Vol. 4 - Ch. 37 - The determination of Mia and her friends
The Adventure of a Boy with the Mind of a Middle-Aged ManThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
8th April, year 907 of the saint calendar (Monday) 3:00 p.m.
Mia is presently in the most popular restaurant of Leithー一一 Teardrop pavilion. As it was still early for the rush hour, there were only few guests here and there. And then, the members of S-2 class that were already there reflected in her eyes,
"I made you guys wait"
Mia approached her friends.
"It's ok, we ourselves has just come"
Cliff, Teresa and Eight nodded lightly at Pluto's word. Mia also sat down on one of seats and after ordering simple chicken rice dish, she asked,
"So? Have you guys heard the rumors?"
"Yeah, but is that really true? There's still not any announcement from the academy after all"
Mia too agrees with Cliff's opinion. They have been in the academy for two full years already and are now able to grasp the standing of Shirabe Sensei in the academy. At the very least, there would be no less than half of the forces of the academy who will be restless after hearing the rumor.
"It's true. I have it verified by Oscar Sensei. Apparently it's decided in the faculty meeting"
As Eight confirmed, everyone could feel them gasping.
"Shirabe Sensei is going to be the homeroom teacher of the class who will win the championship in the practical exam. But we will be 4th year next year, and going to graduate though"
"It seems to be like the reward of the champion class, and is irrelevant to the grade"
Ever since this rumor broke out, literally all of the students' expressions have changed.
Excluding the newly enrolled students this year, there is no one in this academy who's unaware of the supremacy of Shirabe Sensei's class. It can be inferred from how the normal classroom in the second school building where Shirabe Sensei was teaching the basic magic classes couldn't accommodate the number of students who want to joint it and hence, a new large classroom, the five times the sizes of normal classroom was built and even then, it seems to be fully crowded.
"Let's aim for the championship in the next exam!"
"But you know, it's not much different from the team battle in the end. It's impossible"
At the line of Pluto which wasn't like him, which was full of resignation,
"I don't think it's that much of a lost game already. Don't you think Stella might not be in the representative members of next year's championship too?"
Cliff swiftly makes a valid point.
"Yeah, Stella-chan didn't participated last year"
The champions of this year were Mia and her other friend, the S-2 class. Of course, Stella didn't appear even once. That's why they were able to win.
"No, she will participate"
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because Stella was there when I heard about the rumors. And well, I think she would participate, no matter what anyone says. I'm sure she wouldn't hold back even a bit either. In short, we can just forget about becoming the winner if we can't defeat that monster in the form of girl"
Pluto's biting remarks instantly made the S-2 class members fell silent.
S-1 and S-2 classes are indeed two different classes. However the professors' group teaching them is the same, and there are also many joint classes. That's why Mia and others themselves best understand just how absurd that girl is.
"What's wrong with that? It's rather convenient, isn't it?"
"Convenient?"
Looking at Eight's showing a bold smile, Mia asked back.
"Well, didn't you guys lose your edge after being defeated by her!?"
"Or course not. But you know...... "
"Have you forgotten the oath we took at that time? We will win against her and have Sensei become our homeroom teacher once again!"
"There's no way I could forget. But――"
"Only when we win the match in which she participates will then our halted time begin to move again. Isn't that the case!?"
In that match one year ago, they lost before they knew what's going on. And then, Shirabe Sensei's figure disappeared from their life.
They lost so easily, disappointing the Shirabe Sensei. That's why Sensei isn't meeting them. Thinking so inwardly, Mia and other class members sworn a path. That they must win against the little girl called Stella, who ended their fateful match.
"Then, what are we going to do? The way we are now, we can't win against Stella no matter how much we train, can we?"
Mia also agrees with that. Stella's strength is just in a different dimension. Rather than saying as same student, she seems much closer to the Sensei or those people they accidentally met in that Kirikala dunge一一 no way!
She suddenly realized something and looked at Eight.
"Seems like you have noticed. That's right. To win against the absurd, we ourselves have to go beyond the domain of common sense. For example, just like Sensei or those people. And no one knows the method better than themselves. Don't you think so?"
"You are asking for the impossible! We haven't seen those people even once after that"
Pluto shook his head left and right vigorously, and gulped down the water from the glass cup.
"Every Monday at 5:00 p.m."
"What?"
