Chapter 9

Episode 9

Many nobles who wished to enter Scientia were at risk due to political issues. To place these individuals under the [Dragon Emperor]'s protection, it was naturally convenient to have them stay nearby. Therefore, Scientia had many dormitories for students and a plethora of convenient facilities. In a sense, it could be called an academy city.

And I, too, thanks to Headmaster Tia's favor, was able to enter a dormitory.

-Oz, I'll put you in the best dormitory, especially for you.

And it was the best dormitory, she said. Her tone made it sound less like I was moving in and more like I was being quarantined, but it would probably be fine. Perhaps because of its secluded location, there wasn't much foot traffic, and the room was spacious. Moreover, there were no worries about noisy classmates or noise complaints from the floor above. And I even had my own private training ground. Naturally.

—Because I was the only one in this dormitory.

"...I've been isolated."

There was no reply to my monologue. It was lonely. Having this spacious dormitory all to myself only brought emptiness. Besides, what was I supposed to do about cleaning and meals?

I didn't know. I often compared magic to cooking, but I didn't actually know how to cook.

"Is there such a thing as food delivery?"

Probably not...

Anyway, it was finally the start of the school year. As expected of a dragon, I suppose? As I left the dormitory early in the morning and walked down the deserted hallway, I noticed an unusually large number of windows.

"They look like mirrors..."

I didn't know what material they were made of, but they didn't seem completely transparent. Did she like shiny things? I guess the only difference between dragons and crows was their species.

[Contemplation - Activated]

Cold, sky-blue eyes stared back at me from the windowpane. The only difference from the first time I saw them was that I was now wearing a school uniform.

"Tsk..."

I knew. Even if I activated [Contemplation] and glared at my reflection, I wouldn't find any clues. I had known this since I escaped the hotel. Back then, I could only confirm one thing through the mirror:

[SSR Successor to the Mage King]

Oz Quabadis

The undeniable truth that I had become Oz. [Contemplation] still held many secrets I didn't know. Unraveling those secrets would be my future goal. Of course, my top priority was survival, and the second was the game's main storyline. If either Eleanor or I fell, it would be game over. Simple as that. I had to prevent my own death, so saving Eleanor would be an additional goal.

Recruiting strong characters along the way would be a bonus.

"Oz, Oz..."

What was Oz usually like? Honestly, I skipped all the male characters' individual stories, so I didn't know the details. I even skipped the female characters' stories if I wasn't interested, so you could imagine how little I cared about the male characters. I only remembered him as a noble, dignified, and arrogant character who was unexpectedly a good guy.

"Hmm..."

The semester started today. It would probably just be an orientation since it was the first day, but I knew first impressions were important. However, I couldn't ignore my current situation either. If I acted like I usually did, I would become a target. I needed to show that Oz was still a force to be reckoned with.

"Not bad."

I muttered, looking at the mirror. I was undeniably handsome. With this, just utilizing my cold demeanor would be enough to create a certain atmosphere. Of course, bluffing was important. Exaggerating oneself was fundamental in battles as well. Moreover, this was a world inside a game. Even if I used slightly cringey lines, I wouldn't be ridiculed.

"But how can I fix this?"

The biggest problem was [Contemplation]. I couldn't constantly exude an oppressive aura. Just activating [Contemplation] made Lucia's tail stiffen and even made Professor Aira sob. Professor Aira crying might have been due to Oz's background rather than [Contemplation], but it was the same difference.

"This isn't making any difference..."

Even when I covered my eyes with my hand, the oppressive feeling remained. The blue light leaking through my fingers made me look even more like a chuunibyou, which was unpleasant.

As I looked in the mirror, trying out various poses like covering one eye or pretending to brush my hair back while momentarily activating [Contemplation]...

"Hee hee~"

I spotted a familiar face. Beyond the windowpane, I saw bluish-silver hair. Eleanor, the girl who hid a melancholic aura behind a cheerful smile.

She was also wearing the school uniform, unlike the first time I saw her. Now she looked a bit more familiar.

"What is she trying to do?"

Eleanor was running around with a giant greatsword. To be able to carry such a large sword like that… Once again, I was impressed by her physical abilities.

But I had a bad feeling. My intuition told me she was about to do something.

"Heave-ho."

She stood in front of Tia's statue and declared confidently,

"Alright, let's break it."

