Volume 7 Chapter 1 For My Friends
The school was closed for a few days.
The shopping mall was open as usual, the Cathedral was locked down, and inside the school, the investigation team from the Galatinne Kingdom was looking for traces of skills.
Elk and the others were working on the assignments given by the school.
They all gathered in the living room, solving problems while listening to Sophia.
Everyone was seriously working on the problems, but... Emma looked unusually down.
"Haah..."
"Come on, Emma, are you still worried about it?"
"Uu... but..."
Fine patted Emma's shoulder.
Emma felt guilty and embarrassed because she had overslept while everyone else was fighting... she had been sleeping soundly in her room and woke up to find everything was over. From Elk's perspective, there was no need for her to feel guilty. She should have been glad not to be involved, but for Emma, it was embarrassing.
"I was preparing for the presentation, you know."
"Oh, about that presentation... I have a feeling it might be postponed."
"Eh...?"
Emma looked at Nickes without thinking.
Nickes explained while spinning a pen.
"Think about it, we just started school, and the Goddess Holy Church attacked the school twice, right? Plus, we couldn't stop either attack, and many students were kidnapped. Of course, the school needs better security... but how much can we really do against those monsters with skills that can turn the school into a dungeon?"
"......"
Emma fell silent.
Elk felt the same way. He didn't think they could handle skills created directly by Pipina, which were like cheat skills.
At least, they should have taken down Rapucel. Elk thought this and spun his pen quickly with Telekinesis.
"Haah~... I was making a 'Calculation Machine' for the presentation, but I wonder if it will go to waste."
"Calculation Machine? What's that?"
"Oh, never mind. I don't think Gambo would understand anyway."
"Ah!?"
Gambo glares at Nickes, but Nickes just laughs... Their relationship has become pretty relaxed.
Then, Merry clears her throat.
"Can you not study quietly? Also, brother, if you said that much, please explain it properly."
"Eh? ...Okay. What I'm making is a device that can instantly calculate 2-digit numbers. When you combine numbers, it shows the total of those numbers. It might not be useful for us students, but it could help small shops in town or regular merchants."
"Ohh... Nickes, you're more serious than I thought."
"Shut up, Elk. Well, that's how it is. It might end up being useless, though."
Both Emma and Nickes are really looking forward to the presentation.
Elk is worried about what he can do. But as a student, there's not much he can do.
Just then, Sophia, who had been out for a while, comes back.
"I have an announcement for everyone."
Everyone stops writing and looks at Sophia.
"The presentation by the new students from the commerce department will be held as scheduled."
"Really!? Yes!!"
"Yay!!"
Nickes and Emma cheer. Sophia is smiling too.
Then, Yato speaks up seriously.
"But... what about security? Aren't we going to be targeted again?"
"Don't worry. The Galatinne Kingdom Knights, the third-year students from the academy, and even Principal Poseidon himself will be on guard."
The Galatinne Kingdom Knights.
The strongest elite of the Galatinne Kingdom. Unlike the 'Five Stars' who specialize in certain areas, they are pure combat specialists. They have defeated many dangerous organizations in the past and are the kingdom's strongest fighting group.
And then, the third-year students from the academy.
While not as strong as the knights, they have experienced real battles many times alongside adventurers.
And then, Sophia looked at Elk.
"And, Elk."
"Yes?"
"This is a request from the academy. You will be the captain of the security team during the presentation."
"Huh?"
He couldn't understand.
Security team, captain.
The top of the security team.
In other words, he would be in charge of the Galatinne Kingdom Knights, the third-year students, and the advanced adventurers.
It wasn't just Elk. Everyone was confused.
"Miss Sophia, you're joking, right?"
"Nickes. I'm being completely serious."
"Yeah, yeah!! Miss Sophia is? Teacher, you're super strong!!"
"Ms. Fine, I am the supervising teacher."
Everyone knew about how Sophia had defeated Sarissa and the apostles, as Gambo and Fine had told the story like a legend. But Sophia seemed uninterested and calm.
Elk cleared his throat.
"Um... is this for real?"
"Yes. It's Principal Poseidon's recommendation... Of course, there was some resistance. So, to check Elk's abilities, they are gathering the knights, upperclassmen, and adventurers to test your skills."
"...My will?"
"You don't have one. And..."
Sophia looked at Nickes and Emma.
Elk also looked over.
"If you want to protect the stage where your friends shine, I think you should accept it."
"......"
The two of them had cheered hard for Elk in both individual and team battles.
For sure... He doesn't want to see them sad.
Also, the Goddess Holy Church attacked the academy twice. He can't say there won't be a third time.
He'll be ready for it. And if the priest shows up, he'll defeat them this time.
"Okay, I'll accept."
"Thank you. Then, I'll let the principal know."
"Yes."
Elk nodded and slapped his fist together.
* * *
A few days later, the academy finally reopened.
The recovery process for the students who were brainwashed was finished, and the repairs in the Cathedral and the academy were done.
The students who died in the dungeon came back to life, and everyday life returned at last.
However, after the second kidnapping, knights from the Galatinne Kingdom and adventurers started to stay at the academy.
Elk was talking with Gambo in the A-class classroom.
"It feels heavy even though the academy just reopened."
"Well, 2 incidents happened. I'm actually happy to see the kingdom knights and veteran adventurers up close... but still, you're the captain of the security team, huh?"
"Don't say that..."
"Well, with your monster-like strength, it makes sense."
"What do you mean, monster? Oh, what about lunch?"
"Cafeteria."
"I heard from Nickes that the cafeteria is super crowded. Even those kingdom knights and adventurers use it."
