Chapter 26
Meanwhile,
The faculty members were watching the duel with interested eyes.
They all looked dazed.
"...A talent so outstanding it's scary."
Someone's self-mutter suddenly escapes.
Normally, laughter would be heard meaning not to exaggerate, but this time not even a trace of noise comes out.
They just sit silently.
"......"
They say silence is sometimes an expression of agreement.
The professors can't hastily open their lips.
However, they're all thinking the same thing.
'Genius.'
Truly a talent that hadn't existed in history.
Observing today's duel, the entire faculty couldn't help but marvel again at the boy's existence.
It was such an intense performance.
The professors unknowingly swallow.
-I didn't expect much from the snake's son... but what an interesting talent.
-To think there would be a genius surpassing Her Highness the Imperial Princess.
-Saying it's amazing isn't enough. He's more skilled than even the assistants helping with classes right now.
-To reach this level at such a young age... his future is promising.
The class assignment test that gave considerable shock.
Thanks to that, the faculty knew the boy's potential.
So when they heard news of this duel, their expectations couldn't help but be high.
But the boy,
《Shatter.》
Not only fulfilled expectations but shattered them.
He nullifies the magic the Beniti young lady brought out as her trump card with just a single gesture.
It was an infinitely beautiful movement.
The professors freeze, at a loss for words.
"...Ha."
"Amazing."
"Perfect."
"I didn't think he could do this much... He far exceeded expectations."
"What was I doing at that age?"
They each burst into hollow laughter.
Admiration, acknowledgment, awe... The more varied reactions reflect, the more stimulatingly the afterglow is dyed.
A momentary thrill runs down their spines.
The professors had to smile while shivering their shoulders.
"We have no choice but to acknowledge it."
"He won't find a match among his peers..."
"There are some lacking parts due to his youth... but in a few years he'll surpass us?"
"Where did such a monster appear from?"
Pure admiration is tinged in their voices.
Even some professors who had given harsh evaluations during the class assignment test were now applauding as if bewitched.
Overwhelming talent is always attractive.
"A desirable student."
"I want to teach him directly too... How brilliant of a growth will he show?"
"I want to bring him as my assistant."
"Tsk... Will that be enough? I'm willing to give up even the chief assistant position."
"Is the bidding war starting already?"
"Let me join in too."
A strangely sparking battle of nerves.
The professors were already captivated by the boy.
Each expresses their intention to scout him.
A desire to bring the boy under their wing by any means is blatantly revealed.
As the commotion continues for a while.
"......"
There's a woman quietly keeping her seat.
Long, flowing purple hair.
Her red eyes contain a strange lust.
Selena was blankly staring at the arena.
Clatter-.
Surprised by something, she even drops the liquor bottle she was holding.
The woman is frozen as if time has stopped.
"...I found it."
Soon a mutter.
It was faint enough to be inaudible, but somehow an excited voice.
Selena shakes her shoulders with her head bowed.
Right after.
"I must get my hands on it."
A twisted smile spreads on her lips.
Selena twitches as if her body is heating up. But she soon returns to her usual cold appearance.
It was an enigmatic reaction.
"......"
The dean was watching the drunkard.
But he didn't ask.
As always.
■■■ indifferently turned his gaze.
***
《The duel has ended.》
《Emilia Beniti is judged defeated. The winner is Yuda Snakers.》
The intense duel ended like that.
The guidance announcement was flowing, but there was an even bigger noise in the arena now.
Namely,
"Waaah! Hic, huuu...!"
The sound of bitter sobbing.
Emilia was spewing tears in a terribly pitiful state.
The crying echoes and spreads.
The girl's pants are soaked.
A puddle forming from yellow liquid. It was a scene difficult to describe.
Because it felt like destroying human dignity.
I deliberately turn my eyes away and open my mouth.
"Um, Lady?"
"Sniff, ughh...!"
"I didn't do it on purpose."
"Waaaah!!"
Emilia starts crying even louder.
It was an attempt to comfort her in my own way, but it seems to have sounded like teabagging to her ears.
What the hell should I do about this?
No matter how I think about it, there's no answer to this situation. I resolve to just shut up.
I took off the outer garment I was wearing like a cloak.
Then I quietly cover it over Emilia's legs.
It was to hide it.
'Of all things.'
I wanted to erase the traces with my ability, but I didn't have enough output left for that.
It was because I had recklessly used my power while excited during the duel.
-Ding!
[Most of the output of the unique ability 'Liar' has been consumed.]
[Current remaining output: 1.4%]
It was a hateful message, especially today.
Without lies, this body was no different from an ordinary person's.
In the end, I couldn't offer any help.
What cleaned up this mess was none other than the medical staff.
They, who had been prepared for injuries, approached the center of the arena right after the duel ended.
"Please tell us if anyone is injured."
"There are no particular injuries, but the Lady..."
"Sniff...!"
"Ah."
The medical staff member sighs faintly.
She looks around.
Soon she finishes grasping the situation and nods.
It was an expression showing somewhat complex impressions.
"We'll take care of the aftermath. Yuda, you may go back now."
"...Understood."
I nodded reluctantly.
I wanted to stay by her side out of guilt, but the current Emilia seemed to need stability.
