168. Final Exams

Maybe I'm broke, but I've still got luck when it comes to food. Stella arrived at the exact moment we finished preparing lunch.

As we all ate lunch together, Stella told us she'd lost the carriage in the fourth ambush and half her luggage in the fifth attack.

Well, she said she lost half, but it probably won't be a big problem.

It was half of the other team members' luggage she lost. The luggage Stella entrusted to me is still with me, intact.

And that's not all. Stella had packed an absurd amount of luggage, like she was heading off to war or something.

If we distribute it well and ration it, those five could comfortably eat for fifteen days.

Anyway, I'd already noticed from a distance, but up close, the change feels significant.

The Mana she wastes when using magic has dropped dramatically, and her endurance has improved.

Along with that, where her Mana's movements used to be needlessly flashy, they've now become efficient.

I don't know if she's putting what she learned from the Flame Emperor to good use, or if she could've done this with just a little instruction.

Still, since she's changed after meeting the Flame Emperor, I can say my contribution was enormous.

As time passes, my stake in the person called Stella keeps rising. At this rate, I might even be able to take ownership of Stella's human rights.

A very good trend.

"...Why are you looking at a person like they're merchandise?"

"The sunset's dazzling."

"Don't lie. Just now... I saw it all. You looked at me with weird eyes for a really brief moment."

And lately, she's gotten needlessly sharp.

She notices my changes way too fast.

"How did you even see that my eyes went weird for a really brief moment?"

"Th-that, th-that... that's... eek! I don't know!"

"Well, well."

"Ee-yaaahk!"

Stella turned her head away with a hmph! I gave her side a hard pinch and got up from my seat.

"Gnnngh... felt like I got stabbed..."

"Hm? Where are you going?"

Munching away— Eurasia, who'd been eating the butter-grilled squid she'd packed separately, rose from her seat.

"Going alone."

"Where are you going?"

"To take a piss."

"Hah... my lady! That's a bit... um, you should say it quietly... or, um... say you're going to pick flowers? Something... something like that...! There are so many ears listening...!"

"So what if they hear?"

"Even so...! But, is there a separate restroom...?"

"Of course not."

"...Then what do we do?"

"What do you mean, what do we do."

Tap— I showed her the shovel hanging at my waist.

"A shovel? Why a shovel?"

Eurasia tilted her head.

"Dig a hole with this, and that's your restroom."

"Oh, heavens..."

Eurasia covered her mouth with a shocked expression. Behind her, walnuts came pouring out of Pina's mouth as she'd been munching with puffed-up cheeks, and Stella, who'd been writhing while clutching her side, wore a hollow expression.

For kids who've never experienced this kind of thing, the restroom situation is definitely going to be the most horrifying part.

Not just these three girls— most of the other first-years will be the same.

Of course, I'm used to it.

And I'm not actually going to do my business.

"Better to go on time rather than hold it and cause an accident."

Still, I teased the kids with a giggle, then spun around and continued on my way.

*****

I strolled slowly along a path covered in sunset light.

It wasn't all that hot. There were plenty of bugs, but the wind blowing between the dense trees and the massive mountain ranges was quite cool.

My stomach was full, and the fresh forest smell was nice.

The sound of leaves rustling in the gentle breeze was pleasant to hear, and the shifting shadows they cast made for a rather lovely view.

So was I in a good mood?

No.

"How did you know I called for you?"

"When you're watching me that openly, it'd be impossible not to know."

"The other students don't notice at all, though?"

"I'm not one of those 'other students,' am I?"

Adelia Baros.

She curved her red eyes into a smile.

"That's right."

"So, why did you call me out to such a secluded place?"

"Honestly, I didn't think you'd come, Miss Eliarnes."

Adelia tilted her head.

"Have your thoughts about me changed a little? Or else..."

Just like her eyes, the corners of her lips curled upward, and a bewitching tongue licked her lips.

"...is it because you've calculated that if I lay hands on you now, you could resist?"

"Neither."

"If it's neither, then?"

"Hmm... well. It's a bit hard for me to answer with my own mouth. No matter how rude and insolent I am, I don't say things to a professor like I'll rip your throat out and kill you, or pull out your guts."

"Oh my... fufufu, then... well, all right. I'm a little curious, but since there won't be any chance to confirm it later, I'll bury the question."

Still wearing her sly smile, Adelia shook her head lightly and pointed behind her.

"There's a nice spot over there. A field where the sunset spreads out beautifully, with lots of lovely wildflowers in bloom. How about it, shall we go together?"

"Let's go."

Adelia's eyes went wide at my words, then she beamed.

"You're being awfully cooperative with me today, aren't you?"

"I have something to ask, and I figured you'd only answer if I played along like this."

"Aha...! I see. Then I'll have to make sure I answer so Miss Eliarnes isn't disappointed."

She pretends not to know what I'll ask, even though she's already laid out the price for my question.

From the start, that woman probably wanted me to ask while offering a proper price like this.

It's always like that.

