Chris and the rest of Class B’s Ark faction group deemed it too dangerous to wander through the forest at night and began preparations for camping.
After setting up their tents and finishing dinner, Chris and the others gathered around a bonfire, reflecting on the day’s events in a relaxed atmosphere. Suddenly, they sensed someone approaching from beyond the trees.
The relaxed atmosphere instantly vanished, replaced by a palpable tension. What appeared before the wary group was a girl exuding a nobility that seemed utterly out of place, her hair styled as if she were attending a ball.
“You are… Christina Zen of the Zen House, are you not?”
Chris was the first to speak.
“Greetings, members of the Ark faction. Yes, I am Christina Zen from Class A. What a coincidence to find you here,” Christina replied, executing a graceful curtsy.
The Zen House was a ducal family of high-ranking nobles, and its head currently served as the Prime Minister of the Rainana Kingdom. Chris and his companions didn’t have fond memories of dealing with high-ranking nobles, so their caution increased.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Chris Hose, the representative of this group. What business does a daughter of the Zen Duke House have here alone?”
It was unlikely to be a sneak attack, but when a young lady of a high-ranking noble family suddenly appeared alone before the Ark faction, they couldn’t afford to be careless.
“Don’t be so wary, Hose. I was simply taking a walk nearby when I came across some of my friend’s subordinates, so I thought I’d say hello. I have no ulterior motives.”
“Taking a walk alone in a forest full of monsters? That in itself seems suspicious… And a friend? Are you referring to Lady Cruel or Oriana?”
(If she’s talking about someone in the Ark faction in Class A, Lady Cruel or Oriana would be the most likely, but judging by her appearance, she doesn’t seem compatible with either of them. Lady Cruel is a calculating woman, while Lady Christina seems like the assertive type, polar opposites. Oriana is a self-confessed gloomy character, so she probably wouldn’t even talk to someone as flashy and assertive as Lady Christina. Could it be Mist?)
“No, I’m talking about Absolute.”
Silence.
The moment she uttered Absolute’s name, the air seemed to freeze over, and Chris and the others’ wariness reached its peak.
There was one reason for their heightened alert: Absolute shouldn’t have any friends.
Absolute’s 【Absolute Evil】 skill affected everyone around him. There weren’t many people who could bear emotions that surpassed that sense of aversion. Even they, his subordinates, weren’t sure if they were considered friends, so there was no way someone could befriend Absolute, who had such thick walls around his heart.
“That’s a lie. Absolute has never once mentioned you. What is your real purpose? If you persist, I’ll call Absolute.”
Like a wary woman threatening to call the police at the slightest hint of trouble, Chris was resorting to the ultimate measure: summoning Absolute.
“…Don’t you think he’ll be angry if you call him for such a reason? Besides, I really am his friend, you know? We often talk during our free time, and we get along very well.”
Chris retorted without missing a beat.
“That’s a lie! Absolute is the type who likes to read books and relax during his breaks. There’s no way he’d open his mouth to you!”
In a way, Chris was Absolute’s biggest supporter. Aside from matters related to the back-end of national defense, he knew almost everything about Absolute. From his favorite food to how he spent his days off, he had thoroughly researched everything. He was an Absolute fanatic who left no stone unturned.
In fact, what Chris was saying was true. Absolute had initially ignored Christina, who kept bothering him, but he was reluctantly dealing with her because she was so persistent.
“It’s true, but… Well, it’s also true that I have another purpose. I want to know about Absolute from your perspectives.”
Hearing Christina’s goal, Chris’s eyes sharpened.
“You want us to tell you things about Absolute that he hasn’t told you himself? There’s no one in the Ark faction who would spill the beans so easily.”
“That’s not it. I want to know about Absolute from your point of view. He doesn’t talk much about himself, does he?”
“Absolute is a taciturn person. He’s not the type to go around bragging about himself. I apologize for returning your question, but why are you trying to learn about Absolute?”
Christina chuckled and replied to Chris’s question.
“Hehe, a simple reason. I want to discern what kind of person he is.”
“What do you intend to do after you discern that?”
“I don’t intend to do anything. As a friend and a rival, I simply want to know about him. Can you not accept that?”
Hearing her words, Chris pondered whether he could trust her.
As Chris was gathering his thoughts, a beastkin girl from the same group who had been standing behind him stepped in front of Christina.
“Oi, oi! I’ve been listening quietly for a while now, and you’re saying you want us to talk about Boss because you want to figure him out? Don’t you dare underestimate us! What do you think you’re doing? I’ll kill you!”
The one speaking in such a rough tone was Uris Kokuto, the Ark faction’s second biggest troublemaker after Absolute. With her sharp claws and yellow and black ears characteristic of a tiger, the beastkin girl had a rather quick temper, so much so that even Absolute, with his great tolerance, would occasionally frown. She would nonchalantly attack nobles with higher peerage than herself and even bite teachers, making her a problem child, but when it came to combat, she was a reliable asset who could rival even those in Class A.
Uris’s family, the Kokuto House, operated a dark organization called “Mushi,” and since the Ark House was above them, she respectfully called Absolute “Boss.”
