I Think You're Cute.
I Think You're Cute.
"Huh? Hey, y-yo...! P-P-Plan!"
The next morning.
As I was returning to the dormitory after my usual personal training, I ran into Becky. Her reaction was twice as chaotic as usual.
"Th-that, did you see it? Yesterday...! Wait, no. Should I even ask if you know? Do you know? Yesterday, yesterday, you know, yesterday!"
Becky sputtered out words that barely qualified as sentences. Each time she flailed her arms, a thick wave of rose scent hit me.
Astonishingly, I understood her perfectly.
I gave her a measured nod.
Since I was the person in question, there was no way I wouldn't know.
Huff— haa— huff— haa—
After catching her breath several times, Becky opened her mouth again.
"They said you flat-out declared you'd win it all, not just that you'd 'do your best.' Is that true? Is it really true?"
"Let me ask you something first. Why focus on that statement?"
At that, Becky's eyes went wide. She clenched her fists tightly and launched into a fervent speech.
"Of course, that's the point! If you just say you'll do your best, people go, 'Ah, is that so,' and move on."
"However."
"But if you nail it down and declare you're going to win the whole thing, every single department lights up like a firestorm! Looks like the seniors are already talking about you."
Exactly that.
Satisfied, I nodded.
That was the intention from the start. A simple resolution to do one's best can never focus everyone's attention so completely.
But now, things are different.
I've declared I will 'absolutely' win — and the Subjugation Festival is an event that even second-years participate in, after all.
I wonder what faces the knights are making right about now.
Truthfully, their expressions don't matter. If their eyes are burning and they're clenching their fists in anticipation of the Subjugation Festival, then that is sufficient.
But then, it happened.
"Excuse me."
A low, composed voice. At the same time, the scent of jasmine wafted through the air.
The owner of that voice was Trixie.
Her sweat-dampened skin, the towel draped over her wrist — even that mundane sight became remarkably elegant when the subject was Trixie.
It seemed she had just finished her morning training as well.
"So what will you do? Shall we do it today?"
"Eh? Huh? What are you two doing today?"
Becky looked at me with eyes demanding an explanation. What Trixie was asking about was likely the 'duel' we had previously arranged.
I shook my head.
I needed to receive a report from Maeve, and based on that, I had to carefully construct a plan.... There were too many things I had to do right now.
"How about the day after tomorrow?"
"The day after tomorrow?"
"Yes."
After silently letting her gaze drift upward a few times, Trixie nodded and accepted it readily.
However, Trixie still didn't step away. Instead, she simply stared at me fixedly.
"Do you have something left to say?"
"...."
Trixie remained silent. Our standoff grew progressively longer, and I detested this sort of time-wasting.
"If there's no business, let us each go our own way."
"The Subjugation Festival."
The Subjugation Festival. Trixie suddenly murmured that.
"The Subjugation Festival?"
"...You said you're going."
"That is my intention."
"What about the other three."
Apparently, Trixie was inwardly curious about the three people who would form a team with me.
In truth, all three were already designated. I had decided the moment I learned of the Subjugation Festival's existence. And after meticulously observing them in the Sapour, my conviction had only solidified.
However, this was not a story I could share right now.
Especially — doubly so — if the person asking was Trixie.
"...."
After staring at me for a while, Trixie simply turned her back and went on her way.
Becky watched her retreating figure and spoke a single line.
"Trixie sure is interested in the Subjugation Festival. Well, after what happened, I suppose it's natural...."
"Is there a reason she must be deeply interested?"
A silence flowed for about three seconds, and then Becky suddenly leapt back like a frog.
"Ah, n-no? I-it's, it's not something that I could possibly dare to talk about. And it's not even certain.... Just pretend you didn't hear it. Okay!"
So there was something I did not know.
But soon, I decided not to dwell on it.
"Very well. I'll be going now."
"Eh, huh? Wait! At least eat together...!"
◈
Upon returning to the dormitory, I examined one corner of my room. A large painting that hadn't been there before now hung prominently.
The World Within the Painting.
Maeve was currently residing within. I entered to meet her.
"I find this quite agreeable."
The world that had once been completely blank and white was now structured quite passably.
Starting from the office, to the training grounds, to the laboratory.... Branches of magic power were weaving together, sketching out various buildings.
I sat in the office and called the slave's name.
"Maeve."
At that, she immediately revealed herself.
