Chapter 309: Fay, Oh Fay...
Chapter 309: Fay, Oh Fay...
After the conferment of titles and the rewarding of merit were finished, we completed one final march through the capital, Valder, before finally heading out.
My request was accepted without much opposition, likely because they intended to give everything to Carla anyway... but a slight problem arose afterward.
Specifically, since the Lindelheit family had fallen, its legacy and assets had already been sold off piece by piece to various places.
The Empire promised to scrape together as much as they could for me, but naturally, that process would take some time.
Well... I could just tour the Lindelheit estate and the Lord’s castle whenever the messenger from the Levantine Empire came to visit later.
With that, my business in the Empire was neatly concluded.
And then.
"Yandel. My darling. Did you know? A name can be as long as one desires."
"Mhm, mhm. Elisha is right. Since ancient times, a name so long it’s difficult to utter has been a symbol of authority."
"Aha? Aha? You mean like a middle name? I heard they can get incredibly long because people add the names of family or relatives! For example, Yandel Glenziel Banatis Yarnshard Francesca... Oh? What should we do for student Helena?"
"Actually, I just reached an agreement with Righteous Light to go with Solaria."
"Great! Perfect! Then it’ll be Yandel Glenziel Banatis Yarnshard Francesca Solaria Lindelheit!"
This disaster broke out not long after we left the Empire.
I feel like I’m losing my mind...
The moment we were out of the public eye, these women began pressuring me without a second's rest.
Yet, in the midst of this chaotic scene, there was one person who seemed to be floating on a cloud of her own.
"Hehe... Yandel Lindelheit... My Master, to whom I’ve offered my everything... and the Master who will give me everything... Hehehe..."
That person was Carla, who was stuck to my side like glue, letting out a sloppy, doting laugh.
She had been in this state ever since I announced that I would inherit everything of the Lindelheit name in her stead.
We had already used Teleport twice toward the Academy and were preparing for the final jump, yet she was still like this!
I poked Carla’s grinning cheek and asked.
"Um... Carla?"
"Yeees! Did you call for me, Master?"
Carla instantly snatched my hand and cupped her own face with it as she answered.
If Carla had an invisible tail, it would surely be wagging with incredible force right now.
Her expression was pure sunshine, and she was subtly rubbing her body against mine.
It didn't feel like a deliberate attempt to seduce me; it was more like she was so happy she couldn't control her emotions and was nuzzling me subconsciously.
The soft texture of her cheek against my hand. Those clear ruby eyes looking up at me. And her faint, sweet scent.
I found myself staring down at her blankly for a moment, but it didn't last long.
"Don't just look at Carla, look over here too, darling!"
Elisha linked her arm through mine on the other side. No, it wasn't just linking arms.
She had wedged my upper arm between her breasts and tucked my hand between her thighs—that couldn't be called a simple arm-link.
My lower half reacted reflexively to the soft sensation pressing against my entire arm. Only after seeing the bulge in my trousers did Elisha’s pouting lips return to their usual shape.
...What kind of judging criteria is that?
I stood there with my mouth agape in disbelief, but then.
This time, Iris hopped onto my back and began wriggling around.
"Heave-ho, heave-ho... Well, what do you think, Master!"
"About what?"
"The sensation of my breasts rubbing against you, of course! Surely you didn't fail to feel it?"
"You mean that sensation of your ribcage...?"
"......?"
"......?"
We both tilted our heads in confusion for a moment before Iris realized what I meant. Her face filled with shock, and she began to tear up.
"They're breasts... they're breasts...!"
"Right! Of course! They're breasts! Wow~ so soft~ feels great~"
I tried desperately to soothe her, but perhaps her wounded heart was beyond repair.
Iris began biting my neck repeatedly, as if she had turned into Iona.
"Nom!"
However, when the unconscious limiter of Iris's Slave Imprint met my newly increased durability stat...
Far from being painful, Iris ended up looking like she was just cutely munching and tickling my neck. She didn't seem to realize it herself, though.
For now, I decided to play along and pretend to be in pain.
"Ow, ow! That hurts... I was wrong, so could you let go, Iris?"
"Abuh. Booboo. Abuuu."
I had no idea what she was saying, but it seemed she wasn't ready to forgive me yet.
While I was enjoying the sensation of Iris's small lips and teeth grazing my skin.
Helena, who had been muttering to herself as if in conversation with Solari, finally nodded with a serious expression.
She stepped in front of me and then slowly turned her back.
"...Helena?"
"Stay still, Brother. It makes it difficult to aim."
Aim? What the hell does that mean?
My question was answered shortly after.
Helena, who had been glancing back at me, pushed her hips out.
Because we were so close, her buttocks pressed directly against my groin.
Those heavy yet soft hips, which now enveloped my lower half, began to sway slowly up and down.
...Immediately, Elisha and Iris, who were beside me, flared up.
"Th-That's cheating!"
"She's right! Such direct and vulgar skinship... Aren't you a Saintess!"
Seeing the two of them protest with one heart and mind, Helena gave her characteristic warm smile.
"The Lord said: 'Winning is everything.' Once we return to the Academy, the first one to share a bed with Brother will be me and no one else...!"
