Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 9: The Emperor 2

After that, not a single expelled student voiced a complaint.

To be precise, it was more that they couldn't complain. Afro Ganish, the first to express his dissatisfaction, was still unconscious and showed no signs of waking up.

"Those who passed shall report to the Academy in exactly one week! For your information, the dormitories will be open for move-in starting then."

This had already been announced during the entrance exam, so every student likely knew the drill. I also knew of a budget-friendly inn nearby, so the wait wasn't an issue for me.

Most commoners would be hunting for cheap lodging like I was, while the nobles residing in the capital would simply head home. Lower-ranking nobles from the provinces would settle into high-end inns, and the high-ranking ones usually owned at least one villa in the capital, so they were well-provided for.

"Then, I shall see you all in a week!"

As soon as Professor Gedra finished speaking, the students poured out of the auditorium in a massive swarm.

The faces of those leaving were a stark mix of joy and sorrow. Those with bright expressions had clearly passed, while the dark, gloomy faces belonged to those who had been expelled.

"Does it even make sense to expel people on the day of the entrance ceremony?"

"How am I supposed to tell my parents I got kicked out?!"

"The people in my village even threw a party for me because I passed..."

"There’s a great restaurant near here. Want to go?"

"Sounds good! Let’s go."

I wasn't sure if it would be any consolation to those expelled, but it might actually be better for them to leave now. From this point on, countless incidents would plague the Academy, and students would likely die in the process.

Of course, I intended to work my hardest to make sure that didn't happen.

Even among the crowd of students rushing out, one head of hair stood out exceptionally well. It was a common hair color in my original world, but in the world of Croaka, black hair was a rare sight.

"Miss Clara!"

At the sound of her name, Clara turned around. Her expression was initially full of irritation, but upon seeing it was me, it shifted to mere annoyance.

"What is it?"

I hadn't been able to get a close look earlier because we were in the middle of a fight, but seeing her like this, I realized just how beautiful she was.

Unlike her pitch-black hair, her skin was incredibly pale—so clear that not a single blemish was visible even from this distance. Her red eyes were reminiscent of polished rubies.

Is this what it feels like to be captivated just by looking at someone?

"Why aren't you saying anything after calling me?"

"Ah, no, it’s just that Miss Clara is so beautiful that I lost myself staring at you. I forgot what I was going to say for a moment!"

"Sigh... Are you trying to flatter me too?"

Clara let out a weary sigh, as if this were an experience she’d endured a thousand times. Given her status as a member of a Ducal family and the disciple of the Tower Master, people must have been flocking to curry favor with her since she was a child.

Because of that, she despised flatterers. But I wasn't flattering her.

"Flattery? How hurtful! Are you saying I’m saying things I don't mean just to get on your good side?"

"If not that, then what?"

"I don't know how to lie! I simply convey what my heart feels through my mouth."

Clara looked at me with eyes full of pure disbelief. Then again, who else but a handsome guy like me would talk like this?

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Exactly what part of me is so 'beautiful'?"

She probably wasn't asking because she didn't know. She likely intended to use any hesitation or stuttering on my part as an excuse to leave.

An ordinary person might have been flustered by the bluntness of her question, but not me.

Alright, get to work, Clown.

"Miss Clara’s black hair is as dark as the night sky, but just as the stars make the night shine, your hair possesses a beautiful luster. And if I were to compare your red eyes to a gem, they would be rubies; if to a flower, they would be roses. Furthermore, your skin is—"

"Stop!"

I still had plenty left to say, but Clara shouted and cut me off. Perhaps because of her fair complexion, the way her face flushed red was even more apparent. Why was she acting like that?

"Miss Clara, if you shout like that, people will stare."

"And whose fault do you think it is that they're staring?!"

Clara shouted in a way that was quite unlike her usual self and turned to leave. I trotted along behind her.

"Miss Clara, where are you going now with that red face?"

"What business is it of yours?"

She spoke without looking back. The redness on her face had subsided a bit, but her ears were still crimson.

"Ayy~ Don't say such hurtful things between friends."

"Since when were we 'friends'?"

"Well, obviously we are!"

"When did I ever... Haa, forget it. I’m going to the Magic Tower. Happy?"

"Then I'll see you at the entrance ceremony. Have a safe trip!"

"..."

