episode_0105

“Do, do as you please.”

She didn’t say she couldn’t do it until the very end. It was bravado, ingrained like a habit. Even this seemed to reveal her personality, so I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. I felt a pang of pity, yet also a sense of pride.

“Pfft… then, I won’t hold back.” I subtly reached out my hand. Perhaps she lacked the confidence to stand there calmly, for her slender shoulders swayed back and forth, revealing her tension. A delicate tremor ran through her closed eyelids. Emilia was fiddling with her innocent sleeve, waiting for the touch that would soon follow. The presence grew closer.

‘Where will it be?’ The girl thought. Where would it be? Where would those greedy fingertips land? Her chest, full of soft cushion, her waist, drawing a graceful curve, and finally, her beautifully sculpted hips. The beautifully formed frost hinted at many winters that could be stolen away. The villainess would surely be focusing all her senses on her entire body.

“Lady.” Of course. None of them were the answer. I bypassed everything previously mentioned and gently placed my hand on her head. Then, I began stroking her deep blue hair. *Smoothly.* “……?” Was it because the touch was unexpected? The girl carefully opened her eyes. Only my face was clearly reflected on the blue surface. I met her deep gaze, then, with a kind smile, whispered into her flushed ear. It was a word of encouragement.

“You’ve worked very hard.” “Yes…?” Emilia looked puzzled. I said, “I heard you prepared very diligently for this exam… Therefore, regardless of winning or losing, I wanted to tell you that you worked hard.”

Although. She usually didn’t show it due to her bravado, she always put in twice as much effort as other students. She must be struggling in many ways. Recognition from others is the driving force that leads one’s life. For vanity to be satisfied by the recognition of others, sufficient effort worthy of applause must precede it. The girl lived that cycle every single day.

“Because you’re always working hard.” I wanted to tell her. That even if she wasn’t fixated on mere rankings, there were a few people by her side who supported her. And that I was among them. I gently withdrew my hand, leaving behind the warmth of our intertwined bodies, and slowly articulated the carefully chosen sentence. It was a gentle, spreading resonance.

“……You truly are.” Would such sincerity reach her? The villainess mumbled. Perhaps it was shame at having been under a strange delusion all alone. At the same time, it was satisfaction from being acknowledged by someone close, and fulfillment from the unnoticed empty time finally being filled. After a complex mix of emotions, her cheeks flushed. Faint breaths added snowflakes to the season within her.

“One minute it’s this, the next it’s that… I don’t know what rhythm to follow. It’s annoying.” “I apologize if it was an impertinent remark.” “That’s not what I meant. You’re really cunning.” She pouted her lips, feigning annoyance. Even that awkwardness was transparent. The villainess hesitated on how to answer, then finally avoided my gaze and mumbled. It was faint, yet a resonance that colored the world entirely.

“Thank you.” Her reddish lips pronounced, “……Yuda.” Two unfamiliar syllables. That unfamiliarity sometimes made people smile.

“Hmm? Isn’t this the first time you’ve called me by my name?” “Be quiet!” “I’m happy to feel acknowledged. I’d be grateful if you’d continue to call me by my name instead of formal titles.” “I have no intention of doing that, so don’t get any strange ideas!” Emilia flatly refused. Yet, seeing that she didn’t avoid the stroking hand, I could feel that the distance our bond had closed wasn’t entirely far. We walked side by side, exchanging playful banter.

***

A few days later.

The written exam results were finally announced, and the practical exams were now just ahead. I was spending time in the library as usual.

“The practical exams start tomorrow.” “That’s right.” The children were having a casual conversation. The Snake, the Pilot, the Vainglorious One. They were now considered a set. Rose and the Little Prince would normally have been there too, but they had ventured out today, saying they would take some time to adjust to the academy. It seemed they were exploring the shopping district located on the outskirts of the academy.

