Chapter 120: I can’t help it

“Phew~~~. Did pretty well in that fight.”

Ishud, having collected the corpse, returned triumphantly to Gulf and the others.

“Hey, were you watching?”

“Y-yeah. We were watching.”

“Hahaha! That’s good then.”

“Hey, Ishud. Just wondering, did you intentionally use the weapons we normally use to fight against Cerberus?”

In response to Philip’s question, Ishud nodded with a nonchalant expression.

“Yeah, I did. Because I took away the opportunity for you guys to fight Cerberus. So instead, how about imagining how to fight it next time? Having an image versus not having one can make a big difference in various ways.”

It sounded like a reasonable explanation, though one might wonder if he actually consciously fights with such considerations in mind. But Philip knew Ishud’s abilities allowed him to do just that.

However… for Ishud, when facing Cerberus, mixing seriousness with playfulness and challenging himself with unfamiliar weapons was just right. In reality, there were several occasions where he narrowly escaped being bitten or scratched.

“For me, it wasn’t a big deal… But you did well.”

“Hehehe, I’ve spent enough time in battles, after all.”

It was a display of seasoned experience and inherent strength shown by Ishud’s back.

In any case, the recent battle had a significant impact on Gulf and the others, further fueling the fire in their hearts.

(…I really need to focus now.)

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

However, as the eldest and student council president, Christille pushed aside that thought for now, concentrating on the upcoming battles with monsters… pursuing that day without sustaining serious injury.

“Christille, do you have something on your mind?”

“Hehe, did you notice?”

After finishing the hunt and dinner, despite the usual fatigue and the onset of drowsiness, Christille spurred herself towards the training grounds.

Amidst this, Dustin approached Christille, who had been lost in thought since the middle of the hunt.

“…Originally, Michela continued to refine her skills without becoming complacent in her talents, and Philip started taking training seriously after meeting Ishud-kun.”

“As for Gulf… I don’t know his original state, but he seems to have changed since meeting Ishud as well.”

“That’s what I’ve heard. Additionally, he underwent a transformation during intense matches with strong opponents in the fierce battle festival… It would be unwise to now mock him as merely a lucky commoner who happened to pass the test.”

Generally speaking, Christille’s words held true, but in the world…it’s not uncommon for fools to remain unaware of their foolishness and continue to act foolishly.

Both of them understood that, and they also understood that it would be futile for them to try to do something about it.

“Ibuki’s abilities are also top-notch. If she had participated in this year’s fierce battle festival… the results might have been quite different.”

“Suuuuuuu…Christille, do you think there are too many promising candidates over there in that year?”

They hadn’t gotten to the main topic yet, but Dustin couldn’t help but have doubts before that.

“Hehe, that might be true.”

At Flaveld Academy, there was also Andreas, a royal who had fought fiercely with Philip in the finals, so it was not unreasonable for Dustin from another school to butt in.

“So, what I’ve been worried about is… I’m… I’m fine. I’ll graduate next year and join the Knights.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Since there was originally no system of repeating a year, and since Christille was exceptionally excellent not only in combat but also in academics, was there a miracle that she might not graduate due to carelessness? The chances were one in a million… one in a billion, impossible.

“In that case, I think the gap with my classmates will widen even more.”

“I see… hmm. Regarding that matter, I, who have come to this place, also have to think about my worries.”

Dustin wasn’t a third-year student like Christille, but a second-year..

And next year, he would become a third-year student… the highest-ranking student.

Regardless of whether he becomes the student council president, Dustin, who won the fierce tournament among second-year students, will undoubtedly become a leading figure among Sanbal Academy’s students.

For those at the center of the academy, becoming even stronger is… very convenient for Sanbal Academy’s teachers and upper management.

However… for those in the same year, dissatisfaction couldn’t be greater.

“I haven’t forgotten what Ishud-kun told me. It might be a bit rough and irresponsible to say it doesn’t matter after graduation, but you don’t need to worry too much about it.”

Although she is the student council president, there is no need to meticulously consider the future of all current students.

Upon closer inspection, it seems inevitable that only a future of mental overload and overheating can be seen.

Realizing this, her heart lightened slightly, and a sense of composure arose.

However… spending days at the Regula family home has made her feel… not dramatically, but certainly that she is progressing forward.

“However, it’s just that… you could say I’m able to become stronger in such a good environment.”

“Yes… yes. I understand very well what you mean. It may only be a period of just under a month… but the experience here will be invaluable to my life. That is certain.”

“I feel the same way.”

Unconsciously letting out a smile, I immediately withdraw it and refocus on the issue at hand.

“However, naturally… there will be those who speak out, calling this favoritism and unfairness.”

“No doubt. Honestly, I can’t blame them even if my peers in the same year think that way.”

Favoritism… certainly, those who thought it wouldn’t be a problem for Ishud to come to his hometown and spend summer vacation together have some degree of affection.

Unfairness… the Regula family provides an environment that is exceptionally conducive to becoming stronger.

The person who invited them, Ishud, may seem barbaric and forceful, lacking in sensitivity, but even so, he can discern the line.

Reflecting on life since coming here and once again feeling fortunate… grateful to Ishud for accepting to spend the summer together.

However, at the same time, the two came to a certain conclusion.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter