Volume 5
Chapter 17
As the sun, having risen from the east, reached its zenith, I, Jihad Raundel, surveyed the exercise area from atop the observation deck installed at the operations headquarters.
"No problems so
far, it seems..."
I muttered that after
surveying the surroundings. The exercise area was covered by forest, so I
couldn't directly see the situation from the observation deck, but I couldn't
sense any unsettling atmosphere in the area. At least for now, there seemed to
be no abnormalities.
When I casually looked
down from the observation deck, my eyes first fell upon the tent housing the
operations headquarters. Teachers managing this exercise bustled in and out of
the tent.
In front of the
operations headquarters, students who had dropped out of the exercise had
gathered, and among them were some injured students.
Students with minor
injuries simply received medicine, while those with more severe injuries were
being treated by Ms. Norn in the tent set up next to the operations
headquarters.
There were some
injured, but no reports of casualties had come in, nor had I received any
reports of intruders in the exercise area.
For now, seeing the
exercise proceeding without major trouble, I let out a sigh of relief.
At that moment, I
realized that I had been uncharacteristically tense. I felt a little amused by
myself, and my lips relaxed into a smile.
Perhaps I was becoming
nervous due to various recent events, such as the Cyclops massacre and the
black beast incident.
(But it's certainly
true that I can't let my guard down...)
The black beast
incident was gradually coming to an end. The discovered black beast had been
defeated, and its corpse recovered and was currently under investigation. For
now, there had been no other reports of black beasts, and it was almost certain
that it was a lone entity. Also, there had been no particular change in the
movements of the forest's magic beasts.
On the other hand, the
Cyclops incident. There had been no progress on that matter so far.
It was already known
that it was defeated by a human or something related to one. However, although
Captain Mauz of the security forces and members of the Silver Rainbow Knights
were pursuing the perpetrator, the individual who did it had still not been
identified.
When the giants'
bodies were discovered, it was already night, and with few people available, we
couldn't bring back all the bodies. We could only bring back fragments such as
severed arms and pieces of flesh, and no clues were found. When we visited the
site again the next morning, the giants' bodies were already too damaged to
retain their original form.
What we did learn was
that from the cuts on the severed arms and other parts, all the wounds were
made by the same weapon, indicating that the one who massacred the giants was
likely acting alone.
Since the giants
suffered fatal wounds with almost a single blow, the opponent's rank was at
least S-rank. This person possessed power comparable to my own.
Such a powerful
individual might be in this Arcazam.
(What would happen if
I were to misstep...? Depending on the situation...)
Before I knew it, my
hand had reached for the companion on my back.
Thinking that far, I
realized that I had unconsciously been operating under the assumption of
fighting that opponent, and had been thinking only of that.
(... I'm too
impatient. It seems I've become impatient without realizing it, because I can't
get a clear picture of the other party.)
Closing my eyes, and
feeling the wind blowing against the observation deck, I exhaled deeply.
The feeling of
impatience in my chest still lingered within me, smoldering but not flaring up
greatly.
For now, that should
be fine. It wouldn't be too late to address this matter once it was clear who
defeated the Triclops. I didn't know if they had already left this city or were
still in hiding, but for now, Arcazam's operations themselves hadn't been
significantly affected.
(... For now, it's
probably best to focus on what's in front of me. Today's exercise is only halfway
over. I hope nothing happens... Hm.)
Just as I concluded my
thoughts, I heard the sound of someone ascending the observation deck.
Turning around, I saw
it was Ms. Inda, the homeroom teacher of the 2nd Class.
"You were here,
Jihad-sama. Half of today's exercise time has passed, so I've come to
report."
"Is that so...
And how is it?"
Ms. Inda directed her
sharp eyes to the report in her hand.
"Currently, the
parties continuing the exercise have been reduced to one-fifth of the total.
Also, the parties of Irisdina Francilt and Tima Lime from the 1st Class, the
party of Lisa Hounds and Ken Notice, Kevin Ardinal's party, and Shina Juliel's
party from the 2nd Class have defeated special targets."
Ms. Inda, who read the
report in a crisp and efficient tone, handed the report in her hand to me.
I received the report
and read through it myself.
The pendants worn by
the exercise participants had a spell cast on them for emergencies.
This spell displayed
the pendant's location information on a map with a special magic formula, which
allowed for quick identification of students' positions in emergencies and also
showed how many pendants each party possessed.
"I see... I
thought it wouldn't be strange for those from the 1st Class to be defeated, as
their abilities were high but their experience didn't keep up... but it seems
they've grown properly."
