Proofreader: Me!

I laid down on the cold hard floor of the Quest Office which was now almost empty. Sweat dripped from all orifices, as I finally made it inside the academy.

“I made it, and thank Eien there weren’t any students in her group.”

Since the guards aren’t registered students, the portals didn’t have their mana signatures within the system. The school registered a person’s unique mana signature, kind of like fingerprints through our brooches. It was an interesting piece of knowledge, but I had to face reality.

I looked down, seeing a still struggling royal. In my arms was a half-dead princess, likely from all the running I did.

So, I rolled her away from me. I didn’t have any positive feelings toward her, besides the transcendental beauty given to her as a prominent supporting character.

I felt it was time I removed her gag, however, the looks from the receptionists who still operated at night bore past my body. And, the words she’d start spouting would put me in a dangerous position.

‘What to do?’ I asked myself, hoping to resolve this situation calmly.

And, as if answering my prayers, a familiar scarlet red-haired dragon had made herself present.

“Hello, Luke! The two of you have been called into Abel’s office.”

I kind of expected this, but I did have to hope Abel was in a good mood today. Or else, his cranky old self would be present rather than the normal aloof character he played.

“Hah… got it.”

I sulked because now that I’m here, I wouldn’t be able to get the Future Diary item. It was an unforeseen loss, but what could I do? It needed to be exchanged with a nearby scholar from the empire, but I had to abandon that idea as soon as Luna rampaged.

To my side, Runalia kept sneaking glances at me while holding the princess under her right arm. In comparison, we were both being treated widely differently. I walked side to side with her, unlike Luna.

I couldn’t help but feel that the Great Hero wouldn’t be happy about what I did.

-x-

“Princess, under school guidelines, you are unable to enforce any laws that might otherwise exist outside of this academy.”

It looks like I was wrong, fortunately so. His face was smiling, but his eyes weren’t.

“Hiih! Understood!” Luna shrieked in fear, understandably so.

“And you Luke, were you not able to alert a professor, or have the seniors be in charge in such a situation?”

Internally, a perfect out-of-jail card had appeared. “If I may explain, I can answer.”

“You can.”

“Luna ordered royal guards to attack the seniors.” With those simple words, I would face no punishment.

A piercing glare from the side occurred the moment I spoke, which I desperately tried to ignore.

“Is that true?” Abel leaned forward.

“Of- of course not!”

“You know, I can have Calvin verify the truth if need be,” He gestured his hands as if calling someone.

Luna frantically bowed, “I was lying! Please spare me!”

I wanted to laugh, seeing the future empress being humbled by what looked to be a child. But even though I was enjoying the one-sided scolding, I felt it might be too harsh.

“Sir, maybe she’s already learnt from her mistakes?”

He lingered momentarily, “Perhaps.”

“…”

“Since I’m feeling quite generous, Luke, you are free to go, and Luna, I will exempt you from partaking in quests for two days.”

“But!”

“Remember what your father told me? And, Luke’s reluctance is another reason why it isn’t worse than what I have given you.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Ye- yes I understand.”

This blonde bitch was finally put in her place. But, some divine interference decided to ruin me as well.

[Master, I’m back! Communicating with the Gods of the elemental realm was a tough task.]

A voice rang in my ears during such a hectic situation. “Who?”

[Spirt Queen! The Fjleora! I have finally returned! Oh- what is happening?]

‘As you can see, I’m talking to our supposed Great Hero.’

“Hey, are you listening?” Abel directed his attention to me.

“Yes, I’m sorry for my daydreaming,” I awkwardly responded.

‘We'll talk later, I’m busy right now.’

[Ah- sorry, sorry! Just, please don’t tell Abel I’m here!]

‘There won’t be a next time.’ I turned back to Abel who finished his spiel.

“I better not hear anything like this again, okay you two? Also, pay attention to your elders.” Abel’s last words were directed at me thanks to an untimely appearance.

“” Yes…””

Luna walked out, but I remained still.

“Why do you remain here?” Abel glared at me past his mountain of papers.

“I want to ask for a reward in exchange for what I would have gotten if the Princess didn’t interfere,” I glanced between the floor and Abel rapidly, “Is that possible?”

