The Lightning Dragon's Return
Lightning Raili
"It's not anything else, but could you perhaps tell me a bit about Miss Raili?"
"W-what did you say...?!"
Seirin's complexion turned deathly pale at my question. She froze in place, still standing. It must have been a question she never expected. She was so shocked that waves seemed to crash through her normally calm, sea-like eyes. Her eyelids trembled so violently it looked as though they might snap open at any moment. The way her lashes quivered made it clear the name "Raili" had shaken her.
"Um... Miss Seirin? Are you all right?"
"S-Servant...? What did you just say? Did you really mention Senior Raili?"
"Yes, I did. Did I make some kind of mistake?"
"Haa... It's not that, but... why would you be curious about Senior Raili?"
Seirin steadied her trembling voice and sat back down. She wore a grave expression, trying to regain control of the atmosphere. Watching her reaction, it felt as though I had broken some kind of taboo by even mentioning a name that should never be spoken.
"...I was simply curious. As you know, I'm the dorm supervisor. I wondered what kind of person she must be to have stayed away for so long without returning."
"I-I see. That does make sense..."
"So you'll tell me?"
"Hmm... But since we still don't know exactly when she'll return, there might not be any need to know right now. And Servant? It would be better for you to stop taking an interest in Senior Raili. If you ask anyone else, you'll probably get a similar reaction to mine."
Seirin desperately tried to dodge the question, her tone making it clear she didn't want to talk about it. But I needed the information right now.
"No, I heard from the vice principal that she's returning today."
"W-what did you say...?!"
—Bang!!!!
At my words, Seirin slammed both hands on the table and shot to her feet. I nearly jumped. If it had been an ordinary wooden table, it would have split in two. That aside, just what kind of young lady was she that even her name provoked such a violent reaction? My curiosity only grew.
"M-Miss...? Please calm down."
"Haa... Sorry. Did I startle you?"
"I'm fine."
I was more worried about whether the new table had cracked...
"So Senior Raili really is returning after all. I never expected her to come back this soon..."
"Why do you keep reacting so strongly? Just what kind of person is she?"
Her response was making even me feel tense. From the letter I'd read earlier, it was already clear she wasn't an ordinary young lady, and now that feeling was only stronger.
"Huu... All right. Let's sit down again."
"Oh? Does that mean you'll tell me?"
"Yes. If she's returning today, it's better you know. And it looks like this story is going to take a while."
"Huh? There's that much to say?"
"Of course. Especially since you're a human servant who has earned Senior Sofia's favor, there are things you absolutely need to know."
"......?"
Fourth-year student at the academy, Raili of the Lightning. As her title suggested, she was a dragon of the lightning attribute. Raili was also a direct descendant of the Primordial Dragon and heir to the clan of the Beginning, one of the Six Ancestors who had fought against the Demon Dragon.
—Long ago, our ancestors said there were two lights at the Beginning. The warm dawn that nurtures life and sprouts seeds. And the lightning that cleaves through murky darkness with its intense rays... Only when these two lights combine can the Demon Dragon, Detronos, be eternally destroyed...
That was the first thing Seirin said when she began her explanation. According to her, the Clan of Dawn and the Clan of Lightning had played the greatest role in sealing Detronos during the war against the Demon Dragon. It made sense, since only these two attributes could effectively resist the power of evil.
Having heard this much, I immediately understood why Raili had been set up as Sofia's rival in the original story.
—Unfortunately, the relationship between these two clans has never been very good. What began as a rivalry in good faith eventually turned into a battle of pride between the clans, and that tension continues to this day.
Just as the original setting described. These two clans were actually rivals. It wasn't a personal conflict between the two characters, but a feud between their entire clans...
Continuing her explanation, Seirin said that Raili had always picked fights with Sofia, disguising them as legitimate sparring matches. Sofia had always ignored these challenges. After all, she was a pacifist who disliked competing with others more than anyone.
Raili had treated Sofia like a coward. To any third party, it would look as though Sofia had tucked her tail and run. Yet the juniors kept electing Sofia as student council president because they admired her character. In a way, Sofia had won every time without ever fighting.
Raili, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. She was proactive, competitive, and courageous. The type who proved herself through strength and skill alone. Because of this, her attitude toward the juniors was completely different from Sofia's. If Sofia was the reliable big sister, Raili was the strict drill sergeant. That was why she was an object of fear among the juniors.
—She's usually strict and scary, but ironically, Senior Raili is also the second most popular among the juniors. From what I know, she has more followers than Senior Diora. Once she returns, Senior Diora's faction won't be able to do much anymore.
So there were three factions in the fourth year. No wonder Diora's position had seemed weak. Raili really was the true rival after all. And there was another reason she ranked second in popularity despite being the strict enforcer.
—You could say the establishment of Valkyrie Island Academy was almost entirely handled by the Lightning Clan. They're the academy's biggest sponsor clan. That's why even the professors can't treat Senior Raili carelessly. She's basically like the chairman's daughter. That's how she's been able to wander around freely without returning until now.
—Everyone's careful not to offend her, and the benefits extend to the juniors who follow her as well. Today will obviously pass without any punishment either.
That was right. As the eldest daughter of the academy's greatest sponsor clan, Raili wielded enormous power. It was like having a father who was a legion commander—no one could touch her. The way even the professors walked on eggshells around her said it all.
—Of course, that doesn't mean Senior Raili has a bad or evil personality. She may be strict, but she properly acknowledges juniors who have real skill. And while she can be scary, she definitely has charisma.
Summing up the image of Raili I'd gotten from Seirin... she was like an invincible senior sergeant who personally managed the new recruits even in her final year, had both skill and powerful backing, and no one dared to complain about. Even the officers couldn't touch her.
—Ah! I almost forgot! Servant, you should be careful not to catch Senior Raili's eye if possible!
Those were Seirin's final words to me before she left the lounge. Of course, I had to ask her why.
—She's always been strict, but she's especially harsh and merciless toward other races. So please, try not to upset her!
'Tch... Hearing that makes me nervous about how tonight's roll call is going to go...'
By the time Seirin finished her story, the sun was already setting. Evening was approaching.
—Creak, click...!
I hurriedly tidied up the lounge, closed the door properly, and stepped outside. I wanted to have an early dinner. I'd grabbed a few pieces of the soggy sweet-and-sour pork that had been marinating in sauce before leaving, but that was nowhere near enough to fill me up. I hadn't even finished it.
"Haa... Setting aside the fact that Raili dislikes other races, what exactly was my relationship with her in the past?"
—Step, step, step...!
I muttered to myself about my connection with Raili as I made my way to the dining hall.
'She definitely called me "Teacher" in the letter, but it didn't seem like she meant one of the academy professors. Then what on earth...'
—Murmur, murmur...!!!
I had just reached that thought when—
"Huh? What's going on? Did something happen?"
For some reason, there was a commotion in front of the dining hall. The young ladies were gathered together, whispering among themselves. Students from all years had crowded around the entrance. At first, I wondered if Ramju had failed at cooking again and they were holding his funeral.
—Isn't Senior Raili really cool?
—Right?! She appears like lightning, takes care of her own faction's juniors, and then disappears again...
—I-I just find her scary...
—Maybe I should switch to Senior Raili's faction while I can!
—Yeah... Senior Diora is already washed up.
'Huh? What? Did they just say Raili?'
Don't tell me she's already returned...?