Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Monster Wave (3)
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"Though my power may be modest, I promise I won't get in the way."
Ethan Richard Blackwood glanced at me once during Orion's recruitment call before stepping forward.
His sudden aggressive move caught me off guard, sparking a small question in my mind.
'What's suddenly gotten into him?'
In a situation like this, why would he go out of his way to show off his abilities and join Orion's group?
He was just a noble heir who hadn't even entered the academy yet. No one would bat an eye if he quietly waited in the main hall.
Even if he'd dealt with monsters under Harold's watch up until now, he should understand their dangers better than anyone here.
His volunteering for the front lines, where monster waves could erupt at any moment, came as quite a surprise to me.
'Lately, Ethan's actions don't seem like the type he'd take without thinking.'
There had to be a solid reason, but what could it be?
The simplest explanations might be showing off his bravery among the gathered nobles or impressing a girl he liked.
But the Ethan I'd observed recently wasn't one to act on such simplistic impulses.
He'd patrolled the territories to solidify his presence as the Blackwood heir.
And he'd thrown a calculated tantrum over a maid's soiled dress to indebt a powerful noble.
For such an Ethan to willingly step into danger meant he was expecting something in return.
'The imperial family might express a token of gratitude to those who fight hard afterward, right?'
'...Ah.'
Right, the imperial family.
Ethan was seizing this chance to build connections with the imperial family by joining the monster subjugation unit.
Of course, there was no guarantee the imperial family would actually reward them for repelling the monster wave. Even if they did, it'd probably just be minor commendations for light injuries.
But that alone was enough.
A thank-you from the imperial family held immense value in dealings with other nobles.
Plus, such a favor could serve as leverage the next time he sought an audience, making outright refusal impossible.
In short, it was a decent gamble to test his skills, with a solid payoff.
Especially since fighting alongside the capable imperial guards ensured some safety.
'Man, that guy's mind really works fast.'
To reach that conclusion in the brief moment after Orion's impromptu proposal.
Well, if Ethan had thought that far ahead, I had no reason to be surprised—or even worried, honestly.
The current Ethan wasn't the type to get hurt easily, no matter where he went.
"Alright, good. Got any combat experience?"
"I've hunted monsters in the back hills a few times. Among recent kills worth mentioning, I'd say thorn boars and shadow spiders."
Based on my estimates from the experience points he'd gained, Ethan's current level was around 7 or 8.
For reference, thorn boars were level 10, and shadow spiders level 11.
In other words, regardless of his base level, his actual combat prowess was about that strong.
He'd likely be more than helpful—far from a hindrance, as he claimed.
Lately, he'd started incorporating ki into his swordsmanship, even if just a little, and could pair it with body reinforcement magic.
That put him at least on par with imperial elite soldiers.
Orion nodded approvingly, clearly judging Ethan as an asset after hearing him out.
"That should be plenty helpful. Looking forward to working with you, Lord Ethan."
"...Likewise, Lord Orion."
"Anyone else besides Lord Ethan?"
"......"
Despite Orion's repeated call, no other students stepped up.
Normally, one person's courage would spark a chain reaction, but Ethan's mention of 'thorn boars' and 'shadow spiders' seemed to set a bar.
Everyone appeared to have decided they needed at least that level of skill to join.
Considering that, it made sense why no one else was volunteering.
In this situation with an unspoken skill threshold, there was at most one person in the ballroom worth considering...
"...Agnes Elizabeth Blaze."
Right, just Inferno Agnes, the promising heir of the Elizabeth family... Huh?
"Heir to the Elizabeth family. Top of the academy's magic division. Future master of the Crimson Tower."
"......"
"This 'Inferno Agnes' will join your group to stop that monster wave you mentioned."
A red-haired mage emerged confidently from the crowd.
A mage with brilliant crimson hair strode forward through the people.
Given I'd never seen that vivid red before, she'd probably used transformation magic until just now to attend the ball.
Her resolute expression, confident voice, and bold self-introduction showed no doubt in her usefulness.
All eyes in the hall turned instantly to the sudden arrival of Agnes.
The moment Luminor Academy's main character appeared after all my searching, one emotion naturally surfaced in my mind.
'...That line is embarrassing for everyone listening.'
Agnes's shameless self-praise never got any less cringeworthy, no matter how many times I heard it.
She was such an overpowered character that I'd used her endlessly, hearing those lines constantly, but that didn't make them any less awkward.
Even knowing all those boasts would come true in the future.
In that sense, her arrogance matched her skills perfectly, but it was still cringe-inducing regardless.
