Chapter 103
I realized it naturally from the tense atmosphere.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I had a feeling I could pull up all the points I needed for promotion at once.
"As you all know, emergency directives come with great rewards.
Just as Miss Herka Filiote and Miss Tilia Vanguard did in the past.
Melbrith has hero candidates who completed emergency directives from the student council and made great contributions to the nation."
Great contributions to the nation?
The only emergency directive I knew of was picking up the soul vials scattered by the school.
Judging by the way she was talking, this didn't seem to be such an easy directive.
Not that it mattered, but was I the only one who found it strange that a teacher was relaying an order from the student council president?
Just how special was the student council president in this school?
Perhaps it wasn't the title of student council president that was special, but her herself.
Student Council President Sia.
I could still vividly recall what had happened that night.
The sight of that woman standing there in an elegant pose with her back to the tree in the garden, watching me without any warning.
Even our dependable bitch, Noa, claimed to know nothing about her.
In other words, she could be called the most mysterious being in all of Melbrith.
From Plenore's words and behavior, I could sense a portion of the power held by the student council president.
"On the other hand, countless candidates have lost their lives while carrying out emergency directives.
We don't wish for any of you to be seriously injured or killed, but this is also an unavoidable ordeal for those of you who dream of becoming hero candidates.
Because it means protecting innocent people."
Protecting innocent people, huh.
It seemed some kind of emergency had occurred somewhere.
Sending hero candidates to the scene in a pinch wasn't a bad idea.
For someone aiming to be selected for a hero party, it could be viewed positively as getting firsthand experience in the field ahead of time.
But something was strange.
This was the Wolf rank, wasn't it?
If it was such a serious matter, shouldn't it be handled by a higher rank? Why were they talking about something like this in the Wolf rank?
And why was an ordinary teacher the one doing it?
"Is there anyone who would like to volunteer?"
One male candidate raised his hand.
"May I ask a question?"
"Yes. Go ahead."
"What is the emergency directive about?"
"I don't know the details either.
The student council's emergency directives concern real incidents occurring outside, rather than assignments created by Melbrith.
In other words, they often involve fighting dangerous monsters."
Rustle, rustle.
As soon as the word monster left the teacher's mouth, the number of groups whispering among themselves visibly increased.
"Emergency directives like these are always accompanied by a lack of information.
Investigating the situation and resolving it in the proper manner are also included in the directive."
That's difficult.
If I volunteered and went to the student council room, I could probably hear the general details, but judging from what Plenore was saying, it was highly likely that even identifying exactly what kind of monster we would be fighting would be difficult.
Anyway, something dangerous had happened, so let's go…….
If that was how things worked, there was no way to even guess how strong the enemy might be.
Once again, the strange part was why they were discussing this in the Wolf rank.
Just as I was wondering whether I should raise my own hand, another male candidate did so.
"I think actual combat is still too much for us.
Aren't there stronger candidates in the Bear or Dragon ranks?"
Hm. That was what I was going to ask.
Of course, I didn't agree with what he had said before that.
Actual combat doesn't wait for the right time to come looking for you.
But wasn't it premature to send Wolf-rank candidates on an emergency directive where they might lose their lives?
I could sympathize with that, at least in part.
"That is……."
Plenore hesitated as though it was difficult to say, then spoke as if she had made up her mind.
"Because emergency directives are of great help to your growth."
What was she talking about……?
They didn't even know what kind of enemies they were dealing with, and sending us there was supposed to help us grow?
"The reward Melbrith has prepared for completing the emergency directive is a soul vial containing a high-quality soul.
This would bring about only a minor change for those currently in the Bear or Dragon ranks, but
for candidates in the Rabbit or Wolf ranks, it would lead to dramatic growth."
"……."
Unbelievable.
Melbrith wasn't a school.
I had already thought so when I first heard about the soul vials, but this went too far.
Putting aside the contents of the directive, what she was saying was that the Bear and Dragon ranks weren't suitable for investing soul vials in.
No wonder it was difficult to say.
