Chapter 83 School Festival (7)
She landed in the ground where the strange beast had suddenly appeared.
The knights and teachers had led all the students and visitors to the hall where they kept the transporter machine.
“A strange beast… When Carna-sama said kaiju, I had guessed this much. It turns out I was right all along.”
Razé stood on the ground watching that thing that had lost its original form. Every time Carna said about the tragic ending, Razé had wondered what caused the event. Carna was a human, not a beast, but she said she would turn into kaiju. Razé could only think of one reason based on these hints.
“A demonic mutation caused by absorbing excessive amount of mutated demonic bacteria…”
Razé rubbed the black wound on her side over her clothes without thinking. She had written a thesis when she was in the military college. The content was highly regarded among the military community, but was kept secret from the public. The reason was to protect the military personnel who were doing missions in Baruda.
In her thesis, Razé had addressed the effects of demonic bacteria on the human body. Based on her observation, military personnel with black wounds had higher physical abilities. When it exceeded a certain percentage, they became closer to a monster.
Furthermore, when the military personal used the magic stone obtained from the monsters that affected them, there would have a significantly improved compatibility rate and can draw out the power of the magic stone several times higher than normal capacity.
The main reason why this matter could not be announced to the public was because the astronomical religion in this world, the community which Folia belonged to, considered the beasts and monsters as filthy creatures and hated them.
So, the unknowing civilian who had witness the thing that appeared just now would only recognize it as a strange beast. This way, the official could cover up this matter later using excuses like curse or something similar.
“Stay calm and move this way!”
“Do not push! Please move in order!”
The sound of security personnel giving instruction could be heard along with the beast’s roar. Several knights were confronting that mutated thing, but their swords were overwhelmed by it. The knights were too weak. They had no experience dealing with this type of situation.
Besides, Razé didn’t want them to handle that thing when they didn’t even know what it is. When she saw her subordinates coming closer, she made up her mind to accept her fate. As their superior, she couldn’t let them take care of that thing.
“OOOOFAAAAAGAAAA!!”[1]
That thing screamed when its gaze collided with Razé’s. At that moment, Razé realized the identity of the person who had went through demonic mutation.
“Olusanya…”
Although they were not on good terms, he was her fellow comrade in the military. Razé was reminded by what the witch had said earlier.
To live a long life in misery…
The woman was saying words of gratitude, but Razé could feel her resentment. She couldn’t help but sigh as if ridiculing herself when she realized she would keep doing this filthy work her whole life.
Still, it’s not that bad when I think I’m doing this for Carna and Folia.
She looked at the gorgeously decorated school building and took a step forward to protect the place from further damage.
Adis: “Scholarship student!?”
Razé could distinctly picked up this voice among the noises, perhaps because it was calling her name.
Carna: “Razé!? Come here! Hurry!”
Ruben: “Carna! Don’t go out!!”
Razé wondered why the people that she had hope the most to escape were still here. She couldn’t guess the answer but she was well aware that her duty was to protect the students in this academy, regardless of who it was. As long as she could protect them, then she could accomplish her duty.
Razé went closer to the mutated Olusanya who was about to bite a knight.
Then hem of her skirt fluttered softly, while her feet hit the ground with great force. A second later, she round kicked the opponent on the head.
“GA-!!”
The mutated Olusanya was blown away in the opposite direction of the crowds. Razé promptly teleported towards Olusanya. She stood by the fallen body and swung her knife to end his life. Right at that moment, she heard a beautiful voice like a bell.
‘’Wait! Stop, Razé-chan!!!”
The mutated Olusanya stopped moving maybe due to a concussion. Razé turned around and saw the girl with fresh green eyes. She had spent most of her time in this academy with Folia. The girl had slipped past the knights who were trying to stop her and was running towards Razé.
Folia: “I saw it! That thing is a human! You can’t kill it!!”
Apparently, Folia had witnessed the moment Olusanya turned into his mutated form. She came to stop Razé from committing a murder.
However, Razé turned her face away from Folia and hold the knife in her hand tightly. Once the mutation had progressed to this point, the victim could not return into human anymore. Just like there was no way to heal a black wound.
Zelhide Knit Olusanya was already dead. They shouldn’t let him suffer anymore. As a fellow soldier, Razé had to put an end to his suffering.
Folia: “Razé-chan!?”
Razé had always listened to her before. It was the first time she had been ignored by Razé. Folia was getting anxious and confused.
Razé could heard her voice. But her ego had convinced her to make sure to deal with this matter herself. She didn’t mind being hated. She didn’t need their forgiveness. She just wanted them to let her be a soldier like she should be and do her job to take his life.
Razé squinted her eyes as she stared at the mutated body. There was no hesitation. It should be over in a second. The hand holding the knife was aiming at its vital spot again.
Folia: “No!!!!”
The moment when the knife was about to hit the forehead, a strong wind lifted Razé’s body into the air with a loud noise. This was the second time she was interrupted. She escaped from the wind that was lifting her body and landed on the ground as she looked around for the person who had disturbed her.
This magic… It must be Adis-sama.
She could see Adis was aiming at her but she maintained her expressionless face.
Folia: “Stop it, Razé-chan.”
While she was distracted by Adis, Folia had reached her and hugged her tight. Razé was upset that Folia had rushed into such a dangerous place.
Razé ignored Folia’s words as she pushed her shoulder. “You should go. This place is dangerous.”
Folia grabbed Razé’s waist, showing no sign of leaving. “You might not believe it, but this is a human. That’s why you shouldn’t kill him.”
