Chapter 158: Rest (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 158: Rest (3)
The morning of the third day of vacation.
My curiosity was finally satisfied.
“…Do they really have to go that far?”
It was dawn, and I was on my way back from a light stroll.
I had just spotted Professor McGregor and the Imperial Navy dragging in a frozen Kraken.
They hauled the Kraken, which was lashed to a massive sailing ship, and began thawing it out. Even if the river surrounding Akensom Island was close to the estuary where the river met the sea, Krakens weren't exactly lounging around the Imperial coast. They must have gone quite far out to capture it.
I could understand the Head Professor of the Magic Department coming up with the idea, but why did the Imperial soldiers, who were doing all the grunt work, look so happy?
“Oh, that? It’s because it’s profitable,” Uncle Aeryun replied when I asked, giving me an answer I hadn't expected.
“…The profits actually go down to the soldiers?”
Usually, in a military operation, the military takes everything.
“In a normal military operation, yes. But officially, the Navy’s mission near Akensom right now is escort duty.”
It seemed Professor McGregor had "borrowed" a portion of the Navy—who were supposed to be escorting the Academy students—under the guise of escorting a VIP, and then used them for Kraken hunting. Or rather, for transport.
“Officially, it’s framed as Professor McGregor donating his hunt to the soldiers who assisted him.”
Basically, it was like going fishing with someone and sharing the catch. The only difference was that instead of a regular fish, it was a Kraken, the so-called Overlord of the Sea.
“He’s really getting a free ride on this, isn't he?”
“Well, they are literally eating it.”
Ever since the Kraken first appeared on day one, there had been a suspiciously high number of octopus dishes being served.
“To be honest, I’m getting a bit sick of it.”
“Then don’t eat it. Everyone else is stuffing their faces because they heard it increases mana.”
True, a mystical creature like a Kraken could provide a slight boost to one's mana just by consumption. However...
“I’ve already reached the point where I can’t stack any more mana through eating.”
“Aren't you just the best?”
Since I had reached my limit for dietary gains long ago, I could only pray that parboiled octopus wouldn't be on the menu for lunch today.
“So, how long is this going to last?”
“Today or tomorrow? If that Kraken holds out through today, it ends today. If it survives until tomorrow, I expect they’ll keep going.”
“Are they stopping after that?”
“Yeah. Apparently, there are no more Krakens to be found in the Sea of Death.”
“……”
The Kraken event was ending simply because they couldn't find any more to bring in.
For some reason, I had a feeling that the incidents in the Sea of Death—where dozens of merchant ships used to vanish every year—would cease to exist starting today.
“I don’t feel sorry for them as a human.”
I could see them currently cutting off a few of the Kraken's legs to "balance" the encounter for the students before they went out. But those monsters used to feast on merchant ships whenever they passed by, so in the world of the survival of the fittest, it was just the way things were.
“Uh, well.”
...That was what I thought until the afternoon.
“Poor bastard...”
Watching the Kraken get sliced clean in half by Ellen, I couldn't help but revise my assessment.
—Kieeeeeek!
The strongest Kraken yet, a five-legged beast, let out a final shriek. No matter how legendary a Kraken’s regenerative powers were, it couldn't survive having its head split in two.
“Hmm...”
Ellen, who had delivered the blow, muttered to himself.
“This isn't it...”
The Kraken, meant to be the gatekeeper of the exam, had become a mere sacrificial lamb for Ellen’s aura practice. What was even more tragic was that the Kraken’s sacrifice didn't even trigger an Awakening.
“Now’s our chance!”
“Run!”
Dodging the collapsing Kraken, the students began to race across the sea. I don't mean that figuratively; they were literally running on top of the water.
“You call that swimming?”
The ones with poor mana control were splashing around and struggling to swim, but seeing the water gradually turn black with Kraken ink, it almost felt like the ones actually swimming were the ones doing it wrong.
One by one, the students achieved their goals.
After racking up a generous amount of extra points, they climbed out of the sea and stood dazed, watching the Imperial Navy haul the Kraken away.
And after some time had passed...
The students all found themselves asking the same question.
“So, what do we do now?”
“Good question.”
“Is the exam over?”
“But it was supposed to be a swimming exam. Isn't it a bit weird for it to end just because the Kraken is gone?”
As they pondered, the students looked at themselves and their surroundings and realized.
The sea.
The beach.
Swimsuits.
“I guess we just... play.”
And so, on the third day of vacation.
Watching the students finally start to enjoy themselves like they were actually on holiday, I realized that what was bound to happen had finally arrived.
“Um, excuse me...”
“The beach over there is quite beautiful.”
“Would you like to go for a swim together...?”
After a very long time, the romance part of the RoFan was about to begin.
“Time to bolt.”
I took one look at the members of the Flower Arrangement Club awkwardly approaching Daisy and made my assessment. If I got caught up in that mess, nothing good would come of it.
Sharpening my senses as a swordsman to the limit, I moved only through Daisy’s blind spots. No matter how great Daisy’s talent was, she shouldn't be able to notice the movements of a professional agent yet.
I was carefully putting distance between us, preparing to make my escape, when...
“It’s been a while since we met...”
“……?”
“And you’re as consistent as ever.”
I turned my head at the familiar voice to find a very familiar face.
“Senior Loreliya?”
“We haven't seen each other in a while; that title feels a bit distant, don't you think? Darling.”
“……”
“…I just tried it out because I heard it from a friend. Don’t look at me like that.”
“……”
“I-I’d rather you just insult me instead!”
…In the time we hadn't seen each other, Senior Loreliya had picked up some strange things.
