It Seems Education Is Needed
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew in. The heavy air, resonating with the mage's fury, surged wildly, whipping at her clothes. Her golden hair—rarely seen in this world—fluttered chaotically like a harbinger of the storm.
Eris Betelgeuse. The main heroine of Endless Loop, the early-game powerhouse known as the Star Mage. She stood there, her demeanor resolute, as if fully prepared for a fight with me.
What should I do about this? Stop time and caress her tenderly? Or find a secluded spot to leisurely reestablish our positions? Either would be fine, but first, there was something an adult needed to say.
I leaned down with a kind smile, gazing at Eris whose head barely reached my chest.
"Fighting sounds fun, but shouldn't you get your parents' permission first?"
"...What?"
"They're already in poor health. If they heard their daughter was causing a scene among ordinary people, wouldn't their condition worsen?"
"... "
In the story, the way to raise Eris Betelgeuse's affection was to give her the special elixir obtained during Episode 4. Her parents were afflicted with a top-tier curse from battles with evil mages, requiring constant care. Her skills probably mitigated it somewhat, but their vitality must still be greatly diminished. Not on the verge of death, but as a daughter, it had to weigh heavily on her mind.
And I already knew the location of that elixir, which restores vitality with a mysterious energy and purifies mana. Originally, I planned to have Kenichi deliver it to build their bond, but since the topic came up, handing it over myself wouldn't be bad.
With future plans in mind, I offered my advice kindly, but it seemed I'd touched a nerve—Eris's gaze shifted.
"...What did you just say?"
Her eyes turned from those of a subject needing correction to ones viewing me as an archenemy. Murderous intent gleamed in her pupils, as if she'd kill me any second. Her mana and the surrounding air began raging in sync with her heightened emotions.
...What's this? I'd extended a message of reconciliation to avoid fighting, but she seemed even angrier. I'd just analyzed the situation coolly as a former adult and informed her with a friendly smile.
This is tricky, I thought, scratching the back of my head awkwardly.
"Hmm, are you sensitive about your parents' worries? I meant it out of concern, but you're getting so upset—it's really embarrassing. Can we make up?"
"...I'll kill you."
Hmm, looks like that's not happening. Eris Betelgeuse channeled her mana with clear fury. Did she think she could crush me before anyone noticed? Considering her advanced skill and talent, it wasn't an entirely wrong assumption.
"But you're still immature."
When her focus locked on one thing, she ignored everything else.
"You two! What are you doing over there?!"
"...!"
Eris, mana surging to its peak, flinched and turned her head. Following the voice, we saw a middle-aged male teacher holding a pointer. I didn't recognize his face, so probably a upper-year homeroom teacher.
To him, we must have looked like passionate high school lovers secretly meeting in the shadowed alley behind the school building.
"You little—!"
He approached with veins bulging in anger, slapping the pointer threateningly against his palm.
Should I run? The thought crossed my mind briefly, but with our distinctive features, I gave up. A blonde super-popular girl and the narrow-eyed guy—the whole class already knew.
"Haha, it seems there's a misunderstanding."
I could only assert my innocence as best I could.
Fortunately, thanks to my upright appearance and calm tone, the misunderstanding cleared up quickly. Nothing had actually happened yet—we were innocent.
However, our original conversation with Eris Betelgeuse fizzled out. The teacher's intrusion dispersed the tense atmosphere, and even Eris, the cause of the conflict, suddenly seemed lost in thought, pondering something.
After that, we returned to class without further incident and attended lessons. For a moment, I worried we'd be rumored as perverts, but overall, it ended well.
"Peace is the best, after all."
Sawamura Cento shot me a bizarre look, as if to say what nonsense is that? Kitagawa Kenichi in the front row suddenly turned and glanced sideways at me.
Why don't these people believe me? I'm so peaceful and devoted to humanity—it was upsetting.
"So, what happened?"
At least Ichinose Hotaru asked with an intrigued expression.
"Was it a real confession? Are you dating now?"
"Huh? No? The teacher showed up, so the talk just fizzled out—"
"Kyaa! So you did get confessed to? Tell me if you start dating later?"
I didn't think we'd date, but I smiled and replied.
"Sure, I'll let you know."
I felt a murderous glare from across the classroom but ignored it.
After classes ended, we prepared to head to the Shihei Mansion. Nothing much to prepare, just waiting for Kitagawa Kenichi, whose cleaning duty was backed up from last early dismissal.
Ichinose Hotaru left first for some errand—whether fox or not, I waited by the shoe lockers with the expressionless Cento.
After a long silence, she suddenly asked.
"...So, what happened?"
"Pardon?"
"That girl earlier—she seemed like a mage. When we got back to class, I felt a faint trace of mana."
"Oh, you sensed that? Good girl, good girl. Both master and disciple are excellent; your skills grow by leaps and bounds every day."
She wasn't my direct student, but I was satisfied with the arrangement I'd made. Nodding approvingly, Sawamura Cento asked again, her tone casually indifferent.
"So, what did you talk about?"
"Hmm, nothing significant, but if you're that curious, I'd be happy to tell you!"
"...Forget it."
Cento snorted and replied. After that, we waited for Kenichi in silence.
"Ugh."
Kenichi freaked out upon seeing me waiting and we headed straight to the station. He'd looked happy when I told him to go ahead due to cleaning duty. His slumping figure was a bit pitiful.
"Hmm."
Walking a street empty of other pedestrians, I pondered briefly and spoke.
"Kenichi, want to take today off?"
"What? Of course I want to res—uh, I mean, I should tidy up home a bit, haha."
Seeing him almost slip up his true feelings before forcing an awkward laugh, I decided.
"Well, take the day off then."
"R-Really?!"
"Yes, of course. I'm an utterly honest person who never lies."
"... "
Kitagawa Kenichi paused momentarily but soon grinned widely.
"Then, you're super honest!"
A pretty good mask. Seeing Cento looking at him pitifully while listening, I told her too.
"Oh, Cento, you go ahead as well."
"...What?"
"Something came up suddenly; I need to handle it."
Cento furrowed her brow at the abrupt notice, thinking deeply before replying.
"Fine."
Very perceptive student. On the other hand, some foolish ones only learn through direct experience.
After sending them off, I veered into quieter paths. Twisting and turning, I reached an empty alley and construction site. Workers must have stepped away mid-job; the cement hadn't fully set.
"Hmm, hardly anyone around today."
I muttered, chuckling slyly while scratching my cheek awkwardly.
I thought I'd dodged the poison chalice, but it seemed something bigger was brewing.
"This is truly troublesome."
Looks like I'd have to deviate from the standard affection route again. As I cracked my knuckles—
A shadow lunged from the blind spot, slamming into me. The Star Mage, Eris Betelgeuse, who had deployed a people-repelling barrier for the ambush.
"—Die!!!"
Crackle—! Seeing her charge with lightning crackling, I just felt sorrow. Why did the world always assign me such harsh roles?
I drew the dagger from my sleeve to counter.
"It seems like some education is needed."
No time stop this time. What was required now was education. Helping this arrogant girl of the world recognize harsh reality—that alone.
Crackle-crackle—! Blue lightning clashed against the flying dagger.