Please Do Not Abandon the Adopted Heroine

Chapter 36 – Premonition

On the first day of Eunwol Festival, the official name for the most popular event, the “Friendship Match,” which marks the beginning of the festival with the sound of a cannon, is the “Eunwol Student Grand Tournament.” In fact, it was often simply referred to as “the match” or “that thing,” so neither the students nor the faculty paid much attention to it.

It was an event meant to showcase the results of the year’s hard work towards the graceful moonlight of the goddess… However, for the people of the Empire, the commemoration of Eunwol Festival had long been forgotten, and among the few schools that still managed to celebrate it separately until the festival season, ours was one of the most noteworthy.

Perhaps because of that, it seems that many outsiders now mistakenly believe it to be an event unique to the academy.

Forgotten traditions are not my concern. I shrugged my shoulders wearily.

“But is it really necessary to watch the match from the beginning?”

“Of course. What are you talking about? They are your students, so you should watch from the beginning.”

Freya looked at me as if she was sincerely speaking. Her gaze was a bit sharp, so I turned away and replied nonchalantly.

“I don’t care about the others, but Undef and Ignis are there. The result is obvious, isn’t it?”

“… You have no faith, really. That’s why I told you. If possible, just concede to Cecilia or Lynn and watch from the sidelines.”

“… What?”

It took me a while to understand Freya’s words.

“Don’t step forward…?”

As I sprang up, Professor Aegis, who had sat beside me, chuckled softly, suppressing his laughter. Freyja shrugged her shoulders as if it were obvious.

“It’s not a life-or-death war; the purpose is for students to foster friendship. If Wundi or Ignis takes the lead, they’ll just snatch opportunities from other students. What’s fun about that?”

“Well… hold on, Freyja.”

“Yeah?”

Freyja gazed at me with a raised eyebrow.

Facing those clear pupils, I couldn’t bring myself to confess, “I’ve staked 90% of the money I have on our team’s victory.” Sweat trickled down as I whispered to Professor Aegis.

“Um… what should we do?”

“There’s no perfect gambling where you win all the time~♪ Too bad.”

“But we could have won perfectly…?”

“Ah, it reminds me of Chairman’s words that you have to lose money while you’re young. Hoho!”

… Wasn’t that saying meant for students?

Regardless, with a mischievous smile playing on her face, she whispered softly into my ear.

“If you ever find yourself in financial trouble, come to me. I’ll prepare a warm bed and a delicious meal for you.”

Professor Aegis clearly knew about this situation from the beginning. Could it be that even giving me pocket money had some ulterior motive?

My hand was lightly shaken as he continued to hold it.

She often forgot, but she was of the Elven race in the forest.

Professor Aegis didn’t release my hand, as if playing a prank.

The sensation was like touching a surface covered in luxurious silk. It felt pleasantly cool, as if strolling through the woods rather than being cold. Unconsciously, I was tempted to jump into that enormous cloud, calling out, “Mom, mom…” but managed to hold onto my sanity.

“…Yujin! Look over there!”

As they were talking, a cheer erupted from the surroundings. Freya, who had been watching the stadium, clapped her hands and cheered.

“Wow, it looks like our team has made it to the semi-finals! The other team on the other side has been disqualified, so we’re practically guaranteed third place!”

“…Already?”

Hastily checking the scoreboard, the first thing that came to mind was Fernandez and his students’ names.

Following that, a text appeared confirming that our team had also secured a spot in the semi-finals.

“Professor Aegis, did you just see that? Cecilia and Lynn are doing quite well. It seems like Eugene’s special training paid off!”

“That’s right~ If we continue like this and win the championship, Professor Nepherna will be really happy~”

No way, did I miss the match alone? We definitely had a conversation together. I opened my eyes wide and scanned the stadium.

The match of our team had just ended, and the players from Fernandez’s team were warming up for the finals. Normally, I wouldn’t have paid any attention to the other team, but strangely, there was one student who caught my eye.

“Hmm? That’s Pedro… Allen, the friend from Fernandez’s team, looks strange. Is he not feeling well?”

“…What’s going on? You’re not even his student, and yet you remember his name.”

“That’s what being a true teacher is.”

I chuckled and added.

“It’s a joke, but that Allen kid, despite having his nose pressed by Undine last time, is a student worthy of praise for his skills compared to his age. Fernandez must have had a reason to put him in as a mercenary, even sacrificing his own student.”

“Hmm, really? He looks a bit strange in his movements now… Maybe he’s nervous. …It’s a shame.”

Freya clicked her tongue as if disappointed.

In her gaze, Allen, who was preparing for the next match, seemed somewhat weak in his magic, and his movements also seemed sluggish. It was clear that something was seriously wrong with his physical condition rather than just being nervous.

