Chapter 81: Midterm Exam
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: Midterm Exam
In my defense, I simply had no choice but to forget to tell Yerika that I wouldn't be able to call.
Originally, I had planned to contact her after finishing my disguise as Cardinal and before going to bed. However, contrary to my plans, even though Cardinal made his appearance, the Necromancer’s subordinates never showed their faces.
One might ask, "Then couldn't you have contacted her once you were back in your room after the disguise was over?"
That was impossible. Professor Elicia had stayed in my room the entire time, waiting for the Necromancer’s subordinates to arrive.
Ring, ring, ring, ring...
Even as I was making excuses to myself, the communication device kept ringing as if it had no intention of stopping. With a mix of dread and worry, I finally answered.
I dreaded that she might have been calling for four straight hours, but I worried that perhaps something had gone wrong on her end.
[...Clown?]
After a brief silence following the connection, Yerika spoke cautiously.
"Yes, it's me!" I answered brightly to let her know I was alright.
[Phew. I’m hanging up and calling you right back. You’d better pick up. Got it?!]
After letting out a heavy sigh of relief at the sound of my voice, Yerika shouted in an angry tone and cut the line.
Why bother calling back?
Ring. Ring. Ring.
The device rang again immediately. Only then did I realize why she wanted to restart the call. When we spoke a moment ago, it was voice-only; now, it was a video call. Our faces appeared on the screens.
"Did you want to see my face that badly?"
[..................]
Despite my joke, Yerika said nothing. She just stared at me intensely, her brow furrowed. I stared back.
With her beautiful blonde hair and ethereal golden eyes, she wore no makeup, yet she didn't need any. She was already stunning. Perhaps because of her fine skin, the crease between her brows was even more prominent. Against her fair complexion, the slight dark circles under her eyes stood out painfully.
[Could you stand up for a moment?]
"Of course. That’s not exactly difficult."
As I stood up, Yerika’s gaze became even more piercing.
[Sigh... Fortunately, you aren't hurt.]
For some reason, Yerika leaned her head back against her chair as if the tension had finally drained out of her.
"By the way, what brings you to call at this hour?"
[How can you even ask that right now? Do you have any idea how worried I was!]
Uh-oh. Wrong thing to say.
[You didn't pick up for ages, even long after the time we usually talk! I tried calling Brother Lucas, but he wouldn't pick up either!]
Yerika continued without a moment's pause.
[I couldn't even sleep because of you! I was so worried, and you're asking me why I called? Are you kidding me?!]
It seemed those dark circles were entirely my fault.
[Huff... Huff...]
Exhausted from the rapid-fire venting, Yerika breathed heavily. For the record, the reason Lucas couldn't answer was that I had swiped his communication device. Since I had been using it to talk to the Emperor the whole time, I hadn't realized Yerika was trying to reach him.
Wait. Does that mean this is entirely my fault?
[I was so worried... Hmph!]
As if to emphasize that she was sulking, Yerika let out a huff and turned her head away. Well, I suppose if Yerika—whom I talk to every day—suddenly stopped answering, I’d be worried too.
By the way, that "Hmph!" was so cute I almost burst out laughing.
No. I have to hold it in.
If I laughed now, she’d only get more upset. Deciding I needed to improve her mood, I searched for something she might like.
Something Yerika likes...
Come to think of it, Yerika has been searching desperately for the Phantom Thief Cardinal. I didn't know why, but today, Cardinal had made an appearance. Technically, it was just me in a disguise, but wouldn't this be enough to cheer her up?
I told Yerika that Cardinal had appeared today.
[That’s not what’s important right now!!]
Yerika slammed her desk. The screen shook from the force of the blow; she must have placed the device on the table.
[Sigh... From now on, if it looks like you won't be able to talk, please tell me in advance. I was truly worried.]
Yerika let out a long sigh and then gave a soft smile. Actually, we hadn't made a formal promise to talk every day, but it had naturally become a daily occurrence. I had no intention of stopping our calls either.
"I'll let you know in advance next time. Shall we hang up now?"
I looked out at the darkness. It was the middle of the night—a time when both of us should have been long asleep.
[Eh? We didn't get to talk much today. Can't we talk just a little longer?]
Yerika looked at me with eyes like a puppy caught in the rain. I doubt there’s a person alive who could refuse that look.
[Are you very tired?] she asked cautiously, worried she might be keeping me up.
Seeing that, the corners of my mouth naturally curled up.
"Not at all. So, what shall we talk about? Should I tell you about Cardinal?"
[Tell me that tomorrow. As punishment for making me worry, you aren't allowed to ask questions today; you only have to answer mine.]
Watching Yerika act spoiled like a child, my smile refused to fade.
"So, what's your question? Ah, is asking that also a forbidden question?"
[Heehee, I'll let that much slide as a special favor.]
Yerika spoke with her hands on her hips, acting incredibly generous.
[Do you have any specific plans for the break?]
It was a more ordinary question than I expected. The break, huh? There was no reason to hide it.
"I haven't really thought of anything yet."
[Hmm. I see.]
Yerika nodded as if she liked my answer.
[You feel sorry toward me, right?]
It was a sudden pivot.
"I suppose so?" I answered, feeling a bit uneasy. It was true that I felt bad for making her worry for four hours.
[Then, could you help me out just once during the break?]
"I can certainly help, but is there something I can even do for you?"
Yerika was the Princess of the Empire. Whether it was military force, wealth, or power, she could obtain anything she desired.
[Of course. This is something only you can do.]
Yerika spoke with a smile that was gentle, yet somehow ominous.
* * *
"Where is Baron Ashro?"
In the morning, once the Special Class students had gathered, Sepia questioned Professor Elicia.
"Based on my investigation early this morning, I have confirmed that the drugs Cardinal left behind belong to Baron Ashro."
Professor Elicia tossed the remark out casually, but the students' mouths hung open in shock. I suppose even though I, disguised as Cardinal, had claimed the drugs belonged to the Baron, it was hard to trust the word of a thief.
"Then what should we do now?" Lucas asked. He had already told me that he’d received his communication device back from the Professor.
"Since there is no longer a need to carry out the mission, we are returning to the Academy."
"Gah! Don't tell me we're riding the Wyverns again?" Frederick trembled, likely traumatized by yesterday's flight.
"Naturally. Is there a problem?"
"N-No. No p-problem at all."
Whack!
"Eek!"
"Don't worry. I'll kindly toss you onto the Wyvern's back again. Haha!" Kuran laughed, slapping Frederick on the back. The sound was loud, but he’d controlled his strength; Frederick’s scream was from being startled, not from pain.
"Yaaaaawn..."
I watched the students chatting and let out a long yawn. Last night—or rather, early this morning—I had lost track of time talking to Yerika. I hadn't pulled an all-nighter, but I certainly hadn't slept much.
Even though I was sleepy enough to fall asleep standing up, I didn't regret it. If I went back in time, I’d probably talk to her all over again.
"Pushover, you sleepy?"
Having heard my yawn, Sepia appeared in front of me.
"I didn't get much sleep. By the way, how long do you plan on calling me 'Pushover'?"
Ever since I gave her that thread for free, Sepia had been using that nickname.
"What's wrong with 'Pushover'? It suits you perfectly."
The spirits appeared out of nowhere and climbed onto my head.
"Anyway, Pushover, the midterm exams are coming up soon. Are you confident?"
Sepia emphasized the nickname just to tease me.
Right, the midterms...
Once the midterms—consisting of written and practical exams—were over, I could finally establish a club. This meant it was almost time for my Clown Union Club to make its debut to the world.