Chapter 71

EP.71 Hunting Evaluation - Interlude (1)

"When are you going to start dating the top student?"

On the ship returning to the academy.

Rijeta and I were sitting side by side at a table in the cabin. We were the only two in the room.

By the way, Ian and Kaya were resting in separate cabins designated for individual patients.

Like in "The Magic Knight of Merchen," the committee for investigating the incident was convened on the ship for convenience.

This was because if any signs indicated that the situation was not yet resolved, it would be necessary to respond as quickly as possible.

Afterward, they made sure to allow the people involved in the incident to rest and recover as much as possible.

First, Rijeta and I were questioned.

Ian and Kaya were scheduled to be called in after they woke up and rested. By then, we would likely have arrived at the academy.

If the academic administration found any inconsistencies in our statements after comparing them, they would call Rijeta and me again.

But there shouldn't be any such inconsistencies. We had already planned our statements. Rijeta also cooperated well.

How did we coordinate our stories?

1. I followed Rijeta, who I happened to find, to the center of the hunting evaluation area where I could earn more points.

This was true. Up until this point, our locations were being tracked by the bracelets, so we couldn't lie.

2. I followed Rijeta into the volcanic cave, but eventually, we ran into each other. Then, an earthquake happened.

From this point on, we started to fabricate. The test bracelets lost their tracking function due to the giant's mana nullification ability.

3. The earthquake caused the way back to collapse and block, so Rijeta and I started looking for another exit. I ended up falling into a sinkhole.

4. Rijeta jumped into the sinkhole to save me. Since we couldn't return the way we came, we explored the giant's body to find another exit.

5. We met Ian and Kaya, who were unconscious, and carried them around as familiars.

6. Suddenly, a black monster appeared and dealt with all the demons like a deus ex machina.

7. We managed to escape.

The end.

The official list for the investigation committee includes the student council president, Alice Carroll. So it would be best to avoid being questioned by the academic administration upon arrival.

Anyway, Rijeta, this kid, is saying unnecessary things.

Rijeta was slouching in her chair, seemingly speaking her mind out of exhaustion.

"It's not what you think."

"Ah, were you already dating? Kid, you're doing well."

"......"

Currently, Lucie is on a different ship.

When we fled from the dock, Lucie showed signs of summoning a brainworm, so I immediately turned back. I didn't expect her to try to summon an 8-star familiar just to chase me.

I lied, saying, "I thought I left my test bracelet somewhere else. It was on my wrist, hahaha."

Lucie chuckled, "Of course it was." From her mental state, it seemed she thought I was joking to make her laugh. No way, idiot.

After that, I explained to Lucie that I had to take a separate ship to assist with the investigation.

I hadn't been briefed by the professor yet, but according to the scenario, that was the case, so it wasn't a lie.

Lucie looked at me with suspicious eyes.

Fortunately, Professor Fernando called Rijeta and me via the bracelet's audio function just in time.

─ "Can't I follow?"

─ "I heard you can't."

After that exchange, Lucie reluctantly retreated with a disappointed look.

'I didn't expect her to do this even to a friend.'

I like Lucie, but her tendency to lead to an extra bad ending is scary.

I thought it would be fine as long as I didn't reveal that I'm a grym. It was a mistake.

Soon, I would need to firmly tell her, "Lucie, even if you're worried, it's wrong to restrict someone's freedom," as if teaching a child.

She would logically counter, but I had the weapon of a well-grounded moral tantrum. I could use it to somehow break through her logic.

Finally, the cabin door opened. A female healer entered.

"You two said you would be Kaya Astraean's guardians, right? It's fine to do so now."

At the healer's words, Rijeta and I stood up and moved.

An entire cabin was being used as Kaya's private room. It wasn't a large room.

The healers must have checked Kaya's condition and determined that there was no physical harm.

So they felt it was more important for her to regain mental stability.

Having a close friend as a guardian would help her feel more at ease.

In the corner of the room, a female healer was waiting, reading a book.

Kaya was lying on the bed, covered in blankets, looking as if she were in a deep sleep. She was dressed in a light brown outfit that the healers had changed her into.

