Volume 2: Rodnea Underground Dungeon

Chapter 1: The Strongest Onmyoji, Arguing

After the tumultuous entrance ceremony.

　My school life started ten days later than planned.

“Good morning, Seika-kun.”

“Good morning, Ifa.”

　On the way from the dormitory to the Academy building. I returned my greetings to Ifa who ran up to me with a smile.

　One month had passed since this kind of life.

　After the demon turmoil, the academy was in a great hurry to deal with the situation, and at one point there was even a suggestion to temporarily close the academy and send the students home until safety was confirmed.

　As long as the identity of the magician who summoned the demon was unknown (due to my having fed it to Mizuchi), it was not unreasonable to assume that it was a demon. However, in the end it seemed to be shelved.

　There are probably many reasons for this.

　Well, even if you don’t know the caster, if you can find the magic circle in the school, you can find out the modus operandi and take countermeasures.

　In the meantime, adventurers hired as security guards are still patrolling inside and outside the school.

　The response from the academy seems to be something like that.

　Then suddenly.

　Near an academy building, I saw a familiar red-haired girl.

　　I raise one hand and greet her with a smile.

“Hi. Good morning Amiyu.”

　When the hero, Amiyu, stops, she gives me a blatantly troublesome look

“Could you please not talk to me casually?”

　Amiyu says and walks away quickly, tossing her red hair.

“Se, Seika-kun…”

　As I stiffened with a smile on my face, Ifa looked at me like she was looking at something pitiful.

　But it’s okay.

　No problem.

　The life plan that I made after reincarnation is very simple.

　I will join a strong person and suck the sweet nectar under his umbrella.

　It’s a nice plan, but it’s a wonderfully small-minded plan.

　No one would take notice of such a person. Even I would ignore him.

　So, I would not end up in the same situation as in my previous life.

　The bottleneck was finding a strong guy, but with a stroke of luck, I met such early on.

　I was lucky enough to meet a hero early on.

　Moreover, she is a schoolmate. There was no better position to get to know her.

　School life has just begun. We still have plenty of time.

　It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t like me right now.

　If we can slowly become friends, that’s all that matters. ……

　Thinking that, my thoughts stiffened.

　Huh?

　How can we become friends?

　If I recall well, I never made friends for myself in my previous life.

　There were times when others spoke to me and we became close, but that was the only pattern. ……

　When I want to get to know someone, I have no idea how to do it.

　Ugh, even though I’ve lived for over a hundred years…

　A cold sweat runs down my face.

　I realized a frightening, too frightening possibility.

　Could it be that I have ……

　a communication disorder?

****

　After the morning classes are over.

　I was walking down the hallway of the Academy building to the cafeteria with Ifa.

　Ifa looked worried.

“Seika-kun, you look pale, are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m fine now.”

　I regained my composure.

　It’s okay.

　It’s not that I didn’t have any friends either.

　In this life, I have a good family background and probably not bad looks.

　Besides, a womanizing aristocrat told me in a previous life that the more you interact with others, the easier it is to get closer to people.

　I’m sure I can do it if I talk to her positively.

　That’s what I have to believe.

　Even though it’s been a month since the school started, I suddenly thought of my harsh situation that I didn’t have anyone on good terms with other than Ifa, but I decided to ignore it.

　It would only make me feel uneasy.

“You! You’re being rude!”

　A voice echoed through the corridors of the school.

　The students around looked at each other to see what was going on.

　There, surrounded by four large male students, was Amiyu.

　Those surrounding her seemed to be upperclassmen.

　Good grief.

　She’s getting tangled up again.

　After defeating one of the daemons single-handedly, Amiyu did not become a hero of the school …….

　Apparently, the Lesser Demon, who I thought was a small fry, wasn’t a small fry by general standards.

　If you defeated it with a few people, you would have been a hero.

　But if you defeat it alone, you would have been a monster that was too powerful.

　All the people around looked at her in awe.

　Amiyu was isolated.

　To make matters worse, Amiyu’s achievements earned the jealousy of the upperclassmen who weren’t there.

　It seems that only a few of the upperclassmen who were at the entrance ceremony had excellent grades, and those who were not there were unaware of the horror of the demons, but only heard Amiyu’s name. That was not good, apparently.

　Amiyu, who had already become the top with unusual results, was noticed in no time.

　This is why I often see her getting tangled up like that.

　Even so, the harassment showed no sign of stopping, probably because Amiyu was so resolute no matter how much she was pressed.

　I sigh.

　Well, that’s what happens when you’re strong.

　The students around me just look at her from afar.

　I guess that’s partly because they’re afraid of those upperclassmen. ……

　It can’t be helped.

“Um, is something wrong?”

　When I called out to him, the four upperclassmen all turned suspiciously at me.

　I speak with a smile.

“She has an appointment with me later …….”

“What are you?”

　The blonde in the center of the four, the shortest one, opens his mouth.

