Chapter 78

78

“…Isn’t this too much, squad leader?”

Muttering with a disheartened expression, Allen Benesse looked as if he had almost lost a country. He must have never imagined that I would abandon him to form a party with someone else. That’s why he must have been completely shocked when he heard what I was planning.

“Look, Allen.”

“Huh?”

“Do you know what you need the most?”

“What, what is it?”

“Independence. I can’t always be there to watch your back, can I?”

“…”

Allen was silent, as if my words had struck a chord. He must feel it too.

“You’ve definitely improved.”

“Really?”

“But you’re still lacking a lot. You need to get better.”

“That’s… probably true…”

“Take this as a good opportunity. That’s why I’m acting separately.”

Of course, that wasn’t the original reason, but it would certainly help Allen. He relies on me too much.

“So that’s why. I didn’t realize…”

Allen seemed to have accepted the explanation. My persuasive skills are still sharp.

“Ten.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s catch at least ten. You can do that much, right?”

“Got it.”

Allen’s eyes regained their determination. I’m a man who can motivate others. I have too much leadership quality.

“Then let’s go.”

“Wow.”

Allen let out a sound of admiration. The sharp discipline of hundreds of troops. The paladins in shining silver armor. Even the clerics in their white clerical robes. It was a spectacle that one could never see at the academy, which is why Allen looked so amazed, as if he was seeing a special attraction. Of course, I was observing differently from Allen. And the information that observation brought me.

“Hm?”

I immediately realized that the numbers were too few. Something was off. The first hunting competition I could participate in the game was next year. In other words, when the protagonist was in the second year. And the personnel at that time were definitely ‘more’ than this. I quickly realized what that meant. Something must have happened at this hunting competition, making it necessary to increase the numbers next year. They would have had to prepare thoroughly, not knowing what might happen again.

‘Something definitely happened.’

I was sure that the suspicion I felt was not unfounded.

“What is it, squad leader?”

Allen looked at me with a questioning gaze.

“No, it’s nothing.”

It was something I couldn’t explain even if I wanted to. But I felt like I should warn him.

“Allen.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t overdo it.”

“Haha, even if I wanted to, I can’t. It’s just not in my nature.”

“Then that’s fine.”

That should be enough. He’s not someone who would die here anyway.

“Ah, looks like we’re over there.”

Allen pointed to where the academy people were gathered.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

We moved in that direction.

As soon as we arrived, the inevitable personnel check began. The person in charge of the academy side was Vice-Chancellor Gerhart Lautmann. A symbol of the academy’s imperial faction. A very cold and strict man. The kind of man who wouldn’t bleed a drop even if you pricked him.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

Unexpectedly, Gerhart spoke first. It seemed that the problem child’s continuously improving grades had become a topic of conversation within the academy.

“Is that so?”

“Hmm. Keep up the good work.”

“Will do.”

A brief exchange. But he didn’t even say that much to Allen. Meaning he didn’t see any value in doing so. I didn’t bother telling Allen. It would only make him sulk.

“Phew, he’s an intimidating person.”

As we left the spot, Allen let out a relieved sigh. For the timid Allen, that was probably enough. But then.

‘There are a lot of famous people here.’

Of course. They were all individuals who had earned their qualifications with excellent archery scores.

‘Let’s see.’

I quickly scanned the faces.

In the fourth year, there was my fiancée and student council president, the ‘Knight of the Whirlwind,’ Regina Erenbert.

Justino Henatu, who was always the eternal second place because of Regina, the ‘Blazing Lion.’

In the third year, there was my teacher, the ‘Princess of the Forgotten Forest,’ Hiresia.

The vice president of the student council, the ‘Sword Mage of Both Eyes,’ Wayne Raymondo.

In the second year… there’s no point in looking since Elaine isn’t there.

And finally, the first year.

The first princess of the empire, Oscar Peresia.

Allen’s brother and a protagonist different from his brother, the ‘Spear of the Flash,’ Leon Benesse.

The eldest son of the Mercenary King, the ‘Poison Fang of Slaughter,’ Slaine.

That was just a brief list, and there were more famous people besides them. However, most of them were fighters. Famous magicians like Elaine were absent. It was natural since the evaluation was based on archery.

‘Honestly, with this lineup, what could possibly go wrong?’

…Something could go wrong. That’s the kind of game it is. Not only are the academy students strong, but so are the enemies. And not all students can be considered allies. For example, the first princess, Oscar. Depending on the choices, she can definitely become an enemy. Even if she becomes an ally, her personality is so broken that it’s not reassuring. The ‘Poison Fang of Slaughter,’ Slaine, is also crazy. A guy who grew up as a mercenary, accustomed to seeing blood, and genuinely enjoys killing.

Anyway.

There was no need to get involved with those two. In fact, I had no connection with them at all. It was natural for an insignificant extra like me.

‘It’s better this way for now.’

I may have gotten stronger, but here I’m almost the weakest. And relationships progress properly when you have something to offer. Without anything, you’re just an empty can.

‘Well, there are special cases.’

For example, my fiancée, Regina. But I had no intention of asserting my position as her fiancé to go to her side in a place like this. I knew what she valued. She is the student council president. She has to treat everyone publicly. Especially in a place like this.

