Chapter 18
《Swish-!》
Steel fragments pour down behind the roar.
Hundreds of swords swirl like a storm. It was a scene that naturally inspired awe in viewers.
It was as if showcasing a wall of talent that could never be reached.
But,
There was a boy who wasn't intimidated even by such a disaster.
Golden hair fluttering in the blowing wind.
He stretched out his arm towards the fiercely rushing wave. As if to block it.
《Shatter.》
Everyone thought the boy was reckless.
However, the moment his lips recited the incantation, the trivially flowing situation flipped.
《Kwaang-!》
The screen shakes with a loud noise.
Beyond the roughly flashing scene, what's visible is a jet-black shadow instantly swallowing the surroundings.
It was darkness flickering ominously.
《Clang-!》
Right after, the barrier covering the circular arena breaks.
The wall of talent that seemed unreachable just moments ago shatters like mere glass.
It gradually scatters, turning to dust.
It returns to a state as if it never existed in the first place.
Everything happened in less than 3 seconds.
《Whew.》
The blonde boy calmly catches his breath.
He seemed to think it was a natural result.
The scene stops with the image of him dusting off residual mana from his fingertips.
""......"
The faculty members silently stare at the screen.
They had been replaying this part several times, but it was still difficult to escape the shock.
Sharply fluctuating killing intent.
Mana waves extending to the extreme.
Even composure that doesn't falter in dangerous situations.
Everything far exceeded a student's level.
As complex silence continues among them, a mutter unconsciously escapes.
"...Is this really a student who just entered the academy?"
A dazed voice tinged with surprise.
Perhaps it represented the feelings of all faculty members currently seated in the waiting room.
They stutter for a moment like malfunctioning magic devices, then start to run wild.
"What on earth did I just see?"
"Quickly rewind to that scene earlier! Wasn't something recorded wrong?"
"Impossible."
"Is this magic possible at a student's level...?"
"Did he use little mana in reverse to cause dispersion? It's not a technique that can be handled at a student level, it's amazing!"
"Where on earth did such a guy pop out from?"
They look at the screen with extremely excited eyes.
Perhaps because he overturned the prediction that he would be overwhelmingly defeated, the reaction from all faculty members was exceptionally heated.
It was truly the appearance of a raw gem that would leave its name in history.
"I didn't expect much from the snake's son... but this is an interesting talent."
"To think there would be a genius surpassing Her Highness the Imperial Princess."
"This has far surpassed even graduate level, hasn't it?"
"At least assistant level... if we push it, could we consider him professor level?"
"Ah~ That's going too far."
"I guess so, right?"
The young professor scratches his head awkwardly.
It seems he made an excessive evaluation.
Galimar Academy's faculty were monsters composed of one extraordinary person after another, so they couldn't even be comparison targets.
Of course... exceptions always exist.
This was an intentional part by the boy.
He skillfully controlled his strength in the process of breaking the barrier, and didn't reveal himself beyond a certain level.
To others' eyes, the boy would just appear as a 'raw gem of tremendous talent'.
"Still, it's amazing."
"Amazing isn't enough. He's better skilled than even the assistants who help with classes right now."
"To reach this level at such a young age... his future is promising."
The faculty didn't know.
The fact that if the boy wanted, he could easily slaughter all the faculty members.
Sometimes ignorance saves lives.
The ignorant professors continued heated conversations for a while.
"Everyone, please be quiet."
The one settling the noisy atmosphere was none other than the dean.
The white-haired old man responds calmly. Years of experience could be glimpsed in his pupils that don't easily waver.
"Selena."
"Yes, Master."
"It seems the top student for the class assignment test has been decided."
"It does."
Selena lets out a lukewarm response.
Her red eyes, soaked in fatigue, blink.
Behind her carelessly flowing purple hair, a strong liquor bottle is held in her slender hand as always.
It was clearly the appearance of a drunkard.
"......"
The dean deliberately swallowed a sigh.
He wanted to point out her attitude right away, but he was currently in a situation where he owed her to some extent.
He speaks in a reluctant admonishing voice.
"I made a mistake."
"What do you mean suddenly?"
"About the freshman top student. I doubted the documents you approved and even pushed you by setting conditions."
"Ah... yeah, well."
The woman shrugs indifferently.
It was a reaction as if she hadn't cared from the start, but as the dean, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
"I knew you would answer like that... Is there perhaps anything you want?"
"What do you mean by something I want...?"
"If it's something I can grant within my authority, I'll grant it."
"Hmm."
Selena finally starts showing interest.
She sighs for a moment as if lost in thought, then soon parts her lips with a faint smile.
"Then I'll tell you. For this year's class, I..."
The disciple's request that follows.
The pupils of other faculty members widen at the completely unexpected content.
Colleague professors stare at her blankly.
Regardless, Selena only brings the liquor bottle she was holding to her mouth.
***
The plan completely fell apart.
Originally, I was going to lose spectacularly in the test and hand over the top position... but the situation got too tangled and I had no choice.
It was my mistake for not considering Charlotte's overflowing consideration.
But it wasn't an entirely hopeless flow.
I properly made acquaintance with the Little Prince through this opportunity, and even exchanged a few words of small talk, albeit briefly.
The reaction wasn't bad either.
At least she didn't seem to be wary.
'Considering Charlotte's personality, she probably won't go around talking about me either.'
It's not like I can turn back time anyway.
Actually, there is one person who can turn back time... but I didn't want to get involved with that person if possible.
Let's be satisfied with this much.
With such thoughts, I raised my head.
The first thing that comes into my blurry vision is none other than the circular arena.
"Hmm."
I was watching the test while seated in the waiting area.
