Chapter 86. The First Boss, Leang (4)

"Devil!?"

Luna jumped and shouted.

Her voice was so loud that one of my ears went numb.

"Hehe, I didn't say that. I asked if you found any traces of a devil."

"That's the same thing!"

Well, if they were the same, there would be no reason for separate words to exist, right?

I had a lot to say, but I kept my mouth shut.

Finding out the date to attack Leang was more important.

"Hmm, I forgot how quick you are, Zero. Well, fine. We've fought a devil together before... so getting your help wouldn't be bad."

Rodelin closed her eyes for a moment, organizing her thoughts.

Then she slowly opened her mouth.

"But keep what I'm about to say to yourself. It might just be a misunderstanding."

As we nodded, Rodelin's story began.

Starting with the rumor of a sword emitting a sinister aura.

A rock split in half by someone.

Stories about a cursed sword that grants great power.

Fragments of a sword radiating demonic energy.

Traces of demonic energy going out of control.

"The traces of the demonic energy going out of control were decisive. It disappeared in an instant, leaving no evidence... but I saw it with my own eyes. It was definitely demonic energy."

"Did you chase it alone?"

"Hmm, not exactly. Alex and Raymond were with me. We... ended up together by chance."

It's just as the story goes.

On the day we attack Leang, one more person will be added, but there's no need to tell them.

I frowned slightly because one of my ears was still ringing.

Rodelin's eyes kept darting towards me.

'What's with her? Why is she acting like that?'

After hesitating, Rodelin spoke.

"Zero, I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

"Did you feel bad?"

"No, why would I feel bad now?"

"Hmm, I see. So you don't mind who I get along with...?"

"......?"

Rodelin fidgeted with her fingers.

I don't understand why she's doing this.

"Ahem! Anyway, I reported it, but the principal went ballistic, saying it didn't make sense. He asked if a devil could appear again in less than a month. Well, devils aren't common, so I understand his reaction..."

Rodelin held back her words.

Even a mediocre principal doesn't spread rumors.

It was a typical Rodelin move.

"Why did you think Leang was involved?"

"Because only the teachers can freely move around that area at that time. After that, I checked their alibis one by one and eliminated them."

"As a result, only Leang remained. Is that it?"

"As I said, it's not certain. It could be an external instructor. But he is one of the suspects."

"That Leang? No way..."

Luna muttered, unable to believe it.

In fact, Leang had been almost like Luna's private tutor recently.

Yuridia kept asking about the Lester family's sword techniques, and Leang, despite his annoyance, taught her with all his might.

He finally exploded today, though.

'At the time, I thought it was just because of Yuridia's obsession... but it was also Rodelin's fault.'

The net was closing in.

Leang had every reason to lose his composure.

A contract with a devil was a capital offense, after all.

"Let me ask again. Have you noticed anything suspicious recently?"

"Ugh... no."

Luna tried hard but came up with nothing.

Of course, it was natural.

Her attention had been completely taken by Leang's impromptu tutoring, and there was nothing unusual to notice from the outside.

At least from a student's perspective.

I raised my left hand and placed it on my chin, a pose that boosts my deduction skills.

Rodelin's gaze immediately fixed on me.

"Now that I think about it, there was one strange thing."

"What is it?"

"His right arm seemed off. He couldn't pick things up with it."

"Huh? I didn't notice that."

Well, Luna, that's because you're not observant.

But I needed Luna's help to convince Rodelin.

"Hehe, think about it. Hasn't he been writing with his left hand recently?"

"Hmm... has he?"

"Leang is right-handed. Writing with his left hand means there's a problem with his right arm."

"Hmm..."

"He also adjusted his glasses with his left hand."

"Oh, now that you mention it, that's true. It was different from usual."

Luna finally nodded in agreement.

But Rodelin only smiled, looking troubled.

"But that's not enough to be considered evidence..."

"It started two days ago."

"Hmm?"

"Leang has been using his left arm for the past two days. You said you found traces of the demonic energy going out of control, right? When did you find them?"

"Four days ago at night. Wait, so...!"

I nodded.

Just a day... or rather, half a day difference.

The timing of Leang's injury and the discovery of the demonic energy traces were very close.

This strongly suggested that Leang was there.

"Thanks for the information. His right arm... I need to check it out."

"Hehe, you're not planning to act alone, are you?"

"Of course not. I have no intention of losing to a devil, but I can't afford to be careless. I'll just verify the information. I also need to hear the information collected by Alex and Raymond."

Rodelin was slightly excited, having obtained useful information.

This was the perfect opportunity.

"When are you meeting them?"

"We agreed to meet four days from now to exchange information and start additional investigations. It's a day when all three of us have no afternoon classes."

I see. Four days from now.

That day will be the decisive battle.

The day I have to kill Leang with my own hands.

