Chapter 83

"Many times I've told you, don't lay a hand on the students."

"Yes, I understand!"

"Hah, I acknowledge it."

"If it is Master's command, I will protect it with my life!"

The devils replied, but the unease still lingered.

I hope everything goes well.

"Let's go then."

For that reason, I headed to school with the devils in tow.

The school was filled with more noise than usual.

Today, not only parents but also teachers from other schools, local dignitaries, and even commoners who were not nobles came to observe.

The 'Final Feast' is an event that garners so much attention.

Therefore, it was natural for it to be bustling.

"It seems like a fun atmosphere, doesn't it?"

Closer seemed to be influenced by the festive mood, saying such things.

"I think the participating students are all nervous, though."

After all, this battle will determine their future. No one will hold back.

After that, I parted ways with the devils.

The gathering places for spectators and participants were different.

At that time, I reminded them again to "behave" before heading to the participants' area.

"Hey, Norman really came."

"What did he come for?"

"He must have come to be defeated by us."

Every time the students saw me, they started to mock me.

Well, it's a natural reaction.

In the end, I was a failing student who couldn't move up from the basic course.

Even though I once beat Legal, the general consensus is that it was either a fluke or some kind of cheating.

I wondered what kind of cheating could have led to a win, but when I asked, they suspected the use of magical tools.

I didn't have any magical tools that could do that, but I couldn't deny the possibility.

Well, I'm used to the gossip, so I ignored it and confirmed the rules.

The format was a battle royale with ten people per group.

Looking at the match list, I saw Dimit's name in the same group.

It was probably a coincidence, but I couldn't help feeling some kind of karmic connection.

The rest of the rules were general things like not attacking an unconscious opponent.

I had already confirmed the rules the day before, so I just glanced over them.

"Norman, you're participating too, huh?"

Turning around, I saw my homeroom teacher, Mr. Ludon.

Since we were in the same class for three years, I never had a different homeroom teacher.

"Thank you for taking care of me for three years."

I bowed, feeling that I had been taken care of by Mr. Ludon in various ways.

"Try your best, but don't get hurt."

Mr. Ludon said this with his usual stern face and left.

It might seem cold, but I remembered that he was always like that. He must have been trying to encourage me in his own way.

"I can't bring this to the venue."

In the waiting room, I held the grimoire 'Goetia' in my hand.

I had been greatly helped by this.

Thanks to this, my life changed dramatically.

I always carried it with me, but I couldn't bring it into battle.

So, I put it in my bag.

With that, my preparations were complete.

◆

The venue was packed with spectators.

The number of people was more than just students from other grades and parents. Many commoners who were not nobles also came to watch.

The 'Final Feast' is known as a major event in town every year, so it's normal for it to be crowded with spectators.

"Hey, it's him. A noble who can't use magic, what a failure."

"What did he come for?"

"Who knows? Maybe to get beaten up?"

I heard voices of contempt, clearly pointing at me.

"Hey, look. That's the former commoner who's the best student in school."

"Wow, that's impressive."

"He's the hope of us commoners."

On the other hand, Dimit seemed to be well-liked.

"Mr. Norman, please do your best!!"

Suddenly, I heard cheers from right behind me.

Turning around, I saw the devils.

I just raised my fist in response.

"Everyone, it seems all preparations are complete. The preliminary round of the 'Final Feast' for the first group is about to begin!!"

At the referee's voice, the sound of a gong rang out.

The 'Final Feast' began from that moment.

◆

In a corner of the spectator stands, seats were prepared for the parents.

Since all the parents were nobles, their seats were more luxurious than those for the general public.

"Markus Eslund, it's been a while."

"Ah, it's been a while, Lord Bergman."

The Bergman Dukedom.

A super upper-class noble who governs this area.

Lord Bergman comes to inspect the students in his territory every year to see how capable they are.

On the other hand, the Eslund family, though a noble, is merely a baron without any territory.

Compared to the Bergman family, the Eslund family is far inferior in status.

"By the way, I heard you made a commoner your heir. Is that true?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Introducing commoner blood into the nobility is hard to accept, to be honest."

"But my son Dimit is very talented. He will surely excel in this feast."

"Hmph, I hope so."

Lord Bergman values lineage more than ability. Many nobles share this view.

However, if Dimit demonstrates overwhelming ability, no one will complain.

"Hey, isn't that your son?"

Suddenly, Lord Bergman pointed to one of the students in the venue.

It was Norman, his son.

"Yes, that is indeed my blood. However, since he is a useless person who cannot use magic, I have cut ties with him."

"Ah, I have heard that your son cannot use magic. But it's strange. Why is such a person participating in the 'Final Feast'?"

Lord Bergman's point was valid.

For someone who cannot use magic, participating in the 'Final Feast' is nothing short of suicide.

Even if he participates, it's meaningless.

"I don't know why Norman, who cannot use magic, is participating. But please rest assured. He is a useless person who can do nothing. He will surely be eliminated soon."

"It would be a problem if he isn't! If that student turns out to be a capable magician, it would be as if my territory lost a great talent! Don't you think so?"

"Nothing like that will happen, so please rest assured."

"Good."

The conversation ended there.

The match was about to start.

Markus sighed.

Talking to Lord Bergman was extremely suffocating.

"Dimit, you understand, right?"

He whispered so no one could hear.

In his line of sight was Dimit.

And at the opposite end was Norman.

Norman might be able to use magic. That was the only thing that worried him.

If his son Norman had become a capable magician in these few months.

Lord Bergman's anger would be inevitable.

Not only that, being disowned for a useful son would be a lifelong stain whispered about in the noble circles.

Ha, it's impossible.

Even if Norman could use magic now, it would have only been in the past few months.

It's impossible to master magic in just a few months.

This worry is just a groundless fear.

I would be grateful for your evaluation.