”
“What else? It’s a spirit.”
“Does she already have a familiar? As expected from Rustichel.”
“Does His Highness the Crown Prince not have one yet?”

Grit—
A vein bulged on Van Beonar’s forehead.

“Oh dear, it seems His Highness doesn’t have one yet.”
“Forming a familiar contract requires the utmost caution. If you contract with a low-grade spirit…”
“It’s a high-grade spirit.”
“What? That shabby, insignificant-looking fox is a high-grade spirit? That’s an exaggeration, Luke Richter.”

Hmm, honestly, I don’t have much to argue with on that point.

Short legs, round eyes, a constantly wagging tail.

Even I have to admit that Zelus doesn’t really look like a high-grade spirit.
He’s more like a pet fox, no matter how you look at it.

[What?! Shabby and insignificant?!]

Zelus suddenly burst into a fit.
It seemed the Crown Prince’s words hit a sore spot and triggered his complex.

“A spirit with no dignity in its speech truly resembles a low-grade spirit.”
[Hmph! Humanity has truly fallen. How can such a weak human be a crown prince? Listen well, human. I am a supreme high-grade spirit…]
“Silence, low-grade spirit.“

A spark seemed to flash between their gazes.
Aisha, unsure of what to do, tried to calm the flaring Zelus, while the Crown Prince’s chest heaved with his rough breathing.

And next to the Crown Prince stood a man, watching the situation with cold, indifferent eyes.
Finally, he parted his tightly closed lips.

“A lowly commoner dares to speak so arrogantly.”

Arcana Drixion.
A candidate for the successor of the Tower of Mist, and one of the five candidates for the position of Tower Master.

Drixion is the stereotypical extra villain, drenched in elitism.
However, his talent alone is genuine.

“Do you even know who you’re speaking to with such insolence?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince, and the distinguished successor candidate of the Tower of Mist, correct?”
“Hah, you know well. Then you should know how to act properly, lowly commoner.”

This guy’s conversation pattern is always the same.

Lowly commoner and Magic Tower.
Without these two words, his sentences practically don’t exist.

Why did they design his character to be this annoying?
I sighed and continued.

“Yes, I’m well aware.”
“Then you should show the proper respect.”
“But that’s strange.”

I twisted my lips.

“Are commoners inherently lowly?”
“Of course they are. Judging by your glare, you seem offended.”
“Strange. Do you usually call all commoners that way?”
“What’s the problem? You insolent commoner…”

Problem? Absolutely.
A huge problem, in fact.

“Hmm, then does that mean you also call the Tower Master a lowly commoner?”
“Nonsense! Why would I ever…”
“Because the Tower Master of the Mist Tower is a commoner.”
“……W-What? How do you know that?!”

The Tower of Mist is one of the few institutions on the continent where social status does not apply.

The biggest proof of this is that the current Tower Master of the Mist Tower was originally a commoner.

Of course, this information is classified.
The Mist Tower itself is so secretive that little is known about it, and since it’s a place where reclusive scholars gather, internal information rarely leaks out.

“Grr…!”

Drixion, making a sound that only a third-rate villain would make, retreated.
He was probably racking his brain, trying to figure out my identity.
A pathetic exit befitting a character with such a shoddy introduction.

“Then, we’ll be taking our leave now. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

By now, I’ve drawn enough aggro.

At this point, the Crown Prince, who can’t hold back any longer, will inevitably…

“…I’ll see you during the duel.”

Of course.
It wouldn’t be right if he didn’t challenge me to a duel.

Van Beonar’s obsession is tenacious to the point of being persistent, but managing his inferiority complex is easier this way.
It’s also much simpler to deal with.

“I look forward to it.”

I put on the most fake smile I could muster.
With that, we turned our backs without hesitation and left the area.

“Luke, is it really okay to just leave them like that?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”

Aisha’s doubt is reasonable.
Even if Van Beonar looks foolish right now, he’s still the Crown Prince of an entire empire.

Even as the lady of the Rustichel family, Aisha has reasons to worry about future consequences.

However, the Crown Prince’s obsession is solely directed toward the player.
Unless Aisha or Odette actively get involved, there’s no reason to worry.

