The Senior's True Nature
The real explosion came more than a minute later.
Ran finally managed to peel the clinging Kirié off me, then bowed deeply in my direction.
“Sorry, Luna. She completely loses it whenever Aindium stuff comes up…”
“I didn’t lose it. That was common sense,” Kirié growled, still glaring at me. Even so, she was shorter than Ruwina and had such a cute face that it wasn’t particularly scary.
“Still, grabbing a clueless freshman by the collar? Apologize, Kirié.”
When even Rendel stepped in to scold her, Kirié puffed out her cheeks, turned her head away, and muttered in a tiny voice.
“…Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I should have handled it faster too. I actually thought about telling the instructors, but I was worried they’d bring a whole crowd of people I hadn’t given permission to.”
“Permission?”
I hadn’t had the chance to explain about the fairies yesterday because everything had been so chaotic. But if I wanted to convince the CT Club seniors, I would have to reveal at least some of the truth.
When I had been trapped on that cliff yesterday, the fairies had explained what a Compatible meant. It wasn’t simply someone who could pilot the Limpid Fairy. Back when everyone else had started developing and producing mostly Aind-class units because of the Nimust-class’s poor output, Meister Carol had already recognized the class’s true potential.
The theory that “the more closely something resembles a person, the stronger its magical power becomes” had existed for a long time, but the technology to apply it to Aindiums had been extremely inefficient back then. True to her genius as a pioneer in the field, Carol had begun research on properly utilizing Nimust-class units decades ahead of everyone else.
What she needed for that research were individuals possessing exceptional magical power—people once called Archmages, who had briefly stepped away from the battlefield during the age of gunpowder and tanks. There were quite a few among those Carol knew who could be called Archmages, but almost none were willing to help with a personal project that couldn’t even offer proper compensation. The sole exception was the Imperial Princess, who could be called a benefactor to one another.
Ruwina and Line’s grandmother—the former Queen Dowager of Karmanu until a few years ago—had been an outstanding mage. In the first work of the series she had been too young to play a major role, but she had still bought them time to escape by briefly disrupting the control system during their first encounter with the Aind Alpha.
According to the fairies, the result of the research conducted with magical power provided by her was none other than the Limpid Fairy. Her granddaughter Ruwina had inherited similar magical power and thus became a Compatible.
The fairies’ number one had explained that a Compatible could claim ownership of Meister Carol’s laboratory, the Aindium, and the fairies themselves. In other words, Fairy’s Hill currently belonged to me, and anyone who set foot there without my permission would trigger the same autonomous security measures the fairies had used before.
“The fairies on the hill said I’m a special existence to them. So unless I give permission, anyone who tries to enter the hill will experience the same looping or repelling phenomenon as before.”
“Ah, so that’s why the pranks suddenly stopped.” Rendel nodded as if he had just realized something.
While I had been sulking on the cliff, Rendel had approached the hill and been granted entry as someone who would help me. Thanks to the fairy bringing him, I hadn’t been hurt. That was fortunate.
“Senior Rendel has already received permission from the fairies. I’ll make sure the other seniors and Neria can enter the same way.”
At my words, unmistakable excitement flickered in the eyes of the CT Club members and Neria. Since they were among the top Aindium enthusiasts in the entire academy, it was only natural.
“But why us, of all people?”
I couldn’t exactly say because you’re all main characters, so I offered the excuse I had prepared in advance.
“If we tell the adults about this, they’ll take all the research data in the lab and haul the Limpid Fairy away too.”
I deliberately paused and made eye contact with each of the CT Club members.
“I don’t want to ruin Meister Carol’s legacy.”
Everyone nodded at my words. Thanks to the royal rhetoric Ruwina had learned, it sounded quite persuasive. Good.
“So instead of the Nimust, you’re planning to submit the Replica?”
As expected, Kirié had already caught on to my intention.
“Yes. From what the fairies told me, it seems I’m the only one who can pilot the Limpid Fairy anyway.”
Line might be able to pilot it since they shared the same bloodline, but right now I was the only one at the academy who could ride it.
“Still, using the excuse of holiday training to move an Aindium won’t be easy, will it? To bring out something like the Limpid, you’d need to move at least two units.”
“And without the instructors’ permission, manufacturing a Replica will be difficult. We’d have to order the materials separately right away.”
To Ran and Kirié’s sharp points, I had only one answer. My guardian—and an all-purpose guarantee that worked without fail inside the academy.
“I’ve already spoken with the headmaster. She said she’ll prepare the materials too.”