I praised them
genuinely as I read through the report for having defeated the special targets.
Even among A-ranks,
there was a clear difference in experience between students and teachers. No
matter how high their abilities, that difference in experience should not have
been easily overturned.
These still unripe
students had defeated the fully ripened teachers. Of course, they had the
advantage in numbers, but that alone would be enough to confirm their growth.
"Moreover,
there's also a 2nd Class party that defeated a special target. Ms. Inda's
students are also excellent, aren't they?"
And they were the ones
who defeated the black beast. I see, so that previous incident made them
grow...
"Y-yes. Thank
you. They've been making remarkable progress recently. Their coordination
between party members is especially good, and I was frankly surprised. I was a
bit worried when Feo Lizitsa, who never got along with them, joined their party
for this exercise, but looking at these results, I see no problems. ...They are
my proud students."
It was rare for her,
who was usually so calm, to raise her voice with such excitement, which showed
that she was secretly happy about her students' growth.
Ms. Inda's face was
slightly flushed, but the next moment, her expression clouded over.
"Actually,
there's still..."
Ms. Inda hesitated as
she spoke. It seemed she still had something to say.
"Hm, is there
something else?"
"Y-yes. Actually,
there's one more party that defeated a special target..."
Prompted by her words,
I read further in the report, and indeed, there was one more party that had
defeated a special target, in addition to the previous four.
"Nozomu Bountis
and Mars Dickens, huh..."
Those names sounded
familiar. Mars Dickens was a student known for his high abilities but
problematic behavior.
The other, Nozomu
Bountis, was one of the academy students who encountered the black beast, just
like the students from Ms. Inda's class who defeated the special target.
I hadn't heard many
good things about him from other teachers and students, but he was a boy who
intrigued me a little.
I knew very well how
dangerous that black beast was. Incredible vitality and regeneration. And its
most notable characteristic was its ability to absorb and transform other
living beings.
It had been 10 years
since I encountered that beast, and honestly, I didn't want to remember that
time.
He encountered such a
beast, took on the role of decoy by himself, and survived. Of course, luck
might have been a factor, but it couldn't have been just that.
"Y-yes. The
number of members in their party is the largest among the parties that defeated
special targets, but..."
It seemed she couldn't
believe that Nozomu Bountis's party had defeated a special target.
Indeed, a 10th-class
party defeating a special target was unprecedented since Solminati Academy was
founded.
While thinking so, I
continued reading the document in my hand.
"Their opponent
was their homeroom teacher, Anri Var. ...Are you perhaps suggesting she went
easy on her students?"
"No... not that,
but..."
Ms. Inda answered my
question with a slight hesitation. Judging by her expression, her most
appropriate emotion seemed to be confusion, and she didn't seem to assume that
this result was due to unfairness on Ms. Anri's part.
"Indeed, she is a
teacher who is very close to her students, but she certainly would not go easy
on them in a situation like this."
Ms. Inda was a very
capable and strict teacher. Her competence was evident from her being a
homeroom teacher for a high-ranking class, the 2nd Class, in this academy at
the age of 20.
She also took pride in
this academy and sometimes took charge of 1st Class lessons in my stead when I
was busy, showing her diligence and sense of responsibility.
Therefore, she was
someone who couldn't tolerate dishonesty or mistakes, but she tended to be
inflexible and somewhat rigid in her thinking.
In contrast, Ms. Anri
possessed a temperament that could be said to be the complete opposite of Ms.
Inda.
She was extremely
generous and kind.
At times, her kindness
might be seen as excessive by others, but she was certainly not someone who
would go easy on students in a situation like this. She was a woman who fully
understood the difference between pampering students and being kind to them.
"While she is
someone with different views than yours in many respects, I believe she shares
the same perspective as a teacher, do you not agree? In the first place, actual
combat is where unpredictable situations can occur. Isn't it for such times
that we train our students every day?"
The reason Ms. Inda
was confused by the 10th Class party defeating a special target was probably
because she herself had concluded that this result was impossible.
Actual combat is
unpredictable. In that sense, wouldn't producing this unpredictable result have
been extremely beneficial? Both for the students and for us teachers.
"Yes... I
apologize. I never thought they could defeat Anri-sensei..."
Ms. Inda said, bowing
her head. She seemed ashamed of her own short-sighted judgment.
But I was probably the
same. Just a moment ago, I, too, was caught in my own short-sighted judgment,
just like Ms. Inda now.
"Don't worry
about it. Everyone is inexperienced. Just a moment ago, I was laughing at my
own inexperience."
"Huh?"
