Chapter 33: Provocation 7
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 33: Provocation 7
"I’ll have it handled within a week, so don't you all worry."
When I spoke with such confidence, the students of the Special Class looked at me with skeptical eyes.
"Hey, Pushover. How exactly do you plan to handle this in a week?"
Sepia was the first to speak up. She walked toward me with her spirits perched on her shoulders. The moment the spirits spotted me, they fluttered over and clung to me.
Yes, yes. Even you little ones recognize a handsome face, don't you?
"Miss Sepia, a third-rate clown is one who spoils the upcoming show in advance," I said, stroking the spirits.
The four elemental spirits each had a distinct texture.
"A second-rate clown says nothing at all before the curtains rise."
Fire was warm, and water was squishy. Wind gave off a sharp, ticklish sensation, while earth felt coarse.
"But a first-rate clown? They leak just a tiny bit of information before the show starts, building anticipation in the audience."
Though their textures varied, they all felt wonderful, so I didn't stop petting them. I decided to give these spirits a small gift for the pleasant sensation.
"Naturally, I am a first-rate clown."
Snap.
The sharp sound of a finger snap echoed through the room, and an illusion I had prepared unfolded within the Special Class.
"""Whoa..."""
The students, who had been watching me with a mix of doubt and worry, gasped in unison. If I had to describe the illusion I created in the classroom in one word...
"It’s like being in the middle of a forest."
Nature.
The classroom, which had been nothing but a sterile arrangement of desks and chairs, was now carpeted in flowers and shaded by towering trees. It felt as though we were standing in the heart of a primordial forest rather than a school building.
Chirp, chirp.
Sparrows darted through the air, singing, and a stream bubbled in the corner. Of course, it was all a fabrication of my illusion, but unless one actually reached out to touch it, it felt indistinguishable from reality.
"How is it? I haven't visited the Spirit Realm myself, but wouldn't you say it's fairly similar?"
The ones who reacted most intensely were the spirits. At first, they were wary of the sudden change, but once they realized it was safe, they began to frolic throughout the classroom. The other students simply stared blankly, mesmerized by the nature I had crafted.
"From now on, don't worry about a thing. Just enjoy the show I present to you, just as you are now."
Click.
"It's a wonderful spell, but I need to start the lesson. Clear it away."
Professor Elicia said as she swung the door open and walked in.
"Ah, it's already time for class. It's a shame, but that's all for today's show."
I snapped my fingers once more, and the forest vanished. The spirits, who had been enjoying the scenery, suddenly lunged at Professor Elicia—the cause of its disappearance. Of course, they lost their nerve halfway there and scurried back to hide behind my back.
Crack. Pop.
Professor Elicia was lightly stretching to warm up.
"What are you all just standing there for? Everyone, come at me."
Could a human being really make those kinds of sounds just by stretching?
Ah, right. She’s a dragon.
The students prepared to fight in their own ways. Lucas gripped his spear, taking a stance for an immediate strike, while Clara had already begun her incantation. Kuran charged headlong at Professor Elicia, and the Sorcerer—unlike last time—cast a curse on her without me having to say a single word.
Sepia’s spirits, which usually ignored her, were actually following her commands this time. I also pulled some thread from my inventory.
Now then, what kind of trap should I set today?
* * *
Every single student in the Special Class was now sprawled out on the floor.
"Hmm, everyone has grown stronger than yesterday. Go get lunch in an hour."
Professor Elicia left the classroom after leaving those words for the collapsed students.
"Uuuugh..."
After she left, only groans of agony filled the room. As time passed, the students spent the remaining hour until lunch in their own ways. Sepia was chatting with her spirits, and Clara was quietly reading a book. I was having a brief conversation with Lucas.
"So, there's nothing for me to help with?"
"Yes, Lord Lucas, you don't need to—"
At first, I thought there was nothing for Lucas to do, but a brilliant idea suddenly flashed through my mind.
"Loki?"
I let my brain churn for a moment. The deliberation was short, and since the decision was made, all that was left was to execute it.
"Lord Lucas, in that case, could you do me one very simple favor?"
"If it's a simple favor, I'll do it. What is it?"
"You just need to deliver one item."
"Just deliver an item? That's it?"
"Yes. Just deliver one item before lunch."
Lucas looked a bit disappointed to hear that all he had to do was run an errand. Did he think I was going to ask him for something more exciting?
