Chapter 182
"Keke, it hurts."
Currently, my right buttcheek was swollen to about 1.5 times its normal size.
It was because as soon as Lucia hugged Luna, Caron roundhouse kicked my butt and chased me out the exit.
'Damn Caron. Seriously, there's no affection.'
Grumbling as I left through the exit, a flat vacant lot welcomed me.
The kids who took the test divided into groups 1 to 14 were gathered together.
By friends or by factions. They were chatting in groups of three or five.
Seeing that the instructors weren't particularly intervening, it seemed okay not to gather by teams.
"K-Kraken! As expected, he survived!"
"Wasn't that guy in Team 13? How did he come out later than Team 14?"
"He probably went to the bathroom or something. Look at his waddling walk."
"As expected of Kraken! Even his poop is huge!"
The kids' glancing gazes, wary gazes, and even derogatory gazes.
Normally I would have been annoyed, but today I didn't feel like it.
Because...
'Seems like Luna's test ended well too... Is it only the reward time left now?'
Just how tremendous of a reward are they giving to keep us in suspense like this?
A game-breaking weapon? A skill I don't know about? An artifact? Or money worth a thousand gold?
Just the anticipation made me feel so good, as if my mood was piercing the sky.
Murmur murmur-.
"Huh?"
In the midst of that, something caught my attention.
A group of kids were gathered in a circle. As if they were spectating something.
'What is it? This kind of event didn't exist in the game...'
Could it be a new event created because of me?
The kids had formed a wall several layers thick, but getting through wasn't that difficult.
Because the kids stepped back and made space just by me approaching.
'It's convenient at times like this.'
The synergy effect created by [Ominous Aura] and slit eyes.
It's a skill that makes me involuntarily annoyed most of the time, but I can't deny there are times when it's quite useful.
Huh? It's not because of the skill but because the kids are running away due to the perverted actions I've done so far?
...It must be a misunderstanding. I've never done such actions.
If time passes, minor misunderstandings(?) will be resolved and I'll be able to start a happy academy life.
Anyway, before long, I was able to set foot inside.
"Huh?"
The Yuridia faction and Teron faction were standing on either side.
At the very front were Yuridia and Teron.
Up to here, it's an ordinary daily occurrence. But there was one thing different from usual.
Yuridia and Teron were competing over 'something'.
And that 'something' was surprisingly...
"Get those dirty hands off right now! You're hurting Ms. Rezé!"
"Don't you think it's because you're grabbing her, Yuridia?"
"Eek, eeeeek!!"
...The pufferfish rabbit, Rezé.
She currently had her wrists grabbed by Yuridia and Teron, one on each side.
...What the hell is she doing there?
"Recognizing talent and recruiting them is the very reason for the Yuridia faction's existence! It's only natural to recruit Ms. Rezé!"
"You talk well! Despite not showing even a fingernail's worth of interest until now!"
"I became interested starting today! And isn't it the same for you, Teron?"
"I've had my eye on her for a long time! So you better let go of that hand right now. If you don't want to face big trouble!"
The kids from the Teron faction made a move to act. In response, the kids from the Yuridia faction also raised their spirits.
If an all-out war breaks out, it's an unfavorable situation for Yuridia's side.
Perhaps realizing that fact, Yuridia opened her mouth as if it was a shame.
"Fine. Let's talk first. On the count of three, let's let go at the same time!"
"Okay."
"One... Two... Three!"
"......"
But neither of them let go of Rezé's wrists. Rather, they only pulled her harder towards their own side.
"Eek, eeeeek!!"
The pain was, of course, Rezé's share.
Seeing that, I couldn't help but get angry.
'That's the rabbit(?) I'm raising!'
How dare they target our family's rabbit.
Moreover, isn't it a rabbit equipped with radar function to alert of danger and marksmanship?
Trying to steal such an excellent rabbit.
It's a situation where I can't help but get angry.
"Keke, what are you all doing now?"
"Zero!"
"Zero...!"
As Yuridia and Teron reacted, the kids standing behind them flinched.
The atmosphere changed as soon as I appeared.
I lightly grabbed Rezé's wrists and pulled her towards me.
Perhaps because they were caught at the moment they were trying to steal.
Yuridia and Teron didn't put strength into their hands.
Rezé, who was so surprised that her hair was standing on end.
I gently embraced her and declared.
"Keke, this is mine."
