Chapter 11
Pastel looked downstream. Melissa’s hem was no longer visible.
“She’ll be fine, right?”
『Do you Think the Next Archmage wouldn’t have even learned how To Swim?』
“True.”
The Demon let out a sigh.
『That’s a soft judgment.』
“No, no.”
Pastel wagged her Index Finger side to side.
“You don’t do that Among Friends.”
『You don’t know the aftermath of the Demon King's Matter.』
“No! I know it very well!”
She pointed at herself.
“A child starving amidst plenty will finally be able to eat!”
Magic Stone Replication would be possible in huge amounts, right?
Hehe.
Pastel went down the Ruins stairs, beaming and Humming La-la-la.
A straight corridor in the dim underground caught her eye. To the left and right, Magic light sources flickered continuously. The light brightened all the way past the corridor.
Ooh.
A noise that shook the Ground came from behind.
When she turned around, the entrance was closed.
Eh.
Ehh?
Ehhhh?
“Uwaah!”
Pastel grabbed her Pink Hair.
『It’s an arrangement for the Successor. You won’t die.』
Aha.
Now that she heard it, that made Sense. She took her hands off her head. She calmed down.
“Fufu, alright. Shall we try some Ruins Exploration?”
The end of the corridor was a Giant Stone Door.
Next to it, a Wall Surface engraved with various Magic Patterns could be seen. Below the Wall Surface were some puzzle-like Rod Devices and a Magic book.
Magic?
Finally, even for me with no Magic Talent, is there a rat-a-tat pew-pew quack-quack?
Is Otherworld Exploration holding an Automatic Rifle?
She read the title of the Magic book.
Magic Common Sense Dictionary.
No.
『It means that if you are the Successor, you should at least know Magic Common Sense before proceeding. This is a Magic Common Sense Puzzle.』
She opened the book in disappointment.
『Humans actually cannot use Magic. Excluding Mana Stone Engineering, all Magic is borrowing power from other beings. If you borrow from a god, you are a Priest, and if you borrow from nature, you are a Mage.』
Oho.
『Therefore, Magic is Subordinate to the World, and the World submits to nature. Humans exist within nature.』
Pastel raised one hand high.
“I can make a friend Easily! I even know how To Greet wildflowers I see passing by! Wouldn’t I be good at Magic too?”
『You have no talent. I’ve checked several times. Consider yourself to have no connection to Magic. It’s just your destiny.』
So Stern.
『There are some preserved rations in the corner. Was this made to be solved over days? You don’t need to do that. I’ll tell you the Answer, so try moving the Rod Puzzle.』
Oh yeah.
She ran over and grabbed the rod. Was it a puzzle where you just had To Move it up, down, left, and right in the Correct order?
“It’s time to show the majesty of the Top Scorer in Written Exam!”
『First, left.』
“This is the brain of the Top Scorer in Written Exam!”
Hoit.
There was a clunking sound as it caught on something. The rod didn’t move well, as if something was stuck Inside.
“Uh, Hold on a second. It looks like dust piled up. I’ll use a little strength.”
She took her Posture and gripped the rod.
One, two, three.
“Euryat!”
CRACK - Uh-oh.
A Broken Rod was held in her hand.
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
Uh-oh-oh.
Was that too much strength?
The Broken Rod Puzzle made a noise. An unusual light flowed out from Inside.
“Uwaah!”
Rumble.
The Stone Door opened.
Pastel was about to Throw herself to the floor but stopped in her Posture and looked back.
Oing.
『…Since it’s a place for the Successor, it was probably set to open if it happens To Break.』
Her mouth fell open.
Did I just solve the puzzle with a single Gesture/Hand Signal?
Am I this smart?
Oh yeah.
She raised both arms high. The Broken Rod flew away with a swoosh.
“This is the Top Scorer in the Written Exam!”
Fear it, revere it, this genius.
Yahoo.
『…To the next room.』
“Ah, yes.”
There was a long corridor. To the left and right, trap-like black openings were dotted in small clusters.
“Ah! I know this one! It’s an Arrow Trap!”
If you walk, arrows go pew-pew.
The corridor Ground rumbled and then moved like a Conveyor Belt. If you stood still, you’d be pushed backward.
『Oho, it would have been harder To Implement back then. If you get hit by an arrow and fall, you are meant To Return to the original starting point. You have To Break through in one go.』
An open door could be seen beyond. Beyond the door, a Spacious Area unfolded.
Is it a Ruins Boss?
Pastel approached the trap at close range and reached out her hand.
A single arrow flew, aiming for her hand. She lowered her palm and then raised it again, snatching the passing arrow. The arrow made a rough sound as it was crushed by her hand strength. The wood broke under her grip.
“It’s a Wooden Arrow.”
The arrowhead was wooden and blunt.
『There will be paralyzing poison on it.』
“Oho, so in the end, I have to deflect it all and go?”
She examined the arrow holes filling the left and right wall surfaces.
“Lord Demon, you taught me that weaponry is Subordinate to the structure and range of motion of the hands and arms. So a longsword can only Block one Defensive Area at a time.”
