On-Site Inspection (1)
Suddenly, a field survey? I shot Siel senior a look that said I had no idea what she was talking about, and she kindly started explaining.
"Actually, the plan was for two student council officers to pair up and go."
"And?"
No way she's dragging me along just because I'm the next treasurer or some bullshit like that. I asked again, feeling uneasy, and Siel senior wagged her index finger.
"Well, originally it was going to be me and the vice president, but unfortunately, she's swamped handling accounting duties too."
"Just go with Fernoba senior, then."
"If I could've gone with Lens, I would have. But she has circumstances that make it impossible...."
Is that for real? I glanced at Fernoba senior, wondering if Siel was making excuses to rope me in. Sure enough, Fernoba bowed her head like she was ashamed.
"I'm sorry, President."
"No, no. I wasn't blaming Lens. Don't worry about it."
Hmm, looks like it's not a lie after all. She really has unavoidable reasons.
"Well, if that's the case, sure, I can help. I was just worried you might use this as an excuse to say, 'You're treasurer starting tomorrow!' or something...."
"......"
She flinched. As I trailed off, wiping away my suspicions, Siel senior's body trembled slightly. Our eyes met, and now she was whistling and looking away.
...This princess, seriously. She said no word games.
"I'm just gonna head out?"
"S-Sorry! My bad! So, just the field survey, please! We're really short on manpower...!"
"Sigh."
As I started to leave, annoyed, Siel senior rushed over and clung to me. Seeing the ugly side of a princess from one nation and the academy's student council president stirred up all sorts of feelings. But in the end, I'm no different—easy to sway with a favor. I decided to accept the offer.
＊
I figured a field survey meant going somewhere far, but luckily, it wasn't too distant. Heading northwest from the academy led to a dense forest separate from the Spirit Forest. Inside it was a massive cave—today's survey site.
"By the way, junior. You okay skipping classes after today?"
"You're asking pretty late."
"Ahaha, sorry. I've been so scattered."
We were almost at the cave entrance when Siel senior finally asked, and I couldn't help grumbling. But she brushed it off with her usual innocent smile, no damage taken. Watching that smile, a chuckle bubbled up in me unbidden, leaving me speechless.
I notice it every time, but it's weirdly hard to get genuinely mad around her. Maybe it's her bright personality.
"Classes are done for today anyway. Plenty of time, so I figured we'd go right away."
"Got it. Even if there were classes, it'd be fine if I said so."
Whoa, the student council president's power really is something else. I caught a glimpse of the real influence behind the carefree princess image.
"Here we are. Shall we head in?"
"Sure."
Following Siel senior inside, the cave's signature damp, cool air hit me. Tilting my head, I could hear faint drips of water echoing around.
"Junior, better draw your sword from here."
"Got it."
I pulled my sword without argument at her advice. But puzzled why, I looked at her, and she kindly elaborated.
"This is actually a labyrinth run for first-years' practical training."
"A labyrinth?"
The word "run" felt off for a labyrinth—like it was a restaurant or something.
"Yeah. Normally, you'd seal a labyrinth right after discovery. But the monsters here are weak enough for freshmen to beat if they team up, so the academy manages it as a training ground."
"Makes sense. So this survey is...."
"Right. Freshmen will use it this year too. Just checking beforehand, you know?"
So, not too dangerous, then. Somewhat relieved, I stepped forward.
Plop. Plop.
Slimes started appearing one by one along the walls and paths.
"Can I kill those?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Unlike the Spirit Forest, mana surges here, so monster numbers recover fast. That's why we thin them out a bit during surveys."
"Keeping overbreeding in check, huh."
Splash!
Impressed by the thorough system, I swung my sword lightly, slicing a slime. We pressed on inside....
"......"
Glance.
For some reason, Siel senior was side-eyeing me like a dog desperate to poop. I'd felt those looks on the way here too—it wasn't my imagination. She'd had something to say from the start.
"Um... junior."
"Yeah."
I'm not one to pry stories out of people, so I'd pretended not to notice. Sure enough, she spoke up first.
