Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Episode 92
EP23 - Hand (2)
Gray hit the jackpot!
……but that fact didn't make everyone at Hiaka happy.
There were quite a few who were displeased by the news.
For example.
"What's so great about that punk? I don't understand."
The embodiment of jealousy, Moon Shadow Scholar Student of the Black Path, Marina!
"If you were going to do it, you should have done it with Elise. Of all people... tsk."
The extreme Black Path hater, Head Professor of the White Path, Toy!
"Are you not here today either...? Sob, I want to play with you..."
Jackpot or whatever, Elise who lost her friend!
And in a completely different vein from these three.
There was also a Student who became displeased.
"The supervising Professor for that assignment was Professor Dante...?"
It was Balmung Nibelung of the Hidden Dragon Society.
"……."
Lately, Balmung had been depressed. The entire sky, the earth, the sea, the air—everything tormented him.
There were several reasons, but it all started when the deranged Kendrake needed his help.
He ate well, used the restroom well, and exercised well, but for some reason, he began to avoid bathing.
"...Take it off. Your clothes."
"Ugh."
"I said take it off, you punk. It's time to wash."
To assist with bathing...!!
He would rather die than do it. But he had no choice.
The maids at the Hidden Dragon Hall were not safe around Kendrake, and he was the only male Student.
Quan?
That bastard had no sense of responsibility.
If you asked him, he'd laugh like a pervert and say, "Ohoho...! You mean me...!?" and probably pour toilet bowl cleaner.
In the end, it was his responsibility.
Meanwhile, Kendrake was resisting, groaning, as if he didn't want to wash.
"Ah, hurry up and take it off, you bastard! I have plans tonight!!"
"Ugh, ugh..."
Slap!!
Even hitting him felt like a loss.
It felt like bathing a bear.
Regardless, the shower turned on.
-
Swoooooosh!
But, due to his perfectionist nature, he couldn't do it carelessly.
This guy was clearly a moronic, chicken-brained Kendrake, but if he was going to wash him, he had to be as clean as a newborn baby's bottom.
And so, Balmung squeezed shampoo onto the red-headed scalp, lathered it, meticulously applied body wash to the enormous body, carefully trimmed the fingernails and toenails, and shaved meticulously.
And after such a desperate act of service...
"Ugh, uh."
Fluffy, baby-bottom-clean Kendrake, complete...!!
'...Damn it.'
Even up to this point, it was disgustingly depressing.
Next, Dennis, the Discipline Officer of Sector 4, was also a problem.
That crazy bastard who dared to request Professor Dante's assassination.
He had vowed to catch and punish him, but within three days, he had quit the Academy and disappeared somewhere.
That, too, added to Balmung's depression.
At this point, Gray was building immense recognition as a warrior in the Empire, and there were whispers comparing him to himself among the Black Path professors. This was merely a minor annoyance.
"We'll just have to rely on Gray from now on..."
"The rest aren't as good as expected, are they? Kendrake's lost his mind, and Balmung, that guy..."
What was he supposed to do?
He didn't care. He didn't care what the Black Path professors, who only thought of using him, said.
However, the fact that Dante was the supervising Professor for Gray's trip to the Empire pushed Balmung firmly into the swamp of depression. This was because he wouldn't even spar with him.
Meanwhile, Gray would often boast about his stories.
"Professor Dante told me this back then..."
"The other day, I trained with Professor Dante for 『Glass Butterfly』..."
His distress began to double.
Gray's expression, which usually held only playfulness even when he smiled, was now filled with a sense of fulfillment.
Of course, it was only natural.
To be personally tutored and cared for by the greatest genius professor in human history, who wielded time magic at 30, was stronger than rank 400 (Battalion), and exuded an aura similar to a Constellation Class... it was only natural to feel fulfilled...!!
'I'm jealous...'
When the Academy was collapsing from the Assassination War. And when he fell into despair that he couldn't do anything about it. It was Professor Dante who shattered and opened his closed worldview.
And now, he was meticulously training only Gray, and Gray was incredibly happy about it.
'…….'
Since that day, whenever Balmung felt depressed, he would always go up to the mountain behind the Academy and look down at the scenery of Sector 0.
At those times, he would feel a sense of openness and his mood would improve greatly.
However, this time, no matter how much he looked at the open scenery of Sector 0, his mood didn't improve.
Ah, it was just...
'...I'm so damn jealous...!'
Balmung was a depressed Doberman.