“Oh.”
The seniors’ gazes toward me now carried even more surprise. They looked like they wanted to ask just how close our relationship was. But I couldn’t reveal my identity yet. I had no intention of stepping forward and revealing it in the future either.
I simply smiled quietly and waited for the seniors’ approval.
However, Rendel’s expression was slightly different from the others. What was that complicated look trying to say?
Rendel opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it again. Ran, who had glanced at Rendel, nodded.
“Alright. Everyone agrees to help with this, right?”
“Of course.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m fine with it.”
“Rendel?”
“I… suppose I have to.”
Rendel answered with an oddly resolute face. Come to think of it, he had asked if I could spare him a moment earlier. I should talk to him separately before we head back.
“Thank you. Then I’ll see you tomorrow at 09:00 AM at the dormitory’s rear gate.”
The academy’s cadets weren’t allowed to use personal communication devices. So appointments had to be made the old-fashioned way. There were no satellites, so ground relay stations were necessary for transmission anyway, and some setting made it difficult to use comms freely here. These anime-like settings really ought to be compromised on a little.
“Got it. See you then. Be careful on your way back.”
“Neria. You, talk with me for a second.”
While Neria and Kirié were talking in the corner of the club room, I said goodbye to the other seniors and gave Rendel a meaningful look. After waiting outside the door for a moment, Rendel followed me out.
He hesitated briefly before standing beside me.
“Luna. Shall we take a short walk?”
“You’re not trying to take me somewhere weird, are you?”
“Absolutely not.” Rendel waved his hands in denial.
“I was joking.”
It was secretly fun to tease him. I think I finally understood why Ruwina had constantly teased Rendel in the original story.
The hallway bathed in moonlight had dim night lighting turned on. Not many people remained in the club building at this hour. The place Rendel led me to was the lounge on the same floor. It was smaller than the CT Club’s room but still spacious enough. Right now, the only people here were Rendel and me.
After confirming no one else was around, Rendel turned to face me.
“Luna. Don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say.”
“I won’t.”
Fortunately, there were no signs of a sudden confession attack. The fan site guys probably wouldn’t get the scene they were hoping for.
Rendel carefully chose his words, then looked straight into my eyes.
“We first met last year in the underground waiting room beneath the arena, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“But that place wasn’t somewhere just anyone could enter.”
“Uh… was that the case?”
Now that I thought about it, even if the CT Club members had come to comfort the defeated Rendel, it wouldn’t have been strange. Yet I had walked in and out freely?
“You weren’t acquainted with me, and you even had bodyguards with you, so it’s not like you got lost.”
Rendel’s reasoning sent a chill down my spine. Don’t tell me…?
“So I thought about it. There was another competitor there—the winner, Line from Karmanu. Luna, could it be that you know her?”
Damn it. I was screwed. This was a blunder that made ruining Rendel’s reunion look like nothing. If he found out that Line was Karmanu’s heir to the throne, it would only be a matter of time before my identity was exposed.
“…Yes.”
Denying it here would only look more suspicious. My head throbbed as I closed my eyes after answering.
Even if he didn’t know that Ruwina was Karmanu’s Second Princess, I might still be suspected of being a Karmanu spy. What if Rendel reported me to the faculty? Even if the headmaster blocked it, I doubted I could regain Rendel’s trust.
I needed to help the protagonist Rendel grow quickly so we could overcome the coming crisis together. Instead, I was in danger of being pushed out of the story entirely.
“Luna, are you okay?”
“Huh? Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
Worry was evident in Rendel’s voice. Was it because it was still only at the suspicion stage?
Rendel let out a short sigh.
“I’m relieved to hear you know Athlete Line. I was wondering if you might be some noble young lady who came to see me.”
“What? You just said no one could enter, didn’t you?”
“It happens sometimes. People with high status who won’t take no for an answer talk to the arena staff and enter the waiting room to meet the athletes privately.”
Rendel grimaced as if the thought made his teeth ache. What? Had I just been baited?
Rendel smoothed out his frown and flashed a refreshing smile.
“I didn’t think you were that kind of person, Luna.”
“…Thank you.”
The moment I saw that smile, I almost punched him. And on top of that, the assumption that I had obviously come to see him was even more infuriating.
Completely unaware of my burning insides, Rendel continued.
“So you really do know Athlete Line personally. I understand she’s quite famous. Is it because your family is also nobility?”
“Let’s go with that. Our families are… connected.”
