abcnovels
Chapter 267
Chapter 267
Chapter 267
At that moment, in Area 1.
A boy stood with his arms crossed on the field.
The peculiar thing was that he was isolated from the group.
You might wonder how that’s peculiar, but at least in Area 1, it was unusual.
Everyone except that boy was huddled together in one place.
"Sir Teron, it seems there’s a battle in Area 4 as well."
"That’s the Neutral faction’s area. It’s just a bunch of nobodies gathered there... the damage will be significant, won’t it?"
"Serves them right. They should have crawled under our wing sooner."
"Support for the Teron faction has been rising since the exchange meeting. This incident will further boost our momentum."
"Since we defeated the demon without significant damage, the top ranks will belong exclusively to our Teron faction.""Soon, we will reign supreme among the first years! Congratulations, Sir Teron!"
The kids flattered Teron from all sides.
A boy, glancing at them, turned his gaze back to the field.
He felt nauseated.
'How does Sir Teron endure that... He’s remarkable, then and now.'
That’s right. The boy standing alone on the field.
Teron's faithful servant and hunting dog, Daike.
'...Foolish idiots.'
Daike could tell that Teron was in a foul mood just from a glance.
He also knew why Teron was upset.
The demon 'Amonga' that had attacked Area 1 earlier.
Even though its rank was low, a demon is still a demon. It wasn’t an easy fight.
If not for Zero’s group, they might still be fighting.
Though they had received some help, the fact remains that they defeated the demon without significant damage, so both the Teron faction and Zero’s group would receive high scores.
The problem was that demons appeared in Areas 2, 3, and 4 in succession. And...
'That damn guy went to Area 2...'
What if Zero defeated the demon in Area 2 as well?
He could challenge for the top spot in the midterm exams.
Demons appearing in both Area 1 and Area 2 by coincidence. Was it good luck or bad? It was hard to say.
'Anyway, it’s certain the demon in Area 2 is dead. The strength of the Yuridia faction would have been significant, but that guy’s efforts would also have played a role.'
Defeating demons in Areas 1 and 2. A feat worthy of aiming for the top spot.
But it wasn’t a sure thing.
'The strength of the faction and the points for transporting the injured overwhelmingly favor Sir Teron.'
Though it wasn’t Teron himself who transported the injured, managing people is also a skill.
Annwood Academy didn’t overlook leadership. They often gave generous points for it.
'That’s why students don’t act solo. For Zero to definitely secure the top spot...'
He’d have to fight one of the demons in Areas 3 or 4.
And survive. No matter how well you fight, if you die, it’s meaningless.
Annwood Academy gives awards to the dead but not points.
Of course, it’s possible Zero could fight and survive demons in Areas 1 to 4. But...
'Even that guy wouldn’t pull off such a crazy stunt.'
The mere thought of fighting a demon made one tremble, let alone seeking out the fight.
There was no one who would do that.
"..."
Well, there was one possibility.
'A righteous person.'
Each person had something they wanted to protect—friends, family, comrades, belongings.
Though rare, Daike had seen such people. Some he had even killed.
'Maybe that’s why I admire them so much...'
Because it’s something he could never pursue. Something he couldn’t even dream of.
What Daike couldn’t dare to aspire to—that was 'righteousness.'
Anyway, only a righteous person would chase after continuously appearing demons.
But Zero and righteousness?
Those words didn’t go together. They were practically antonyms.
If there was a righteous person, it might be Alex. But he was in Area 4, far from the top spot in the midterms.
'So there’s nothing to worry about.'
But it was enough to irritate Teron.
Though he had placed first in the entrance exam, Teron had lost the unexpected first award to Zero during the Ant Nest incident.
Thus, he had to reclaim his honor by securing first place and receiving an award in this midterm exam.
'Sir Teron must win.'
This was a matter of 'survival.'
So Daike intended to help him secure the top spot in the midterms.
By any means necessary.
"Did you see my performance earlier? I crushed the earthworm heading toward Sir Teron."
"What! I had already captured that worm!"
"Ahem! It was all thanks to my support from behind, wasn’t it? I held off a swarm of earthworms alone!"
The flattery battle resumed.
Tsk.
Daike clicked his tongue silently.
Even if they couldn’t read their master’s mind, they should at least sense his emotions, shouldn’t they?
He wanted to smack each of those kids on the head but couldn’t.
He didn’t have the 'authority.'
A hunting dog isn’t given the freedom to think. Even less so to make judgments.
He only needed to do what Teron told him.
A dog only needs to follow its master’s commands.
No matter how unreasonable or dishonorable it may be.
'I am...'
A loyal hunting dog to Teron.
Complaints don’t exist. It’s been this way for a long time, but more importantly, he had 'promised.'
"..."
As memories of that day resurfaced, Daike shook his head to dispel them.
It was all in the past now.
'Besides, thinking like this is blasphemous.'
The shadow of the Vyuern family, Teron’s house.
