108 – Two Presents
In the time that passed by unprecedentedly fast, the day of the test came to an end.
The most important inflection point in the freshman year, which can be said to be an opportunity to decide the treatment of the future.
Ahead of the practical exam that will put an end to it, the eyes of the first-year cadets standing on the way to the temple were all heavy and serious.
“Everyone looks good. Are you nervous?”
Among the leaders at the head of the crowd, a man of considerable height and build looked around at her audience and opened his mouth.
The man’s name is Nordic.
He is a well-rounded instructor who has been in charge of the first-year cadets’ practical exams for the past five years. He is also a famous master of martial arts and hand-to-hand combat.
“Oh no!”
A male student in the middle of the crowd hurriedly answered the question asked by Nordic as he rubbed his bare, shaved head with his hand.
However, contrary to what he said, it was clear that his eyes were shaking, so Nordic smiled involuntarily.
“There is no need to talk empty words. I’m also a cadet who went through this academy, so I know it well. The anxiety that the future academy life and life might be determined by the results of this test.”
At Nordic’s words, filled with sympathy rather than understanding, heavy air settled between the cadets again.
At that scene, Nordic smiled bitterly as he looked at the old self and the others.
In fact, that idea may not be particularly wrong.
Most of the tests that are taken in the beginning of the first year do not have a big impact on the future direction, but this class reassignment test is different.
The class decided here rarely changes in the future, and even if there is a little possibility when you go up to the second and third years, this is also vague.
In a way, it can be seen that the ability cultivated through this brief academy life represents that person’s vessel.
Those who break through the shell will fly up to the point where even the test scores are irrelevant, but the possibility is remarkably small.
However, it is the Nordic view that there is no need to be frustrated.
He thought, exactly, that he shouldn’t be frustrated.
“But keep in mind. Being frustrated with just one result of this test means that there will always be only despair in the many more trials to come. The academy is a harsh place for the incompetent, but it is always open to those who cultivate themselves and always look upward.”
Nordic recited blessings and admonitions that had become a sort of annual event since he took over as an instructor for the practical exam.
It was always the case that each of the cadets had different views on it.
Those who willingly accepted whatever outcome came out of this and went further listened to what Nordic had to say.
Even at the academy, those who gave up on going forward only licked their ears and smoked other things.
“Despair in the future, but don’t be discouraged. Always step back and stand up. That’s the biggest advice I can give you guys as an instructor for this test and an educator at the academy.”
The crowd erupted in applause at Nordic’s short speech, staring straight ahead with his hands behind his back.
This was the same for Bell, who was listening to the blessings with the three members of the same group in the row at the far left.
It was clear that he was saying something nice to hear.
“Despair, but don’t be discouraged. That’s a good sound. Isn’t it? Bell.”
“It’s no wonder I’m not an academy instructor. He is fluent until the end, yes.”
Elisha also clapped and asked for consent as if she was deeply impressed.
Bell nodded her head at him and put her hands back and started moving her steps again.
It was around the time he reached the entrance leading to the temple when the familiar, high-pitched voice struck his ear.
“Did you hear what the instructor said earlier? You don’t have to be frustrated just because you’re staying in Class E again.”
Bell answered bluntly, not even looking at him, as it was obvious who it was just by hearing this tone, which seemed to be arguing from the start.
“You are the one who falls to class E and don’t cry.”
“Did you do everything you said!?”
How dare you call this body E class!
Mari, the owner of an absurd voice, raised her voice while blowing steam in all directions.
It was a common sight that she tried to attack first, only to be devastated by Bell’s sharp counterattack.
Even Elisha, who was watching this, just watched with her calm eyes as if watching a third person’s rakugo.
“Hmm?”
While the two were arguing for a long time enough to catch the attention of the people around them.
Bell suddenly noticed the bracelet on Marie’s left wrist and gave a puzzled look.
That was none other than the item he gave to Marie as a gift after we went out together a while ago.
Of course, there wouldn’t be anything strange about it, but Bell was curious for another reason.
I had never seen her wearing that bracelet when I met her in her academy just recently.
“Hey, didn’t you throw it away?”
At this, Bell felt puzzled and asked a direct question.
Even so, Belle knew that she was the daughter of such a noble family that she would be able to afford any number of fine trinkets, whether as gifts or for herself.
So he thought that Marie might have liked the bracelet at first, but quickly got tired of it and threw it away.
But it wasn’t something that would offend me, so I wasn’t paying attention, but when I opened the lid, it seemed to be there.
I just asked because I was curious about that, but the answer that came back was very sharp.
“What? Why do I throw this away? Do you really see me as an ungrateful woman who ignores the goodwill of others?”
“What kind of extended interpretation do you do that? It was just that I didn’t wear it when I usually see it, so I thought it was just because I got tired of it and threw it away.”
