"Run! Simon!"Kamibarez continuously fired Blood Bullets, shooting down the pursuing students.Her Blood Bullets had significantly increased range and projectile speed compared to typical exploding ones, making her look like a sniper.Under her escort, Simon sprinted unimpeded and finally,he stepped onto the entrance of the mansion. Upon hearing the mansion's announcement, Simon exhaled a long breath and rested his hands on his knees."You're late, aren't you?"Lorraine, who had been waiting inside the mansion, casually waved her hand. She was in the process of returning her Skeleton Horse to her Subspace."We had a little trouble."Simon replied, wiping sweat from his forehead with his sleeve."Oh my, I'm the latest!"Serene was approaching the mansion.Around her, a dozen or so students were desperately protecting her, blocking or taking the brunt of the barrage of attacks. Thanks to their escort, Serene stepped onto the mansion entrance with light steps, without expending any effort.-Class C Serene Eindark. Entry into the mansion confirmed."Good work, my slaves."She snapped her fingers.The feathers attached to the students' bodies scattered into the air and vanished. Coming to their senses, they looked around in confusion."Huh, what?""Why am I here?"Lorraine furrowed her brows and approached Serene."Don't you think that's a bit unfair? You could've entered with your own power, so why cause trouble for other students...?""It's just me legitimately utilizing my abilities, so what's the problem?"Serene smiled playfully."If it bothers you, go tell your mother. Tell her to get me expelled.""Don't spout nonsense. I'll never move according to your will."The two began to snarl at each other. Simon, caught in the middle, sighed inwardly.'Being stuck between these two is seriously draining.'"Simon!"Kamibarez rushed over and tightly grabbed Simon's hand."Thank goodness! Really, thank goodness! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?""......"At her pure-hearted concern, Simon felt his mood rapidly lighten. He even felt a lump in his throat.Yes, this is what it means to live."I'm fine, Kami. Thanks for earlier."Kamibarez startled and let go of Simon's hand. Then, she looked at her toes in embarrassment before raising her head again and giggling."Alright, Simon?"Serene called his name and approached. Simon instinctively felt his body stiffen with tension."You owe me a big one, right?""...Y-yeah. Thanks for the help."He couldn't deny it. Serene put her index finger to her lips and smiled slyly."Ah, sometimes this kind of sentiment is nice. What should I make you do?""I do owe you, but it's not like a wish-granting kind of debt.""I know, I know. Then...""Simon!!"Bang!Mei-rin, returning from her fight with Elisa, burst in with a terrifying momentum.She shoved Serene's face with her palm and came in front of Simon. Serene let out a 'Kyaaa' sound and pretended to fall, but Mei-rin paid her no mind."I warned you! I told you to avoid that woman no matter what!""Huh? Uh-huh.""Then why are you with her?!""That's a long story..."Just then, Serene clung to Mei-rin's arm with a smiling face."Kyaaang! It's Mei-rin! What are you doing here?""Ugh! Get lost!"Mei-rin pushed her face away with a murderous voice. Serene pouted, making a sullen expression."Hmph. So mean. Seri wants to be friends with Mei-rin.""Seri my ass! Stop it, it's creepy!"Mei-rin said with disgust. Then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, her eyes sharpened."And you, you bastard. You put a feather on me without me knowing, didn't you?""Huh? Huh?""Why would I attack Simon?! That was your doing!"Serene tilted her head."Seri doesn't know.""Don't play dumb!"Mei-rin's face turned bright red with anger. Serene made a lisping sound and wiggled her index finger left and right."And Seri's ability doesn't create emotions; it amplifies them. Mei-rin attacking Simon wasn't Seri making her do it, but simply Mei-rin acting on her own emotions...""Stop spouting sophistry and just die!"The two began to wrestle with each other. Of course, it felt less like a fight and more like Mei-rin unilaterally beating Serene, who was just taking it.KWAANG!"Sereneeeeeee!"A massive voice, loud enough to shake the entire mansion, was heard. Serene gave a wry smile."I'm such a sinful woman, aren't I?""?"The one who appeared striding into the mansion was none other than Special Case #10, Malcolm Randolph."You son of a bitch!"He closed the distance in one stride and grabbed Serene by the collar, lifting her up. She didn't resist, letting her arms hang limply."How dare you manipulate me and make me do such humiliating things?""Oh my, I don't understand what you're talking about at all..."CRASH!Malcolm slammed Serene hard onto the floor. As she fell, murmurs rose from various places."...It's only you."Malcolm said, panting."Only you could humiliate someone like that! How dare you play with me like a dog?"Serene, lying on the floor, silently wiped the blood from her lips. Malcolm tightened his grip on the staff in his hand."Ivory Tower or whatever, damn it, you need a beating."Just as Malcolm raised his staff, Simon, who had silently approached like a shadow from behind, firmly grabbed his staff."...!""Stop it."Malcolm put strength into his arm, but it didn't budge. His bewildered gaze turned backward."Who are you now?!""This is a non-combat zone."Malcolm gritted his teeth and strained with both hands, but he couldn't overcome Simon's grip.With many students watching, Malcolm's face turned bright red from the sudden humiliation, and he aimed his left hand at Simon's head."You just die..."SWISH.A Jet Black Dagger silently passed by Malcolm's eye.And with a thud, the dagger embedded itself in the wall.Lorraine, who was sitting at a table, crossing her legs and sipping juice, was staring at him with red eyes.'