episode_0033

Since it had been a long time since I’d visited, I thought about staying a bit longer, but unfortunately, my academy schedule was packed. A major main event was also about to begin soon. With a sense of regret, I clicked my tongue. The guild members also became a sea of tears at the news that I was returning.

“Guild Master…!” “How could you impose another wait upon us!” “We wish to attend to you for even a moment longer, please stay just one more night before you leave…!”

Why are they really like this? It wasn’t the first or second time this had happened, but their reactions were still burdensome. I forced myself to walk away, pretending to be indifferent.

Two people were waiting by the door. A girl with long silver hair, and a middle-aged man with striking red hair. I bid them farewell in turn.

“I will be away for a while.” “Yes, Master.” “Hahaha! Please go and return comfortably.”

I felt relieved that at least these two were here. Even though all the guild members were strong, they were inherently unpredictable, which made me uneasy.

“I entrust Astro to you.” “Until Master returns… I will collect all the information you requested.” “I will diligently look after the fox guests!” “Hehe, excellent.”

The two gave reliable replies. Thanks to them, I could leave the basement with peace of mind.

“Then, let’s go.”

And so, I returned to the academy.

***

“Didn’t we have a pretty fulfilling weekend?” “Is that so?” “It was a little tiring, but… it was nice to see their faces after a long time.” “The children certainly seemed to be doing well.” “Hehe.”

On the way to listen to a lecture, as usual. The Snake, the Fox, and the Pilot were crossing the hallway, standing side-by-side.

I casually asked. “How was Regia-yang?” “Yes, yes?” “I was wondering how you spent your weekend.” “Ah… I, I just wandered around the academy. Since it’s so big, ah, there are still many places I haven’t been yet…” “How interesting.”

Should I say, as expected of the protagonist? She was very interested in the environment surrounding her. The original work also had this kind of feeling. A story about wandering through a vast field, meeting people, and building relationships. Personally, I liked its unique tranquility.

‘I’m glad she seems to be enjoying herself.’

I smiled faintly. Even in a setting where she was treated as a mere outsider, her unwavering solitude as she bloomed was beautiful. My hardened heart softened and was tinged with warmth. A lingering tenderness.

As I was walking with such a refreshing feeling.

“Student Yuda.”

Suddenly, a voice was heard. When I turned around in response, what I saw was an old man with an impressive bushy beard. He was filled with an antique atmosphere.

“Could we have a talk?”

He was one of the academy’s professors. The professor in charge of [The Extremes of Magical Manifestation], he was considered a veteran among the faculty at Gallimard. He was also an object of respect for many students.

“It will only take a moment.” “Professor Raphael.” “I didn’t expect you to even know an old man like me by name.” “Aren’t you called the wisest sage? I am well aware of your reputation, Professor.” He chuckled. “How clever, I quite like it.”

The old man laughed as if finding me praiseworthy. He was originally known for being kind to students, but this felt like overtly expressed goodwill. I had some idea of what was coming. I quietly listened to the professor’s continuing words.

“I have something I’d like to propose to you.” “Please speak.” “Would you perhaps be interested in learning magic more profoundly?” “……”

So it turns out like this, after all. The familiar bait being thrown. The conversation flow was proceeding exactly as predicted. I sighed inwardly.

‘How many times is this today?’

It was a topic that had been repeatedly brought up over the past few days. The previous duel had been shocking in many ways. Since that day, the faculty had started coming to find me every day, as if they had made a pact. They all had the same objective.

“Lately, there’s been a shortage of people in the research lab. I was thinking of taking in a promising student as my disciple…”

Professors eyeing me. Perhaps because I had demonstrated shocking performances one after another, scout offers were pouring in from everywhere. Today alone, it was the seventh such offer I had received. They seemed to be fiercely vying for me, as if in a competition. Disciple, assistant, head teaching assistant… some even tried to entice me by promising their successor’s position. A fierce battle of wits among the professors. Every time, I had to wear a troubled smile.

“……So, what do you think?” “That is truly a gracious offer.”

It was the same this time. Behind my polite words, I subtly curled the corners of my lips upward.

“However…” “However?” “Perhaps because it’s such a sudden proposal, I find myself with a lot to consider.” “I completely understand. You must have received many similar offers.” “It might sound a bit presumptuous, but… may I take some time to consider it?” “Of course.”