Having seen him diligently preparing like that from time to time, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

“Oh? Professor Nepherna, it looks like Cecilia’s looking for something over there.”

“…?”

At that moment, Professor Aegis pointed somewhere, tugging at the hem of my clothes.

Following her index finger, I cast my gaze, revealing Fernandez amidst a gathering of students, including Cecilia.

Fernandez was conversing with my students.

“Well… let’s see, Professor Fernandez is looking for Professor Nepherna. Cecilia student replies, ‘Teacher is not here’… then, Vundi student says, ‘I’ll activate the teacher’s radar!’ and jumps energetically.”

“… Reading lips? Can you do that?”

“Elves with poor eyesight either get caught by giants or bitten by snakes and usually die early. … It’s natural selection. hehehe♪ The forest is not as pleasant as it seems.”

“As a lazy person, I don’t think I can live in the forest from now on.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to the city now. Quite city-adapted, I think. Even if I get married, I plan to keep living~♪”

“I don’t want to be eaten by a snake.”

“We can work it out together~♪”

“With a snake?”

“Are you planning to marry a snake?”

“No, I want to marry a human.”

“hehehe, bold of you.”

…Why does it feel like we’re not quite on the same page?

“… If you have the energy to make such jokes, why don’t you go quickly? The match will start in a bit.”

Freyja, who sighed, pushed me away, touching her forehead.

***

“Teacher, you smell.”

“Hush! Be quiet for a moment. The teacher’s reaction has been captured on my office radar.”

“Teacher’s scent… from this way…”

“Ah! Cecilia unnie! Ah! I heard we mustn’t leave the waiting area!”

“…?”

“Alright, don’t just linger there, both of you. Vundy, don’t overdo it this time. Remember what Professor Freya said? Only step in when the other two are in danger.”

“Oh my, big brother. You worry too much. Did you think Vundy would disappoint the teacher? hehehe…”

“Teacher… scent…”

“Hmm, that’s odd. Is Professor Neperna not here?”

“Aah, Professor Fernandez… could you wait a moment?”

“Unnie! Don’t go there!”

“Teacher…!”

…What a mess, seriously.

Amidst the chatter of people around, not catching every conversation, I felt a slight dizziness.

If Ignis was meant for that role from the start, what crime did young Rin commit?

Cecilia, approaching my hidden scent without a second thought.

And Rin, flapping his arms frantically like a baby penguin while trying to stop her.

Then suddenly, our gazes met. As I waved my hand, I could see Rin vigorously shaking his head. But Cecilia’s ears perked up faster.

“Teacher…!”

“?! By heavens! Where are you?! My radar hasn’t found you yet!”

“Oh! Professor Neperna. Finally showed up. I, Fernandez, have been looking for you.”

“Brother…! Please, run away quickly!”

“Wait… I was barely holding on, why are you crawling back into your own grave?”

As Cecilia buried her face in me, Vundyne exerted herself to pull her away. Only after gesturing to Ignis and asking him to take both of them, using the excuse of preparing for the match, was I able to drag them away together. See you later, guys.

“Who came looking for me? Fernandez, is it you?”

“Hmm! Of course. You wouldn’t forget our long-awaited duel, would you? In this upcoming match, you and our team will face off head-on. …Finally… finally… I might be able to rescue Professor Freya from your infernal clutches.”

As Freya was mentioned, Fernandez, who had been usually composed, seemed to have cast that demeanor away, clenching his fists tightly.

Given the tense atmosphere and even with the ‘Freyashield’ not being nearby, I instinctively pulled Lynn behind me, just in case.

Lynn giggled, perhaps thinking it was a joke, but when our eyes met, she smiled softly.

Despite involuntarily smiling at her innocent grin, it seemed the bullets had veered elsewhere.

“…Kuh… cough! Gah! …No… no, this can’t be. I have Freya with me…!”

Look, can’t you get rid of those old habits?

Wearing a mask, idolizing purity, talking about platonic this and that, but the foundation is rotten.

It’s not right to let someone as angelic as Lynn be seen through the eyes of such a person.

As the match was about to begin, I quickly ushered Lynn away and changed the subject.

“By the way, Alain, right? Your disciple seemed a bit off, why did you let him participate in the match?”

“Hm? Alain?”

He regained his composure with effort, narrowing his gaze and asking back.

“I had urgent matters to attend to, but on my way here to meet you. I haven’t heard anything about Alain being unwell.”

“Well, you’ll see now.”

As both teams were entering the arena, I pointed towards it.

The referee signaled, the match began, and soon after, they clashed.

Amidst the cheers of the audience and the spectacular display of magic, the match seemed to be progressing smoothly.

Once again, Allen’s condition did not look good.

However, it soon became apparent that his poor state was not the only issue.

“…… Hm? What’s that…?”

Following this sudden change, both Fernandez and I furrowed our brows.