“You’ve committed a horrifying act, haven’t you?”
“It’s nothing special.”
“It’s not something a human who pierced through five unexplored dungeons with young students should say. I’ve been hoarse from shouting your name at the Explorer Guild every week.”
Honestly, except for the first dungeon, the remaining ones weren’t that difficult due to tedious gimmicks, puzzles, or being labyrinths, making it a pain to find the way.
The gimmicks involved digging tunnels, simply solving puzzles, and smashing through walls in mazes. There were no indestructible objects like in games, so all sorts of exploits worked, making them not that hard after all.
The rewards were pretty meager, though.
In the end, I couldn’t find the relic that could lift Karina’s curse.
“Anyone could do it if they tried.”
“If it were that easy, legendary explorers like Fabrius wouldn’t be revered as legends.”
…Who was that again?
Just an explorer with a famous name, I guess. Not a particularly important figure. If they were important, they’d be remembered.
I took a sip from the teacup on the table and looked out the window.
There was only a week left until the start of the second semester.
Sure, the start of the second semester might not mean much, but it meant something significant to me.
Very significant.
It was when Millia and Karina were transferring to Kalon Academy. In other words, it meant they were getting involved in the original storyline. While it was certain Karina would get involved in any drama she stirred, I couldn’t help but worry about Millia.
After all, she was just a little kid with no combat ability whatsoever.
Though the Liberal Arts Department was somewhat removed from the main narrative, it wasn’t completely free from incidents. If I recalled correctly, it was around the second or maybe the third semester that one student from the department caused an accident.
…I wanted to put Millia on surveillance duty, but I wasn’t sure how well she could manage that.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Ah, sorry.”
“Well, it was just small talk, so it’s fine… But you seem to be troubled.”
Principal Merlin’s gaze met mine. I couldn’t exactly say “I’m worried about our Millia and Karina getting caught up in all the incidents that happen during the academy’s second semester,” so I mumbled something.
“The second semester is about to start. I’m concerned about Karina’s transfer to the academy. As you know… there have been ongoing incidents, right?”
While I spoke, I watched Merlin’s expression. He seemed to be worried, nodding his head. It’d be odd if he wasn’t worried, considering three major incidents had occurred in a row. No matter how optimistic one is, you can’t look at things positively after three consecutive disasters.
“Therefore, during the vacation, we increased the security personnel as much as possible. Additional security personnel will also be assigned for the Saint.”
I wonder if that would even make a difference.
To be honest, they were just a bunch mentioned in the game as “an elite group that can’t even stop one incident.” They could have prevented at least half of the incidents happening on campus, but they never managed to stop any. It’s hard to trust them, even if I wanted to.
“We’ll be attached to Karina.”
“Even during class?”
“Isn’t that only natural?”
If it’s to ensure the safety of the character I’m familiar with, I’d need around-the-clock protection. Right now, Renny even goes in to help Karina wash up. But with that level of guarding, there’d be no time to wash, so it was just a convenient excuse.
After all, she’s someone who could beat Cerberus with her bare hands.
“I agree with that. Not just anyone, but the Saint herself. The cultists are probably targeting her as well.”
Is that about Harpas… those guys?
Thinking about it, why have they been so quiet? In the original story, they’re treated as named monsters with little impact on the main quest, so it makes sense they’d be quiet. But it’s still incredibly worrying.
It doesn’t make sense that the guys who stuck to me like crazy before coming to Kalon Academy are now silent.
What could they be plotting?
“Speaking of cultists… have you heard anything about the Halphas Cult?”
“Hmm… I’ve heard that the Paladin Order destroyed a few of their branches. But that’s about it.”
A few branches?
Haven’t they even been able to deal with their main base?
Is there actually a competent group in this world?
“They certainly weren’t that meticulous of a group. It smells suspicious, but I find it hard to pinpoint the cause.”
“I’d rather just assume the Paladin Order is incompetent.”
It would be better for me if the Halphas Cult was terrible and the Paladin Order just couldn’t find them. If I wanted to deal with them later, that would be fine. But if the Halphas Cult is strong enough that the Paladin Order can’t handle them…
“You’re really harsh on your comrades, aren’t you?”
