Chapter 99: Lunch Together in Gotetsu

[Now then, today’s lecture ends. Make sure not to be late to your next class]

I announce the end of the lecture to the 5 corpses and 3 cripples. Iyaaa, we really messed them up today~. In my corner, during the last 5 minutes, the three of them were practically helpless.

In Shiki’s observation area, the mist lizard left them completely battered. It’s due to their lack of experience in real combat, but I received a report that they were wiped out four times. That means they stopped the fight four times and had to start again, and even then they were still beaten up. I hope Blue Lizard-kun hasn’t developed any trauma. I’ll have him release his limiter in the future and have them fight him occasionally. Do your best. There are still more than 10 battles left with Blue Lizard-kun.

[Ah, Karen Frost. I have some business with you. I want to hear what plans you have after this]

“T-Today I only have sensei’s class”

Even when tired, she didn’t make me wait and answered quickly. So she’s finished for today, huh. To only have one class in the morning, how refined. But convenient. In the morning, I was thinking of calling out students with free time and having lunch with them, but this time let’s just invite Karen, and along with Shiki, the three of us will have lunch together. As for the Rembrandt sisters, it’s fine to just call them to my office to greet them.

[That’s great. There’s one thing that’s been in my mind you see]

“T-There’s still more?!” (Karen)

[Yeah. Luckily, it seems you have time as well. Keep me company]

“… Y-Yes” (Karen)

Good.

After confirming her willingness, I left the field, dragging Karen along with me. Normally, after the reflection meeting, it would be tempering until the last minute. Today I finished a bit early.

The group of five are pretty weakened after all.

Saying it like this is probably not the best way, but I think they want to gossip. I could somehow tell from their eyes. Actually, the supposedly kind Shiki reports everything to me.

Well, complain as much as you want. Next week will be a fun lecture again after all.

Karen probably noticed the smile that appeared on my face. Her body trembled.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

“Shiki-san! Geez, I thought I would finally ascend to heaven!”

“Lizardscarylizardscarylizardscary”

“What kind of Lizardman is that?! He dodges like crazy, is fast, strong, tough! In the report, shouldn’t I just write that everything is awesome and that’s aaaall?!”

“That’s already… a dragon”

“Then is that person a dragon summoner? No, it isn’t at that cute level. If I were asked which I want to choose as an enemy, I would not hesitate in choosing a dragon summoner”

“Oane-cha~n”

“Yuno, don’t make such a pitiful voice. This was beyond my expectations… Probably because it is Raidou-sensei!”

Yareyare. It has become exactly as Makoto-sama said.

Seeing the students, I sigh inwardly.

From what I saw, the mist lizard was holding back quite a lot. His equipment was not what he usually uses, and his water blaze was not used either. There wasn’t even a hint of the quick-wittedness they normally use. Their strongest point, group battles, is, of course, absent.

Frankly speaking, he was on the same level as the weak mamonos in the wasteland. And yet, 5 young ones, said to have bright prospects, came at him with all five and were wiped out four times. Seriously, how deplorable.

Makoto-sama had already predicted they would be completely beaten up, but even if not to the point of suddenly clearing it, I actually thought they would put up a decent fight at least. It seems that, even if it was an order from Makoto-sama, as I acted kindly in front of them, I ended up being too lenient in my assessment of them. I have to reflect on this.

Mio-dono seems to be taking longer than expected with her investigation on countermeasures for forced summoning, so I have to lend a hand in that area, and yet, what a troublesome bunch these kids are. Regarding Mio-dono, our current situation isn’t that favorable. I-I don’t want the skin-peeling punishment anymore… Even talking about it is scary.

“Well, calm down. Even with that, Raidou-sama is actually holding back quite a lot, you know? It isn’t an insurmountable wall. I assure you of that” (Shiki)

“That’s definitely a lie! Shiki-san, no matter how I think about it, Raidou-sensei is definitely having fun with this!” (Jin)

“Jin, you say so, but the moves you showed weren’t the same as usual, you know? The enemy is a monster, moreover, one possessing strength superior to most. Weren’t you pretty nervous there?” (Shiki)

Nervous, or more like withered. Even though the Mist Lizard didn’t use his coercing shout. How inexperienced.

“That is… certainly true. That may be true, but…” (Jin)

“Well, it is true that Raidou-sama is strict. That’s just how much he expects of all of you. For me, seeing how he treats you all makes me a bit envious” (Shiki)

“Shiki-san, you were the type that gets heated up when bullied? Then I too…” (Amelia)

“That’s not it, Amelia. It’s just that, it’s been a long time since that person has expected something from me. Seeing how he presents tasks to you kids continuously, I was probably feeling a bit envious” (Shiki)

He always gives words of thanks to me, but the amount of tasks Makoto-sama has given me is low. If I was told that isn’t the kind of connection we have, that would be it, but seeing my master interacting with the students, there are times when I feel a bit envious.

