‘There are so many people…’
Is this the entrance ceremony?
I looked around in amazement at the hundreds of people seated in their respective spots and moved to find my own seat.
“Then, I’ll go ahead…”
Since I am also in the Department of Sacred Studies… my seat is on the side of the Sacred Studies Department.
In the first year, it doesn’t matter where you sit among the freshmen; you just take any available seat. But from the second year onward, it’s said to be better to sit in sections divided by department for easier distinction.
‘Will I be able to find them here?’
With so many people, it isn’t easy to find just one.
Even though I can detect everything around me without my vision being obstructed, it’s still difficult.
Still, I have to at least check if they’re here or not, so now during the ceremony is the best time to look before searching elsewhere later.
I concentrated on detecting divine power.
‘Hmm…’
Unfortunately, if I push harder to detect divine power more quickly and accurately, other people might realize I’m scanning the area.
Currently, I’m dispersing it faintly enough that only someone like Asclyna would notice, but if I emit more divine power, it would definitely be detected.
So, I carefully spread it out, trying not to be noticed by others, but with so many people, it’s no easy task to find them amidst the crowd.
Thankfully…
‘It’s because the target is an elf.’
Since they’re an elf, I can find them by simply confirming their pointed ears.
Even though elves can technically enroll in the Academy, they rarely do because of their secluded nature. Therefore, if someone’s here, they’re most likely the elf from the previous hero party.
I’m not entirely certain, but it seems unlikely that a random elf living in the forest would suddenly decide to study at the Empire’s Academy.
As time passed while I searched the area, I began to sweat.
I initially thought it would be easy to find them, but it was much harder than expected. The ceremony had already been going on for an hour, and I still hadn’t found them, leading me to wonder if they hadn’t come at all.
‘There’s no way… They’re definitely here…’
Shouldn’t the missions be completed by now?
All the raids in the game were successful, and the damages weren’t significant. The battle to subjugate Maleficent was almost flawless, with virtually no casualties. It would be strange if the elf didn’t come looking for us.
Despite continuing my search, doubts began to creep in as time went by.
I shouldn’t doubt.
In the game, all the conditions to summon the elf were met. If they failed to come due to some random probability, that would truly be a colossal waste.
After checking until the very last of the first-year students and still not finding the elf, I reluctantly admitted defeat.
‘They’re not here…’
Even without the elf, defeating the Demon King isn’t impossible, but having them would make a huge difference…
Unlike Evan, Stella, and Uriel who are gradually growing stronger, the elf is a member of the previous hero party that sealed the Demon King once before.
Naturally, unlike the growth-based characters, the elf is a secret member who’s already completed their growth arc and could potentially grow even further, making everything much easier.
Especially in the early to mid-game, having the elf would allow for smooth progress with minimal effort!
With the elf around, eliminating the Demon King’s pet in the Forest of Temptation would be effortless.
She’s a crazy woman who can cause all sorts of natural disasters with just a bow.
‘Well… Now, it’s pointless to think about…’
It seems I’ll have to resort to Plan B.
I’ll need to seek out the third holy relic early and sacrifice myself to boost Evan’s power by drastically enhancing my divine power.
Given the name “the Demon King’s pet,” they’re still weak against divine power…
‘Am I really going to have to do this again?’
That’s a bit…
The first time, I threw myself in because I wanted to experience being consumed by the beast. But after realizing how unpleasant it was to be inside, I no longer have any intention of going through with it again.
Who would want to go inside something that feels like a sulfur hot spring with such a strong smell?
If it was about getting stronger, I would close my eyes and go in, but this isn’t about that.
Anyway, I need to rethink my plans assuming this elf isn’t coming.
‘This is such a bother…’
My luck is really bad.
Thinking about it, I don’t recall ever having a lucky day.
…
*
But then…
‘What in the world is this…?’
What’s going on?
“Are you the hero of this era?”“That, so what? And who are you…”As soon as those words were spoken, a young girl quickly approached us and looked up at Evan.“You… you look so much like that person.”“Eh? What do you mean by ‘look like’…”
Before we could fully process her strange comments,
“…”
“…”
” […] ! ! !”
” ! !”
The girl with sharp, emerald-green ears unexpectedly embraced Evan.
Given the height difference, it was more of a hug around his waist and chest area, but that wasn’t the problem.
Even stranger, she hugged him the moment she arrived, leaving us all in disbelief.
“What?!”
“Is she his girlfriend?”
“Is that an elf?! The rare elf, right?!”
“Does our class have an elf?”
“Does that mean Evan’s girlfriend is an elf?”
In full view of the class, she boldly embraced Evan.
Everyone else whispered among themselves, guessing if the girl was Evan’s girlfriend while performing public displays of affection. Evan, on the other hand, awkwardly stepped backward, confused by the sudden turn of events, but the girl continued to embrace him while burying her face in his chest.
“!!!”
What… what the heck is this crazy woman doing?!
“Really glad to meet you… I’ve missed you, Hero.”
“Uh… I am the hero, but could you please let go?”
Evan glanced at me while saying this.
Why is he looking at me?
If he keeps doing that, it’ll seem like I’m also treated as a girlfriend or, even worse, like a philandering Casanova.
In the first place, why would Evan have a reason to look at me?
Most importantly…
“Isn’t Evan supposed to be the one attracting girls like this?”
I thought about it; Evan was supposed to be the target of affection I had been hoping for all along.
Until recently, I secretly wished either Stella or Uriel might show interest in Evan, albeit unfortunately, neither of them did.
Not only that, but the in-game affection events didn’t even trigger for either of them, effectively ruling out that possibility.
So, I had half-given up on that notion until now.
But doesn’t that mean I don’t have to give up anymore?
Evan liked me, but in a situation where I don’t reciprocate his feelings and an elf of such beauty shows interest, wouldn’t it be natural for a guy to accept?
Now that this has happened, I should be able to relax, right?
However…
It should be fine.
‘Why…’
I clutched my chest tightly.
‘What is this oppressive feeling?’
Ever since this started, I’ve been feeling this constant uneasiness, frustration, and restlessness. I wanted to tear the two apart immediately, but it isn’t something a Saint like me should do.
If I did that, all the goodwill I’ve built up so far would crumble.
At the same time, I didn’t want to just stand there and watch them.
Ultimately, the decision I made was…
“Sorry…”
After leaving those words, I hurriedly fled the classroom, unable to bear watching the two of them embrace.
Even with my eyes closed, their image lingered, and since I’m always subconsciously scanning my surroundings, it felt like torture.
Damn it, I just won’t watch anymore!
Ah…
I don’t know what to do anymore…