Clara tried to leave while ignoring my farewell. Not so fast. I used Shadow Step to appear right in front of her.

"Have a safe trip!"

"..."

"Have a safe trip!"

"Sigh... Fine. You too."

"Yes!"

I replied with a bright smile, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and just as I was about to head to the inn...

A man blocked my path. A man with impressive bronze skin—Kuran Isar. He reached out a hand to greet me.

"I am Kuran Isar."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kuran. I'm Loki."

I shook Kuran’s hand. His palm was rough and covered in scars, telling the story of the life he had lived.

"Loki, you are an honorable ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠warrior! I look forward to working with you!"

"The feeling is mutual. I look forward to it as well."

I was about to leave, but on a whim, I spoke to Kuran again.

"Mr. Kuran, where do you plan on sleeping?"

"To the honorable Isar tribe, the earth is our home and the sky is our ceiling."

In other words, he was going to sleep outside. I had a feeling that would be the case.

"There’s an inn called the Snake-Eating Frog. It’s cheap and decent, so you should stay there."

"Hmm. Since the honorable warrior Loki says so, I shall listen. Thank you for the information."

Kuran left after saying that. I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠finally made my way toward the exit, but the moment I tried to head to the inn, someone else blocked my path. This time, it was someone I didn't recognize.

Seeing the uniform, is he a senior?

"The Student Council President is calling for you."

At the mention of the Student Council President, I followed the student who had come to fetch me. I already knew why he was looking for me.

Following the guide, I soon arrived at the Student Council Room. The student reached the door and knocked cautiously.

Knock, knock.

"May I enter?"

"Come in."

The voice that drifted out was as cold as ice. The student seemed used to the tone and opened the door as if it were nothing.

"I have brought Loki, as you requested."

"Good work. You may leave."

"Understood."

The student left, and I looked at the Student Council President.

Black hair, rare in this world. An appearance as cold as a glacier. The top student of the Academy's third year and the Student Council President. He was also Clara’s older brother.

True to the Adelian family, famous for their magical lineage, he reigned at the top of the student body through sheer magical prowess.

That very man bowed his head and greeted me.

"It has been a long time, Benefactor."

"Haha, please, speak comfortably."

Even after seeing him again, this man made me feel awkward.

"How could I speak casually to my benefactor? Please, have a seat."

Hearing him speak so politely with that frozen face and voice made me incredibly uncomfortable. I sat in the chair as he suggested. I was the first to break the silence.

"How is the Duchess doing?"

"She is healthy, thanks to you. I feel as though no amount of gratitude would ever be enough."

He bowed his head once more. So uncomfortable!

"Ahaha, it’s not like I did anything that great. The truly amazing one was the Duchess for holding on until then."

I meant it. I couldn't say my help was insignificant, but the most impressive thing was the Duchess enduring the ordeal.

"My mother also wishes to see you."

When he spoke of the Duchess, his icy expression seemed to soften slightly.

"The Duke is still healthy, I assume?"

"Of course. He’s so healthy it’s almost a problem."

The current head of the Adelian family fought using his body to an extent that made it hard to believe he was the head of a famous magic house. I still couldn't forget the sight of the Duke charging forward while wreathed in flames.

"Where do you plan to stay for the next week, Benefactor?"

"I’ve looked into a suitable inn. I plan to stay there for the week."

"Instead of doing that, I have a villa in the capital. Please stay there."

Staying at his villa would be comfortable, but in another sense, it would be far too awkward.

"Thank you, but I’ll pass. Oh, right! I met Miss Clara today. She was very strong and impressive."

"..."

He looked extremely uncomfortable at the mention of his younger sister. Seeing that reaction, I wondered if the situation regarding Clara still hadn't changed.

"Seeing that reaction, have you still not told Miss Clara the truth?"

"She only knows that our mother has recovered her health."

"Don't you think it’s time Miss Clara knew the truth as well?"

"I wish for her to never know the truth. Forever."

I couldn't say anything to that.

This wasn't a matter I could interfere in.

* * *

The Imperial Palace, the most magnificent place in the Empire.

The Emperor, who had just finished a conversation with Lucas via a crystal ball, spoke into the empty air.

"Bring the boy named Loki before me. Ensure there is not a single scratch on him."

A voice echoed from the empty space.

"""Glory to the Empire."""