Chapter 13

Chapter 13

A short while later, Roan, Riel, Rafia, and Hector were sitting around a table.

“Wow…… it’s really just like I heard. Just coming in here seems to make me feel better.”

Rafia marvelled as she looked around the interior of the restaurant and out the window.

‘Is it because Demona isn’t here?’

Roan thought to himself.

It was true that he felt better, but it didn’t seem to be only because of the restaurant.

“What was that heretic thinking, trying to come here without any Talents?”

Hector asked, glancing outside as if feeling refreshed.

Roan wasn’t even curious.

To begin with, he had no expectations for Demona.

Riel, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, moved her lips slightly.

“Nameheretic?Unique……”

“No, his name is Demona Wycronon.”

“Wy, Wycronon?”

Riel’s eyebrows went down ever so slightly.

Her voice also grew ever so slightly louder, indicating she was quite surprised.

‘Naturally so.’

Anyone would react that way upon hearing that the golden-haired clown was the child of the Wycronon family.

─ Senior, by any chance, are you interested in black magic? I will teach you specially, so just 15…… no, 10 Talents……!

Demona was currently grabbing passersby outside the ‘Forest of the Holy Spirit’ and begging.

‘……But that guy doesn’t even know black magic, does he?’

Offering to teach something he didn’t even know himself—could there be anything more absurd.

Of course, the pedestrians who heard Demona were startled, offended, or walked away in anger.

It would probably be more effective to tie a small rock with a rope and drag it with his teeth.

Since he was a freshman, many seniors would look at him with pity.

‘Is someone going to report him to Professor Kaina at this rate?’

Roan was also getting curious, but he didn’t step forward to stop him.

That was a good thing in its own way.

***

The food arrived.

The four were chatting in a bright atmosphere typical of freshmen.

“Is that so? Going to the courthouse since you were a child, that’s amazing.”

“It is nothing much. It was to help my father.”

Hector shook his head as he cut the steak.

However, seeing his stiff expression soften slightly, it seemed Rafia’s praise was quite pleasing to him.

“Amazingme training.”

When Riel spoke, Rafia and Hector naturally looked at Roan.

They had already grown accustomed to conversing with Riel through Roan’s help.

“Continuing training since you were a child is also quite amazing. Anyone who hears that would think of the honor of the Heilick family.”

“Right! I practically lived in the mountains and did nothing but play, hehe.”

“Yes, embarrassingly, I was also lazy with training.”

When Roan responded so that Riel’s words could be understood reasonably, the two would chime in on their own.

The optimal format where everyone could converse enjoyably.

Roan was also finding his own fun in catching Riel’s reactions in real time.

Even now, he caught a few cells in her cheek turning slightly red.

“Anyway, Heilick will be a great help in executing black mages. Not letting one’s expressions show is a good habit.”

Hector nodded and praised Riel.

At that, Riel stared intently at Hector.

No, strictly by her standards, intently.

As Riel, who had a motionless, icy face, stared at him, Hector flinched slightly for no reason.

Was it a complex of hers?

……She won’t ask for a duel, right?

“Expressions? Lacking.”

Roan translated her words.

“Riel actually expresses her emotions very well. Even now, she is overwhelmed with embarrassment by your compliments.”

“……?”

“……What?”

Although the two had become somewhat accustomed to the way she spoke, this time they couldn’t help but be openly surprised.

If she was someone who expressed her emotions well, what were other people.

However, Roan actually thought that Riel lacked the talent to hide her expressions.

Riel was simply not easily visible.

‘The two are completely different.’

For example, a person who was good at hiding expressions would hide their actual emotions as if they didn’t exist at all, or act out a completely different emotion.

But Riel showed a happy reaction when happy, and an embarrassed reaction when embarrassed.

She expressed the emotions she felt exactly as they were.

Therefore, it couldn’t be said that she hid them well.

“It’s just that you all aren’t used to it yet. There are few people as honest as Riel.”

“……Ah, I see. Now that I hear it, it does seem that way.”

“……I agree.”

Rafia and Hector nodded reluctantly.

They probably thought it was Roan’s consideration to spare Riel’s feelings.

‘But it’s the truth.’

Roan was slightly frustrated.

The Riel he saw and heard through the monitor and speakers and the Riel in reality were completely different!

The Riel in reality was passionate enough to participate in a speech contest, with just a little exaggeration.

“Well, that aside. Does anyone know anything about tomorrow’s classes?”

“Basic holy magic and Imperial history?”

Rafia naturally shifted the topic.

Indeed, when it came to everyone’s interests, few things were as fitting as the daily classes.

When Hector responded, Rafia nodded.

“Yeah. Today’s classes were more abnorm…… unique than I expected.”

‘I think she was about to say abnormal just now.’

Roan did not bother to point it out.

Since it was a natural reaction.

“Right. The healing holy magic was certainly unique.”

Hector agreed, stroking his chin.

Rafia stared at Hector with a slightly dumbfounded expression.

“Hmm? What is it.”

“Oh, nothing.”

Then what about Professor Kaina……?

Just then, Riel spoke to Roan in a quiet voice.