'…….'
But that depression felt somehow strange.
It wasn't just a simple emotion.
It felt like something was squeezing his heart tightly.
'…….'
Suddenly, a memory from his very early childhood came to mind.
A memory of his mother holding scissors and thrusting them at him. The sensation of her cutting something of his while apologizing.
Painful memories.
'…….'
Around that time.
"Everyone, please refrain from going outside as much as possible."
Princess Rebecca said to the Academy Students.
Her expression was noticeably more agitated lately.
Then Elise raised her hand and asked, "Why?"
"Why do you think?"
Rebecca sighed with annoyance and began to speak.
"Because Hiaka Academy is in turmoil."
This was what Shaman Kreutz, Department Head of the Assassination Department, had said to the professors of Sector 0 during a faculty meeting.
"The department's opening and academic exchange with the Empire are proceeding step by step."
His expression was more solemn than ever. Comparable to when he ate a new donut.
"We may be intoxicated by this great opportunity, but it is precisely at times like these that we must be vigilant. There are those who will inevitably try to get their spoons in when there's food to be had."
Even his double chin, which could have yielded three servings when sliced, did not tremble.
"Please, Professors, each of you, prepare yourselves. I hope you will not reach out for any temptation."
The meeting ended there.
⋮
And indeed, before long, his words became reality.
The opening of departments and academic exchange with the Empire, unprecedented in decades.
To carve out this enormous pie.
The spoons of powerful figures from the outside began to appear.
"Are you Senior Professor Dante Hiacapo, by any chance?"
A polite voice. Turning his head, he saw two men with pleasant appearances standing there.
They had friendly smiles.
Above their heads, names he hadn't expected were displayed.
● Nibelung Family, Kadurfin
● Nibelung Family, Mammon
The Nibelung Family.
A group with considerable power and might within Hiaka. The organization of Nibelung, the Grandmother of the 『Dark Star Constellation』.
It was the largest criminal organization of the Black Path, but it also prevented friction with overseas Black Path organizations at the border and protected Hiaka.
But why were they in Sector 0?
"What is it?"
"We are people like this, and we have entered briefly with the permission of the Betelgeuse Branch Manager."
The man smiled and handed over a business card. It bore the large letters [Hyakbong: Volunteer Group for Hiaka's Ill].
This was the name of the Nibelung Family's legitimate business.
"We heard that you have a connection with Senior Professor Kain, a master of great Illusion Magic. If possible, could you arrange a meeting with Senior Professor Kain for us?"
"Senior Professor Kain's whereabouts are classified by the department."
"We are not asking for a free favor. We have a small token of our sincerity..."
"I'm sorry."
"Ah, but if you happen to know... even a little hint would be appreciated. We are trying to do good work for the homeless and orphans."
"……."
"Please. Aren't you his top disciple?"
That's right. It was now an official stance within the department that he was Kain's top disciple.
"Well..."
There was a way to say something like 'I'll try,' like an irresponsible office worker. He possessed the social skill to get out of situations by saying things like, 'I tried, but the higher-ups wouldn't allow it~'.
But he didn't want to do that.
"I regret to say, there is nothing I can do on my end."
"Ah, I see... Then, could we perhaps request a separate meeting with Student Gray? I heard he was the supervising Professor for this trip to the Empire..."
"I'm sorry about that too."
"Excuse me-"
"Please inquire with the department for anything else."
The spoons were thus repelled.
As he turned away, a sharp muttering followed.
"...That damn bastard is so stingy."
He turned his head. As one of them lost his temper, the other tried to hold him back. 'Hey.' he said.
"Hey, you selfish bastard. Is it enough if you just eat well and live well?"
"……."
"We're doing good deeds, you know. We're doing the dirty work while you guys live comfortably. So why aren't you cooperating? Damn it, are you living in this world alone?"
Hmm. As the department opened, he was experiencing all sorts of things.
He didn't think much of it. He just kept observing them. He had to check the Nibelung Family's intentions with his 【Script】.
【 'We have more than a few Black Path Students in our organization. This is a golden opportunity to expand our organization into the Empire...' 】
【 'Branch Manager Betelgeuse said he couldn't tell us, but if we keep digging, we'll find out...' 】
There were only the expected intentions.
"Hey. Senior Professor Kain and Gray are doing pretty well these days, so you think you're something? You're just tagging along, but your ego is too inflated, don't you think?"
"Hey, don't..."
