War capability development activities.
They gave it such a grand name, but all they really did was make club activities mandatory. Typical Academy move. But after a few days, it seemed like it wasn’t just that.
Regular classes were restructured to focus on strategy and tactics, and once a week, we had field training. Sounds intense, right?
But, true to the Academy’s style, only the faculty and security were top-notch. The field training? Just dumping all the students onto the field and letting them fight it out. Honestly, can you even call this a class? It’s basically just free-for-all gym time.
Surprisingly, though, the students took this “not-a-class” class seriously. Maybe it’s because they were allowed to fight without restrictions, but a weird battle royale vibe formed, and you could hear the sounds of combat everywhere.
Maybe it’s because they’re all young and full of energy. But thanks to that, I’m the one in trouble. If anyone picks a fight with me, I’m done for.
At least if there were clear divisions, I could find Sena. But everything’s so mixed up, I can’t tell where anyone is.
Just as I was thinking that, a fireball whizzed past my head. My hair caught fire, and I could hear it crackling.
I froze for a moment, then quickly put it out with a water spell and looked around. No one was coming for me. Thankfully, that fireball wasn’t aimed at me.
But still, I’m so insignificant compared to the other students. It’s like a mouse getting caught in a catfight.
“…Let’s get out of here.”
If I stay here, I’ll be chopped into three pieces in no time. Even if I’m suicidal, I’d rather not die a slow, painful death.
I crouched low and started moving through the field, dodging flying spells and shockwaves. As I nervously made my way, I felt a tap on my back.
“Remia, senior.”
“Ahhh?!”
I turned around, startled, and saw the expressionless face of the girl I met the other day.
Seriously, make some noise when you approach. I almost had a heart attack. I have a fragile heart, you know? It might actually stop.
I gave her a slightly resentful look, and Yohan nodded as if understanding and spoke.
“My apologies. I was in a hurry and made a mistake. From now on, I’ll make sure to make enough noise for you to notice from five steps away.”
“…I didn’t say anything.”
“I inferred based on the situation.”
That’s even scarier. Just say you can read minds. Are you some kind of system?
Seeing my awkward expression, Yohan blinked and changed the subject.
“If you stay here, you’re likely to get caught up in the fighting.”
“I know. I was trying to avoid it.”
“At your speed, the probability of safely reaching the outskirts is less than half.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
“Blomberg senior is tied up with Decardi senior in the elite group and can’t come.”
“What are you trying to say…?”
Are you telling me to just give up and wait for death? You speak so stiffly, it’s hard to tell what you’re trying to do. If you’re just messing with me, that’d be better. At least a mocking face would feel more human than that mask-like expression.
Around then, Yohan blinked again. Then, she raised her hand and deflected something flying toward my head. A loud noise followed, and the wind blew my hair.
It happened so fast, I didn’t even register it. I froze in shock.
Yohan, still calm, continued.
“That’s why I came.”
“…Why?”
“To ensure your safety until the class ends.”
“Really, why…?”
“As someone who will soon be your junior in the club, it’s my duty.”
“…?”
It’s a strange relationship with a lot of unnecessary details, and hearing her say it’s her duty just makes me feel weird. If she just said she was concerned, I’d have no response, but Yohan doesn’t seem like the emotional type.
I narrowed my eyes and asked.
“Did Sena ask you to?”
“That’s one of the reasons.”
“What’s the other reason?”
“That is.”
Yohan stopped mid-sentence and turned her head. I looked in the same direction and saw a girl I remembered walking toward us.
It was the girl who, on the first day, led the charge with Zhang and beat me up. I don’t know her name. Don’t care either.
“Wow.”
She smiled brightly when our eyes met. I felt goosebumps and brushed them off with my other hand.
Of all people, why her? I’ve gotten used to Zhang beating me up, but…
“That kid is not it.”
My head was itching.
It felt like something was wriggling its way through my cerebral cortex.
“I was waiting for you, Princess! Seeing that Wharton, who was always clinging to you, is gone, it seems you’ve been abandoned again, huh?”
“…I wonder.”
An annoying, sharp voice seeped into my eardrums.
It was obvious that soon my breathing would become uncomfortable, and that familiar feeling would return.
As she approached, my trembling body naturally began to step back.
It wasn’t my will, but an action ingrained in my body.
If I didn’t do this, I would always get hurt more.
She looked at me, cowering, and smiled with satisfaction.
She must have been sure that Ariana wasn’t around.
I frowned.
I hate this.
Really.
“Remia, senior.”
“Y-yes?”
Startled, I looked to the side, and Yohan was staring at me with his usual emotionless eyes.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll tidy up and be right back.”
Without waiting for my answer, Yohan began to move.
“Hello, Sophia, senior. I’m Yohan Sonépar.”
“Huh? If you’re going to join, follow the order. It’s my turn now… Keugh?!”
Then, he raised his left fist and struck the woman called Sophia right in the face.
With a thud, Sophia fell backward, blood streaming from her mouth and nose.
Yohan looked at the bloody scene and raised his fist again.
“It’s troublesome if you approach silently. Remia, senior doesn’t like people approaching her.”
“No, wait, hey! Ouch!”
Wow, he’s punching with bare fists.
Sophia’s eyes widened, and she began to gather magical energy, but it was no use.
He was enduring her magical attacks with his bare body and punching her.
If he were a knight, he would have used a sword, but it seems he’s not even that.
Is he some kind of indestructible martial artist I’ve only heard about in stories?
It’s scary how he fits the image.
My perception of her changed from a doll to a robot.
You know, like a Terminator kind of thing.
Ah, he’s stepping on her.
Ah, she’s crying.
Yohan made a girl cry.
Somehow, the girl who seemed so terrifying just a moment ago now looked pitiful.
Clearly, Yohan was the one who saved me, but it felt so one-sided that the other side looked even more miserable.
“Now, now, that’s enough. Killing is out of the question.”
When it seemed like she had lost consciousness and couldn’t resist anymore, the health teacher appeared out of nowhere and stopped Yohan.
For someone who appeared suddenly, the timing was oddly precise.
He must have been watching from somewhere.
It’s not certain, but as a teacher, it felt like he would do that.
“If you were watching, you should have intervened sooner. What were you doing while Remia, senior, was in danger?”
“You’re being ungrateful after I stopped a murder. I would have come sooner if it weren’t for you. Who’s the one not trusting whom here, really?”
The teacher brushed off Yohan’s reproach and reached out to me.
“Anyway, come this way, patient. I’ll take you to a safe place.”
“Ah, thank you…”
“It’s okay now. I’m by Remia, senior’s side.”
“What?”
Yohan stepped forward, shielding me.
The health teacher looked at Yohan with disbelief.
“This kid, seriously, is he jealous of me too?”
The teacher’s gaze was on Yohan, but it felt like the words weren’t directed at him.
I had a strange certainty.
Who was he talking to?
Of course, it was just a feeling, so I just tilted my head in confusion.
I couldn’t understand why such random thoughts were coming to me.
“If that’s the case, I’ll just go. Don’t be too stubborn and just do what the patient wants.”
“Of course. I’d rather say the same to you.”
“If this kid can’t even speak.”
There was a strange sense of trust in the teacher’s words.
For some reason, I felt curious and asked.
“What’s your relationship?”
For a moment, there was an awkward silence.
The two of them opened their mouths almost simultaneously.
“We just met today.”
“Well, we’re somewhat close, I guess?”
Their words clashed.
The two, who oddly resembled each other, began exchanging glances without words.
What exactly is their relationship?
