I Will Carry as an Academy Veteran

44.

After that.

In the midst of tremendous cheers and excitement, the sports festival unfolded.

The first event was the ‘One Kilometer Flag Snatching Race’ in which I was participating, so I changed into sportswear and headed to the Blue Team booth where the runners were gathering on the field.

Passing the porters carrying boxes full of water on their shoulders, I entered the waiting room.

“Oh? Is that Adrian?”

Inside the booth, there was a familiar face tidying up the water.

She looked pleased to see me and approached.

“So, you were on the Blue Team. Nice to see you, Adrian.”

“Relvrian, it’s been a while.”

“A while? We met just yesterday, didn’t we?”

The half-elf with green hair tied with a sword at her waist smiled.

Indeed, we always meet this guy in swordsmanship class without even having to mention it.

Come to think of it.

Her hair, which was usually worn straight, was now in a ponytail.

In short gym shorts, a dark blue sleeveless shirt tied around her waist. Her long ears, usually hidden, were visible thanks to this.

Oh.

This is the exclusive sportswear of Relvrian Physical Education Day.

One good thing about the Physical Education Day period is that all characters’ illustrations are changed to match the concept of Physical Education Day.

“Doesn’t it suit me?”

“Ahahahaha, thank you. Oh, that’s right. Adrian.”

After asking me to stay there for a moment, Relvrian went into the booth and brought out a girl with a vacant expression.

She had light blue hair and a petite figure.

A white headband with small flowers.

In her eyes, there were crystals of bright white snow.

The gym uniform top was quite big, with the sleeves covering only the fingers.

The shorts were up to the knees, and one long sock was slipping down.

“This child wanted to meet you. Since she’s also your partner in the upcoming game, Triangular, I wanted to introduce you. Now, say hello. Soufflé.”

Next to Relvrian, the girl stood and greeted lightly in a noble manner.

“Hello, I’m Soufflé, a 1st-year student in the School of Magic.”

“I’m Adrian, a 2nd-year student in the School of Magic. I’m a commoner, so there’s no need for formality.”

Soufflé.

I know.

More famous for the nickname ‘Witch of Frost’ than her own name.

I didn’t expect to meet her like this.

The mini-dungeon I used to clear with Milige was originally for her.

Come to think of it, after clearing it, messages like Soufflé showing interest in me popped up…

“I see. So, Soufflé, do you have any business with me?”

“Business… yes. Senpai, do you have any connection with Milige Hale, a 1st-year student?”

That’s his usual tone.

Strange, right?

Well, what can you do.

He’s a guy who, besides his own interests, doesn’t care about anything.

“It’s just a close relationship between senior and junior.”

“…Since the Monster Incident, Milige Hale hasn’t used magic at all. But one day, she suddenly showed tremendous magical skills. Moreover, she always… seems to be smiling happily.”

“…And?”

“I, I’m experiencing similar symptoms…”

He fidgeted his fingers and bowed deeply.

In short.

Is he asking me to help him a bit?

As far as I know, he’s in a state where he can’t show his ‘true abilities’ according to the setting.

However, he possesses enough strength to outperform the 1st-year top student in the School of Magic.

Of course, he’s a character who is quite useful, or rather, almost essential in the current situation.

He would be a great addition to the party.

“But I already have Reina.”

…I’ve already decided on someone for the same position.

I’ve decided to join them.

So……

“If I firmly refuse, this guy might become awkward.”

Is there a way to gently refuse while allowing him to solve his own problem and be helpful to me in the long run?

Hmm.

A good idea came to mind in no time.

“Well then, why not ask the person directly?”

“……Huh?”

“Milije Halo overcame it with her own strength. Instead of asking me, if you have any questions, ask Milije Halo directly.”

“……Ah. To the person directly.”

Supplé nodded as if realizing something.

“Not close?”

“Yeah, we don’t have the same class time. So, there wasn’t even a chance to talk.”

“Then, let’s become friends.”

“Friends…?”

Supplé grinned, then nodded shortly.

“Thank you for the advice. I will try to be friends with Milije. Relbrian, let’s go loosen up now.”

“Oh, right. I’ll go too. Adrienne, it was nice meeting you. I’ll cheer for you in the one-kilometer flag-snatching race.”

“Good luck to you too.”

They waved goodbye and went to the other side of the booth, while I went further inside.