'She probably doesn't want to be in the same place as the cause of her lemonade.'
Finally, I retreat with a sigh.
Some regret lingers.
I should have controlled myself a bit. In my joy, I ended up causing trouble beyond measure.
To think I couldn't even recall the character's setting.
I, who was once called an authority on [The World as Seen by the Little Prince]...
"Time is cruel."
It was already a memory from 3 years ago.
It wasn't even content mentioned in the main story, but a single line written in an extra booklet.
Isn't it amazing enough that I recalled it belatedly?
I chew over excuses that aren't excuses.
As I was leaving the public training ground, someone approached me, calling my name.
It was a fresh voice.
"Young Master Snakers...!"
I raise my lowered head.
What's reflected in my vision is long fluttering pink hair, blinking green eyes.
I mutter.
"...Miss Regia?"
"Young Master!"
Regia running quickly.
The girl gradually closes the distance, then soon spreads both arms and hugs my body.
It was a suddenly exuded warmth.
"I'm so glad! It's really great...!"
"Hmm?"
"I didn't think you'd win against Lady Beniti! I'm really relieved!"
A cry of pure joy is as dazzling as sunlight brushing spring.
Laughter escapes naturally.
"Huhu."
"You said you'd be expelled if you lost to the Lady! I've been so worried for days..."
Her green eyes curve vividly like thickets.
Though she didn't show it, it seems she was secretly worried. The girl kept expressing relief and offering congratulations.
Was it her own way of expressing joy?
Regia was hugging me tightly.
A warm body temperature dyeing my chest.
It felt somewhat ticklish.
I gently stroke the girl's hair as if responding to the hug.
"...Ah."
The girl finally realizes herself.
Regia, who had been frozen as if broken for a moment, soon creaks away from my embrace.
Her pure white cheeks are slightly heated.
"I-I'm sorry! I got too excited...!"
She hurriedly offers an excuse.
Perhaps due to the shame rushing in belatedly, the girl covers her face with her hands.
As expected, she's the protagonist I know.
Careless and foolish, but sufficiently warm.
She can sincerely rejoice in someone else's happiness, and sometimes shed tears of worry.
Perhaps a person kind like a fool.
"I'm just happy to receive such intense congratulations..."
"D-don't tease me..."
"I'm serious."
I smile meaninglessly.
It was an endearing feeling.
She must have had a hard time being bullied for the past few days, but it was admirable that she tried to take care of others even in such a situation.
I stroked the pink hair once again.
"Uh... Y-Young Master?"
"It'll be alright now."
"Pardon?"
"I mean being bullied. You were having a hard time being targeted by Lady Beniti, right?"
I speak in a gentle resonance.
"Lady Beniti lost in the duel... so no one will be able to treat Miss Regia carelessly anymore."
"......"
"Because I'll be by your side."
Friends always help each other, right?
I add playfully.
Regia was frozen blankly as if she had heard unexpected words.
I lightly wink one eye.
"So you don't need to be afraid anymore."
That's what I came to the academy for in the first place.
I hoped your story wouldn't be sad.
Laughing, chattering, being happy, loving... I hoped it would end with a beautiful conclusion.
It was the only reason for my lowly life.
Perhaps moved by the sincere encouragement.
Regia was silent for a while.
Maybe because the background was a setting sun, the girl's complexion looked especially red.
As if she was embarrassed.
"...Thank you every time."
"Huhu, we're friends. No need for thanks?"
"B-but I wanted to say it."
"You really are a good child."
A gaze straying for a moment.
We who had been sharing a laugh for a while soon start to take steps.
Footsteps advancing towards the long day.
"Well~ Now that your worries are lessened, a fun daily life awaits from tomorrow, right?"
"Yes...!"
The pilot and the snake.
The two walked matching their steps side by side.
***
The very next day.
The aftermath of the duel quickly came to find me.
"......"
An awkward silence lingering in the room.
In front of me is a girl with blue roll-shaped hair.
How much must she have cried yesterday for the area around her eyes to still be red? It felt like becoming a criminal.
The first face-to-face meeting after the lemonade incident.
'This isn't easy.'
I sigh and turn my head.
Selena is sitting at the opposite desk. Her red eyes gaze at us with a strange look.
She flips through a few pages of the documents she was holding.
The very person who took on the role of [Execution] in this duel.
"Then, I'll begin the execution."
It was an extremely businesslike tone.
Today was the day to carry out the promised conditions based on yesterday's results.
It could be called the final stage.
But,
"Dear Chief Professor."
"What is it?"
"I apologize for interrupting, but may I say a few words before the execution begins?"
My plan was just beginning.
I slightly move my eyes.
The blue-haired girl sitting in a miserable state. Now a villainess in danger of being driven out after losing everything.
I lightly wet my lips.
"I have a proposal I'd like to make to Lady Beniti."
"A proposal?"
"It's related to the execution. I'd like to talk with her alone."
"I'll allow it."
"Thank you."
The corners of my mouth twist ominously.
I cover my mouth.
Originally, people's ears become softer when they're in trouble. Emilia was no different.
It was an opportunity to shake her.
"Huhu."
Now.
It's time for gaslighting.