She is usually a bit sensitive, but Bell felt even more suspicious about Marie’s displeasure today.
She only asked if she didn’t just throw it away, why are you so angry.
However, that was something I could casually say because I didn’t know Marie’s special attachment to this bracelet.
“That’s it! Hey, how do I feel about this… !”
“… This?”
The moment Bell tilted her head while waiting for her next words.
Marie’s body, which had been arguing while pointing at her bracelet, stopped like a stone statue.
She then realized belatedly what she was about to say and her face blushed.
She almost brought out her words that she couldn’t pick up again in a place where even other people saw her.
“… I don’t know! You stupid! Whether you do well in exams or not!”
Turning her body 180 degrees in place as she was, Marie returned to her crew and poured out her words, whether cursed or good, toward her bell.
In the end, Bell wondered why Marie didn’t wear the bracelet normally.
Today, the day of the test, I couldn’t figure out why I had to wear such a bracelet, and I had no choice but to arrive at the temple, the test site, full of doubts.
Without even knowing that there were spectators watching the scene as if it were interesting.
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“You are also a man with many sins, Bell.”
“You shut up, man.”
On the way, even Pareon, who would be the second most embarrassed to not know a woman’s heart, came out to criticize him, but Bell just ignored it.
It seemed that his head, which was already messy with the test, was getting more confused.
* * * *
At the same time, sitting in front of a desk in his laboratory at the academy as if immersed in something, Grerick’s eyes were quite different from his usual ones.
As if proving that he was a talented person who was selected as a professor at a young age, his eyes, which always gave off an intelligent glow, were stained with turbidity.
This is the most vicious aspect of the black magic he suffered.
Normally, while keeping the subject’s consciousness intact, he subtly manipulates his behavior and thoughts to make him escape from the boundaries of his surroundings.
It is possible to take away the consciousness itself when the subject is completely treated like a puppet.
However, there was no serious reason to take away consciousness right now, so to speak, it was a kind of rest period.
In the first place, it makes no sense that something like magic that controls the opponent’s consciousness at will can be maintained indefinitely.
That’s why, at least when he is in a place where he can avoid the eyes of others, he transfers ownership to the caster, preserving the vast amount of mana used to maintain magic as much as possible.
‘Aren’t you suspicious yet? I can’t use it for a long time though.’
The magician who used Grerick’s body to spread the energy around him assumed that no one would watch or guard him.
Except for the assistant professor who comes and goes here, there is no particular person to care about anyway.
What bothers me is Professor Berman, who looked suspiciously at the time of adjusting the exam schedule, but he is not there now.
Because of a sudden personal situation, he canceled all scheduled classes and temporarily left for his hometown.
‘That’s a good thing. It’s just a pity that I couldn’t offer that sacrifice to the owner.’
The pilot wearing Greric’s mask thought of a silver-haired girl with his tongue sticking out like a snake.
It will probably be impossible to find such an offering for at least 50 years.
Of course, it would be sufficient if it was the seat of the Five Great Heroes that are still active today, such as Olberus and the Red Sword, but in order to capture them, this side must also prepare for a considerable blow.
From that point of view, the girl named Lorne Elua was truly a delectable prey.
It is easy to catch, but the flesh is very high, so it is the best game.
Unfortunately, it was impossible to get hold of it because there was some interference in the middle, but since I gave you information about it, the other side will take care of it.
Even if that doesn’t happen easily, if the girl approaches after returning to the academy, there’s a good chance.
Smart.
While he was laughing heartily at that thought, he suddenly heard a knocking sound and Grerick’s body froze for a moment.
The magician who was manipulating Greric pondered for a while whether he should return ownership of the consciousness to its original state, but decided to keep it assuming that he would be an assistant professor anyway.
Anyway, Greg Rick’s assistant professor thought that he was such a businesslike person that he would just give me a coffee and go home.
“Professor, coffee.”
“Thank you.”
After permission was granted, the assistant professor came inside and placed the coffee cup on the desk as expected.
Just then, there was a music box next to it.
The assistant professor, who was looking at it carefully, brought up the topic with a tone that seemed to miss him.
“This music box, you still use what I gave you as a gift.”
When he always left the room after saying ‘coffee’ and brought up a nonsensical topic for some reason, the sorcerer controlling Grerick was taken aback for a moment, but he continued the conversation as casually as possible.
“Sure. I am listening.”
In reality, he has never touched anything, but he doesn’t even change his complexion and spits out lies.
“… ….”
At this, the assistant professor’s eyes shone sharply for a moment, but he quickly nodded his head casually.
Greerick turned his head indifferently at the sight of him smiling as if he was genuinely happy that the gift was being put to good use by someone.
Taking it as a kind of banquet order, the assistant professor bowed his head slightly and quietly left the room so as not to disturb him any further.
In the room where her man was left alone, only the sound of her pen nib walking on the paper echoed.