‘Huh?’

But someone is coming. Not because of me, but because of the guy next to me. It was Leon Benesse who was approaching.

“You seem to be doing quite well.”

Leon’s voice was rough.

‘It seems they really don’t get along.’

I had expected this. I knew Leon’s personality well. He respected those with ability but acted oppositely towards those without it. His brother Allen was perfectly the latter.

“…Yeah.”

Allen responded. His voice was small, but his pronunciation was clear without any stammering. Leon’s eyes flickered with surprise, as if he hadn’t expected that. It seemed that usually, even when dealing with his brother, Allen would have stuttered badly. Under my influence, Allen had definitely grown.

“I see. You should have done that sooner. It’s too late, though.”

“…What is?”

“Learning to walk.”

Leon spoke coldly. A harsh assessment. But it was justified. In Leon’s eyes, Allen was still far too lacking.

“No, it’s never too late.”

‘Oh?’

I looked at Allen with surprise at his unexpected response. A completely different atmosphere from the usual Allen. Perhaps the presence of his brother gave his words a different weight.

“I plan to keep learning all my life. So it’s not too late for me at this age.”

“Sophistry. Do you think that excuses your past deficiencies?”

“Think what you want. My convictions won’t change.”

Neither the brother nor the younger one backed down. Leon was expected, but Allen was truly surprising. An action not befitting an extra without presence. Maybe he’s more useful than I thought.

“There’s no point in talking further. Make sure you don’t disgrace the name of the Benesse Spear.”

Leon turned his back without any attachment and walked away. Only then did Allen’s expression relax. He had been hiding it, but he seemed to have been quite tense.

“Th-thanks to you, squad leader. I appreciate it.”

“Hey, why are you stuttering again?”

“Sorry.”

“No hope for you.”

I shook my head in disbelief.

“But what do you mean it’s thanks to me?”

“Well… If it weren’t for you, squad leader, I would have continued to be a timid fool. I would have been too intimidated to even talk properly to my brother.”

Allen was aware. He knew that confidence kept only inside is less than even pretense. Perhaps he realized that because of me.

“Good to know. Take care of your family matters yourself.”

It’s not my place to meddle in someone else’s family affairs. I’m not planning to interfere, but I am curious to see what will happen. Will he be stripped of his position as heir and exit miserably as usual, or will he grow thanks to me and take a slightly different path?

“…Of course, I should.”

Allen replied.

“Good. Then I’m off now. Do well on your own.”

“Uh… Okay.”

He doesn’t seem very reliable, but he’s the kind of guy who gets things done when necessary. I waved my hand once and moved to another location. To where the high elf who loves meat was.

I can feel eyes on me.

They must be wondering where I’m going.

I walked confidently, unfazed by the stares. I’m used to them by now.

As I got closer to where the third years were, I could feel their astonishment.

Why is he coming here?

That’s what their expressions said, all except for one elf.

“Hello, senior.”

I greeted her with unusual politeness, considering Hiresia’s position.

She is openly a high elf, a popular figure in the academy, and a being of deep respect.

“Oh, you came?”

Hiresia also greeted me with a completely different expression than usual.

An elegant and dignified face.

A face for image management.

It wasn’t her true personality, but in fact, if that was her main, then it was her main. She had to spend most of her time with that face.

I felt like laughing, but this was a time to cooperate seriously and with all my might. Her current life depended on it.

“Um… do you know that junior well?”

Someone asked, knowing full well who I was. A man with mysterious eyes of different colors.

The vice president of the student council, the ‘Sword Mage of Both Eyes,’ Wayne Raymondo. Naturally, he was one of the key figures of the third year.

He’s not a bad guy, but this time it’s different. He’s looking at me with eyes full of caution.

I know the reason, though it’s not just because I’m a notorious troublemaker. Wayne is openly infatuated with Hiresia.

So, when a guy like me approaches her, pretending to be close, he can’t help but be on guard.

“Oh, this junior is a shuttle…”

“Pfft.”

I blurted out something strange in my confusion.

Why do I remember that of all things?

…Was the fact that I helped her with meat shopping that impressive?

Fortunately, because I blurted it out, her words stopped midway. And from the reaction, it seemed that no one thought the word ‘shuttle’ would have come from her mouth.

I need to recover quickly from this. But why did such a word come out?

“Oh, you don’t know? He’s quite famous. That’s Max Celtrine from the second year, vice president.”

she said with a slight smile.

…This was truly a reaction that came out before I could think.

I soon understood why.

This was the moment Hiresia officially revealed her friendship with me, whose reputation was in shambles.

She seemed unaffected, but I knew.

For her, acknowledging a friendship with a troublemaker like me was a sufficiently burdensome choice.

She made that choice for me, even taking on such a burden.

That’s why I couldn’t show any clumsy behavior.

That feeling made me react that way.

‘Yes, that’s right.’

I am different from them.

She, the most popular third-year student who has received countless confessions from male students, actually has a liking for me.

As I reminded myself of that fact, my confidence surged.

My shoulders rose on their own, and my eyes filled with ease.

“Senior and I have a good senior-junior relationship. Is there any problem?”