Chapter 25
Elester continued speaking.
"Nobles make up less than 3% of the entire population of the Empire. Very few make decisions. What happens if those few pursue impractical policies?"
"...It would fail."
"Correct. Therefore, we must rethink and improve our systems from the perspective of the commoners and serfs. Do you all understand?"
"Yes!"
Elester had returned to his kind teacher demeanor.
He then addressed me.
"Zero, that was an excellent answer. I'll award you 2 points. And I'll give Teron and Yuridia each a demerit point."
"What!?"
"Why..."
"Don't underestimate the duties of nobility. You must bear responsibility for your words. That's what it means to be noble."
Teron and Yuridia turned their heads sharply to look at me.
Their eyebrows were furiously twitching.
I finally realized.
Why my favorite teacher, Elester, was doing this.
'...He's setting me up.'
It wasn't a misconception.
Teron and Yuridia's responses were 'excellent'.
Rodelin's was 'very excellent'.
And mine was 'very very excellent'.
Including his action of treating nonsense as the correct answer.
It was clear he was trying to push me forward.
What he was thinking, even a veteran like me couldn't fathom.
"Exerting unseen pressure and robbing other students of their right to speak doesn't look good. Be careful next time."
"..."
"I have high expectations for all of you. Hopefully, you will work together to achieve great results. That's it for today's lesson."
Elester left.
The class was filled with a chill. No one dared to speak.
"Lucky you, getting points."
Everyone but our Luna, who seemed to be oblivious.
"Are you going to be top in the midterms at this rate?"
Teron and Yuridia's shoulders twitched simultaneously.
They were not only the leaders of their groups but also bore the honor of their families.
If they didn't secure the top two spots, it would be a huge blow.
To mention their grades amidst this factional fight...
I had to clean up the mess Luna caused.
"Luna, I have more demerits than points..."
"Oh, the ones from Mr. Caron? But he said if you do well in the practicals, he'll erase them and even give you points. With your skills, it's like expecting your points to double."
Thud!
Bang!
Teron and Yuridia stomped out of the class.
The other students hurriedly followed them.
Of course, they didn't forget to glare at me on their way out.
The class emptied in an instant.
Luna scratched her head watching this.
"What's with them? Are they hungry?"
Yeah, right, Luna.
Why are you doing this to me?
* * *
"Hmm, you're here."
"Yes, I just returned."
Caron nodded lightly towards Elester.
"What did he say?"
"That we can't dismiss him right away. As you know, leaking the test subjects isn't enough reason..."
"Indeed. But let's keep collecting evidence. Small things can have a big impact when accumulated."
"Yes, understood."
Investigating incidents at the academy.
At the same time, trying to find grounds to dismiss the current principal, 'Dwener.'
That was Elester's purpose in coming here.
'I knew he was a parachute appointment, but... he's far more incompetent than I thought.'
Due to his lack of ability, he doesn't act rashly.
He just diligently carries out whatever orders he receives.
But those are embarrassingly trivial matters, making it impossible to dismiss him.
This was the Annwood Academy, where future talents are nurtured.
To have such an incompetent person appointed here. Unbelievable.
'His Majesty has reason to worry. But what was the Herizeus family thinking, putting such a person in that position?'
A question he had been pondering since meeting the principal.
Soon, Elester decided not to think too deeply about it.
Overthinking could be exactly what they wanted.
"...The atmosphere is strange."
In the advanced class just after the lesson.
The students poured out, not engaging in their usual confrontations but naturally splitting into two groups as they walked through the corridors.
Caron immediately noticed their unusual mood.
"Haha, I just spiced up the bait for Zero. And quite a delicious seasoning it was."
"...Is that so."
Caron swallowed his saliva internally.
This was exactly why he feared Elester.
The raccoon of the noble political arena.
Not only was his magical prowess remarkable, but he also toyed with opponents, exploiting their weaknesses with his tongue.
Solid logic, innate gaslighting, and a temperament for argument and conflict.
For Caron, who survived by physical means, it was a troublesome situation.
Especially since Elester had orchestrated this situation.
"...You seem to have taken a liking to that kid."
"Hehe, not really. Just a little, very, very little interest."
Elester enjoyed watching a favored child grow in extreme situations.
And this was the academy, not the political arena.
He could prevent most issues from escalating.
Zero would grow under his protection.
'Or break in the process.'
Elester was a good man, but not a kind one.
Caron knew this well.
"When do you think he'll make his first choice? Which side do you think he'll choose?"
"Probably Teron's side?"
"Who knows. Could be Teron, could be Yuridia. Or perhaps..."
Elester's eyes sparkled.
"He might create a third group."
"...That's speculation. It's impossible."
Caron had a lot he wanted to say but kept quiet.
His real thoughts shouldn't be revealed carelessly.
The formation of a third group was practically impossible.
'Because there's never been such a case in the history of the academy.'