More precisely, we were right next to each other in the family register. Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t realized I was from Karmanu.
In the Empire it might be different, but the authority of nobles in Alitus and the four neighboring countries wasn’t as strong as one might think. I wasn’t entirely sure, but the setting was probably similar to modern countries that still had kingdoms and nobility. Only a tiny number possessed territory, and since they mostly socialized among themselves, the nobles ordinary people encountered were far more familiar than expected. If I had to compare it to Earth, they were like wealthy tycoons or celebrities.
It was rare to see anyone who couldn’t even reach that level acting arrogant just because they were called nobility. This was, after all, a society driven by capital, so those with money held more power. That was why even a commoner like Rendel could speak casually to me and ask for favors. The academy valued seniority over social status.
Rendel brought up the main topic in a serious voice.
“Then, could I ask you for one favor?”
“If it’s something I can do.”
To return the story’s protagonist to his original state, I had to cooperate as much as possible. Right now Rendel was only doing things he never did in the original. I was worried whether he could overcome the crisis that would soon arrive.
“Could you personally introduce me to Athlete Line?”
“Pardon?”
Asking me to introduce him to Line out of nowhere? My first reaction was pure bewilderment. I had thought it was strange how he kept digging into my relationship with Line, but this was an even weirder request.
Next came a bit of suspicion. Did this guy have a thing for older women? The way he kept saying “personally introduce” was incredibly suspicious. A strong older woman who had beaten him in his field of expertise… It wasn’t bad, but I had never imagined Rendel would have that kind of preference. Among the CT Club members, there was a character like that… Well, she wasn’t around yet, but she would show up later.
What popped out last wasn’t exactly an emotion, but something far more direct. In a position where it wouldn’t block Rendel, a message board floated up, and even a sideways glance showed it was in complete chaos.
Just reading the titles made irritation surge through me for some reason. Dude, this is not the time to be asking for a girl’s introduction.
Ignoring the rock bass ending that had begun playing near my ear, I barely managed to open my mouth.
“What exactly is this about? You do know that Line… is from Karmanu, right?”
An academy cadet—especially one with tremendous support within his own country—making contact with a foreign Aindium pilot could cause controversy. It wasn’t like we already knew each other. In the worst case, it could even be seen as talent leakage. It would naturally put Ruwina, Line’s own little sister, in an awkward position.
“I know. The fact that Athlete Line is a foreigner isn’t that important.”
No, it is a problem. Especially if personal feelings get involved.
The message board was updating in real time, with posts flying up at terrifying speed. I clenched my fist, cooled my emotions for a moment, then asked.
“So, if you do get to meet her, what are you planning to do?”
Rendel tilted his head as if wondering what I meant, then spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I have to challenge her to a proper rematch. This time I can win.”
“……”
Both I and the message board were left speechless. A post that appeared a few seconds later perfectly captured how I felt.
** Introducing Line ended in failure. The reason was simple. I explained as clearly as possible that Karmanu’s current situation was unstable and cross-border travel would soon become difficult.
“Really? That sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it?”
“It is. So it’ll be hard for Lady Line to come here or for me to go there.”
Even while looking disappointed, Rendel still worried about Line. Maybe because he was the protagonist, he really was kind.
“Then could you watch in her place?”
“Watch what?”
“Whether my White Fang can defeat Ardent.”
“I’m still a beginner, so even if I watch I won’t really understand.”
In the anime I had seen countless battles between Aindiums, but they were usually large-scale unit battles. Sometimes they were massive battles spanning across space. Scenes of one-on-one fights without any interference from other Aindiums were extremely rare. At best, it only happened in the final boss fight when the rest of the team got eliminated one by one to create an opening for the protagonist to finish it.
Therefore, even though I had watched every Aindium series, my eye for Aindium duels was still that of a complete novice.
“It’s fine. I just want you to watch me fight.”
At Rendel’s words, more posts flooded the message board I had left open just in case. Titles like ‘Junior’ and ‘Legal Wife’ were the most common, but that wasn’t the vibe at all. You guys…
Rendel was literally a fool who only knew how to pilot Aindiums. That was probably how he had claimed the protagonist spot.
At this rate the conversation would never end. Since I needed to put Rendel back on the original story’s track anyway, meeting him often to correct his course would be best.
“Alright. If I can join the CT Club, I will. I’ll watch and see just how much stronger you’ve become since the last match, Senior.”
Hoping Rendel would work even a little harder, I gave him a bright smile. The message board grew even hotter.