"Seriously? Well, I guess there's no helping it."
Elk glanced at the back of the classroom and saw a female knight from the kingdom keeping watch.
She blended into the classroom, staying alert all the time.
Her knight uniform was mostly white, and she wore a cape with the Galatinne kingdom's emblem. It was surprising that the female knight's uniform had a skirt.
When Elk looked at her, the female knight seemed to look at Elk with some dissatisfaction for some reason.
"Hey, do you have a problem with me?"
"No, I don't think so."
"You must have one. Like... the captain's issue."
"Ugh..."
Feeling down, Elk slumped when their homeroom teacher, Shakariki, walked in.
The students took their seats, and Shakariki clapped his hands with a big smile.
"Alright, alright. It's exciting to have class after a long time... Hehe. Wow, this year's new students have it tough. Two kidnapping incidents? That's not something you experience every day. Hehehe."
It was an unpleasant topic to hear in the morning.
Shakariki's smile turned into a smirk as he looked at Elk.
"Elk. From the second to the 4th period, you're going to the arena. You know why, right?"
"......"
"Hehehe. A lot of people are waiting for you~! Hehehe."
Elk thought about how he wanted to punch Shakariki if he got the chance.
* * *
Dressed in combat gear, Elk headed to the arena.
As instructed, after the first period ended, Elk changed into his combat gear and went to the arena. By the way, Emma had repaired the gear after the fight with Rapucel.
Nickes had cleaned the blade. Nickes, who was good with his hands and loved tinkering with junk, had a creepy smile when he saw the well-used blade, according to Merry.
He still hadn't put on his mask and hood.
Elk walked into the arena with somewhat heavy steps.
"You're here!!"
"Hoh hoh hoh. Elk, are you hungry? Want some candy?"
It's Jacob, the gym teacher, and Poseidon, the principal.
Jacob is holding a wooden sword for some reason, and Poseidon has a fancy staff with lots of decorations, offering Elk some candy.
In the audience of the arena, there are knights, adventurers, and third-year students.
Then, 3 people stand in front of Elk.
"Are you Elk? Hmph, you're cute!"
"Uh, um..."
The person is wearing a dress that shows a lot of skin, has long wavy hair with a rose hairpin, and has dark skin with makeup and red lips. They sway their body and hold a golden pipe.
But... they have a well-groomed beard and a muscular body... it was clearly a man.
Yes, a muscular man dressed as a woman stood in front of Elk.
He couldn't find the words to say, seeing someone so unusual for the first time.
"Cagliostro. Looks like Elk is speechless from your beauty."
"Oh my! How embarrassing, Po-po (Poseidon)! If you come to my shop next time, I'll give you a special treat!!"
"Whoa!! I can't wait, heh──!?"
Poseidon gets hit on the head by Elshi.
Elshi clears her throat and introduces Elk.
"This is Cagliostro, the head of the Adventurers' Guild of the Galatinne Kingdom."
"Hi there~♪ Nice to meet you, Elk-Elk!"
Cagliostro blows a kiss to Elk with a deep voice while swaying his hips.
Elk awkwardly bows. Then, he looks at the other man.
"Hmm... you're slim. But you look pretty strong."
"Y-yes."
This man looks to be in his fifties and is wearing sturdy armor.
Elk could tell just by looking at him.
"This is Sir Demiurgos, the captain of the Knights of the Galatinne Kingdom."
"Nice to meet you, kid."
Demiurgos smiled confidently.
Then, a girl pushed Demiurgos aside.
"Dad, I told you not to smile like that, it's too much!"
"Eh, Emilia? What do you mean by 'too much'?"
She had long red hair.
She was the strongest third-year student, 'Crimson Wing' Emilia.
Pushing aside her father, the captain of the kingdom's knights, she reached out to shake Elk's hand.
"Emilia here. Nice to meet you, Elk."
"Y-yes."
As they shook hands, Emilia smiled brightly and said.
"Right away, but──we all don't agree on this."
"...!"
Cagliostro, Demiurgos, and Emilia.
The top adventurers, knights, and upperclassmen were laughing.
They were laughing, but their eyes said they didn't accept Elk.
Elk let go of her hand.
Before Elk could say anything, Poseidon jumped in.
"So, I want them to know your strength, Elk. Hehe, Elk is strong, you know? We've got a worthy opponent for him!! Hey, it's your turn!!"
As Poseidon shouted, something fell from above the arena.
Something landed in the center of the arena stage.
"Hey old man. I thought you called me after a long time, and it's to babysit a kid!? "
"Sorry, sorry. Scar, just for a bit, just for a bit."
"Tch... fine. So, where's my food?"
"Can you stop calling your opponent 'food'?"
"Shut up!!"
He looked like he had been through a lot.
He was shirtless, wearing a heavy collar around his neck. His right arm seemed to be missing from the shoulder, and a huge scar ran from half of his face to his head.
Cagliostro and Demiurge opened their eyes wide, and Emilia said in surprise.
"Th-the strongest warrior of 'Five Stars'──the 'Nosferatu' Scar..."
"That's right. He is a worthy opponent, isn't he? Now, Elk."
"Got it. I just need to fight this person, right?"
"Wha...?"
Elk stepped onto the stage without hesitation.
Scar was nearly 3m (10ft) tall, twice the size of Elk.
"You're so small... not much of a challenge."
"Nice to meet you."
Elk bowed and put on an eye patch mask and hood.
He quietly spread his arms and glared at Scar.
"...Correction. Haha, this is a feast."
"Elk, Scar, are you ready? ...Then, let's begin."
The battle between 'Scarecrow' and 'Nosferatu' began.
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