“Go away. I’m in the process of educating this commoner right now. The one who ignores the voice of Regulus Sid Gable does not seem to understand the way the world works.”

“I don’t have time to listen to weak aristocrats’ sarcasm and bragging. Now get out of my way.”

　The senior students turn their eyes to anger at Amiyu’s provocative words.

　Ahh, now…

“Amiyu, let’s just go to that place for a minute: ……”

“Don’t you know I told you to disappear? What’s your family name? You are not a commoner talking to me like a smart ass, are you?”

“I’m……”

　At that time, the student on the right whispered to Regulus.

“…Regulus-san. This guy is Lamprog, you know.”

　Hearing this, Regulus suddenly gave a fake smile.

“Well. I heard that the son of the prestigious Count Lamprog family entered the Academy this year, I didn’t realize it was you. It’s an honor to meet you, Seika Lamprog.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Even so, the Count of Lamprog also did something very bold――――to let a concubine’s son without magic power into this magic academy with a slave. I don’t know how much money they gave you, but they did it well.”

“…”

　Oops.

　I didn’t know there were rumors about that.

　When it comes to nobles, it’s rumors, and rumors are nobles, so it’s not unreasonable. but I wonder if this….means that I was shunned just like Amiyu?

“The quality of the magic academy has completely deteriorated. The first place is reserved for a commoner, the second for a slave, and the third for a concubine’s son with no magic powers. So, I ask you again …… don’t you think you’re talking to me, the Marquis of Gable, so impudently?”

“…”

“Fu, you don’t have to shrink so much. Instead, apologize, yes.”

　Then, Regulus casts a sticky gaze at Ifa.

“As long as you lend us your slave for the night, we would be generous enough to let you go. Right, boys?”

　The entourage laughed vulgarly.

　Among them, a particularly large male student puts his arm around Ifa’s shoulder in a friendly manner.

“Regulus-san, let’s buy her. Not just for the night, but for the rest of her life. This slave …… is quite good.”

　Ifa looked down as if frightened.

　Regulus exaggerates.

“Oh, that’s a good idea. You, how much for the girl? I’ll buy her for what she’s worth.”

“… I’m sorry, but I have no intention of letting go of Ifa.”

“Oh, then what can you offer?

　Regulus slowly reaches into my breast pocket and picks up the leather pouch that holds the glass pen Luft gave me.

“Oh. This is..”

“Regulus-san, that’s a pen that’s hard to find even in the Imperial Capital”

“Hmmm, it’s too luxurious for a concubine’s child. Come to think of it, I just wanted to buy a new quill.”

“…….that’s a very important item and I’d like it back.”

“Don’t you understand? I’m saying I’ll forgive you with this. Or will you give me a slave?”

　Regulus said with a frivolous smile.

　I let out a huge sigh.

　This is too much trouble.

　I put a curse in my voice.

“Regulus Sid Gable”

“What is it? 　You suddenly don’t even give me a salutation. If I allow you to call me so rudely…”

“――――Freeze・・・”

　At that moment, Regulus stopped moving.

　With his mouth half open, he looks like a dumb statue.

　If his eyeballs weren’t moving, I could have mistaken them for each other.

　I take the leather bag and glass pen back from his hand.

“Thank you very much for returning it.”

　I then turned to look at the large male student who had his hand on Ifa’s shoulder.

“What’s your name?”

“Oh… I’m Marc of the Viscount Preng family.  I don’t care if you’re from a count family, but there’s no reason for me to be ordered by a bastard!”

“Then Mark Preng. you must beat up the young Marquise who’s standing there.”

“What? Uh-oh.”

　There was a loud, powerful sound, and Regulus was blown away.

“Regulus-san!? Oh, what am I doing…”

　Marc and his entourage hurriedly rushed towards Regulus, who was stretched out on the floor. But there seems to be no response.

　He seems to have fainted.

　Marc, you should have been a martial artist. That is more suitable for you.

　Even so, this magician is useless.

　Just a little bit of name-binding and this is what you get.

　In a previous life, even an amateur would have put up a bit more of a fight.

“Let’s go Ifa”

　I take Ifa’s hand and start walking.

　Her small hand is trembling slightly, and I smile.

“You’re a coward too, Ifa. You could have set those guys on fire while yawning.”

“… I can’t do that.”

　A voice that sounds like it’s about to disappear.

　Well you probably won’t be able to do it, but I’m stronger than you, so you don’t have to be so scared.

“Because… I’m Seika-kun’s property. Everything I do is the responsibility of Seika-kun and the Lamprog family…”

　I stopped.

　So that’s what this is all about.

“I’m sorry, that’s right. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

　Saying that, I stroked Ifa’s head, the soft touch of her dull blond hair felt good in my hand.

　Still, it is difficult to live cunningly.

　Even earlier, I didn’t mean to cause trouble. ……

　If you don’t fight back, they will continue to take from you, and if you do fight back, they will take notice of you.

　It’s a tough world out there.

