Chapter 106: Final Exams (3)

Regia Philertz.

The protagonist of the original work "The World as Seen by the Little Prince," and a girl occupying a place in Class A with upper-tier grades.

At the same time, she was also a summoner counted as one of the greatest talents of modern times.

However, just as a good seed doesn't necessarily bloom, even the greatest talent needs time to ripen.

As she was still immature, the protagonist had many problems.

Especially recently, her worries were deep.

-What should I do...?

The origin was none other than her ability.

From the time she first began to communicate with her summons, it had been the protagonist's ongoing homework.

Namely, the point that she couldn't freely activate her ability.

The miracle called a dragon.

It should be called the side effect rightfully required to realize that.

In reality, as transcendent beings could overturn the natural order with a single breath, it was unreasonable for a delicate girl to fully contain that miracle.

Like the principle of not being able to contain the sea in a pot.

-You know. I succeeded... I was s-scared, but I still overcame it.

-I wanted to be of help to the Young Master even once.

Of course.

Regia had already overcome that limit once.

Even amid fear like walking on the edge of a blade, she had realized how to bloom without wilting.

It was thanks to a single tender affection for a precious person.

However, if a new rebound arose through such learning, it was that her heart had tilted to rely too much on that time.

The girl felt her fear disappear only when that person was by her side.

In other words.

-I can't do it alone...

All her feelings were being swayed by him.

It was difficult to properly control her ability.

The process leading up to summoning was always successful.

But even if she called forth a transcendent being, how long she could hold it in this world depended entirely on the summoner's capacity.

Sometimes it would disappear in less than 10 seconds.

In the girl's case, it was like dice.

Depending on the condition given that day, it would last long or disappear before even exhaling a breath.

It was an ability that fluctuated as unstably as the summoner's inner self.

But.

It was different when by the snake's side.

-I believe without a doubt.

-Because Miss Regia will become a star shining brighter than anyone.

-Of course, until then I'll stay by your side.

Perhaps because that time remained as too intense a memory.

The snake's side was particularly cozy.

It felt like all the world's worries disappeared.

When all concerns scattered like dust and only the breathing of the person she relied on remained, Regia could activate her ability without any flaws.

It was possible to maintain her summon in the best condition.

'Because you were there.'

The only person who believed in her worthless self.

At the same time, a person who made her forget her weakness.

Therefore, the protagonist had no choice but to give her heart to the snake.

The two letters of dependence.

"Um... Young Master."

"Miss Regia?"

"Regarding the practical exam, I h-have something I want to request."

"A request?"

This final exam was important to the girl.

As it was the semester's conclusion watched by the entire school, it was an opportunity to proudly prove herself to those who had laughed at her until now.

For that, she needed to show overwhelming grades.

Although.

Since she had entered on the dean's recommendation, she wouldn't be cut, but she didn't want to keep sticking to Class A ambiguously like this.

She wanted to proudly state her qualification in front of those who subtly looked down on her.

Through that, she wanted to stand by the boy's side.

She wanted to be of even a little help to that brilliant light.

Therefore, the girl requested.

"If possible, during tomorrow's practical exam... could you come watch the match?"

A step moving forward.

With the meaning of watching over her immature self.

***

The day of the practical.

Many people gathered at the public training ground where the exam was being conducted.

Even excluding those waiting for their own turn, students from other grades and faculty members were densely filling the seats.

The widely spread spectator seats were bustling noisily.

They were all people who came to watch.

Eyes uniformly dyed with expectation.

Everyone was watching the circular arena.

Perhaps because it was an event counted among the top in the academy, everyone seemed to watch with interest regardless of grade.

Especially on the first day, there were matches that drew attention in many ways.

《The 6th exam will begin soon.》

《Students taking this exam please move according to the guidance broadcast.》

The 6th exam.

It was the match Regia was participating in.

[6th Exam]

[Regia Philertz vs. Britten Bladers]

As always.

Exams conducted as matches explicitly draw out the gap between those facing each other.

In other words, it clearly shows who is stronger and weaker.

Especially this matchup, as it was between Regia who was last in Class A, and Britten who was first in Class B, the spectators' interest couldn't help but be focused.

The class assignments for the second semester could change based on this exam's results.