The decisive battle.

"Hmm, this might sound a bit odd... but be careful. There might be a 'problem' during class."

Problem.

If Leang is the true owner of the cursed sword, he might go out of control again at any time.

That's what I was worried about.

"We need to protect the kids! I have no intention of losing to a devil, so don't worry!"

Rodelin chuckled.

"Luna, you're such a reliable presence. While we're on the topic, can I ask you one more favor?"

"Of course! Anything, just say it. This reliable Luna will... mmmph!"

I covered Luna's mouth, but it was too late.

Rodelin looked at me and smiled sweetly.

She can even smile like that?

I learned something new about Rodelin. Of course, I wasn't happy at all.

"Actually... I'll tell you the story again."

Rodelin started the story she had told me earlier.

About Luther, the parrot, and Regis.

"…That's how it happened."

"I see. No friends at all..."

"So, can you accompany Regis until she makes a friend?"

Luna thought about it.

Hmm, she won't agree. Taking care of such an incompetent child...

She definitely won't agree. Luna is a thoughtful child, after all.

"We'll take care of it. We'll definitely find her a new friend!"

Oh, right. Luna is a thoughtless child.

I overestimated her.

"Hehe, 'we'? I'll pass. Just Luna...?"

"What are you talking about? We're practically one."

"No way. People are individual intelligent beings with their own rights..."

"Want to try a cobra twist?"

"…Now that I think about it, being one might not be so bad. I can't do a cobra twist to myself, after all."

Rodelin chuckled, looking at us.

If she weren't so pretty, I would have given her a cobra twist.

"Is Regis somewhere around here?"

"Hehe, probably."

"Regis, this clumsy senior is leaving. I'm sorry for before. I hope to see your face next time!"

There was no response.

But Rodelin left the training ground with a brighter smile than usual.

* * *

The next day, after finishing lunch, I returned to the training ground.

"Where are you? Come out now!"

Bang bang!!

Crash!

Luna shouted as she searched the training ground.

That's right. She was looking for Regis.

To keep her promise to Rodelin.

'This is why I didn't want to take it on.'

Luna can't properly take care of one child.

Then who should take care of her?

...Right. Me.

I now have to take care of two children instead of one.

My head was already about to explode thinking about Leang, and now I have to take care of Regis too.

I really wanted to cry.

"Can't you come out now?"

Bang bang!

Crack!

Hmm, Luna is really energetic.

But if she keeps this up, we might never be allowed back into the training ground.

'Sigh... I have to step in.'

I slowly walked to the opposite side of where Luna was. Then,

Zing!

My [Hyper Senses] immediately activated. As expected.

Regis was moving around to avoid Luna, hiding in a box.

Tap tap.

Click.

I found the box after a short while.

Leaning against the box, I whispered.

"Hehe, Regis, will you come out, or do I need to break this precious box to get you out?"

Rattle rattle rattle.

The box shook. Regis must have been trembling inside.

Click.

Eventually, the box lid opened, and Regis peeked out.

Her curtain-like fringe was still there.

"What is it?"

"Hehe, didn't you hear yesterday? I've been assigned to take charge of Regis."

"B-but... I never asked for this."

"Talk to Luna. She's the one with the authority. Oh, there she is."

Luna was running over from a distance.

She was holding a training bat in one hand.

Startled, Regis tried to close the lid. But,

Click.

"Eh...?"

"Hehe, wait a moment."

"B-but she's coming with a bat! Can't you see?"

Of course, I can see it.

It's a huge bat, visible even with squinted eyes.

I smiled to ease Regis's worry.

"Well, what else can happen besides getting hit to death?"

"Ah, ah, ah, ahhh-!!"

Regis tried to close the lid, but I didn't let go.

Regis's strength stat is only 3.

Much lower than mine, which hasn't been invested in strength.

There was no way she could pry my hand off.

"What? You were here? It was so hard to find you... where have you been?"

A seasoned thug... no, Luna approached. She had the bat slung over her shoulder.

"Hehe, Luna, why are you holding a bat? What do you mean by 'where have you been'?"

"I just wanted to try a line. I probably wouldn't have suited it, being so cute."

Hmm, I wanted to say it suited her perfectly, but I held back.

If I got hit by that bat, I wouldn't be able to recover.

Luna threw the bat to the side and looked at Regis.

"First, I want to apologize for what happened."

For treating her as a spy sent by the Terion faction.

"Hehe, how can you be sure Regis isn't a spy?"

"A spy would have had no trouble making friends."

Oh, a sharp analysis from Luna.

I knew from the beginning, of course.

"I'm sorry. She's a bit dense. Please understand."

Oh, a typical Luna move.

"Yes, yes... it's okay. Being dense isn't a crime."

Oh.

I wish they would both just disappear.