Chapter 81

The duel between Laura and Chloe marked the end of the Grade-by-Grade Duel at the Caldera Imperial Academy.

As this annual event concluded, the closing ceremony was quite a lavish affair.

Sofia Sub-priest and I walked through the passage of the practice field, where petals were drifting down. It is said that throwing petals is a tradition to express respect for the outstanding students who achieved good results in the grade-by-grade duel.

“This is just not right. I may not know much about magic, but if Student Chloe hadn’t fainted, she would have undoubtedly won!”

For some reason, Sofia Sub-priest was fuming. I walked alongside her and replied.

“Indeed. If she hadn’t fainted.”

“Ugh…! Head Priest, don’t you find it unfortunate!?”

Sofia Sub-priest started to poke my arm, but I brushed it off with a light movement of my hand.

Certainly, it was regrettable that Chloe ended up exhausting all her magic and fainting at the last moment. Considering the overwhelming blizzard she unleashed, it was natural that Laura had no way to respond.

However, rules are rules. Once the opponent has fallen, the victor must inevitably be Laura.

What was truly surprising was that Laura vehemently protested the judgment of her victory after the duel.

– I am going to request a rematch! This, this…! It cannot be considered a complete victory!

However, the grade-by-grade duel wasn’t an event that revolved solely around Laura. Perhaps it could have been different if the duel was still ongoing, but once it reached the final stages, there was no way for a rematch to occur.

After all, a significant factor was that Chloe had fallen into a state of combat incapacity, but still.

“Really, it’s such a shame. If only Chloe had endured just a little longer….”

“The word ‘if’ shouldn’t be used so liberally.”

“Ugh…! B-but….”

After making a brief groaning sound, Sofia Sub-priest eventually nodded and shook off her gloomy expression.

“Phew! Alright! It’s unfortunate for Student Chloe, but it can’t be helped.”

Her tone still dripped with regret, but the winner had already been determined. There was nothing we could do.

“By the way, we’ll be returning to the academy tomorrow.”

As her expression wiped away the disappointment, Sofia Sub-priest spoke. I nodded at her words and replied.

“That’s right.”

“It’s a bit disappointing. This is my first time seeing the ocean….”

This time, Sofia Sub-priest wore a wistful expression. It was true that she had been quite excited about seeing the ocean even before coming here.

“There’s bound to be another chance to come back someday. The ocean isn’t exclusive to Bruytni.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

Sofia Sub-priest’s face brightened a little. As we talked, we soon arrived at the door leading into the practice field.

A threshold that countless students had crossed over the past four days to prove their worth. We stood before it, gazing at the nine students visible beyond the wide-open door.

The outstanding students from the grade-by-grade duel consisted of three from each grade. A total of nine outstanding students were gathered in the practice field.

“There seems to be an awards ceremony.”

As Sofia Sub-priest mentioned, the reason I was called here was indeed for the awards ceremony.

The top three from the grade-by-grade duel were recognized as outstanding students, receiving brooches made of gold, silver, and bronze. There exists a system that allows for the recipient to be designated at will.

For some unknown reason, Chloe had chosen me as the person she wanted to present the brooch to. For me, this was close to the sound of knocking on a sleeping person’s door.

It was truly incomprehensible. I tried to recall any reason for Chloe to choose me.

‘Why is that?’

Yet again, I couldn’t come up with any plausible reason. Aside from perhaps having shared a few words of advice while taking a night walk by the sea with the sleepless Chloe?

It was true that Chloe had made a significant magical leap this time, and it seemed she had resolved some of her concerns about her talents during those beach walks.

However, I had not been able to provide any concrete advice regarding the magical talent she was worried about, merely offered a string of vague words disguised as encouragement and consolation.

Perhaps it was because I was the advisory professor for the Occult Research Club.

In any case, for various reasons, I slowly made my way toward the podium where Chloe stood. Sofia Sub-priest was following closely behind.

As we passed the podiums for the third and second-year students, we finally reached the podium for the first-year students. Chloe stood on the highest of the middle podiums, and to her left was a slightly lower podium.

I approached it. Having been deemed the winner of this grade-by-grade duel, it was natural for Chloe to awardingly claim second place as the runner-up against me.

We were now just a step apart. Chloe, who had been gazing at me from afar, flashed a bright smile.

“Professor! You came!”

“Yes. How are you feeling?”

“Hehe… I’m okay now.”

Chloe scratched her head, laughing awkwardly. As I watched her, I slightly frowned at the cheers pouring in from the students in the practice field.

I didn’t particularly like loud noises, now or back then.

However, I had no choice but to endure it for Chloe’s sake.

Meanwhile, unaware of my feelings, Chloe misinterpreted my frown in another way.

“P-professor. I’m sorry… I must have bothered you too much…”

“It’s alright, Student Chloe.”

“Still… Your expression reveals everything…”

“That’s not the reason.”

I looked directly at Chloe’s face. Standing on a slightly elevated platform, I still had to glance up slightly due to Chloe’s shorter stature.

“Student Chloe is in Class A of the first year and is taking the theology course I teach. It is certainly not a bothersome task to step up for a student I am responsible for.”