There were quite a few statues of Tia within Scientia. Would she be angry if one of them was broken? She, who loved human lives?

To give you the answer first, yes. She would be furious. She was a dragon with unparalleled self-love. She was obsessively attached to her authority. I wasn't the only one who would be in trouble if she felt slighted.

Unlike me, she had the power to burn everything down if she was displeased, but that didn't mean she would overlook annoying incidents.

The [Dragon Emperor] was overwhelmingly the strongest. That was the public perception, and an undeniable truth. How long did it take to establish that perception? How could she show her goodwill towards humans while simultaneously demonstrating her insurmountable power?

The answer was simple. Completely and utterly crush any challengers. And destroying a statue was enough of an act to be perceived as a challenge to her.

The result? Eleanor's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bones would be crushed, and she'd be hospitalized for months. Then the main story would be completely messed up from Chapter 1. If it was twisted beyond repair, I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

"Stop, you idiot!"

There was no time to hesitate. I smashed through the window and headed towards Eleanor. Tia told me not to cause trouble, but I already had. I was worried about what she would say later.

"Oh, Master? What's wrong? Breaking windows is against the rules."

"You're saying that when you're about to smash a statue? No, wait, why are you calling me Master?"

"Master is... Master."

Honestly, I didn't expect a proper answer. I didn't understand her even when I viewed things from her perspective in the game, so how could I understand her now?

"And I wasn't going to break it. I was going to dismantle it."

"With whose permission?"

"If there are this many, wouldn't it be okay to erect a statue of me as well?"

"...What nonsense are you spouting?"

They say you feel fear in the presence of something beyond your comprehension. That was me right now. I was terrified of Eleanor.

"Put that sword down now. You'll be expelled."

"Master created a mushroom cloud and it was fine. If that's okay, wouldn't this be okay too?"

"..."

What kind of logic was that? I was surprised that she was actually thinking. It was even more surprising that she thought that would work... The fact that there was some thought behind her thoughtless actions was terrifying.

"You and I are in different positions."

"Actually, I'm al—Whoops!"

Was she about to reveal her identity? Was she out of her mind? I was getting anxious. I wondered if she had any intention of hiding her identity. This was a natural concern stemming from her attention-seeking nature, but she was too careless.

"Hmm, hmm... By the way, Master."

"Could you please stop calling me Master?"

Being addressed like that by her was humiliating.

"Then, how about Big Bro?"

"Just call me Master."

If she didn't want to call me by my name, she could at least call me "oppa." What was with "Big Bro"?

"I see. Then, Master, about destroying... dismantling the statue... It's already too late."

"What...?"

Eleanor scratched her head and pointed to the statue's ankle, which was already scratched. How did this happen? I stopped her before she swung, didn't I?

"Actually, I tried with an axe, but it didn't work, so I brought my weapon."

"This crazy..."

The plan I had devised to prepare for the main story flashed before my eyes.

"...Let's fix it."

"Will that be enough?"

I barely managed to stop her from throwing it in the trash. I had to fix this somehow.

"Let's apply some glue and attach some metal pieces."

"Even I can tell that Master's plan is sloppy."

"I'm glad you know, but are you really the one to say that?"

You, who dared to cause this trouble?

"Just go get some glue."

"If you're concerned about the damaged statue, it would be better to leave it to professionals rather than using such crude methods, Prince Oz."

"..."

I turned around and saw someone who, fortunately or unfortunately, had arrived before the situation became irreparable. They were all pointing their weapons at me. It was a threatening stance, but they weren't attackers.

[SR Blue Shield]

Olivia Blue

They were members of the Disciplinary Committee, responsible for maintaining peace in Scientia. A ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠girl with neatly tied blue hair. A paladin belonging to the [Shield of Light], protecting the Saintess.

"Would you both please quietly come with us to the Disciplinary Committee room?"

Olivia Blue said to me with a cold gaze. Why was I being treated like the ringleader and surrounded like this? This was unfair.

"Do you think it's right to use force without knowing the exact truth of the incident?"

"...Are you planning to make excuses even after being caught red-handed trying to destroy the Headmaster's statue?"

"I didn't do it."

"That's right. I did it! It's my achievement!"

Olivia's expression quickly shifted from apologetic to bewildered. Like Eleanor, she had probably never seen someone take such pride in being the culprit.

