Volume 1 Chapter 7: Let’s Begin the Counterattack

Volume 1 Chapter 7: Let’s Begin the Counterattack

By the time Fine finished her story, the sun had set, and red light was streaming into the room through the window.

“…I’m sorry. It’s just this little thing, yet I took so long to explain it.”

“No, not at all. In fact, you talked quite well. I’m really sorry to remind you of such painful memories.”

Fine murmured a small “Thank you,” but she looked down with a troubled expression. After all, hearing that depressing scenario from her own lips had quite an impact on me.

But at least I think I got the answers I wanted.

First, Mother Hilda’s advice to Fine about not using her holy magic too much in public was probably to avoid being thrown into the fate of battling the Demon King as a Saintess.

Mother Hilda was once the highest-ranking priestess of the world’s greatest religion, the Saint Goddess Church, and there was a scene in the late game of the reverse harem route where she revealed that Fine’s power was holy magic and that she knew Fine would become the Saintess of Light.

Also, the tawny-haired man whom Fine saved in the mountains is undoubtedly Prince Elzes.

This is backed by a late-game event where upper-class noble youths, jealous of Fine’s cordial relationship with Alberich and others despite being commoners, spread a rumor that “Fine Shutaut forged her admission recommendation to the Royal Magic Academy with her mysterious powers,” putting Fine in a tough spot, but it was Elzes who ultimately saved her at the end.

That event revealed that Fine was the one who saved him when he almost lost his life in the mountains, and he confessed that her power was holy magic, which only a Saintess of Light could wield, so I can confidently assert it was indeed Elzes.

The problem lies with Elise.

When Fine left her hometown to attend the Royal Magic Academy, she found herself isolated in a special environment filled only with unfamiliar noble children. It was in this setting that Elise quickly gained Fine’s trust by staying close to her.

Had it been just that, one might dismiss it as a lower-ranking noble girl showing pity.

However, Fine claimed that Elise not only decided her daily schedule and guided her actions but also secured a large quantity of potions to heal injuries for Alberich and others.

…Most likely, Elise was mimicking Fine’s actions as they occurred in the main storyline of Kizuyoru.

All interactions between Fine and the capture targets started from Fine healing injuries and illnesses with her unique “holy magic,” which nobody else could handle.

Elise then supplanted Fine’s position by compensating with potions.

Furthermore, by taking control of Fine’s daily schedule, Elise ensured that Fine wouldn’t run into Alberich and the others, preventing their friendship levels from increasing.

And Fine, who trusts Elise, isn’t aware that she’s essentially being mind-controlled; she perceives no oddity in this arrangement.

While everything is merely speculation at this point, if this is true, Elise would indeed be a most formidable individual.

By exploiting a slight chink in Fine’s armor, she manipulates her while simultaneously bending the capture targets to her will.

This is something only someone like me—someone familiar with the scenario and knowledge of Kizuyoru, a reincarnated individual—could accomplish.

So, the battle against Elise will boil down to who has a better grasp of game knowledge.

“…Um.”

While I contemplated this battle against Elise, Fine spoke up.

“Hm? Is something wrong?”

“I really can’t keep bothering you any longer, Ash-san. So, I’m thinking of leaving this place.”

“…And where will you go after leaving?”

“That’s… I don’t know. But being here isn’t good for you, Ash-san…”

With those words, Fine stood up, looking genuinely apologetic.

“I want to confirm something. Did you sign any papers when you decided to drop out, Fine?”

“…? No, I haven’t done such a thing…”

(Huh? Does that mean…?)

Upon hearing that, I quickly pulled out my student ID and read the rules regarding dropping out.

“…Fine, do you still have your student ID and handbook?”

“Yes, I do… but?”

Got it, then there’s still something we can do.

“Fine, to officially drop out from the Royal Magic Academy, there are a few procedures you need to follow. Right now, you’ve not initiated any of those procedures.”

“Procedures?”

“Yeah. First, you need to sign the dropout paperwork. Then, you need permission from the person who provided your recommendation and acted as your guarantor, and finally, you need the principal’s approval on those steps. Until that’s all done, you’ll remain a student at the Royal Magic Academy.”

“But what about His Highness Alberich…?!”

“Even as royalty, once you’re enrolled as a student, you can’t just ignore the rules. If you suddenly disappear, your guarantor will start searching for you; they might even come to your orphanage back home.”

Fine was taken aback by my words. It made sense, considering the foundation for her escape had crumbled, and now the orphanage would possibly come under scrutiny.

…The content of my speech was a bit exaggerated, but I needed to convey this much for her to be on board with my forthcoming plan.

“If things continue like this, it’ll cause trouble for the orphanage… but I don’t even know my guarantor’s name, and I can’t just go back to the academy…”

“—There’s one guaranteed way to improve this situation.”

“Really?! Please tell me! What is that way?!”

I deliberately took a brief pause before revealing the straightforward solution.

“We team up to challenge His Highness Alberich and the others to a duel. There, we’ll prove that it’s not due to any dark force, clearing the suspicions against us. That’s my plan.”