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[Rosgini’s Support Request]
Rosgini’s hometown, the Red Magic Tower, is in crisis.
An invasion by demons is predicted to strike the Red Magic Tower.
She seeks your assistance as someone deemed familiar with dark mana, earning the title of Dark Princess.
But demons are powerful beings.
Is your dark mana really greater than theirs?
If the demons secure an [Absolute Advantage] over you, the worst-case scenario of leaving the Academy to live as a demon’s servant might occur.
Please think carefully about participating in this event!
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Regional Event.
A series of major incidents that shake the stability of an area and worsen global security.
The explosion of the volcano near Pompeii, a business area of the Red Magic Tower, is one such event claiming its place.
“That volcano where I sold information to Professor Destroyer is the same place, right?”
Since the professor has taken action, have the attackers become anxious, causing the event to occur earlier?
The event sparked sooner than originally scheduled.
“Hold on, let me think for a moment!”
“I can’t give you much time. Once lunch is over, we’re heading to get your outing permit. If you’ve made up your mind, come to Professor Mahabharata’s office before lunch ends.”
“Got it!”
“Titosso, don’t stir up trouble just because you have strong friends. If your friends aren’t around, you’ll face the backlash alone.”
“Hey! That was Jiang’s fault just now…”
“Consider it enough karma for you.”
Titosso sulked after Jaku’s sting.
We quietly entered the cafeteria.
As Titosso wrestled with the squishy eyeball dish from the lunch special, evading the fork, I pondered whether to indulge in another helping while using my chopsticks to enjoy the eyeball, staring at the empty bowl before me.
“Should I have another bowl? It tastes so good, like jelly!”
“Isn’t there a more important dilemma on your mind?”
Here comes Jaku with his reasonable interruption.
“Of course, we need to go to the volcano. If we send Rosgini alone, she’ll die, right?”
“Is the demon invasion that dangerous? The tower’s strength isn’t that weak… Wait, hang on.”
Jaku reassessed the question.
“What’s the reason you’re so sure the demons will crush the tower and kill Rosgini?”
As expected, Jaku has a knack for this.
His questions are razor-sharp.
“Well, we know who the invading demons are!”
“…Is it the Foundation’s doing?”
“It could be or it might not be. I don’t know for sure. Why? You interested?”
“Well, after all, I’m with the Foundation.”
In the first semester’s lower class, during week four of the required common course exam, Jaku had demonstrated the use of dark mana during the Mana Evaluation Test, revealing himself as a scholarship student.
Even Jaku, who has participated in most significant events without fear, hesitated this time.
“Dropping out of demon hunting is wise. Most demons are humans directly infused with magic and dark mana by northern demonic clans. The absolute quantity of dark mana they possess is on a different level than a mere Foundation scholarship student who has clumsily awakened dark mana.”
“That’s because you forcefully injected dark mana into your mediocre stats!”
“…You think you’re different?”
“Of course!”
“Your purity of dark mana is impressive enough to earn you the title of Dark Princess. That’s why I insist you reconsider participating in this demon hunt. There’s another reason you shouldn’t.”
Jaku seems quite worried.
Strong people might skim over events, but for weaker ones, every little thing can be a burden.
This is why people need to exercise and gain strength!
“What reason?”
“The pinnacle to whom all scholarship students pledge their loyalty: the director of the Wahyhiemhai Foundation. The man you call Papa might have sent demons to infiltrate.”
“That’s wrong!”
“Do you have information refuting that?”
“I call him Father, not Papa!”
“…I see we have a filial daughter here.”
Jaku let out a deep sigh at my nonchalant response.
“Don’t worry. Even if this event is led by my Father, I’ve got my cheat key.”
“Cheat key?”
“Professor Destroyer is coming along. Just landing the finishing blow could yield tons of growth, so why would I refuse? It’s not a burdensome event but a super sweet one!”
Seeing my eagerness, Jiang displayed great interest.
“Finishing blow? Are you planning to do that trick on Professor Raeb again?”
“Yep!”
“Take me with you.”
“Hmm… Sharing seems a bit unfair…”
“Oknodie loves training, right? If I take him along, I’ll help him gain advanced divine abilities.”
“I can bring you along, but is it really okay? If I land the finishing blow on a demon, their magic will seep in.”
“Well, that’s a concern.”
Jiang, confident in his abilities without dark mana, showed signs of discomfort.
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[Upper Class Ranking]
1st – Oknodie
2nd – Ishtar
3rd – Masugaki
…
7th – Arcadia
8th – Jezel
9th – Jiang
…
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It’s understandable that Jiang, who ranked 9th in the upper class, feels uneasy.