The complaints from everyone about Makoto-sama’s lectures, I, in turn, scold, correct, soothe, sympathize, or comfort them, while healing them. I’ve already gotten used to this work. Today, however, is a lot more prominent than usual, as expected.

However, from the Rembrandt sisters who have recently joined us, I haven’t heard any such complaints. They should have felt the frustration of Makoto in their first participation, though?

The two of them have calmed their breathing and are now inspecting their equipment.

“Sif-san and Yuno-san. How was it? Do you think you can continue?” (Shiki)

“Ah, ehm. Shiki-san, was it? It’s okay. Yuno and I will be coming again next week” (Sif)

“Yeah. It begins from now on after all! I am definitely continuing!” (Yuno)

Oya, how surprising. It seems there’s no need for a follow-up. “It seems that Makoto is strong” is what their eyes are telling. Their will has not been broken. Anyways, if they don’t have a lukewarm personality, then it will be more comforting for me.

Umu, the rumors said their personalities were troublesome, but that just can’t be relied on, huh. Like this, it seems like it will be worth teaching them.

It might be in the future, but there will probably be a time when Makoto-sama and I will meet these girls as the daughters of our partnered company, so I think we will be able to create a good connection. Ah, that’s right. It would be a good idea to know the place those two are living. Makoto-sama probably went directly to Gotetsu.

When I check, the five of them were already gathered and began analyzing their opponent. What troublesome kids. Looking at this, I feel like they are totally planning to not come to the next lecture.

“I also want to hear Sif-san and Yuno-san’s opinion. Is that alright?” (Amelia)

Amelia invites the two. Even though they didn’t fight him directly, she probably wants to know about the impression the mist lizard gave from a different perspective. She isn’t thinking about how it’s a bother for the two, but well, I welcome ambition.

The coiled-up feeling those five had before the lecture is now gone. One reason may be because they were beaten hard. I don’t think this will completely open their hearts, but it could be a trigger to strengthen their connections. To prioritize what they currently need instead of gossiping is most likely something that comes with youth.

“Yeah. If we are okay for you, then certainly!” (Sif)

“It’s great that we left the next slot of time open just in case, right, Onee-chan!” (Yuno)

I see, so they prepared a counter-plan for the rumored harsh lecture. But really, they are truly straightforward, which is funny. If they are still evil people after all this, then I can only consider them the best actors of all. It’s probably the rumors that are wrong.

The real discussion of Makoto-sama’s fun lecture began. Makoto-sama told me not to give them advice, so I can only stay silent. To be ambitious is something I think is likeable in a pupil. Seeing the hatchlings trying to look at what’s above is praiseworthy.

If that’s the case, it can’t be helped. Even though Makoto-sama cautioned me about it, I will turn a blind eye this one time. About the participation in the next lecture, I will leave it as if I didn’t see anything either.

Without saying anything, I leave and finish my business in the staff room before heading to where I would be meeting with Makoto-sama.

From here on, it will probably be an unsavory story. Even I can tell that I am trying to make a strong smile. That woman, just what kind of objective did she have when she came to this Academy?

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

[It’s here]

I lead her to Gotetsu. Since it has just opened, there are no people here yet. At 1 o’clock, people coming for lunch will start to flow in, so this is like the calm before the storm.

It would have been fine to take her to the Kuzunoha Company, but since it’s like a base of sorts, I didn’t want to just suddenly bring an unknown factor. So I decided to bring her to Gotetsu, which is the place we previously planned to have lunch.

When Shiki finishes his follow-up with the students and investigates the address of the Rembrandt sisters, it will be exactly lunch. Nabe changes its taste as time passes, so let’s hold off on ordering until he arrives. If we finish eating before he comes, it would be wrong.

I use [Sakai] to set up a soundproof area. With this, there’s no fear of our conversation leaking outside.

Hmph~, it seems that she didn’t notice that I deployed a [Sakai]. I see, so she can’t detect [Sakai].

This female student, I checked her documents again and have confirmed it. As expected, she is suspicious.

“Raidou-sensei, please begin talking about why you brought me here. Did you find a point you were interested in?” (Karen)

Karen had a face full of exhaustion, but right now she has a calm mask that one wouldn’t be able to tell she is exhausted and is looking straight at me. It is actually impossible to recover from mental fatigue in such a short amount of time, so it is clear that she is pushing herself. Maybe she just has that kind of skill trained in her body unlike others of her age, I think.

