114. contract (1)
When the door opened, the faint scent of green tea wafted out. Inside, a warm-looking Pompeius welcomed the visitor with a generous smile.
“Hoo. Ackerman. Welcome. I was waiting.”
“Yes, Headmaster. how are you?”
Ackerman visited Pompey’s principal’s office early on Saturday morning.
I have a story to tell, because there was a letter from him asking me to come. Pompey and Ackerman often met and chatted regularly, so it was not unusual for them to hear each other privately on the weekends.
Pompey had always made Ackerman feel comfortable, like a generous neighbor next door, but today, Pompey’s mood was quite different from usual, and Ackerman noticed the subtle change.
‘What’s going on.’
Ackerman burried himself on the spacious oak sofa as usual, feeling a bit ominous.
The car was already out. Pompey enjoyed drinking green tea and often drank it with Ackerman. Ackerman had no choice as the principal strongly recommended it.
It’s not bad again when you drink it, and Ackerman has reached the level of enjoying green tea to some extent.
“Ackerman. The midterm match was well watched. The last one was a bit disappointing.”
“ah. Yes. I mean.”
A forgotten defeat came to mind. Ackerman couldn’t sleep well the night before because he was angry at losing to Aren. Ackerman was implicitly thinking of Aren as a rival.
“Well, you just have to do better next time.”
Pompeius also had Aren in mind. The name ‘Arren Blackfire’ caused strange discomfort between the two. It was like meat remnants stuck in my teeth.
As usual, it was Pompey who would constantly bring up nonsensical stories, such as feeding the fish in the pond in the central wing of the academy. But today, he seldom opened his mouth easily.
Ackerman, who sensed discomfort from such Pompeius, obviously thought he was taking so much time to talk about ‘Arren’.
Ackerman took a small teacup and sipped some slightly muddy water. It didn’t taste good today.
“Mr. Ackerman.”
“I am listening.”
Ackerman responded politely. Having lived with the Trello family during vacation, it seems that he has learned a little about the etiquette of an aristocrat. Pompey was proud of such Ackerman, raised his eyebrows, and continued.
“It’s mission season again from tomorrow, right?”
“I know that.”
After the mid-term exam, you will go out on an assignment once every 3 weeks until the final exam. It is time to gradually accumulate practical experience.
“Well. Also… … Mr. Ackerman knows everything about the situation anyway, so let’s be honest.”
Pompey sipped the tea. A little bit of tea water wet my mouth. It is moist enough to speak for a long time.
“Vice Principal Eins is plotting things. haha… … Do something useless.”
“yes? which?”
“Perhaps there must have been some interaction with Aren.”
“ah.”
Ackerman finally noticed the turn of events. So, this is an adult fight. A fierce dark play involving political relations. Ackerman had to intervene in that narrative.
“Ha,” he sighed inaudibly. I didn’t enter the academy for this. Ackerman sensed something was wrong.
However, you cannot live forever with a pure heart. grow older, become adults Becoming an adult means having more responsibilities.
This time, I couldn’t escape because I didn’t know. You have to choose. If you have to choose and take responsibility, you follow what you believe is right. It was a milestone in life that Ackermann learned.
‘Princess… … .’
Suddenly, Princess Ellace came to mind. I missed the brown hair that made my heart feel warm just by looking at it.
‘I will become a man who is not ashamed of the princess.’
Ackerman was willing to become an adult.
“… … So what am I going to do?”
Pompey made a seagull’s eyebrows as if he was surprised. He was trying to figure out how to explain this complicated situation, how to persuade Ackerman to help him.
“Ackerman?”
“You called because you needed my help, didn’t you? It seems unfair that you have to step down from the principal’s position, but you can’t do that.”
“this this. I ate one.”
Ackerman’s stomach is disgusting.
Pompey laughed and rose from his seat. he walked towards the window. I look at the campus where green sprouts are sprouting and life is sprouting.
The scenery of the academy formed on his retina contains the long history of the Warriors, which he has lived and protected for decades. It is very valuable.
“I want to protect the academy. The Academy is where the kingdom’s ‘future’ grows. At first, it would have been a place to train fighters against monsters, but times have changed.”
His perseverance was hidden behind his warm appearance. He was a man who would do anything. It seemed he never intended to back down. Pompey was also determined to keep the position of principal.
