Episode 47
Louisa was in a very good mood.
Her lifted corners of the mouth couldn’t be controlled.
“Relax a bit, dear. On such a lovely day.”
“Belle… Belle… Why on earth did you entrust the kingdom to Leon… Why… Why…!!”
While Louisa, who was feeling elated as if she could fly, was drawn to the satisfaction of alcohol, Paula next to her was struggling with stress, making her lose her appetite for alcohol.
It was a bet initiated by Paula’s nagging, but thanks to that, Louisa was less worried about a month’s worth of alcohol.
“Oh, Louisa! Stop hitting me! It hurts so much! Just stop it!”
“Oh, sorry sorry. As the responsible professor, I’m just so proud of our class for winning.”
“Ugh…! Leon… Leon…!!”
As declared through visual magic.
Class 1 crushed the united forces of Divisions 4 and 5, shattering them to pieces.
For this moment, even the Baragan’s task horses, which were spared and not used, appeared in large numbers and quickly demolished the castle.
Realizing the whole story belatedly, Diphyllia and Erika tried to join forces again, but it was already too late.
Once the momentum was lost, it never returned.
Louisa gazed at the image of the victorious class.
Baragan and his companions were walking.
Although she wanted to throw her exhausted body onto the bed, her eyes and mouth were smiling with a sense of accomplishment.
“Brat. Doesn’t even show a hint of excitement even though he’s about to die.”
It was directed towards Baragan.
While others were patting each other on the back and rejoicing, he displayed an attitude of ‘foolish fellows. Getting so excited over something so trivial.’
If he’s a brat, then that’s how a brat should act.
Louisa unfolded the paper she was holding.
It was a parchment Baragan had given her before the class assembly began.
Written in elegant script, but long-winded.
The gist, excluding the frills, was about changing the name of the research society.
From “Theology Student Council”
to “Arbol Fruital” requested.
Everyone seemed to have seen the name “Theology Student Council”. Thinking of the hardships Louisa went through because of that title made her want to smash Baragan’s head with a bottle, but now the urge to do so wouldn’t rise.
Since it was changed so easily.
With no further debate expected, it was a good story for Louisa as well.
“Now you’re starting to like it, Chief.”
Louisa began to laugh heartily as if she had forgotten her surroundings.
The troublesome Chief’s research society name had also been changed. They must have confidently won the class assembly.
It was a moment when the long-standing frustration began to dissipate.
“Relax a bit, Paula!”
“Oh, come on! I said it hurts!! You muscle lump!”
As Louisa’s mood heightened.
Paula’s back arched in pain.
***
“Give it back.”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“My task-ma. Give it back.”
“You left it behind… Erica. That’s what a task-ma is…”
“Noisy! I said give the task-ma back!”
The villainess, Erica, who used to be called the witch, now turned into a stubborn child, stomping on the ground with small feet.
Seeming to try to act as mature as possible from outside, but eventually giving up.
“Goodbye. Witch. It was a short time, but enjoyable.”
– Goodbye….
The charming black crow spread its wings wide, let out a mournful cry, then moved to Erica’s shoulder.
Hope it fares well there too.
Sincerely.
“Erica. Second place is still a great achievement.”
“…Quiet.”
The one who succeeded in resisting until the end was not the Holy Maiden, but Erica.
Di Pielia seemed to find it difficult to see half of the students being unilaterally oppressed, so she declared surrender.
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In the end, what remained was the tale of the 4th group led by Erica until the end. She desperately resisted until all her mana was drained.
“…I won’t have such embarrassing days again.”
Erica chewed her lips meticulously. Her hands clenched into fists, even trembling.
It seems that right now, Erica should quickly go back to her room and find some peace.
Otherwise, she feels like she might not be able to control her emotions and end up creating a lot of shameful history. As a fellow noble, as an engaged woman, she can’t just stand by.
Just as she was about to speak to Erica again, an unexpected intruder barged in.
He was a male student in the same class as her, Bentlo.
With a pleasant demeanor, he would lightly bow to me when he saw me.
“My classmates are waiting for Erica. If it’s not too much trouble, may I take her away now?”
“…Bentlo, I…”
“Don’t worry, Erica. You did your best. There are many who appreciate you for fighting till the end even in the worst of situations.”
“…”
It was chaos.
They were flirting with each other, causing quite a scene.
I wanted to rebuke them for their behavior in front of my fiancée.
“Erica.”
But I let it go.
It wasn’t my place to interfere.
Moreover, Bentlo was necessary for Erica at the moment.
Let’s overlook his somewhat rude behavior.
“My master’s servant has come, so I shall take my leave as well.”
“Bentlo is no servant. Don’t be disrespectful, Shugenharz.”
“Alright, alright. Farewell, stubborn one.”
-Clang! Clang!
“By the way, why does he like you so much…?”
Leaving them behind, I distanced myself.
