In an instant, Angelina realized it like a thunderbolt.
Ah, the person this woman is seeing right now isn't me.
Angelina, being a person possessed by ghosts of the past herself, dared to guess.
That person is looking at someone already lost. Someone who was young like Angelina, struggled enough to grasp tobacco like Angelina, and met a pitiful end.
No matter how strong one is, the past cannot be turned back. Thus, those who remain only regret and regret again. And when a similar situation arises, they end up recalling that time.
Angelina swallowed a sigh. She felt like she had peeked into the person called Chris, just a tiny bit.
'You were also a 'human' like me.'
She wasn't simply an unlucky genius.
"Managing pain in that way is mere bravado."
Chris's tone was no different from when she told her to get out of the classroom.
However, this time, she didn't want to rebel. Angelina quietly clenched her fist and answered.
"I'm sorry."
For dragging out your bad memories. For showing only bravado when I lack the capability.
Actually, the one who was truly wasting time was me.
Chris didn't respond further. When Angelina raised her head, she had already turned her back.
"Ah...."
She wanted to say something more. Her hand unconsciously reached out to grab her.
But then, the worn clothes fluttered lightly, and Angelina could see something swaying at Chris's waist.
A small monkey figure.
It's a type Chris would never like. Then, it must be someone's gift, or perhaps... a keepsake.
Angelina momentarily thought of a child.
A small one in the smoke, with black hair similar to him.
She couldn't imagine the child's face in the end.
Because she doesn't know what expression Chris, who is quietly walking away, is making.
"...Strange person."
After that, Angelina never received punishment for the tobacco.
"How do I report smoking on campus? Should I tell the principal directly? Ah, isn't the system here too outdated?! If I report it after acting all cool like that, the concept won't survive!"
Class X's numbers have increased.
'Why?'
Crossing my arms, I met eyes with the princess who was looking this way.
"...D-Don't misunderstand. It's just because Miss Bell Phrygia of Class X is proficient in healing magic, so I simply didn't apply for a class transfer!"
Uh, sure. It's good that you quit smoking, but why is your face turning red?
I withdrew my gaze from the princess, who turned her head away coyly.
Was my matching the rhyme with words ending in 'Ki' like a rapper last time that impressive?
'I thought my head was going to explode.'
To think the most brain-racking thing I did after becoming a possessor was something like that. Where did my fantasy and romance go? A sigh was about to come out on its own.
'Well, good is good, I guess.'
Since the princess was a character who joins the protagonist's party anyway.
It was fortunate that I somehow prevented her from becoming an addict.
The tobacco in this world is more potent and has stronger side effects than Earth's. In the original work, the princess gradually became addicted to tobacco and barely recovered with the protagonist's help.
'Since she is suffering from magic that forcibly stops secondary sexual characteristics, it's understandable she suffers.'
But being an addict is a no-go, princess. One wrong move and it's a direct bus to hell. Don't smoke in the future either.
"Then Class X consists of me! Nica Tot-! And Mikhail, Dolce, Bell, and Angelina—a total of five people! This truly feels like a small elite unit, so cool!"
The model student shouted with sparkling eyes.
Right. The rest eventually applied for a transfer and left for good.
"Heheh, I'm disappointed that the audience decreased~ Those idiots should have been surprised seeing our exploits. Right, Mikhail?"
"U-Uhm...."
'Pigtails' clinging to the protagonist and smiling cutely. As expected of a little devil-type heroine candidate. Although the protagonist looked this way with an awkward face as if asking for help.
Why, what. I don't care at all whether you guys kiss or whatever. I'll respect your privacy.
And above all, the reason Pigtails is acting like that is just because she was offended by the model student's words. Because she probably thinks there are actually six people.
"Dolce. Mikhail is troubled. Since the teacher will guide us on the class soon, let's look forward together."
As expected of 'Healer'. Although she conceded the class president position to the model student who always shows excessive enthusiasm, she is actually the most eldest-sister-like. I dare guess she is the talent who will lead this messy Class X well in my stead.
As the students' eyes turned towards me, I yawned once as if waiting and opened my mouth.
It was timing where I had to blatantly show I wasn't keen, but honestly, this was easy. I genuinely didn't want to do it.
"...It's practical training."
Since Bedalua Academy nurtures the best talents, practical training was mandatory.
If I followed my heart, I wanted to say 'Do you guys who aren't even prepared intend to go die?' and pass it over, but....
[Main Quest: Earth God's Request 1-3] [Pit-a-pat First Practical Training! Lead the Class X students to the 'Vinitz Plains' and go monster subjugation. Let's do the job and return within the time limit. Success Reward: Bedalua Academy Map (3/4), Worn-out Sword On Failure: You know without me writing it now, right? Subjugated Monsters: 0/50 Time Remaining: 24 Hours 00 Minutes 00 Seconds]
What can I do when a quest like this pops up as if to show off. Is it fortunate that the time didn't decrease immediately?
...By the way, what is that written under 'On Failure'. Can you be this lazy starting from just the third quest? Isn't that negligence of duty?
My body trembled with anger on its own, but after exercising superhuman patience, I continued.
"The location is Vinitz Plains. Even weaklings like you surely won't be killed by mere rabbits."
"Of course. Even before entering the Academy, I often went hunting there."
"As expected of Angelina! Amazing! I can't lose either! This body is also from a historic knight family-"
"It's only been a week since admission and the teacher hasn't taught us a single thing though? A basic skill test? Well, I'll try my best~"
"Now now, can everyone make not getting hurt the top priority...."
Even though they are a small elite group, it instantly becomes noisy when each adds a word.
'Of course, there is a quiet guy amidst this.'
I glanced at the protagonist who was keeping his mouth shut with a pale face.
"Ugh...."
He looks particularly nervous. But it's fine since he won't give up or run away. There's also what he said to me yesterday.
'Above all, although he hasn't awakened yet, he is more useful than me....'
He can swing a sword, at least. I tried practicing in the dorm without anyone knowing, but I was so weak I couldn't even hold the posture properly.
For now, the problem that needed to be solved first was separate.
"Teacher! Then do we move to the plains with group spatial magic? Since our numbers are few, it seems sufficiently possible with just your magic, Teacher!"
I can't.
"You don't intend to walk, right? It's farther than you think there~"
Wouldn't it be good exercise?
"If necessary, I can lend you my horse. Well, someone like you wouldn't do that, Teacher.... I just said it, so don't mind it."
You brought your own car to school. Please lend it to me.
"Um, if it's difficult for you, Teacher, shall we get a carriage around the plains when we return? Since spatial magic consumes a lot of mana."
Getting there won't work, please....
'It can't be helped. Even if I discard the concept a bit, the quest comes first.'
"First, we go to the armory. I will assign weapons suitable for each of you. Afterward-"
It was when I said up to there.
Whoosh!
I felt a sudden fierce wind covering my face.
What, did I not close the window? Thinking lightly, I reflexively closed and opened my eyes once.
"...?"
A plain was visible before my eyes.
Huh?
"Oh my! Is this... Vinitz Plains?"
"W-Woah! Teacher! Did you use magic already?! I haven't even received a weapon yet!"
No, it's not me. Spatial magic is high-level magic usable only at the professor level, so there's no way one of the students used it either.
Then what on earth....
"What happened? The atmosphere I feel around here right now isn't just a herd of Horned Rabbits!"
"Wait, is that drawing under our feet perhaps?!"
Gazes lowered. Like some crop circle, the grass was lying down forming a certain shape.
This is....
'Summoning Magic Circle.'
We were 'called'. By a third party!
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