I’ve been playing this game for 15 long years.
Van Beonar’s behavioral patterns are practically engraved in my brain.

And right now, he’s not the important one.

‘Perfect.’

Familiar Zelus, Zelus’ Tears, and first place in the group practical evaluation.
We’ve secured all the essential rewards from the group evaluation.

Now, the only thing left for us is to safely return.

At this point, no matter what the Crown Prince’s team does, they won’t be able to overturn the score.

“As expected, the intelligence of the Magic Tower is impressive…”

Aisha muttered some familiar nonsense, but I didn’t bother responding and kept walking.

The reason I’ve been so thorough in every little event, starting from sparring, is because of Eterna Academy’s demotion system.

The lowest-ranked student gets demoted, while the top-ranked student gets promoted.
In other words, if I let my grades slip, I could be demoted to Class A at any time.

I have to avoid that at all costs.
If I get demoted to Class A, clearing the game will become significantly harder, especially in the early stages.

‘So far, so good.’
Everything has been progressing smoothly without any major issues.

Just like now.
Let’s keep it this way.

Eclipse Hall.
A luxurious dormitory exclusively for the S-Class students of Eterna Academy.

Eterna Academy strictly prioritizes skill.

Equality? Such an easy-going concept doesn’t work here.
The academy’s philosophy revolves around [Nurturing Elites].

“Yawn.”

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window.
Aisha shaded her eyes with her hand and looked out at the Eterna Academy campus.

Group practical evaluation.
It had been tough, but the result was incredibly satisfying.
They had secured first place with an overwhelming point difference.

However, points didn’t matter much to Aisha.
The reason her feelings were so mixed was something else entirely…

“Luke Richter…”

Yes, it’s because of that person—Luke Richter.

What a strange person.
From the very first encounter until now.

Every single moment with him has been nothing short of extraordinary.
At least to her, Luke Richter’s existence was pure novelty.

His attitude of constantly hiding his strength.

At first, it was mere curiosity, but now she’s just confused.
What on earth is this feeling?

‘Just who is he…?’

He definitely mentioned that he was sent by the Magic Tower.
And not long after, a rift appeared above the academy.
Coincidentally, Luke Richter had gone missing at that time.

It’s certain.
He must have observed the singularity of the future and come to the academy.
To save the countless people in danger.

Grrr—
The sound of purring from Zelus, who was perched on her lap, brought Aisha’s gaze downward.

“Zelus.”
[What is it, Contractor?]
“About Luke… Just who is he?”

What am I even doing?
Even if I’m frustrated, why am I asking my familiar about this?
Her face turned as red as a ripe apple from embarrassment.

[Luke? Are you talking about that peculiar human?]

Zelus enjoyed being stroked, purring contentedly.
Then, he gave an unexpected answer.

[Hmph! You sure have a lot of questions. Are you interested in that peculiar human?]
“Interested? No way! Absolutely not!”

Aisha’s face reddened again.
Respect, maybe, but interest?
It sounded as if she had personal feelings for him.

I’m just saying unnecessary things and making a fuss.
She stopped petting Zelus and glared at him.

[Fine, fine!]
“Sigh…”
[But know this, that human is far superior to you, Contractor.]
“I already know that.”

A spirit’s eyes see into the essence of living beings.
For a high-grade spirit to call someone superior, it means Luke Richter’s level is at least on par with a Master.

‘A kind person…’

Luke Richter.
The one who fixed her lifelong suffering as if it were nothing.

And that’s not all.
He willingly gave up that precious spirit to her without a second thought.

With that usual indifferent expression.
Without asking for anything in return.

“Heh.”

To think the first friend I made at the academy would be such an oddball.

Of course, he’s a bit suspicious, but at least to me, he’s like a benefactor.
I still have a lot to repay him for.

I guess… I should stick by his side.

“Yaaawn.”

The sunlight pouring in and the soft touch of Zelus’ fur against her hand made drowsiness creep in.

[More! Scratch more!]
“Just… a little nap…”
[It’s not enough yet!]
“Mmm…”

Her heavy eyelids slowly closed.