It worked out well.
I needed to confirm my reward and meet someone.
-Was that servant’s name Stubborn One?
-No… He decided it on his own…
Blocking out the faint noise from behind, I organized the situation.
First, Katia.
She won the class competition.
She held a leadership position.
Received the King’s Emblem.
When a class wins the competition, each member receives 20 Katia.
The leader gets 5 Katia just for the position. Additionally, 5 more for leading the victory.
Finally, the King of the winning class receives another 10 Katia.
Thus, through this class competition, I acquired a total of 40 Katia.
Starting from 20 as the top student.
Gave 10 to Erica through the grade competition.
Now, with 40 gained this time.
Currently at 50.
Erica, who ranked 2nd in Katia among the 1st-year students, earned 46 this time, including this class competition.
Successfully regaining her momentarily dropped rank.
Of course, that’s not the end of it.
Theology student council… no, ‘Arbol Prutal’, could also conduct a grand image reformation advertisement, conveying my intentions to a special ‘someone’ who was watching over us.
I hope it reaches them safely.
It’s more important than Katia or the Research Council’s image.
“Barugan student. Do you have a moment?”
It’s a mysterious voice from somewhere.
His voice, low like mist.
It’s the first time hearing it in reality, but I can be sure.
Finally, he made contact.
“Yes, I can.”
I smiled at him.
Seeing him approach so quickly, he seems to have many questions.
Now, what kind of variable are you, and how will you make me happy?
“What’s the matter, Miss Helion.”
***
Helion and I, who climbed onto the unfairness, entered a separate room to continue our conversation.
It was a small room, but it was soundproofed with magic to prevent our conversation from leaking out.
“Is Barugan a saint?”
Helion’s first words were quite direct.
“No. I cannot perform miracles or receive divine trusts.”
Helion nodded slightly, as if he had expected that.
His strange eyes were fixed on me.
“Barugan student is unnatural.”
“Me?”
“Yes, even now. I knew I would approach you, right?”
“Impossible. I’m not a prophet. How could you have known? I’m still quite mentally unsettled trying to calm my shocked heart.”
I mixed in some words that subtly elevated him.
Helion showed no change in expression.
It seemed like he was looking at me, yet also not.
“You’re very skilled at lying. It’s as natural as breathing.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment if it’s praise.”
“It’s not an insult.”
It’s not even a compliment.
He simply speaks the truth.
Helion.
I had a rough understanding of his personality and speech patterns, but he was a man who exceeded even my expectations and went beyond the usual categories.
“Barugan student’s performance in the class tournament stood out. Newbies in curses and warlock fields. Mana capacity is above that. Correct?”
Did he understand at a glance even from a report?
Indeed, it’s exceptional insight⎯I would like to say. But if I don’t acknowledge this level, it would be awkward.
He’s the 7th-ranked male in the current warrior rankings. It’s only natural.
“Yes.”
“You’re not lying this time? Not just empty words.”
“You’ll figure it out anyway, won’t you?”
“That’s right.”
The story doesn’t smoothly flow.
Paragraphs followed by more paragraphs.
It breaks off like this.
It seems to be because of his peculiar way of speaking.
“Is that why you called me?”
“I have several questions to ask. That was just one of them.”
There was a moment of silence, but he didn’t avert his gaze.
His unfocused eyes stared at me quietly.
If he doesn’t continue speaking, I will take the lead.
As if you have many questions, so do I.
I prepared my response in advance and said, “I’ll ask you a few questions too.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Why did you come to Academia?”
“I came to mentor.”
His answer was firm. So was I.
The story progresses quickly.
“That’s not the answer I wanted. I believe you’re aware of that.”
“…It’s awkward, as expected. The students of Bargan.”
His expression remained unchanged, but a subtle hint of interest seeped through his tone.
In the original story, knowing you wouldn’t come, would I really want such vague answers?
Answer properly, Hailion.
“The answer to Bargan student’s question seems to lead to my question.”
After a moment of contemplation, leaning slightly back on the chair, Hailion, who had been silent, began to speak again.
The unexpected words that came out of his mouth slightly disrupted his poker face.
“Do you know Edel and Freesia?”
…What?
Why are they mentioned now?
Rubyde Village, where Alicia visited to overcome trauma.
Initially, they mistook me for a villainous mage, then those brats who clung to me like gum and annoyed me.
Of course, I remember.
“…Yes, I know.”
I restored my poker face and remained nonchalant. Was Hailion’s arrival at Academia related to Rubyde Village?
The village chief said he hadn’t heard anything about Hailion. That incompetent fool…!
“I came here because of those kids. Bargan student.”
In his seemingly emotionless eyes, for a moment, I felt a chill.
Elbows rested on the table.
Although there was no overtly domineering attitude or emanating power, a clear pressure was felt from him.
“To confirm you, who changed the fate of the doomed village of Lubid.”