Raid The Academy

Chapter 250 : Chapter 250

I had a simple lunch with Yuria and talked about this and that.Starting with stories about Ivan, to stories about the 890th class kids.

But well, among the 890th class cadets, the only ones close to both me and Yuria were Ivan, Karina Zain, and Gwyn Gaiard.

The three people we became close with while resolving various incidents.

For me, since I'm a thief, I approached them intentionally to keep them in check in my own way.

But Yuria was different.

'She became close with them because of me.'

Even if it wasn't necessarily me, it was clear she would have become close someday, but.......

"Come to think of it, the 1st semester was quite fun."

At that time, Yuria opened her mouth.

Naturally, the flow of conversation was leading to the 1st semester when the five of us hung around together.

Which was eventful.

"I didn't know I would become this close with Karina."

I smirked.

"Right. You guys used to growl at each other every day whenever your eyes met."

"That is the same even now."

Yuria also smiled small following me.

"But, I don't dislike her as much as before."

"Really? Must have grown fond of her despite hating."

"What about you, Senior?"

"Me?"

"Karina."

"I never disliked Karina? Right. I felt a bit wronged about this, she disliked me, I never disliked her."

"Really?"

Of course.

Rather, I liked her at first. Because in the days I was a recluse playing 'Heroes of Frey', my favorite heroine was definitely Karina Zain.

If she hadn't disliked me first, I would have viewed Karina favorably.

"It would have been nice if Rachel was together too."

"......Hm. Indeed."

"Senior. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. What is it?"

I asked while picking up a piece of meat with a fork and bringing it to my mouth.

Since the name Rachel came out of the blue, I was wondering 'what is it'.

"At the beginning of the 1st semester, you told me not to be close with Rachel. Why was that?"

Chewing the meat inside my mouth, I stared intently into Yuria’s eyes.

Nothing was visible in the pitch-black eyes.

Is it just pure curiosity?

For some unknown reason, I forcibly swallowed the tough piece of meat and opened my mouth.

"She just looked fake."

"Is that all?"

"Yeah. Why? I think I said so back then too. That the feeling was eerie and the kid seemed to be wearing some mask."

Yuria nodded.

"That's right. Actually, Rachel was also a member of the Beltus Cult. Just...... because it's fascinating. That means you saw through Rachel’s disguised identity with just a feeling, Senior."

What is it?

Yuria is clearly praising my instinct as good.

But why does it sound like this to my ears?

'Instinct my foot. Actually, you already knew, didn't you?'

'Because you are a thief.'

My stomach suddenly felt stuffy.

It feels like the piece of meat I put down my throat went down well but suddenly blocked the esophagus with a thud.

Honestly, I was thinking of sounding out Yuria today too.

Since I was feeling uncomfortable con-tin-u-ous-ly anyway.

From the moment the Half-Moon Wolf cub wagged its tail happily while being held by me.

Here, two choices remained for me.

'Do I continue to feign ignorance and play dumb.'

Or, 'Do I confess refreshingly.'

......Actually, the correct answer was already decided.

Confessing refreshingly right away.

Whether Yuria suspects me as a thief or is completely convinced, that is unknown.

However, from Yuria’s perspective, it is equally disappointing either way.

Think about it.

The person she trusted and followed so much is actually a thief?

It is natural to be shocked, and she will be very disappointed at the fact itself that I have deceived her all this time.

The point here is not 'thief' but 'lie'.

Although Yuria is a kid who wouldn't care at all whether I am a thief or a villain.

She is a kid who will be hurt by me lying.

'It is better to talk even now.'

In a way, it could be that Yuria is giving me a chance first.

Like saying 'I am already guessing your identity. So please tell me honestly even now'.

'Shall I do that.'

The current situation where I am pushed to talk due to my carelessness rather than confessing with my own mouth was somewhat bitter.

Still, it didn't matter anyway.

Because the other party is Yuria.

Having made the decision, I looked around while organizing the words to spit out inwardly.

There weren't many cadets at the tables around us, but they weren't completely absent either.

Perhaps because it was lunch time, a few seats were filled, and it was a distance close enough to hear if they paid attention to listen to our story.

Furthermore, this place is the Academy.

Since the story I'm about to tell falls under top secret, it wasn't a matter to discuss leisurely while eating at the cafeteria.

'Let's move seats first.'

Where would be good?

Where is a private place on campus? It was when I was sorting through a few suitable places I recalled.

Yuria, who emptied the salad plate before I knew it, asked.

"Senior. If I say I am actually not human, will you believe me?"

"......Huh?"

My thought circuit stopped for a moment.

What is it?

Is it a trap?

I naturally know Yuria isn't human.

Because I was at that scene where the secret of birth was revealed too.

Wearing Green Circle clothes and wearing the Skull Mask.

But Yuria’s question was not 'Do you know?' but 'Do you believe?'.

I gave a suitable answer for now.

"......Do I believe it? Of course it's not believable. It's a bit out of the blue."

"Right?"

Yuria smiled lightly.