Since it was even quieter than usual, Roan also had to focus slightly.

“Ah. I agree too. Where did you hear that?”

“Familyseniorbeware.”

As Roan showed interest first, unlike usual, Rafia and Hector also seemed quite curious.

“What did Riel say?”

“She said the holy magic class seems like it will be even more unique. Apparently, among the professors of this school…… those who handle holy magic, it seems hard to find a sane person.”

“……?”

Roan succeeded in correcting the words as naturally as possible, but even the changed words were strange all the same.

‘Even though you are the best at using it?’

Wasn’t Roan the most skilled in holy magic among anyone here?

He had even received high praise from Atoga in the first class.

Just then, Roan noticed a gaze glaring at him and turned toward it.

“…….”

There, Zion, looking unwell, was staring intently at Roan’s group.

Then, as her eyes met Roan’s.

Swish—!

Her eyes and the bridge of her nose turned slightly red, and she headed toward a single-person seat by the window.

‘Even a dog when eating…… Ah, that makes sense.’

Roan was about to feel aggrieved as usual, but upon seeing the members at the table, he realized his mistake.

Setting Hector aside, aren’t Rafia and Riel Zion’s roommates?

‘The misunderstanding might deepen, should I ask her to eat with us?’

He had secured plenty of seats, considering that Demona might join in the middle.

However, he soon decided against it.

‘Rather, it might hurt her pride if I call her. It seems best to leave her alone for now.’

***

Fine, let’s say it was all a misunderstanding until now.

Although the circumstantial evidence was too clear to call it a misunderstanding, Zion could understand with a broad mind.

How coincidental a person’s life could be; these were situations that could easily be manifested by a slight timing difference.

But not anymore.

Zion was convinced as soon as she entered the ‘Forest of the Holy Spirit.’

Out of all friends, to pick only her two roommates and have a meal together!

Although the Pavilto family was also sitting with them, that was a minor issue.

Zion felt like tears were about to fall on their own.

‘How can a person be so cruel? What did I do wrong!’

Predicting that she would come to this restaurant was surprising enough.

But sitting in one place with Riel, whom normal people would hesitate to even converse with, was shocking.

‘Clearly, to show off that both grades and friendships are no match for him…….’

Actually, Zion’s heart had eased a lot while listening to Professor Kaina’s class.

Hadn’t she obtained Talents and the recognition of her friends and the professor by answering several questions?

When the Wycronon child unintentionally revealed the destruction of the Darc family among the freshmen, she was honestly sorry.

Since having such a wound dug up would never feel familiar, no matter how much time passed.

Seeing the moment Roan hesitated whether to speak to her or not, Zion swallowed the tears that were painfully rising.

‘If I join them here, I will inevitably fall under Darc.’

That might be easier.

But as the Saintess Candidate of the Empire.

Zion intended to hold out to the end.

Someday, she would stand proudly above him…….

In the end, Zion headed toward the single-person seat, clenching her two fists and dreaming of enduring hardship to seek vengeance.

Even amidst that, the ‘Forest of the Holy Spirit’ set menu was too delicious.

‘Why is the food so delicious too, annoyingly…….’

***

“If you’re all done eating, let’s get up.”

Roan, who had checked all the empty plates of his friends, casually suggested.

As a famous Acherandir restaurant, the meal was certainly satisfying.

Although he was somewhat concerned about Zion, who had entered in the middle.

‘……Well, seeing her eat well, I guess she’s fine. It was good that I decided not to share a table.’

Seeing her eating food as if possessed while sitting in the single-person seat reassured him in its own way.

For now, it seemed to be nothing more than a minor misunderstanding.

“Please come again, freshmen!”

As Roan and his friends were about to leave the restaurant under the clerk’s send-off.

A familiar face was entering hurriedly from the outside.

“Huh? Roan! Look at this! Some benefactor gave me Talents!”

“Oh.”

It was Demona, showing about 30 Talents in his hand while fluttering them.

Roan was honestly impressed.

To give Talents to a fellow talking about black magic in the middle of the commercial district.

Acherandir might be a place surprisingly livable for—black mages.

“When I offered to teach them black magic, they said no thanks, but gratefully…… Ah, that person over there!”

But looking at the direction Demona pointed, Roan’s expression stiffened.

‘I knew it!’

That person wearing a gray robe rarely seen in Acherandir was definitely someone Roan knew.

“More importantly, did you come out to greet me? You could have just kept eating.”

“? What are you talking about. We’ve finished our meal.”

“What? Then what about me!”

At Roan’s words, Demona was startled.

“Since you obtained money, you can eat deliciously on your own.”

“Where are you going! Rafia, you too?”

“S-Sorry.”

Demona looked at Rafia with sorrowful eyes, but she quietly avoided his gaze.

Next was Riel.

“Eli you…… o-oh, sorry. Let’s talk it out.”

Demona tried to ask naturally, but as she stared at him with a cold expression—or gazed at him with pity—he got scared beforehand and apologized.

“Sorry……”

“She says it’s fine. And it’s Riel.”

It felt like a rumble sound effect automatically played from Demona’s expression.

