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The Four Penguins of the Apocalypse

 

Pastel looked downstream. Melissa’s clothes were no longer visible.

 

“Will she be okay?”

 

『You think the future archmage hasn’t learned to swim?』

 

“I guess you’re right.”

 

The demon sighed.

 

『That was a soft decision.』

 

“No, no, no.”

 

Pastel wagged her index finger.

 

“That’s not how friends treat each other.”

 

『You don’t understand the implications of the Demon King matter.』

 

“No! I understand perfectly!”

 

She pointed to herself.

 

“A child starving amidst plenty will finally be able to eat!”

 

Magic stone replication should be possible on a large scale, right?

 

Hehe.

 

Pastel went down the ruins’ stairs with a big grin, humming happily.

 

A dim, straight corridor underground came into view. Magic light sources flickered continuously on both sides, illuminating beyond the corridor.

 

Ooh.

 

There was a rumbling noise from behind.

 

She turned around to see the entrance closing.

 

Eh.

 

Eh eh?

 

Eh eh eh?

 

“Uwaaah!”

 

Pastel clutched her pink hair.

 

『It’s a contingency for the heir. You won’t die.』

 

Ah.

 

Now that she heard it, that made sense. She let go of her hair. She calmed down.

 

“Hehe, alright. Shall we explore the ruins?”

 

At the end of the corridor was a massive stone door.

 

Next to it was a wall engraved with various magical patterns. Below the wall was some kind of puzzle-like rod device and a magic book.

 

Magic?

 

Is it finally time for me, with no magic talent, to go doo doo doo pung pung pung kwak kwak kwak?

 

Exploring another world with an automatic rifle?

 

She read the title of the magic book.

 

Magic Common Sense Dictionary.

 

No.

 

『It means that an heir should at least know common magic sense. This is a magic common sense puzzle.』

 

She opened the book disappointedly.

 

『Humans actually can’t use magic. Except for magic stone engineering, all magic borrows power from other beings. Borrowing from gods makes you a priest, borrowing from nature makes you a magician.』

 

Oho.

 

『That’s why magic is subordinate to the world, and the world is subservient to nature. Humans exist within nature.』

 

Pastel raised one hand high.

 

“I can make friends well! I even know how to greet wildflowers I see in passing! Wouldn’t I be good at magic?”

 

『You have no talent. I’ve checked several times. Think of yourself as having no connection to magic. It’s just your fate.』

 

So decisive.

 

『There’s some preserved food in the corner. I guess it’s for solving this over a long time. You don’t need to do that. I’ll tell you the answers, so move the rod puzzle.』

 

Oh yeah.

 

She ran over and grabbed the rod. It seemed to be a puzzle where you move it up, down, left, and right in the correct order.

 

“Time to show the dignity of the top scorer!”

 

『First, to the left.』

 

“This is the brain of the top scorer!”

 

Hup.

 

There was a clunking sound as it got stuck. Something seemed jammed inside, making the rod hard to move.

 

“Oh, wait a moment. It must be dusty. I’ll use a bit of strength.”

 

She took a stance and gripped the rod.

 

One, two, three.

 

“Hiyah!”

 

Crack.

 

Huh.

 

The broken rod was in her hand.

 

Pastel’s eyes widened.

 

Oh boy.

 

Did I use too much strength?

 

The broken rod puzzle made a noise. An ominous light flowed from inside.

 

“Uwaaah!”

 

Rumble rumble.

 

The stone door opened.

 

Pastel was about to throw herself on the ground but stopped mid-motion and looked back.

 

Oh?

 

『…Since it’s for the heir, they probably made it so it just opens if it breaks.』

 

Her mouth fell open.

 

Did I… solve the puzzle with one gesture?

 

Am I… this smart?

 

Oh yeah.

 

She raised both arms high. The broken rod flew away.

 

“This is the top scorer!”

 

Fear it, revere it, this genius.

 

Yay.

 

『…To the next room.』

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

A long corridor. Small, trap-like black holes were dotted on both sides.

 

“Ah! I know this! It’s an arrow trap, right?”

 

Arrows go pung pung when you walk.

 

The corridor floor rumbled and started moving like a conveyor belt. If you stand still, you get pushed back.

 

『Hoh, it would have been harder to implement back then. If you get hit by arrows and fall, you return to the starting point. You have to break through in one go.』

 

An open door was visible beyond. A wide space spread out beyond the door.

 

Is it the ruins boss?

 

Pastel approached close to the trap and reached out her hand.

 

An arrow flew, aiming for her hand. She lowered her palm then raised it again, catching the passing arrow. The arrow made a harsh sound as it was crushed by her hand strength. The wood shattered under her grip.

 

“It’s a wooden arrow.”

 

The arrowhead was wooden too, and blunt.

 

『There’s probably paralysis poison on it.』

 

“Oho, so in the end, we have to deflect everything and go, right?”

 

She examined the arrow holes covering both walls.

 

“Mr. Demon, you taught me that weapons are dependent on the structure and range of motion of hands and arms. That’s why a longsword can only block one defensive area at a time, right?”