Then she opens her mouth again immediately.

"I heard the secret of my birth from Dad this time. He says the blood of a Divine Beast flows in my body. That Mom was a Divine Beast or something."

"......."

I was flustered and didn't know how to react, so I ended up freezing.

I don't know.

The intention of bringing up this topic.

"Are you surprised?"

"......Uh? Uh."

"It seems the reason I have a peculiar constitution that can become a Magic Swordsman is also because of that."

I pondered.

Is that also a story Yuria brought up to sound me out?

If so, it is better to confess quickly that I am Skull Mask even now, but the problem is that this is the cafeteria.

Belatedly realizing that, I looked around, but fortunately, there didn't seem to be kids who overheard Yuria’s secret. Everyone was interested in chatting among themselves.

Phew, I sighed.

Then Yuria tilts her head.

"Why? Because you're afraid other people heard?"

"Yeah. It's not a good story to be heard, right? You should be careful when saying such things."

"Is that so? People aren't as interested in others as they thought. So I said it, but I'll be careful next time. Anyway, that isn't the important thing."

......Wait a minute. Is there something more important than that?

I was convinced. This is unconditionally a story related to my identity.

"Where are you going?"

"You said it's an important story? Let's go out first."

The place I took Yuria to like that was an empty lecture room with no one.

"It isn't a story to be this careful about though......."

"What do you mean it isn't? That you are a Divine Beast's daughter is tremendous too, but you told a more important story than that."

And why do you decide whether it's a story to be careful about or not?

I should decide.

And my expectation missed spectacularly.

"Anyway, the story I will continue to tell you was about Sir Isaac."

"......Hm? Sir Isaac?"

Not me?

"You mean, Sigaro Isaac?"

"Yes. That I was born with a talent for mana and could possess aura and mana circuits in one body was thanks to the Divine Beast's bloodline. But isn't it strange?"

That was a very unexpected yet interesting conjecture.

A conjecture only Yuria, the same Magic Swordsman, could make, which people like us wouldn't even think of.

"What is Sir Isaac? I can become a Magic Swordsman since I am of a Divine Beast bloodline, but Sir Isaac isn't."

"Wouldn't that human have something naturally like you too?"

"If so, I would know. Sir Isaac is a pure human."

Is that so?

Indeed, since Yuria communes with spirit beasts, if he was the same Divine Beast, she would have noticed immediately.

"Shall I look into it?"

"How?"

"Since he comes to see me about twice a month. Wouldn't it work if I ask then?"

"Then you have to say the blood of a Divine Beast flows in you too? That is a bit......."

The Divine Beast is a supreme being, but as they live long, there are many stories following them.

Oral traditions or this and that legend.

So there are people who build shrines and worship Divine Beasts, but conversely, there were also people who wanted to kill Divine Beasts and take their power.

Representatively, there is Dr. Edric, and he went right up to taking the Divine Beast's power.

"It's too dangerous."

"Do you think Sir Isaac is the same type of person as Dr. Edric?"

"We don't know that."

"He is a person who has already reached Master rank and is in a high position socially."

Rather, that's why it is dangerous.

Because the one who has possessed power craves it more.

Is there an end to the realm?

One cannot know. However, I, who know this worldview, know that Master is not the end of the realm.

Even among transcendents called Masters, the situation is split on who is stronger.

In this situation, a fortuitous encounter that can break through the wall is right next to him, how many humans would refuse that?

"If he is a skilled person of that degree, killing you and erasing traces wouldn't be a big deal. Even if it becomes known by chance, it doesn't matter. He just has to crush it with his social status."

Yuria frowned.

"That seems like too much speculation."

"It could be. My point is, it means it is that dangerous to you. How can Sir Isaac become a Magic Swordsman? Naturally, I am curious too. Why wouldn't I be? But, the price to pay to resolve that curiosity is too big."

Yuria had an expression deeply lost in thought.

Then suddenly her complexion brightened at some moment, and she opened her mouth.

"Anyway, you mean you are worried about me, Senior? In case something goes wrong with me?"

"......Uh. If you consider it, that's right?"

"Understood. Then I will do so."

It seems she took my words in a different direction somewhat.

Since the result is the same, I decided to pass over it roughly.

"Ah. Time is already...... Senior. My next lecture is at the Joint Hall. I think I have to go first."

Checking the time on the clock tower visible through the window, Yuria said urgently.

The Joint Hall is ten minutes away from here.

For reference, mine was the building right next door.

"Really? Go quickly."

"Yes. See you later."

I quietly watched the back of Yuria hurriedly leaving the lecture room.

And I recalled what I had forgotten.

"Ah. Eventually, I couldn't tell her."

Because the topic of Sigaro Isaac popped out of the blue, I completely forgot.

"Well, I can do it next time."

Anyway, I don't know at all.

How much Yuria knows about me.

It seems she knows something, but on the other hand, it seems she doesn't know.......

"I don't know. What is important now."

What is certain is that the day to propose joining Shadow to Yuria is not far away.