"...!!"
Perhaps feeling that their leaders were disrespected.
The boys from the Yuridia faction and Teron faction strode towards me.
"Impudent fellow!"
"You're crossing the line! In the name of Zepa, 5th rank in the Teron faction, I will punish you...!"
But they couldn't finish their words.
"You already have a partner! Yet you're eyeing another girl!"
"Blatantly cheating!"
"As expected of the Kraken! We really can't let our guard down for a single moment!"
"Everyone rise up! We must stop the construction of the Kraken Empire!"
Kyaaaaah-!!
The girls from the Yuridia faction and Teron faction rushed out in a group.
Their force was so tremendous.
The boys groaned under their feet.
Seeing that, I could only be flustered.
'I get the Yuridia faction. But even the girls from the Teron faction are acting like that?'
When I looked at Yuridia, she turned her head with a 'Hmph!' sound.
Did she succeed in rallying even the opposing faction?
I don't know what she's up to. It's really scary at this point.
"Keke, the situation doesn't look good. I'll retreat first."
What I chose was to run away.
And so I started running away.
With our family's rabbit... no.
With Rezé tucked under my arm.
*
"Phew... I finally feel alive."
After dropping Rezé on the ground from under my arm, I wiped my sweat.
A chase and escape that lasted for a whopping 10 minutes.
It's a good thing there was intervention from the instructors, otherwise I might have been caught in the middle.
That's how rough the chase was.
"Y-You jerk!"
Rezé sprang up and started pummeling me with her fists.
It didn't hurt.
Strength stat 3.
It was the fist of the pufferfish rabbit, Rezé.
"Keke, why are you doing this? If it weren't for me, you might have been split in half in that dangerous situation."
"You s-said getting shot kills everyone! N-No! You absolutely c-can't kill people with g-guns!"
What does this mean?
There are people who don't die even when shot, and with a magic gun at that?
"It w-was a m-monster. I-I'm going to d-die!"
Rezé's incoherent words.
But it wasn't too difficult to interpret.
'...Caron. What the hell did this guy do?'
To make the timid Rezé show aggression.
Looking at Rezé's testimony, it seems the mana bullets did hit Caron's body.
'Rezé was in Team 4, I was in Team 13.'
Although Caron didn't face me in the 3rd stage, he didn't seem to be particularly injured.
Then Rezé's words that he wasn't hurt even after being hit by mana bullets are likely true.
'Is his body really made of cast iron?'
The nickname Killing Machine suited Caron quite well.
Rezé, who had tears welling up in her eyes for some reason.
I patted her and asked.
"Keke, how far did you execute the strategy?"
"T-To the end."
Supporting Yuridia and Teron, and even a one-on-one match with Caron.
Did she faithfully carry out my strategy?
'So that's why Yuridia and Teron were acting like that.'
Long-range support flying in whenever they're in danger, whenever it's needed.
They must have also witnessed the firepower of the magic gun, so it was only natural for them to show interest.
"Keke, you should listen well to what I say."
"Huh? W-Why?"
"Because if you leave my side, Ms. Rezé's body will be split in half."
"Eek, eeeeek!!"
It was half true.
Yuridia and Teron. The two who recognized Rezé's value won't leave Rezé alone.
Staying with me until graduation from the academy, or dropping out.
Unintentionally, only extreme choices were left in front of Rezé.
'I can't hand her over to those two.'
I'll have to put a small shackle on Rezé.
"Keke, you wouldn't want to be split in half, right?"
"O-Of course not...."
"Then you have no choice but to be with me. Shall we start by simply writing a contract?"
"Huh, huh...?"
I took out a sheet of paper from [Dimensional Pocket] and held it out.
It's not a special paper.
Profit distribution 9:1, absolute obedience to my words, prohibition of dropping out, etc.
An unequal slave contract... Ah, no. It's a perfectly ordinary contract no matter how you look at it.
"Just sign here. The content is, well... There's no need to look. It's just that I guarantee Ms. Rezé's safe academy life."
"I-Is that so? But here it says...."
"Keke, aren't you looking forward to a thrilling academy life with Ms. Luna? If you don't like it, forget it. I'll have to find someone else."
"N-No! I-I'll sign it!"
It's going according to plan.
It was the very moment Rezé was about to sign.
"Don't bully my friend!"
"Ugh!"
Someone kicked my back.
