Chapter 70 – Courage

000

Cleon returns to Lyla’s mansion as the sun sets over the horizon.

It was a time when the surrounding colors were dyed orange and the shadows were long.

The hustle and bustle of the weekend is gradually diminishing.

Calms down to a level that is slightly more energetic than usual.

Compared to ‘Elesia’, the city where Cleon and his party originally lived,

The laughter of children is heard much more than the shouts of adults.

It reminds me once again that this is a school.

Quietly open the front door and walk inside.

When you reach the living room through the hallway.

There, various papers were laid out on the table in the living room.

There was Layla who grunted.

What I put on was the same pajama dress as when I saw it this morning.

I must have been wrestling with books and papers all day without going outside today.

However, due to lack of time, some researchers are looking for ways to immortalize…

Cleon opened his mouth, worried about whether Layla would go there.

“Studying in the living room is rare.”

“Yeah… It’s a bit stuffy… Ah, Cleon. You’re back.”

Layla realized that Cleon had returned and looked back.

When Cleon nodded lightly, Layla stretched her back and leaned back on the sofa.

“Then it’s already dinner time. Ah. Did you enjoy the after?”

Laila glanced at her watch once, then spoke casually.

“…Why did you do that?”

‘After’ must mean entering ‘the place’ with Aruru.

Of course, it was late to get home, but…

“Sasha said. She saw Cleon enter the ‘castle’ in District R with a blonde woman.”

Come to think of it, I said I was going to the free market with my friends today.

I wish I could have witnessed that scene.

“That… I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing? Because I know that making her feel good is to get her consent.”

At Cleon’s apology, Layla smiles bitterly and sneaks upstairs.

“…But. I think Quon was a little angry?”

“Quon…”

The moment Cleon answered like that.

“Cleon~~~!!”

A thunderous sound came from the top of the stairs.

There, he saw Quon descending the stairs with an angry face on his face.

Every time I come down the stairs with a slightly quick step, that big chest shakes.

“I heard from Sasha! Aruru-san and I went into a place called the ‘Love Nest’!

“Ah, ah, sorry. That’s…”

“What are you going to do if Sasha is interested in such a place! It’s not good for emotional education for a child who is in the middle of puberty who is full of curiosity!”

“Is that the reason…”

Seeing Quon speak from the perspective of Sasha’s mother, Cleon sighs.

Sasha sneaks up on her face from behind Kuon.

If you look a little sorry and meet her eyes with Cleon.

Cleon only smiled wryly.

“Don’t laugh while getting scolded!”

Finely. Chatter chatter.

In the end, she heard a long and long nagging from Quon on the spot.

001

After that, the four of them all sit at the table together and share dinner as usual.

“What about Galatea?”

“I’m resting after checking it during the day. I must be tired after looking around quite a bit.”

When Layla says that, Cleon’s eyes turn to the upper floor where Galatea is.

“How are you?”

“Galatea and the child in her stomach are healthy. Rather, it’s to the point where I think they’re growing too fast. After all, it doesn’t look like the person inside is human.”

Outwardly, nothing seems to have changed.

Layla said that what is inside Galatea is slowly increasing its magic response.

It is said that even with the current amount of magic power, she has already surpassed the level of a tolerable magic tool.

Although not a ‘human’ or a ‘creature’, Galatea’s belly does not swell.

When will the core of the sword growing inside come out?

Neither Laila nor Galatea could have expected it.

“The analysis of the Memory Cube failed, but I think I did a good job investigating it using the facilities in the academy.”

It would have been impossible to grasp the details with the objects in the city.

Layla adds the same words.

In addition to researching her own magic, investigating the condition of Sasha and Galatea.

And even assisting in the interpretation of the Memoria Cube.

Although she is trying several times harder than others.

She is more lively than when she was in the city.

After all, she must have been a researcher by birth, a scholar.

“Don’t overdo it.”

However, she had a worrying side as well.

