Chapter 384: Make It Happen!
Chapter 384: Make It Happen!
Since I could use teleportation as much as I wanted after leaving the Great Forest, it didn't take long to reach the Academy.
However, the Academy we arrived at felt a bit strange.
"Master...? For some reason, everyone is staring at us and whispering."
"I see it too. Don't tell me the news that we defeated Ugly Prosperity has already spread?"
"Hmm. A fair amount of time has passed, so it’s possible. For people anxious that the War of the Gods might break out again, there’s no better news than the annihilation of an Evil God."
Carla nodded. Iona chimed in as if to agree.
"And besides, Student Yandel is a hero of the Levantine Empire! Even if Alfheim helped, you didn't just overcome the Evil God's invasion—you went and took its head! Since bragging only brings benefits, the news probably spread faster than we expected!"
"...But if that's the case, isn't it weird that all their eyes are fixed on Carla? And their gaze is a bit... off."
While I tilted my head at Iona's words, Elisha and Iris, who had been quiet, sighed simultaneously.
"Sigh... Darling? It seems the thing you were worried about has happened."
"My Master. I have already prepared for this, so do not be flustered and listen well."
"What? What is it?"
It was a whisper that Nana and the others couldn't hear, but it seemed the sensitive ears of the High Elves had picked something up.
As I urged the two, who were acting all dramatic, Elisha finally spoke.
"That crazy woman finally stormed the mansion of the exiled former Marquis Cyprus in broad daylight and murdered him along with all his private soldiers."
"Crazy woman... Ah, Fake Carla?"
"Yes. The news of you defeating the Evil God and the story of Carla killing Cyprus spread at the same time, and the tale is getting a bit distorted."
"To summarize, the rumor is that while Master succeeded in defeating Ugly Prosperity, Carla—who was mentally unstable due to being sexually abused by Master—fell and became an Apostle of the Evil God in the process."
"...That's even more infuriating because it sounds subtly plausible."
"No matter how ridiculous a rumor is, it needs a bit of logic for people to nod along. Anyway, that's the situation, so they were shocked to see the usual Carla suddenly appear before their eyes."
"It's a bit absurd... but it's no big deal. The Levantine Empire and Alfheim won't just sit by and watch, so they'll probably make an official announcement soon."
I shook my head with a hollow laugh, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the central plaza.
Countless paths branched off toward every corner of the Academy. Stopping for a moment before them, Helena asked.
"By the way, Brother. What would you like to do? Going straight to the dormitory is fine, but how about buying dinner first? ...To be honest, I'm too tired to cook for myself today."
"Well, we used up a lot of mental energy clearing the dungeon, and even if it was just the edge, we spent forever traveling through the Great Forest, so that's natural. But I have somewhere to stop by briefly, so why don't you guys go grocery shopping and head in first?"
"Is something the matter, Brother?"
"I have things to ask and report, so I'm going to see the Chairman. Oh, Professor Iona, do you want to come along?"
"N-No! No way! If I go now, I'll just end up hearing a mountain of complaints about my overdue work! Work starts tomorrow! I'm resting today, so Student Yandel, go by yourself this time!"
"...Come to think of it, it's a bit strange. Professor Iona, you always say you're busy, but you don't actually seem to do much. What exactly makes you so busy?"
"Sigh... You know, you know. It's times like this that I realize Student Yandel is still young."
"Baby."
Iona gave me a distant look as if saying, 'Ah, to be young and naive...' It was a bit annoying, so I let out a grumpy "Baby," and Iona chuckled before continuing.
"It's true that I don't have much to do as a professor. At most, I'm only in charge of one Magic Combat subject, and even then, other professors can easily fill in for me."
"The Academy's professors are high-level because the students are high-level, so that's expected."
"Right, right. But the problem is, there's no one who can replace me."
"Huh?"
"Think about it, think about it. A hero from the era of the Great War, someone whose skills rival the best even among High Magicians, the nightmare of cultists, the Chairman's comrade-in-arms... I'm the only one who fits those criteria, right?"
"Aha?"
I roughly understood what she meant. Although Rebecca was acting as the Chairman inside the Academy through an avatar rather than her main body, there were naturally limits to that.
If there were truly no restrictions, she wouldn't be showing her face so sporadically like she does now.
Given the situation, Iona—who knew Rebecca's current state and was trusted by her—must have been acting as the Chairman's proxy.
"Of course, I rarely step out to the front. But when it comes to internal Academy affairs, it's a different story."
"Now that I think about it, whenever we went on field practice or there was an announcement, Professor Iona was always there among the faculty."
Even before Iona and I reached our current relationship, she used to provide various conveniences for me... That was likely possible because of her special position as Rebecca's right hand.
"Exactly, exactly. That's how it is. Ah! But don't misunderstand! It's not like I'm doing it against my will! It's just..."
"It's just that you want to rest today, right? Don't worry. I'll make sure you get a very deep sleep."
"Student Yandel... Even so, saying such things to a professor on campus is..."
"I'll let you drink blood until your stomach bursts as promised, so just have a nice, drowsy nap."
"You're welcome anytime!"
Iona smiled brightly, her fangs glistening. After sharing a laugh with her, I parted ways with the group for a moment and headed to where Rebecca was.
*
This was already my third visit, but the Chairman's office still had a bizarre atmosphere.
It felt like I was visiting a secret base I had desperately wanted as a child. (Actually, it was one.)
I waved lightly toward the central water tank.
"I'm back, Chairman!"
"Because I just took down two Evil Gods! How many points does that get me?"
"Yes. After defeating Ugly Prosperity, I tracked down and annihilated Boiling Silence, who had exhausted all its strength trying to help her."
Her voice was flat. But sometimes, when people are too shocked, their reactions become dull.
After stammering for a good while, Rebecca finally regained her composure and asked back.
"I understand what you mean, so it's fine. It's true that while my party and I have great innate talent, we aren't fully 'complete' yet."
Rebecca continued to press for an answer, clearly dying of curiosity. I gathered some nearby junk to use as a makeshift chair, sat down, and spoke.
"First, you should know that the Evil Gods I encountered weren't in their perfect states. Compared to when you fought them, the difference is like heaven and earth."
"Tremendously. Where should I start... Shall we talk about Ugly Prosperity first? That crazy goddess tried to be reborn entirely to escape the seal, but..."
I gave her a brief summary of everything that had happened. At first, she tilted her head in confusion, but soon, surprise and delight took its place.
It made sense. From Rebecca's perspective, her own student had achieved the 'God-slaying' that she had once tried to do—but failed, settling for a seal due to a lack of power.
If I were in her shoes, I'd be dying of joy too.
When I finally finished explaining how I annihilated Boiling Silence, a small sound of clapping came from inside the tank.
Clap, clap, clap.
"Thank you. Since we're on the subject, I have a question. How many points do I get in this case?"
"Ah, I don't need things like that. There are just a few conveniences I'd like the Academy to provide."
"Then please cancel Elisha's expulsion."
"But the 'vibe' of a former student and a current schoolgirl is completely different."
Rebecca fell silent, seemingly lost for words. I made my demand to her with full confidence.
"Make it happen!"