Chapter 87
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Psycho Siscon Delinquent Prince
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The Subjugation Festival lasted a total of two days.
After the opening ceremony, the main event—the cadets' subjugation battle—ran for a full 24 hours.
The participating cadets had to hunt beasts in the field nonstop for those entire 24 hours.
Once the subjugation battle ended, they announced the winners, held the closing ceremony, and threw an after-party.
And on the day of Merhen Magic Academy's Subjugation Festival.
Inside a certain carriage heading to Merhen.
Three men rode in a massive carriage painted entirely in gold.
"Akail, you absolutely cannot cause any trouble at Merhen Academy. Especially this time—some of the Archmage Dukes are attending in person."
One of them was the empire's First Prince and Crown Prince, Arthur Sunrise.
The man also known as the empire's sun spoke to his younger brother sitting across from him.
"What do you take me for? I'm not going to pull that kind of stunt in a den of mages. And who hears that and thinks I cause trouble every single day?"
The second was the empire's Second Prince, Akail Sunrise.
He, too, famous as the empire's delinquent prince, was attending the Subjugation Festival as an honored guest.
Arthur wasn't thrilled about parading the family disgrace Akail in public.
But when it came to anything involving Merhen, he couldn't bend Akail's stubbornness.
The reason? Their youngest sibling, the Fourth Princess Yuna, was currently there.
"Last time, you got in trouble for messing with an imperial mage. Halba, stick by Akail's side during the festival."
"Y-Yes, Your Highness Crown Prince."
The last was the imperial aide Halba.
Most pitifully, he'd been roped into this uncomfortable trip as an attendant.
This was clearly going to be two grueling days for Halba.
"Get annoying and you're dead."
"Ah, well..."
"Akail. If you kill another imperial aide this time, it won't blow over easily."
Akail had more than one or two attendants marked for death.
Halba's goal for this Subjugation Festival: survive Akail.
But if he watched Akail's antics without intervening out of fear, Crown Prince Arthur would punish him later.
Could he make it out alive?
Halba wanted to cry.
"I-I've heard the academy's atmosphere is quite positive these days."
Halba forced a smile and gracefully shifted the conversation topic.
The imperial family was currently paying close attention to Merhen Magic Academy.
Because the once-dormant Archmage Dukes had begun meddling in its affairs.
They'd received reports of an incident involving a taboo mage at Merhen.
Even accounting for that, this level of involvement from the Archmage Houses was unprecedented.
Did it have something to do with the Silent Dragon's appearance?
Uncovering the cause of the Archmage Houses' movements was one of the delegation's objectives.
"Everyone loves their academy days. Merhen isn't so different from the Imperial Academy in that regard."
"H-Haha. Exactly. It's the springtime of youth."
Fortunately, Arthur picked up Halba's thread.
Unlike Akail, Arthur aimed to ease Halba's discomfort.
But that conversation only fanned Akail's temper higher.
"What? You saying Yuna's hanging around with a bunch of scrawny weaklings like that?"
Akail bellowed.
Akail's victims weren't limited to imperial aides.
Men caught courting Yuna had met varied—and grim—fates.
"Akail. Sit down."
Arthur sighed.
Why did this delinquent treasure his little sister so obsessively?
A normal delinquent would be less exhausting, but a siscon delinquent? Pure agony.
"Shit. Isn't that Yuna? With some guy?"
"No, Akail. Sit. The carriage is shaking."
"Yuna definitely said she'd come greet us..."
Akail glared out the window, eyes blazing, before finally plopping back into his seat.
Halba regretted bringing it up. He should've just stayed silent.
He prayed the carriage would reach the parking lot soon.
Yuna would be waiting there, and seeing her would calm Akail down.
And a moment later.
"Ah, there's Her Highness the Princess, come to greet us."
Finally, Yuna came into view through the window.
But,
"...Wait a sec. Who's that punk next to her?"
Yuna was chatting very amicably with a male cadet.
Halba sensed things had gone south.
"And that's how Yuna ended up as the third member of our team."
On the day of the Subjugation Festival.
We'd all gathered before the opening ceremony.
Surprisingly, Nayu and Chayuri's final teammate was Yuna.
