Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: The Storm-Calling Freshman (3)
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The first day of September dawned. The opening ceremony, held in the grand auditorium, drew the eyes of countless students as it began. In truth, it wasn't all that grand an event.
A ceremony merely signaling the start of the new semester.
A ceremony where the student representative would simply make a declaration.
Simple as it was... the scale of the event far outstripped its modesty.
"If there's anything inconvenient..."
"Ah, we'll prepare it right away. Over here at table seven..."
Maids who would normally manage the central academy building now wove through the students. The grand hall, laden with every kind of feast, felt less like an opening ceremony and more like a noble social gathering.
And there was a reason for that.
Aphria Academy was prestigious. Many students hailed from noble houses, and among them were even members of the royal family. No matter how small the event, if it bore the title of "ceremony," the preparations could not be lacking.
"So during break, you know..."
"Did you see the ball at the Harpel estate? The Golden Lady even attended..."
There were plenty of students accustomed to such gatherings.
They deftly balanced glasses between their fingers, chatting about their vacation exploits. While some blended seamlessly into the social atmosphere...
"Hee..."
...others did not.
"Belnoa, what's this? It looks so fancy."
"No idea. Just eat it."
"Is it really for eating? It's too pretty."
"Then why would they put it out? To look at?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Chloe swallowed hard and gripped the tongs. The desserts, cut into perfect bite-sized pieces, looked like works of art to eyes that had grown up in the back alleys.
'Desserts? The only ones I ever had were the cakes the Black Tower lord occasionally brought.'
These were incomparable. What even were these bite-sized confections? It felt like peeking into another world.
"Hmph, hmm~."
Chloe hummed cheerfully as she piled her plate high with desserts. She looked less like she was at a social and more like she was at a buffet. Her actions drew stares from the other students.
She was already eye-catching enough.
A fair number wanted to approach her, but with Belnoa at her side... they hesitated.
Then.
"Sit tight for a bit. I need to head up there too."
"Okay!"
Belnoa happened to step away from Chloe.
As last semester's top student, Belnoa had to give the declaration for the Battle Magic Department. The moment she left...
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps echoed in quick succession.
Chloe was happily pondering which dessert to try first from her plate.
"Um, hey?"
Someone spoke to Chloe.
She looked up. And nearly choked on air. She was surrounded—not by one or two, but five or six female students.
"W-What's up?"
Their gazes were intimidating.
As Chloe swallowed and asked... one of the girls spoke. She had short, sporty hair.
"Your name... Chloe, right?"
"Y-Yes."
"I'm Charlotte. Same Battle Magic Department as Belnoa... Mind if I ask something?"
Ask what?
Chloe nodded slowly.
"You, at the duel arena last time."
Charlotte lowered her voice.
"You sat next to Professor Lania, didn't you?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. The seat next to her was empty, so..."
"...Didn't it occur to you why it was empty?"
"Huh?"
Chloe blinked.
"Why it was empty?"
"...Good grief."
Her innocent reaction drew sighs from Charlotte and the others. To them, Chloe looked like a lamb.
"You really have no idea..."
An unwitting lamb, unaware of the truth.
It reminded Charlotte of her own early days. She sighed deeply, crouching slightly to meet Chloe's eyes, and whispered.
"Listen, Professor Lania is..."
Different on the inside.
A nightmare lurks within.
Keep your distance.
Where to begin? What word best described that devilish professor? As Charlotte pondered...
"Professor Lania is like..."
"Yes, go on."
A hand rested lightly—too lightly—on Charlotte's shoulder. It felt like nothing was there. But weight is relative. Charlotte's shoulder trembled.
Creeeak.
She turned her head stiffly.
Amid the pale-faced, silent girls stood someone.
"P-Professor Lania?"
The nightmare had arrived.
With ash-gray hair cascading down and brilliant blue eyes half-lidded... Lania whispered softly to Charlotte.
"Like?"
What came next?
So, what am I, then?
Her voice was gentle... but the implication hit like a gut punch. Charlotte's face drained of color.
"Uh, uh..."
She scrambled for words, shoving out the negatives and piecing together lies.
"Like... a model of an exemplary professor, that's what I was going to say..."
"I'm honored you think so."
Lania patted her shoulder twice, smiling contentedly. As Charlotte sweated bullets, Lania turned to Chloe.
"Student Chloe."
"Yes, Professor Lania!"
Chloe nodded vigorously at the formal address. So this is her official tone. Refreshing... She awaited the next words.
"After the ceremony, come to Lecture Room 108. I'll give a brief introduction before the makeup classes."
"Should I bring the textbook?"
"Just yourself."
Lania nodded slightly, pleased by Chloe's enthusiasm.
"See you soon."
She left those words and departed.
The moment she did, the girls exhaled in unison. They wiped sweat from their brows and glared at her retreating back.