“Hey! Uris, calm down!”
Chris tried his best to calm her down, but once Uris Kokuto was switched on, there was no stopping her. She approached Christina with palpable killing intent.
“…You’re Uris Kokuto, aren’t you? The one who used to torment the members of our faction. Your reputation as a mad dog… no, a mad cat, precedes you. Are you really a noble?”
Hearing Christina’s words, Uris’s brow furrowed as she grabbed her by the collar and glared menacingly.
“You’ve been picking a fight with me ever since you got here… I don’t show mercy to anyone who clings to Boss when they’re not even in the same faction or anyone who treats me like a cat!”
Christina didn’t waver, maintaining a composed expression against Uris’s menacing glare.
Those on the sidelines held their breath at the tense atmosphere.
“Kitty, take your hand off of me. I don’t want to resort to violence against a member of Absolute’s faction, but if you’re going to act that way, I’ll have to show you the difference in status as a high-ranking noble.”
“Try it, you bitch.”
The two glared at each other, and the air became taut.
Chris stepped between the two glaring women, trying his best to mediate.
“Stooooop! Both of you, calm down…”
Chris mustered his courage and tried to stop them, but his voice didn’t reach them.
“Everyone! Monsters are here! Prepare yourselves!”
A member of the group who had been on lookout duty announced the monster attack.
The explosive atmosphere instantly shifted due to the monster attack.
Christina and Uris also stopped glaring at each other and entered a battle-ready stance.
“Tch! I guess we’ll have to deal with the monsters first… So, how many are there?”
“A lot, in any case! They suddenly appeared, and we’re already surrounded!”
As Uris looked around, she saw that they were indeed surrounded by a large horde of monsters.
“Huh? What’s going on?”
Uris and the others were surprised by the sudden appearance of a large monster horde.
(Is it possible for a large monster horde to appear without the lookout noticing? And this number… This is an emergency.)
Chris judged the situation to be an emergency and launched magic into the sky.
“I’ve called for reinforcements, as I’ve determined this to be an emergency. This should bring the teachers and Absolute. Christina, I apologize, but could you lend us your strength until then?”
“Eh? Absolute?”
Hearing Absolute’s name, Christina thought for a moment before saying, “I don’t mind, but I have a condition. You can’t fight if you’re here, so let’s split up into two groups. I’ll create an escape route for you, and you can deal with the monsters that chase after you as you retreat.”
Chris’s eyes widened at the seemingly reckless condition.
“Eh? What are you saying, Christina? You’re being unreasonable, even for someone from Class A.”
“No need to worry, annihilation is my specialty. 『Burning』.”
The massive wave of flames that Christina unleashed crashed into the monster horde, engulfing them and burning them away. With overwhelming firepower and volume of flames, she burned the monsters away, successfully creating an escape route for Chris and the others.
The ridiculous power and high-level magic left them speechless.
“Is that high-level magic…? As expected of a ducal house,” Chris said.
“The Zen Duke House is a family loved by fire. We can use all fire-attribute magic. I can’t control my strength, so I’d be troubled if I accidentally burned you all. See? A path has been created, so go quickly.”
(That’s amazing power… Is it unique magic? Certainly, with that, she might be able to hold out alone until reinforcements arrive. But…!)
“Sorry, but I’m staying behind too, Chris. Take care of the rest,” Uris said.
“Uris?!”
“You’re probably thinking that if we leave this woman alone, it’ll have repercussions for Boss and the faction later on, right? That’s why I’m saying I’ll stay behind. Besides, I’m going to see if she really deserves to be Boss’s friend.”
That was exactly it. If they left Christina behind and something happened to her, the responsibility would fall on Absolute, so Chris was hesitating.
Christina listened to Uris’s words with interest.
“Hmm. It seems you’re not just a hooligan. But it would be easier for me if you went as well, so you wouldn’t get in the way.”
“Who cares about your reasons! We can just split the monsters in half! If you defeat them all before I do, I might even tell you about Boss, okay?”
“I see… Then fine. I accept your challenge.”
“Uris…”
“Chris, what are you hesitating for? You’re the leader right now! Get a grip!”
Pushed by Uris, Chris made a decision.
“I apologize, Christina. Please take care of Uris. Let’s go, everyone.”
Chris and the others turned their backs to Christina and ran.
As monsters tried to attack Chris and the others from the side, Christina created a barricade of flames to support their escape. After confirming that Chris and the others had safely escaped, she once again faced the monster horde.
“If I annihilate these guys, I’m sure to get first place in the exercise. Absolute might not be able to ignore me then, either.”
“Hah, say that after you’ve done it.”
“That’s my intention. Well then, Kokuto, I look forward to competing with you.”
The two turned their backs to each other and faced the surrounding monsters.
(I need to keep an eye on them so I can help if they seem to be in danger. Even if they’re from another faction, I mustn’t forget the spirit of noblesse oblige.)
Even in this critical situation, Christina didn’t doubt her own victory. It was because she was confident that she was the best.
“Now then, shall we begin?”
The two rushed out at the same time.
The battle between just two people began.
