Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Puppet
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Catherine looked at the woman sitting across from her.
“Still no word from him, Rachel?”
“…No. He definitely said he'd call when he got to the city….”
Lake-blue eyes and ivory hair, a rare sight even at the academy, which was overflowing with various races and ethnicities.
“Maybe he went to the exam site first?”
In the sparsely populated cafe, their beauty was particularly striking. Catherine was confident in her own looks, but that didn't mean she thought she was better than Rachel.
If Rachel was a natural beauty, Catherine's was the result of several months of bone-grinding effort.
“I hope so, but….”
“The Young Master can be a bit thoughtless about things like that, can't he?”
“No, that's a bit….”
“Surely the Young Master wouldn't have forgotten, right?”
“No, Allen wouldn't do that….”
*Then what am I supposed to do?* The corner of Catherine's eye twitched. She was grateful for Allen's help. He had given her a new opportunity and, with it, hope.
The same went for Rachel. She was always thankful to the woman who had helped her adjust to the academy in every way possible.
…Even so.
“Catherine, do you think he really hasn't arrived? Or maybe something happened and he can't get in touch….”
“No, Rachel. That's impossible.”
“Don't tell me I sent too many letters and he got tired of me…!”
“Rachel, please….”
Being stuck between these two was so awkward.
*Some people can't even if they want to.*
Catherine, who had been glaring at her, sighed at the sight of Rachel's trembling eyes.
*Right, it's not her fault. It's all Young Master Allen's fault.*
*He should take care of his own fiancée.* Catherine reached out to her, as she usually did.
“Now, Rachel. Calm down a little and let's think this through….”
Just as she was trying to calm her down, she heard other students talking.
“…what do you think?”
“Hey, have you seen the level of the new freshmen? It's insane.”
“The magic side? Or martial arts?”
Normally, she wouldn't have paid any attention.
But she could see Rachel's attention being drawn to them.
“Both sides are crazy good. I bet they could beat the second-years.”
“They're that good? What are their names?”
“Hold on, I can't remember… I think it was, ah….”
Catherine felt a sense of foreboding.
*Please, please don't let his name come up right now.*
She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping against hope.
“Al? Ah, no. Haizel, yeah, I think it was Haizel.”
She let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew, Rachel, let's just wait a bit longer….”
“He's pretty much guaranteed to be at the top, and competing right below him are the famous Descendant of the Hero and… another one named Allan? Allen? Something like that.”
*CRASH!*
A yellow light flashed.
“What did you just say?”
“Y-Yes? S-Senior, what did I…?”
The male students stiffened at the sudden appearance of Rachel.
“Allen.”
“Yes?”
“The freshman you just mentioned, was his name Allen, Allen Reinhardt?”
“W-Well….”
She asked again, her face cold.
“A man with blue hair, an expressionless face, and sharp eyes. Is that him, junior?”
The student searched his memory and nodded.
“Y-Yes, I th-think that's right…?”
“Thank you.”
The moment she heard his answer, Rachel shot off toward the exam site with all her might.
“Ah! Rachel, where are you going!”
“Sorry! See you in a bit!”
“No, wait, no….”
*Then who's supposed to clean up this mess…?*
Looking at the tables and chairs thrown into disarray by the aftershock of Rachel's teleportation, Catherine pressed her temples to smooth out her frowning brow and sighed.
*Calm down, stay calm. It'll be a disaster if I get wrinkles.*
She still remembered.
The words he had spoken to her on the day they met alone in his room.
[Lady Catherine, what you must do is simple.]
“E-Excuse me, are you Lady Catherine…? A first-year, like us….”
“Yes, that's me.”
The reason she had scraped together her non-existent talent to improve her skills and work so hard.
[Become more beautiful than anyone else.]
“You seem to be in trouble… would it be alright if we helped?”
“Yes, we can handle the heavy lifting.”
Catherine offered them the clear, bright smile she always practiced in the mirror and expressed her gratitude.
[So captivating that you charm anyone who sees you. Not just on the outside, but on the inside as well.]
“Oh my, I was in a bind. Thank you so much.”
“It's nothing at all.”
“It's half our fault anyway, so it's fine.”
At her praise, the male students' faces turned red as they quickly began to tidy up the cafe.
[And.]
“Thanks to you, everything was cleaned up quickly.”
“W-Well, if you have some time….”
“Oh, it's already time for me to go. But what was it you were saying just now…?”
“Ah, it was nothing! Goodbye!”
She smiled brightly and turned away.
[Catch his eye.]
“Yes, you too.”
She began to move as well.
If Allen was here, then 'he' must be here too.
[Become one of his women.]
* * *
Anastasia narrowed her eyes and stared at the 7th Examination Hall.
The test here was one of mental fortitude.
A place that used illusion magic to gauge not only their innate mental strength but also how 'complete' their vessel was.