"Well, that's not hard. But does it have to be me?"
"It only has meaning if you are the one to deliver it."
After finishing my conversation with Lucas, I approached the Sorcerer.
"Excuse me, but could I ask a favor of you?"
"W-what kind of favor?"
I told him what I wanted. The Sorcerer didn't understand the logic behind my request, but he agreed to help anyway.
* * *
Rophri Alphser, the Prince of the Archen Kingdom—whom Loki called "Vermin"—and his subordinates were currently fuming with rage.
After being humiliated by Joden and Johanna in the cafeteria yesterday, Rophri had issued a command to all students from the Archen Kingdom. The order was simple: harass that masked bastard.
In truth, the ones who had actually humiliated him were Joden and Johanna, but since he didn't have the guts to touch them, he decided to target the commoner who had dared to act cocky toward him.
However, every attempt had failed. For some reason, the first-years who shared classes with that guy were terrified of him.
What's so scary about that prick?
He had issued orders to upperclassmen as well, but they hadn't even been able to strike up a conversation with him.
What? Every time they try to talk to him, he escapes by talking to a professor? Tell me something that actually makes sense.
Rophri had waited this morning to catch him personally, but he had failed in the end.
"Prince, will that guy really come this way?"
Rophri was currently on his way to the cafeteria with his entourage.
"He has no choice but to come this way if he wants to eat."
He was just a lowly commoner. Rophri especially hated the fact that Johanna, whom he fancied, was showing interest in the guy.
"Isn't that him over there?"
Rophri looked in the direction his subordinate pointed. There stood a figure. Their face wasn't clearly visible because they were wearing a heavy robe, but the mask on their face was unmistakable.
"Let's go."
I'll make sure you can never act big in this Academy again.
As he approached the masked bastard, he gave a signal to a large subordinate. The man walked up and intentionally slammed his shoulder into the guy. He expected the masked prick to be shoved aside pathetically, but it was his own subordinate who was pushed back instead.
"Useless bastard."
Rophri took a cup containing a drink from another subordinate.
"Hey."
He walked up and splashed the drink directly onto the masked guy.
"I told you, didn't I? That I'd make your Academy life 'enjoyable'."
He poked the masked guy's shoulder with his finger. The way the guy stood there like a mute, unable to say a word, suited him perfectly.
"Say something confident like you did back then! Are you scared now that there's no one to protect you?"
"......"
The masked guy said nothing even after being drenched. This was only natural. He was a prince, and this guy was a mere commoner.
"What are you all doing there?"
At the sudden voice, Rophri turned around—and he couldn't process the scene before his eyes.
Academy uniform, red cloak, and a white mask. It was the very bastard who had insulted him. Beside that guy was a man who served as the President of the Academy's Newspaper Club.
Then... who is this guy?
Rophri looked back at the person standing there in silence, soaked in the drink.
"Lord Lucas, why are you standing there like that?"
Loki intentionally called out Lucas's name as he approached. At the mention of the name 'Lucas,' Vermin and his subordinates began to tremble. There was only one person in the entire Academy with the name Lucas.
"I was wondering the same thing. I don't quite understand why I'm in this state either."
A cold, regal voice drifted from Lucas's mouth. Loki first removed the soaked robe. When he did, blonde hair—the symbol of the Imperial Family—was revealed. Because of the robe, he wasn't completely drenched, but he was still a mess.
I feel a bit bad, so I should gift him a top-tier weapon later.
"Loki, about this mask you gave me to try out... it's still a bit uncomfortable."
"Is that so? I made it as a spare just in case, but I suppose it's still lacking."
Loki pulled out a towel and handed it to Lucas. After drying his hair, Lucas looked at Rophri.
"Prince Rophri, I don't know when you said you'd make my Academy life 'enjoyable,' but thanks to you, I certainly won't be bored."
"T-that's not it. There's been a misunderstanding..."
The Academy wouldn't be stirred up just because a prince of a kingdom messed with a commoner. But what if a prince of a minor kingdom assaulted the Crown Prince of the Empire?
The Newspaper Club President was watching the entire scene unfold, his quill already moving.
* * *
Before lunch was over, a single article was posted on the Academy bulletin board.
[Prince of the Archen Kingdom Splashes Drink on the Empire's Crown Prince and Hurls Insults!]