The academy she knows isn’t exactly friendly to her students.

The Council of Elders, which occupies the highest position.

Enforcement department repeating the problem.

And even the unknown ‘black engagement’.

Enemies were still scattered out of sight.

“What do you look at me for? I never slept for a week when you guys weren’t there.”

But Layla smiles as if there is no problem and she replies.

It was an answer that seemed to come from the heart, not bragging or pretending to be strong.

“It seems like you’re overdoing it if you take your eyes off it. Layla.”

Quon speaks while siding with Cleon.

Lila just rested her chin on her table with her elbows on her table as she let out a sigh.

“Rather than that. Cleon, what do you say to Sasha?”

Leila tries not to let the arrows of her story fly at her to herself.

She changes the topic and quietly looks at everyone, and she brings up the name of Sasha, who is eating.

Then, next to the smiling Quon, Cleon turned his gaze to Sasha.

“Ah. That’s right. Those clothes are new, right? They look good on you.”

And the fluttering clothes she was wearing with various patterns in a green tone.

Just like the noble ladies of the city, while neat

It was a cute outfit with stylish frills all over it.

Sasha pricks her ears above her head at the sudden attention of her gaze, and she looks back at the three of them.

Then, I wonder if Cleon’s praise was a little embarrassing.

“Eh, hehe… Go, thank you. This is the clothes I picked out with my friends.”

‘ She replied, blushing.

“Because you’re wearing that, you really look like an aristocratic lady.”

Ryla also helps Cleon and talks.

Although she usually prefers short clothes or light armor to be active.

Similar to her friends at the academy, where she doesn’t need to be armed all the time.

She can dress like a girl and get by.

“Hey Layla, let’s leave it as consul magic!”

When Quon talks to Lyla, Lyla says, “Eh…” It was troubled while saying.

Projection magic copies the illusion of the subject and puts it in a magic item.

Although it is magic that can be checked at any time or projected onto paper.

Because that magic item is quite expensive.

Unless it was a really important moment, even nobles couldn’t touch it easily.

It’s as if he’s fed up with Quon, who just thinks Sasha is cute and says outrageous things about Sasha.

Layla casts her eyes at Cleon asking for help.

“That’s not a bad idea, Quon.”

Everyone here is just an idiot.

Laila thought that she had given up, and she hurriedly ate the rest of her meal.

002

So, after a hearty dinner.

Time to enjoy an after-meal tea time as always.

Originally, it was Lyla’s habit, but Kuon and Sasha took part behind it.

Eventually, Cleon was there and it became a daily routine.

It was the perfect time for her to talk about the day’s events and make plans for the next one.

Kuondo and Sasha also had an assignment in her class, so today she went back to her room early.

“…Evicting the Enforcement Division among the chiefs… Ha ha.”

Layla let out a sigh after Cleon relayed the information she had obtained from Aruru.

“It seems that the story is being held at a social meeting among seniors.”

“You did a good job talking in my absence…”

Unlike the relaxed look from before, the face becomes slightly tired and drawn.

She is, of course, Lila, but she hasn’t been on good terms with them since before she left her school for a year.

When she tries to do something good, she realizes that she is being alienated from them.

In many ways, losing energy from the body is unavoidable.

Cleon continues her story while examining Lila’s face a little.

“Anyway, it’s a good opportunity. Because I can give grace to the problems with the Enforcement Division and the other chiefs.”

“That’s right, but…”

Layla’s expression shows concern for Cleon.

Of course, she wasn’t worried that he would get hurt because of her skill.

The top students of the academy are a group of people who are more troublesome than I thought.

First of all, there is a confrontation between chiefs from commoners and chiefs from aristocrats.

The Flamewatch family is one of the starting families of the academy.

A commoner’s family without a title.

Categorically, he is a member of the commoners faction.

Most of her members of her aristocratic faction ignored her, naturally.

