Looking for the Hero (3)
There was a concept called the compulsion force.
I wasn't sure where it originated, but it was something that popped up in stories involving possessions or reincarnations.
Depending on the tale, it might be called fate's pull or the world's will, but compulsion force was probably the term used most often.
It was this invisible power outside the normal rules that forced the protagonist—who had become a character from the game or novel they loved—to stick to the original story, no matter how hard they tried to change it.
Of course, judging by how my book had completely upended the continent, I knew no such compulsion force existed. Still, I'd always assumed the protagonist Dia wouldn't stray too far from the version I'd seen in Deus ex Machina....
So why the hell is she like that? Where's my bold, badass Dia, always standing tall? Instead, there's just this trembling loner barely squeaking out a word....
And then there were the girls facing off against Dia.
At first, seeing them in their uniforms, I'd thought they were just weirdos so thrilled about getting into the academy that they wore their uniforms even before enrollment day.
But their name badges marking their status and the situation made it clear.
The classic noble supremacists from Deus ex Machina.
I didn't know these particular girls, but they were probably part of one of the aristocrat-aligned sororities.
Recalling the game, it was that childish prank where they'd lure a commoner high school girl with promises of joining their group, only to publicly humiliate her.
In Deus ex Machina, it was a common way bullies targeted Dia because she was a commoner.
"N-no, that's not—"
But Dia never reacted like this in the game.
Where was the Dia who stood proud and unbowed before nobles, even as a commoner girl? How had she become this?
"Did she ditch her friend and run? Abandon the one who stood up for her? Typical commoner scum."
……What?
Ran away?
That blonde girl from earlier?
No. That's not it.
Didn't they feel the killing intent she radiated?
That wasn't running. If Dia hadn't jumped in, someone might've ended up bleeding.
Her sudden disappearance... oh. I get it.
The two noble girls started pressuring Dia.
Just like the extras from Deus ex Machina. In the game, Dia smashed them effortlessly for that satisfying payback.
But unlike in the game, Dia was just trembling there.
……Why?
You're not this kind of girl.
Why have you become like this?
Is it the butterfly effect from the book I wrote that's done this to her?
If it weren't for me, Dia never would've ended up like this? Because of me, Dia....
Guilt crashed over me just from watching her.
It was unbearable. I closed my eyes, then opened them—and before I knew it, I was wedged between them.
"Hey. What's your business with my friend?"
Spouting whatever nonsense came to mind.
Maybe it was because I'd built up such a strong bond with Dia in my head. "Friend" just slipped out.
"……Friend?"
"...Who the hell are you? A noble?"
The redhead and bluehead recoiled in surprise at the sight of me.
I wasn't in uniform, but I probably looked the part of a noble. I'd gotten primped up in the territory for exactly this—to make a good impression when meeting Deus ex Machina's key characters.
"……No way. She can't be a noble. A commoner and a noble, friends? That make any sense?"
"True. A noble could befriend a commoner, but you couldn't call them a proper noble."
"Sh-she called me her friend...."
The redhead scowled like it pissed her off.
"Even if you're a noble, you're probably some worthless low-rank. You. Friends with that dumb-looking commoner bitch? Looks like you stuck your nose in without knowing the situation. I'm Kaita. Kaita Aykandar."
Aykandar. A count's domain in the eastern empire. The count's daughter, huh.
Not a huge or influential territory, but I'd heard it was growing fast lately. Thanks to church support.
"You've heard of us, right? So you know you shouldn't be glaring at me like that? Don't think I'll go easy just 'cause you're kinda—nah, pretty hot. If you wanna survive academy life...."
Glaring?
Was I?
……Yeah. I wasn't staying calm. I'd thought I'd gotten better at controlling my emotions since stuff like this hadn't happened lately, but watching Dia quake before these idiots was throwing me off.
"Aykandar? Never heard of it."
"...What did you say?"
"Was there a territory like that? Oh, are you from another country? A foreign student threatening an proud imperial academy student about their 'academy life'? You've got some nerve."
"……Wh-what? You just... insulted me? My family? You cocky little shit, relying on your looks!"
Mana began gathering in the redhead's right hand.
Not a very threatening spell, but using magic here? Right before academy enrollment, against another student? In front of this crowd?
Is she insane?
"No pretty face will save you now! I'll make sure you can't even attend the academy—turn you into my personal boy toy!"
The redhead formed hand seals.
Okay, I might've gotten heated and said some harsh things, but overreacting like this?
Something's off with her.
The commotion in the crowded plaza drew a ton of onlookers.
If I did anything now, all these people would see it.
Aw, crap. I didn't want to show my hand in a situation like this.
Wait. Hold up. Dia's right here.
If I show her my cool side, plant a good image, it might make it easier to join her journey?
Yeah.
Let's do it.
One arm around Dia, the other deploying a shield to block her attack.
A special one—not just blocking, but neutralizing her spell entirely.
Her magic was taking shape.
The moment that attack hits this shield...!
"Take this, you arroga—gahk!"
Splat.
The redhead, mid-cast, got smashed from above by someone and crumpled.
Her spell fizzled out completely—she must've passed out. Knocking out right before completion? That's gonna have backlash. Probably bedridden in the infirmary for months.
Passed-out redhead. Trembling bluehead behind her.
The attacker slowly stood.
Black hair, squinting eyes.
……Squinting eyes?
No way!
"My deepest apologies, Young Master Luke. Our sorority failed in properly educating our new recruits. To think they'd cause trouble before even the entrance ceremony. Young Master, can you find it in your heart to forgive us?"
First time meeting in person, but no doubt about it.
Juda Iscariot.
Currently a third-year at the academy.
Meeting her here, of all places.
But.
"Sorority?"
She wasn't the type for that.
"Oh, how rude of me. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Juda, of House Iscariot. I lead a modest group called 'Galrot.'"
"...Galrot."
"Yes, Galrot. A sacred place where we share the words of the great Deus. Interested, perhaps? Sadly, sororities are women only. ...To think a pre-arranged new recruit would stir up this mess. If it weren't for these faction games between houses, we wouldn't take in such idiots."
She bowed gracefully to me.
"Truly sorry. I'll take responsibility and expel those two. And I'll make sure they never bother you again—with thorough re-education."
She dragged the redhead and bluehead away.
The crowd dispersed naturally.
Uh... so it's all sorted then?
"Th-th-tha-th-thank... y-you...."
Dazed, I glanced sideways and saw Dia trembling in my right arm.
Why's she still shaking?
Situation's over, isn't it?
Can't even say thanks properly.
This is the protagonist?
Give me back my Dia. Wait, feels like I forgot something. "Get your hands off my friend right now, you perv!" I whipped around at the shout. The blonde from earlier was back—with dozens behind her. Oh. Right. Her.