Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: End-of-Term Performance Test (2)
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After seeing the poster on the bulletin board, I rushed straight to the student council president's office.
Bang!
"President!"
"...Huh? Who...?"
I threw open the door energetically, and there sat Annet, studying at an antique library desk.
She looked up at me, her eyes widening as she tilted her head.
"It's Ken Fine Stein."
"Ken? ...Y-You're really Ken Fine Stein?!"
She wasn't recognizing my face anymore—that was familiar by now—so as soon as I gave my name, Annet jumped up in surprise from her seat.
"I-I heard your appearance had changed, but..."
Her reaction was quite different from before.
Her face was flushed, and she seemed flustered, unable to meet my eyes properly.
Previously, she'd come across as bold and willful.
...Well, she probably can't act all high and mighty after putting up a poster like that.
I strode toward her confidently, like someone there to complain.
It might seem rude, but she'd entrusted me with weapon repairs before.
Surely even the president could overlook this much.
I approached her boldly like that.
"...Kyaa."
"...Kyaa?"
"U-Uh, ahem. No, you suddenly got so close, it startled me."
Intending to pressure her, I leaned in close and looked down. Annet fidgeted, letting out a strange squeak.
Then, as if embarrassed, she cleared her throat and tried to look at me with feigned boldness.
"So, what brings you here?"
"What do you mean? You know exactly what. What's the deal with that poster?"
"Oh, that."
Even with the irritated tone radiating from me, Annet nodded confidently.
Apparently, the poster wasn't a joke after all.
But why was she so brazen about it?
"Hehe, isn't it a great idea? I was surprised when I first saw it too, but with how much you've changed, you'll grant any wish? It'll definitely motivate the students' grades."
"That's exactly it! Why go ahead without even asking my opinion?!"
"H-Hey, don't get so close... My heart's been pounding like crazy since earlier."
"Hmph, sounds like a guilty conscience."
"...No, that's not what I meant."
Then what was it?
Annet's face reddened before she gave me an exasperated look.
"Ahem, anyway. Don't worry too much. It's called a wish ticket, but obviously we can't grant just anything—that'd be too risky."
Suddenly flashing a generous smile, she patted my shoulder.
"For the girls, we'll limit it to a date at most, so no need to fret. You can handle that much, right?"
"...Well, if it's just that."
What I'd been worried about was the wish ticket itself.
A wish ticket meant literally anything.
In the worst case, it could be demands like becoming a slave or handing over money.
...A date would be fine, though.
The poster was already up.
Even if I backed out now, word of the top prize had spread among the students.
Better for the student council to impose limits on the wish ticket.
"This is the only time I'm letting it slide."
"Hehe, as expected, you're as noble as you are talented. Always such an appealing prospect."
As I sighed and spoke, Annet looked up at me with a soft smile.
Then she traced a circle on my chest with her index finger.
"By the way... If I take top spot overall, would you grant a different wish instead of a date?"
"...A different wish? Need something else repaired?"
"Joining our student council..."
"No thanks."
With my business done, I turned and left the office without hesitation.
"Ah! W-Wait, just think about it━!"
I heard a desperate cry from behind but ignored it and shut the door.
Still, it wasn't as big a deal as I'd feared, so I felt relieved.
In the game, the student council president caused all sorts of outrageous incidents, so I'd assumed the wish ticket was literal.
A date wasn't worth stressing over.
And top spot isn't that easy anyway.
Plus, only one person.
Better for my mental health to stay calm rather than rage and demand cancellation.
That said, since it's come to this...
Maybe I should aim for first myself.
Of course, I didn't think it'd be easy.
But if I took first, the wish ticket prize would vanish entirely.
Great grades for me too.
And even if I didn't get first, focusing on studies would boost my scores anyway.
With my resolve firm, I headed back to the classroom.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'This has gotten out of hand...'
As Mary walked the hallway, she overheard students whispering around her.
Mostly about Ken's wish ticket for the top scorer in the exam.