Even so, they are said to be the chiefs of the commoners faction.

There was no way I could have sympathized with Lila’s character, who was full of her elitist consciousness and saw her human as basically beneath her own.

But she didn’t get along with everyone without Lila.

A fight between the commoners and the aristocrats.

Also, the conflict between the departments that have been at odds in the history of the academy.

As long as they’ve never really threatened the academy itself.

It is a sight hard to imagine.

There, she is close with Aruru, but she is a temporary lecturer in the worst department, which is perceived as sex department at best.

In addition, even if he, a member of the dark horse clan, visited, he would not be welcomed.

No matter how much Cleon was used to that look.

Leila was only worried that her colleague would find herself in such a situation.

Then, Cleon caught Lila’s gaze and opened her mouth.

“It’s okay, don’t worry. You should worry about them more than that?”

“…That’s right. I know best what’s scary when you’re angry.”

Looking at Layla laughing as if to help herself, Cleon also smiled bitterly at her.

“What are you going to do?”

Then, Leila opens her eyes wide at Cleon’s unexpected question.

“Uh, uhm… I guess I’ll be fine. If I go, the atmosphere will only get worse.”

Lyla smiled uncharacteristically and turned her head away.

It must be because she knows that her existence itself is not welcome in that group.

Then she opened her mouth without making eye contact with Cleon.

“Mu, of course. I’ll help Cleon behind the scenes. You don’t have to go there yourself, right? As for Cleon, I think you can leave it to Aruru.”

“…”

Clearly, that was incorrect.

There is no need to appear in front of those who are hated.

That if Aruru is there, I don’t have to worry about Cleon.

But Cleon talks to Layla.

“I think it would be more reassuring if you stayed with me.”

“…Lies. He intends to drag me out there by talking like that. I won’t be fooled.”

Layla denies Cleon’s words, but she blushes a little.

“I’m not going to lie. I’m completely outside the academy. Having friends around is a huge help.”

“Ugh… If you say that…”

Layla glances back at Cleon, as if her mind has weakened slightly.

Cleon continued her story in a tone that seemed to reassure her.

“In addition, they think of you as a witch without blood or tears… But now I think this is a good opportunity to let them know that’s not the case.”

“Bye, there’s nothing good about telling the guys at the academy.”

“…But Lila. You like this place… The academy, right?”

Her eyes wide open at Cleon’s words, and his and hers meet.

Alas, it was.

You can’t hide your feelings from this man.

When everything is broken by your own foolishness.

To this man he has shown everything he has kept hidden inside.

Her grandfather’s pride and memories.

A family honor that is not taken lightly.

There are those who have defiled it all, no matter how much they corrupt this place.

Even if everyone around you hates you.

I like this place where you can study magic as much as you want.

The fact that what I made remains and is passed on to someone is fun in itself.

And to the place where memories with `her and her` remain.

He still has affection.

That’s why when Quon, Sasha, and Cleon all said they would come here with him.

I was excited.

I want to live here forever.

I was confident of wanting something.

However, when the necessary work is done, they will leave here again.

Then, though he’s still not quite sure what he’ll do.

At least, when I stood in front of my grandfather’s grave again.

He had to be able to laugh while telling the story of the academy.

Lila’s mouth opened and closed again and again.

It took courage to say a word.

But if you have that courage.

Obviously can be changed.

Yourself and those around you.

And even this academy—

“Cleon, I-“

003

Tower of Aion.

If you go upstairs instead of going downstairs.

There is a meeting place that only the heads of each department and professors can enter.

The insignia of each department are decorated on the wall around the round table in the middle.

Among them, compared to the insignias of the three departments of the beginning, magic, swordsmanship, and sacred department.

It is old and splendid, and there was no shortage of representing its history.

And around the round table, as usual, the chiefs of each department are present and wait for the meeting to begin.

All gathered are the best talents in the academy.

All of them had their own individuality, or they were students who gave an impression that would never be buried.