The old man readily nodded his head. “You have a cautious side.” “I apologize.” “No, on the contrary, I like it even more. Isn’t that the temperament of an excellent mage?” “Thank you. I will let you know once I’ve made up my mind.” “Understood. See you next time.”

Words promising a next time. The professor, smacking his lips as if regretful, soon turned his back and moved away. As I gazed at his receding figure, Irene, who had been observing from beside me, subtly spoke up.

“That’s strange.” “Yes?” “You, I mean. You don’t have any intention of joining anyone, do you?” “I suppose not.” “Then why don’t you refuse?”

The Fox narrowed her eyes. She tilted her head as if bewildered. “If you’re really bothered, you could just refuse outright… why do you always give vague answers?”

So that’s what she was curious about. Indeed, from an observer’s perspective, it must look like someone with no intention of joining is just playing games. I replied softly.

“Well, because I feel sorry.” “……What?” “They are all people who have thought well of me, aren’t they? My conscience wouldn’t allow me to flatly refuse.” “Something quite timid and considerate… that’s a reason that doesn’t suit you.” “You’re saying something hurtful.”

But it wasn’t an entirely wrong observation either. After all, my appearance was rather ominous. To live in a world where a warm heart is misunderstood simply because of one’s appearance, a bitter smile involuntarily spread across my lips. I quietly added.

“And if I leave it open like this, I can use it any time later, can’t I?” “……?” “I can probably use them a few times under the pretense of a favor.”

People tend to become more anxious when they hear a postponement rather than an outright refusal. Since the entire faculty of Gallimard is now hell-bent on recruiting me, I will use this situation to my advantage. The more I delay my decision, the more anxious the professors will become. They will increasingly express their sincerity through special means.

“It might be regrettable for the professors… but in a word, I’m just playing around with them for a bit.”

It would be pleasant in terms of grades, convenience, and daily life. To them, I was a ‘raw gem’ worth that much. Of course, going too far would lead to side effects.

“Hehe, I’m confident I can use them appropriately.” “……” “Why are you looking at me like that?” “……” “Irene-yang?” “……”

A perfect plan. As I was smiling widely, feeling unnecessarily good, I felt a strange gaze. Black eyes looking at me, followed by a complicated sigh. It was a very insolent look, as if saying, ‘Of course, that’s just like you.’ I awkwardly asked.

“Did I say something wrong?” “……” “That’s just how the world works. I’m not being particularly strange.” “……”

No. At least say something. Not criticizing as usual, but just silently holding her tongue. It was a strangely irritating reaction.

Squeeze!

With a mischievous heart, I gripped her wagging tail. Immediately after, the Fox’s shoulders flinched, and the silence was broken.

“Eek?!” “This is punishment.” “W-wait, huff…! I, I didn’t say anything, ugh, did I…!” “Your insolent gaze is the problem.” “Gasp?! St-stop it…! It, it really feels strange!!” “Accept your due.”

The noisy sequence of crime and punishment continued. The atmosphere was affectionately bickering. For a while, the Fox’s screams loudly echoed between us.

***

Wild professors kept popping out. Their ‘please take me in’ offensive, which had poured out for a while, seemed to be gradually waning after a few days. They didn’t seem to have given up.

-I will carefully consider it.

It was simply because I kept repeating this phrase. Before I knew it, I had given most of the professors a ‘pending’ answer. Though it had been quite chaotic for a few days. Well, still, it’s for the best. It was the first peace I had found since the duel.

Thanks to that, a quiet daily life. The Snake was enjoying leisure under the warm summer sun…

“Hello.”

I thought I would be able to enjoy it. If it weren’t for this girl who ambushed me with a greeting.

“It’s been a while.”

To me, who was enjoying a stroll alone, someone approached my side. Platinum blonde hair fluttering with the lukewarm breeze, blue eyes resembling the sea. A subtle aura gathered and emanated.

“Your Highness…?”

It was none other than Charlotte. The persistent professors had retreated, and I thought the surroundings were finally quieting down, but this time, it was the Imperial Princess who had latched onto me.

‘Actually, this is even better?’

A character I had loved in the game. And for Charlotte, who could be considered a pillar of the story, to initiate conversation. It couldn’t be anything but a delightful situation. I said with a wide smile.

“I greet the First Star of the Empire.” “Mm. Nice to meet you.” “What can I do for you?” “Nothing much. I came to see you because I wanted to.” “You came to see… me, you mean?” “Mm.”

The girl quietly nodded. Her pupils, transparently focused on me. Charlotte stared at me for a moment, then suddenly thrust her head forward. Before I could react, Charlotte’s nose touched my chest.