“Neither Renny nor I were from the Paladin order.”
“It’s quite a strange scenario. It’s not like there haven’t been cases where non-Paladins served as guards for Saints in history, but it’s the first time there hasn’t been a single one. This new Saint seems, in many ways, quite unconventional.”
Unconventional, huh…?
Since I wasn’t really interested in the Saints of the past, I had no clue. Principal Merlin stroked his beard and stared out the window for a moment before turning back to me.
“So, what do you think of the proposal I mentioned?”
——————–
“Jo~hann! Look at this! It’s my acceptance letter!”
Millia beamed as she handed me a piece of paper. Upon closer examination, it gracefully said, [Congratulations on your transfer to Kalon Academy].
“Congratulations.”
“I was so worried that Millia wouldn’t pass… I’m so relieved.”
Karina looked at Millia with warmth and a smile of relief. No matter how you looked at it, she had the expression of an older sister or mother gazing at a younger sibling. I chuckled and turned to her.
“Congratulations to you too, Karina.”
“Ah, thank you…”
[Youthful.]
Karina’s face flushed slightly, making her even more beautiful, and I stared at her blankly. Karina, awkwardly avoiding my gaze, spoke in a tiny voice.
“It’s a bit embarrassing when you stare at me like that…”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it…”
As Karina said that, a bitter smile lingered on her face. She was a woman everyone looked up to as the Saint, so maybe she was used to receiving such gazes. There might have been some admires in the mix too—perhaps even people with romantic feelings.
But… isn’t that none of my business?
It’s not that I don’t like Karina, but my priority right now is survival, not some trivial romantic feelings. If I can’t survive, then everything I build here would be meaningless.
So…
“Johann? Are you listening to me?”
I looked down at Millia, who was tugging at my sleeve, her expression pouting as she gazed up at me. She seemed upset because I didn’t answer, as I got lost in thought.
“What’s the matter?”
“How do I look?”
…Huh?
Caught off guard by her sudden question, my mind froze like I was staring at Medusa.
Is this girl seriously asking me, of all people? Of all people, it had to be Millia?
What changed?
I don’t think she’s changed much other than wearing a school uniform. I slowly scanned Millia from head to toe.
“…Did you change your hairstyle?”
“No!”
“Did you change your makeup?”
“It’s the same!”
“Are you talking about the school uniform?”
“Right! Why are you going around in circles when it’s obvious!!!”
I thought there must be some profound meaning behind it. I sighed as I looked at Millia, who puffed her chest out with her hands on her hips.
I must have overthought this. There’s no way Millia was that complicated.
“How do I look? Does it suit me?”
“Yeah. It suits you well.”
I had seen Viola’s uniform a few times, but she always had a hunchback, so it never felt like a school uniform. But seeing Millia in it gave off a refreshing vibe. This is what a high school girl should look like!
By age, she’s technically a college student, but just calling it a school uniform makes me think she’s a high school girl.
Feeling good, Millia chirped away like a lark in front of me. She rambled endlessly about how nice the uniform looked, how curious she was about the Liberal Arts Department, and many TMI and random thoughts floated into my ears and out the other.
As I was engaging in her optimistic chatter, Millia suddenly switched targets.
“Hehe. Did you know? Karina is amazing! I was shocked when I saw her wearing it!”
Well, she probably fitted in her school uniform not long ago…
Wait, what?
At Millia’s remark, I unconsciously turned my head to look at Karina. She seemed surprised by Millia’s words, her eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
What’s wrong? What’s so amazing that she’s reacting like that?
To answer my curiosity, Karina covered her chest with her arm. However, her arm seemed to emphasize her exceptional presence rather than hide it, whispering to my instincts.
That mass of flesh seemed to be where my gaze belonged.
“…Ah.”
I’m glad Renny isn’t here.
Realizing the meaning of Millia’s “amazing,” I turned away from Karina and made my way swiftly to the door.
“Where are you going!”
“I just remembered something I have to do.”
“Can I follow you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Just ‘cause. Karina, I’ll be heading out first!”
“…Ah, take care.”
“Johann!”
I ignored Millia calling my name and quickly crossed the corridor.
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