 

『That’s correct. You remembered well.』

 

“Then how should I deflect arrows coming simultaneously from left and right at a 180-degree angle? The sword is one, and it takes time to block both sides, right?”

 

『It’s neither simultaneous nor 180 degrees. Combat is an interaction between you and your opponent. If you change, your opponent changes.』

 

“Interaction?”

 

『Run close to one side. It won’t be simultaneous anymore. You can deflect one side first, then the other.』

 

Pastel moved to the side.

 

『You don’t need an exact posture to deflect arrows. Twist your body to match the sword’s path. You’re not blocking with the sword. You’re moving your body close to the sword.』

 

Nod nod.

 

『In the first place, you don’t need to worry. You can just do it. And you know that.』

 

Ah, I’ve been found out.

 

Hehe.

 

Pastel took her stance without much tension. The sword tip pointed straight ahead.

 

『Feel the wind. Arrows are slower than sound.』

 

She kicked off the ground. The sound of arrows rang out. The number, trajectory, and speed of the arrows were conveyed through the sound.

 

A three-dimensional space formed in her mind.

 

A waltz of arrows and sword paths.

 

Arrows rained from left and right. The blade flashed. The sword’s path traced curves. Consecutive silver flashes enveloped the girl. Pink hair fluttered. An arrow grazed her nape, and the blade split it.

 

Her footsteps raced across the ground. The sword’s path rippled. Arrow debris showered down.

 

The girl ran without stopping. Even when the corridor ended and a wide space opened up.

 

A small black sphere rose in the center of the space. Stone chunks floated as if enveloping the sphere.

 

『The golem-』

 

The girl lunged. She kicked off the ground. The pink form stepped on the floating stone chunks in succession. Her silhouette soared.

 

The stone chunks formed the shape of a hand and slowly enveloped the black core. The girl’s hand pierced through in an instant. Her palm struck the black core. The core was swallowed by her grasp. Superhuman strength made a noise. The sound of shattering rang out repeatedly.

 

The air rippled. The floating stone chunks lost their power and fell.

 

The girl rotated her body as she fell. She regained balance and her feet lightly touched the ground.

 

The stone chunks crashed into the ground with a thunderous noise. Dust rose and wind blew. Pink hair fluttered.

 

Amidst the commotion, Pastel came to her senses.

 

Eh.

 

The demon’s voice was heard.

 

『Well done. Excellent combat sense. Normally, you don’t crush a golem core with your bare hands, but if you have superhuman strength, it doesn’t matter.』

 

When she opened her palm, black powder was visible.

 

Oh?

 

『However, you should be careful about being swept up by hormones. Did the immersion in killing give you a double-edged experience?』

 

Pastel stuck out her tongue towards her palm. A small pink tongue peeked out.

 

『Wait, wait.』

 

Pause.

 

『It’s synthetic magic stone. You can’t eat it.』

 

Eh.

 

Disappointment.

 

She dusted off her hands.

 

Pastel tapped her hazy head and looked around.

 

There was a high-quality box in the corner.

 

Oh?

 

Wow.

 

“Mr. Demon! Mr. Demon! It’s a treasure chest! A treasure chest! It means treasure is in the box, right? It’s sparkling! Totally sparkling!”

 

『Yes, yes, calm down.』

 

She ran over hurriedly.

 

The treasure chest filled her vision.

 

Wowww.

 

This ethereal light.

 

With trembling hands, she grasped the lid.

 

Fling.

 

Brilliant light poured out.

 

Wowww.

 

Pastel twisted her body, dazzled.

 

Treasure, treasure in my eyes.

 

Then she paused, finding it strange, and looked in again.

 

In the wide box, instead of treasure, there was just one compass sitting there.

 

An enormous waste of space.

 

Huh.

 

Huuuh.

 

Pastel’s face fell.

 

My “life is too easy” lifestyle.

 

No gold bars, no magic stones.

 

『Is it a fate compass? If you open the top, there should be something else inside.』

 

She opened the top where the compass was attached.

 

A small jewel box-like internal structure was revealed.

 

One jewel was inserted, and the rest of the slots 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 now, but it will point the way when fate touches you.』

 

The demon continued in a voice filled with complex emotions, but calm.

 

『The one jewel there is obviously the legacy. It seems to have the effect of enabling magic stone consumption.』

 

Eh.

 

“I don’t need that, give me gold bars.”

 

『The purpose is to strengthen the body with magic stones. For you, it will be converted to energy, but originally, the residue that would be exhaled through breathing will be used for body strengthening. It’s efficient and effective.』

 

Oh?

 

She took out a small pepper shaker from her pocket.

 

She sprinkled it on her palm.

 

She licked up the magic stone powder.

 

The sweetness of junk candy.

 

Did my mind flash?

 

“Ooh?! Mr. Demon! Suddenly I’m overflowing with power! Wooaah!”

 

Is this the Demon King’s awakening?

 

『…There’s no way you’d feel anything from eating that.』

 

Ah.

 

Hehe, I’ve been found out.

 

Teasing the master is too difficult.

 

She calmly put the pepper shaker away.