They didn't want to send the candidates somewhere they might be seriously injured or killed.
If that was truly what he felt.
If Melbrith thought the same way,
the rational thing would be to mobilize the people with the best abilities Melbrith possessed and deal with the problem swiftly.
And make sure not even the slightest disturbance arose in the process.
That was the rational approach.
But Melbrith's thoughts and Plenore's thoughts were different.
Plenore cared about the candidates, but Melbrith did not.
Rabbit rank or Wolf rank.
They picked out the ones suitable for receiving soul vials and raised them to the Bear or Dragon rank.
Just like giving experience points to a game character.
Having a teacher like Plenore convey the school's intentions
made it sound especially damnable because the two things didn't fit together at all.
This really wasn't a school.
Something unpleasant was lurking here.
This system was truly vicious.
The suffocating surveillance wasn't even the problem.
What was a school supposed to be?
Melbrith had many adult members, but it wasn't as though there were no minors. In a proper country, a school—and the country itself—was supposed to protect its students.
It wasn't supposed to force them into dangerous situations.
That was the military's job.
And yet Melbrith was doing this with the active support of the nation.
So of course it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Even trash recognizes trash, and covers its nose when it smells.
Even I, who wantonly toyed with women's bodies for my own pleasure, could still think something was unpleasant when it was unpleasant.
That didn't mean I had any intention of stepping forward righteously and changing the system,
or doing any other such bothersome thing.
"Would you please put my name down?"
While everyone hesitated, Diana Vanguard spoke up.
With a refreshing smile that dispelled even the anxiety of those around her, she declared confidently,
"Diana Vanguard.
Just as my sister did, this time it is my turn."
"……Miss Diana is certainly dependable.
Anyone else?"
Why was everyone looking at me?
Even Diana was glaring at me.
"Are you not coming along soon?
There's no way some other nobody could guard my back. Someone at least as capable as you is necessary."
"……Sigh."
Let's think about this.
It was true that Melbrith's operations were disgusting for a school,
but regardless, I was merely a shameless hypnotist pretending to be a candidate and an agent of a goddess.
There was clearly an enormous soul at stake in this emergency directive.
It was a chance to raise my level tremendously without taking any risks. Recently, I had been stuck in the mid-160s…… after finishing the promotion exam, that is.
I was an agent of the goddess.
I benefited from stats more than others, and my growth rate was twice as fast.
Regardless of my talent…… No, it was practically as if I had been transferred to this world after being granted talent itself.
That talent was excellent enough to make up for every moment I hadn't been born in this world.
Because of that, if I aimed for the Bear or Dragon rank in the future,
acquiring strength appropriate for my class would certainly be helpful…….
"Mr. Decal, do you have no interest?"
Plenore stopped merely looking at me and even gave me a subtle prompt.
"I only recently reached the Wolf rank.
I've only taken a few classes, and I even skipped some without permission. Do you really think I'm the right person for this?"
"Yes. No one here doubts your combat ability, Mr. Decal."
As if to confirm that,
the other candidates fell silent as mice.
Was it because I'd gotten carried away and spammed my new techniques? Ugh…….
"There is also evidence to support it."
"Evidence?"
"Melbrith objectively records and maintains data on its candidates.
When this emergency directive came down, the teaching staff gathered and discussed the matter. Which candidates were suitable, who had shown clear results…….
I thought there was no one in the Wolf rank besides you, Mr. Decal. Your practical experience from living as an adventurer, your search ability and persistence in finding the Sin Wolf……."
I wanted to cover my ears because I was embarrassed.
Plenore's praise continued for some time afterward, only stopping once I sighed.
"But all of that was merely my own opinion. It wasn't enough to persuade the others."
Ugh. Wasn't that over?
"That was when Miss Sia, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up."
An unexpected name came up.
"She said that Candidate Decal was the person needed for this directive……."
I could do nothing but find it absurd,
but everyone was listening intently to Teacher Plenore's story.
Some even looked at me in surprise upon hearing that I was the person chosen by the student council president.