Of course. We weren’t doing anything special either. Being the day before the practical exam, we rested from training. It was important for condition management. However, after lectures, we instinctively gathered, occupying a corner and simply exchanging everyday conversations. Of course, given the timing, much of it was about the exams.

“Speaking of practicals… do the Head Assistants also take a separate exam?” Emilia posed the question. I replied, “Of course. Even Head Assistants are still students, after all. However, I understand that their exams are conducted in a different format than those for regular students.”

Indeed. The practicals for Head Assistants felt a little different. If the practicals for regular students were solely for ‘evaluation,’ the Head Assistants’ practicals felt more like an ‘event match.’ In fact, there was no separate failing grade for the practical exams taken only by Head Assistants. It meant that since their skills were fundamentally proven, there was no need for meaningless score divisions. Instead, they had a mandatory exam they had to participate in.

“That would be the Faculty Showdown.” The Faculty Showdown. An exam participated in not only by each Head Assistant but also by the professors who oversaw them. It was a tradition that had been passed down since Gallimard was first established. Head Assistants, professors, and others—those at the very top of the academy—would compete. The purpose of the showdown was for students to gain enlightenment by observing these exams, accumulate an understanding of those at the peak, and ultimately seek their own development. Hidden within this was also a political intention: for professors to showcase their skills and enhance the academy’s reputation. Of course, there was no need to know all these details.

“You can think of it as an event where the faculty members spar. The Head Assistants are simply included as a bonus.” “Will they be alright…? The assistants can’t possibly be a match for professors.” “It’s literally more like an event. There’s also an intention to demonstrate the vast difference in skill between students and professors. Head Assistants, considered the most skilled, would be perfect for such a role. Those who participate in the showdown receive practical scores close to full marks regardless of their ranking, so you don’t need to worry about their grades either.”

I concluded the explanation as concisely as possible. There were also rules and match-up structures, but for now, I decided to move past them. It was an event that wouldn’t begin for another week anyway. In contrast, regular students’ practicals were tomorrow, so it was wiser to focus on those instead. The villainess listened to my explanation with an indifferent expression, then asked,

“Then… you won’t have a practical exam tomorrow?” “That’s right.” “Hmm.” “I’m directly under Professor Selena. I’ll probably participate in the showdown with her.” “So being a Head Assistant isn’t something to simply envy.” “With great positions come great responsibilities, you see.”

For me, it was a light schedule to enjoy, but from the students’ perspective, it seemed like nothing could be more terrifying. After all, professors were beings who had transcended levels. Heroes from the Great Subjugation era, former captains of the Imperial Knights, elders of the Magic Tower, cardinals of the Church, and so on. Only such exalted names gathered, which, in a way, made it understandable why Gallimard was called the best educational institution on the continent. I casually dismissed such thoughts.

“Well… until then, the practicals are continuously scheduled, so I guess I’ll have to observe the other students’ matches.” “By the way, mine is tomorrow.” “Of course, I plan to go cheer you on.” Thanks to that, it seemed I wouldn’t be bored. As the conversation shifted back to the general practicals, the girl sitting opposite me suddenly spoke up. It was Regia, who had been listening blankly until now.

“Um, excuse me… Young Master.” “Regia?” Her voice was timid, as always. However, for some reason, it seemed even more so than usual. She hesitated, as if she wanted to say something. When I told her to speak comfortably, she clenched her fists tightly and parted her lips, as if she had made up her mind. Her stammering sentences gradually formed a clear meaning.

“Regarding the practical exam, I… I have a request for you.” “A request?” I grew interested. Even after spending nearly half a year together, the times she had asked me for anything could be counted on one hand. She was that uncomfortable relying on others. For Regia to outright make a request, this was something that couldn’t help but pique my interest. I leaned in, listening intently to her words.

“Perhaps, during tomorrow’s practical exam…” The girl hesitated, then finally spoke. Her eyes were almost tearful. Upon hearing Regia’s story, I couldn’t help but tilt my head. It was because the content of her request was so utterly unexpected.

“Huh…?” What kind of request is this?