That someone was, of course.
"Seriously, I can't let my guard down for a single moment! What were you trying to do to my friend?"
It was Luna.
I quickly shoved the contract into [Dimensional Pocket].
"What was that paper just now?"
"Keke, it's nothing much."
"Want me to make you a star? Hurry up and show me."
Luna started stretching her body.
It's unfair. I only offered Rezé a fair(?) contract.
A difficult situation. But getting out of this situation isn't that hard.
"Ms. Luna."
"What."
"Did you cry by any chance? Your eyes are all red and puffy."
"C-Cry! There's no way I would cry!"
Perhaps she was embarrassed that she shed tears.
Luna started biting my ear wildly.
'Hmm, a normal daily life.'
It was a moment when I realized the pop quiz had ended.
That's when.
"...You guys are always noisy."
It's Caron.
Rezé, who saw him, started having a fit.
"I-I'm going to die! I'm going to die!"
...What on earth happened? I'll have to hear the details later.
"Stop making a fuss and gather around. I'll be announcing the new advanced class now."
I followed behind Caron towards the plain.
The 1st year kids were gathered. I mixed into the kids while feeling the sharp gazes of the girls.
"Then I'll announce the advanced class now. The order is random, and the rankings won't be announced either. Don't act thoughtlessly."
A change that occurred due to the instructor who leaked the rankings to the Teron faction during the entrance exam.
But it's not important, so it's okay to skip over it.
"Next is......"
The kids who belonged to the advanced class were announced one by one.
As time passed, the Yuridia faction had a flush of joy, while the Teron faction had a dark cloud.
Because the Yuridia faction increased by about 10%, while the Teron faction decreased by about 15%.
By the way, the remaining 5% was taken by kids who didn't belong to any faction.
'Their image took a big hit.'
It was quite a blow to the Teron faction, who claimed to be a faction of skill.
It's a bigger drop than the change that occurred in the game.
It must be the effect of Yuridia obtaining hints for the pop quiz.
'It'll be a big deal if changes occur to the story I know....'
I'll have to keep a close eye on what changes occur.
In the midst of names being called one by one, Caron shifted his gaze towards us and said in a low voice.
"Rezé de Leria, advanced class."
The name of our rabbit... no, Rezé was called.
"You did it! Rezé! You did it!"
"Huh, huh...?"
Luna rejoiced as if she would fly, holding Rezé's hands.
For a moment, Rezé staggered. While holding her chest.
"Rezé, what's wrong? Does it hurt somewhere?"
"Something... Something feels weird. Somewhere in my chest... It f-feels t-ticklish... Like it's s-swelling up."
Rezé's description was vague, but I could easily figure it out.
What Rezé is feeling right now.
It's none other than.
"It's because of a sense of accomplishment."
"S-Sense of accomplishment...?"
"Yes. The joy that comes from being recognized."
Rezé has unusually low self-esteem, although I don't know what kind of life she has lived.
This might be the first time she's feeling a sense of accomplishment. So she didn't even know what she's feeling right now.
That's right. Right now, Rezé is.
Experiencing a special moment in her life.
"There are many fun things in this world besides making friends."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. If you're with me, you'll be able to feel more and greater senses of accomplishment."
Staaare-.
Rezé stared intently into my eyes. As if asking if it's true.
At the same time, fierce eyes stared at me from behind her.
"Don't hit on my friend. I'll bite you to death."
"Keke, I've never done such a thing?"
"No excuses!"
Luna bared her teeth to bite my ear, and I was forcefully pressing Luna's forehead when.
"I-I'll work hard."
"Huh?"
"I-I'll work hard. I-I'm lacking, but... P-Please take care of me!"
Rezé, trembling with her hands gathered in front of her chest.
Luna hugged such Rezé with all her might.
It's a sight that makes you feel good just by watching.
"B-By the way... H-How do I get the n-next sense of accomplishment?"
"You need to set a goal."
"G-Goal?"
"Keke, I already have a plan all set up."
Luna and Rezé's eyes sparkled. As if telling me to speak quickly.
'It should be fine to say it in advance.'
It's a situation where even the timid Rezé is showing motivation for a change. Wouldn't she be even more motivated if I say it now?
Our next goal. That is...
"Keke, we're going to catch a demon. And an upper-class demon at that."
"......"
Thud-.
Rezé fainted.
--TL Notes--
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