"...How sharp are her ears?"
"Be careful. She might still be listening..."
"Come on, she's not some special forces..."
"Didn't you hear? She took down that Hound barehanded. Maybe she is special forces..."
"...Wasn't that a rumor?"
"It's true. Surprisingly."
"...No wonder it's Aphria..."
As the girls whispered, Chloe just tilted her head. She recalled Charlotte's words.
'A model of an exemplary professor.'
Truly a great professor.
Chloe beamed innocently. Charlotte's eyes shook violently at the sight.
"...Chloe."
"Yes?"
"Good luck."
"Thanks for the support!"
A girl marked by the nightmare.
A pitiable freshman.
Charlotte shook her head at the girl soon to be swept into the storm. Disaster is disaster because you can't escape even knowing it's coming.
'Poor thing.'
Everyone looked at Chloe with pity, but she was busy deciding which dessert to try first.
'They all look delicious!'
No matter what anyone said, Chloe was happy right now.
2.
Amid the ongoing ceremony, I walked through the academy grounds. I planned to head to the assigned classroom first.
'No need to show my face.'
Next up were department reps giving short declarations from the stage. With no interest in the formality, I'd slipped out of the auditorium early.
"Hm."
I glanced at the plan in my hand.
A special curriculum for the new student, Chloe. Not exclusively for her, but she was the focus.
The Hero with a unique constitution, Chloe.
The Watcher, who reads the stars' context.
I intended to develop both at once.
They were related talents. Teaching them together from this semester... by second year, both should show meaningful growth.
The curriculum was set.
All that remained was guiding the students along it. With a perfect plan, no disruptions could be allowed.
'Superhuman or not, classes must go on.'
I knew the First Prince was plotting an assault.
I knew it was a tricky situation.
But there was no time to slack—or postpone lectures for preparations.
Time is the most precious resource.
No wasting it.
'I'll handle both at once.'
Classes and protecting Aphria.
Not difficult. I'd always juggled multiple tasks. Same as always.
Chin.
As I stepped forward...
...someone entered my view.
"......"
In Aphria's garden.
A girl sat on a bench, silently staring at the ground. Face hidden, but unmistakable—platinum blonde hair.
"Princess Aila?"
She flinched at her name, slowly lifting her head. Her hair swayed.
"What are you doing out here..."
She should be at the ceremony. Why here?
I stopped the question. She looked different.
"Ah, Professor Lania..."
Her once-golden eyes were dull.
The relaxed smile was gone, replaced by a forced, weary one.
"...Is something wrong?"
"...Well."
She opened her mouth.
But no words came. She hesitated long, then shook her head with a feeble smile.
"Nothing. Just felt unwell, so I stepped out for air."
She stood.
"It's chilly. I'll head back."
Her guard knight shadowed her immediately. She usually went without one. Now, she clung to him like a lifeline. It felt alien.
Rejecting approach.
Avoiding entanglement.
I watched her back for a while, noting the change.
3.
"...Is something wrong?"
She couldn't ask for help.
She wanted to speak, but couldn't.
Aila bit her lip hard.
【Trust nothing.】 【Entangle with nothing.】 【Trust breeds betrayal, entanglement misfortune.】 Aila chewed over the three lines.
Received after countless prayers to the silent star. Then it went completely quiet. No more words.
Distrust. Severance.
The star's prophecy.
"Distrust. Sever."
She repeated it endlessly.
She trusted the star's words.
Treasured its prophecies above all.
'Always has.'
The star always showed her the path to survival. Ways to navigate royal power struggles, escape poison, hide from the First Prince's gaze.
The star always gave the right answer.
To friendless Aila, it was a kind friend. In a castle of untrustworthy souls... it was her steadfast ally.
'Always, always.'
She survived because of the star.
Endured because of it.
Now its silence terrified her. The world felt alien. Even walking was hard.
'This much.'
She'd sensed dangers ahead, moving with ease. No warning meant safety.
'This much, I...'
With starlit eyes piercing essences, she stood tall anywhere. Information superiority bred confidence.
'This much, I relied on the star.'
Its silence shook everything.
Unable to read intents, all seemed foreign. Even students she'd greeted yesterday looked strange.
"......"
Aila stared blankly at the ground.
【Trust nothing.】 Distrust.
【Entangle with nothing.】 Severance.
【Trust breeds betrayal, entanglement misfortune.】 The path to survival.
'So.'
Don't open your heart to anyone.
Trust no one.
Standing alone is the only way.
"What does that even mean?"
She couldn't grasp the star's intent.
Her eyes stayed on the ground. Without understanding, she didn't know what to do.
"...Is something wrong?"
【Entangle with nothing.】 Someone's words and the star's prophecy swirled in her mind.
Which to choose?
Aila still didn't know.
Author's Note
12 o'clock... too bad...!