Chapter 108: Red Sea (2)

The news spread quickly.

The authority of professors that had never been shaken since the academy's founding.

A student appeared who boldly challenged such authority, so those who heard the news all seemed shocked.

It was a situation unimaginable even in dreams.

Moreover, the opponent was Cardel Evans.

Despite his young age, he stood at the center of the academy and received treatment as the de facto leader among faculty members.

He was no different from Galimar's number one person excluding the dean.

Toward such an influential figure.

"Besides, it doesn't seem like there's anything to learn."

"Isn't the potential to reach the stars too wasted to be under such teaching?"

In addition to the retorts thrown out clearly.

"You're the challenger."

He even threw out lines that would be remembered in academy history, so from the watching students' perspective, it was quite shocking.

It also seemed like teasing due to his characteristically playful tone.

Of course, there was sufficient justification to strike back on the point of insulting a teacher, but words had to come out since the target of that declaration of war was a professor.

The academy's fervor that was already hot from the practical exam was adding firewood.

Heated discussions continued for a short period.

"A good spectacle comes out right after the practical exam ends."

"Though the result is too obvious... isn't that what makes it fun?"

"Let's just munch on popcorn."

"We can see how high the head student's peak is this time too, right?"

"Won't he lose no matter how much of a head student he is?"

"That's too obvious. Can he reasonably fight a professor?"

"Anyway, I'm looking forward to this tournament."

The Faculty Tournament.

The attention of students who finished their practicals was focused here.

Amid interest pouring down thicker than summer monsoon rain, the event's date was faithfully approaching day by day.

And the day of the event arrived before I knew it.

Though the atmosphere was heightening, the person in question.

"Huhu... the weather is nice."

Was just looking up at the clear sky.

***

Over the past few days.

There were many worried words from around me in particular.

Was it because of the boldly flung declaration of war?

While other students watched the situation with excitement, those close to me were restless and anxious.

Of course, those who knew my abilities seemed to think nothing of it, but.

"Y-Young Master... w-w-what should we do...?"

"Miss Regia."

Our protagonist wasn't.

The girl with teary green eyes.

I had to comfort her who was grieving as if the world was ending.

Perhaps she was so anxious that I might be humiliated, she was shedding dewdrop-like tears while tightly grasping my sleeve.

Even amid that, she was sticking close as if trying to give strength.

"Y-you'll definitely win s-splendidly...!"

"I’m grateful for your trust."

"Because you always believed in me too. S-so I don't want to worry, but I keep getting anxious..."

"Everything will be fine."

"I-I'll cheer for you...!"

Regia sent very fervent support.

Her eyes were full of determination.

As I stroked her head with an appreciative heart, the rose sitting in a wheelchair casually asked.

It was closer to a question thrown more directly than the protagonist.

"Are you really alright?"

"Your Highness."

"I still don't know much about the academy, but... I roughly know how amazing those professor humans are. Because sister explained a lot in various ways."

"I didn't expect Your Highness to worry."

"Again with the unnecessary words."

Though her tone was prickly, she seemed to be worrying inwardly.

She also didn't know about my abilities.

She only knew I handled mysterious powers, but hadn't seen me engaging in battle based on that.

In that sense, Elise's worry was natural.

I smiled intently and pushed the stopped wheelchair again.

At the same time, I answer.

"I'm quite strong despite appearances."

"How strong?"

"You should be able to confirm this time."

"You're overflowing with confidence."

"Shouldn't a knight guarding stars have fitting skills?"

"You're a physician, not a knight though."

"Huhu."

"Anyway, I'll look forward to it."

The pilot and the rose.

Though both showed signs of worry, they still had an atmosphere of believing in me.

Is it sentimental to say that trust was inwardly grateful?

It wasn't really an event to worry about in the first place.

There were no disadvantages if I lost, and we were originally scheduled to face each other in the tournament anyway.

It was just receiving more attention than other matches.

'It's not that I dislike the worry.'

I just didn't want to see the sad faces of precious people.

This time I just need to show them clearly.

I waited for the approaching date while thinking.

Like that, the day before the event, I heard worry from an unexpected person this time.

None other than my master.

"About tomorrow's tournament."

While helping with paperwork matching teaching assistant duties, suddenly the woman sitting across spoke.

Red dead pupils were looking this way.

As always, intoxication overflowed in the liquor bottle grasped in her hand.

She spoke indifferently.

"You don't need to force yourself."

"I already issued a declaration of war."

"He won't care much anyway. The opponent he's holding a grudge against is me, not Student Yuda. If I persuade him, he'll let it pass without much fuss."

"Persuade... I don't think he'll listen from that side."

"He will listen. Of course I'll have to kneel... but I don't particularly value honor anyway."

"I'll still decline."

Selena saying she would casually kneel.

Is it because of her originally indifferent personality?

It seemed she herself was also included in that realm of composure.

I gave a troubled smile and rejected the proposal.

"You think I'll lose."

"I'm just being realistic."

She didn't seem to even think about the possibility of victory.

An attitude of waiting for a foreseen future.

I didn't particularly feel disappointed.

Though they put assistants and professors together calling it an event, there was actually an enormous gap between the two.

