Chapter 33
Time had passed busily.
Though he thought about staying a bit longer since it had been a while since he visited, unfortunately the academic schedule was tight.
An important main event was about to start soon too.
He smacked his lips with regret.
The members had also become a sea of tears at the news of his return.
"Commander...!"
"How can you impose another wait upon us!"
"We want to serve you even a moment longer, please stay just one night...!"
He really wondered why they were acting like this.
Though it wasn't something he experienced for just a day or two, their reactions were still burdensome.
He tried to take steps nonchalantly.
Two people were waiting in front of the door.
A girl with long silver hair, and a middle-aged man with striking red hair.
He bid farewell to them in turn.
"I'll be away for a while."
"Yes, Master."
"Hahaha! Have a comfortable trip."
He felt at ease because of these two people.
Though all the members were strong, he had been uneasy because they were unpredictable fellows.
"I leave Astro in your hands."
"Until you return, Master... I'll gather all the information you requested."
"I'll take excellent care of the fox guests!"
"Huhu, good."
The two gave reliable answers.
Thanks to them, he was able to leave the underground facility with peace of mind.
"Well then, I'll be going."
And so he returned to the academy.
***
"Don't you think we spent the weekend quite productively?"
"I guess."
"I was a bit tired but... it was nice to see faces after a long time."
"The children certainly seemed to be doing well."
"Huhu."
As always, on the way to attend lectures.
The snake, fox, and pilot were walking side by side across the corridor.
He asked lightly.
"How was it for Miss Regia?"
"Y-Yes?"
"I mean how you spent your weekend."
"Ah... I, I just wandered around the academy here and there. Since it's so big, th-there are still many places I haven't been to..."
"Interesting."
As expected of the protagonist, he thought.
She was very interested in her surroundings.
The original work had this feeling too.
A story of wandering around a wide field, meeting people, and building relationships.
He personally liked its unique calmness.
'I'm glad she seems to be enjoying herself.'
He smiled faintly.
Even in a background that treated her as a mere outsider, the sight of her steadfastly blooming petals alone was beautiful.
His hardened heart was dyed soft and tender.
The affection continued for a while.
As he was walking with such a refreshing feeling.
"Student Yuda."
Suddenly a voice was heard.
When he turned around in response, what he saw was an old man with impressive shaggy facial hair.
He was full of an antique atmosphere.
"Could we have a talk?"
He was one of the academy's faculty members.
A professor in charge of [Limits of Magic Manifestation], he was a veteran figure even at Galimar.
He was also an object of respect from many students.
"Just a moment will do."
"Professor Raphael."
"I didn't think you'd even know this old man's name."
"Aren't you called the wisest sage? I know your reputation well."
"Hehe... I quite like how sharp you are."
The old man laughed as if finding him endearing.
Though he was originally famous for being warm to students, this felt like a somewhat blatant favor.
He had some idea of the content.
He quietly listened to the professor's continuing words.
"I have something I'd like to propose to you."
"Please speak."
"Would you like to learn magic more profoundly?"
"......"
So it was going to be like this after all.
A familiar bait thrown. The flow of conversation was progressing as predicted.
He inwardly sighed.
'How many times has this happened just today?'
It was content that had been repeating for the past few days.
The shocking duel from the other day.
Since then, as if by agreement, the faculty members had started coming to find him every day.
They were all people with the same purpose.
"You see, we're short on people in the lab these days. If there's a good student, I was thinking of taking them as a disciple..."
Professors eyeing him.
Perhaps because he had shown shocking performances one after another, scout offers were pouring in from here and there.
Just today, this was already the seventh proposal he had received.
They were fiercely rushing in as if competing.
Disciple, assistant, chief assistant... there were even people trying to entice him by promising the position of their successor.
A fierce battle of nerves between professors.
Each time, he had to smile awkwardly.
"...So what do you think?"
"That's a very kind offer."
This time was no different.
He raised the corners of his mouth gently behind a polite tone.
"However..."
"However?"
"Perhaps because it's such a sudden proposal, I find myself with a lot to think about."
"I understand completely. You must have received many similar offers."
"It might sound a bit presumptuous... but could I take some time to consider?"
"Of course."
The old man nodded readily.
"You have a careful side."
"I'm sorry."
"No, I like it even more. Isn't it the quality of an excellent magician?"
"Thank you. I'll let you know when I make up my mind."
