Month-End Practical (4) - Initiation Rite (2)
[Late night, 12:24 AM. Entrance to the Old School Building area. In front of the Forest of Illusory Dreams.]
The seniors' love for freshmen is endless, continuing even after the academy's freshman welcome party. But isn't it just hazing under the guise of "love for our juniors"?
Stuffy types like Student Council President Julius Keiar might prattle on about Esdinas Academy traditions, but...
"...Go easy on them, just go easy."
In the end, even he couldn't outright ignore tradition as student council president. That's why this highlight of the freshman welcome—the Initiation Rite during practical training—is something even the academy instructors tacitly acknowledge.
The staff has no reason to complain. With seniors stepping up to gauge the freshmen’s combat prowess firsthand, isn't it a golden opportunity for instructors to sit back and foster well-rounded growth?
If it were a real problem, a 500-year tradition like Esdinas Academy wouldn't have let it become custom.
Right.
"We're not in the wrong."
Among the swarm of upperclassmen gathered around the Old School Building, third-year faculty student Labsil Mainichi, wearing her third-year armband, gripped her magic staff and twisted her lips into a smirk.
"It's all those special admission brats' fault for having such tantalizing research material. Heh heh heh."
"Um, Senior Mainichi?"
Second-year student Daiga Kuensei, who called her "senior," cautiously raised her hand.
"Is this really okay?"
"Of course. Just like we got hazed by our seniors, and you got it from us, now we give it right back to them."
"But..."
"Junior Daiga? This all goes on your resume after graduation."
Labsil's eyes burned with fervor.
"They beat Gale and the Old School Building crew. Whether we tie their feet down or rack up some achievement, as long as we get solid results, there'll be a clear reward after we graduate."
"Reward..."
"We won't know what it is until far in the future, but getting something like that on your resume? Priceless. 'Defeated Gale.' Or..."
Labsil tapped her temple, then pointed forward.
Pong. From her fingertip bubbled a rainbow-shimmering orb of non-attribute mana, like a soap bubble.
"If we even get a hint or clue about the theories those Old School Building kids have, it'll be huge later. Could even rewrite my graduation thesis...!"
"S-Senior..."
"Plus, just stopping Gale is enough to land a spot in any mercenary band after graduation. How could we pass this up?"
"But the student council president..."
"He's only like that 'cause he's the imperial crown prince!"
Daiga shrank at Labsil's shout, head bowed.
"For flat nobodies like us to inherit a fief, this is our only shot! Otherwise, it's just marrying some guy, becoming 'whatever lady,' and sipping tea with other airheads! Is that why you came to Esdinas Academy—to hang with them?"
"S-Senior...!"
"So...!"
"Ah, ahead!!"
Where Daiga pointed, a massive gust erupted.
Kwa—boom!!
Something surged up like a storm. The pale green whirlwind hurling skyward wasn't just snapping branches—it spun a person along with it. It didn't take long to notice.
"N-No way!"
"Run, Senior!"
"Ugh, seven teams up ahead!"
The two thrust their magic staves forward.
"Gale!! Come on out! My resume's gonna—"
Whooosh!
Something shot from the underbrush. It looked like a sharp spear, but the tip was an illusion.
[Gyaoooooh!]
Sharp as a spear tip.
"Bear doll—"
Kwa—boom!!
A straight punch from a man-sized brown bear doll.
Thud, smack, thud!
Ghostly combos to the solar plexus, gut, and jaw. No bone breaks, but precise hits severed mana flow, sealing magic use.
A signature technique of those di Ershi Empire folk.
Mana Strike [Disruption].
And the one puppeteering dolls to disrupt and subdue mana? Her.
"Evangeline...!"
"Hmph."
A girl emerged from the brush.
"Initiation rite, my ass."
Others followed. Labsil's eyes rolled back at the sight.
"If I catch even one of you!!"
No wonder.
"I'll get my thesis waived—"
Pew.