It's strange to predict an assistant's victory from the start.

The reason they set them up was just to show the overwhelming difference between students and professors.

They were all an organization gathered of people who were outstanding - heroes from the Great Extermination era, former Imperial Knight Commanders, Church cardinals, etc... there's no way they would be trampled by students who were mere sprouts.

It was all an event to emphasize the academy's dignity.

"Professor Cardel is strong."

From what I heard, that man was also a monster.

He was selected as the youngest Tower Master at the young age of fifteen, then suddenly lost interest in academics and took a faculty position at the academy, but the exact reason was never solved even in the game settings.

Though 10 years had already passed and his career as a magician was short.

He was still a person talked about as legendary talent among industry people.

Seeing this, I had no choice but to foresee defeat.

'I must have looked quite crazy.'

This is… how should I put it?

Right.

It would have looked like a fight between an elephant and a snake.

Of course, there are cases where a snake's venom kills an elephant, but it's a story difficult to accept in general common sense.

The scene I'll show from now on will be a miracle breaking that common sense.

I casually add.

"I'll be fine."

"Then I won't interfere further."

The drunkard withdrew obediently.

Silence settled briefly.

The woman who seemed to close her lips just like that finally brings out one question she had been holding.

Her purple hair that had flowed down shakes precariously.

"This is a personal question."

"Please ask comfortably."

"I'm curious about the reason you went as far as issuing a declaration of war."

The golden-haired boy is reflected directly in her blood-colored pupils.

Eyes dead without a trace of vitality.

I stall a bit then return an answer.

"I was bothered by the situation of you being insulted."

"For me?"

"Because I've received a lot of help from you, Master. I think I got angry at the thought of a person I rely on being insulted."

"A person you rely on... we just had matching interests."

That's right.

We may just be a teacher-student relationship formed by contract.

But

"Relationships... originally start from understanding."

They can change as much as possible.

Taming was something that couldn't be defined in human language, and at the same time was an unpredictable inner pulsation.

I faced the woman's face with vague emotions.

"We're in a relationship that will be together for at least 3 years. Since I've taken on the title of your disciple, I just don't want to be false to those words."

"......"

Sentences taking a step closer to the other person.

I smiled intently.

As if responding to that smile, the woman froze.

Some past seemed to flicker in her empty gaze.

She who seemed to be blankly lost in thought soon came to her senses and needlessly changed the subject.

An appearance of subtly avoiding gazes.

"Anyway, I wish you good luck."

"I'll do my best receiving that encouragement."

Awkwardly flowing air.

The woman needlessly tilted the liquor bottle and filled her mouth with alcohol.

As if overlapping something on the boy looking at her, faint complex emotions were buried in her furrowed brow.

I pretended not to notice and turned my eyes away.

'It reminds me of the old days.'

A monologue brushing past an instant.

I finished the paperwork with a bitter smile I couldn't swallow.

***

After several noisy days passed.

The Faculty Tournament.

The day of the event everyone was looking forward to arrived.

The venue was the same public training ground surrounded by numerous spectator seats as the previous practical exam.

I was standing with my feet on the wide circular arena.

"It's been quite a while."

Words muttered while looking around.

Spectator seats packed full of numerous onlookers shimmer in my vision.

In addition to it originally being a popular event, perhaps because the challenge I threw at Professor Cardel spread by word of mouth, seats that would have been sparsely empty normally were packed full.

I was calm as I had experienced similar things several times before.

Waaaah-!

With cheers ringing behind me, my gaze meets the person standing opposite.

He was the partner who would participate in the show to be presented today.

The young man with folded arms speaks as if unexpected.

"I really didn't think you'd come out."

"Didn't I tell you?"

"I don't know what you're thinking about coming up for the match. You don't seriously think you can beat a professor, do you?"

"How are your words exactly the same as what I heard from Senior Ian?"

I guess that's what it means to be a teacher and student.

I recall the pitiful senior who became a dance machine in front of the whole school.

"It was a pleasant memory."

"Though the person in question seems to regard it as a nightmare."

"That's sad."

"Since we've ended up having a match, I have no intention of going easy. Though I'm not holding your previous provocation in my heart, considering my face as a professor, I can't be sloppy either."

"It's the same for me. I'm not the type to avoid challenges."

"Ha! I'll see how long that arrogance continues."

Cardel sneering blatantly.

He takes out a palm-length wand from his waist, then takes a stance while gathering mana at its tip.

I condense shadows around me in response.

Then I draw out a sword and accurately aim its pitch-black blade at the opponent.

The announcer's voice rings through the coolly brushing wind.

《Faculty members please standby at your positions.》

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

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

The rules were the same as general practical exams.

Before long, the middle referee flips a coin into the sky.

The afterimage spinning touches the ground.

Clang-!

A signal announcing the duel rings out.

Right after.

Kwaaaang-!

Magic quickly shot by the two people collides in midair.

Thorns sharply shot from shadows, and arrows pointedly condensed from water. The destructive power of each sprays shockwaves in all directions while sparking.

The first clash noisily announced the start.

Like that.

A match that would remain in academy history began.