“…Hehe! That is true, right?”

I didn’t mind it. I was just embarrassed.

Afterwards, I stood facing Chloe and shared various conversations.

For instance, about how difficult the duel with Laura was. Or how I had remembered my advice to her, which allowed her to ignite blue flames.

As someone unfamiliar with magic, I couldn’t empathize much with her stories, but Chloe seemed to enjoy them. I felt the same way.

“Ugh… Still, I’m just happy to finally find my talent. Though it’s not clearly defined yet… I do have talent.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. And… all of this is thanks to you, Professor. Thank you.”

“I did nothing.”

“Hmm… It’s hard to explain in words, but still, it was all thanks to you. This is the truth.”

Given Chloe’s sincere tone, I didn’t challenge it further. If I had helped even a little, that was enough for me.

At that moment, a familiar presence approached from beside me. I subtly shifted my gaze in that direction.

“Priest Antorelli. It seems we meet again.”

“……”

Wearing a top hat, the Duke of Adelhaid’s face was somewhat obscured. It appeared that Laura had chosen the Duke of Adelhaid as the person to present her brooch to.

As I kept silent, the Duke of Adelhaid then turned to speak to Chloe.

“Student Chloe, is it? Congratulations. Your magic was quite impressive.”

Chloe, taken aback by the sudden appearance of the Duke of Adelhaid, stared for a moment before quickly bowing her head and speaking.

“T-thank you for the compliment…”

“Not at all. Talented magicians bring great joy just by being observed. Be sure to hone that talent diligently.”

As if pretending to offer warm words while subtly trying to leave a favorable impression, that attempt made me feel disgusted. I subtly moved my body between Chloe and the Duke of Adelhaid.

“You’re surprisingly childish.”

“……”

“Ah. You won’t even engage in conversation with me? Very well, let it be.”

With that said, there was no exchange of glances between us. Chloe looked at me with a slightly anxious expression, but that was inconsequential.

Thus, how long did we wait in front of the podium?

Finally, as the students who recorded third place stepped onto the stage, preparations for the awards ceremony were complete.

– The grade-by-grade duel at the Caldera Imperial Academy, which has a long history and tradition! As has been continued until now, we will now hold the brooch award ceremony for the outstanding students! Please welcome them with a big round of applause!

As cheers erupted from the audience, loud applause resonated all around. I bit my lip as I heard the sound.

I didn’t particularly enjoy the sound of clapping. Whether in the past or now.

However, I had no choice but to endure for the sake of controlling all the students in the practice field, so I chose to remain silent.

Soon, Professor Andres, who had descended into the practice field, began to pull out brooches from an elegant box one by one.

– We will now commence the award ceremony for the brooches, filled with the hopes of all students attending Caldera Imperial Academy! Let’s start with the first-year students!!

The cheers from the audience were overwhelming. I did my best to disregard that tremendous cheer and received the silver brooch from Professor Andres.

– First, the winner of this grade-by-grade duel for the first-year students! The honor goes to…! Laura von Adelheit from Class A of the magic department!

The Duke of Adelhaid pinned the brooch onto Laura’s chest. Following that, Professor Andres continued.

– Next, for the first-year runner-up from the grade-by-grade duel! Student Chloe!

I raised the brooch. While handling the shimmering silver brooch, I heard Chloe’s voice in front of me.

“Professor Antorelli.”

“…Student Chloe.”

For some reason, Chloe’s eyes were glistening with tears, likely regretting finishing the duel in second place. I offered her words of comfort.

“It’s alright. You did your best, and second place is a position of substantial worth.”

“…Yes. I managed to achieve what I wanted, so I’m quite happy.”

As I looked at Chloe’s beaming smile, I reached toward her chest to pin the brooch…

“……”

I discreetly turned my gaze away from her prominently pronounced, assertive chest. The gaze of Sofia Sub-priest standing behind me felt piercing.

How do I pin this?

*

“Laura, my daughter. Congratulations sincerely.”

“……”

Laura von Adelheit forced a smile. Given how awkward that smile was, it was only natural for her father, Maximilian, to wear a puzzled expression.

“Why do you look like that, Laura? Is there a problem?”

“…N-no. I’m fine. Thank you for your congratulations, Father.”

“Good. I’m truly glad to see you grow like this. This summer vacation, let’s go out together with Riina after a long time…”

Though her father began to say something, none of it reached Laura’s ears.

Her eyes were solely focused on Professor Antorelli and Chloe standing beside him.

‘…I was the one who won. Why are they congratulating her?’

Why was he congratulating that girl?

The only person who acknowledged Laura’s magic, no, her very existence, was Professor Antorelli.

‘Wasn’t I the only student recognized by him? Am I not the sole student he acknowledged?’

A faint glimmer of vitality faded from Laura’s gaze.

This inexplicable emotion coursing through Laura was undoubtedly jealousy, a sticky feeling accompanied by envy.

– Now! Please give a huge round of applause again for the stars who have shone at our Caldera Imperial Academy!!

Even as the awards ceremony approached its conclusion, amidst the mingled joy and sorrow.

Laura did not tear her gaze away from the two.

Indeed, for a long time.