Maybe it was because he was away from it that he was lost in thought more often since coming to the academy.
Were the kids’ flattery that annoying?
A word he had been avoiding suddenly came to mind.
"...Friend."
After hunting Amonga, the word Zero had uttered.
It had been bothering Daike ever since.
A hunting dog doesn’t have friends. It’s an impossible concept.
Chasing after Teron all day to protect him and wielding his sword in the remaining time, Daike couldn’t have friends.
No, he had one. Long ago, in a time so distant that the memory was faint.
And that friend was still with Daike.
Closer than anyone else.
'No, it’s not a friend. Get a grip!'
He had to stop thinking. If he delved any deeper, he’d mess things up.
As Daike pressed his hand to his forehead, trying to stop thinking, there was a sound.
Prrrrk.
A horse’s neigh. Simultaneously, the horse’s tail brushed against Daike’s face.
"...?"
Daike raised his head slightly and saw a halo illuminating the horse and its rider.
Backlit, their figures weren’t clear.
But it was definitely a knight holding a spear.
'Has the knight order finally arrived?'
Daike was about to salute.
"Is everyone alright?"
The voice was so frivolous it was hard to believe it belonged to a knight.
Squinting against the sun, Daike was astonished when he saw the figure.
The knight on the horse was none other than...
"Principal...?"
It was Dwener, the principal of Annwood Academy.
Before the battle, Dwener had lost control of his horse and disappeared into the forest. He had finally reappeared.
Judging by the broken branches and grass clinging to his armor, he had had a rough time.
"Now that I’m here, don’t worry! Where’s the demon!?"
"...Already dealt with."
"R-Really?"
Daike held the reins and led the horse, followed by the Teron faction.
Dwener jumped, startled, when he saw Amonga's corpse. He jumped at least 30 cm off the horse.
"Y-You’ve done a great job."
Dwener poked the demon’s bisected corpse with his spear.
Watching him, Teron sighed inwardly.
A trembling commander was unthinkable.
'Wait... a commander?'
Yes. Despite being unhelpful, Dwener was the first-year commander.
Though Teron disliked the incompetent Dwener, he was pleased for now.
"Principal, I’m Teron from the Vyuern family."
"Ah? You’re here. You’re not hurt, are you?"
Dwener was flustered meeting Teron.
Dwener was a parachute from Duke Aziz of the Herizeus family.
The Vyuern family served the Herizeus family. Teron was Dwener’s superior.
"Demons have appeared in Areas 3 and 4 as well... What should we do?"
Dwener quickly calculated. He had two options.
Send reinforcements to other zones or hold Area 1.
'Getting good grades. That’s Teron’s goal.'
So sending reinforcements was the right choice.
But.
'What if he gets hurt.'
Other kids would be problematic too, but if Teron got hurt, it would be a big issue.
Duke Aziz and Count Vyuern would tear him apart.
Having already made a notable contribution by taking down a demon, he could ensure first place by promoting Teron at the meeting.
"Hmm hmm! I can handle the demon alone. The black mage might escape, so I order you to guard this place."
"But the credit..."
The Teron faction was about to protest when Teron raised a hand to silence them.
"Understood."
"Th-That’s right. Leave the demon to me! Yah!"
Dwener hurriedly departed. The kids watching him muttered.
"Is it okay to send him like that? We would have gotten more points by helping in other areas."
"The demon is already defeated. It’s more beneficial to score additional points by handling the transport of the wounded while the other areas are in chaos."
The kids nodded in agreement. It was just as Teron had said.
"Indeed, Sir Teron!"
"Securing additional points safely."
"A perfect decision!"
The kids started flattering Teron again.
Suppressing his irritation, Teron fell into thought.
'Whether to send reinforcements or not. This action might be judged for leadership points.'
So he pondered and pondered. But Teron decided to stop worrying.
There was no need anymore.
Though Dwener hadn’t realized it, their conversation had set a trap.
'The responsibility now lies with Dwener.'
If someone asked why he didn’t send reinforcements.
'The Principal ordered us not to.'
Teron could now relax. And above all.
'Following that incompetent guy would be disastrous.'
Unaware of Teron’s thoughts, Dwener headed towards Area 4.
*
As I used magic, Rodelin, who had been astonished, quickly shut her mouth.
Hmm, it’s best not to mention the little bug that flew in earlier, right?
"Magic? Zero, you can use magic?"
Was she trying to maintain her seniority?
Rodelin tried to stay as composed as possible.
But she couldn’t hide her slightly widened eyes and the expression in them.
"Keke, as you know, I’m quite versatile. I learned it recently."
"...Wind Spear is a difficult spell for beginners, isn’t it?"
"The difficult things..."
Snap!
"That’s exactly what I do, senior."
"..."
Rodelin fell silent.
It wasn’t so much that she was convinced but more that she seemed to have given up thinking.
It seemed our dear Delin still didn’t know. Trying to ignore me. That’s exactly...
What makes me so happy(?).
--TL Notes--
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