LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 16 - "See Me Later."
Chapter 16: “See Me Later.”
Two days quickly passed as I delved into research on dungeon-related materials and examined useful scrolls.
In the plaza of the Magic Department at Merhen Academy, students gathered for group assignments, but I was too engrossed in browsing Trivia.
Love worries typical of youth, club promotions, humorous posts aiming to garner sympathy from peers…
Naturally, I wasn’t interested in these things to the point of holding onto Trivia.
It was the auction board that caught my attention. The fascinating aspect of this board was that there were no restrictions on the items being auctioned.
[『Magic in Culture』 Textbook for Sale.]
[ Selling Voice. Offering Life Counseling.]
[ Clearing Out Unworn Clothes.]
.
.
.
Even the first posts that caught my eye were like this.
Here, the transactions were actively conducted in an auction-like manner, where the seller proposed something for sale, and those in need bid on it.
Recently, I had the necessity to resolve some financial issues.
Although being assigned to the A rank granted me various discounts, the need for money remained unchanged.
The reason, of course, was that I didn’t receive any support from my family.
Scarlet declared that she wouldn’t provide me with any support, and I agreed without hesitation.
I planned to resolve every problem that arose solely through my own efforts.
‘This is all I can auction off for now.’
[ Magic Teaching Auction. ]
I composed a post with just seven words. Simply put, I intended to offer teachings related to magic in exchange for a reward.
It was distinctly different from a tutoring auction. It meant that I wouldn’t bother to explain or ensure the other party understood.
“Hey.”
Suddenly, someone lightly tapped my arm with their elbow.
“Aren’t you going to put away Trivia? The professor will be here soon. Don’t be so oblivious.”
An overwhelming scent of cosmetics, pink hair, sharp nails, and ears full of piercings…
It took me a while, but I finally remembered her name: Aria Fontaine.
Dealing with her was bothersome, and I had finished all my business on Trivia. Instead of responding, I tucked Trivia into the inside pocket of my uniform jacket.
“I hope I get a good group… I’m so nervous.”
“Can’t they just let us form groups with whoever we want?”
The plaza, crowded with A-rank freshmen, was quite noisy. It was understandable, given the important assignment ahead.
“Is there any sign of the Agora Board problem being resolved?”
“It’ll take some time. It’s only been two days.”
Aria kept chatting non-stop with the girls around her. As expected, the topic of the Agora Board came up frequently.
This Agora Board issue could be heard anywhere.
“Isn’t it a bit cheeky for someone to stay anonymous?”
“It is cheeky, but honestly, there’s nothing we can do about it. If we’re mad, we just have to solve it.”
“That’s true. But seriously, whoever it is, they’re really impressive… Could Trixie be unable to solve it too?”
“Hey, hey, quiet down. Trixie’s coming.”
Following Aria’s gaze, I discreetly turned my head towards Trixie.
Trixie… the drunkard who couldn’t even hold her own body when intoxicated.
But the girl who came into view was in no way associated with the word “drunkard.”
There was not a trace of disarray. The serious expression of the blue-haired girl standing in a corner of the plaza was enough to chill those who looked at her.
Her face, as pale as a blank canvas, bore faint dark circles.
“Everyone, pay attention.”
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed.
At the same time, a professor wearing a large conical hat appeared. It was Violet.
“Before I explain the exploration assignment, I will first announce the group assignments. Don’t worry, it’s completely random.”
In fact, the students around me swallowed nervously, as if being entirely random was more concerning.
With a snap of Violet’s fingers, a mana board appeared before us. The students’ names were grouped in sets of three.
Cries of joy and despair erupted here and there. Some voices expressed relief, while others sounded close to screaming.
“I’ll give you three minutes. Gather with your group members and introduce yourselves.”
As the crowd began to move with a buzz, I finally checked the names of my group members.
[ Group 11 ]
▶ Trixie von Fritz
▶ Martin Luke
▶ Flan
The very idea of being assigned to a group and having other students in the same group felt strange to me.
To make matters worse, I wasn’t thrilled with the group. The thought of having to carry around a drunkard was far from appealing.
I didn’t particularly want to introduce myself either.
While I stood in place, suddenly, there was a commotion around Trixie.
Was she causing a scene again? I glanced over at Trixie.
Fortunately, it wasn’t Trixie causing trouble. A male student was busy sticking to her and chatting away.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Martin Luke. Haha~ With Trixie in our group, this exploration assignment will be a breeze, right?”
Short in stature with a smarmy smile that was somewhat greasy—this guy must be Martin Luke.
“Shut your mouth.”
“…Huh?”
“Shut. Your. Mouth.”
“Ah, yeah. Sure.”
He clamped his mouth shut but continued to smile.
He watched Trixie closely, like a dog observing its master. On the other hand, he didn’t even glance in my direction.
At that moment, I was convinced. Group 11 was the worst.
“Enough with the introductions. Everyone, focus.”
Violet, who had created a makeshift podium by manipulating the ground, stood looking down at the students.
