After the entrance ceremony went off without a hitch, I finally face my first day of academy life. Today is the original event: the hero versus Absolute’s first battle. It’s in the form of a mock battle, but the hero loses to Absolute in this fight, which then becomes the catalyst for his further growth.
Now, is it really that simple as to just lose this battle and solve everything? Of course not. If I lose, Absolute’s prestige will plummet, and the Ark House faction will be looked down upon. The Ark House faction is built upon the Ark House's overwhelming power. If that collapses, the faction is doomed. That's why Absolute can't afford to lose. He has to constantly demonstrate his power to those around him.
Still eating breakfast, Absolute was deep in thought about the event that was about to begin.
(……I can't avoid this loss event, huh? I can't afford to lose, but I really don’t want things to go according to the original story. Ah, I wish he'd just have his spirit broken by the overwhelming difference in our strength and hole up in the countryside…)
Maria and Uru were worried about Absolute, who wasn't making much progress with his meal. Maria called out to Absolute.
“Um, Master, is the food not to your liking?”
Lost in thought, Absolute was startled by Maria's words and self-deprecatingly realized that mealtime wasn't the time to be pondering things.
“No, there’s no problem. I was just thinking about something. Don't look at me with such worry; it's nothing serious.”
He said he was fine, but Maria and Uru couldn’t hide their unease at seeing their master looking different than usual.
(They’re so overprotective. It’s way better than being treated harshly, though. They’ve both grown up since the first time I met them and have become incredibly beautiful, so I need to keep myself in check, or I'll become a hopeless man in no time… Ah, that’s right!)
"Uru," he said. "Do you remember the hero you fought in the martial arts tournament?"
"I'm sorry. I don't remember anyone weaker than me."
Perhaps it was a value unique to the beast tribe, but she didn't seem to have much interest in those she considered beneath her.
"The man you fought in the finals. You exchanged a few words, didn't you?"
"Ah, I'm starting to vaguely remember him, I think. Oh, I mean I am."
Uru was trying to correct her childlike speech and was recently trying to use polite language in front of Absolute. Absolute didn't particularly care and, in fact, found her unique way of speaking cute, but she was inspired by her colleague Maria and was striving to become a mature woman.
"...I see. Hypothetically speaking, if you were to fight the hero again, do you think you could win?"
He didn't think she would lose, but he wanted to hear the opinion of someone who had actually fought him. The hero and Absolute were also a bad match in terms of combat. Absolute’s skill, 【Absolute Evil】, weakened him against the hero, who possessed the holy attribute. There was a difference in level and stats, but he couldn't let his guard down.
Uru was puzzled by the sudden topic of the hero but didn't dwell on it and answered the question after thinking for a moment.
"I think it would be a piece of cake! I mean, it would be!"
(Oh, really? He’s supposed to be the hero, so I thought he’d be a strong character… Well, worrying about it won’t give me any answers, so I guess it'll all work out somehow.)
Absolute abandoned his thoughts and finished his meal.
♢
Absolute arrived at school with his subordinates, just like at the entrance ceremony. In addition to them, the maids would be joining them today, so it was quite a large group.
When Absolute and the others reached the school building, they parted ways with the maids. At the academy, the maids' job was to prepare for school, after school, and lunch, so they basically acted separately. A waiting tower had even been built at the academy for the maids who were waiting during class.
"We'll part ways here. You two should wait in the waiting tower until lunchtime."
Uru and Maria, who were ordered by Absolute to head to the waiting tower, encountered a young man there.
"Ah, you're…! From the martial arts tournament!"
That young man was the hero. However, Uru remembered fighting the hero, but she didn't remember his face. Uru and Maria were wary of the man who suddenly called out to them.
"...Who are you? I'm sorry, but we have work to do."
Uru and Maria tried to leave, but the hero stopped them.
"Huh? Wa-wait a minute!"
The hero tried to grab Uru's shoulder to stop her, but Maria, who was with her, didn't allow it. Maria grabbed the hero's arm.