“Chirp~ Chirp~ What are you doing plotting like a loser~?”
Instead, the Masugaki Princess approached, showing significant interest in dark mana.
“Wow! Since the moment dark mana touched your lips, you perked up your ears like you were just casually passing by instead of eavesdropping, right? You really took three laps around here!”
“What?! How dare you frame the Empire’s princess with such absurd accusations! I was just accidentally passing through, really!!”
Jiang’s evaluation was cold.
“I just learned who Titosso got bad company from. I don’t think it’s my fault, so my conscience feels less guilty.”
*
“Since the midterm exam is over, I will grant you an outing permit, but Oknodie, you’re on your second outing already. Honestly, I’m worried if you’ll come back on time.”
“I’m a model student and top of my class! I’ll return quickly, even just to protect my grades!”
Professor Mahabharata, looking troubled, glanced at me before stamping the outing permit.
“Putting Oknodie aside, it’s rare for a first-year Masugaki to go out. Are you that special to help Rosgini, who’s in danger?”
“Huh? It’s natural for a princess to help her citizens. Don’t you know that, you fool? Study up on royal duties, loser♡”
“Though I don’t want to stamp it due to your annoying tone, it’s rather unfortunate that I have no choice but to do so out of fear of angering the Empire’s Emperor.”
Reluctantly granting the outing permit, the Masugaki Princess replied victoriously.
“From now on, you must show respect to me rather than just His Majesty the Emperor, Professor♡”
As we prepared to exit the Academy through the transfer magic circle, Sandkooker, Jaku, Jiang, and from somewhere, Jezel and Jonnas came to see us off.
“Please take care of Rosgini. For some reason, the Yellow Magic Tower has become busy criticizing the Elders’ Council, and they refused to issue funds for the outing. Please help Rosgini in my place, Oknodie.”
“You understand the Foundation’s dangers more than anyone else as the Chief Scholarship Student. Never let your guard down. That director won’t miss a chance to try to tame you. Be extra cautious.”
“Oknodie, I hear that in the volcanic area, there’s a unique food called Onsen Eggs that’s local specialty. I expect a gift on the way back.”
“Though the little lady wouldn’t get picked on, I worry she might be tricked into doing bad things by a bad adult. Please be careful, just like Jaku said.”
“Miss. Here’s a lunchbox prepared by April. Enjoy it on your way.”
But where did Titosso go?
Jiang caught on to my intentions and informed me about Titosso’s whereabouts.
“A pirate gang member teased Titosso, and then he went to Jigoku and told on him. He ended up getting knocked out by a paralysis spell and was dragged off. Silly Titosso.”
“Oh no!”
“I’ll go check on him because I’m worried.”
With everyone sending us off, I, Rosgini, and the Masugaki Princess stepped onto the transfer magic circle.
As we headed straight for the tower, Rosgini cast a suspicious glance at the Masugaki Princess.
“Are you really coming to help, Your Highness? If you’re just out to have fun, you could act separately here.”
“Huh? How can you distrust someone who’s offering help? Haven’t you heard of showing respect for royalty, commoner♡?”
“You should be showing respect to the professor. With your usual behavior, none of your followers are here to see you off.”
Oh dear, now that I think about it, all those seeing us off are from our side.
Sandkooker came to see Rosgini off, while Jaku, Jiang, Jezel, and Jonnas all had come to see me.
“Wow. Though the princess acts like she’s in charge in public, she’s a fashion trendsetter with nobody following her in private, huh?”
“How rude! To dare call the princess a fashion trendsetter! It’s not that my followers didn’t come to see me off, but I intentionally dismissed them so they wouldn’t all swarm around me! Hmph!”
“Oh right, Jezel gave this to you. Would Rosgini like to share?”
“What is it?”
“A hotel stay voucher.”
I wonder what the black market merchants recommend for hotels?
I’m already excited.
Black market merchants.
Assassins.
Illegal collectors.
I wonder if there will be suspicious guests filling the hotel from all corners of the world?
Hidden spots, I’m already looking forward to it!
“Humm humm.”
The Masugaki Princess was nervously inching closer to me.
“I have three tickets, including the princess’s share!”
“…I never asked for them!”
While grumbling with her mouth, the Masugaki Princess walked closely beside us.
But is this really okay?
The princess vanished without a word.
Our destination is the hotel recommended by the black market merchant.
Demons are also expected to appear nearby.
Hmm…
Well, it should be fine!
She’s not a little kid; if she’s enrolled in the Academy, I should consider her an adult.
What could possibly go wrong with an adult disappearing alone?