In the end, with a very reluctant face, looking as though he really hated it too, Demona asked Hector, the last one remaining.

“Fan…… Hector, what about you? I heard Pavilto values loyalty?”

“……Do you think I have loyalty to keep to you? Seriously?”

Hector was truly dumbfounded.

It was natural since a fellow who was about to call him a fanatic just now suddenly called his proper name.

“I’ve never eaten alone in my life……”

Having been rejected by everyone in the end, Demona muttered, looking dispirited.

Since that appearance was pitiful, Roan clicked his tongue and spoke.

“There are many places selling simple takeout food in the commercial district. Buy some to take to the dormitory.”

Demona brightened at those words.

“Really? Why are you telling me that only now! Fanatic, I will remember your ugly betrayal clearly!”

“This heretic bastard!”

Demona and Hector began to bicker normally again.

Roan left the two behind and came out, leading Rafia and Riel.

Actually, even if it weren’t for Demona, they had to look around the commercial district at least once.

Since they didn’t only sell food.

Roan also bought the item he had thought of beforehand at a general store.

“A leather canteen?”

“The school is large, so I thought it would be good to carry one around.”

“Oh, that’s true.”

Hearing Roan’s words, Rafia also picked up a canteen.

Of course, what Rafia and Roan would fill inside the canteen would be quite different.

At any rate, after that, Roan and his friends looked around a few more shops.

Demona naturally packed a lot of street food.

Rafia and Riel bought admirable things like a bit of dinner, an advanced Hilonian dictionary, and a swordsmanship manual.

‘Indeed, there’s no need to worry about them.’

Roan also nodded contentedly at their appearance.

“……Why are you looking at us with those eyes?”

“It’s nothing.”

Meanwhile, Hector came out of a dark alley and joined them with a satisfied expression.

“……Is there a place to use such things in school?”

“Always be prepared.”

In his hand were several interrogation tools, of which one couldn’t even guess where he bought them.

‘Even so, if there is a place to use those in Acherandir, isn’t it dangerous?’

His friends did not point it out further.

However, Roan resolved inwardly that he should not get deeply involved with those from heretic inquisitor backgrounds.

By the time they finished looking around the commercial district, the sun was sinking when they returned to the dormitory, Panroa Hall.

Of course, to properly ‘arrive,’ they had to climb up the cliff.

“……How do I carry this up?”

“Does a student not even carry a bag to school?”

Demona, holding a lot of food in both hands, wore a tearful face.

Roan realized only now that Demona didn’t have a bag and was dumbfounded.

“My family told me that nothing special is needed for the first class!”

‘He apparently ignored the fact that Talents are used instead of gold coins with gritted teeth.’

A place like the Wycronon family would not have failed to look after their child properly.

……If it was Demona, maybe they could?

In any case, Roan clicked his tongue and held out his bag.

“I will lend it to you only this time. Put it in.”

“Thanks, Roan!”

Demona snickered and put the food in his hand into Roan’s bag.

However, even after closing the zipper, Roan did not pull back his hand holding the bag.

Demona tilted his head and asked.

“I’ve put it all in, though?”

“? Naturally, you should carry it.”

“What……!”

Only then did Demona wear a betrayed expression, but he had no choice but to carry Roan’s bag reluctantly.

Roan did not need Demona’s food, but Demona needed Roan’s bag.

Having arrived at the entrance of Panroa Hall like that.

“It was fun today, see you tomorrow!”

“Eatfoodtogether tomorrow too……”

Rafia and Riel waved their hands and entered the female dormitory wing.

Roan also naturally said goodbye to Hector and Demona.

“Good work. Bye, everyone.”

However, the two tilted their heads and asked.

“Roan, is there somewhere else you need to go?”

“Huh? What do you mean by……”

Roan wore a face of defeat.

‘I forgot we are in the same room.’

Having to stay with these annoying fellows even at night!

“No. Let’s go up together.”

Having resigned himself, Roan led the way up to the McGodal Room.

Creak—

“Ah, guys. How was the first day? The healing class was a bit tough, right?”

‘Beanin is rather, no, much better.’

Out of all people, the spy of the black mages was the most decent person.

And that, too, in the Holy Academy and the Empire’s sacred land, Acherandir!

Roan felt a great irony.

“Don’t even mention it, Senior. Roan, you see……”

Demona wasn’t even tired, and started to chatter as soon as he saw Beanin.

“Hmm? Ah, really? That’s great. More importantly, it seems you all have already become close. I’m glad.”

Twitch—!

“Ro, Roan? Right?”

“……Yes. I am tired, so I will go in first.”

“Roan’s expression is originally like that. He’s a good kid.”

Instead of getting angry, Roan forced a cold smile and entered his private room.

Ordinary students would review today’s classes or prepare for tomorrow’s classes in their private rooms.

But Roan’s situation was slightly different.

No matter how much False Divinity he had, it was difficult to perform black magic in a place where others’ eyes were clearly watching.

Instead, he immediately lay on the bed and fell asleep.

And in the dark dawn when the moon had not even risen properly.

Flash—

Roan opened his eyes.