By the way, we had already taken the loot from the volcanic cave and hidden it on our way back to the dock. It was the byproduct that remained as earrings on Kaya's ears.

[ Kaya Astraean ]

Lv: (140)

Race: Human

Attributes: Wind, Ice, Plant, Blood

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [ ]

'Her personality is still the same as Eats.'

I had three reasons for coming to see Kaya.

First, to coordinate our stories with Kaya.

Kaya would regain consciousness before the ship arrived at the academy.

She would be called to the investigation committee immediately. This was the only chance to align our stories.

With the healer in the corner, it was awkward to have a verbal conversation.

So, after Rijeta and I were rescued by the exam supervisors and were on a makeshift carriage heading to the dock,

I had already written down the necessary information on a piece of parchment I had bought from an unmanned store. I planned to give it to Kaya.

Second, because I was worried about Kaya.

Kaya is my affectionate character. Could I just leave her without worrying?

I sat in the guardian's chair next to Kaya's bed.

"Are you not going to the light attribute guy?"

"He's fine with Amy and Matteo."

This was why I thought I could be Kaya's guardian.

As expected, Amy and Matteo volunteered to be Ian's guardians after asking the professor.

Currently, they were in Ian's room, talking to him as he regained consciousness. I had confirmed this with [千里眼] (千里眼 is a term for a skill that allows one to see things far away, often translated as "千里眼" or "千里眼" in Chinese, but here it is used as "千里眼" which means "千里眼" in English).

By the way, there was no need to coordinate our stories with Ian. He had been unconscious the whole time.

"Ha, I don't care if either of them dies, so I'm just going to rest. I'm tired."

"Go ahead."

Rijeta left the room.

Before closing the door, she subtly glanced at Kaya.

[ Rijeta Lionheart ]

Psychology: [ Worried about Kaya Astraean's physical condition. ]

She seemed to have a bond with Kaya as a classmate.

'I should let her know Kaya is fine later.'

When Rijeta closed the door, silence filled the room.

I looked at Kaya. Her long, loose hair suited her just as well as her usual twin-tails.

I gently stroked Kaya's pale cheek with my fingers. The soft touch made her feel like a lovely puppy.

She is a girl who likes me as a man. Despite the twists and turns, it was a huge relief that everything ended safely.

Now, I have to deal with Kaya's dual personality. No matter which personality, she is still Kaya.

...Just as I was thinking this.

Chu─.

"......!!"

Suddenly, Kaya bit my finger. It was unexpected.

I felt a soft and moist sensation. I reflexively pulled my hand away in shock.

Kaya opened her eyes and looked at me.

It was... very awkward.

"Kaya?"

Her cheeks were flushed red. She had a lecherous smile.

Her eyes, which were distinctly different from her usual emerald green, were a foreign, deep crimson.

"Mr. Isaac, why were you touching my face? Did you want to touch me so much~?"

Kaya's cute voice was filled with a flirtatious tone.

I knew that Eats' personality was confident and proactive towards the player.

But it didn't match at all with Kaya's usual shy demeanor, leaving me speechless.

Kaya's gaze shifted to my hand that had stroked her cheek.

"You can touch more if you want..."

[ Kaya Astraean ]

Psychology: [ I love you as a romantic interest. ]

Her expression of disappointment was incredibly cute...

"Ahem."

In the corner of the cabin, the healer, who had been glancing at us, cleared her throat loudly as if to warn us. Kaya's actions were making her uncomfortable.

First, I calmed my emotions and composed myself.

"Y-Your condition?"

I asked calmly. Kaya suddenly sat up.

"I'm fine. Just a bit stiff."

Kaya groaned and stretched.

Then, she stared at me intently. Her vivid, blood-red eyes, which were different from my ordinary red eyes, had a mesmerizing quality. They were very mysterious.

"Why? Do you have something to say?"

I asked, feeling awkward just staring at her.

An unexpected question came from Kaya.

"Can I kiss you?"

Puu─!

The healer in the corner, who had been drinking juice, suddenly spat it out and started coughing.

Her reaction mirrored my own feelings.

"......What?"

I involuntarily used formal language.