School Trip (1)
A duel filled with shock.
The performance, which was unbelievably brutal, finally concluded after a full two hours.
The boy, exhausted from dancing, eventually collapsed.
Thud-!
The boy rolled on the floor, utterly drained.
Even in such a state, his convulsing hips made the onlookers frown.
The students were staring at the arena with cold eyes.
"......"
The training ground, which should have been filled with cheers, was silent. The students who had been cheering for Ian just hours ago were now speechless.
The look in their eyes was far from admiration.
It was truly an unsightly scene.
Students, professors, followers... the audience all stared at the boy with bewildered expressions.
A flawless elite.
The most talented in his year, and the only candidate for the next student council president.
The image he had meticulously built over the years crumbled.
The only thing left in people's memories was the twerking, performed with such passionate fervor.
Perhaps the most horrifying ending.
"Hehe."
Meanwhile, only the architect of this spectacle was laughing.
The serpent, pleased with the social death he had orchestrated, couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising. But then, he subtly covered his lips.
It was the quintessential villainous gesture.
《...Ah.》
《The, the duel has ended.》
《Ian Ternado is incapacitated. The winner is Judas Snakus.》
The announcer's voice finally rang out, belatedly declaring the victor. But there was no applause, no cheers.
Only a heavy silence lingered.
"It was a fierce match."
Judas shrugged and turned his back.
The students, still in a daze, watched the serpent's back as he walked away.
***
The fight between the top students ended overwhelmingly.
It was so one-sided that it was questionable whether it could even be called a fight, but it was entertaining nonetheless.
It was a strong dose of dopamine, a sensation I hadn't felt in a long time.
'Maybe I went a little too far.'
The thought briefly crossed my mind.
Not only had I trampled on his pride, but I had shattered it completely.
The image of a perfect genius was no longer possible.
As much as it was satisfying, considering how much he had tormented me, I also felt a pang of pity.
But I didn't regret it.
'It was necessary.'
In the end, it was his own fault.
He started the conflict, accepted the duel request, and even insulted the professor I was following in front of the Chief assistant.
Technically, I had the upper hand.
Anyway.
It was time to settle the reward for the duel.
This was the stage known as [Execution].
We calmly started our conversation.
"How have you been, Senior Ian?"
"......"
Ian sat there, looking haggard after the past few days. His trembling lips remained silent.
The way he flinched every time our eyes met suggested that he hadn't forgotten the trauma of that day.
Thanks to that, I was able to easily get the answer I wanted.
"My request is simple."
"......"
"Just once, become a pawn I can use."
"......A pawn?"
"It's nothing special. Just follow my orders when I give them."
"What exactly are you planning to make me do?"
"Well, I don't think I'm obligated to tell you in advance."
"......"
Even though he had been thoroughly played by me, he was still the top student in his second year.
He was also preparing to run for student council president next year.
Of course, his position might be in jeopardy now, but he was still a talented individual.
Just a tragically twerking genius.
If I set conditions like this, there would surely come a time when he would be useful.
Moreover, as the Chief assistant of Professor Kadel, who was at odds with Selena, he could be used to keep their power in check.
In many ways, he was a diamond in the rough.
"Oh, and."
I added, making sure not to forget.
"You must attend classes regularly, as usual."
"W, what...?"
"You can't just hide in the research building and graduate."
This wasn't really important.
I just added it because it seemed fun.
He had become the academy's idol, known as the best dancer among the students. Wouldn't it be a shame if he skipped classes?
It was the heart of a producer who had debuted a superstar.
"W, wait, why are you saying two things? The reward for the duel was only supposed to be one!"
A natural objection followed.
However, I calmly crushed his resistance.
"Senior Ian."
"Y, yes...?"
"If you don't like that, I'll let you dance again."
"......"
The choice I offered was simple: accept my terms or relive the horrific nightmare.
This time, I was planning to make him do the Zero Two dance at the main gate.
For three hours straight.
"Choose wisely."
"......"
Ian sat there, dumbfounded.
His haggard figure trembled, and eventually, he had no choice but to nod.
"Please... let me be your pawn."
Tears welled up in his eyes.
Following a single tear rolling down his cheek, the promising young man knelt before the mastermind.
It was a truly cruel and merciless scene.
***
The details of the duel caused a stir within the academy.
A freshman, who hadn't even shed his first-year naivety, had overwhelmingly defeated the top second-year student.
It was so one-sided that it was embarrassing to even call it a fight.
-I never thought it would be that bad.
-I thought a close match would be a good showing, but... Senior Ian was completely helpless.
-Is illusion magic really that powerful?
-If it was, it wouldn't be classified as an unpopular subject.
-It's just that the freshman is ridiculously strong.
It was a huge shock to the students.
Illusion magic, considered one of the most difficult subjects among the many disciplines.
The fact that he could freely use such magic and completely dominate a senior student was shocking to the children.
It even led to some reconsidering their views on the subject.
-But... it was really brutal.
-I never thought he would take revenge like that. What kind of crazy person would come up with such an idea?
-It seems like once you're on his bad side, it's game over.
-Come to think of it, last time too...
Of course, it wasn't just his skill that became the topic of conversation.
The unspeakable content of the duel.
The way he ruthlessly toyed with his opponent remained etched in their memories.
Whispers filled the air.
-He did the same to Princess Vanity, didn't he?
It was in front of the entire school.