As a genius practical cadet, he dreamed of fostering talents who would contribute to the development of the kingdom by freely learning academics and mastering combat skills.
I didn’t want to imagine an academy where young cadets became combat machines and only repeated hard training and education.
I thought that even the terrible ordeal to come could be overcome if everyone worked together. It was not considered a problem that could be solved simply by training soldiers.
“Please help me. Ackerman. I am in a situation where my strength is too low.”
“Absolutely. Just speak.”
“I want you to watch what Aren is doing.”
“… … Also. Is it like that?”
Pompey’s expression is not visible. A face full of worry He, too, would not be very comfortable using the cadets to politicize.
“Is this an unreasonable request?”
“no.”
Ackerman also wanted to protect the academy. The answer has already been prepared.
“I’ll do it.”
* * *
Just like yesterday when the after-midterm party was over, I met Sianna today as well.
He said that he hadn’t met him well throughout the midterm exam, and he begged him to give him plenty of time, but he was so cute that he couldn’t bear to refuse.
“Areaen.”
Siana, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, hugged me with a lot of aegyo.
Now, the skinship is as natural as breathing. Even I didn’t think it was strange that they hugged me, but I realized it belatedly and gasped.
“Siana. Are you becoming more natural?”
“What, how!”
“How are you?”
No matter how much it is, I don’t think it’s like that outside of people, and I was about to say that this is disorderly conduct, but Shiana threw out a meaningful word.
“Aren, it’s strange these days.”
“yes?”
It is true that I am not feeling well these days. I haven’t had a proper rest since the beginning of the semester, so it was natural if it was natural.
“Aren, what are you doing these days?”
However, what Shiana said seemed to be asking something fundamentally different.
“What are you doing?”
“Aren feels a little different. It’s hard to explain, but it’s not a very nice change.”
“… … ?”
I couldn’t even say anything
Although she was innocent and child-like Shiana, she is a genius magical girl and a woman known for mastering all things. There was nothing strange about feeling ‘something’ different from others.
“Have I changed? Personality, are you talking about the same thing?”
“Yes. No.”
Shiana vigorously shook her head.
“The nature of the body? mana? Anyway, it’s weird. It’s like magic… … . Was that a problem then…? … .”
And then, Shiana poked me in the side of my short circuit. it’s a sad face
‘If there is a change in me… … .’
only one comes to mind
[The Fate of the Demon Cult] ―――20%
okay… … . It’s definitely weird.
The ever-increasing knowledge and power of the dimensional system. Strangely, my body often gets tired, and I even feel that the speed of magic recovery is slow. I wasn’t aware of it, but when Shiana talked about it, I suddenly felt it.
‘Am I being unknowingly encroached on because it’s the power of demons?’
Come to think of it, lately it seems that he has been using his power without much sense of incongruity or sense of crisis.
‘My ancestors also getting this way?’
This is a bit risky. A cold sweat broke out in an instant. Even though he knew that the power of demons was dangerous, he was completely unaware of it.
“Thank you. Siana.”
If it wasn’t for Ciana, I might have been encroached on without realizing it. I need to be aware of it now and be careful again.
“yes. Aren. Be careful. really… … .”
Shiana, who looked somewhat sad, hugged me again and didn’t let go for a while.
.
.
.
.
.
Today, noodle dishes from far away, not pitzza, were selected as the menu. Siana, who has become very curious, is slowly turning her gaze away from Pitzza.
In fact, this is a food derived from Japanese ramen. However, it was unfamiliar food to the people of ＜Warriors Kingdom＞, which was set in the West.
“yes? Aren is really good at eating with chopsticks?!”
“Ahh. Shiana, it will be convenient if you learn how to use chopsticks.”
“Also… … Aren is awesome!”
Thanks to that, this kind of happening happened. Thanks to being born and raised in Korea, I take pride in being number one in the world when it comes to chopsticks.
It was a convenience that was on a completely different level from Siana, who was uncomfortable eating noodles with a fork.
As I watched Sianna happily eat the food, I noticed two changes in her.
One was her head. Siana’s mysterious silver hair was cinnabar and came down to her shoulders, forming a mid-length hair.