Truly a terrifying declaration of war. Naturally, Elisha and Iris growled at her, but Helena didn't care and pressed her hips even more firmly against me.
Thinking I should at least get my hands free, I tried to gently push Carla away.
"Ma-Master? Have I become a nuisance...?"
"...No. It's just that my shoulder was itchy."
"Oh, my. You should have told me! I'll scratch it for you! Is it here?"
"Yeah..."
I couldn't bring myself to tell her to move away, so I quietly pointed out the itchy spot.
As a last resort, I looked toward someone a short distance away. Our eyes met, and Iona let out a shrill cry.
"No fair! No fair! What are you all doing while I'm preparing the Teleport! Everyone, get away from Student Yandel!"
"Professor...!"
I knew I could count on you!
"How can you play with Student Yandel without me! We promised we'd all do it together!"
"Professor...?"
I guess it was the kind of development where you're betrayed because you trusted them.
Despite my bewildered gaze, Iona steadfastly completed the spell and spoke.
"Now, now! We're going to fly straight to Rahim City in one go, so if you don't want to be doing that in front of other people, behave and move away!"
At those words, the group grumbled but put some distance between us, settling for light, acceptable contact like holding my hand or arm.
I felt a brief moment of regret now that they were off me, but then.
Iona's Teleport erupted in a brilliant crimson light... and when I opened my eyes, a familiar mansion filled my vision.
We had finally returned to Rahim City.
*
After sending Iris back to the mansion, the rest of us headed toward the Academy.
Since it was lunchtime, I planned to meet Fay first and catch up on everything that had happened.
After that, I’d return the staff to the Chairman, call Fay over to the dormitory, and finally indulge in the sex I’d been holding back on...!
I couldn't help but grin at the anticipation. Iona, who was still a bit sulky, pinched and stretched my cheek as she asked.
"Hey, hey. Student Yandel, you don't really have a reason to attend the Academy anymore, do you?"
"Huh? What do you mean all of a sudden?"
"For Student Yandel, isn't how much stronger you can get through magic more important than academic achievement?"
"That's true."
"But, but. You've already surpassed the level of a student. In terms of pure combat power, you're probably stronger than most professors."
Since the Academy is a place where geniuses from all over the Eurelia continent gather, the level of the faculty is naturally high.
An Intermediate Magician, who would be treated as an executive in most Magic Towers, is considered a low-ranking professor here, which says it all.
However, I could hold my own against most of that faculty.
The exceptions would be High Magicians like Iona, or Sword Experts and Cardinal-level clerics of similar caliber.
But there are only one or two such professors in each department.
"Of course, of course. I know Student Yandel still lacks in theoretical knowledge. It's inevitable since you haven't been learning magic for very long. Normally, I wouldn't say this. Theory is important for reaching higher realms, even if it's not right now. But... the situation has changed."
"...It's true that this isn't the time to be leisurely attending classes."
Why did we hurry to take down Fiona? It was because we believed the full-scale war with the cultists would begin soon.
When that time comes, it would be better to leave the Academy and fight here and there, learning from Iris and Iona whenever I have a spare moment.
It wouldn't be as systematic as the Academy, and I wouldn't be able to learn as many diverse fields... but what choice do I have when killing even one more cultist or monster is what matters?
"Still, I think it's better to stay at the Academy for now. Not for the classes, but because information gathers here."
"Aha? Aha? I suppose that's true."
Iona nodded as if she understood.
In fact, H&A, which started as a youth academy story, changes its atmosphere drastically in the latter half. Should I say it starts to resemble an Adventurer's Guild?
Because it's located right in the center of the Eurelia continent, you can get anywhere quickly. Combined with the fact that the world's top talents—both students and professors—are gathered there, requests for support come in frequently.
Classes still continue, but they are often replaced by students, or parties of students and a professor, going out to provide support.
It feels like taking on a quest, forming a party, completing it, and returning for a reward.
Of course, after the Evil God actually descends, it just becomes a military facility.
Anyway, the important thing is that rather than wandering around to fight, it's better to use the Academy as a base, where all information flows in and everything necessary is provided.
Fafnir must have designed the story of H&A that way because this route was the best in the future he saw.
Iona, who had been nodding, clapped her hands lightly as if she’d thought of something good.
"Then! Then! How about asking them to let you use the facilities without attending classes? I think it would work if you agree to graduate from the Academy instead of dropping out!"
"...That sounds good."
"Mhm, mhm! Then I'll bring it up at the next faculty meeting! Or would Student Yandel like to tell the Chairman directly when you return the staff?"
"Is it okay to skip the procedures and speak to him directly like that?"
"Student Yandel is stronger than any professor who would complain about skipping procedures, both in terms of military and political power, so there's no reason to worry about what they think, right?"
"......"
Is... is that so?
I wondered if this was right, but it seemed like it would be much faster and cleaner than having Iona bring it up at a faculty meeting, so I decided I should at least mention it.
We headed toward Fay's workshop while discussing various plans for the future.
...And there, I found Fay on the verge of being ravished, caught in the grip of writhing tentacles.
"Hyaaaaah! Junior! Save me! Help me! It's out of my control... Hngh! N-Not there!"
"......"
What in the world is going on?