Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139844414118669/episodes/822139844939715176
“――That concludes all of today’s exams. The results will be posted on the bulletin board in three days, so please return to your dormitories and rest up after today’s exertions.”
The words of the teacher in his robes echoed through the hall, and the tense atmosphere instantly eased.
Loud sighs and voices tinged with exhaustion could be heard from all around.
Once we were dismissed and left the venue, the sky had turned completely crimson with the sunset. Bathed in the scarlet glow of the setting sun, we joined the stream of students making their way back to the dormitory.
“It’s finally over… But fighting the golems was actually kind of fun.”
Yu laughed, looking genuinely happy.
“You charged right at them head-on, so it had me on the edge of my seat watching you.”
“I dodged everything, so it’s fine, right? I deflected the dangerous ones with my sword.”
Next to us, the two of them walked while having that conversation.
As expected of active adventurers. There was no sign of fatigue on their faces, and perhaps because they were confident in their test results, their complexions were brighter than those of the students walking around them.
“I got good results too!”
Liene, walking on the opposite side of the pair, said with a beaming smile.
There wasn’t a trace of the dejected mood she’d had when the magic power test ended.
“Ah. Your swordplay was magnificent as always. You really are my maid.”
“Of course! I won’t let anyone take my position as Lord Rai’s personal maid!”
“…………Regardless of the test results, the fact that Liene is my personal maid won’t change, right?”
Wondering when the class placement exam had turned into a competition for the position of my personal maid, I walked toward the dormitory with the three of them when—
“Everyone.”
A dignified voice rang out from ahead.
Standing before the group of transfer students on their way home, with a dignified bearing, was a single girl.
The Student Council President—Elisia Ravenhart.
Her lapis-blue hair swayed in the evening breeze, and with the crimson glow of the setting sun behind her, she exuded such an overwhelming presence that one might even think she was the very center of this world.
At her appearance, the surrounding crowd, which had been buzzing with excitement, fell silent.
“I watched every single one of today’s exams.”
Her voice was calm and composed.
Speaking in a tone that was neither too low nor too high, yet carried clearly, she continued.
“You must have felt some confusion in this unfamiliar environment. Yet you never faltered; you demonstrated your true strength. I am convinced that every student possesses remarkable ability and talent. —Especially…”
After a brief pause, her deep purple eyes fixed directly on me.
The smile she wore was beautiful enough to captivate anyone, and her eyes were clearly ablaze with intensity.
“You. Rai Arkberg.”
In that instant, I felt eyes turn toward me from everyone except Elisia.
The scene was exactly the same as when I shattered the crystal in the auditorium or when I instantly destroyed the golem—and it made me feel a little uncomfortable. I’m not exactly one to crave the spotlight.
Whether she knew my inner thoughts or not, Elisia walked over to me.
“Ability-enhancing magic may look simple, but it’s actually very difficult to handle. It constantly consumes a massive amount of magical power. If you lose control, your magic will be depleted in an instant, and in the worst case, it could lead to death.”
I nodded at Elisia’s observation.
In the game, depending on how Yu played, he could easily learn and use ability-enhancing magic, but in reality, it’s ridiculously hard to master. The reason, as Elisia mentioned earlier, is that using it requires an enormous amount of magical power.
Many mages give up because of this.
I mean, who would use a spell where a lack of magical power means the possibility of death looms over them?
The fact that I handle it as naturally as breathing must make me truly abnormal.
Elicia approached me with quiet steps, then tilted her chin ever so slightly to meet my gaze.
“Maximize the enhancement only when it’s absolutely necessary, and release it the moment the task is done. Fufu, as always, your efficiency is breathtaking.”
“You’re overpraising me. Anyone with that much magical power could do it.”
It’s a spell even Yu, who came from a commoner background, managed to master toward the end.
If you train hard enough to increase your absolute magical power, anyone should be able to use it.
“Too much modesty can come across as sarcasm, you know?”
“……I see. I’ll be careful from now on.”
“Yes. Please do.”
After a brief pause, Elisia smiled gently.
“I, too, can’t stand hearing my fiancé spoken of badly.”
I had the illusion that time had stopped around me at Elisia’s bombshell statement.
The students fell silent all at once, but a moment later—perhaps as realization finally sank in—a murmur spread like ripples: “Fiancé? Him and the Student Council President?”
The stares from the transfer students around us grew intense, and Yu and Ciel, who had been listening up close, froze with their mouths half-open.
