Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Pink Chick(?)
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Jefrin.
The grand institution of learning for the entire Loengrin Empire.
At its core, it gathers 'talented commoners,' 'children of merchant families,' 'nobles or royalty,' and even 'imperials.'
These are all people who were top dogs back in their hometowns.
Officially, everyone is equal in rank except for the greatest of the imperials—but does the world really work that cleanly?
Factions naturally form around the nobles of the Loengrin Empire first, then the royalty and nobles from vassal states, and the children of merchants who span the entire empire.
It's only natural. Jefrin's undergraduate program lasts just four years.
Once you step out, a brutal society awaits where you have to survive for decades, and the factions formed here become a solid safety net for their futures.
They band together in groups of three or five—by region, hobbies, majors—building their own forces while keeping an eye on each other.
But all those factions kneel and bow their heads before the one led by the Loengrin imperials.
And right now, two imperials are enrolled as undergrads at Jefrin.
One is Eve von Loengrin.
The faction ruled by the imperial princess in her second year of the Magic Division wasn't even really a faction.
To be precise, the student council executives formed her core faction, and they swore loyalty solely to Eve von Loengrin.
As for Eve herself, she treated all factions equally—showing up at tea parties here and there, sending proxies when she couldn't attend, or even handwriting letters of congratulations.
From the factions' perspective, the fact that Eve von Loengrin didn't favor any one side was a huge relief.
No... it might be better if she did pick a side. If she stirred up divisions like the previous student council president—pitting them against each other and saying, "Offer tribute to win my favor"—that would be true hellfire.
And speaking of the previous student council president, who had seemed to vanish into the annals of history after creating that inferno, only for rumors of sightings to pop up all over Jefrin... what was Wolfram von Loengrin up to?
"...Heard the news? That Wolfram guy's apparently rebuilding his faction."
"W-What?!"
Rumors were flying that he was forming his own faction.
So, who exactly was in it? Most of it was vague hearsay, but a few names were solidly pointed out.
The Sword of Conviction from second year. Third year's Black Crystal, Abyss Dagger, and that magic merchant. Even talks with the spirit knight.
Named characters, all of them holding prestigious titles.
But while these rumors floated like clouds among Jefrin's students—especially the current second- to fourth-years who lived through Wolfram's reign—it appeared.
"...W-What the heck is that? A carriage? B-But why's there a wolf riding it? In the driver's seat, even...?"
A carriage driven by a wolf perched in the driver's seat, two wagons linked together.
No, it was too massive and hulking to call a mere carriage.
Steel plates armored the top, wrapped in pitch-black metal—or perhaps black crystal.
A symbol of overwhelming power that made hearts tremble just looking at it. With eight wheels, it resembled a black dragon, instinctively evoking primal fear in onlookers.
Before this steel behemoth, humanity felt so frail and insignificant. It stirred another kind of longing, but no one dared approach the carriage driven by the red wolf.
Carriage? No. Not pulled by frail horses, but driven by a wolf—this 'Wolfs Carriage' soon drew all eyes in the public commons.
And how could it not, with the boldly displayed sign: 'Wolfram von Loengrin's Convenience Store Trip.'
Everyone thought the same.
And the passengers were famous enough to make anyone nod in agreement.
Black Crystal. The student council president. Sword of Conviction. Abyss Dagger. Elites more than worthy of the imperial grandson's faction.
Most watched them board the wolf-driven behemoth with eyes mixed of fear, awe, respect, and envy.
But among them, exactly one—no, sometimes three—stood out as utterly inexplicable.
"...Ah, Mr. Wolf. Hello. Heading to the convenience store?"
"...Grrr."
"Ah, I see. Yes. Please take care of us today. Kids, he's going—hurry and hop on."
"...Grng."
"Milmyu can talk to the wolf? Impressive! You had a talent like this! Yogurt, you aren't surprised?!"
"Vanilla... This isn't just any wolf. It's... something seriously amazing. Yeah, something like that."
"It's not 'like that'—I can kinda sense it talking through mana. Ah, Mr. Wolf. We're good to go."
"Grrrng..."
"Got it, Mr. Wolf. Let's hurry! Our dear Milmyu can't wait for her beloved senior... No, not senior, her husband... Eek! Yogurt! Why'd you hit me?!"
"Don't spout nonsense. Let's go, Mr. Wolf. We're all seated."
"Grng."
An inexplicable choice that no one could accept.
It was the three colorful first-year commoner chicks.
'...Why the heck are they riding?'
'Are they in the faction too?'
Leaving countless questions from Jefrin's students unanswered, the wolf-driven steel behemoth set off with the three chicks aboard.
That day, the three chicks visited the convenience store after a long while.
"Senior! You haven't fried donuts lately?! I wanna eat some!"
"Um... Sorry, my kid's being loud. But I wanna eat donuts too."
The yellow chick was her usual rowdy self, while the green one played cool on her behalf from the side.
"Ah, Senior. Hello... Ehehe."
The pink chick scratched her reddening cheek before bowing her head.
"Sit down. I'll fry some donuts starting now."
"Whoa, really?! Wow! Wooow!"
"Vanilla, quiet down. Ah, Senior. I'd like to try any new flavors."
"Thank you... Ehehe..."
