Prophet (1)
The competition ended amidst enthusiastic cheers.
The serpent, who had displayed a shocking performance.
In the end, after deliberation by the faculty, the boy who unanimously won the championship became the hottest topic in the academy for a brief week.
The students were all talking about what happened at that time.
It was only natural.
It was like achieving a feat that was considered impossible in the long history of the academy.
The children who saw the game in person knew.
The miracle they witnessed then was beyond the realm of mere talent, it was a [power] with the potential to reach the stars.
It was also a passage that hinted at the future that would lead the continent.
The hero who reached the highest star.
The Red Sword Saint.
It was the makings of a [star] that appeared three years after his death.
As such, it was reasonable for the attention to be focused on him.
- I just can't forget that scene.
- I knew it was beyond the level of a student, but... who knew he would win against a professor.
- Especially the scene where he split the tidal wave at the end was thrilling.
- Is it a talent that will go down in history?
- There's a commotion in all sorts of organizations right now. The imperial family, the magic tower, the knights, the noble families... I heard that letters are pouring into the academy to try to get their hands on him first.
- I heard that the chief assistants have been working on it for a week without sleeping.
Excessive talent is bound to be admired.
The students were all talking with shining eyes.
Even the envy and jealousy that had been poured out until now had turned into longing.
Proof, as a kind of measure, elicits the recognition of others.
- Doesn't he seem like a pretty decent guy?
- He doesn't seem arrogant compared to how great he is... and I heard he turned down all the offers he got, so I kind of like him, right?
- He said firmly that he wants to focus on his studies for now.
- I heard he gets along well with a commoner girl.
- His impression is strangely ominous, but if you look closely, he has a lot of good points.
- I should try to talk to him later.
The public opinion was flowing positively.
Of course, not all of it.
On the other hand, there were also those who had doubts.
- I have no objection to the talent to reach the stars, but... honestly, it feels sudden.
- Isn't that family more famous for alchemy than magic?
- Talent doesn't necessarily pass down through bloodlines, but a wizard suddenly from a family that has traditionally passed down alchemy.
- I heard that they were originally a family with a long history in academia.
- Besides, if the talent was that outstanding, it should have already been known outside the family... why hasn't there been any talk about it until now?
- It seems like they're hiding something.
It was a valid question.
Why did the [star], which had been dormant for the past years, now reveal itself to the world?
Doubts about this arose.
But even that gradually subsided.
There was no one to give a proper answer.
It was just buried in the ongoing topic.
In this way, the doubts about the serpent's family scattered beyond the surface that no one knew.
Even all the answers were forgotten.
***
A week after the tumultuous event ended.
I spent my days leisurely.
With the practical exams and many other busy schedules over, I was now allowed some free time until the start of the vacation.
Of course, the aftermath of the competition drew the attention of the academy.
But apart from such minor details, it was a few days spent relatively peacefully.
I spent time with the people around me.
"Congratulations on your victory!"
"Miss Regia."
"Because the young master is amazing! I, I believed from the beginning that you would succeed...!"
"Your excessive faith naturally weighs on my shoulders."
I also stroked the head of the protagonist who was jumping up and down with joy.
"It's not that surprising, but... still, you did well."
"I'm glad you said so."
To the villainess who coolly expressed her congratulations, I responded with a smile.
"Was it hard?"
"It wasn't particularly hard."
"Yeah... as expected, Judas is amazing."
I talked with The Little Prince who was nodding to herself.
"You were more amazing than I thought."
"Well... I am in a position to assist Your Highness. I would have no face to see you if I struggled with just this much."
"You're always good with words."
"So, do you dislike it?"
"······Not really."
I also teased the blunt rose.
Although the sentences we pronounced were different, they were the same in that they all contained concern and congratulations.
I was inwardly grateful for their words.
The calm daily life of the academy continued.
Additionally.
There was also an occasion to talk with Professor Kadel, the opponent in the competition.
There was a tradition in the main event where the loser granted the winner one request, and this time, as the winner, I was also given the right to make a request to him.
What I requested was as follows:
- Please step down from the selection of the head professor next year.
- I plan to put my master in that position.
- Instead, I hope you will support us so that we can serve our term.
It was a rather unreasonable request.
The price to pay was too high for a simple event.
I thought that the other side might refuse, but surprisingly, Professor Kadel signed the contract without saying much.
Since he had already been defeated miserably in front of the whole school.