-If he does well this time, Britten might be able to advance a grade?

-Does the other one fall to Class B?

-It's not that simple a matter... but still, isn't there a possibility? It might be possible if he overwhelmingly destroys her.

-It seems plenty possible? The opponent is so weak after all.

Regia Philertz.

There was much talk about her.

Though she had proven her ability by controlling a dragon, that had only happened in the desert which was another world.

Most of the academy still didn't know about the girl.

The image of Regia that students remembered was only the miserable appearance of being thoroughly trampled by the villainess during the class assignment exam at the start of the semester.

She remained treated as a bubble who couldn't even properly handle her own ability.

-How about this time? Who are you betting will win?

-Without even needing to think, it's Britten.

-That side hasn't shown anything. Meanwhile, Britten hasn't let go of first place in Class B all semester.

-She doesn't even feel overwhelmed like other Class A students...

-I really don't understand no matter how much I think about it. How did she pass the entrance exam?

-Like we would know.

Perhaps it was natural.

Galimar Academy was full of fierce competition.

She was too easy a target.

There was a lot of talk that she tried to mingle with nobles without knowing her place.

Despite being a commoner who didn't even know her own birth, there were opinions that she was trying to cling to scions of prestigious families like Yuda or Emilia.

The higher position is mercilessly bitten as much as it looked easy.

-I heard she summons something really amazing?

-A wyvern? Wasn't that just a rumor going around?

-There are various opinions about that. Some kids say it's a made-up false rumor, others say she does control a dragon but her skill is terrible.

-Either way, Britten winning seems like an already decided future.

-That's true.

There were even students who knew her ability as false.

Since in principle there was no training exchange between different classes, unless they were in the same class, they couldn't verify the truth of rumors.

At least the opportunities to show her ability had already flown away long ago.

It wasn't strange for some disbelievers to appear.

-Shall we watch how thoroughly she gets beaten?

-I'll bet on a 5 minutes cut.

-5 minutes? Then I'll go within 3 minutes.

-I just hope she doesn't do anything too low level.

Students muttering behind-the-scenes talk among themselves.

To most, the girl was like a flower broken on the roadside.

But they didn't know.

The fact that even though dark dawn had fallen between the leaves, the protagonist had finally borne beautiful fruit.

It didn't take long for public opinion to reverse.

《Examinees please standby at your positions.》

《The exam will be conducted as a match. The exam ends when you subdue or incapacitate your opponent.》

《Additionally, the exam also ends if one side forfeits.》

It was from the first sentence announcing the start of the match.

Right after the guidance broadcast rang.

《Ready... begin!》

Before the opponent could make any attempt, the girl's lips recited a faint call.

A silence echoing barely audibly.

A voice overwhelming the surrounding air for an instant.

"Lend me your strength."

Transcending.

"Efri."

The next moment.

A cry as if the world was collapsing comes from the sky.

A huge life form that sweeps away the white-spread clouds with a single wing beat, then lands precisely in the center of the circular arena.

The cool autumn air heats up with that being's presence.

Only surprised screams ring out from the spectator seats.

However, it lets out a roar as if erasing even such noise.

It was the dragon's roar.

Kuooooo-!!

Majesty bestowed terror that seemed to shatter the entire arena.

In front of the dragon bowing its head as if submitting, a pink-haired girl slowly stroking its nose was standing.

Her pupils shine, perhaps due to the fluttering flames.

The instantly changed atmosphere captivates the audience.

Regia extends her hand just like that.

"Everything."

The order that falls afterwards is execution.

Total incineration.

"Burn."

Grrrrrr-!

Blazing flames gather in the huge mouth, then a pure white flash swallows the entire arena.

It was a brilliant spectacle deceiving the midday sun in two.

***

Just 10 seconds.

That was the time it took for the exam to end.

-Everything... burn.

In fact, by the time she was muttering that spell, the opponent was already losing consciousness and collapsing.

It wasn't pressure that could be endured at the student level.

Despite just meeting eyes for a moment, the boy evaluated as first in Class B had no choice but to collapse, foaming at the mouth.

It was the same for other students sitting in the spectator seats.

Though they were safe thanks to the barrier between the arena, children complaining of dizziness appeared here and there.