Nayu had apparently been friendly with Yuna already.
The other second-years hadn't wanted to team with a first-year like her.
Seeing that, Yuna had suggested they group up.
"With Her Highness on board, we'll put up great results."
"Let's have some friendly competition, Chayuri."
"Chayuri's team is going down!"
The three giggled and bantered playfully.
The surprise was Chayuri—he looked thrilled to be teaming with Nayu.
He'd definitely wanted to join us originally.
What on earth had they talked about to team up for the festival?
Well, if everyone was happy, that was what mattered.
"Ah, Yuna's here."
And right then, Yuna arrived.
"Looks like everyone's gathered."
With time still before the opening ceremony, and since Yuna wasn't close with Hisenna or Elrim, we all exchanged introductions.
"I've heard so much about you, Junior Hisenna. Those earrings suit you perfectly."
"Thank you. I was shocked to hear royalty had enrolled at Merhen, but even more so at your outstanding grades."
"And this is Junior Elrim. Come to think of it, you aim to join the Imperial Mage Corps after graduation."
"Ah, h-hello!"
"My goodness. If a junior like you joins, it'd be a huge boon for the palace. I'll be rooting for you. Let's get along, Elrim."
"Y-Yes!"
I hadn't said a word, but they clicked instantly and were chatting away like old friends.
Especially Elrim, who dreamed of the Imperial Mage Corps post-graduation.
Just like with Chairman Harisha, she pledged undying loyalty to Princess Yuna.
By the time I snapped out of it, the five of them—minus me—were complimenting each other's accessories and hairstyles, laughing merrily.
I'd styled my hair differently today, too.
No one noticed? Kinda hurtful.
Was this the world of women? A glimpse into a realm men couldn't fathom.
I had zero confidence jumping into that convo, so time to scroll the gallery...
"Speaking of which, Ian, your hairstyle's a bit different today."
They'd been chatting among themselves, but suddenly Yuna turned the topic to me.
Was she looking out for the isolated guy? But the mood shifted oddly.
"Figured I'd sweep back my bangs since we'll be fighting. They're a hassle when flying."
"It suits you so well. Pushing them up makes you look so manly and cool."
-...!
At Yuna's words, the other four's gazes locked onto me.
What? I thought no one noticed. Thanks, Princess—I'm touched.
"I-I knew too, Ian. I thought you looked cool."
"Thanks, Hisenna."
Hisenna chimed in late, but the moment had passed.
Piling on now just rang false.
Not that I was truly bummed anyway.
"I thought it was decent for a scrub like you."
"I-I knew too, Ian. It's not easy styling your hair up like that. Good work."
Elrim and Chayuri followed with praise.
Chayuri's angle was off—maybe from his cross-dressing experience.
"Hmm. Your forehead's wide."
Meanwhile, Nayu alone seemed uninterested, munching the popcorn she'd bought earlier.
But then Yuna stepped closer.
"Hang on, something's stuck here."
"Huh? Where..."
"Hold still. I'll get it."
"Okay?"
She pressed close, inspecting my face.
Something in my hair—she'd remove it herself.
Since I was tall, Yuna tiptoed nearer.
Her warmth and floral scent washed over me.
"There, got it."
"Ah, thanks."
Yuna beamed innocently as she flicked away the dust. I grinned awkwardly and turned away.
But the other three—minus Nayu—looked furious.
Felt like I urgently needed to bolt.
And right then,
"What the hell's this punk doing? Wanna die?"
A harsh curse—rare to hear at the academy—rang out, and someone wedged between Yuna and me.
He wasn't in academy uniform.
No—a dazzling, ornate uniform unseen at the academy. A blond man.
His hair, his eyes—even vaguely resembled Yuna's. That's what I thought.
"Big brother?"
It was literally Yuna's brother.
So... a prince?
Come to think of it, the royals were sending VIPs as guests.
"It's the empire's Second Prince."
Nayu, already knowing him, calmly munched her popcorn.
A prince? Could a prince really be this thuggish?
No wonder they called him the delinquent prince.
More importantly, this prince was glaring at me like he wanted me dead.
I was just a commoner orphan—even mages wouldn't care.