"Don't you know our company is affiliated with Nibelung? How dare you act so arrogant? Shall I teach you the fate of guys like you? Huh!?"
"Stop it. Stop...!"
He had seen enough, so he turned away.
His opponents were, metaphorically speaking, covered in shit.
He didn't want to touch them.
"Balmung!"
If he had a tail, it would have wagged, however briefly.
Amidst his depression, Balmung's expression lightened slightly.
"Brother Kadurfin, Brother Mammon."
He felt a sense of familiarity towards the family organization members he hadn't seen in a long time.
"It's been a while, kid."
Balmung wasn't particularly close to these two, but they were people he was grateful for because they had at least chosen to stand by and watch when he was being chased by the Grandmother.
When so many people were eager to hand him over to the Grandmother, that passive stance meant so much.
"Have you been well?"
"How about you? Have you been living well since you left the organization? Have you been doing okay?"
"Yes. I am doing well. I heard the department was opening, so I thought you brothers might come..."
The two organization members chuckled.
"Wow, this coward has grown a lot."
"Right."
"Back in the organization, you were still wet behind the ears and always calling us 'Brother, Brother'."
"That's right. Do you remember that? When this kid saw a ghost as a child, he ran out of the bathroom without even wearing pants, his little thing dangling..."
"Hahaha!! He did! Crying to Amelia that he was scared, was that about ten years ago?!"
Coward, that was Balmung's old nickname.
"Ah, brothers, please stop..."
Balmung waved his hand, feeling embarrassed.
"Hey. But let's sit down and talk somewhere."
"Certainly."
Then Balmung remembered Rebecca's words.
She had said to minimize contact with outsiders.
To avoid being seen by people.
"...Shall we go to the Hall?"
"Huh? Is it okay to go there?"
"If it's my room, then..."
And so, the three moved to Balmung's room.
It was a surprisingly boring and obsessive room. Not a speck of dust on the floor, and even the books on the bookshelf were arranged in ascending order.
No one would mistake it for a child's room.
"Whoa. This guy has really grown up."
The organization member patted Balmung on the back of the head and laughed.
Then he started laughing.
"Ah, this kid. He's still a child."
"What?"
"What's with the balloons, you punk."
White balloons were placed in a corner of the bed.
"Ah..."
"Ugh, this kid. Is that the kind of thing you keep? Does that look like it belongs in this room?"
"Yes. It is a bit awkward... Please sit down for now. I'll make some coffee."
After that, the three chatted about old times.
At the end of their conversation, the two organization members got to the point.
"Do you happen to know anything about Senior Professor Kain?"
"Ah. He's quite famous these days."
Actually, Balmung had been wondering about their intentions until this point, so he felt a little relieved when they got to the main topic.
"But I don't know much either. I've only heard that he's a very great person."
In Balmung's opinion,
Given that Professor Dante had suddenly appeared,
He personally speculated that Senior Professor Kain might also be an arrangement by the Chairman.
"Then what about Gray? Is there any way for us to contact Gray?"
"Why Gray?"
"Why? His family is having a lot of trouble. If a child of the Black Path is going to aim for bigger things, he needs a strong backing."
"Right. For a dragon to rise from a pond, it needs a dragon pearl. You know this too. Who in Hiaka can stand up to the Empire with strength in the Black Path?"
Balmung nodded his head as well.
He disliked the Nibelung Family. He disliked the Grandmother even more.
But their words were true. The Nibelung were the largest Black Path organization in Hiaka, weren't they?
They came with better intentions than he expected...
Rebecca had told him to minimize contact with outsiders, but if their intentions were good, it should be fine, right?
"Then I'll connect you with Gray later."
"Oh?! Really?"
"Of course. You're our brothers, after all."
"Thank you. Man. It really is only people from our organization. These professors are funny. Outside, they're human butchers who'll kill for money, but they act like professors..."
Like that, everyone was laughing amicably.
Or so it would have been. At least, until the topic of a Senior Professor came up.
"By the way, are you also acquainted with Professor Dante?"
"Yes? Ah."
Professor Dante?
At this moment, Balmung's inner tail, which had been bored for a moment, began to stir and move.
Professor Dante. He was acquainted. He respected him greatly.
"I found him quite interesting when I met him."
"In what way?"
The words that followed caused his tail to stop dead.
"He was incredibly arrogant."
Balmung was silent for a moment. Then he asked again.
In a much lower voice.
"...What?"