And Agnes herself thought that introduction made her look cool, which made it even more mortifying from a third-party view.
It was bad enough hearing a 3D model voice it on screen, but to witness it live right in front of me...
Her brazen tone made my hands and feet curl up in secondhand embarrassment. I could barely look straight at Luminor Academy's main heroine even after spotting her.
Just as Agnes's bold speech was about to continue, thankfully 'ellipsis expert Orion' cut it short.
"My specialty is fire magic. Given enough time, I can unleash large-scale flames effortlessly. My maximum mana capacity is unmatched at over fifteen hundred..."
"Y-Yes! Agnes, right? A fire mage with a thousand mana—definitely helpful!"
"Wait, I wasn't finished..."
"Come on, let's head to the front lines! Time to prove your skills for real!"
"W-Wait, Lord Orion! Allow me to guide you!"
Orion hurriedly cut off Agnes's embarrassing self-intro, grabbed her and Ethan's hands, and rushed out of the Evening Rose Hall.
Three of the dozen or so soldiers followed them out.
We who remained stood there dazed, still recovering from the cringe-worthy introduction.
"...We'll guide the rest of you to the shelters. Please follow us in an orderly manner without rushing."
......Ah.
Come to think of it, I should've joined them too. Damn.
⁎ ⁎ ⁎
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The long line of evacuees descending to the first floor under the guards' guidance.
I walked along with the noble guests, my expression troubled to match theirs.
"...Is something bothering you, fiancée?"
"L-Lord Ethan must have you worried...!"
"Ah, yeah... A little... He might be in danger..."
Worried? As if.
With Ethan's skills, he'd handle himself fine without my concern.
In a one-on-one, he already outmatched me.
If he got serious, even my mana blast wouldn't guarantee victory.
Mana blast was for monsters, not people.
The old chubby Ethan might've been different, but now he'd dodge it like crossing a school crosswalk leisurely.
Looking back, joining that monster wave response party wouldn't have gone well for me anyway.
'If I'd stepped up, I'd be lucky not to get labeled some weird girl.'
I'd felt a twinge of regret seeing Orion take just Ethan and Agnes, but rationally, even if I'd volunteered, Orion likely would've cut me.
'Name?'
'Can't disclose due to circumstances.'
'Monster subjugation experience?'
'Took down one hookerni.'
'Ho, a skilled mage?'
'No. Main weapon is a dagger.'
'Hm...?'
'And I don't have one now, so if you lend me something similar, I'll definitely be useful. Oh, note that I used an iron skewer, not a dagger, for the hookerni, but my skills are still solid...'
'......'
Even I had to admit that self-introduction sounded suspicious.
A noble who killed a hookerni with an iron skewer instead of magic, main weapon dagger but needs to borrow one...
It was too absurd and rambling to be believed.
Luckily, I wouldn't stand out as some mentally unstable girl.
Of course, if Ethan vouched for me, they might let me join, but he probably wouldn't bother.
Fewer subjugation members meant his feats stood out more, better for imperial notice.
And if I were truly needed, I'd have forced my way in, but given this event's difficulty, the current group seemed sufficient.
I'd roughly pieced together where this episode fell in Luminor Academy's main story.
'The "Imperial Palace Assault Incident" one year before academy enrollment.'
An event protagonists couldn't join directly, so I'd only known the plot, but the flow matched perfectly.
A demon executive triggered a monster wave to collapse the Argentia Empire's palace. The imperial guards and some main characters repelled it, but some noble heirs died or were gravely wounded.
This spurred the imperial family to expand the formerly elite-only academy's enrollment massively, drawing combat-talented characters from all walks into Part 2's start.
In other words, the planned characters could handle the assault fine on their own.
With Seraphin, Orion, Agnes, and a decently grown Ethan joining, their forces were even stronger.
They'd repel it far easier than in the original story. Ethan wasn't weak anymore.
His addition might even save a few original casualties.
'I'd love to sneak out, kill a few monsters for XP... but too many eyes here.'
I'd already drawn too much attention, putting me in a risky spot.
Standing out more could expose me as a commoner who could use magic, and fooling everyone here was impossible with so many witnesses.
I could maybe trick Ethan after long exposure, but not a dozen guards.
So, best to obediently follow the plot here.
'Sticking with the guards in the waiting room should be safe enough.'
Today, I'd play it safe. That was the best way to avoid trouble.
...I'd thought the same not long ago.
But that resolve began to waver with an odd unease upon entering the main palace hall.
"......Ah."
"H-Hiiik...?!"
The familiar sky-blue haired young lady I met again in the shelter.
After running into Ridge Lynn Augst here once more.