Razé looked around to see if there was any knight who could help to take Folia away. Unfortunately, the knights nearby were all injured and looked worn out.
“No, Folia. This is no longer human. It can’t go back to human anymore,” Razé said to Folia like explaining to a young child.
Folia’s shoulders were trembling as she looked up at Razé who was talking in a cold voice that she had never heard of before. Her beautiful eyes were shrouded with disappointment. “But why…?”
“There is no cure. It can’t be helped.”
Folia was unable to hide her anger when she noticed Razé had already gave up. She couldn’t believe that she would try to kill the creature even though she knew it was a human.
“You wouldn’t know until you try!! How can you give up on a human life?!” Folia suddenly moved away from Razé and hovered her hands on top of the unmoving creature.
“Please heal!!”
When Razé tried to stop her, a dazzling light flowed from Folia’s hands. A large, delicate magic circle that she had never seen before emerged and enveloped Olusanya’s body. Folia’s milk tea-colored fluffy hair was floating by the powerful magic. The magic that Folia casted felt warm.
Razé squinted her eyes watching the dazzling scene. When she finally managed to see clearly again, the creature before was gone. The guy who was always looking for a fight with her, Zelhide Knit Olusanya was sleeping soundly on the ground.
“The highest level purification magic…” Razé muttered to herself in astonishment.
“I told you to wait, didn’t I?” Right after saying those words, Folia fell unconscious most likely due to exhaustion.
Razé stood motionless due to shock. Then she pulled herself together and caught Folia on her knees right before she fell down. She was stunned speechless and just stared fixedly at Folia. She was worried about Carna’s destiny. She knew the heroine was supposed to assist the main hero but she was surprised to see the power she had demonstrated. Razé couldn’t hide her surprise seeing this ability for the first time.
Adis saw her sitting motionless and called out her name. “— Scholarship student! Hey, Granoli!”
Razé: “Adis-sama…”
Adis: “Why are you always like this…?”
He knelt down and looked into her face. He frowned when he saw her in a daze.
Adis: “Are you alright?”
Razé: “—Yes.. Both me and Folia are fine…”
Her face showed that she couldn’t comprehend the situation. She put Folia down and went to check Olusanya’s pulse. “He’s alive…” she said in a low voice.
Adis looked at the familiar face and was stunned. “This man…” When he recalled that Razé almost killed this man, he was at a loss for words.
At that time, the knights and the medical officer from the infirmary, Ferir-sensei rushed towards them. “All of you! How can you do such a dangerous thing?!” Ferir immediately went to check on Olusanya and Folia’s condition.
Razé saw Harlens standing among the adults looking at her.
Harlens: “Granoli, come with me.”
Looking at his stiff expression like never before, she realized that she had not much time left at this place.
Razé: “—Yes.”
She stood up and left the crowd. For one last time, she turned back slowly and met Adis’ eyes. His silver eyes were swaying anxiously.
Razé: “Please help me look after Folia.”
Then she walked away and never looked back again.
* * *
The academy was saved from the enemy’s threat thanks to Folia. Other than the knights, no civilians were injured and they ended the first day of the school festival.
The academy needed to clarify the cause and explained to the parents, so the program for the second day of the festival which was exclusively for the students was postponed to another day.
At the same time, the academy’s security would need to be scrutinized, so the campus was temporarily closed and the students were sent home with no exception.
Folia: “We won’t be able to see each other for a while.”
Razé: “… Un.”
As usual, the students gathered in the hall where the transporter machine was located. It took Razé a while to reply to Folia.
After Folia had regained her consciousness, both of them were awkward with each other for a while. But Folia had a big heart and just laughed it off, saying, “Aren’t you glad I stopped you?”
After finishing her talk with Harlens, Razé went to meet Folia feeling depressed but was relieved that she didn’t shun her out.
“They haven’t decided the new date yet, but I hope we can continue our school festival soon.” Folia laughed cheerfully. “I’m looking forward to the after-event celebration that you and Carna-sama had think of.”
Razé: “Hmm.”
Razé gave a gentle look to Carna as she watched her standing in front of the line with Ruben while waiting for the teleporter. Rumors about Carna and Ruben hugging each other on the day of the accident spread throughout the academy like wildfire, dispelling the gloomy atmosphere among the students.
Although the timing was off, the event for Carna-sama’s tragic ending is over. And now, Prince Ruben and Carna-sama are officially together. Although the character is different, we have reached our happy ending according to the plot. Based on everything that had happened so far, there should be no more dangerous event from the otome game.
This was one big milestone. After changing the troublesome event from the otome game, Blue Orchid, Razé managed to see Carna’s happy face. She was satisfied. Although her school life was full of irregularities, she had managed to fulfil her duty to protect the students from harm.
“I think it’s time to go.” Folia noticed that the teachers on the stage had turned towards the crowd. It seemed that the teleporter was ready. “See you.”
Razé’s figure in her school uniform was reflected on the gentle fresh green eyes. The teleporter machine was activated and the entire hall was surrounded by light. It was time to say goodbye.
“Take care!” Razé smiled and said goodbye to Folia, the person she spent the most time with in the academy.
* * *
A week later.
The classes resumed after the academy had confirmed there was no safety issue. Centrior Imperial Magic Academy had strengthened its barrier and increased the security level. In a glance, there was no noticeable changes.
However, it didn’t take long for the students to realize that one of the art teachers and a 2nd Year scholarship student had disappeared without a trace.
[1] Exactly as in the raw.
