Chapter 63
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: This is an Important Part
-----------------------------------------------------------------
There was a minor(?) commotion.
After leaving the administrative office, Lucas and Kampf turned their backs on each other as if they couldn't stand the sight of one another and went their separate ways...
Only to meet again in the auditorium.
"..."
Why does my chest feel so tight?
Today was the academy's entrance ceremony.
That's right—both of them were top-ranked freshmen.
Fortunately, they weren't sitting side by side, but the students sandwiched between them looked rather uncomfortable...
I forced my gaze straight ahead.
I was deep in thought about a strategy I hadn't considered amid the chaos.
I'd originally wanted to double-check the deployed agents, but Lucas had dropped a bombshell out of nowhere, leaving me no time to think about it.
As I pondered intently, the white-haired academy principal soon appeared and announced the start of the ceremony.
Freshmen of Luminaria Academy, I sincerely welcome you all. I am the principal in charge of...
[Yaaawn~]
'Shh.'
I lightly tapped Lumie's head as she yawned during the boring speech, then focused on the podium.
Seeming aware of how dull it was, a faint smile creased the principal's wrinkled face.
Next up, please have the freshman representative come forward.
I stood from my seat and took position in front of the podium.
Pledge.
"Pledge."
I didn't want to throw out lines like 'I already know your levels' or 'You weak humans' right from the entrance ceremony, so I read the pledge calmly, taking in the faces of all the new students.
The hero's party, the Alvheim princess, Owen and Ella, the doggo, and...
'? How did he get in?'
Dandelrion Valiant—the guy who'd dared flirt with Jenia—was there too.
Our eyes met, and Dandelrion hurriedly looked down.
I decided I'd have to beat him down periodically, then scanned the foreign royals, nobles, and even the demihumans.
Flashing a cheerful smile back at the heretic spies glaring at me from the back, I returned to my seat.
[Master... He's not here?]
That's right—the protagonist I'd been eagerly awaiting was nowhere to be seen.
I wondered if he wasn't here at all, but it was too early to jump to conclusions.
He might have missed the ceremony due to timing issues.
The entrance ceremony proceeded smoothly, moving on to the introduction of the faculty.
These are the esteemed instructors who will guide our proud Luminaria Academy alongside us. Please welcome them with applause!
Following the master I'd seen earlier were a gloomy-looking man, a red-haired beastkin woman in a witch's hat, a sleazy-looking middle-aged guy, and more...
I applauded the colorful lineup of teachers as the ceremony drew to a close before I knew it.
That concludes the entrance ceremony. Thank you, everyone.
The students rose from their seats and scattered to attend to their business.
I headed to Owen and Ella with my comrades.
"Owen! Ella! How've you been?"
"Yeah, doing great. How about you, Lancelot?"
"No need to ask!"
The hot-blooded guys exchanged bright greetings.
"Long time no see, Owen. Which department did you pick?"
Owen smiled faintly at my question.
"Politics for me, and magic for Ella."
"No way!"
Lancelot's eyes widened, and Owen continued.
"Leading the grand duchy has made me realize my shortcomings. It was a choice for a better future. But we can still spar anytime, so don't worry—and if you need help, just say the word."
In the original story, Owen had joined the swordsmanship department, but with his threats gone, he'd chosen politics.
"Good choice. Still, Ella's in the same department as me, right?"
-Flinch!
"Ah... ouch!"
I gave a wry smile at Ella, who still seemed haunted by the assassin.
"It's fine, Ella... even here at the academy?"
"Is it... really okay?"
"You need to learn from the professors now, not me."
Ella's face brightened.
"Liam, the agents are all prepped!"
"Agents?"
"Oh! That's..."
-Uh... yeah, that's why we're doing it that way.
Owen smirked at my words.
"You've got busy folks on the hook. But my offer to help isn't a lie—don't hesitate."
"Got it~ Oh! Wanna grab dinner tonight?"
"Sure."
"See you later then."
We parted ways, and my comrades and I...
-Click! ...Zzzt...
"Testing, can you hear me?"
"Whoa... this the new magic tool?"
"Yeah, not the best range, but no eavesdropping risk."
"Ah~ Can you hear us, Apostle?"
"Loud and clear. Shall we begin?"
"Yes!"
Deep in the academy woods, away from the students' bustle, a man moved stealthily.
Short hair, gloomy expression, sunken cheeks, lifeless dark eyes.
Scanning his surroundings, he pulled a dark red liquid from his bosom and sprinkled it here and there.
As he proceeded cautiously and covertly, a faint sobbing reached his ears.
-Sob...! Sob...! Why am I such...
"...?!"
Startled, the man tucked away the liquid.
Bracing for disruption, he glanced around before heading toward the sound.
There, a girl crouched, weeping pitifully.
"Sob! Sob! Why am I such an idiot..."
Preparing for any contingency, the man cloaked his hand in black mana and crept behind her.
Just as his hand was about to touch...
-Whoosh!
"!!!"
A bobbed brown-haired girl with teardrops in her eyes whipped around to face him.
