Chapter 36 – He’s the one who saved my life back then

Layla had come back to the magic department.

“Celes-oneechan? What’s wrong?” (Layla)
“Eh, nonononono, nothing at all.” (Celes)

Celestia had been acting strange since morning.
She’s usually doing her best to clean the room, but she didn’t seem to be at her best.

When Layla called out to her, she started to get panic and couldn’t make eye contact with her for some reason.

“? Onee-chan?” (Layla)
“~~~!” (Celes)

When Layla got closer and looked into her face, she turned red and turned her face away.
Perhaps she thought it was rude, Celestia shook her head, while saying, “No, it’s different….”

“U, umm, can I ask you one thing……?” (Celes)
“Wha~t is it?” (Layla)
“The boy…… from the martial arts department who was dueling yesterday…, do you know him, Layla-san?” (Celes)
“Do you mean Ark?” (Layla)
“A, Ark-san? Is he……?” (Celes)

Celestia asked back and recited the name “Ark-san…….” in a whisper.

“Unn! He’s Layla’s twin brother!” (Layla)
“T, twin….., No wonder both of you look so much alike…….” (Celes)

Then, Celestia went on to get to the core of the matter.

“Can I ask you one more …… question?” (Celes)
“You can!” (Layla)
“About four years ago, when the…… Demon Lord army was threatening humanity? Have you ever been to this city?” (Celes)
“I have. I was with Mama, Papa, and also Ark!” (Celes)

Celestia nodded deeply when she heard those words.

“Th, there’s no doubt…. he’s the one who saved my life back then,…….” (Celes)

◇ ◇ ◇

When I returned to the martial arts department, I decided to talk to Lanta to find out what had happened during this changeover.

“What, you’re back already?” (Lanta)
“What do you mean by that, ……?” (Ark)

For some reason, Lanta was disappointed to learn that I was back.

“You didn’t do anything weird to Layla, did you?” (Ark)
“No, I didn’t! Just barely…….” (Lanta)

Just barely?

“That Layla, what did she do about bathing and changing her clothes?” (Ark)
“That! I’ve been wondering the same thing! I’ve been waiting for the right moment! and when I noticed, she’s gone――.” (Lanta)
“……” (Ark)
“……I, I’m kidding! I’m just kidding!” (Lanta)

Well, she can just hide somewhere to change her clothes, but bathing is another one, perhaps she can manage it using magic.

“This is starting to out off-topic, had she done anything other than a duel?” (Ark)
“Hmm, I can’t think of anything in particular.” (Lanta)

Thank goodness.

“Oh right, by the way, you’ve been invited to an independent seminar.” (Lanta)
“Independent seminar? What kind of seminar it is?” (Ark)
“Apparently, it’s a very high-level seminar that only S-class students attend. After that, some angry third-year students came, questioning why the first-year of E-class was being recruited.” (Lanta)

Apparently, this led to the duel.

“Independent seminar, huh…….” (Ark)
“I don’t even know how I responded. Emm, what’s her name again, that senior…, I think she was a third-year…… right, It’s Melena-san.” (Lanta)
“Melena-san?” (Ark)

I think I’ve heard that name somewhere before…….

Ah, right.
She was the person who was in charge of my entrance exam.

“I’ve heard that the other participants are against, but Melena-san is strongly recommending you. If you’re curious, why don’t you go see her?” (Lanta)
“Unn, I will……. But first, I have to help the teacher.” (Ark)

I had come to the training grounds.
As a punishment for the duel the other day, I was going to help the teacher.
But why the training ground?

“Oh, you’ve come.”

What was waiting for me there was a muscular instructor.
His appearance had earned him the nickname “Gorilla” by the students.

As I recall, he was the director of the first-grade class.
I had never taken any of his classes, but I knew of his existence.

Though I didn’t remember his name.

“Hello, Ark-kun.” (Melena)
“Melena-san?” (Ark)

There was not only a teacher here, but also Melena-san for some reason.

“She’s Melena from the third year S class. I heard she was in charge of you in the entrance exam.” (Gorilla)
“Yes, she was.” (Ark)

I nodded, confirmed it to Gorilla-sensei.

“Actually, She complained that it was improper for you to be signed in E-Class.” (Gorilla)
“That’s right! Considering Ark-kun’s entrance exam results, there’s no way he can be in any other class but S class!” (Melena)
“But, his occupation is [Classless]. Normally it would be impossible just to be accepted.” (Gorilla)
“A [Classless] must be some kind of mistake! I’ve seen it with my own eyes how easily he defeated the Goblin Lord ……!” (Melena)

It’s true that I am [Classless], but …….

“Even yesterday, he defeated a fourth-year S class student in a duel ……” (Melena)
“Wait, wait, wait. Don’t get so excited. I’ve heard about the duel yesterday. It’s hard to believe, but…… even if it’s true, we can’t evaluate it based on a personal duel, which is forbidden.” (Gorilla)
“……” (Melena)

Melena bit her lips in dissatisfaction.

“This is why I’m going to find out for myself.” (Gorilla)
“What? Then, about helping the teacher is……?” (Ark)
“That’s just a name. I’m going to check your abilities. If I admit, you can be moved to a higher class.” (Gorilla)

Goodness.
I thought I was going to have to do some tedious paperwork or something, but this seems easy enough.

“Good luck, Ark-kun! Show off al your might!” (Melena)
“U, unn.” (Ark)

Melena-san cheered me on as I faced Gorilla-sensei a few meters away.
It seems that they are going to assess my strength through a mock battle.

But how strong is he?
He’s a martial arts teacher, so he must be pretty strong, is he not……

But my mother told me, “Basically, you should think that the adults in the world are much weaker than you.”

“You don’t have to go easy on me.” (Gorilla)

Well, now that he mentioned it, he’ll be fine with a little seriousness, right?