Also, her skills. Comparing her to the people I have met in the Academy, she is top-class. No, thinking of her as a student is just too weird. That coordination with a person she is still not used to, and the power of her spell and speed. I tried bringing it out while I crushed and provoked her, but she probably hasn’t shown me everything. That is an awfully heretic attitude to Jin and the others who I am teaching to and this Academy. The fact that she is “hiding her true strength”. Shiki also threw me a short thought transmission saying “be careful”. He probably knows something about this girl.

I think that I brought out a decent amount of her skills in that lecture. At the latter half, she seemed to have become a bit worked up. She set several things up while making sure it wasn’t noticed by the sisters. Even in a state where she was trying to hide her true strength, she let a part leak out.

[Actually, I can’t help but feel like your real ability is unnatural]

“My ability?” (Karen)

[Yeah. It isn’t at the level of a student. Not only that, the magic was clearly used in a manner accustomed to real combat]

“I am a military magician in my country. I have participated in several subjugation missions. If you doubt me, you can ask the details to a related party” (Karen)

Without hesitation, Karen talks about her personal history. She talks of the kingdom army that has an unnecessarily long name with a pride-filled voice.

Her personal history itself may actually exist for real. She talks of it with so much confidence after all. It depends on how long she has been planning this and at what scale it is, though.

This is what I think, but probably, the personal history of the one called Karen Frost is already not in this world anymore. And that maybe she is impersonating her by using her appearance.

Replacing.

Infiltrate into the country, get promoted, enter the Royal Academy, become a soldier, and transfer into Rotsgard. Instead of creating such a personal history, I think it would be easier to just replace a person who has that kind of history. Especially when that person is from a faraway place.

[I am doubting that you are really Karen Frost. I have read the personal history of Karen Frost. Just as you said, because of a sudden situation, you have experience in the military and that you hold that position even in the present]

“Even though you know that much, why are you doubting? I am the genuine Karen Frost. Ah, could it be, sensei is saying that to try and learn a lot about me? If that’s the case then I…”

[As expected, strange. Would someone normally act like that after being doubted? Wouldn’t they show more anger?]

I ignore Karen’s words. It isn’t like I care about the life of a single human. It’s just that having her act that way in that appearance feels just like she is mocking the deceased. It makes me feel a bit angered.

There’s the chance that all my conjectures are wrong. But her attitude is practically black.

“It’s just that it is such an absurd thing to say that I don’t even feel like getting angry” (Karen)

[A sudden campaign deploy. Did you get involved with Karen Frost at that point in time?]

“Fufu, sensei. Your strength was certainly strong, but I didn’t think that you were the type that keeps talking about incomprehensible things. I won’t be coming to sensei’s class anymore. I don’t need lunch either. Excuse me” (Karen)

While holding a calm expression, Karen stands up from the opposite seat.

[Karen, are you not interested in why I doubted you of not being the real person?]

Wouldn’t one normally want to know the reason why someone has doubted your identity? Would they just leave without asking? And yet, she not only didn’t pursue the subject, but also tried to avoid the topic itself, is what I feel. Even now she is trying to escape.

She doesn’t seem like she is angered one bit and her face could be taken as vague while trying to smile. She was lenient at first, but this may be a technique in negotiations.

“… Certainly. Thinking that I am a completely different person just because my skills are unnatural does feel pretty rash. Are you going to tell me the reason?” (Karen)

Of course. I was intending to do so since I went through the trouble of inviting you to lunch.

[Because the appearance you are trying to hide is completely visible to me]

“Fufu, you see the real me? Are those love words?” (Karen)

[It means exactly what I am saying]

“Sorry, you may have taken the trouble to, but I must refuse your confession-” (Karen)

[Even if you don’t have a horn, that blue skin, just what business does a demon have in the Academy?]

Karen’s words stop mid-sentence. Because of the surprise, she instantly opens her eyes wide. That she soon makes an enticing smile must be to smooth it over. In Tsige and Academy Town there were actually several times when spies wanted to try entering our Kuzunoha Company. At that time, Tomoe-sensei and Shiki-sensei taught them various things in practice. Even now, when I am receiving a friendly smile like this, I feel like there’s some sort of ulterior motive. This is something I myself think though. It seems to be because they don’t want the target to notice their agitation and are trying to compose themselves secretly.

G-Great. She probably won’t be escaping in the middle of it now. It seems like I can buy sufficient time for Shiki to come. It would have probably been better to have obediently eaten first. I was pretty nervous inside.

“Please don’t joke. What part of me looks like a demon?” (Karen)

Karen makes a turn to show me. But as long as that spell isn’t affecting me, she will still look like a blue person.

[Everything. Your blue skin, red eyes. Hair is blond. Semi-long. I don’t see a human at all. Let me say this first, half-assed illusions don’t work on me]

“… ”

[You killed Karen and replaced her