“You all know what a scroll is, right?”
She held a scroll in one hand and began to speak.
“Here’s a question: why is this assignment an open-scroll test?”
The fact that it was Violet asking the question made everyone reluctant to answer.
But suddenly, Violet stared at me with a gaze demanding a response.
Since she showed no signs of looking away, I reluctantly opened my mouth to answer.
“Because the students are of a low level.”
Violet’s eyebrow twitched. Come to think of it, I had instinctively spoken in informal language again.
“What’s he saying?”
“Is he crazy? Who does he think he is…”
The students standing nearby started murmuring, but all I had done was state a harsh truth.
A scroll, imbued with mana and inscribed with spells, is a highly useful tool for novice magicians.
It allows them to experience magic they could never use on their own and serves as a contingency plan during emergencies like mana depletion or blockage.
In other words…
The students gathered here simply lacked the ability to use a variety of spells, which was why they were given an open-scroll assignment.
Personally, I didn’t care much for scrolls. I believe that true magicians understand the inherent uniqueness of magic that can never be captured within a scroll.
“Everyone, focus. Look at the professor.”
The astonished gazes directed at me shifted towards Violet. The professor, still staring at me intently, asked,
“You said the students are of a low level. What do you mean by that?”
“The fact that we need to use scrolls is evidence of our low level and should be considered embarrassing.”
And if we manage to overcome the assignment without using scrolls, it would be all the more impressive.
But just then, someone suddenly raised their hand and shouted,
“Professor Violet!”
The owner of the hand was the pink-haired girl with a deeply furrowed brow. It was Aria Fontaine, and she continued with a voice full of excitement,
“I think it’s incredibly arrogant for someone like Flan to say such things. It seems like he doesn’t know his place!”
Violet glanced back and forth between me, standing calmly, and Aria, who was seething with anger.
Then, she subtly curled the corners of her mouth, her expression becoming more meaningful.
“Then, Aria, what do you think is the reason for the open-scroll test?”
“Scroll technology is advancing day by day. It’s time for magicians to keep up with the times. Increasing our proficiency in scroll usage to enhance our quick-thinking is a given.”
Aria added, casting a sharp, sidelong glance at me.
“Looking down on magicians just because they use scrolls? That’s an outdated mindset that only old-fashioned magicians would have. Doesn’t he know what era we’re living in?”
Violet’s smile grew wider. She turned to me once again and asked,
“Flan, what do you think about that?”
I didn’t react at all. I was starting to tire of engaging with them.
“You should give Aria an answer.”
But Violet pressed me for a response. I sighed inwardly and opened my mouth again.
“It sounds like she’s giving up on progress. I guess she’ll never use magic that isn’t in a scroll.”
“What did you say…!”
A vein bulged on Aria’s forehead.
“Are you crazy? You’re going to use a scroll during this test too. Who do you think you are, acting all special?”
“Aria, calm down. Calm down.”
Violet smiled as she tried to soothe Aria. She was no longer trying to hide her amusement.
“Flan, Aria isn’t entirely wrong. If you continue with that attitude while participating in this test, it could be seen as a contradiction. Are you planning to participate in the test?”
“Yes, I’ll participate.”
Fire sparked in Aria’s eyes.
“Then why don’t you just shut up and participate quietly! Why do you have to show off?”
“I’ll participate without using a scroll.”
“…!”
The silence that followed was almost as if time had stopped.
Ar
ia’s eyes widened in shock, and her words were cut off. Even Violet seemed momentarily taken aback.
Violet asked me again,
“It’s an open-scroll test, but you’re saying you’ll participate without using a scroll?”
I nodded in response instead of speaking. Violet let out a genuine laugh.
“It’s admirable that you’re sticking to your beliefs… but are you confident you’ll achieve a high score? Keep in mind, you have two other group members.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Alright, fine.”
She continued, scanning the students around her.
“Since you’re taking on a penalty, there should be a reward too. If Flan achieves the highest score, Group 11 will be exempt from the next written exam. Any objections?”
No one raised their hand.
The looks of astonishment directed at me had already transformed into ones of mockery and ridicule.
“Alright then, it’s settled.”
Violet clapped her hands loudly.
Suddenly, scarecrows wearing conical hats appeared at regular intervals throughout the wide plaza, and numbers were displayed on the students’ name tags.
“I’ll personally observe each one of you to ensure you’re using the scrolls correctly. The rest of you should study while you wait for your turn.”
Following Violet’s words, the students dispersed in an orderly manner.
Even then, one particularly blatant gaze was still directed at me. Naturally, it was Aria Fontaine’s.
She shook her head as she stared at me.
I smirked in response and started walking away.
“Hey. Flan.”
Or, I would have, if Aria’s voice hadn’t stopped me. I turned my head slightly to look at her.
“See me later.”
I pondered how to respond. Aria pressed me further.
“I said, see me later. Aren’t you going to answer?”
I thought and thought about how to reply.
In the end, I couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.