“Ifa, you can do whatever you want without worrying about me or my family. Somehow, I think I’m more likely to do it. ……”

“Hey.”

　A voice from behind.

　I turned around to see Amiyu with her hands on her waist.

“What? That thing back there.”

　I answer with a smile.

“It seems that the henchman must have been very frustrated with the young Marquise.”

“Don’t be silly. You did that to him.”

“Hmm”

　Amiyu rushes up to me, pulls her pretty face closer, and speaks in a threatening tone.

“Answer me”

　Up close, I could see the fiery passion in her young grass-colored eyes.

　I take a deep breath and say,

“Did you think I’d tell you if you asked me? I don’t reveal my secrets that often. No one does..”

“… oh yeah. Fine then.”

　The red hair passes by.

　I suddenly felt like saying something unnecessary.

“I thought you would thank me for sure.”

“Huh?”

　Amy turns around.

“Did you think you were helping me?”

“yes”

“It’s none of your business. Those people are nothing.”

“If you keep making enemies, I think you’ll get hurt sooner or later.”

“I told you to mind your own business. Who are you? Don’t worry about me.”

　Oh, it’s slumbering.

　I say with a smile.

“Shall we be friends?”

“Huh? What is this, all of a sudden?”

“We’re both having a hard time because of rumors and prejudice, aren’t we? So let’s help each other out.”

“Rumors? I’ve never heard of a concubine’s child wih no magic power, let alone a slave. You just don’t have any friends, do you?”

　Amiyu stares at me with cold eyes as I flinch from the mental attack.

“I didn’t come to the academy to play friends.  I came here to be strong. I’m not going to play with a bunch of idiots.”

“…… Is that why you’re so hard on everyone?”

“What if it is?”

“It’s a bad idea. If you want to be strong, you have to make friends.”

“Huh?”

“Strength is in numbers. There is only so much one person can do. Right now you are weaker than anyone else in this school.”

　Amiyu glares at me.

“So you want to hang out with other high achievers? Lame.”

“Lame, huh?”

“Anyway, I refuse. It is better not to have weak companions. No matter how prestigious a nobleman of a count’s family is, you have no magic power.”

“I don’t have magic power, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do magic. You know that, since we take the same class on magic exercises.”

“You can only use it, right? Even though you lost to your squire in the entrance exam. Wasn’t it because of that fake written test score that you were third. What’s with the perfect score? It’s just weird to me.”

“No, that not…”

　When I try to reply

　Ifa took a step forward next to me.

“Well then, is my score also a lie? It’s only ten points lower than Seika-kun’s.”

　Amiyu says with a slightly snotty look.

“I thought they adjusted it based on your score. Because the nobility couldn’t afford to lose to a slave, even in writing.”

“Seika-kun was the one who taught me how to study. The same goes for magic.”

　Ifa says to Amiyu, who is silent.

“Actually, Seika-kun is much better at magic. But Seika-kun is so kind…”

“…? What does being kind have to do with anything?”

“He used magic with less power so as not to damage the targets!” If the examiner hadn’t acted like that, he would have broken three targets and gotten a perfect score for three attributes!”

“… Acting? What are you talking about, breaking the target or not? It shouldn’t have anything to do with the score.”

“Eh… but I heard that Amiyu-chan broke six targets and got a perfect score in practice skills.”

“You know……”

　Amiyu presses her temples and says.

“The practical exam is graded on how accurately you can perform the magic in a given pattern.”

“eh”

“eh”

“Perhaps you thought that if you broke the target you would get full marks? Did the examiner say that even once? It’s not common sense to think that. I mean, that target is not a consumable item, so it’s only natural that you would be in trouble if it broke. ……Are you guys really stupid after all?”

　Ifa and I look at each other.

　I don’t know what to do. I can’t say anything back.

“Uh… se, Seika-kun.”

　Ifa looks at me as if asking for help, but I look away.

“No, it was Eefa who first said that. ……”

“!? Se-Seika-kun, you were convinced too!”

“What are you arguing about? You’re on the same level. And don’t you blame the squire too. You’re so small.”

　Amiyu sighs loudly.

“Stupid slave to stupid aristocrat. I’m more tired of dealing with you people than with the people who get involved with you. ……”

　Saying that, Amiyu turned on her heel.

　And suddenly, her body tilted.

“…”

　Although she didn’t fall, she was holding her eyes painfully.

　Are you that tired?

“Are you okay?”

“… it’s nothing.”

　After saying that, Amiyu left.

　hmm?

　I have a bad feeling about this. It’s just a hunch.

“A stupid nobleman and a stupid slave. Seika-kun.”

　I looked next to me and saw Ifa giving me an envious look. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Ah, aha, but…Ifa is also very brave in a weird way.”

“… what?”

“Oh, I can’t believe you attacked Amiyu….If it were me, I’d be much more afraid of offending Amiyu than that delightful young Marquise.”

　Ifa said after a bit of a stutter.

“… I will get angry if it’s okay to be angry.”

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