"Every week at that time, the monocle wearing man can be seen sitting on a bench in the park by the second school building of the academy"
By the second school building? I guess those people are connected to Sensei, judging from how they asked us to keep quiet about them.
We may have only been involved with them for a short time but that monocle person didn't seem like the kind who will sneak attack at anyone. If he had to battle, he would fight fair and square by challenging them directly and crushing them into bits. He's like an incarnation of destruction.
"Even if it's so, why would those people willing to teach us when without any merit? It's not even closer to suggestion"
"Do you want to give up the ven before trying? Pluto, you have been a little too quiet lately. Have you become complacent after winning against S-1 class without Stella?"
"Huh!? Ridiculous! I am just trying to be realistic!"
"That's what I'm saying, being too quiet! You would have agreed without any second thought if you were as reckless as you once were. Tell me if I'm wrong?"
Pluto glared at Eight while biting on his teeths.
"S, stop. Calm down you guys"
Mia hurriedly waved her hand to stop and calm them down.
"However, it may be just as Eight has said. We might have given up somewhere subconsciously"
Cliff put one hand on his chin and spoke the doubt as if he was asking himself.
"Indeed. The stronger we get, the more we felt disparity between us. It's like a bottomless pit"
Teresa also agrees with Cliff.
"I can confirm. This is our last chance to be the students of Sensei. That person will soon reach the summit of the empire. Next year will be the last time he's going to teach greenhorn students like us. Other students will become his last students. Are we really going to stand by and let it happen?"
Eight shook his head sideways and confirmed the intention of Mia and others.
Last... Just what Eight said. She wondered why it took her so long to notice. How can such an amazing person be a professor in the academy forever?
He will soon leave for somewhere far away. That's fine. She will be sad but she can endure it. But she absolutely hates to hand over the title of last students of Sensei to others. She couldn't tolerate only that. That's why-------
"Mia hates it. She wants to be taught by him with the same group!"
"Yeah. I too think we should be the his students"
"I also want to receive Sensei's classes again with everyone"
Then everyone's gaze turns to Pluto.
"Listen here, if I still continue to deny here, Am I not like a chicken who abandoned the game because he got scared by a girl?"
So muttered Pluto, sighing in self mockery.
"Hmm, I also agree with you that you're a chicken though"
But Cliff said something extra.
"Haa!? Look who's saying that, aren't you also being led around a lot by your nose now that you've reconciled with your little sister? Especially being chummy with that evil-eyed girl!"
That's right. Cliff is being awfully chummy with that Messalina Geffert. Lots of passersby have witnessed them walking through the park holding each other's hand, smiling.
"You helped her when you were taking practical classes together, right? I'm glad you're getting quite steamy with Messalina"
"gh!"
Cliff's face turns bright red.
After the exam one and a half years ago, Messalina apologized for throwing stones. Though Mia had long forgotten about this and she was considerably surprised at that time but ever since then, both of them often chat with each other.
And recently, Messalina directly asked her for advice about Cliff. She heard her saying she had been in the same group as him in monster subjugation training class, one of the most popular elective courses and that Cliff has taken care of her in so many ways that she's now completely infatuated with him.
Mia and others, the girl's group, had planned the date for Messalina and Cliff which was a bittersweet memory for them.
"It looks like we all have our answers. So let's go after having our meal, shall we?"
"Where to?"
"Naturally to where that person is"
"Please. Please train us"
Lined up in a row, all of us bowed our heads to Lars 一一 the monocle wearing man, but,
"Get lost!"
He replied immediately in displeasure without even turning to look at them.
"Uhyahyahya♫ what a surprise! We have never encountered laudable kids like you who wants to become the disciple of the fiendish Lars-kun, whom even the most devilish demon wants to escape from when meet head on♪"
Lars directed his ferocious glare, which can make a child cry just from a glance, at Nero, a mask-wearing brown haired young man who was laughing on the sidelines.
"Please. We have someone we wants to win against at any cost"
"Must win against a person, right♫? Is it perhaps that maid lady?"
Just how much this person called Nero knows about Mia and her friends?
"That's right! If we wouldn't be able to receive Sensei's final classes if we don't win against her. So――"
"So?"
"It's absolutely necessary to win. We beg you. Please teach us how to fight and win!"
And they bowed their head once again. They were desperate. Because there's not anyone besides them who could help Mia and others achieve thier wish.