"Alright. See you next time."
Words promising the next time.
The professor who had been smacking his lips as if regretful soon turned his back and moved his feet.
As he was staring at the receding back view.
Irene, who had been watching from the side, casually spoke up.
"It's strange."
"Pardon?"
"You. You don't intend to go under anyone anyway, right?"
"I suppose not."
"Then why don't you refuse?"
The fox narrowed her eyes.
She tilted her head as if not understanding.
"If it's really annoying, you could just cut it off clearly... Why do you keep leaving it ambiguous every time?"
So that's what she was curious about.
Well, from an observer's perspective, it might look like someone with no intention of joining was just playing around.
He answered quietly.
"Because I feel sorry."
"...What?"
"They're all people who think well of me, aren't they? I feel bad about flatly refusing."
"That's a surprisingly timid and considerate reason... It doesn't suit you."
"That's a hurtful thing to say."
But it wasn't an entirely wrong point.
His appearance did look ominous after all.
A world where a warm heart is misunderstood just because of looks, a bitter smile spread on his lips involuntarily.
He quietly added.
"And if I leave the room like this, I can use it whenever I want later, right?"
"...?"
"I'll probably be able to use it as an excuse for favors a few times."
People tend to be more anxious when they hear a postponement rather than a refusal.
Right now, the entire Galimar faculty was desperate to get me, so I was using this situation in reverse. The more I delayed my choice, the more anxious the professors became. They'd gradually show their sincerity in special ways.
"It might be regrettable for the professors... but in short, I'm just playing with them for a bit."
It becomes pleasant in terms of grades, convenience, and daily life.
To them, I was a 'raw gem' worth that much value.
Of course, there would be side effects if taken too far.
"Huhu, I'm confident I can use it appropriately."
"......"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"......"
"Miss Irene?"
"......"
A perfect plan.
As he was grinning in a good mood for no reason, he felt a strange gaze.
Black eyes looking at him with a complex sigh behind them.
It was an extremely disrespectful gaze, as if saying 'Of course you'd do that'.
He asked awkwardly:
"Did I say something wrong?"
"......"
"This is how the world works. I'm not particularly strange."
"......"
No.
At least say something.
Not criticizing as usual, but just keeping silent.
It was a strangely annoying reaction.
Whack-!
With an indignant feeling, he grabbed her swaying tail.
The fox's shoulders immediately twitched, breaking the continuing silence.
"Eek?!"
"It's punishment."
"W-Wait, hic...! I, I didn't say anything...!"
"Your disrespectful gaze is the problem."
"Hick?! St-stop...! It really feels weird, I tell you!!"
"Take it gracefully."
The noisy exchange of crime and punishment continued.
The atmosphere was filled with friendly bickering.
For a while, the fox's screams echoed loudly between them.
***
The wild professors kept popping up endlessly.
Their "please take me" offensive that had been pouring for a while seemed to be bending a little after a few days passed.
It didn't seem like they had given up particularly.
-I'll consider it carefully.
It was just that after repeating this answer continuously,
He had left a 'postponed' answer to most of the professors by now.
Though it had been quite chaotic for a few days.
Well, it's better to be good anyway.
It was peace that had come after a long time since the duel.
Thanks to that, a quiet daily life.
The snake was about to enjoy leisurely under the warm summer sunlight...
"Hello."
He thought he could enjoy it.
If it weren't for this girl suddenly greeting him.
"It's been a while."
To him who was enjoying a solitary walk.
Someone approached.
Platinum blonde hair swaying with the lukewarm breeze, blue eyes resembling the sea.
A faint atmosphere formed and fell.
"Your Highness...?"
It was none other than Charlotte.
Just when the persistent professors had retreated and things seemed to be quieting down around him.
This time, no less than the Imperial Princess had clung to him.
'Actually, this is even better?'
A character he had loved from the game.
And one who could be considered a pillar of the story, Charlotte, had approached him first to talk.
It couldn't be anything but a happy situation.
He said with a big smile:
"I greet the empire's first star."
"Mm. Nice to see you."
"What brings you here?"
"Just. I came because I wanted to see you."
"You came... for me?"
"Yes."
The girl quietly nodded.
Pupils transparently facing this way.
Charlotte looked at him for a moment, then suddenly thrust her face close.
Before he could show any reaction.
Charlotte's bridge of nose touched his chest.