“Who is Aruru?”

A male student from the Department of Politics, a representative of the aristocratic faction, opened his mouth.

Then, the female student from the Divinity Department next to me answered.

“He said he was a little late. There’s someone to bring him.”

“Hmm.”

If the head of another department, for example, the archery department, who is not here, is late, he will raise his voice even if the opponent is a student of the same aristocratic faction.

If Aruru is the target, he endures it silently.

Even if they were the same duchy, the history and power of the Tromeia family was stronger.

The chiefs of the commoners faction could also complain about Aruru not keeping the meeting time.

As for her, among her aristocrats, she treats them without prejudice or discrimination against her commoners.

Everyone said nothing.

Eventually, the door to the conference room, which had been closed, opened and Aruru appeared.

And she’s followed by a dark-haired, white-skinned man.

The eyes of some students widened.

“The dark horse clan…?”

“I heard that there are survivors, but why are they here…”

When whispering voices echo in the conference room, Aruru smiles and introduces the man standing next to her.

“Everyone, I’m sorry I’m late. I brought someone important to talk about the Enforcement Division.”

As if not caring about the atmosphere in the conference room, Aruru pointed at Cleon.

“This is Cleon. He’s currently working as a temporary lecturer in the sex department, and he’s originally a skilled adventurer.”

“Sex department…?”

Everyone- All the students’ faces frowned except for Riomes, who was just laughing.

“Why is the sex department instructor…”

“Could it be that the story of seeing Aruru-sama walking with a man in the free market was true…?”

“Sounds like an idiot…! It’s only for Aruru-sama…”

Although they are the ones who raise their voices in bewilderment.

As if expecting this reaction, Aruru cleared his throat and silenced everyone.

Cleon quietly sticks her tongue out in her usual affection for her.

Of course, he didn’t make a sound, but he still stung his eyes with distrust and contempt.

“You can trust him. I guarantee it. Above all, because he is there, we can fight the Enforcement Division like this now.”

“What do you mean?”

When the head of the Divinity Department raised his voice and asked, Aruru answered.

“Everyone knows that internal divisions in the Enforcement Division accelerated due to the disappearance of the second-in-command, and the figure was exposed.”

Seniors nodding their heads.

Aruru then turns her head to Cleon.

“I killed the trainer of the demonic eye, Elise Hutrus.”

At the same time, whispers of bewilderment dominated the meeting room.

“Did an academy outsider kill an academy student? When? Why?”

To the question of the head of the political department, who showed a slightly hostile reaction, Cleon answered calmly.

“Because she first threatened and harmed my colleagues.”

“The adventurer was targeted by the Enforcement Division…? What the hell was the Enforcement Division trying to do…”

“Is there any proof?”

Then, Cleon took out a black scroll from her pocket and held it up.

It was before, after Cleon snuck away from her.

It was the item that Lyla used to restore Galatea.

The magic effect inside had already disappeared, but the real thing of the Berserk Scroll itself was still there.

And the students who saw the scroll on which the symbol of the Department of Enforcement, the scale was drawn, rang their voices once again.

“Wait, can I check it out?”

Let’s request an appraisal from the ‘Magic Tools Department’, a department that specializes in developing magic tools.

Cleon handed it over to him.

The lens attached to the front of the monocle repeatedly contracted and expanded.

The boy nodded her head and returned it to Cleon.

“There’s no doubt. Berserk scroll. It’s the same item we confiscated from the Enforcement Department students before.”

“… I’m surprised. Then, really, Elise is dead.”

When the head of the political department muttered that, Aruru quietly whispered to Cleon.

“…Elise Hutrus was disguised as the deputy head of the political department.”

“…Is it.”

He nods his head as if he understands his sensitive reaction to her to a certain extent.

“He’s still being targeted by the people in the Enforcement Division. Resentments don’t go away so easily. Therefore, he’ll act cooperatively with us more than anyone else.”