"First, I apologize, Prince Oz. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Headmaster told us to keep a close eye on you, so we naturally assumed it was your doing."

"..."

Huh? What was my image now? Was I not the aloof and imposing figure, but a troublemaker who could cause problems at any moment? And I, not Eleanor, had acquired that infamous title?

No, never mind. I could always rebuild my image later. For now, I was just glad I had survived.

"So, am I acquitted?"

"Yes. I apologize again for suspecting you without cause."

She was quite polite. It seemed like she wasn't a bad person, which was a relief.

"Ah, but was that window over there also the work of that young lady?"

"Master did that!"

Eleanor said with a proud expression, as if she wouldn't take credit for someone else's actions. This kid was completely useless.

"Prince Oz, would you please come with us? It'll be a bit of trouble, but..."

"Alright..."

The place Olivia took Eleanor and me was a secluded forest.

"Uh... Uh...?"

Perhaps because there was no sign of anyone around and it was eerily quiet, Eleanor started to look anxious.

"Ugh..."

Being led into a forest without explanation was bound to make her uneasy. Moreover, her attention-seeking behavior was a genuine problem, bordering on Histrionic Personality Disorder. Perhaps she was experiencing a kind of separation anxiety now that she was away from people's attention.

She was troublesome.

"Tsk..."

She hugged one arm and looked around anxiously. This was probably closer to her true self. The members of the Disciplinary Committee escorting us were wary but didn't say a word. They didn't even look at us. They simply marched forward mechanically, maintaining a perfect encirclement. That was probably why Eleanor felt isolated.

"Noah."

I slowed my pace and approached Eleanor. Her expression was clearly filled with anxiety. The Disciplinary Committee wouldn't notice anything since it looked no different from other students being escorted.

"Prince Oz?"

"Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Olivia looked at me suspiciously. It was understandable, considering the trouble I had caused earlier. The fact that I got away with just a warning was already lenient.

"We'll commence the operation now."

"Y-Yes...?"

Honestly, I didn't know what to say to a girl with a genuine mental disorder. The problem she was facing wasn't something that could be easily resolved with simple words of comfort. If it were that simple, I would have become a psychiatrist, not play this crappy game.

So, let's solve this by creating a situation she would enjoy. That was the best I could do.

"I've written the details here, so check it."

"Yes...?"

I handed Eleanor a blank note and said something cryptic. The goal was to satisfy her craving for attention.

"Prince Oz, what are you—?!"

"Shall we begin?"

I wouldn't cause Olivia any trouble. But I never said I wouldn't cause any incidents. The trouble she was worried about was me causing unnecessary problems. This was different. I was creating a stage for her enjoyment.

"Huh? Oz, Master, this..."

"Everyone, prepare for magic!"

While Eleanor looked at the note with a puzzled expression, I deployed the basic magic I had analyzed from Professor Aira's demonstration earlier, just as Olivia shouted in alarm.

In Broken Sky, mages weren't just damage dealers; they were also used as debuffers and for creating variables. Each attribute had its own status ailment it inflicted on the opponent. The most common ones were Burn, Paralysis, Freeze, Bind, Confusion, Blind, and...

Knock-Back.

"Whoa?!"

Basic Magic:

[Wind Bomb]

Since it was N-rank, it didn't have much power unless it was a direct hit. But that was precisely why I could push Eleanor, who was surrounded by the Disciplinary Committee, a good distance away without injuring her.

"Huh? Uh...? Whoa!"

The [Wind Bomb] that exploded beneath Eleanor's feet sent her flying. Eleanor, who landed precariously after being momentarily airborne, looked back and forth between me and the note.

About half of the Disciplinary Committee members turned their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠attention towards her, staring intently with heightened alertness.

"Hmm..."

They were focusing on her, or rather, the fact that I had forcibly helped her escape and handed her a note.

The [Successor of the Mage King] was about to do something. And the executor was a girl named Noah.

Oh, this. Wasn't this a situation that Eleanor, the attention seeker, would really like?

As if Eleanor had also realized this, she put the blank note carefully into her uniform pocket and gave a mischievous smile.

For her show, which seemed somewhat smug, I also put on a meaningful expression and said,

"Don't get caught."

"Don't worry, Master! I'll protect this note no matter what! I won't forget Master's sacrifice!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a chase between Eleanor and the student council began.