Chapter 41

「———What’s wrong, Hera?」

“…Are you okay?”

Okay…? Did I do something that would make her worried?

As I struggled to grasp Hera’s true intent, she furrowed her brows in concern and spoke softly.

“Well… during the group selection, you looked like you were in utter despair… and even before getting on the magic vehicle, your face seemed worn out.”

Half of that is Hera’s fault, though.

I couldn’t sleep because she was just too cute.

But was my face really showing that much despair during the group selection?

I mean, sure, I was in despair, but still…

But… isn’t she being a bit too kind, coming all the way here just to check on me?

“Is your group okay, Hera? It seems like you’re doing things separately…”

“They’re fine. My group consists of the student council president from the Demon Academy, Arthur, and the president’s secretary, Yui.”

I see… I didn’t really listen carefully since my own group was so terrible, but that sounds like an amazing team.

The student council president is lazy, but not someone who would cause harm. Arthur goes without saying.

And above all—Salvatore’s secretary and caretaker, Yui, is strong, has a good personality, and can handle anything with grace.

She’s also one of the few people in this academy with proper manners.

It seems the academy put a lot of thought into picking a safe group for Hera.

Well, since Hera’s group seems safe, I’ll forgive the fact that mine is so hopeless.

As long as Hera is okay, that’s enough.

While I was thinking that to myself, Hera, as if making up her mind, spoke up.

“———Can I come in for a bit?”

When Hera tried to open the classroom door, I hurriedly stopped her.

Her brows furrowed even more visibly.

However, I couldn’t let her meet those three—especially not Kurt, that scumbag.

Mireille isn’t particularly strong, so I don’t mind her. Wilhelm can be dealt with if I intervene… but Kurt is a no-go.

I must keep him out of Hera’s sight.

“Could you not go in…?”

“…Why?”

“Well, um…”

“———I don’t want you to have a bad experience, Shin. My title should carry enough weight to serve as a deterrent, at least.”

Indeed, Hera is the ’10th Seat’ of the Ten Sages.

She’d be quite a deterrent, but—

“Hey, Shin… is it really not okay?”

“Guh…”

Hera stepped closer, her upturned eyes and teary gaze delivering a devastating double blow as she stared at me.

Her slightly downcast expression stirred a protective instinct in me, hitting me with critical emotional damage.

But—even so, I had to get her to back down for her own sake.

“Sorry, it’s still a no—”

“———Hey, Shin~~ Are you still talking to someone—oh my?”

“…Hmm…”

Just as I was barely holding it together, Mireille, that shameless flirt whose mind is filled with nothing but pink fluff, walked out of the classroom.

And behind her, Wilhelm and Kurt also appeared, completely shattering my efforts as they all ended up facing Hera.

“Hey, why is everyone coming out—”

“———Are you all in Shin’s group?”

“Yeah, so what?”

“From what I’ve heard, you’re all problem students… Why are you in the same group as Shin?”

“Ask the teachers, not me~~ Though I’m glad I got to meet a cute boy like Shin~~”

Mireille grinned provocatively, taunting Hera, whose eyes narrowed sharply.

A tense atmosphere settled between them.

“I’ve heard rumors about you. That you’ve made many students leave the Demon Academy. They say people fall for you, break up with their partners, and even cut ties with their families… What do you think about those rumors?”

“Well~~ It’s their fault for falling for my cuteness~~”

I was speechless at Mireille’s shameless attitude, claiming no responsibility at all.

Knowing the game’s story, I also knew that some had been blackmailed into doing things against their will by this woman.

“Well… let me say this upfront.”

Hera glanced coldly at Mireille, a chill running down my spine, before faintly smiling and—for some reason—linking arms with me.

“H-Hera!?”

“———If you lay a hand on Shin… I’ll never forgive you.”

Her words were laced with an icy aura, her magic faintly leaking out as she glared at Mireille.

In response to Hera’s immediate rejection, Mireille smiled back—a smile devoid of any warmth.

“For example, if I try to—”

“———Don’t touch him, you lecher. If you make a move, you’ll die. Stay put.”

Before Mireille could do anything, Wilhelm grabbed her by the collar and threw her out of the building.

Hera and I exchanged surprised glances at the sudden internal conflict, but Wilhelm walked toward us with a feral grin, looking down at Hera.

“You… You’re Hera Dragonslay, the ’10th Seat,’ right?”

“…Yes.”

“Fight me—”

“Stop.”

I stepped between them, cutting Wilhelm off.

“Wilhelm, you can’t fight Hera. Instead—fight me. That should satisfy you, right?”

At my words, Wilhelm’s face lit up with an oddly pleased expression.

“Hah… Fine. To be honest, you seemed stronger than that ’10th Seat’ anyway.”

This guy… He planned on fighting me from the start. That’s why I hate him.

I cursed the teachers who placed me in this group and looked up at the sky.