“yes? What are you looking at so intently, Aren?”
During vacation, I didn’t know because we were together every day, but after a week or so, I realized that a lot of time had passed.
“just. I ate well.”
Shiana brushes her now pretty flowing hair to one side and swallows the noodle dish.
“This is so delicious! Hi-Hi.”
Another problem was her face, which was more haggard than before.
Siana’s flawless white jade skin looked slightly troubled. He was much better than everyone else, but he was more crumbly than before, and his face showed a slight hint of fatigue.
“Siana.”
“yes?”
“What are you really doing these days? Didn’t you sleep?”
“Yes? really?! Does it show?”
Shiana swung her arms around and covered her face with her forearms. His face was so small that half of it was covered by his thin forearms.
“Look, don’t look… … !”
“What’s going on?”
I stared at Cianna, worried that something might have happened to her. In fact, I was also acting as Siana’s protector, so I was quite sensitive to this.
“Yes. never mind. I just have something to study these days.”
“study? what?”
Siana is studying. It was like the meaning that the cat hated Churr. Naturally, my eyebrows narrowed and a question mark appeared above my head.
“it is a secret.”
“Are you making secrets from me too, now?”
“There is such a thing! Don’t tell me now!”
Siana was incongruously grouped. It’s not uncommon for him to refuse my request, but he must be preoccupied with something.
It was the first time I’d seen him do this, so I just laughed. Shiana, who has mastered magic and a fair amount of knowledge, is studying… … .
What is it?
I was curious, but I couldn’t force myself to ask because I didn’t want to tell you. Let’s bury it for now.
“okay. I don’t know what. work hard.”
Include a word of support.
“yes! thank you! When the results come out, I’ll be the first to tell Aren!”
“Yes, yes.”
Siana smiles softly. Then she blushed slightly again and spoke in a low voice.
“Still, I’m glad that Aren knew right away. Hi-Hi.”
After finishing the food, Siana stroked her stomach and praised the noodle dish.
“How was Aren!?”
“yes. It was delicious too.”
Ramen is my favorite too. The ramen you eat here is truly a rare food. I know the taste is great, so I will use it in the future.
We went to a cafe to have coffee for dessert.
On a warm spring day, enjoying a cup of coffee while smelling the relaxing scent of flowers was a rare healing experience. Besides, the person who catches my eye is Siana. what more do you need
Everything is like a painting, and each scene is imprinted in my mind.
“Isn’t it, Aren?”
As I am intoxicated by the scent of spring, the tomboy talks to me. Siana’s comment has now become a trademark. With a mischievous face, he looks at me to answer quickly.
“why?”
At my reaction, Shiana smiled and spread her palms. Soon, the sphere of magical power that appears above it explodes! Another object was summoned with a sound.
On top of Siana’s palm, a small cube-like object floated in the air in real time, showing off a mysterious appearance.
“what’s this?”
“gift!”
“Another gift?”
The presents I received last time have not been used up or eaten yet. But again, it’s a gift. At this point, it becomes rather embarrassing.
“No, Siana doesn’t need a present or something. Don’t worry about that.”
“I hate it.”
It didn’t work for Siana. It was difficult to dissuade him because he had a subtle stubbornness to do it as it was if he wanted to.
“Take it quickly!”
“ha… … .”
I really can’t stop it. Reluctantly, I received the cube. When I held it in my hand, I could feel pure mana from the cube.
I asked, raising my gaze from the cube back to Shiana.
“This, so what is it?”
“The next week after Aren, the mission goes out!”
“Yeah, it is.”
“It’s a magic storage device! You can use it when you need it.”
At the same time, Siana smiled proudly as if she had done something great.
“When I’m not there, can’t you come back after getting hurt?”
The cube contained Siana’s warm heart. Seeing her smiling innocently at the fact that she gave this to me, she was an innocent girl herself.
“I really can’t stand it again.”
The simple greeting made people really, really not stop smiling.
“okay. Thank you.”
* * *
I had a relaxing weekend.
I had a meal with Siana while taking a good rest, and on Sunday, I stopped by the Silver Tower for a while to check the progress of Confucius and returned.
The repair work is now about 90% finished, and the rest can be done with the interior work.
Here, he asked Lorena and Hilda to decorate the workshop as requested. The dwarves asked for extra money, but I was willing to pay.