...Lorraine Arcbold. You too!'It was just a simple act of throwing a dagger, but Malcolm felt all the strength drain from his body.His fighting spirit broken, the strength in his staff loosened, and Simon also let go."Damn it...!"Malcolm shoved Simon's shoulder and strode up the stairs. The quiet surroundings filled with murmurs again as Malcolm disappeared."Are you okay, Serene?"Simon asked, extending a hand.Serene smiled brightly, took Simon's hand, and stood up. Beside them, Mei-rin watched with a very uncomfortable expression, arms crossed."Thank you, Simon.""That's good. So, this makes us even...""No way~"Serene winked. "You're not thinking of saying we're even just because you got rid of a mouse that poked a lion's nose, are you?"Simon's expression twitched.He tried to gloss over it, but it didn't work."If you want compensation, get it from Malcolm. You just saved his life, after all~"Serene said only that, waved her hand, and disappeared. Then Lorraine, having finished her juice, stretched and left, saying she was going to shower."Oh, by the way, where's Dick?"Simon asked, looking at Kamibarez."We're waiting for him too.""I thought he'd be here already."Now, only about 10 minutes remained. Students who had been guarding the mansion's perimeter were now entering one by one.The members of Group 7 continued to wait for Dick at the entrance."Mei-rin. Have you seen Dick, even for a moment?""...Ah, I don't know."She replied curtly, turning her head away. Why did she seem so upset?Now, about 5 minutes remained. Students rushed in for a final sprint, and Elisa and her students, who had been guarding the mansion until the very end, also entered."How dare you sink my ghost ship?"As soon as Elisa entered, she scowled and glared at Mei-rin. Mei-rin chuckled and waved her hand, as if telling her to get lost."If you're upset, challenge me anytime~ I'll sink all your other ships too.""Tch...!"Elisa trembled with rage, but she bit her tongue and turned her back. Simon blinked, seeing her reaction."Did you win against Special Case #7?""Well, I wouldn't say I won, but there's always a compatibility factor."Mei-rin chuckled, seeming to have something up her sleeve."Now, the countdown to going home!"Students waiting at the entrance began a loud 10-second countdown. Everyone looked at the door with tension."5!""4!""3!""2...!"And just as they were about to count '1', Dick stepped into the mansion with a leisurely stride."Hahaha! Success!""Dick!"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!-Island Survival has ended. All students are to cease combat and wait in a safe location.-Students outside the mansion will be forcibly teleported in sequence. Please do not exit once the teleportation magic circle is drawn."Waaaaah!""It's over!""Let's go eat steak instead of monsters!""Who wants to go to Rochester tonight!"The students inside the mansion cheered, reveling in their joy. Simon grinned and high-fived Dick."What took you so long?"Dick chuckled."I just waited nearby until it was safely the last minute. No need to take unnecessary risks, right?""Thank goodness, Dick!""What's safe about entering with 1 second left? Ugh, you idiot!"Simon sat on a nearby sofa, leaning back comfortably. The thought of returning to Kizen made his body feel languid.Stomp. Stomp.Just then, Hector approached Simon, dragging his dangling scales. The three people nearby flinched and became wary of him."...Simon Pollentia."Simon raised his head and looked at Hector. What was he going to say now?"That monster that appeared on South Island."Hector's eyes gleamed as he continued."Did you cut it down?"Simon chuckled and shook his head."Think what you like.""......"Hector stared at Simon silently, then turned his back and went up the stairs.* * *A short while later, all first-year students returned to Kizen.The dormitory bathrooms and public baths were teeming with students. Those who had already washed at the mansion simply changed clothes and went out to Rochester, while others immediately sought food.And."Yes, it ended safely. Of course~ I'm fine."Serene was talking to someone through a Magic Communication Device.-How did the persuasion of Simon Pollentia go?"Ah, that failed~"Serene replied nonchalantly."He's not the type to be swayed by threats or intimidation." -It's no wonder he's Special Case #1. Then we'll proceed with the original plan. If we start the operation this week..."But."Serene interrupted the man."Do we really have to kill him?"-Yes. There's no other choice. If he's not an ally, he'll be an enemy. It's better to hurry before Kizen notices and acts..."Uncle."She stared at the communication orb, resting her chin on her palm, and smiled with her eyes."You're working so hard. Are you perhaps interested in the Legion Commander position?"A look of bewilderment crossed the man's face on the communication orb.-W-what?! That's going too far!"Ahaha! Sorry. I was just joking."She waved her hand."As someone who's directly on the ground, and as the successor of the Ivory Tower, I'll issue the next directive."-Yes?"Give me a little more time."-T-that means...!"She smiled brightly."Simon Pollentia is an irreplaceable existence. Eliminating him to seize the Legion would be a mistake. I'll take my time and persuade him slowly."-Such...! Please reconsider! The future of the Ivory Tower depends on this! No matter if you're the successor, you can't just decide such a crucial matter on your own...!"I'll speak to Father directly. I'll take all responsibility. Is that enough?"She unilaterally ended the communication.As she elegantly gestured, a feather holding a teacup approached her. She took the cup and sipped her coffee.Slurp.Enjoying the sweet taste, she looked up at the ceiling and gave a peculiar smile."I look forward to it, Simon Pollentia."Thus, the Ivory Tower's radical faction's assassination plan for Simon was indefinitely postponed by Serene's full authority.
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