Every year, students were divided into two factions, either collapsing or graduating in a stalemate.
'If it were possible...'
It would have to be Rodelin.
In fact, the current second year was in a unique situation.
Last year, like always, they were divided into two factions. But they couldn't fight.
'Because Rodelin stepped in.'
Instead of factional fights, she told them to study or train.
There were objections at first, but not anymore.
She half-killed anyone who approached her.
Both factions wanted to join under Rodelin, but she dismissed the idea and left.
The Lucid family, the Emperor's sword, was more interested in combat and beasts than politics.
The idea of leading a faction would have sounded absurd to her.
Ultimately, the two second-year factions were quietly living, avoiding the lioness, Rodelin.
Perhaps it was even more remarkable than creating a third group.
Because Rodelin was alone.
"But in this world, one can't survive alone. In that respect, Miss Rodelin has a big disadvantage."
"Do you think the one who creates a third group is more impressive than Miss Rodelin?"
"Yes, I do. Moreover, to create a new group and compete with two already massive factions?"
Truly.
It would be someone born for politics.
"Actually, what I'm hoping for is something else."
"Do you mean... uniting the academy?"
"Ha ha! Never even crossed my mind. That would be interesting."
"I think it's possible. If Miss Rodelin decides to do so..."
Observing Caron, Elester thought.
Who knows, it might happen.
Someone who creates a third group.
Might even manage to put a leash on the lioness, Rodelin.
* * *
"Let's go out!"
"Keke, I reject your proposal."
I pushed Luna's forehead away with my arm as she rushed at me, insisting we go out.
"Wha, what!"
Luna flailed her arms, but they couldn't reach me.
After all, there's at least a 25cm height difference.
"Demon! Demon!"
As soon as we left the class, the parrot perched on my shoulder as if it had been waiting.
"Keke, are you here? The decisive action is tomorrow. Be prepared."
"Demon! Save me! Demon!"
Perhaps it was in a good mood. The parrot flapped its wings vigorously.
‘Tomorrow will be our farewell with this guy.’
I felt a bit bittersweet.
Not the sorrow of parting, but something constricting my heart...
‘That's the reason.’
I spotted Elester and Caron looking at us from a distance.
Caron's eyes were blazing. His gaze could kill.
No wonder my heart felt strange.
‘Perfect timing. I needed some insurance anyway.’
I whispered into the parrot's ear, lowering my shoulder slightly.
"Mr. Parrot, remember those two. If I ask later, bring one of them to me."
"Demon?"
"Keke, yes. It's teamwork. You understand, right?"
"Te! Team! Play!"
The parrot struggled to repeat the words, clicking its beak.
Right, I knew you'd remember.
You're programmed that way.
Now.
All preparations for the conquest of 'The Demon's Shard' are complete.
* * *
The Parrot's Memory #1
"Speak! Tell me!"
"Chirp! Speak! Speak!"
"..."
I sighed involuntarily.
This one was the same. It doesn't think before speaking.
Just.
‘Repeats words.’
I spread my wings.
Fluttering my colorful feathers, I could easily soar into the sky.
Yes, I have wings.
Of course, I do. I am a parrot, after all. But.
‘Why am I the only one who can think?’
I knew before I could freely fly.
That I was a special being.
A parrot that could think like humans.
Though my speech was a bit clumsy, I could communicate well enough.
The problem was, other parrots weren't like that.
‘Too dumb.’
Eating, sleeping, breeding.
That's all they cared about.
So I decided to leave.
I couldn't fit in with them. I was a special being, after all.
‘Let's find a friend. A friend who suits me!’
And so began a long journey.
I met and parted with many parrots, but none were like me.
The more I moved, the longer the journey, the worse my condition became.
But I didn't give up.
The desire to have a friend outweighed the exhaustion.
‘Could there really be no other being like me in this vast continent?’
During my travels, I arrived at a place they called the Academy.
A place teeming with children.
‘I should use this as a base for a while.’
There were some nasty kids, but more good ones.
I wouldn't have to worry about food.
Scouting the surroundings, I noticed a kid being bullied.
Punches followed by kicks.
A common sight, so it didn't feel special.
I couldn't understand why they were so cruel to their own kind.
"Get it? Drop out. I can't stand the sight of your face."
"Ptui!"
The short yet long bullying ended.
The beaten kid dusted off and stood up.
He was smiling. Smiling despite being hit.
A strange kid, I thought.
"Hello?"
He noticed me and greeted.
Only then did I get a good look at his face.
I immediately understood why other kids bullied him.
He had unusually small eyes, a peculiar kid.
But a human greeting a parrot?
‘Is he crazy?’
Definitely crazy.
It's best to avoid madmen.
I was about to spread my wings when he spoke.
"Do you want to be my friend?"
Friend?
The resonance, no, the tremor of the word was enough to halt my movements.
This was Luterus.
My first encounter with that kid.
--TL Notes--
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