episode_0067

The duel was filled with shock. The incredibly cruel performance finally ended after two full hours. The boy, exhausted from dancing, ultimately collapsed.

Thud! The boy, completely drained, rolled on the floor. Even as he did, his pelvis twitched as if in spasms, making onlookers frown.

The students each stared at the arena with cold eyes.

“…”

The training ground, which should have been filled with cheers. Students who had been wildly enthusiastic about Ian just hours ago were now frozen, speechless. The look in their eyes was certainly not respect. It was, frankly, an unsightly scene.

Students, professors, followers… the audience members all watched the boy with sour expressions.

A flawless elite. The top talent in his year, and the sole candidate for the next student council president. An image painstakingly built over several years crumbled. All that remained in people’s memories was his passionate twerking.

Perhaps the most horrific ending.

“Huhu.”

Meanwhile. Only the one who had designed the whole scheme was laughing. Perhaps pleased with the social demise, the snake couldn’t wipe the wide grin from his lips. He just subtly covered his mouth. It was the typical appearance of a villain.

《…Ah.》 《Th-the duel has concluded.》 《Ian Ternado is incapacitated. The victor is Juda Snakers.》

The announcer’s voice, ringing out belatedly. It was a broadcast declaring victory and defeat, but no applause or cheers could be heard anywhere. Only a heavy silence lingered.

“It was a fierce match.”

Yuda shrugged his shoulders and turned his back. The students, dazed, watched the snake’s figure leisurely disappear into the distance.

***

The fight between the top students ended overwhelmingly. It was so one-sided that it made one wonder if it could even be called a fight, but thanks to it, he had a fun time. It was a powerful surge of dopamine he hadn’t felt in a long time.

‘I might have tormented him too severely.’

Such a thought briefly crossed his mind. Not content with just trampling his pride, he had completely shattered it. The image of an impeccable genius would no longer be possible. It was satisfying, given how long he had been tormented, yet at the same time, he also felt pity.

Still, he didn’t regret it.

‘Because it was necessary.’

When it came down to it, it was his own doing. He had provoked first, received a duel challenge, and even insulted a professor who followed the head teaching assistant. In terms of justification, he had the overwhelming upper hand.

Anyway. It was time again to settle the cost of the duel. This was the stage known as [Execution].

They spoke nonchalantly.

“Have you been well, Ian Senior-nim?”

“…”

Ian was sitting with a haggard expression from the past few days. His trembling lips held silence. Given how he flinched whenever their eyes met, it seemed he hadn’t forgotten the trauma from back then. Thanks to that, he could easily get the answer he wanted.

“My demand is simple.”

“…”

“Just once. Become a pawn I can use.”

“…A pawn?”

“It’s nothing major. You just need to follow my command when I give it someday.”

“What exactly are you going to make me do?”

“Well. I don’t believe I have an obligation to tell you in advance.”

“…”

Although he had been thoroughly played in his hands, he was still a figure who held the position of the second-year head student. He was also preparing for the student council president position next year. Of course, such a position might be precarious now, but he was still an undeniably capable talent. He was simply an unfortunate genius whose reputation had been ruined by twerking.

If he set such conditions, there would surely come a moment when he could be put to good use. Furthermore, as Professor Cadell’s head teaching assistant, who was at odds with Selena, he was useful for keeping power in check. In many ways, he was a rough gem with potential.

“Oh, and.”

He added, not forgetting.

“You must attend classes properly, as usual.”

“Wh-what did you say…?”

“You cannot just hide in the research wing until graduation.”

In truth, this held little meaning. It was just a condition added because he thought it would be amusing. He had become the academy’s idol, referred to as the best dancer among students, so wouldn’t it be a waste if he skipped attendance? It was the sentiment of a producer who had debuted a superstar.

“W-wait, why are you saying two things? Only one was promised as the cost of the duel!”

The natural protest came back. However, he calmly broke his will with a relaxed voice.