It took a bit for the oil to heat up, but I stuck a donut in each of the noisy chicks' mouths and sat down.
With Vanilla and Yogurt focused on their donuts, I turned to Milmyu, whose eyes I'd accidentally met.
"How's life been lately?"
"Lately?"
"Yeah. Anything unusual happen?"
"N-No, nothing big."
"How's the overall vibe for first-years? I haven't heard the full story since you took down that Kelters guy."
"Um... Ah... There is one thing. About Kelters..."
"Tell me."
Kelters is the protagonist, the story's center—his every move can plunge the academy into danger. Intrigued, I straightened up and prompted Milmyu for more.
"Kelters has been stripped of his top spot for all sorts of undignified behavior, so everyone's focused on who the next top student will be."
"I see."
So Kelters isn't top anymore...
"What?"
What'd she say?
For real?
"And that's not all. Seriously, it's no small matter!"
"Yeah... We're pretty exhausted. We came here today to ask for advice."
As I reeled in shock, Vanilla and Yogurt jumped into the conversation, donuts in hand.
"Advice on what?"
"Milmyu's in deep trouble, Senior! She's right in the eye of the storm! It's chaos! For realz!"
"......"
Vanilla's speech center seemed Rudika-level. Well, not that I'd say it aloud and risk getting killed—point is, incomprehensible. I looked to Yogurt for clarification.
Yogurt glanced between Vanilla and me, then sighed deeply.
"Sorry my friend embarrassed herself, Senior."
"Apology accepted. Now spill—what exactly happened? From when she beat Kelters, short and step-by-step."
Click. Somehow producing a pair of oversized glasses, Yogurt calmly began explaining.
"Yes. Thanks to you seniors' help, Milmyu defeated the first-year top student Kelters. Afterward, proposals came up to re-evaluate his position due to student council disruptions and poor grades. That was debatable... but then he got caught sneaking out of the dorms at night for snacks by the dorm supervisor..."
"He went that far."
"Yes. So he lost his top spot. He applied for a re-exam, of course. But then, with the position vacant, the first-year runner-up—Gale Strike—declared he'd claim it this time."
"...Gale Strike."
"Yes, the eldest son of the Strike family. And now he's got his eyes on Milmyu."
"Why?"
"He thinks recruiting her means having the girl who beat the former top student under him. Basically, using her as a pawn to undermine Kelters' re-exam bid."
Hm. I see.
Gale Strike was a pesky rival in the original story too.
Anyway.
"You know your stuff. Good intel."
"...Next student council exec candidate. Heh. We're talented first-years, you know."
"Good. Have more donuts."
"Yesss!"
"Hey! I was gonna say that—gimme some too!"
"Sure. Eat up."
"Yay!"
After feeding the two chicks more feed, I turned to the pink one watching me with an awkward smile.
"Sounds troublesome."
"Y-Yeah... I don't wanna join any faction..."
"But factions are a great system. You'd lose nothing by joining."
"No. Truth is... I already have one in mind."
"...I see."
"Yes. An amazing faction. My goal is to stand right beside its leader."
She mumbled it while sneaking glances at me, face flushed.
Standing beside a faction leader. Tough gig, whatever the faction.
"Alright. I'll root for you."
"R-Really? You'll really cheer me on? Can I stand beside that leader for life?"
"Mm. Don't know which one, but if it's your wish, I'll help make it happen."
"...Ah. Y-You don't know. Aha... Haa. You really... don't know which..."
Surprisingly downcast, the pink chick peeked at me again, puffing her cheeks slightly, muttering things like, "That's why... even Senior Aila..." "Or maybe no one's ever succeeded..."
"Wow! That was delicious! Anyway, that's why we came to you, Senior! Please help Milmyu!"
"...We can't beat Gale Strike ourselves. Any other way, Senior?"
Hm. A way to fend off Gale Strike.
Best way to reject a faction invite? Prove your strength.
But would Milmyu want that?
Did she even want to fight again?
"Milmyu. Even if you beat Gale Strike, do you wanna turn down the offer?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
Clear answer.
She's smiling, but it's chillingly cold. Scary.
"...Uh, yeah? I see."
"Yes. I hate the weird rumors. Hate hearing he's targeting me. I hate it all. I... really, really hate it."
"Got it. I'll help."
Maybe because she's like me—an 'early exit' role—I wanted to help extra.
Watching a chick grow into a hen could be fun, too.
"Th-Then..."
"Starting tomorrow, we'll figure something out. Like when you beat Kelters."
"Really? Wooow...! Yes. I'll visit every day starting tomorrow, Senior!"
"...You don't need to come every day."
"I'll come every day. Thank you!"
Chattering happily, the three left the store—each carrying a box of donuts. How much do they love donuts?
Anyway, Gale Strike—fun opponent, annoying one.
As I pondered countermeasures, Partrasu brushed past, lips curling.
"You know?"
"Know what?"
"A hawk snatches prey in one go. Master hunter."
"I know."
"Keh. But from what I've hunted, chicks and fledglings look alike when young."
"So?"
"Mistake a young hawk for a chick, feed it, and one day it might eat you. That's the story."
"?"
What?
As I tilted my head, Partrasu chuckled and sauntered off.