『Correct. You memorized it well.』
“Then how is it right to deflect arrows coming in simultaneously from the left and right at a 180-degree angle? There’s only one sword, and it takes time To Block left and right.”
『It is neither simultaneous nor 180 degrees. Combat is a mutual exchange between the Opponent/Target and yourself. If you Change, the Opponent/Target changes too.』
“A mutual exchange.”
『Run closer to one side. It will no longer be simultaneous. You just have to deflect one first, then deflect the Opposite Side.』
Pastel shifted her steps to the side.
『You don’t need an exact Posture to deflect arrows. Twist your body to match the Sword Path. You are not blocking your body with the sword. You are moving your body in close contact with the sword.』
Nodding.
『In the first place, there’s No Need To Worry. You can just do it. And you know that.』
Ah, caught me.
Hehe.
Pastel took her Posture without much tension. The tip of the sword was aimed straight ahead.
『Feel the wind. Arrows are slower than sound.』
She kicked off the Ground. An arrow’s sound rang out. The quantity, path, and speed of the arrows were transmitted through the sound.
A Three-Dimensional Space was drawn In One's Head.
A waltz of arrows and the Sword Path.
Arrows stormed from left and right. The sword blade flashed. The Sword Path drew a curve. A chain of silver light wrapped around the Girl. Her Pink Hair fluttered. An arrow grazed the nape of her neck, and the sword blade split the arrow.
Her Footsteps broke into a Sprint across the Ground. The Sword Path rippled. Arrow Debris poured down.
The Girl ran without stopping, even when the corridor ended and a Spacious Area unfolded.
In the center of the space, a small Black Sphere rose up. Stone chunks from the Ground floated up as if to Wrap Around the sphere.
『The golem is - 』
The Girl dashed in. She kicked off the Ground. The Pink Figure stepped continuously on the floating stone chunks. Her silhouette soared.
The stone chunks formed the shape of a hand and slowly wrapped around the Black Core. The Girl’s hand dug into that split second. Her palm struck the Black Core. The core was swallowed by her Grasp. Her monstrous strength made a noise. Cracking sounds rang out in Succession.
The atmosphere rippled. The floating stone chunks lost their power and began To Fall/Crash.
The girl executed a turn with her body as she fell. She caught her balance, and her feet lightly stepped on the Ground.
The stone chunks collided with the Ground and let out a roar. Dust rose and the wind blew. Her Pink Hair fluttered.
Amidst the commotion, Pastel came to her senses.
Eh.
The Demon’s voice was heard.
『Well done. Excellent Combat Sense. A Golem Core isn’t originally something you Break with your hands, but if you have monstrous strength, it doesn’t matter.』
When she opened her palm, black powder could be seen.
Uwing.
『However, you should be careful about being swept away by hormones. Did the Immersion in Killing give you a Double-Edged Experience?』
Pastel licked her palm. A small Pink Tongue stuck out.
『Wait, Wait.』
Flinch.
『It’s a Synthetic Magic Stone. You shouldn’t eat it.』
Eh.
Disappointment.
She dusted off her hands.
Pastel tapped her hazy head and looked at her Surroundings.
A Luxury Box was in the corner.
Oing?
Uwang.
“Lord Demon! Lord Demon! It’s a Treasure Chest! A Treasure Chest! It means treasure is contained in the chest! It’s sparkling! Totally sparkling!”
『Uh, Calm Down.』
She scurried over.
The Treasure Chest filled her vision.
Uwaak.
This brilliant light.
She grabbed the lid with trembling hands.
Creak.
A radiant light poured out.
Uwaak.
Pastel twisted her body, dazzled by the light.
Treasure, the treasure is blinding my eyes.
Then, finding it Strange, she paused and looked Inside again.
In the wide box, let alone treasure, there was just a single compass sitting there.
A massive Space Waste.
Ing.
Iing.
Pastel looked ready to cry.
My life is too easy.
No gold bars, no Magic stones.
『Is it a Destiny Compass? If you open the top, there will be something else Inside.』
She opened the top where the compass was attached.
An Inside structure like a small jewelry box was revealed.
One jewel was slotted in, and the rest of the spots were Empty.
『I see.』
“Huh? Am I the only one who doesn’t know?”
『The compass will guide you to where the legacy is. There’s no reaction right now, but it will point the way when destiny arrives.』
The Demon continued speaking in a Calm Voice filled with complex emotions.
『The one jewel present is naturally the legacy. It’s an effect that makes Magic Stone Intake possible.』
Eh.
“I don’t need it, give me gold bars.”
『The purpose is Body Enhancement using Magic stones. For you, it will be converted into energy, but normally, the dregs that would be exhaled through breathing will be utilized for Body Enhancement. It’s efficient and effective.』
Oing.
She took out a small pepper shaker from her pocket.
She aimed it at her palm and went Huchu-huchu.
She licked up the Magic Stone Powder.
The sweet taste of cheap candy.
Was her mind flashing awake?
“Ooh?! Lord Demon! I’m Suddenly overflowing with power! Uwaaat!”
Is this the Demon King Awakening?
『…There’s no way you’d feel anything from eating that.』
Ah.
Hehe, caught me.
It’s too hard To Tease Master/Teacher.