Silver hair glistening like dew, the crimson eyes characteristic of a Blood Demon, and sharply pointed ears.
The elegant curves of her form would be considered quite attractive by anyone's standards.
"Yes."
"The tasks I assigned."
"I did everything."
Realizing a beat too late that something was wrong, she hastily extended her words.
"—sir. I mean, I did everything, sir~."
Her forced attempt at a sugary tone was utterly awkward. She even tried to give me a sweet smile as our eyes met.
"...."
I regarded her with a sharp gaze.
Several sheets of paper settled onto the broad wooden desk, and I lifted them with Telekinesis to examine them.
[ "Unconditional Victory." Plan, Unprecedented Confidence ]
[ Eliminated the Year Before, Eliminated Last Year — The Magic Department's Subjugation Festival 'Is Nonsense' ]
.
.
.
"Just as you ordered. Ahem, just as you ordered, I roughly selected only what felt significant."
Despite it being barely a day since the reporting had started, the number of newspaper articles was considerable.
If this was after selecting and sorting, there was likely far more in actuality. More would be pouring out even now, no doubt.
'It's sufficient.'
This was enough of a buzz. I could conclude that the intended effect had fully materialized.
Maeve placed another set of papers onto the desk.
"Next is.... the trivial reactions."
"How did you sort these?"
"Pro, con, indifferent. I broadly classified them into these three and.... censored things I deemed to be worthless chatter on my own."
That was passable. I gave a nod.
[ We won in the combat event, so there's no reason we can't do it in the Subjugation Festival, is there? Let's enjoy ourselves this year too. ]
[ But isn't it too dangerous.... During the Subjugation Festival, if you get hurt or die, you literally get hurt or die for real. ]
[ That first-year is way too arrogant. And if you don't follow his opinion, you're not even a mage — he talked like that, apparently. ]
.
.
.
Worry, concern, dissatisfaction, anticipation.... On this front, too, things were proceeding according to plan.
A storm was about to sweep through Märchen Academy. However, it was the kind of magnificent storm that turns the ground it passes into a field of wheat, rather than a wasteland.
I closed my eyes briefly and contemplated quietly.
Going forward, all I had to do was follow the plan.
"Say, Master."
But Maeve's voice cut my contemplation short. I opened my eyes slightly and looked at the slave before me.
She subtly averted her eyes from mine.
"Master.... N-n-ni...."
"'Master' is sufficient. Get to the point."
"Ah, Master. Why are you doing things like this?"
Why I was doing this, she asked.... It required not a moment's hesitation to answer.
"Because change is necessary."
"Perhaps I phrased that poorly. Allow me to rephrase."
Maeve glanced at me sideways.
"Is this... something you absolutely must do?"
"Maeve."
I released my Telekinesis. With a rustle— the papers stacked neatly back onto the desk.
"If it is something even slightly helpful to the field of magic, then I do it. I will do the things I have always done, and I will do the things others have never tried. Therefore, this is...."
Our pupils met in the empty air.
In her crimson pupils, my own figure — brimming with certainty — stared back at me.
"Something I absolutely must do. Do you understand."
"...Is that so."
Maeve avoided my gaze and nodded her head.
"As expected of my Master. Truly incredible."
"If you understand, that's enough."
I straightened my collar and prepared to leave.
"I'll be going. The data was quite excellent. From now on, focus on completing the training facilities."
"Of course."
Just as I was about to leave the World Within the Painting, something snagged my attention.
Crunch—!
An invisible hand seized something that was flying toward me. When I turned my head, Maeve stood holding a dagger in a reverse grip.
Since magic didn't work, she must have intended to exert physical force. An utterly foolish notion.
This must have been the reason for her overt sweetness earlier.
"...!"
With her arm raised and caught, Maeve tried to break free with all her might the moment our eyes met.
"L-let... let go of this."
But there was no way her captured wrist would slip free. In this illusion world, my mental power held a vast superiority.
Maeve glared at me murderously.
"I said, let go right now—!"
Yet reality was not so forgiving. The most she could manage was trembling furiously with her wrist caught.
"A human... a mere human dares to try and lord over me as a slave...! I'll kill, I'll kill you! I will definitely...!"
I smiled.
Slowly approaching, I grasped her chin.
"Nngk...!"
"Maeve. I find you endearing."
"What is a mere human babbling... nrrk!"