 

The compass-cum-jewel box went into her pocket too.

 

It fits in nicely because it’s small.

 

She looked around.

 

“Shall we look for a secret room?”

 

『They wouldn’t make unnecessary things for an heir. More importantly, we need to leave soon. You seem to have forgotten, but you’re in the middle of a practical exam.』

 

Pastel’s eyes widened.

 

“Ah?! Let’s get out quickly! Hurry! The exit, huh? There’s no exit?!”

 

『It seems to have completely broken down from age. Wait a bit. We should be able to get out. It’ll take some time.』

 

Pastel was finally able to leave the ruins after great difficulty. Quite some time had passed.

 

She met eyes with the professor at the gathering point.

 

The practical results were out.

 

“Pastel Love Craft.”

 

Combat practical.

 

0 points.

 

Uwaaah!

 

Uwaaah…

 

Fail, grumble, cock-a-doodle-doo!

 

“However, since you’re the top scorer in the written exam, you pass. Congratulations on becoming a student of our school. Keep working hard, we expect great things.”

 

Oh?

 

Pastel raised both arms high.

 

Oh yeah, I passed.

 

I pass even with zero points in combat.

 

Because I’m the top scorer in the written exam.

 

Oh?

 

How can this be.

 

Tsk.

 

Pastel was just a child who was good at studying.

 

A shocking truth.

 

 

“I’m the top scorer in the written exam~”

 

The entrance ceremony had ended.

 

“I’m smart but not good at fighting~”

 

She even apologized to Melissa. Though she’s not sure if the meaning was conveyed well since she shouted it at Melissa’s retreating back.

 

“But I passed even with zero points in combat and came to the dormitory~”

 

Pastel rolled around on the sofa in her personal room.

 

“I’m Pastel, top scorer in the written exam~”

 

Yay.

 

『Oh boy.』

 

The demon gave her a look while folding towels at the opposite table. His red eyes looked exasperated.

 

『Your clothes are getting 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 any clothes! It’s spring but I’m still in a winter dress! I’m going to die of heat soon!”

 

She muttered while rolling on the sofa.

 

“When will they give us uniforms? Shouldn’t they have given them before the entrance ceremony?”

 

『What uniforms.』

 

Their eyes met.

 

“There are no uniforms?”

 

『What uniforms to make noble families uncomfortable. It’s free dress.』

 

“What?”

 

Pastel clutched her heart.

 

“No way. An academy without uniforms.”

 

Is this really not a middle or high school?

 

Ugh.

 

“I’m going to rebel. I’ll become delinquent!”

 

She waved her arms while rolling on the sofa.

 

“I’m pink all over, so I’m going to dress all pink too!”

 

A subtle look came her way.

 

『Do as you like.』

 

The demon stood up with the stack of folded towels.

 

Ugh.

 

Not a single person sympathizes.

 

Her body went limp.

 

Ugh.

 

“The money we earned from trading is still okay, right? I should buy some decent clothes first.”

 

『That would be good. You thought well.』

 

She jumped up.

 

“Alright! Let’s go right now! Mr. Demon, magic sword!”

 

『What?』

 

She snatched up the transformed magic sword and ran.

 

I’m going to be pink pink.

 

“I’ll become everyone’s cherry blossom before the cherry blossoms bloom~”

 

She ran outside the dormitory.

 

I am, oh?

 

Pastel stopped running. Her feet skidded on the ground.

 

She raised one hand high.

 

“Ellie!”

 

The demon race girl turned around. Her black hair swayed. Her slightly pointed ears were revealed.

 

“Pas-“

 

“You’re of like mind with me!”

 

She grabbed Ellie.

 

“I was just about to invite you to join the student council!”

 

I’ll go clothes shopping tomorrow.

 

“Huh?”

 

She moved towards the student council room, dragging the bewildered Ellie along.

 

La la la.

 

“If you join now, I’ll give you the position of my best friend. Of course, I have many positions prepared, but don’t feel too disappointed.”

 

“…What do I have to do if I join?”

 

“Hmm, secretary? Choose anything!”

 

Pastel smiled brightly.

 

“I’m the vice president cum general affairs head cum planning head cum public relations head cum volunteer service head cum student guidance head!”

 

Ellie stared blankly. Her expression was 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.

 

Huh.

 

The professor turned around.

 

This inflexibly stiff face is definitely the professor from the written exam?

 

His name was definitely…

 

Professor Carlo opened his mouth.

 

“Student council?”

 

“Ah, yes. I’ll open it for you now. Would you like tea or coffee?”

 

“No need. I’ve come to notify you of a decision.”

 

Decision?

 

Calm eyes stared directly.

 

“The student council system has been abolished.”

 

What did you say?

 

“If you want to reverse this, bring the support of all departments.”

 

Pastel’s eyes widened.

 

“You want me to go conquer the departments?”

 

Dun dun.

 

『Why does your mind go there.』

1 Comment

  1. Nekomimik
    Oct 22, '24 at 1:41 pm

    Pfftt ahahahha! Pastel is adorable. And she’s sliiiiightly corrupted by her former life and the Craft’s teachings

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