She calmly put the pepper shaker away.
The compass-Slash-jewelry box went into her pocket too.
It’s small, so it slips right in.
She looked at her Surroundings.
“Shall we look for a Secret Room?”
『There’s no reason they’d uselessly make one for the Successor. More importantly, we need to get out quickly. You seem to have forgotten, but you’re in the middle of a Practical Exam.』
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
“Aah?! Let’s get out quickly! Hurry! The exit is, huh? There’s no exit?!”
『It’s old, so maybe it completely broke down. Wait a bit. We should be able to get out. I need time.』
Pastel was able to leave the Ruins after much hardship. Quite some time had passed.
At the Assembly Point, she met the Professor’s Gaze.
The Practical Exam Result came out.
“Pastel Lovecraft.”
Practical Combat.
0 points.
Uwaah!
Uwaah…!
Fail, grumble, croak!
“However, since you are the Top Scorer in the Written Exam, you pass. Congratulations on becoming a Student of Our Academy. I expect you to Continue devoting yourself.”
Oing.
Pastel raised both arms high.
Oh yeah, I passed.
I passed even with Zero Points in Combat.
Because I’m the Top Scorer in the Written Exam.
Oing?
Oh my goodness.
Dun-dun.
Pastel was a child with only a good head.
A Shocking Truth.
#
“I’m the Top Scorer in the Written Exam.”
The entrance ceremony ended.
“I’m smart in the head, but I’m not good at fighting..”
She also offered an apology to Melissa. Since she shouted it at her fleeing back, she wasn’t sure if the meaning was conveyed well.
“But even with Zero Points in Combat, I passed and came to the Dormitory.”
Pastel rolled around on the sofa in her Personal Quarters.
“I’m the Top Scorer in the Written Exam, Pastel~.”
Yahoo.
『Good grief.』
The Demon gave her a look while folding towels at the table on the Opposite Side. His Red Eyes looked unenthused.
『Your clothes will get wrinkled. It’s not like you’re going to iron them yourself.』
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
“Clothes? That’s right! Clothes! I don’t have clothes! It’s spring, but I’m still in a Winter Dress! I’m going to roast to death soon!”
She muttered while rolling her body on the sofa.
“When are they giving out uniforms? Isn’t it normal to give them out before the entrance ceremony?”
『What uniforms.』
Their gazes met.
“There are no uniforms?”
『Why would there be uniforms to displease the Noble Family? It’s a Free Dress Code.』
“Ehh?”
Pastel clutched her heart.
“No way. The Academy doesn’t even have uniforms.”
Is it really not a Middle and High School?
Ugh.
“I’m going to rebel. I’m going to go astray!”
She Waved Both Arms while rolling on the sofa.
“Even though my Appearance is Pink-Pink, I’m going to dress up in Pink-Pink outfits too!”
A Subtle Gaze came her way.
『Do as you please.』
The Demon Stood Up holding the pile of folded towels.
Uwaah.
There’s not a single person who sympathizes with me.
Her body lost its strength.
Ugh.
“The money we made from trading is still fine, right? I need to buy some decent clothes first.”
『That would be good. Good thinking.』
She jumped up.
“Alright! Let’s go right now! Lord Demon, Magic sword!”
『What?』
She snatched the transformed Magic sword and ran.
I want to be Pink-Pink.
“Before the cherry blossoms bloom, I’ll become everyone’s cherry blossom~.”
She left the Dormitory and ran outside.
I am going?
Pastel stopped her Scampering. Her feet skidded on the Ground.
She raised one hand high.
“Ellie!”
The Demon Girl looked back. Her Black Hair swayed. Her slightly Pointed Ears were revealed.
“Pas - “
“We’re of the same mind!”
She grabbed Ellie.
“I was just about to give you a Recommendation for Student Council Membership!”
I’ll go to the clothing store tomorrow.
“Huh?”
She took the bewildered Ellie and moved to the Student Council Room.
La-la-la.
“If you join now, I’ll give you the position of my Best Friend. Of course, I have many positions prepared, so don’t be too disappointed.”
“…What do I have to do if I join?”
“Hmm, Secretary? Pick anything!”
Pastel smiled brightly.
“Because I’m the Vice Student Council President, the Head of General Affairs Department, the Head of Planning Department, the Head of Public Relations Department, the Head of Volunteer Department, and the Head of Disciplinary Department!”
Ellie stared blankly. She had an expression full of question marks.
“Ah! Just around this corridor is the Student Council!”
They turned the corner.
A Professor was standing in front of the locked Student Council Room.
Ing.
The Professor looked back.
This inflexibly Stiff face is definitely the Professor from the Written Exam?
His name was definitely…
Professor Carlo opened his mouth.
“Are you the Student Council?”
“Ah, yes. I’ll open it for you now. Which would you prefer, tea or coffee?”
“It’s fine. I came to notify you of a Decision.”
A Decision?
His quiet Gaze looked straight at her.
“The Student Council System is abolished.”
What did you say?
“If you want to reverse it, get the support of every Department.”
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
“You’re telling me to do a Department Challenge?”
Dun-dun.
『Why does your mind flow that way?』