Currently standing on the arena were a pink-haired girl, and a blue roll-haired villain young lady.
I quietly check the match-up table.
[Test #23]
[Regia Philertz vs Emilia Beniti]
'A battle between the protagonist and the villain...'
It was content I already knew through the original work.
I quietly recall that part.
[EP1. The Outsider]
Regia enters the academy with an excited heart.
There was one event waiting for her... the class assignment test.
As a top-tier student, there was pressure, but the expectation of meeting new people was even greater.
She was thinking of making acquaintances with students through this opportunity.
-I'm going to make friends too.
-Ugh... I'm a bit nervous, but let's do well!
Regia, who had never had a single friend in her life due to her wandering lifestyle.
She resolves.
That this time she will surely build good relationships.
As she stepped forward confidently onto the arena like that...
-How unsightly.
The girl ended up being thoroughly defeated.
Unfortunately, her opponent was not good.
It was the Beniti young lady, called the genius second only to Charlotte.
-You need to be aware of your place.
-This is a place for those who are qualified... not somewhere a mere commoner should aspire to.
The protagonist who entered as a commoner.
Naturally, the villain young lady treats her like an eyesore.
Then the opportunity of the class assignment test came, and Emilia thoroughly subdues her opponent with skill.
Even her fragile heart.
-Leave, outsider.
A voice coldly pointing at the girl.
The harsh words remain as a long-lasting wound in her heart.
Showing the protagonist stumbling from the start like that is the rough outline of the first episode.
"...I'm worried."
A self-mutter that unconsciously escapes.
Trials accompany growth.
I knew it was a necessary process, but I couldn't help feeling sorry.
As I was watching the test with complicated eyes.
"She's really being pushed back one-sidedly."
"Miss Irene."
The fox sitting next to me mutters.
The girl in maid attire watching the test while leaning on the backrest. Irene soon tilts her head and asks.
"But that pink hair... didn't you say she was a summoner last time?"
"That's right."
"Then why is she fighting with her bare hands instead of summoning?"
"Ah."
It was as Irene said.
Not even a single mouse could be seen inside the circular arena.
The gallant wyvern she had shown at the entrance ceremony was nowhere to be seen, and only the frail girl was trembling in place.
I smile bitterly.
"There are circumstances."
"Circumstances?"
"You could say it's Miss Regia's weakness."
Regia's ability doesn't come out when she falls into panic.
The mental strength needed as top priority for summoning rituals, she was a person overwhelmingly lacking in that part compared to average.
In urgent situations, summoning mostly failed.
In fact, in the original game, when affected by 'Confusion', she would be judged unable to use any skills.
A powerful but care-intensive character.
'She eventually overcomes her weakness in the latter half, but...'
This was a point close to the tutorial.
In a way, it was natural for the test to flow like this.
"That's unfortunate."
"It is unfortunate. But this is also part of Miss Regia's charm."
"But how do you know these things? It's not like the pink-haired girl would have told you such stories..."
"Huhu... do you really want to know?"
I smile faintly.
Slit eyes behind a sinisterly curved mouth. It was a laugh with a chilling atmosphere lingering.
"...No, I'll pass."
"That's fortunate. I was wondering how to answer you."
For some reason.
Everyone averts their gaze when I smile like this.
Thanks to that, I've been using it conveniently when difficult questions come in or when I want to avoid answering.
Irene slightly changed the topic of conversation.
"Anyway, that aside... won't she get hurt at this rate? The pink-haired girl seems to only be able to use basic magic."
"She'll be fine."
"On what grounds?"
"Well..."
Although she appears as an extra villain young lady.
Emilia was a person who strictly adheres to the lines she sets for herself.
While she made Regia mentally collapse several times, she wasn't the type to seriously injure her.
"Actually, even though I'm saying this... I'm getting worried inside too."
"That's unexpected."
"Hmm?"
"You worrying about someone. I thought you wouldn't worry about anyone."
"Haha, how could that be? I'm just a mere human being too."
"...Are you really human?"
"No, what on earth do you think I am then?"
"A chimera?"
"...Let's stop."
I'm sure we've had similar conversations several times before.
Psychopath, monster, and now chimera?
I was curious what kind of outlandish answer would come next time.
'I treated her so well... but inside she was treating me like Edward oppa.'
It was a lamentable fact.
I grab the fox's tail with a sorrowful heart.
"Eek?!"
"It's punishment."
"W-wait...! N-not the tail! It makes me feel weird... hick!?"
"Take it gracefully."
I roughly stroke the soft ball of fur.
As I was educating the impertinent fox like that for a while, soon an announcement rings out.
It was a voice signaling the end of the test.
《Test #23 has ended.》
《Students who have finished the test, please exit following the faculty's guidance.》
Two girls are standing in the arena.
The villain young lady turning her back with a chilly atmosphere. Behind her, the protagonist kneeling.
《Regia Philertz forfeits. The winner is Emilia Beniti.》
There was no upset.
The pink-haired girl remains frozen for a while, then soon stands up staggering.
She leaves the arena with trembling steps.
It was a particularly lonely-looking back view.
"Then... shall we get up too?"
"Already? There are still about 10 teams left."
"There's someone who needs me. Friends should stay by each other's side in difficult times, after all."
"What are you thinking now...?"
"Huhu."
I smile instead of answering.
The sky I looked up at was especially cloudy. With so many dark clouds gathered, it seemed like it would rain.
I casually ask the fox.
"Miss Irene."
"What."
"It looks like it's going to rain."
"If you mean umbrellas, I brought them... but why did you tell me to prepare 3 when there are only two people?"
"There's someone I want to share it with."
I answer simply.
"I don't want to leave her alone."
Well then.
Shall we go pat our protagonist's head a bit?