Emilia, who flew through the air on that stage and eventually wet her pants.
Ian, whose passionate dance moves made everyone frown.
None of them escaped a miserable fate.
Thanks to this, a sinister rumor began to spread among the children.
-It's scary to even think about it.
-Everyone, stay out of sight. If you get on his bad side, your academy life is over.
-Just looking at him is ominous... I feel like I'll disappear from the world the next day if I make him angry.
-For some reason, he has a creepy aura.
The rumor to be wary of Young Master Snakus.
This kind of ghost story spread from mouth to mouth, eventually reaching the ears of the person involved.
I smiled bitterly.
"Oh dear... It seems I've made myself unpopular."
The students' gazes, whether conscious or not, were palpable.
As I gave an awkward laugh, Emilia, who was walking beside me, responded.
"Hmph. Serves you right."
Her blue eyes glanced at me.
Her pupils were filled with contempt.
Perhaps she felt some sympathy as a fellow victim.
The girl frowned and then spoke as if reprimanding me.
"You went too far this time, you know."
"I'm reflecting on my actions."
"Your lips are practically reaching your ears."
"Ah."
I belatedly covered my mouth.
The villainess sighed quietly.
"...Of course, I know it was justified revenge."
"I'm glad you understand."
"And I know you held back a lot. If you really wanted to hurt him, it wouldn't have ended with him becoming a laughingstock. You would have erased him from existence without a trace."
"That's a scary thing to say."
"Because you're someone who can actually do that."
"Just because I can doesn't mean I will."
"You never miss a beat."
Emilia eventually rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache.
Her red lips muttered softly.
"That Ian guy... will he ever be able to hold his head up high again...?"
"Oh, I think he'll be fine."
"Huh?"
"After all, you're doing well, Princess."
"What are you talking about...?"
A surprise attack, taking advantage of a moment of vulnerability.
The attack pierced through her defenses, striking directly at her heart.
"You, ju, just now, what did you..."
The girl's face turned bright red in an instant.
Her pupils trembled.
Anger, embarrassment, and shame mixed together, creating a disharmonious symphony.
The villainess froze for a moment, then regained her composure and shrieked.
"You! You promised not to make fun of me for that...!"
"I'm surprised you believed that."
"You, you, you trashy person!"
"How naive."
"Eek, eeek!!"
Emilia was about to explode with anger.
I deftly dodged the ice spears falling from the sky and continued my teabagging with all my might.
I was fulfilling my role as an agent of chaos.
"Don't worry. I can embrace even your embarrassing past..."
"Shut up!!"
"Isn't this pure love?"
"Eeek!!"
We continued our walk amidst the boisterous atmosphere.
***
The duel event, which had been quite a commotion, passed in the blink of an eye, thanks to the week that followed.
The academy was now painted in the deep hues of summer.
The season arrived with the lush greenery.
The students celebrated the past few months.
The academy was a constant cycle of suffocating competition.
But even in such a fiercely competitive Gallimard, the first vacation arrived, a time to put aside their studies for a while.
It was the school trip.
"It's tomorrow, isn't it?"
I muttered, sitting on the sofa, when a voice called out from beside me.
It was Irene.
"If it's starting tomorrow... the school trip?"
"That's right."
The fox was personally brewing tea.
She seemed to be trying her best, but her skills were still too clumsy to be called a maid.
I swallowed the tea, which had a strangely astringent taste.
"That's unexpected."
"Hmm?"
"You seem to be looking forward to it."
"Of course, wouldn't I be? Who in the world dislikes vacations?"
"I thought you'd be different."
"Please just think of me as a normal person."
"I'll try."
She fiddled with the teapot expressionlessly.
After a moment of silence, Irene asked, as if she had just remembered something.
"When are you coming back?"
"They said it's a week."
"That's shorter than I thought. I guess I'll just be guarding the dorm."
"Oh, didn't I tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"You're coming with me, Irene."
"Me too...?"
"We're allowed to bring one servant. I was thinking of taking you with me anyway."
"Can I refuse?"
"No."
"I figured as much."
Irene sighed briefly.
I chuckled and stroked her tail, which was swaying gently beside me.
A soft sensation flowed through my fingertips.
"...Why do you like tails so much?"
"Don't worry, Irene."
"Stop touching my tail."
"A vacation where we all go together will be quite enjoyable."
"No, the tail."
I skillfully soothed the whining fox.
I spoke vaguely.
"Hehe... I'm sure it will be fun."
Because an unexpected event awaits us.
A sinister smile spread across my lips.
Suppressing the corners of my mouth that were twisting on their own, I tilted the teacup once more.
It still tasted astringent.
***
Thus, the night passed, and the morning of the long-awaited school trip dawned.
From early in the morning, the students of Class A gathered at the carriage stop.
Each child carried a large suitcase.
They were preparing to embark on their journey.
As I waited with anticipation in my eyes, the homeroom professor arrived last.
Perhaps she had overindulged the night before the vacation.
Selena seemed to be suffering from a hangover.
Still, the sight of her not letting go of her bottle made me think she was quite the drunkard.
She checked the final headcount and took charge.
"Everyone, board your assigned carriages. We'll be departing shortly."
The students found their seats.
Neigh!
Soon, the carriages lined up in a row and set off with a vigorous sound.
The horses' hooves left the academy gates and crossed the streets.
[EP.9 School Trip]
-The Azure Sea, The Singing Children-
The vacation had begun.
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