Ms. Inda let out a
dazed sound at my sudden words. At her rare expression, her usual deep frown
replaced by surprise, I inadvertently let out a laugh.
"Fufu. Well, shall
we return to headquarters?"
"Y-yes."
Ms. Inda followed me
as I began to descend the observation deck.
(Nozomu Bountis,
huh...)
He was said to be the
biggest failure since the academy's founding, but was that really true?
Since he encountered that
beast and survived, that story seemed very unlikely to be true.
And now, with the
defeat of Ms. Anri, that thought grew even stronger.
Ms. Inda had been deep
in thought, her hand on her chin. She was probably thinking about Nozomu
Bountis.
Ms. Inda's opinion of
him probably wouldn't change easily. However, I hoped that this would be some
kind of catalyst for her, who had always judged students only by their grades
and such.
Arcazam was still
young. Both the students and the city, and the teachers too.
(Regarding Nozomu
Bountis, should I ask Ms. Anri about him sometime?)
At that moment, a wind
stronger than any calm wind before blew.
"... Hm."
I felt as if something
was mixed in with that wind. An unusual atmosphere spreads with ripples, like
paint dropped into clear water.
It was something I
often smelled 10 years ago. The smell of the battlefield.
But that sense of
incongruity immediately melted into the air of the training ground and became
imperceptible.
(.... I hope nothing
happens.)
Perhaps it was because
I had been thinking about the Triclops and the black beast earlier. A faint
unease crossed my chest.
***
In the northern
section of the training area, my three-person party, consisting of Ken, Camila,
and myself, was scouting the surroundings.
"Things are going
smoothly so far, it seems."
I murmured, holding up
the pendants we'd acquired from other parties.
We had defeated
several parties and even a special target while moving counter-clockwise
through the southern part of the training area this morning, earning a
considerable amount of points. We don't know if we're currently in the lead,
but we're definitely in a position to aim for the top. After a short break, we
resumed our activities to earn even more points.
"That's true. But
honestly, it's only natural since we're the only A-rank party besides
Irisdina's group. Parties other than theirs or Kevin's aren't a threat at
all."
Ken said, his lips
twisting into a smile. His expression seemed to hold disdain for the parties we
had defeated.
I wonder why...
watching Ken now, my chest feels strangely unsettled.
"Hey, Ken. Have
you changed recently?"
Camila asked, her tone
accusatory, as if she was thinking the same thing I was.
"Hm? Why do you
think so?"
"Because
you..."
"I haven't changed
at all. Nothing at all... Right, Lisa?"
Ken said, smiling at
me. Ken, who supported me when Nozomu betrayed me. The same smile as always,
unchanged from before.
But why? Even though
it's the same as always, a smile that should bring relief... the unease in my
chest won't subside.
"... Yes. Ken
hasn't changed at all."
"See?"
"............"
I ignored the
uneasiness in my chest and continued speaking. Ken smiled as usual at my words,
but Camila's expression remained stiff.
"If Lisa says
so..."
"That's right.
Ken hasn't changed at all..."
Yes, he hasn't
changed. Ken couldn't possibly change. He wouldn't disappear from my side like
him...
"Let's drop this
topic. More importantly, about what we'll do next... Hm?"
Just as Ken tried to
change the subject, a sound came from a distance. The clash of metal and
someone's shout. It was probably a party engaged in combat.
"... It's gone
quiet."
However, the sounds of
conflict quickly faded. The battle was probably over.
"... What should
we do?"
"Right. We should
probably check who was fighting, and if possible, defeat them with a surprise
attack, don't you think?"
Ken replied to
Camila's question.
I agreed that there
was no problem with that. With a considerable number of parties having dropped
out this morning, opportunities to earn points were dwindling. We wanted to
earn as much as possible while we could.
I nodded to the two,
then lowered my stance and began to move towards where the noises had come
from, suppressing our presence.
***
In the northern section
of the forest where Lisa and the others were, two parties were fiercely
competing, but the battle was overwhelmingly one-sided.
"Hah!"
"!"
A girl with jet-black
hair slashed a male student's arm with a swift strike like a gale. Without
waiting to see the student drop the sword he was holding, the girl immediately
reversed her rapier and struck the male student's chin with the pommel.
The male student's jaw
snapped up, and as he fell, the pendant around his neck glowed red.
"Phew..."
The female student
with the rapier, Irisdina Francilt, let out a deep breath and sheathed her
rapier.
"... It seems to
be over."
Tima Lime, who was
behind Irisdina, spoke to her.
Around them, six
students lay defeated. All their pendants glowed red, indicating their
disqualification.