“……” “Your Highness?”

A sudden, impulsive action. Though I called Charlotte in my bewilderment, she merely sniffed silently. As if smelling something.

“Sniff sniff.”

What kind of four-dimensional move is this now? As I quietly pondered, the girl, who had been close enough, pulled away. A faint smile was on her lips. A transparent, pure white glow.

“A cool scent.” “Hmm?” “It’s amazing, as expected. You smell like winter.” “You mean a winter-like scent…?” “It’s a good meaning.” “I see.”

She was an unfathomable person. Last time she complimented my clean smile as pretty, and this time it was a cool scent. Is this her way of showing goodwill?

“I don’t understand the meaning, but… thank you anyway.” “Mm.”

Charlotte blinked. Her hand was already stroking my head. A gentle caress.

‘She’s been treating me like a baby from before.’

To have such an innocent reaction even knowing my power. I decided to humor her for a while. Because her tiptoeing to reach me due to her short height was cute. The girl, who had been continuously stroking my head, suddenly spoke.

“Unexpected.” “What are you referring to?” “What happened a few days ago. The duel, I mean.” “You’re talking about Lady Benetti, I see.” “Mm.”

Now that I think about it. Is this our first conversation since then? Charlotte tilted her head.

“It was unexpected. I thought you would kill her.” “Excuse me? Me, Lady Benetti…?” “No?” “Of course not.” “But she got on your nerves. She went around slandering you.” “That’s not a capital offense.”

What on earth does everyone think of me? They always ask if I’m going to kill someone, no matter what. Without even knowing how gentle and kind a person I am.

“You’re still amazing, as expected.” “Is that so?” “What kind of person are you? A good person? Or a bad person?” “It depends on how one concludes it.” “Mm, I guess so.”

Charlotte nodded expressionlessly. An oddly continuous back-and-forth, we exchanged a few more words.

“Midterms are coming soon.” “They’re already next week. Isn’t the schedule quite packed?” “I’ll be looking forward to it.” “Hmm?” “I said I’d be watching, didn’t I?”

Was she talking about the class placement exam? I mulled over the brief memory. The platinum-haired girl chuckled softly.

“For now, I want to know more about you.” “I don’t think I have much to hide… but I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.” “Mm.”

Gallimard’s midterm exam. While the students were fiercely going about their daily lives, the date had already crept up right before them. It was also a schedule I was personally looking forward to.

‘Belzen’s Nightmare.’

Because there was an event I recalled. It was a core story in the original work, and one of the most highly rated episodes.

[EP6. Bergen Belzen] -The Lost Girl, The Monsters Who Cannot Cry-

It was also the event I had most looked forward to in the early part. I slowly smiled.

“Next week is certainly something to look forward to.”

I quietly murmured.

***

A few days passed. As the exam period drew near, the academy’s atmosphere froze over. Perhaps due to the sensitive academic atmosphere, the air was as frigid as ice.

-As previously announced, this midterm exam will be conducted by students forming arbitrary teams of three. -Please form your teams and submit the roster to your assigned professor as soon as possible. -Gallimard wishes all students good luck. -May it be an opportunity for you to prove yourselves.

The announcement that came two days before the exam. It was an unexpected directive. Students, though flustered, were forming teams to take the exam. I was no exception.

“Yo-Young Master… W-we’re, o-one person short, aren’t we?” “It’s alright, Regia-yang.”

The exam would ultimately proceed with teams of three. To submit the roster, even with me and Regia included, one more person was needed. Of course, I had no worries.

“We have one more friend, don’t we?”

Because I had already established a connection in preparation for such a situation. I walked with a wide smile towards the girl with blue drill curls huddled at a desk.

“Lady Benetti.”

Just as I was approaching with such a cheerful voice.

“Step back.”

Someone blocked my way. What appeared in my sight was a boy. He had blue hair, resembling the villainess.

“Yuda Snakers.”

A strangely overbearing atmosphere. The sword he wore at his waist was splendidly emblazoned with the Benetti crest. I immediately recognized him.

“I will no longer stand by and watch you do as you please.”

Ruthka Benetti. Emilia’s twin younger brother, and also an extra serving as an early-stage villain. His blue pupils glared at me.

“I will protect Emilia.”

A declaration full of vigor. In his line, uttered as if he was protecting his precious family from some evil mastermind, I thought blankly.

What on earth is this now?