The students' interest in Ken had grown far beyond what Mary imagined.
'I have to take first in this exam no matter what...'
Her heart grew urgent alongside that.
Her rivals had multiplied overnight—rivals she'd never even considered before.
"Ken!"
"Huh? Mary? What's up?"
A time she wouldn't normally approach Ken.
But today she had business, so she went to his classroom and called his name from the front door.
Other girls were gathered around him.
And as his name rang out, they all turned toward her.
...Ugh.
The situation felt so different from before that she shrank back momentarily.
But she steeled herself and approached Ken.
"M-Mary?"
She grabbed his flustered hand and pulled him out of the classroom right away.
Somehow, she didn't want to talk there.
More than that, she didn't want to see him surrounded by those girls.
"Sorry for dragging you out suddenly."
"No, I'm actually grateful. People were crowding me, and I was stuck."
She'd thought she'd been a bother, but Ken thanked her instead.
Relieved by his demeanor, Mary smiled faintly.
His appearance had changed, but only others' reactions—Ken himself was the same as ever.
"Um, Ken. The reason I called you aside is... well..."
His steadfast nature gave her more courage.
It was embarrassing to voice the invitation she'd been mulling over.
But fearing she'd lose him if she hesitated longer, Mary spoke.
"After classes end today, how about... studying together in the library?"
Saying it aloud made her face heat up.
Anxiety swelled at the thought he might refuse.
But contrary to her worries, Ken beamed brightly.
"Oh! That's a great idea!"
She got a positive reply right away.
Her anxiety melted into quiet joy, and Mary smiled softly.
"Ah, but I have to eat dinner separately, so let's meet a bit after classes end, not right away."
"Sure!"
He'd wait as long as needed.
She waved as he returned to class, then touched her cheek.
"W-Was my expression weird? ...Why's my face so hot...?"
Relaxing after holding tension in front of Ken, she recalled her awkwardness and squirmed in embarrassment.
Mary usually kept a cool, expressionless facade.
Her followers would faint at this change.
Her hand moved to her chest.
Thump, thump.
Her heart beat stronger than usual.
'Good...'
She'd feared rejection.
But studying together in the library cleared her prior anxiety and stuffiness.
Anticipation and excitement filled the void.
Mary smiled shyly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After classes ended, Mary headed to the library first.
'Gotta secure a spot.'
Since the top prize was announced, many students had fired up for exam prep.
The library was busier than usual, seats scarcer.
The academy's library spanned an entire building, but students filled it to capacity.
...Ken's influence is huge.
Quite a few guys too.
Not that they aimed to date him.
Their goal stemmed from a rumor.
The adventurer craftsman buzzing in Lillias Kingdom rumors was supposedly Ken.
The boys planned to use the top prize to commission him.
'But seats...'
Mary scanned the library, textbooks in arms.
Full of occupied students, empty seats hard to find.
And she needed two for Ken.
After searching, she spotted a table with exactly two free chairs.
...Emily.
Emily was there, studying intently.
Her fierce focus, flipping through books and organizing notes, showed her seriousness about the exam.
"..."
She considered another spot.
But Mary approached her instead.
Curiosity about Emily drew her.
"Emily."
"...Yeah?"
Emily turned from her focus at Mary's voice.
"E-Eh? Mary?"
Startled by the sudden appearance, Emily shrank back.
They usually clashed antagonistically.
"Mind if I sit next to you?"
Mary asked impassively, unperturbed.
"...Whatever."
Thrown by the unusual demeanor, Emily nodded warily.
They'd mostly glared before, so Mary's calm face felt off.
With permission, Mary sat, placing her books on the desk.
"You're studying hard."
"..."
Her gaze drifted to Emily's materials.
Endless notes and memos.
A stark display of her dedication.
...She's serious.
Emily truly aimed for first.
She'd sparked this top-spot rivalry.
Asking him to grant her request if she won.
Mary recalled Emily's expression then.
It was the face of a girl in love.