As I gradually put strength into the hand gripping her chin, I murmured flatly.
"Furthermore, I am rather fond of you."
"Ngh... nrgh...."
Maeve's lips twitched several times as if to speak. Each time, her sharp fangs — characteristic of a Blood Demon — gleamed.
"Rather than a slave who follows meekly without any resistance.... I prefer a creature like you who seeks to test me."
"Wh-what are you.... A human, of all things...."
"Doubt me and verify me every single moment. I am always without a single shame, and thus I am neither offended nor afraid."
Shove—!
"Krk, guh!"
The invisible hand pushed her backward, and Maeve landed unceremoniously on the floor.
"Test me a hundred times, even a thousand times, until you grasp me on your own terms."
"Haa.... haa...."
Maeve glared at me through ragged breaths. Her crimson pupils were filled solely with hostility.
"...."
But soon, she averted her gaze from me and quietly tucked the dagger back into her bosom.
I could scarcely imagine the shame and humiliation she must feel. But there was no need to imagine it.
Leaving her alone, I leisurely departed the World Within the Painting.
◈
Knock, knock—!
Immediately after leaving the World Within the Painting, someone knocked on the dormitory door.
"Ah, Student Plan."
When I opened the door, an unexpected figure stood there.
White hair and purple eyes, even a witch-like conical hat.... It was Professor Violet.
"Are you busy right now?"
She asked that straight away, then shook her head to herself.
"No, forget that. Even if you are busy, we need to do this first. You have to go to the Chancellor's office right now."
"The Chancellor's office?"
Violet nodded urgently.
"Yes. The Chancellor is looking for Student Plan. For now, let's just... shall we talk on the way?"
We began to walk side by side. Violet glanced at me with an odd expression, her lips quivering as if she was about to speak.
"You've set off another big one this time. Well, I figured Student Plan would be the sort to do this."
"It seems you've come to understand me a little, now."
"A little is the right word for it. I'd like to know more."
Violet was drenched in sweat, as though she'd been in a great hurry, but she gave me a faint smile.
It was an expression that held more encouragement than worry.
It also looked like the dark circles under her eyes had lightened a bit. Some vitality had returned to her face.
"Ah, right. Now that I think of it."
Suddenly, as if something had occurred to her, Violet spoke again.
"Before, Professor Audrey told you to come by the lab sometime, didn't she."
"Yes."
"That... whatever happened with it? Did any other professors reach out to you, by chance? I'm just asking out of curiosity."
Violet fiddled with the tip of her conical hat. So it had been weighing on her mind.
I shook my head.
"I refused. There were no other offers."
"Ah, really? I see. So that's how it was."
She nodded with a subtly relieved air. Three seconds later, she hastily added.
"Ah. I'm saying this just in case, but I'm not bringing this up to make an offer. I won't make one."
"Alright."
"I've never solicited anyone, and nobody's ever applied to be my assistant. It's because the thing I research is so outlandish."
"...?"
I furrowed my brow involuntarily.
Even the most notoriously infamous professor has at least one assistant. What on earth could she be researching that no one even applies?
My interest was naturally piqued.
"What is it that you research?"
"Me? My research? Ah, shall I show you once?"
There was a subtly eager air about her. At the same time, her conical hat began to rustle.
Ribbit—
A moment later, a frog jumped out from under the hat.
"Oh, this little rascal."
After catching the frog again, she held out a sheet of paper to me. She truly was like a witch.
"...!"
And a moment later, my eyes widened before I knew it. Violet, who had been watching me, gave a bitter smile.
"You don't know what it says, right? It is a bit bizarre."
"It is bizarre. Certainly."
I answered without the slightest hesitation. I can state this with absolute certainty.
...This is Ancient Rune Language.
An Ancient Rune Language that did not exist in my previous world.
It was the same runic script that had been written on the 'Dream.'
"I acknowledge that myself. The other professors all try to dissuade me from it too.... Well, I'm just the type who's drawn to this sort of thing."
"I'll examine this on my own."
I placed the paper into my coat.
"...That? Well, it's a copy, so it doesn't matter."
By that point, we had arrived at the hallway where the Chancellor's office was located. It was time to part ways with Violet for now.
At last, the moment I walked up to the massive wooden door.
"Well, well.... I've been waiting so long my neck's gone stiff."
Once again, the voice of Chancellor Conet reached me even before I could knock on the door.