“Ian Senior-nim.”

“Uh, yes…?”

“If you don’t like that, I’ll consider it settled if you dance one more time.”

“…”

The choice he offered was simple. Accept the conditions he presented, or experience the terrible nightmare once more. This time, he planned to make him do the Zero Two dance at the main gate. For three hours, at that.

“Choose at your leisure.”

“…”

Ian, sitting there dazed. His haggard appearance trembled, and soon he had no choice but to nod.

“Please… let me be your pawn.”

His moistened eyes shimmered. Following a single tear that fell, the once promising boy knelt before the mastermind. It was, truly, an utterly heinous moment.

***

The details of the duel stirred up a commotion in the academy. A freshman, who hadn’t even shed the appearance of a first-year, had defeated the highly-regarded second-year head student with overwhelming skill. It was almost embarrassing to even call it a fight.

“I never imagined it would be to that extent.” “I thought it’d be a close match at best, but Ian Senior-nim couldn’t do anything and just got defeated.” “Was Illusion Magic originally such a powerful concept?” “If it were, Illusion Magic wouldn’t be classified as an unpopular subject.” “That first-year is just ridiculously strong, I tell you.”

It was a great shock to the students. Illusion Magic, renowned as one of the most difficult among numerous academic subjects. To wield such Illusion Magic freely and utterly crush a senior student was enough to astonish the children. Consequently, perspectives on the subject itself began to change.

“Still, it’s really brutal.” “I never thought he’d take revenge like that. What kind of madman in the world would come up with such an idea?” “It seems like once you get on his bad side, it’s over.” “Come to think of it, last time too…”

Of course, it wasn’t just his skill that became a hot topic. The unspeakable contents of the duel. His malicious manipulation of his opponent remained vividly in everyone’s memory. Murmurs filled the air from every direction.

“He definitely did that to Princess Vanity too, didn’t he?”

It was in front of the entire student body. Emilia, who had been flying through the air on such a stage, only to end up soiling her pants. Ian, whose passionate dance moves made everyone’s brows furrow in discomfort. None of them escaped a terrible fate.

Thanks to this, ominous rumors were circulating among the children.

“It’s too scary to live like this.” “Everyone, don’t stand out. If you get caught by that guy, your academy life is over.” “His appearance alone is ominous… it feels like if you get on his bad side, you’ll disappear from the world the next day.” “For some reason, he just has this chilling aura, I tell you.”

These were rumors to be wary of Young Master Snakers. Such frightening tales spread by word of mouth, eventually reaching the ears of the person concerned.

He smiled bitterly.

“Oh dear… it seems I’ve become disliked.”

The gazes of students, felt knowingly or unknowingly. As he gave an awkward smile, Emilia, walking beside him, replied.

“Hmph. It’s your own doing.”

Her blue eyes glared at him. Her pupils held a significant amount of contempt. Was she perhaps sympathizing from the perspective of a fellow victim? The girl frowned, then shot out a scolding remark.

“This time, you went too far. You.”

“I am, in my own way, reflecting.”

“But your mouth is practically grinning ear to ear?”

“Ah.”

He belatedly covered his mouth.

The villainess sighed quietly.

“…Of course, I know it was a righteous revenge.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“I also know you held back a lot. If you truly intended to harm him, it wouldn’t have ended with him just being a laughingstock like this. You would have erased him from the world without a trace, wouldn’t you?”

“You say terrifying things.”

“Because you’re someone who can actually do that.”

“Just because one can, doesn’t guarantee one will, does it?”

“You never lose an argument.”

Finally, Emilia pressed her forehead as if she had a headache. Her red lips quietly murmured.

“That person, Ian. I wonder if he’ll ever be able to properly show his face again…”

“Ah, about that, I think he’ll be fine.”

“Huh?”

“After all, the Princess is doing quite well herself.”

“Wh-what did you just say…?”