"What will you ask for if you get first?"
The question nagging her.
She'd assumed a date like herself, but it felt off.
And the biggest mystery.
Emily clearly liked Ken, so why torment him?
"...Just."
Emily, pen in hand, flushed and covered her mouth at Mary's words.
She averted her eyes.
"...I want a chance to apologize."
"Apologize...?"
"Yeah... I've done a lot wrong to Ken."
Only her profile visible, eyes averted, but her aura rang sincere.
"Why apologize now?"
Mary thought of the girl who'd confessed liking Ken in class recently.
"Is it because Ken's looks changed suddenly?"
"W-What?! N-No?!"
A casual guess made Emily overreact in denial.
"Unrelated to his looks?"
"Yeah! O-Of course he's handsome now, but..."
Emily hesitated, glancing at Mary.
Mary's impassive stare.
They'd snarled at each other before, but Emily knew Mary's true nature.
She was kind.
"Sigh... Fine, since it's you, I'll be honest."
She sighed, spilling her dilemma.
A moment later, after explaining.
"...S-So you bullied him because you liked him?"
"..."
Mary's reaction was disbelief, contrary to expectations.
Emily, expecting stoic acceptance from the kind Mary, bowed her head in shame.
"Emily... You're not a child."
"I-I know! But I didn't get my own feelings either!"
It started with confusion.
The guy she'd fallen for at first sight changed appearance, becoming someone she disliked.
So initially, she denied her heart amid the turmoil and bullied him.
But over time, his traits she hated grew endearing.
Or maybe she'd felt that way from the start but denied it.
"Anyway! ...Now I want to apologize. Separate from whether he accepts."
"I see."
Learning this unexpected truth flustered Mary.
But it all clicked afterward.
Why Emily clung to him oddly while bullying.
Honestly, Mary had been annoyed not just by the bullying, but the closeness.
"And more than that... I can't stand those bandwagoners fawning over his face winning first."
Emily gripped her pen tightly.
"They ignored him when he was chubby. He was always attractive before..."
Emily looked angry.
Her profile felt familiar and close to Mary.
Because she agreed completely.
"Ken was cute, right."
"Exactly! N-Now I kinda miss pre-diet him."
Having bared her honest feelings, Emily opened up easily to Mary.
Still shy, but she'd never told anyone.
"He ate anything happily—it was nice to watch."
"Right, right? Made me wanna give him extra."
Before long, they laughed together.
The topic: past Ken.
Despite never properly talking before.
Sharing Ken stories bonded them unexpectedly.
Like they clicked.
...Huh? This feeling, from somewhere...
Then Mary felt a vertigo similar to the hallway recently.
As if it'd happened before.
Like déjà vu, but firmer.
Why...?
Emily felt it too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After classes, I hurried back to Rafne's tower.
For our usual dinner together.
'Didn't expect Mary to invite me.'
Other girls had swarmed with similar suggestions.
Suggesting group study with classmates during exam period.
I'd planned to refuse, but Mary appeared just then.
Dragging me out was unexpected.
'But with Mary, it'll definitely help.'
Studying together would boost exam performance.
And I preferred comfortable company.
Strangers—even classmates I'd barely spoken to—felt off-putting.
"I'm back. Rafne, you waited?"
Reviewing study subjects mentally, I opened the door to the top-floor room.
Familiar sight.
Rafne stood by the window, back to me.
...Did she get a delivery?
She only stood there for one reason.
Receiving items from her familiars.
And no reaction to my arrival... What was it?
Normally, she'd rush and hug me the moment I opened the door.
"Rafne... What're you doing?"
Curious, I approached.
To see what held her attention.
Getting closer, I glimpsed a familiar shape over her shoulder and widened my eyes.
"...Ken."
As I neared, Rafne called quietly.
Her voice made my shoulders twitch.
"...What's this wish ticket thing...?"
She turned to me.
Empty eyes and a faint smile greeted me.
In her hand: the exact parchment from the academy bulletin board.