"......"
"Your Highness?"
A sudden impulsive action.
He called Charlotte in bewilderment, but she just silently sniffed.
As if smelling something.
"Sniff sniff."
What kind of 4D move was this now?
As he was quietly raising question marks, the girl who had been clinging sufficiently separated.
A faint smile was evident on her lips.
A pure white shining transparently.
"A cool scent."
"Hmm?"
"It's really fascinating. You smell like winter."
"A winter-like scent...?"
"It's a good thing."
"I see."
She was an incomprehensible person.
Last time she complimented his clean smile as pretty, this time it was a cool scent.
Was this her way of showing favor?
"I don't understand the meaning... but thank you anyway."
"Mm."
Charlotte blinked.
Before he knew it, her hand was stroking his head.
A gentle pat pat.
'She's been treating me like a newborn baby from before.'
To think she would show such an innocent reaction even while knowing his strength.
He decided to go along with it for a while.
Because her appearance of standing on tiptoes due to her small height was cute.
As the girl continued patting, she suddenly said:
"It's unexpected."
"What do you mean?"
"There was something a few days ago. The duel."
"You mean Lady Beniti?"
"Yes."
Come to think of it.
Was this the first conversation they were having since then?
Charlotte tilted her head.
"It was unexpected. I thought you would kill her."
"Pardon? Me, kill Lady...?"
"Am I wrong?"
"Of course not."
"But she offended you. She was going around slandering you."
"That's not a sin worthy of death."
What on earth did everyone think of him?
They keep asking if he's going to kill for every little thing.
They don't know how tender and kind a person he is.
"You really are fascinating."
"Am I?"
"What kind of person are you? A good person? Or a bad person?"
"I suppose it depends on who's making the judgment."
"Mm, that's true."
Charlotte nodded expressionlessly.
Their strangely continuing back-and-forth, they exchanged a few more words.
"The midterm exams are coming up soon."
"They've already approached next week. What a tight schedule, isn't it?"
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Hmm?"
"I said I'd be watching, remember?"
Was she talking about the class assignment test?
He chewed over the brief memory.
The platinum blonde girl laughed quietly.
"For now. I want to know more about you."
"I don't think I'm hiding much... but I'll do my best to live up to your expectations."
"Mm."
Galimar's midterm exams.
While students were spending their days fiercely, the date had suddenly approached right before their eyes.
It was a schedule he was personally looking forward to as well.
'The Nightmare of Belzen.'
There was an event he remembered.
One of the core stories of the original work, and one of the most highly rated episodes.
[EP6. Bergen Belzen]
-The Lost Girl, Monsters That Can't Cry-
It was also the event he had most looked forward to in the early part.
He held a tight smile.
"I'm looking forward to next week."
He quietly muttered.
***
Several days passed.
As the exam period gradually approached, the academy's atmosphere froze coldly.
Perhaps because of the sensitive mood towards academics.
The air continued like ice.
-As previously announced, this midterm exam will be conducted with students forming groups of 3 at their discretion.
-Please submit a list to your supervising professor as soon as possible.
-Galimar wishes all students the best of luck.
-May it be an opportunity to prove yourselves.
The notice that came down two days before the exam.
It was an unexpected order.
Though flustered, students were forming groups to take the exam.
He was the same.
"Y-Young Master... aren't we, sh-short one person?"
"It's alright, Miss Regia."
An exam that would ultimately be conducted in groups of 3.
To submit the list, they needed one more person even including himself and Regia.
Of course, there was no need to worry.
"We have one more friend, don't we?"
He had cultivated a relationship in preparation for this situation.
He moved his steps with a big smile.
Towards the blue roll-haired girl crouching at her desk.
"Lady Beniti."
Just as he was approaching with such a bright voice.
"Stand back."
Someone blocked his path.
What appeared in his vision was a boy.
He had blue hair resembling the villainess.
"Yuda Snakers."
A strangely exuding oppressive atmosphere.
The sword worn at his waist had Beniti's crest gorgeously embedded.
He recognized him immediately.
"I won't stand by and watch you act as you please any longer."
Rusca Beniti.
Emilia's twin younger brother, and likewise an extra playing an early villain role.
Blue pupils glared this way.
"I'll protect Emilia."
A declaration full of spirit.
At the lines delivered as if to protect a precious family from an evil mastermind.
He blankly thought.
What is this now?