Just as the Imperial Academy is hailed as the finest educational institution, its students are regarded as the top talents.
However, everything in the world is relative. Even students who might reign at the top of any other academy are judged within an institution where only the best of the best gather.
In such a place, someone will still be the best, but someone else will be average—or even at the bottom. That is simply how the world works.
You might grow up being called a genius. But once you snap out of it, you often find you're just walking a path someone else has already trodden. You think you're blazing a trail, only to find the "real deal" who was following behind has suddenly overtaken you. That is reality.
That was why double majoring at the Imperial Academy was considered madness. It was hard enough to walk one path properly; trying to bounce between two was impossible for anyone sane.
Because of this, even the Academy was conflicted. Should they send a student double majoring in the Magic Department and the General Department to Akensom Island? Or should they have her take the exam at the Academy?
After much deliberation, the Academy eventually sent Senior Loreliya to the General Department exam.
“I’ve heard the rumors. In the Magic Department, you’re treated like a spy if you don't know who you are...”
And so, having peacefully finished her exams at the Academy and returned, Senior Loreliya apparently learned of my legendary exploits the moment she arrived.
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
“The moment I arrived, I found a pile of letters from my Magic Department classmates, juniors, and even seniors. Want to come and see them with me?”
“What kind of letters?”
“Well... they’re mostly petitions.”
“About what?”
“Suggestions that I should reconsider my romantic relationship with you. That sort of thing.”
“Oh...”
Maybe it really was time to put an end to that bit.
“I’m sure you’d think that. But don’t forget our deal with the Elves from last time.”
“……Ah.”
I tried to remember what that was, and then it hit me.
“The Fragment of the World Tree?”
“Exactly.”
“I did all the work. Won't it be handed over later?”
“Not a chance. Do you think such a precious item can be given away so easily to just anyone?”
“When can I get it then?”
“At the earliest, the second semester when the Elves officially enroll. If it’s late, probably early next year.”
“That’s too long.”
“Take it up with the Elves. Their negotiations are famously long-winded.”
This is why long-lived races don't understand the human heart.
“This is actually finishing as fast as possible.”
According to Senior Loreliya, it was common for a grandfather to prepare a treaty for several years, the father’s generation to sign it, and the son’s generation to finally see it go into effect. I had no choice but to nod.
“And besides, your notoriety isn't all that bad for me.”
“Why?”
“I attend the Magic Department because I have a bit more talent in magic, but House Jeyka isn't a family that leans exclusively toward one discipline. In fact, many of our collateral branches are families rooted in swordsmanship.”
Indeed, a member of a collateral branch who entered as a freshman this year was in the Swordsmanship Department. The problem was that he was ranked second in the Swordsmanship Department and had still lost to someone from the Magic Department.
“So I was thinking. If you could visit our estate this summer!”
“I’m not doing that.”
“…Can’t you at least hear the plan?”
“I’m heading straight back to the Leon Kingdom as soon as vacation starts. What’s the point in listening?”
Furthermore, Prince Ellen and I weren't the only ones returning this summer. Even the Sword Emperor was coming back with us—an event that the King and the Commander were eagerly awaiting.
“Well, if it can’t be helped... Instead, for the sake of an alibi, I need a few photos.”
Perhaps Senior Loreliya realized how important that was. She nodded slightly and asked for photos for the alibi...
“…This is that thing, right? Asking for something big in a negotiation so that when you’re rejected, you can get what you actually want by asking for something smaller.”
“Hmm. That was a question on this exam. Was I too obvious?”
“Yes.”
“So, are you going to refuse?”
“Is that an option?”
“Of course not.”
If it’s not an option, why even ask? Senior Loreliya only gave a small laugh at my expression.
Violet - I have nothing to do with this.
It was obvious that Daisy’s mood had plummeted. Well, it was understandable.
“Hyaaaaap!”
Boom!
A ball infused with mana slammed into the ground.
“Not a chance!”
If an average student had been hit by that, they wouldn't just be injured; they’d be meeting their maker. It was especially dangerous since they weren't wearing their school uniforms, which were enchanted with all sorts of defensive magic, but just ordinary swimsuits.
However, the RoFan male leads, to whom common sense did not apply, were having a blast, pouring even more mana into the ball as they spiked it back and forth.
“That looks fun...”
Watching them, Daisy muttered to herself.
It had moved beyond simple volleyball and become a battle that merely mimicked the game. Seeing Daisy call that fun made me realize she wasn't the Daisy I used to know either.
One thing was clear: the RoFan male leads were enjoying this "duel" called volleyball—which they had started just to win the right to be on Daisy’s team for other games—so much that they had completely lost their minds. Meanwhile, Daisy, who was supposed to be the protagonist, had been completely sidelined.
“They’re always digging their own graves like this; no wonder their relationships never progress.”
I mean, you guys started this to do something with Daisy. Why are you over there just enjoying yourselves?
I was watching the spectacle while sipping on a mojito when...
“Huh?”
In the distance, I saw a familiar back of a head.
“What are they doing?”
It was a picture-perfect date... Wait, looking closer, it wasn't a picture; it was a photo.
Even though he looked incredibly annoyed, he professionally changed his expression every time the magic tool took a photo. It looked like he was fulfilling his end of the contract.
“…Hmph.”
Come to think of it, Daisy, who had made a contract first, was being neglected.
“…Hmmmm?”
Ah. That sound didn't come from me.
I glanced toward the source of the noise and saw Daisy staring at the same spot I had been looking at. Her already dampened mood seemed to sink even further...
“I’m going to step away for a moment.”
She didn't say where, but I could only nod while continuing to sip my mojito through the straw.