Chapter 71: Hunting Evaluation — Interlude (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 71: Hunting Evaluation — Interlude (1)
“So, when are you and the top seat going to start dating?”
Inside the ship heading back to the academy, Lisetta and I sat across from each other at a small table. We were the only two in the room.
Ian and Kaya were currently resting in their respective cabins, which were essentially serving as private hospital rooms.
Just like in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the Truth Investigation Committee had been scrambled and was already waiting on the ship. If there was even the slightest hint that the situation hadn't fully resolved, they needed to be ready to respond immediately.
After the initial chaos, accommodations were provided to everyone involved in the incident to allow them to recover mentally and physically.
Lisetta and I were the first to be interrogated.
Ian and Kaya would be called in once they were awake and well-rested, but by then, we would likely have already arrived at the academy. They would only call us back if there were discrepancies between my statement and Lisetta’s.
However, there shouldn’t be any. We had already coordinated our stories, and she was sticking to the script perfectly.
Our "official" version of events went like this:
The end.
The Truth Investigation Committee’s official roster included the student council president, Alice Carroll. It was definitely in our best interest to avoid a deeper investigation once we reached the academy.
By the way, Lisetta, you brat, stop talking nonsense.
She was slouching in her chair, looking utterly exhausted. It seemed she was just spouting whatever came to mind to pass the time.
“It’s not what you think,” I said.
“Oh? Were you already dating? You’re doing great, asshole.”
“…”
Luce was currently traveling on a different ship.
When I had tried to slip away from the dock earlier, Luce looked like she was about to summon Galia, so I immediately pulled a U-turn. I hadn't expected her to summon an 8-star familiar just to chase me down.
I had made a pathetic excuse: “I thought I’d lost my exam bracelet, but it was on my wrist the whole time, haha!”
She had giggled awkwardly and said, “Of course it was.” When I read her psychology, she actually thought I was cracking a joke to make her laugh.
As if I’d ever do that, you idiot.
Afterward, I explained that I had to board a separate ship to cooperate with the investigation. Even though the professor hadn't officially instructed me to do so yet, it fit the scenario perfectly.
Luce had shot me a suspicious glare. Thankfully, Professor Fernando’s voice came through the bracelet just in time, calling for Lisetta.
—Can’t I come with you?
—From what I was told, no.
After that final exchange, Luce had walked away with a wistful, lingering expression.
I didn't think you'd treat a friend like that.
I liked Luce, but her tendency to trigger an Extra Bad Ending was terrifying. I thought I’d be fine as long as she didn't find out I was Greung… but that was a mistake.
Sooner or later, I’d have to give her a firm lecture, like teaching a child. I’d have to tell her, ‘Luce, no matter how worried you are, it’s wrong to physically restrict a person’s freedom.’
She’d likely try to argue back with logic, but I had a trump card: throwing a tantrum based on "strong moral principles." I could probably break through her logic with that.
Soon, the door opened, and a female healer stepped in.
“You two said you would act as Kaya Astrea’s guardians, right? You may come in now.”
Lisetta and I stood up and followed her.
Though it wasn't massive, an entire room was being used as Kaya’s private ward. The healers had examined her and found no physical injuries, so they were prioritizing her mental stability. Ideally, a guardian would be someone close to the victim to help put their mind at ease.
In the corner of the room, a female healer sat reading a book while she waited. Kaya was fast asleep under the covers, dressed in the light-brown robes the healers had changed her into.
By the way, I had already secured the loot while we were heading back to the dock from the volcanic cave. It was currently disguised as an earring on Kaya’s earlobe.
[Kaya Astrea]
Lv: 140
Race: Human
Elements: Wind, Ice, Plant, Blood
Danger: X
Psychology: [ ]
Ravenous or not, you’re still the same as ever.
I was visiting Kaya for three reasons.
First, to coordinate our statements.
Kaya would regain consciousness before the ship docked. This was my only chance to talk to her before the Truth Investigation Committee whisked her away. With the healer in the corner, verbal communication would be difficult.
After Lisetta and I were rescued by the proctors, we had been escorted to the dock in a carriage. During that time, I’d written a message on a piece of parchment I’d bought from an unmanned shop, planning to pass it to Kaya.
Second, I was genuinely worried about her.
I had a soft spot for Kaya. I couldn't help but be concerned.
I took the guardian’s seat next to her bed.
“You’re not going to check on that Light-element guy?” Lisetta asked.
“He has Amy and Mateo. He’ll be fine.”
That was why I felt comfortable being Kaya’s guardian. As expected, those two had volunteered to watch over Ian. According to my [Clairvoyance], they were currently talking to him in his room now that he was awake.
I didn't need to worry about matching stories with Ian; he had been knocked out cold the entire time.
“Ugh, I don’t care if either of them drops dead. I’m going to go rest. I’m beat.”
“Alright.”
Lisetta left the room. Before she closed the door, she stole one last glance at Kaya.
[Lisetta Lionheart]
Psychology: [Worried about Kaya Astrea’s physical condition.]
It seemed there was a sense of camaraderie between them as classmates.
I’ll have to give her a hint that Kaya’s okay later.
Silence fell once the door clicked shut. I looked down at Kaya. Her long, straight hair—a departure from her usual twin tails—suited her surprisingly well.
I gently brushed her pale cheek with my fingers. Her skin was soft to the touch. She looked as adorable as a puppy.
She was a girl who liked me as a man. Despite the chaos, I was just glad she was safe. From now on, I’d have to deal with Kaya’s dual personalities. But no matter which one was in control, it was still Kaya.
…Or so I thought.
Chuu—
“…!!”
Suddenly, she nibbled on my finger. It happened faster than I could react.
I felt a soft, moist sensation. Startled, I reflexively yanked my hand back. Kaya opened her eyes and looked at me.
It was… a lot to take in.
“Kaya?”
Her cheeks were flushed red. She wore a flirtatious smile. Her eyes were no longer their usual emerald green; instead, they glowed with a distinct, unfamiliar crimson hue.
“Sir Isaac, why were you caressing my face like that? Did you want to touch me that badly~?”
There was a distinct edge of playfulness in her cute voice. I already knew that "Dark Kaya" was overflowing with confidence—to the point where she would actively hit on the player—but seeing it in person was different.
It was a total 180 from her usual shyness around me. I was speechless.
Kaya’s eyes drifted to the hand that had been stroking her cheek.
“You can touch me more if you’d like…”
[Kaya Astrea]
Psychology: [Loves you as a member of the opposite sex.]
Her expression was full of longing. So damn cute…
“Ahem.”
In the corner of the room, the healer—who had been sneakily watching us—cleared her throat loudly. Kaya’s behavior was clearly making things awkward.
Get it together, Isaac. Calm down.
“How are you feeling?” I asked as calmly as possible.
Kaya sat bolt upright. “I’m fine. My body is just a little stiff.”
“Aaah…” She let out a soft moan as she stretched.
Then, Kaya stared intensely at me. Her red eyes, vivid as fresh blood, held a radiance entirely different from my own. It was mysterious, to say the least.
“What? Do you have something to say?” I asked, the silence becoming unbearable.
An unexpected question tumbled out of her mouth.
“Can I kiss you?”
Pfff—!
The healer, who had been sipping juice, spat it out and began coughing violently.
Her reaction perfectly mirrored my own.
“…Pardon?”
I was so shocked I accidentally slipped into formal speech.