At Aruru’s words, the inside of the meeting room went into silence for a while.

I can understand why and skills.

But he is an outsider, a lecturer in the sex department there.

“Really, I’m going to cry when I say that they are the best talent in the academy. I never thought they would be so closed-minded.”

Then, a voice came from outside the door.

Some of those who heard it frowned, and some became terrified.

When the door slowly opens, there is a reflection of the seniors’ meeting for the first time in several years.

Lyla Flamewatch stood tall.

“Lyla Flamewatch… That’s right. He’s your mate. He’s.”

Soon, the inside of the conference room is immersed in a threatening atmosphere.

However, Layla did not give in at all and came inside her, and she took her assigned seat in the Magic Department.

“I’m here to solve the problem. If the guys from the Enforcement Division continue to target my comrades, I’ll burn them all.”

“Since when did you care about being a colleague?”

At the words of her head of the Department of Divinity, Lila looks back at her.

“People change. I’m no exception.”

She smiles a little and when Lila replies, she seems a little taken aback and says nothing.

“You’ve been selfish up until now, and now you’re going to cooperate with us?”

The Department of Political Science, which she also doesn’t like, raises its voice of criticism.

“Yes. I promise you that you will definitely catch up with the Enforcement Division. Think of it as an apology instead.”

“A promise like that, how can I believe it?”

The answer made Laila’s eyes wide open.

She was entangled in her magic that burned like fire in her hair her, and an intense magic poem dwelled in her eyes her.

“I am Lyla Flamewatch. One of the honorable families of the beginning, the lineage of the mage in charge of the element of flame. You all know what kind of person I am, right? Tenacity, selfishness, and arrogance. There’s no one here.”

The Department of Political Science said, ‘Kuh…` She lowered her arm and turned her head.

Her magical pressure felt from her.

It had already reached several levels higher than a year ago.

“But it’s hard for us to accept if it’s not that cooperative.

The one who did not back down from her was, after all, her head of the Divinity Department.

With that attitude, did he think that she hadn’t changed?

The embarrassment from earlier had been erased from her face.

Then Lila sighs a little and she turns to everyone and talks.

“Listen carefully. I will absolutely make sure that students can study peacefully at this academy. And I will do anything to protect my colleagues. For him…”

The next moment, Lila bows her back and head in front of everyone.

“Breaking Pride is nothing.”

“…That Lyla Flamewatch, bowing down…?”

“Isn’t that a doppelganger or a shapeshifter…?”

As the other students stare at her in disbelief, Aruru silences her once again.

“Layla and Instructor Cleon both use their pride and time for us. Do you think it would be unwise for an intellectual at the academy to refuse such a favor?”

To her words her, when she had no one to answer.

“I feel the same way. The instructor is of course a wonderful person, but Miss Lila seems to have changed a lot.”

Head of the sex department.

Atademi Top Class Bitch- Riomes opened his mouth.

“Miss Lila’s eyes are the eyes of a ‘darling girl’. A person with eyes like these can really do anything.”

“Sa, love…? What, what are you talking about?”

Lila coughs and turns her head away from Riomes’ sudden words to her.

“I’m also in favor. There aren’t many opportunities to work with Lila.”

The one who raised her hand next was a male student from the Magic Tool Department who had appraised the Berserk Scroll.

Starting with those two, eventually more than half of the chiefs agreed, and the other chiefs nodded as if they couldn’t help it, although they were a bit uncomfortable.

“Okay. So, with this, I know that everything about the two of them has been accepted… Let’s move on to the main topic.”

Aruru looked at everyone with satisfaction, then looked at Cleon and closed one of her eyes to her.

She recruited the head of the Magic Tool Department in advance, and it was she who directed it so that it would flow like this.

Truly, she is a girl with no gaps.

And gather all the strength gathered here.

To oust the ‘Execution Department’ from the academy.

It was the beginning of a long, long meeting.