Heading straight to the center of the booth, there she sat, tying her white hair with a blue ribbon, staring at the whiteboard as if she could kill it.

“Senpai.”

“Ah.”

Lumé turned her head.

“You’re here. I heard you’re participating in the one-kilometer flag-snatching race. Are you really okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring victory and not disgrace your honor, Senpai. By the way, are you arranging the order of this triangular relationship?”

“Well, I’m not sure how to best approach it to get closest to victory. They’re all talented individuals, you see.”

What, is she making such a face just for that concern?

“Senpai.”

“Hmm.”

“Think of this as a war.”

“A war?”

“The hundred teams are the ‘enemy’ we must defeat, and the leader of the ‘enemy’ is Prince Lutellus. It’s a mercenary strategy on who to place at the forefront first.”

“……Hmm.”

She glanced at the board for a moment.

“What’s this, Adrienne. Things are really starting to make sense as you said.”

“If things get tough in the future, consider all this as a battle. Then, a single way will surely appear in Senpai’s mind. Just follow that, and victory is within reach.”

“hahahaha… Thank you, Adrienne.”

“Oh, and this is just advice. Put Relbrian and Supplé as the very first runners in this triangular relationship.”

“Oh? Got it, hehehe. I was just thinking that.”

“Is that so?”

What.

Well, then, I just won.

“I can definitely give Prince Lutellus a good hit.”

“Of course, your first match is important too. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

[Those participating in the one-kilometer flag-snatching race, please enter the stadium now!]

What.

No need to say, it’s time to focus on that side now.

* * *

Finally, the time of reckoning has come.

The stadium overflowing with intense heat.

The stands are full of people, all cheering as one.

And at the starting line, ten students, including myself, are all lined up.

Five on the White Team, five on the Blue Team.

Standing quietly, stretching our shoulders, holograms of magic appeared in the airship flying above, and the announcer was holding a mic within the blue screen.

“Everyone! How are you doing!”

A tremendous cheer that seemed to lift the stadium.

“Sports Festival’s traditional and glorious first match! One-kilometer flag-snatching race! The rules are simple! Just run towards the flag one kilometer away from the stadium! The person who holds the flag for more than 5 seconds wins!”

“Hmm… And of course! Attacking opponents allowed! Overturning the track allowed! Magic attacks, combat, all allowed! However! If the necklace around your neck breaks, you’re out!”

Well, roughly those are the rules.

As the first match after the opening, naturally, everyone participating in the Sports Festival is paying attention, enjoying the race with fervor.

That was the moment.

“What’s up, Adrian?”

“Why is that person here? No way, is he a runner?”

“He’s weak anyway, we don’t need to worry about him.”

I can hear them all, these guys.

Moreover, since there is no restriction on the grade of participants in this race, naturally…

“Hello! Senior Adrian!”

“….”

“Good luck in today’s one-kilometer flag-snatching race! I’ll learn a thing or two!”

There was also a first-year freshman, a boy with black hair tied up with a sword as tall as himself on his back.

The white strap tied around his forehead caught my eye.

Is that so.

Do I have to win against the protagonist of the original work by clashing with him here?

This is something.

I muttered to myself as I firmly tied the blue strap hanging on my arm once again.

“Absolutely the best.”

* * *

Meanwhile.

In the bustling stadium where the ‘one-kilometer flag-snatching race’ has just begun, the most eye-catching thing on the stage behind the track was the golden chair.

The middle-aged man sitting there with knights and riders, naturally, was watching the Blue Team’s booth with cold eyes.

‘Rejelirias.’

She belongs to the Blue Team.

Naturally, Lutelus found himself standing behind the White Team.

‘Watch carefully.’

Wasn’t he the weak, sleepless younger brother who couldn’t sleep without his teddy bear in the past?

[Alright then! With a cheer like a blaze! Let the match begin right now!]

Lutelus shifted his gaze to the arena.

There weren’t many noticeable figures.

The only somewhat familiar face might be the eldest son of the Repelheight family standing over there.

No, he was just an incompetent man who had lost his right to succeed his bloodline due to his misdeeds.

Then, the explosion signaling the start of the match shook the ground, and the shouts that followed pierced his ears.

‘Ugh.’

Lutelus clicked his tongue inwardly.

The Sports Festival.