She deliberately provokes me, wags her tail until I bite the bait, and then, when I finally get annoyed and ask, she makes all sorts of demands.

Of course, those demands are truly trivial, like going to a field together— light, the kind of things students and professors do, or... the kind of very, very ordinary things you'd do with family.

Still, it leaves a bad taste.

It leaves ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a bad taste because I can't figure out her intentions, and it leaves an even worse taste because, no matter how I think about it, there don't seem to be any impure intentions at all.

And it's extremely unpleasant because it feels like I'm moving exactly as a Black Wizard wants.

If I consider only how unreadable she is, she's the worst Black Wizard I've ever met across both my Past Life and this one.

Honestly.

If Adelia has no scheme and really does all this out of simple goodwill, then yes. I could understand all her actions and words without any problem.

But the gaze I still feel even now.

Her eyes, the faint Demonic Energy, the Mana, the illusion magic that sometimes slips in mid-conversation. Each and every one of those things keeps me from letting go of my suspicion.

More importantly, I'd lived through the hell of 400 years ago.

I'd seen with my own two eyes what Black Wizards became after a single order from their master.

So I absolutely cannot like Black Wizards.

"Did you enjoy your lunch?"

"I stuffed myself with dessert after lunch until sunset, so it almost became a very, very ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠delicious lunch, but thanks to someone's staring, I couldn't enjoy it properly."

"Stuffed yourself? Don't put yourself down with that kind of language."

"It's not like this is my first day acting like this. How ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠about you just let it be?"

"It's precisely because it isn't your first day that I always try to correct it. It's so upsetting when a lovely girl like Miss Eliarnes uses such harsh words."

"You sure have a lot to be upset about."

"Not a lot. The only thing that upsets me is when Miss Eliarnes acts like that."

I stopped walking for a moment and stared at Adelia.

Humming as she walked, Adelia stopped for a moment and tilted her head.

"Do your legs hurt? Want a piggyback ride?"

"Why do you keep doing this?"

"What are you referring to?"

"I'm asking why you're so nice to me."

"Didn't I answer that it's because I like Miss Eliarnes?"

Adelia answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, like she truly meant it.

"That's what I don't understand. Haven't you been kind to me since the first day of school? Why? It's the same now. Even I think my behavior is rude, you know? But you've never once gotten angry. Why on earth?"

"Because I like Miss Eliarnes."

"Ha."

The Flame Emperor, or Leona, or... well. Others.

Eurasia, Stella, Pina, Fabiana, Silina.

Sara, who stayed behind in the duchy, Uncle Kerion.

Mom, Dad.

If I heard this kind of thing from people like them, it wouldn't matter. In fact, I might even smile a little.

But the person saying this to me is a Black Wizard.

And not just any Black Wizard— the greatest Black Wizard among them.

The Black Magic Tower! Fuck, the next Tower Master of the Black Magic Tower that had appeared sometime in the last 400 years was telling me she liked me.

"I dislike you."

"Why does Miss Eliarnes dislike me?"

"Because you're a Black Wizard."

"Why do you dislike Black Wizards?"

"Same reason. Because they're Black Wizards."

"Do you hate, dislike, and loathe all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Black Wizards?"

"Not just Black Wizards. I abhor everything demonic."

Adelia wore a strange expression for a moment, then spoke again with a bright smile.

"That's a very, very sad thing... but I'll still work hard so that you can at least like me!"

"No matter what you do, my mind won't change."

"Even if your mind doesn't change, you never know what the human heart will do."

"I'm different."

"Is that so?"

I ground my teeth and glared at Adelia, but she smiled as if even that glare pleased her.

"If you walk just a little further, the field will appear. So, want a piggyback ride?"

I briefly considered climbing on and then ripping her throat out to kill her. I gave up quickly, since that person didn't seem like she'd die from something so trivial.

"Or, if you'd prefer, a princess carry?"

"I'd rather just kill myself."

"Tsk! No bad words!"

*****

As Adelia said, the field she showed me was... certainly a decent place.

Well, I'm not the type to enjoy nice scenery or pretty flowers, but a field like this was worth admiring.

"It's open and refreshing, and easy on the eyes, right? And with the sunset spread out so beautifully, the atmosphere feels even more alive."

At the edge of the field, Adelia smiled brightly.

"Now then... since Miss Eliarnes granted my request, it's my turn to grant Miss Eliarnes's request, isn't it?"

"Why are you watching Eurasia so closely?"

I asked directly without dragging it out unnecessarily.

"It's not surveillance."

At my attitude, Adelia answered calmly, without a hint of fluster.

"I'm just keeping an eye on her for her protection."

"Protection?"

"Isn't it only natural for an academy professor to protect a student, especially one in her own class?"

"That's not wrong, but I'm by Eurasia's side, so I don't need your help, Professor."

"Is that really true?"

Adelia's red eyes sparkled.

"Miss Eliarnes, are you confident you can keep Miss Eurasia by your side for the rest of your life, no matter what happens?"