In one corner of the examination hall sat a man she knew.
“Number 928, Julius Reinhardt, is that all you can do, unlike your brother! Are you even from the same family!”
“I will do my best!”
He was different from what she had expected.
Julius responded to the examiner's shout in a voice full of confidence.
But for all his confident shouting, he failed to show anything impressive.
Cold sweat dripped down his face.
He barely managed to defend against the attacks testing his mind, not even daring to touch the barrier that constricted his entire body.
Julius was so different that she wondered if he was the same person she knew.
His once-powerful magic was gone, replaced by a mouse-like trickle, and the fierce momentum that had crushed the dark mage had completely vanished.
*This... is strange.*
If he were to unleash the lightning that had purified the dark magic plaguing the divine beast's body, he could shatter such low-level magic in a single blow.
It was as if the current Julius was deliberately hiding his skills.
*Why?*
She didn't know.
Young Master Allen, who had been in the same examination hall, had just barely finished second, engaging in a competition of their own.
Given the personality she knew, it wouldn't have been strange for Julius to join that competition.
*...And yet, the reason he's putting on such an act here is...*
There's a reason he has to hide his skills?
Allen's attitude was also incredibly suspicious.
If he were the ideal older brother she had known him to be, it wouldn't have been strange for him to rush over at the sight of Julius's poor performance.
But he seemed too busy focusing on his own test to care about what situation Julius was in.
*It's as if he's being chased by something...*
A look that didn't match his usual relaxed demeanor.
The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
Julius has a reason to hide his power.
It's something Allen also knows about but cannot resolve.
*...But is there anything that would warrant that?*
A reason that would make those with sufficient military might and political power act in such a way?
She could see the outline of the puzzle, but the space in between was empty, leaving her unable to understand.
But Anastasia was certain that there was something behind their actions.
The problem was, she wasn't the only one who had noticed.
“Hmm, he seems so different from the man we knew….”
Helena, the third princess of the Livre Kingdom who had met Julius before, gazed at him with suspicious eyes.
“What do you think?”
“I agree with Your Highness.”
In response to her question, Irene stared intently at Julius with unreadable eyes.
“I told you, you can call me Helena. You're so stiff when he's not around.”
“…My apologies.”
“His brother, too, doesn't match the personality he described….”
Upon hearing that Julius was heading to the academy, she had arranged for a proxy to manage her family and came here.
“In any case, it seems something has happened to him… I suppose we should go help.”
Helena met the gaze of the elf staring at her without looking away.
“It seems he already has competitors, so the sooner, the better.”
She laughed softly and whispered to Irene.
“You'll come too, of course?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
At that answer, Helena replied with a satisfied smile.
“Then let us go. It seems he has passed this test as well.”
Three women began to approach him, who was drenched in sticky sweat.
* * *
Contrary to his expectations, he had barely secured second place in the entrance exam.
The competition had been far fiercer than he'd anticipated.
From the renowned Descendant of the Hero, who was expected to take the top spot, to the scion of the Dragias family, one of the three great houses.
It wasn't a situation where he could afford to hold back his power as he pleased.
Because of that, he had been forced to reveal more of his cards than he had originally intended to keep hidden.
*I wanted to keep the Dragon's Heart hidden, at least.*
Unlike his physical body, which would inevitably be revealed in combat, he had no intention of unveiling the Dragon's Heart for the time being.
Near-infinite magic and sensory perception.
The theoretical ability to use both internal and external magic infinitely—how alluring was that?
His mind and body still couldn't withstand the overload, so he couldn't use it for long, but he estimated its instantaneous output was at least on par with a top-tier 6th-Circle mage.
And that was only because Allen's specialization was relatively unrelated to combat; he couldn't imagine what it would be like if he had delved into elemental attributes.
*...It seems they haven't completely figured out that it's a Dragon's Heart yet, though.*
But they must have noticed that his heart was different from the rings formed by a normal Circle system.
He turned his head, following a gaze that pricked his skin.
A young man with a dark complexion and a gloomy aura was staring intently at Allen.
Elnix Dragias.
The youngest son of the Dragias family, one of the three great houses.
One of the competitors who had vied with him for second place, the man who had been pushed down to fourth, behind the Descendant of the Hero.
His pupils were fixed on Allen, not even a single tremor disturbing them.
He had a good guess as to why.
「I smell a filthy lizard.」
*The bloodline of a dragon.*
「And a mixed one, at that.」
When he focused his mind, he could faintly feel a pull from him.
He was probably staring so intently at Allen because he was feeling the same thing.
Elnix Dragias—no, not just him, but everyone in the Dragias family must be inheritors of dragon's blood.
*They said the three great houses survived even after the Great Collapse.*
He thought he understood why.
To have inherited the blood of dragons.
Whether by choice or by force, if they had fully assimilated it into their bodies, it wasn't strange that they had survived that catastrophe.