Neko thought about it for a short while with his hand on his chin and said,
"If, even if it means it needs you to quit being a human too?"
"Nerooo!!!"
Their bodies cowered subconsciously from the bellow which shook even the air itself. Crimson flames wafts from Lars's entire body like shimmering flames.
"nuh-uh, it seems Lars-chan aso care about you kids unexpectedly♪ but you don't have to worry, it's OK♫~ I will not do anything except awaking you guys♬"
Awaking Mia and her friends? She wonders if it does have any connection with the secret why Stella is so strong.
"By doing that, will we be strong enough to win against Stella?"
"Her strength is already approaching us, so that will depend on you guys~ depend on you~♬ but... there's one thing I can assure you. If you do that, it will put you in danger and you guys will never be able to go back again. Think carefully and decide. Do you really want to proceed with this even so?"
The faint smile faded from Nero's face for the first time, replaced by an awfully grave face.
"Stop there Nero. I will kill you even if you speak any further. And you, hurry up and get lost!"
Lars's hawk-like sharp gazes shoot at Mia and others. However with just this, Mia's leg, teeth and the whole body began to rattle and scream.
"Of coursee~ that's all I want to say, rest depends on you guys"
Saying this, Nero crossed his arms and closed his eyes. The cheerful vibe Nero had until now has now completely faded. Lars too clicked his tongue and glared at them. They felt like a frog being stared at by a snake. Facing the situation where they felt as if they aren't alive,
"I want to do it"
Eight replied immediately with a smiling face.
"Youuu――"
The pressure coming out of Lars has already reached the level where it's becoming difficult to breathe.
"Lars, this is the road he has chosen with his own free will. Besides, it's not yet confirmed they will be like us. So draw back a bit now"
Pressure oozing out Lars becomes even more at the shuddering words of Nero. In the park, where situation has unexpectedly taken a explosive turn,
"Are you guys going to fight again? Just what are you thinking"
The shoulder length blonde hair woman appeared out of nowhere suddenly like before and called out to them in a fed-up voice.
"Let them be. Either way, once he vent out, he will be tired and keep his quiet"
A beautiful young man wearing a headband with black cloth wrapping around his face utters out a line without any tension.
"Nero, are you planning to atone with this?"
"No way! You should have known me better than anyone, I don't have such an admirable personality, don't you? I just wanted to try it out by believing in it"
Those words of Nero seem sad and full of melancholy.
"Do what you want"
Lars said as if spitting. His whole body was then engulfed in flame and disappeared.
"Now, what will you guys do?"
He asked what Mia and others had decided.
"I will do it. I want to return to those days once again. I don't want to part away from Sensei so pathetically"
"I am the same!"
Teresa raised her right hand in agreement with Cliff's word.
"I will also do it. We aren't G class if we continue to live in fear!"
"Mia too!"
If they can't be recognised by Sensei without doing this, they they aren't in place to choose the means.
Besides, they just can't feel any maliciousness from those people.
"So you guys decided♫"
Nero took out a magic weapon similar to the form of Eight's beloved gun from the chest pocket of his coat.
Seeing this, the complexion of the blonde haired woman and headband wearing young man changed immediately.
"Was that the reason for Lars to be angry!?"
"Are you planning to use this on those kids!? Nero, you definitely aren't sane now!!"
Nero aimed the muzzle at Mia and her friends, humming a song and said,
"This is, in a sense, reincarnation. You will be different when you wake up. Will you simply reborn as a slave to save the world, or else一一"
The gunshot resounded and the consciousness of Mia and others rapidly became dim. In the process, she seems to have heard the toneless voice of a woman.
["Bravification" has been used against Teresa, Pluto, Cliff, Mia and Eight. Teresa, Pluto, Cliff, Mia, and Eight will evolve from "human (ordinary person)" to "human (Brave apprentice)".
Confirms the hidden title "―――― 's disciple (temporary)" for Teresa, Pluto, Cliff, Mia, and Eight. The title with bestows effects on the evolution――]
"He, Holy shit! With this――"
They seem to have heard Nero's astonished voice filled with excitement. With these last words, their consciousness cut off completely.
T/N : Hi there. Thanks for giving your attention and care to this novel until now, but unfortunately due to lack of patreon, we will be halting the translation for indefinite time. Arc 4 chapter 49 would be the last chapter of this series.