A magic bolt from the girl cradled princess-style by a gold-haired, tanned delinquent-looking guy knocked Labsil Mainichi out in a flash of light.
"Act like faculty students and write your damn thesis to graduate."
Her merciless tone toward the third-year evoked some professor.
* * *
We run.
Seniors—er, "predecessors"—block the path, but we smash through.
Rydmila Lionheart hurls wind spears into the woods, exploding and blasting seniors away. Evangeline di Ershi summons dolls to punch hazing seniors in the solar plexus, dropping them to their knees.
Pa—bang!
Unia fires [Binding] spells, golden light rings snapping around them like cuffs, restraining the lot.
We bulldoze the blockers and press on.
"Surprising."
"What is?"
"I figured you'd avoid settling things this way, Phoenix."
Unia, still in my arms, aims her staff rearward.
Pew.
The golden ring boomerangs toward the trees, spinning. A choked "Gah!" and thud follow as someone gets snared.
"Not into older women, by any chance?"
"What brought that on, Miss Unia?"
Rydmila pauses mid-scout at "older women."
"It's not about preferring older women that I let you smash seniors—it's that I can't stand injustice. Like you said, I won't just watch fools try to graduate without a thesis."
"I-Is that so?"
"Close enough, but not quite."
I keep running, Unia in arms, pointing at more blockers ahead.
"If a senior screams 'harem material,' sure. But nobodies blocking the road? Just obstacles."
"So, not your type?"
"Exactly. Doesn't mean I hate older women or anything?"
My two seniors perk up subtly. Unia and Evangeline smack their lips, looking wistful.
"Keep running for now. Not everyone's out to stop us."
"Huh? You don't mean..."
"Perfect timing."
A golden gleam appears ahead in our path.
Rumble rumble.
Two sleek black-maned steeds pulled a golden carriage, blocking us—like something out of a romance novel for ladies, big enough for six.
Clank.
The door opened, revealing a familiar face.
"Yurha Silverstar!"
Unia startles at Yurha emerging from the carriage.
No wonder—she's in merchant guild attire, Silverstar Group style, not academy uniform.
Then—
"No time to explain."
She points inside firmly.
"Get in."
"...What's your angle?"
Rydmila eyes her warily. Evangeline raises her dolls' fists, ready to smash the carriage.
"Stay still, and those chasers behind'll grab your ankles? Hehe."
"We don't trust—wait!"
"Let's board."
I hop in with Unia.
"Pardon."
"Not at all."
Yurha scoots over. I sit opposite her, trying to set Unia down—
"Miss Unia?"
"........."
—but she clings tight.
"Oh my. Seats next to me."
Yurha giggles, patting her empty spot, peering out.
"Board late, and you'll squeeze beside me? It's a six-seater, but three-facing-three."
Clunk.
"...We'll hear your scheme en route."
"Ughhh..."
Rydmila and Evangeline board, wary but compliant. Last one—
Clunk.
"Instructor Esta? You don't have to—"
"Phoenix."
She climbs to the driver's seat, grabbing the reins.
"I'll handle the horses. You manage inside."
With that, Instructor Esta whips them into motion.
"Ahh, the Old School special admits hired Silverstar!!"
"Cowardly bastards!! Escaping with money!!"
"Nooo! My graduation record!!"
Despair echoes behind, but...
"Chase 'em! Can't let 'em slip! This is senior pride!!"
"Our turf till they leave academy grounds! Rules protect us—pursue to the limit!!"
"They promised A+ for downing Gale! Scholarships too!!"
The rite ain't over yet.
"Hehe, how's that?"
Opposite me, Yurha beams.
"Why help us?"
"Simple—I invest where the money is."
She points southeast.
"Relax. I'm not your enemy."
Yurha grins at me.
"How could I not help the ones who'll make me filthy rich?"
"Filthy rich...?"
"Yep. Right now, northern Ludbekia Marquisate—our training site's..."
Snicker.
"...swarming with monster outbreak."