"Wh-who are you?"
As the innocent girl asked, the man quickly hid his hand.
Pondering his next move, her clear voice rang out.
"Did you... see it?"
The silent man's lips parted.
"I did."
The girl's face flushed crimson, tears streaming freely.
"Sob... so embarrassing..."
I don't know the details, but just as the man moved to act...
-Grab!
"Waaah!"
Out of nowhere, the girl hugged him and burst into tears.
The man frantically scanned around at the loud wails, awkwardly trying to comfort her.
"Um... could we talk for a sec..."
"Waaaaah!"
Unable to act for fear of drawing attention, the man stood frozen as the girl sobbed in his arms.
"Sniff! Sniff! Sorry..."
Finally calming, she pulled away, her small mouth opening.
She gently clutched the hem of the man's clothes, her heart pounding from nerves.
Looking up at him with a shy, embarrassed face, the girl said,
"Um... what's your name?"
To the girl speaking with sparkling round eyes and rosy cheeks, the man replied...
"...Walter."
"Ah! I-I'm Emily! S-sorry! You must've been startled!"
"It's fine."
"Ah! Hehe... you're so kind..."
"Kind?"
"Yes! You were surprised, but you spoke to me so gently..."
As the man wondered which part was kind, Emily said,
"Um... have you eaten?"
Seed #1 planted.
"Huff... huff..."
A massively obese man—impressively mobile despite his bulk—climbed the stairs of a remote old school building.
No students would be in an abandoned structure, and anyone entering clearly had shady intentions.
Opening the door to a third-floor classroom in the deserted area...
"What? You a freshman too?"
"??!?"
A voluptuous woman with blonde hair and tanned skin lounged on an old sofa, oblivious to her underwear showing.
"What's wrong... why no answer?"
As the huge man floundered, the woman grinned and approached.
"Aha~ You've got secrets, huh?"
"!?? Huff...!"
-Pop!
She pulled the candy from her mouth with a crisp sound and whispered in his ear.
"You..."
The slow-witted man panicked over what to do when...
"Skipped the entrance ceremony!"
"Pardon?"
The woman flashed a cheeky grin at his dumbfounded face.
"Hehe! I ditched 'cause it was boring, and found this perfect spot."
"Ah... y-yes!"
"Knew it! Perfect timing, I was bored."
"Pardon?"
"C'mere, sit!"
"Uh... okay..."
His massive frame was helplessly dragged by her hand—his first time being led by a girl.
Popping the candy back in, she spoke.
"Skipping buddy! What's your name?"
"Hawks..."
"Hawks? Pfft! Sounds like a puppy name. I'm Sia! No family name! So how'd you end up here? Thought this was my secret hideout?"
Her social charisma made the man visibly flustered.
"Well..."
"Ah~ Got it! You picked the most out-of-the-way spot too?"
"Y-yes! Seemed like no one'd be here..."
"So now it's our hideout?"
"Uh, our...? What do you..."
Sia grinned mischievously at his confusion.
"Hehe! You're kinda cute."
-Pop!
"C-cute... mmph!"
Her candy slipped straight into his gaping mouth.
"Hey! Piggy! Let's get along, yeah?"
Her sly curved eyes, the sweet scent from her mouth, the sugary taste on his tongue—the man was dazed.
"Pl-please... take care of me..."
"Yup!"
Her bright smile was stunning.
Seed #2 planted.
A girl wandered the streets with a face full of worldly discontent.
Her plain features, dotted with freckles, made her look even sourer.
Dark circles topped the freckles, and dull eyes hid behind glasses.
"Where the hell are they..."
Anxious, she gnawed her thumbnail while walking the academy grounds.
Her gloomy aura made people steer clear.
"This sucks..."
As she searched for her comrade, a man appeared before her.
"Finally... found you..."
"?"
A tall, handsome brown-haired man with a backstory vibe looked down at her.
"Still biting your nails, huh..."
He gently took her nail-biting hand.
Wiping the saliva from her jagged nail with his thumb.
The affectionate yet sensual mood left her dazed.
"Wh-who...?"
"Ah..."
He furrowed his brow in profound sadness, then gave a bittersweet smile.
"Do you... have any lost memories?"
"!?!"
"Like from when you were little..."
The sudden situation froze her mind.
How did he know her story? She wanted to hear more.
"I don't remember... before age nine..."
"Ah..."
A single tear fell from his lonely eyes.
"It's okay... we can start over from the beginning."
"Huh?"
"I've only had eyes for you... since then."
"Um... are you...?"
The man quickly wiped his tears and smiled brightly.
"Pleased to meet you! I'm Francis! May I have the name of this lovely lady?"
"L-lovely...? I'm Ena... um, do you know about my past...?"
-Smack!
He drew her held hand to his lips for a kiss.
Before the sensation faded from her hand's back, his finger slickly stroked it.
"Gasp!"
"Let's... get along from now on... forever."
Seed #3 planted.
[...Master... what are you even doing?]
"Ah! Lumie, this is an important part."
"The pure love arc that sets up the netorare scene later."