The authority of the student council president, who could become the center of attention with a single statement, was frightening enough,
but why was she singling me out and trying to send me on a dangerous mission?
Why did it feel as though the student council president was strangling me when she had never even exchanged a single word with me?
"I seem to have chattered on a bit.
"I wanted to let you know just how promising a prospect Mr. Dekal is in Melbrit, and how much attention he's receiving at the Wolf level."
"Understood."
I had no idea Pleonore supported me this passionately.
I almost felt as though I had been singed by her enthusiasm.
"I'll support it.
……Ah, I can go to the student council, hear what they have to say, and decline if it doesn't seem right, can't I?"
When I said that, the candidates laughed.
"Haha. Yes.
The will of the person concerned is what matters. You won't suffer any disadvantage for refusing on the spot."
"You really have no shame, saying something like that."
Diana stuck close to my side and teased me.
"No shame? What do you mean?"
"The student council is the highest authority in Melbrit! Do you have any idea how humiliating it would be to stand before them and say, 'I'm afraid I can't do it'?"
Hmm…….
I understood Diana's feelings, since she put her family's honor first,
but I couldn't relate.
"It's a matter of life and death, so there's nothing embarrassing about it. I can't go off to die just because I'm afraid of looking foolish."
"That's a vulgar way of thinking worthy of an adventurer. It doesn't suit a hero candidate at all."
Had I just been told that I was acting like an adventurer?
I thought I didn't suit either side. How unexpected.
If I had to define myself, Selene had gotten it exactly right. I was a shameless pervert.
"Why don't you withdraw even now?"
"Well, I'll hear them out first."
Diana whispered so softly that only I could hear her.
"……Even if you cease to be a candidate, I'll raise you."
"What did you say?"
When I asked again, pretending I hadn't heard her, Diana panicked.
"N-no, it's nothing…!"
"The two of you, please follow me after class.
I'll guide you to the main building."
The atmosphere returned to normal.
Perhaps because Diana and I had volunteered.
For the other candidates, it was already a thing of the past.
We had a class in which we struck target boards with magic.
I worked a little harder than usual.
"Then, the two of you, please follow me."
After class, Diana and I followed Pleonore to the main building.
Come to think of it, this was my first time coming here.
Even though it was the first building I'd seen beyond the main gate when I came to Melbrit.
It was truly an impressive structure.
Comparing it to a castle would be an exaggeration, but it was the sort of place anyone could understand being captivated by.
The lobby on the first floor of the main building looked just like an art museum displaying artistic exhibits.
In the center of the lobby stood a marble statue crafted by a master artisan.
It was modeled after a beautiful woman….
That caught my attention too, but for now, my eyes were drawn to the familiar figure standing before the statue.
Her red ponytail, tied and draped down her back, and her cute yellow ribbon.
Her ample tits, which even her uniform couldn't suppress, and her plump, sensual thighs flaunting their presence beneath her slender waist.
As far as I knew, there was only one woman who could make my cock painfully hard just by standing there and chatting.
"Ah…."
Our eyes met.
Karen darted over and threw herself into my arms like a puppy delighted to see its owner.
"Oppa!"
"Whoa."
I blissfully savored catching those tits with all my strength.
It's been a while. My cock sleeve.
It had only been a few days, but I was incredibly happy to see her.
"I missed you!"
Karen looked up at me with a smile spread across her entire face.
I gazed back at her affectionately, then suddenly flinched.
This wasn't exactly behavior befitting Melbrit.
"Ahem."
At Pleonore's throat-clearing, we returned to reality.
The candidates' faces were colored with shock and discomfort, as though they had witnessed a sight that ought not to exist.
"Ah, ah……."
Perhaps she only realized her embarrassment belatedly, because Karen's cheeks flushed red. She took several steps back and fidgeted with her fingers.
"I made a mistake……."
I could almost hear the sound of her being docked a tremendous number of points.
But that only meant she had been that happy to see me.
Karen and I faced each other and exchanged smiles.