Despite being a graduate of Sareneum, like him, the Sports Festival didn’t particularly appeal to him.

Even while sitting in this seat, he couldn’t recall how many people had tried to strike up a conversation with him.

Among them, one had said, ‘If you take this Sports Festival as an opportunity to build connections with others, it will surely be useful in the future.’ But connections were something he could easily establish with just a few words of his own.

Now was not the time to sit here and watch a boring game; it was the time to at least stand up and follow the Third Princess who was advancing with the ball in front of her…

‘Are you trying to hinder me again?’

When she had hidden her identity and enrolled.

The genius of the first year, the sword of the Knight Department, the freshman representative Rejelirias, no, under the shadow of ‘Lumen Reivens.’

The ‘Lutelus, 5th Prince’ of the Magic Department, ranking 12th in the fourth year, was completely concealed.

Even in the palace, more stories circulated about the freshman representative of Lumen Reivens than about Lutelus ranking 12th in the fourth year.

…This infernal place, too, would not have come if it weren’t for Rejelirias’ issue.

Eventually.

“What? What!”

The Imperial Prince, who absentmindedly glanced at the arena, could only be struck with astonishment.

[Uh, this, uh….]

The flustered announcer, as well as the crowd that was cheering, were left speechless.

“Ugh….”

“What is that….”

The knights and riders forgot about the fact that they were the ones being guarded.

That’s how shocking the sight was.

A one-kilometer flag-snatching race.

This was clearly a race where ten people would compete to seize the flag…

On the red track.

There was someone running ahead.

No, running is an understatement.

It can’t simply be described as running.

Yes.

There is a ‘flying’ tooth.

Using ‘wind magic’ from the ground to rise up, then flying in the air by riding the air currents with consecutive ‘wind magic.’

A method that an ordinary person would never think of.

Above the runners, there is a flying tooth.

Ryutelus was simply gaping at this astonishing sight.

Reckless?

No, he knew it too, having graduated from Sarenium.

This is the physical competition of Sarenium.

The battlefield of young warriors who dedicate everything they have.

[Fly! I flew! In the world! I am flying!]

Certainly, wasn’t it that Repelheight, who was said to be so lacking in magical talent that he couldn’t even master basic magic, was now swiftly flying through ‘flight’ with what seemed like mastered wind magic, leaving others far behind in the blink of an eye, effortlessly running towards the flag.

[Oh, like this! Like this, Adrian, does the Blue Team capture the flag!]

The black-haired boy carrying a greatsword was running fiercely but was lacking in overturning the already tilted balance.

As a result.

[T-The winner of the first event is the Blue Team! Unbelievable! Wow, a completely overwhelming victory! Taking the flag, standing still in that spot for 5 seconds, and finishing the match without anyone approaching!]

Tremendous cheers.

Along with the announcer’s words.

Quietly holding the flag, visible in the sky.

Right here, he was undeniably the hero of a perfect victory.

Certainly, wasn’t it said that he couldn’t even use magic, was inept in combat, and always lived with a sense of inferiority?

Even though there were rumors of recent changes, he didn’t think people could change so easily.

But, it was different.

The rumors were true.

Watching the field, Ryutelus thought to himself, soon doubting his own eyes.

“……?”

The flag.

The proof of an honorable victory and the evidence of triumph, ‘he’ handed it over without hesitation to his younger brother, the damn representative of the Blue Team.

An incomprehensible sight.

“…No, it can’t be.”

Prince Ryutelus, upon seeing that scene, immediately understood.

Lizerilias.

Has that guy also started creating his ‘faction’ within the academy?

“Ahahahaha… Ahahahaha! This is fun! It’s going to be fun!”

Laughing heartily, Prince Ryutelus, who had wiped away his laughter, smoothed his hair.

Lizerilias, I won’t give you anything.

“Adrian, the rogue of Repelheight. Having gone from noble to commoner, if I throw in enough wealth and the Marquisate’s estate, you’ll quickly come over to this side.”

Instead of having nothing and waiting for the future like Lizerilias, this side promises a clear and material reward.

With his chin up, he spoke confidently.

“I should take tea time.”

Of course, one would not be able to refuse their own proposal.

“Even if I don’t want to, once they’ve heard my ‘words,’ they won’t be able to refuse.”

That’s what Lutellus thought.