"It's way overdue, but... I wanted to apologize to you."
"Apologize?"
"Yeah. About the terror attack during class assignments."
Ah, that. No wonder she'd been testing the waters—the topic was heavy.
"Sorry. As someone involved, you must've been dying to know what happened after, but I couldn't say much. Results were so thin, it was embarrassing to bring up."
"No need to apologize. The guy's body got blasted to bits anyway—no real leads."
I shrugged, not too bothered since I'd half-expected it.
"Yeah... The only clue left was his application, listing some fallen rural noble family. Those places have lax records—probably targeted that."
"Pretty clever."
Meaning no way to verify if it was real. Makes sense—faking identity is key for terrorists.
"Surprisingly sloppy for the academy, though. I heard identity checks are strict."
"Normally, yes. But he aced the entrance exam, apparently. They sometimes overlook things for talented recruits."
Huh. Flexibility there, too. Prioritizing skill over status sounds good, but it backfired this time.
"Plus, the explosion wiped all mana traces.... With no evidence, even insiders were buzzing."
"About it being staged?"
"Y-Yeah. Not that we doubt you guys! Just... the situation led to whispers."
"I get it. I'd think the same if I were higher up."
Worried I'd take it wrong, she stammered unusually. But it was understandable—I didn't mind. Lucky Bronheim duke's daughter was involved; otherwise, with just me and Theo as victims, there might've been no investigation at all.
"...You okay, junior?"
"Okay with what?"
"Dropping to Class C. You're the biggest victim of that attack, stuck with the short end."
Ah, that angle too. Come to think of it, the young lady griped about it last time—unfair treatment for the savior.
But....
"Not really bothered?"
"For real?"
"Yeah. No complaints about life now, classmates are good guys. Though they all bug me first for cockroaches in the dorm—kinda annoying."
I tossed in a joke to lighten the mood. Siel senior blinked blankly, then smiled.
"Such a big heart. Perfect for our next treasurer."
"Now that you mention it, I am pissed."
Seizing the chance as she flirted again, I flipped my words. She nodded eagerly, satisfied.
"Honest too. Love that."
"...Say this, say that. What do you want?"
She's crossing lines with the flattery. Still, it eased the heavy vibe, so good enough.
"Whoa, junior. Watch your step—traps too."
Glancing around peacefully, Siel senior pointed at my feet.
"Tell me these things earlier!"
"Ahaha, sorry. Slipped my mind."
Nearly a disaster, but her calm smile made me want to flick her forehead. She's senior, though—restrained myself.
Thud. Boing.
"Whoa, another one."
"I got it."
Another slime popped out; I drew my sword and stepped up. Planned to wait till close, then one-shot it.
Plop. Plop!
"Huh? It's running!"
"Hey, you little shit! Where you going!"
Sensing danger, it bolted—36th strat, beat it. No need to chase, but it bugged me, so I followed to finish it.
"Went pretty far."
"Yeah. Should've handled it myself?"
"Count it as exercise."
We hit a dead end. Owe someone a favor? Come here nicely.
Plop. Plop!
Fwoosh...!
"...Huh?"
"What was that?"
Cornering it, approaching slowly—my mind blanked. The slime, bouncing at the dead end, slammed headfirst into the wall. Suddenly, white light poured out, and it vanished into the wall.
"Senior, hidden passages like this in the labyrinth?"
"N-No, first time seeing it?"
She didn't know either. She cautiously approached the wall where the slime vanished, tapping around. No luck piercing it like the slime.
Wondering if it was an illusion, I puzzled—
Click.
"...Huh?"
She pressed something; her hand sank like a hidden button. Then—
Fwoooosh...!
"Senior!"
White light engulfed her feet, just like the slime.
"J-Junior! Stay back! Dangerous!"
Instinct screaming danger, I lunged for her as she tried pushing me away. Couldn't shake it with her mana. Only option: yank from outside.
Grab!
"Got...!"
Barely caught Siel senior's hand—pull now, and—
The light around us faded, vision flipping upside down.