"Yeah, honestly,
it was quite a struggle, but... are you guys alright?"
"Y-yes...
Somehow..."
Irisdina and her team
spoke to each of the defeated students. It was typical of them to even provide
simple magical healing to those who were injured.
After the treatments
were finished, they handed their pendants to Irisdina and returned to the
operations headquarters together.
Tima handed a magic
potion to Irisdina, who had seen them off. It was a medicine that healed the
mind and promoted mana recovery.
"Ai, good
work."
"Ah,
thanks."
Irisdina swallowed the
received potion. Tima also took out a potion and drank it.
"Phew..."
Irisdina, who had
finished her potion, let out a deep breath and looked up at the lush trees.
Her expression was somehow
melancholic. Combined with her graceful and artistic appearance, it was an
enchanting sight, but Tima, who had been observing her best friend out of the
corner of her eye, keenly sensed the hesitation mixed within Irisdina's
gesture.
"Ai, are you still
worried about Nozomu-kun?"
"... Yeah."
Irisdina answered,
looking down and squeezing out the words. Tima felt her chest tighten as she
watched her. She thought that her own words had led to her best friend's
troubled expression.
"... Hey, Ai.
...Honestly, I regret it."
"...
Regret?"
Irisdina made a
dubious face at Tima's sudden words.
"We talked about
it before, didn't we? That Nozomu-kun's been acting strange lately..."
"... Yeah."
Nozomu had been acting
strange lately. Realizing this, they tried to talk to Nozomu, but it was Tima
who stopped them.
Tima, who had been
isolated from others due to her own immense power. Being particularly
sensitive, she sensed that Nozomu's worries were quite deep and a heavy burden
for him. She suggested waiting for Nozomu to talk on his own rather than trying
to pry.
This was partly due to
her own personality, which hesitated to intrude on others in relationships, and
also because Irisdina and Mars had been quite insistent when they discussed
this.
However, as a result,
a strange rift formed between Nozomu and Irisdina's group. Even if it remained
superficially unchanged, the rift gradually widened.
"... But perhaps
we should have talked to him first... Because of that, Mars-kun also seems
strange lately..."
As Tima said, Mars had
also started acting strange lately, seemingly influenced by Nozomu.
He repeatedly engaged
in reckless training, and each time, Tima told him not to overdo it, but Mars
would say he understood and yet showed no signs of stopping his reckless
training.
Her chest ached
whenever she saw that sight.
It was certain that
her suggestion was one of the factors that cast a shadow on their relationship
with Nozomu and Mars, and their own relationship.
"... No, it's not
just your fault, Tima. I couldn't talk to him either. Even though I wanted to
hear what he had to say, I couldn't bring myself to step in..."
However, it wasn't
just Tima; Irisdina also couldn't approach Nozomu. They stopped pressing Nozomu
at Tima's suggestion, but that was merely a discussion about "waiting a
little longer until Nozomu talked," and there were plenty of other
opportunities to ask later.
(Why couldn't I ask
him...?)
Irisdina had so
desperately wanted to know about Nozomu in her heart, yet she couldn't take
that step.
When she realized
that, Irisdina was struck by a tightening sensation deep in her chest.
"!"
Before she knew it,
Irisdina's hands clenched her own clothes over her chest, but she herself
didn't know why.
Thinking about Nozomu
warmed her chest, but at the same time, it ached as if torn. An indescribable
anxiety welled up, overwhelming her heart.
She kept wondering
why, but her mind was a jumble of thoughts that wouldn't coalesce, spinning in
circles.
She shook her head
vigorously to try and reset her disorganized thoughts, but only her lustrous
black hair swayed, and her mind remained completely unsettled.
No, not only that, but
her spinning mind gained more and more momentum. Warmth and coldness, many
opposites, mingled together, continuously disturbing her heart.
It was no wonder. It
was the first time in her life she had experienced such emotions.
"... Ai, after
this exercise is over, shall we ask Nozomu-kun and the others?"
"Eh?"
"About Nozomu-kun
and Mars-kun. ...I don't want to watch Mars-kun and Nozomu-kun like this
anymore."
For Tima, these were
words of regret for having caused this situation with her own words. Feeling
guilty for what she had said before, it was a conclusion she desperately came
up with to somehow fix things.
"You're right..."
Irisdina nodded
slightly at Tima's words. At that moment, the bushes behind them rustled.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Nepheos
RobertJay
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Creris
Fred A.
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Geral Aponso
Matthew Fraser
Anton Lim
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Joe Smith
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