"Isn't it a breach of etiquette to lay a hand on a maid from another household? Or are you doing this knowing that we are members of the Ark House?"
Maria tightened her grip on the hero's arm. Absolute had told Maria and Uru that they could use force if anything happened. They wouldn't hesitate to fight in this place. Uru also adopted a battle stance. It was a truly touch-and-go situation.
"Eh, your grip is so strong?! I mean, I was just trying to talk to the beastman girl over there!"
"That's what I'm reprimanding you for!"
Maria declared with a resolute look.
Protecting Uru and confronting the villain, she looked like a knight protecting a princess. Even if her house were to fall, she would still try to be a knight. She was trying to live her life that way.
The hero was confused by the unexpected response, but then a helping hand came.
"Wa-wait a minute! He's with me. Did he do something?"
It was Alicia, his fiancée, who had joined the conversation. Maria explained the situation to Alicia. Alicia looked at the hero, who was trying to pick up a maid from another house despite having a fiancée, with an incredulous look. But she put it aside for now, as dealing with the two of them came first.
"I'll scold him severely later. Which house are you two from? I want to apologize to your master as well, so can you tell me? I'm Alicia Mirai. This pick-up artist is Alto."
Maria, having learned the other party's identity, released the hero's arm and answered the question.
"We serve the Ark House. I am Maria, and this is Uru. Lady Alicia, I will report this matter to our master, so if you'll excuse us."
Maria and Uru bowed to Alicia and left the scene.
"The Ark House...? What have you done?!"
Alicia's screaming voice echoed, and the hero was lectured without regard for onlookers.
(Ah, I have to apologize to Absolute… But I don't know what he'll do to me during the mock battle, so I'll apologize after it's over. Ugh, why did this happen…? Alto, please, just stay in your room until I bring you your meals.)
She was unaware that even more misfortune would befall Alicia after this.
◆
The hero caused trouble first thing in the morning, but the mock battle was held as planned as a recreational activity.
The location was a training facility, one of the largest facilities in the academy.
As announced, the first match was Absolute Ark versus the hero, Alto. It was clear that most of the class was hoping for the victory of the hero, Alto, over the hated Absolute.
"Now then, we'll hold the mock battle as planned. The rules are that the use of enhancement magic before the match is prohibited, as are attacks and skills that could inflict fatal damage on the opponent. I'll stop it immediately if I deem it dangerous, okay? There are no weapon restrictions, but swords and such should be dulled. That's all for the explanation, any questions...? No? In that case, Ark and Alto, take your positions."
Absolute went to the designated location, following Teach, the homeroom teacher. However, the hero seemed to be talking to the Saint.
(When did those two start talking?)
Absolute looked at the two of them suspiciously.
"Hey! Alto, what are you doing? Take your position already!"
The hero, Alto, was cautioned by Teach, the homeroom teacher, and hurried to his position. Alto glanced at Absolute and spoke to him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. This is the first time we've talked, isn't it? I'm Alto, the hero."
"...I know."
He was putting on a friendly act, but I sensed madness in his eyes.
Come to think of it, it's the first time we’ve actually talked.
Absolute responded noncommittally, but the hero, Alto, continued without concern.
"I've had you investigated to some extent, Absolute. If I win, will you promise to stop doing bad things? I know that your house is secretly connected to a dark organization. And that you were abusing that little beastman girl. If you lose, you'll confess everything and atone for your sins."
What is this guy even saying?
Accusing a high-ranking noble of being a criminal in public is not funny at all…
Look at Alicia’s face; it's all twisted up.
"Hey, Alto, what are you saying! It's not allowed to suddenly call a classmate a criminal!"
Teach, the homeroom teacher, tried to stop Alto.
However, the hero, who was already in an attack stance, didn't stop. He punched Teach, who had tried to stop him, and closed the distance to Absolute.
Whoa, he punched the homeroom teacher. Why is this guy running wild like this?
"Here I come! Absolute! Holy Out!"
Holy-attribute magic was released from the hero, Alto, and attacked Absolute.