A surprise attack, not missing a moment of carelessness. The attack pierced straight into the opponent’s core without hindrance.

“You, ju-just, what did you just…?”

The girl’s face instantly turned red. Her pupils trembled. Anger, bewilderment, shame, and other emotions mixed together, forming a discord. The villainess remained frozen for a while, then suddenly came to her senses and shrieked.

“You! You clearly promised you wouldn’t tease me about that…!”

“It’s surprising that you believed that.”

“Y-y-you trashy person!”

“How naive of you.”

“Argh, argh!!”

Emilia, practically dying of rage. He effortlessly dodged the ice spears falling from the sky and continued his full-force taunting. He was fulfilling his duty as a disruptor.

“You can rest assured. I can even embrace the Princess’s shameful past…”

“Shut up!!”

“Isn’t this truly pure affection?”

“Aghhh!!”

They walked on amidst such a noisy atmosphere.

***

The somewhat boisterous duel event. Thanks to it, a week passed by in the blink of an eye. Before long, the academy was tinged with deep summer hues.

The season welcomed with lush greenery flowing forth. The students celebrated the passing months. The academy was a continuous series of suffocating competition.

However, even in such fierce academic pursuits, the first vacation arrived, allowing them to momentarily set aside their studies. It was none other than the school trip.

“It’s already tomorrow.”

As he sat on the sofa, murmuring, a voice came from beside him. It was Irene.

“If the schedule starts tomorrow… the school trip?”

“That’s right.”

The fox was pouring tea herself. She seemed to be trying, but her skills were still too clumsy to be called a maid. He swallowed the tea, which had a subtly bitter taste.

“Unexpected.”

“Hmm?”

“Because you seem to be looking forward to it.”

“Isn’t that obvious? Who in the world dislikes a vacation?”

“I thought you’d be different.”

“Please, I’d appreciate it if you’d consider me within the normal category.”

“I’ll try.”

She idly toyed with the teapot, her expression blank. Irene, who had been silent for a while, then asked as if something had just occurred to her.

“When are you coming back?”

“They said a week.”

“Shorter than I thought. I’ll just guard the dorm.”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you?”

“About what?”

“Irene-yang is coming along too.”

“Me too…?”

“Because one attendant is allowed to accompany. I was planning to bring you anyway.”

“Can I refuse?”

“No.”

“I figured.”

Irene sighed briefly. He let out a small chuckle. Then, he gently stroked the wagging tail beside him. A soft sensation flowed through his fingertips.

“…Why do you like my tail so much?”

“Rest assured, Irene-yang.”

“Don’t touch my tail.”

“A vacation taken together will be quite enjoyable too.”

“No, my tail.”

“They said the destination this time is the coast. A perfect choice for summer, wouldn’t you agree?”

“You’re not listening to anything I say.”

He skillfully appeased the whining fox. He spoke vaguely.

“Huhu… It will certainly be enjoyable.”

Because an unimaginable event awaits. An ominous smile spread across his lips. Gathering his automatically twisting lips, he tilted his teacup once more. It was still bitter.

***

Thus, a night passed, and the morning of the long-awaited school trip dawned. From an early hour, Class A students were gathered at the carriage station. The children, each holding large suitcases. They were preparing to embark on their journey.

As they waited with expectant eyes, their homeroom professor arrived last. Had she perhaps overdrank the night before the vacation? Selena seemed to be suffering from a hangover. Yet, the sight of her not letting go of her liquor bottle made him think, on one hand, that it was typical of a drunkard. She conducted the final headcount and took charge.

“Everyone, please board your assigned carriages. We will depart immediately.”

Students found their respective seats. Neigh! Before long, the carriages, lined up in a row, announced their departure with a mighty sound. Horse hooves exited the academy’s main gate and crossed the street.

[EP.9 School Trip] -A brilliantly colored sea, children singing- It was the beginning of the vacation.