My parents also expressed their doubts at first, saying, “Do you really need a magic tower?
You probably had no idea.
The rest of the time was spent resting in the dormitory.
Thanks to drinking Winsorbing’s tears and always wearing Siana’s cube by her side, her fatigue quickly recovered.
I was going to be really busy in the future, so resting when I could rest was the only business left to do.
Time passed and a new week dawned again.
It means that the season of external missions, which cadets look forward to and enjoy the most, has arrived.
The midterm exam must have been over, and the cadets were overflowing with enthusiasm. The spring sunlight was also warm, making it suitable for an adventure. But all this is just the calm before the storm.
The assignment of the task was quickly accomplished.
From the second year onwards, missions begin in earnest, so grades, assignments, and member formation are all decided in advance by the Cadet Management Division.
Thanks to that, as soon as I entered the gym early in the morning, I checked the assignment assigned to me.
＜Northern Farm Owner Mr. Ibson Escort Mission Request＞
―Client: Ibson
―3rd grade Lena Carini★
―Aren Blackfire, Year 2
―Cain Abella, Year 2
―Second Year Xylon Kerost
Northern farmer Ipson escort mission. It is written as, but in reality, it is fake.
It was a request that was just a disguise for me to sign a mercenary contract anyway.
Ipson, Lena Carini, and Xylon Kerost were all people who worked for Eins.
At the academy, there were many cadets who were unknowingly entangled in political relations. It must be rather strange that politics and strife are left out in a place where aristocratic families gather. It wasn’t that strange that Eins had a henchman.
All I have to do is contract a mercenary to work for the ‘Orb Heist Incident’ that will happen later. Of course, I was thinking of siding with Ackerman and setting things up separately.
So everything was going well with the flow of the story.
“Why Cain… .”
Unexpectedly, Cain joined the members.
“hey!”
Cain cruelly touched his forearm. A smile makes you feel very good.
“Uh, Cain.”
“what. the response? in a hurry We’re on the same team, so you can show a little bit of joy.”
Confusing.
It was something Eins hadn’t heard beforehand. Everyone except me was a team made up of Ains’ limbs, so I couldn’t understand why Cain was there.
the story falters
The knowledge of the future I had started slipping through the cracks like grains of sand in my grasp.
I gently closed my eyes and began to organize my thoughts. Gather the scattered grains of sand together. So, like a puzzle, they fit together one by one.
‘Is it like that?’
Eins, that nasty woman really risked her life and death in this impeachment case.
Cain was a ‘hostage’.
It was intended to control me from betraying me by keeping Cain, who is close to me, by my side. Considering her eagerness to become principal, it was not impossible to understand.
‘Still, it’s annoying.’
It wasn’t a very good flow. It was because he was using more radical methods than in the game. At this rate, it was difficult to predict how Pompey would turn out.
If Eins was at this level, Pompeius might be a little more aggressive in hindering Eins.
Come to think of it, I didn’t see Ackerman today either.
“Yah. Hate teaming up with me? Why are you closing your eyes and making a fuss!”
Cain grabbed me by the sleeve and let out a tantrum.
“no. great.”
“uh? If you suddenly get hooked like that… .”
Even if it’s good, it’s a mess.
“By the way, didn’t Ackerman come out today?”
I looked around and asked. I couldn’t find it no matter how much I looked.
“yes? Ackerman? I missed this mission because I was sick. He said he went back to his hometown for a while.”
“okay… ?”
How could the Iron King, who never catches a cold even in midwinter, suddenly get sick?
‘Maybe Ackerman will appear.’
This mission also doesn’t seem to go smoothly.
haha. well, i’m used to it It wasn’t too surprising. This is the life of a lucky 1, third-rate extra.
“Cain.”
“yes?”
“I’m so glad to be on the same team as you.”
mercenary contract. Eins. Ackerman. And maybe even the damn bastard who spread my rumors.
Everything is coming together in one place. This will soon create a huge whirlpool. It might have been difficult for me to go through all of this on my own.
Eins was going to take Cain as a hostage just in case, but it wouldn’t go the way she wanted.
“uh? uh uh me too.”
Because I overlooked that the blushing woman here was ‘Abella’.