Wasn't the cliché for delinquent princes to squash commoners like bugs?
But I hadn't done anything.
Delinquents like that didn't care about excuses.
Could he straight-up murder a cadet inside the academy, even as royalty?
Mage society downplayed imperial influence due to the Archmage Houses' status.
Still, I was just one commoner—easy pickings?
Wait, no, but...
Amid the whirlwind of thoughts from this sudden delinquent prince appearance,
Yuna sighed and stepped back in front of me.
"He's just a close junior of mine, big brother. And causing a scene here could spark a major diplomatic incident, so please be careful."
"I know that much, Yuna. The Archmage Dukes are eyeing Merhen. But this is different. Who the hell is this punk cozying up to my sister?"
"No, I didn't do anything."
This... was a prince?
With third-rate thugs like this as princes, no wonder the empire was the superpower.
Then another blond appeared.
"I told you not to make a scene, Akail. One more outburst and I'll have you forcibly deported."
Unlike the sloppy delinquent prince, this one moved with straight-backed dignity.
A man who truly embodied "prince."
Several professors escorted him.
The crowd in the parking lot earlier must've been awaiting the royals.
So this delinquent had ditched the welcome to come curse me out.
"It's been a while. Brother Arthur."
"Good to see you're well, Yuna."
"Ah, these are..."
Yuna introduced us to the two princes.
Meeting royalty in a parking lot like this? Utterly bewildering.
Shouldn't formal greetings be ceremonial?
And were we even worthy of equal introduction?
"Perryhill and Floridel. I've heard much. I'm the empire's Crown Prince, Arthur Sunrise."
"A pleasure. Hisenna Perryhill."
"Chayuri Floridel."
Only then did I realize my friends' pedigrees.
Hisenna and Chayuri—direct heirs of the mage society's pinnacle Archmage Houses.
Relations between Archmage Houses and the imperial family were complex,
so even here, they'd exchange formal courtesies.
This was a massive display of political clout.
The moment they stepped from the carriage, the elite bloodlines converged.
No matter how rowdy the parking lot, they'd conduct themselves as if in a grand ballroom.
This was nobility. Exuding grace even in a lot.
"Ho, hohoho."
As Hisenna and Chayuri traded formalities,
Elrim stood awkwardly a step back, forcing a laugh.
Right, Elrim wasn't from an Archmage House.
Seemed direct heirs only could join in.
Same for me, so I sidled over to her.
"What're you doing?"
"Shut it, scrub. Hohoho."
"No one's even looking at you—why bother laughing?"
"Shut it, scrub. Impressions like this pay off big later."
"Bullshit..."
Elrim hustled to catch the nobles' eyes.
At least she wasn't hamming it up like usual.
In the end, the royals ignored Elrim throughout.
Her persistent peeking and smiling was kinda pitiful.
Anyway, things wrapped up shortly after.
Yuna said she'd head off with the princes for a bit.
We decided to move to the opening ceremony venue on our own.
But from the procession of professors and imperial folk in the distance,
Second Prince Akail, at the rear, suddenly vanished—whoosh.
Looking again, he'd ditched the group solo and was heading our way.
No magic, but that speed...?
Akail closed in on me in a flash.
And with a menacing scowl, he said,
"Hey. Almost forgot and let it slide. Earlier, with Yuna and big bro there, I held back. Don't wanna die? Stay the hell away from Yuna."
I hadn't planned to hover.
But was this really a prince? The delinquent rep was well-earned.
Probably worse since he knew I was a commoner.
He'd hesitate against an Archmage House mage.
Just a commoner? Open contempt.
Thinking that far ticked me off a bit.
Prince or not, outright death threats in the academy?
Sure, to royalty, a commoner like me was an ant to squash.
But even ants twitch when stepped on.
"The fuck's with that look?"
I snorted but held my tongue.
Right. He's a prince. Confronting him gains nothing.
Cadets were equals on paper, but our status gap was vast.
Plus, he seemed unhinged enough to kill without afterthought.
"..."
But had I done anything to deserve this?
Perfectly reasonable fury boiled up.
This wasn't some bully beatdown.
Shit, but still.
In the suffocating tension, Akail's glare met mine.