“Uh, um… Is what you just said true?”
After a brief pause, Ciel asked, looking confused.
“Well, yeah. That said, it’s an engagement arranged between our families. You could say it’s close to a political marriage. Especially since the Elisia family is a distinguished house that has long held the conquest of the Primordial Labyrinth as its ultimate goal. They’re seriously committed to uniting the bloodlines of two ducal houses to produce the next generation of heroes.”
“I don’t really get it, but that sounds pretty impressive.”
Yu muttered, as if his mind couldn’t quite keep up.
That’s understandable. He’s a boy born of pure commoner stock. He’s lived a life completely at odds with the way nobles build relationships and forge strategic alliances, so it’s only natural.
In fact, if he showed understanding right now, it would raise unnecessary suspicions—like, “Wait, is he actually from a noble family?” I really hope you stay just the way you are.
“It would be a lie to say I have no ulterior motives. —But that’s not the only reason I decided.”
Saying that, Elisia moved to stand beside me.
She placed her hand over mine and intertwined her fingers with mine. The so-called “lovers’ grip,” I suppose. The moment our fingertips touched, the air around us grew even colder.
Her profile, illuminated by the sunset, gave off a beautiful, alluring impression.
She narrowed her eyes.
“I accepted his proposal after seeing both his abilities and his character with my own eyes.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
“We’ve spent the night together more than once or twice.”
Somewhere, a shriek of “Eeek!!” pierced the air in response to Elisia’s bombshell.
Indeed, it had happened. It must have been in her private chambers at the Duke of Ravenhart’s residence, when the two of us pored over descriptions of the Primordial Labyrinth amidst a mountain of ancient manuscripts.
It was simply a perfectly wholesome time spent so engrossed in their work that, before we new it, morning had arrived.
However, it seemed those around them interpreted it differently—
“Spent the night together…!?”
“It wasn’t just once or twice… how many times—”
Whispers spread through the crowd.
I instinctively glanced over at Yu and the others. Yu’s eyes were wide, and Ciel’s face was bright red as she covered her mouth with one hand. As for Liene, she was trembling and looking back and forth between me and Elisia with teary eyes.
Her expression seemed to say, “I haven’t heard anything about that.”
“Stop saying things that could be misunderstood.”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
Without a hint of guilt, Elisia tilted her head slightly.
Her expression remained a gentle smile, as if she were actually enjoying this situation. …No, she probably is enjoying it. It’s truly rare for her to be in such a visibly good mood.
Well, that aside, I just want to clear up this misunderstanding.
“Elisia. You and I are still pure. Right?”
“Mm. ‘Still,’ yes.”
Why does she have to emphasize “still” right there?
Does she not realize that’s why the commotion is growing? Or is she doing it on purpose? ……It must be the latter. She’s a smart person. There’s no way she doesn’t realize how her words will be interpreted.
“Elisia.”
“Hehe, I was being a bit too sarcastic, wasn’t I?”
Saying this in a soft voice, Elisia slowly untangled her intertwined fingers.
Then she took a step forward and looked out at the transfer students once more.
“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, he and I were simply discussing the Primordial Labyrinth and poring over documents. We didn’t do anything like what you’re imagining.”
The murmuring stopped dead in its tracks.
As if satisfied with the situation, she smiled quietly.
“You should all get some rest tonight. No matter how the classes are divided, I intend to walk alongside you all.”
With that, she turned to leave—but suddenly looked at me.
“Rai.”
Hearing my name called, all eyes turned to me once more.
Feeling uncomfortable again, I tried to hide it and replied, “What is it?” Elisia continued without seeming to mind.
“I need to talk to you for a moment. About today’s exam, and about what lies ahead.”
She leaned toward me, pressing her body close as if to press against mine. Then, bringing her mouth close to my ear, she whispered.
“I want you to come to my room tonight—I’ll be waiting.”
I could feel the murmur of the crowd grow even louder at those words.
Paying no heed to the reaction around her, Elisia simply said, “Alright, everyone, you may go,” and quietly walked away into the sunset.
What remained was an awkward silence and a barrage of meaningful stares piercing right through me.
Sagging my shoulders under a sense of fatigue even greater than after taking an exam, I set off toward the dormitory, still bearing the full brunt of the stares flying my way.
(About the future, huh… That’s perfect. I have business with her, too.)
And so, I walked on, lost in those thoughts.
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