He rubbed his chin, “I suppose that’s fair.”

While the Future Diary option was appealing, for the quest I planned to take tomorrow. I needed some insurance, an item that could easily shake off illusions.

-x-

The moment I exited the room, the subdued princess barked in front of me. “I swear, someday, I will personally make your life hell.”

“You waited for me?” I mocked her outright.

“Hmph,” She scoffed, leaving the premises of Abel’s office.

‘That’s the thanks I get for lessening her sentence? I even warned her earlier. What an ungrateful child.’

[Is he gone yet?]

‘Yes, yes he is.’

[Anyways! You’ll be able to summon now… oh, well soon you might be able to?]

She looked at my mana attribute, didn’t she? It was quite terrible I admit, but I would increase it in the next quest with Uriel and Lisana. Although, by artificially enhancing my mana pool, I might be able to handle it. Although, I haven’t tried it yet.

‘Don’t worry about it, by tomorrow I’ll make it possible.’

[If you say so, then I’ll believe you master! I’ll go rest, I had a tough time you know!]

‘Yup, sure.’

[Hey, believe me!]

‘I do.’ I answered with full intent on sarcasm.

[Agh, fine!] With that, her voice vanished from my mind.

Left alone, a weird idea popped into contention.

‘Mmmmmm…’ I racked my brain.

Besides the small bickering, if I use enhancement fueled by mana to enhance the size of my capacity, would that still work? I assumed that if it were to work, it would be on a time limit due to mana being needed to maintain an enhancement to begin with.

“Welp, I’ll try it out some other time,” I threw it out the window for now. “I’ll stick with the hidden piece tactic.”

I was about to begin walking forward, but I noticed a strange figure outside the Golden Nest, near the headmaster’s office.

“What are you doing up late at night?” I asked them.

“Luke?” They replied, their green eyes now visible under the buildings’ magic light. “Could ask the same of you, haha.”

“Sure you wouldn’t ask for a spar?” I retorted, meeting his side.

“Nah, but I was just thinking…” His gaze drifted off to the moon. “This academy, it’s gonna be a doozy isn’t it?”

I looked at him weirdly, “Do you know the future?”

“What? Of course not,” Fen laughed it off. “Although, I’m sure you know quite a bit don’t you?”

I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I remained silent.

“Charles always tells me silence is a form of affirmation, so I’ll take that,” Fen smirked.

My lips formed a frown, “Yeah? Well, I know you’re eyeing Luna, I don’t wanna hear it.”

“Geh-” He faked being stabbed in the heart, “How did you- Nah I’m kidding. If anything, you shouldn’t be the one saying that, since you know…”

‘The girls.’

I tore away from his gaze, “I’m aware.”

“You are?” Fen cupped his mouth with an aghast expression, “I seriously thought you were oblivious.”

“I was trying to be… hah,” I sighed. “I tried to ignore it, and it worked. It worked so good, that I shoved it in my subconscious, and now I’m not sure how to deal with it.”

Whack!

“Ow,” I rubbed my back.

“Don’t think about it too hard,” Fen reassured me with a mocking grin, “Just tell ‘em you know.”

“Fen, I’m not ready for one until at least graduation,” I spoke, pushing away the desire to slap his face.

“Yup, you’re weird.” He said with a straight face.

“Uncalled for.”

“Anyways, even if in your case, you probably should either let them know you’re aware of their feelings,” Fen shrugged. “If you’re lucky, they’ll still cling onto you and wait until then.”

“Ughhhh…” I grabbed my head.

‘Wasn’t I supposed to be destroying romance?’

Ah, I understand it now.

That entire line of thinking is why I got stuck in that mindset, ignoring that stuff.

“By the look of your face, I’m assuming you got it?” Fen rubbed the back of his head.

“Yeah, yeah, screw off,” I shooed him away, “I’ll do it.”

I shoved him into the Golden Nest, ignoring his complaints of ‘Hey, I was here first!’ and whatnot.

Now, to confront Uriel, have her join her party, but also… uh.

“Whatever!” I slapped my cheeks. “We ball!”