Even Allen, who had transformed into the body of a giant, had undergone immense changes.
Ignoring his gaze, he turned his head to the side.
Flawless, snow-white hair like a snowflake and an expressionless face to match.
One of the main characters occasionally mentioned in the black book, a woman who claimed to be the true Descendant of the Hero.
*Maria Caritas.*
She bit her lip slightly, as if displeased with her ranking.
For the sake of the future, Allen wanted to befriend her in case he ever needed to keep the Demon Lord in check.
*But not now.*
This wasn't a good time for a conversation.
Before she could notice his gaze, Allen turned his eyes to the man standing at the very front.
The 'protagonist' of the 'original story' Julius had mentioned countless times, the reincarnation of the first Demon Lord who had fought the first Hero, and the man who would one day possess the power to destroy a nation on his own.
He had finally met him.
*Haizel Kailus.*
The reason for Julius's actions, and the man suspected of being the owner of the last gray book Allen possessed.
Black hair and black eyes.
His face, full of annoyance, seemed utterly unimpressed by the situation, and his clothes were impeccably neat.
*Are there no outward features that would mark him as a Demon Lord?*
His features were distinct, but he wasn't handsome enough to be called so by noble standards.
Having black hair and black eyes couldn't be proof….
*Did a family named Kailus even exist?*
He felt like he'd heard it somewhere before. A detailed investigation seemed necessary.
Allen hadn't been observing him for even a single breath's time.
“…Hm?”
Haizel turned his head.
Looking directly into Allen's eyes.
Allen did not show a hint of surprise.
*I was observing him stealthily, even using my sensory perception.*
To catch him with just a single glance.
Allen realized that perhaps, even if he had given it his all, he might not have been able to take the top spot from him.
But Haizel just grinned, as if he had read his inner thoughts.
“I'm a bit sensitive to gazes, you see.”
“…If I made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
“No, it's not that I was uncomfortable... It's just a little, surprising.”
The successful candidates of the entrance exam began to gather in the central plaza. The examiners in charge of the test lined them up, and now only the final rite of passage remained before entering the academy.
“I was just wondering how you were still alive.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“I mean, for a puppet, you follow orders so well, don't you?”
For a moment, Allen couldn't hide his bewilderment.
Seeing his reaction, a hint of puzzlement crept into Haizel's voice.
“You don't even know your own situation? Did those bastards change their methods…? No, that can't be.”
“Those bastards? What do you mean by that… wait!”
The moment Allen hurriedly opened his mouth, the man in charge of the entrance exam called Haizel's name.
“Number 1102, Haizel Kailus! As is the academy's tradition and rite of passage, we will now see if you can become the master of the Holy Sword! Step forward and touch the hilt of the sword!”
“Well, it's not my problem anymore.”
Haizel said, walking slowly across the red-carpeted plaza.
“If you're really curious, come find me later. Or don't, I don't care.”
His light wave might have seemed flippant at first glance, but Allen was in no state to care about such things.
*Me, a puppet?*
To what?
Or to whom?
Was it just a trap to unsettle him?
*Is there any reason for that?*
Or what was the true meaning behind those words?
Allen, who had believed he was acting of his own volition, felt his mind grow complicated at his words.
“Wooooah!”
“Holy crap, did you see the Holy Sword react? How many years has it been? Wow….”
“Was it 17 years? This year's freshmen are really….”
But there was no time to think.
“Number 572, Allen Reinhardt! It's your turn! We're short on time, so let's move as quickly as possible!”
In the center of the plaza, which had turned red, the Holy Sword—the foundation and pillar of this city—was embedded in a crude rock.
He didn't know when he would have another chance to be this close to the Holy Sword.
*I might never get another chance to see one of the other Five Great Divine Artifacts like this...*
Allen could no longer focus on the entrance exam.
At the edge of his vision, he could see Haizel disappearing into the academy, drawing the attention of many.
*...I don't have time for this.*
He might not get another chance to be near the Holy Sword, but right now, understanding the meaning of his words was more important.
As soon as Allen gripped the hilt, the blade of the Holy Sword flashed, emitting a brilliant light.
“No way, he's doing it too?”
“The level of this year's freshmen... it's truly awe-inspiring.”
“If the Descendant of the Hero also makes it react, won't that be three in a row?”
In his chest, the orb—one of the Five Great Divine Artifacts he possessed—trembled faintly.
He left the plaza.
Just as he ignored the cheers of the crowd, the reaction of the divine artifact, and all the stares, turning in the direction Haizel had disappeared—
“Ah.”
A yellow light flashed, and a pair of sky-blue eyes blocked his path.
“Allen, what are you doing here?”
The scent of lily of the valley mixed with the floral spring breeze.
“You never called. What are you doing here? I'm asking you.”
Along with a voice he had missed.
“…Rachel.”