I was appreciating the following wailing sounds.

"Stop! Match over!"

The one who ended the situation was none other than the supervisor.

Perhaps realizing it was dangerous at this rate.

The professor observing the exam jumped in just like that and blocked the flames Efri was spewing with a huge shield.

Though he clearly minimized damage by coating it with magic.

The shield's surface was already melting from the extreme heat.

"What is this..."

The professor is flustered.

It was fortunate the attacking side belatedly controlled its power, if it had swept with maximum output, it would have been a situation where defense couldn't be guaranteed.

Cold sweat seemed to flow at the thought it might have been consumed.

Even amid that, the dragon was still roaring.

Kuooo-!

"Ahem."

I quietly watch.

I, who had taken on exam assistance with head teaching assistant authority, was accompanying Regia's match from closest by.

It was to grant the girl's request.

-If possible, during tomorrow's practical exam... could you come watch the match?

I was a bit surprised at the time.

That after long deliberation, the request she made was just that.

Should I say the inflated expectations became empty.

Of course, since I was planning to watch from the start, I decided to gladly go along with the girl's request.

Thanks to that, I was able to spend time with an interesting spectacle.

《Britten Bladers is judged defeated. The winner is Regia Philertz.》

The guidance broadcast rang urgently.

The rarely agitated voice contained news of the protagonist's victory.

Behind follows the supporting characters' shock.

-J-just now, what exactly did I see?

-A wyvern...?

-Was summoning really possible?! I thought it was all bullshit until now...!

-I told you it was real!

-Even though it just roared, as soon as I heard it, a terror like my whole body was being crushed...

-...I think I wet my pants

-Crazy bastard.

Reactions flipping in an instant.

The words that had mocked the girl until just before disappear, and only admiring reactions cover the spectator seats.

Ridicule shatters in an instant when faced with overwhelming power.

Perhaps unable to even think of enjoying such a thrill, our protagonist runs toward me as soon as the match ends.

Those green eyes were sparkling brightly.

"I did it! Young Master!"

Grab-!

The girl threw herself into my arms with all her might.

It was somewhat sudden skinship, but I decided to overlook it without particularly pointing it out.

Praise should come first in this situation.

"Good job. You were really amazing."

"Hehe...!"

"I guess you really do it when it counts."

"W-well... it's because the Young Master was watching over me."

"To think you've even mastered humility."

I embrace her slender back.

Body heat entering one embrace.

While warming autumn's temperature with that warmth, I stroke her soft hair with my hand.

It was an affectionate hug as if implying lovers.

Staying like that for a few minutes.

"...Ah."

The girl froze belatedly.

Did she become self-aware?

On the screen largely displayed above the arena, the two people embracing each other were being broadcast.

Truly bold contact in front of the entire school.

"Uh, u, ah...?"

Her white face instantly turns red hot.

Becoming a hot tomato.

Not long after, the protagonist awkwardly tries to separate from my body.

I deliberately teased her by tightly embracing her and trapping her between my arms so she couldn't escape from the screen.

Her flustered fluttering appearance was quite worth seeing.

"Y-Young Master...?!"

"Oh my... You used a lot of power so you need to rest. Please lean on me and relax just like this."

"No, th-this isn't the situation for that...!"

Some commotion.

The practical concluded with that intimacy behind.

It was a successfully completed schedule.

***

Meanwhile,

After all the practicals ended.

"Hmm... so you're the one? The one said to be my physician's lover."

The rose looked down at the crumpled pilot while asking.

Despite leaning on a wheelchair, her leaf-like eyes were shining brightly.

A cold gaze pierces Regia.

"Eek, eeeek..."

The girl cowers while thoroughly frightened.

Though she tries shaking her head desperately, what returns is inevitably vicious thorns.

"Th-that's not it... I just, without realizing it, because I was happy."

"So what?"

"......"

"I didn't particularly ask for a reason."

"Sniff..."

"Why are you about to cry? I haven't said anything yet. Do I look that bitchy to you?"

"N-no...!"

"Then?"

"Ah, uuu... Y-Young Master please help me, please..."

A voice desperately sending a rescue request.

The weak protagonist had to be crushed under the princess's atmosphere for a while.