It seemed that he couldn't refuse because of his own pride.
Of course, he was clenching his teeth so hard that it looked like his jaw would break at any moment, but that wasn't my concern.
From my point of view, I was just returning the insult I had received.
- I will remember this.
The professor left with a somewhat flag-like line.
I responded with a meaningful sneer.
I had no intention of losing even in a strangely provoked battle of nerves.
Just thinking about his decaying expression made me laugh.
"Hehe."
"······I don't understand."
Selena looked at me as if I were strange.
Her eyes were filled with deep doubt.
Her carelessly disheveled purple hair showed her characteristic fatigue.
The silent woman soon threw a few questions.
"May I ask why?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm talking about the last match. You responded to the other side's provocation on my behalf. I don't think there was any need for you to do that, Judas."
"Did I perhaps overstep my bounds?"
"No. Rather, I'm grateful for that. I'm just asking out of pure curiosity."
"Hehe... the reason is as I told you before."
I smiled softly.
My gently curved lips held warmth.
"I stood up for my master."
"······."
"You've helped me so many times. The insults directed at you, whom I've relied on, bothered me, and I thought it was my duty as your disciple not to let them go."
"I thought it was a joke to make you laugh."
"You say such disappointing things."
A nonchalant remark.
I took a few steps and stood beside Selena.
A faint smell of alcohol brushed the tip of my nose.
"It was solely for your sake."
"As I've pointed out before... we are merely in a master-disciple relationship based on a contract. I don't think you have any obligation to be loyal to me, Judas."
"It's fine. It wasn't an action swayed by obligation."
"Then?"
"It's taming."
I lingered near the woman.
But I didn't reach out.
If I did, the drunkard would surely push me away. In taming, the distance to start with each other is important.
You have to gradually get used to it from a gap where the other person won't be scared.
I was maintaining a precarious boundary.
A distance far enough to be firmly pushed away, yet close enough to be noticed, constantly catching the eye.
Even if they don't realize it, the relationship gradually deepens.
"You don't have to feel any pressure. I just wanted to repay the help I've received."
A bright reply.
After a moment of silence, the woman nodded.
"······Yes. If that's the reason, I'll be grateful."
Her lifeless eyes were shaking slightly.
A ripple falling on the still surface.
Even the drunkard's icy atmosphere was cracking.
I retreated with satisfaction.
'I can't be impatient.'
It was the cornerstone for the future development.
To win over an adult sick with sadness, it was necessary to approach more carefully than usual.
I continued the taming, standing on a precarious boundary.
***
Two days later.
I visited the main building to receive the reward for the competition.
Apart from the tradition where the loser of the match granted the winner's request,there was a separate benefit given to the final victor.
As it was a notable event in the academy, they seemed to put a lot of effort into it.
'A reward.'
If it were something useless, I would have just let it go... but this time, I couldn't be so sure.
Even though I knew the original work inside and out, this was an unpredictable part.
That's why I needed to confirm.
"Excuse me."
Creak-.
I opened the antique door and entered.
Immediately, a scene came into view.
Between the bookshelves that stretched out like a study, there was a desk, and beyond it, an old man with white hair sat leaning back in a chair.
His pupils, which had lost their color, were staring intently at me.
"I've been waiting."
The old man invited me in.
As if he knew in advance that I was coming, two cups of freshly brewed black tea were placed on the table.
I greeted him, putting aside the complicated thoughts running through my mind.
"It's the first time I've seen you up close."
He showed his face at every academy event, but he had no interaction with the students.
He was none other than the head of the academy.
"Headmaster."
The headmaster of Gallimard Academy.
Gaston Gallimard.
I had always wanted to meet him since I was possessed in this world.
I hadn't had a chance to meet him before, but by winning this competition, I was able to have a private meeting with him.
I spoke calmly.
"First, I'll get straight to the point."
"Do so."
Information about the old man flashed through my mind.
An old man with a gentle impression.
Everyone in this world called him the headmaster, but in the original work, there was another name that described him.
A sinner who saw beyond what was allowed due to the curse of the world.
"The Prophet."
The Prophet of the Apocalypse.
(prophètede l'apocalypse)
"How much do you know?"
"······."
A straight ball thrown without dragging it out.
The white eyes captured the afterimage of the serpent without a single tremor.
The silent old man soon parted his lips.
"······What answer do you seek from me, traitor?"
The Prophet saw through me.
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