Chapter 23: So Who Is The Main Character? (2)

“Undoubtedly, the assassin’s morning star.

Chosen by X-bus as the wizard most suited for a flail.

The first in the world to invent the invisibility spell, a once-in-a-generation genius…

…Is that really possible?

Even though she’s just a mage, her overwhelming presence is such that no one notices her until her incantation is complete.

Her footsteps are so quiet that even seasoned assassins are impressed.

Her voice is so soft that you can barely hear it even if you lean in close.

The pink-and-dark girl was always as faint as the crescent moon in the sky.

Is the blessing bestowed upon her a blessing or a curse?

She often looked at the blessing she had been given with mixed feelings.

Thanks to the blessing, she gained a brilliant talent, but she was destined to be buried in darkness.

‘Alice Darkmoon!’

‘Um, I’m here…’

‘Student Alice!’

‘Um, I’m here…!’

‘Next time, answer in a louder voice.’

‘Yes, yes…’

Under the professor’s scolding, Alice shrank like a kitten.

While someone might have felt sympathy for her, the other students just looked at each other in surprise.

‘Wow, when did she get here?’

‘I didn’t even know she was there.’

‘How could she be sitting in the front row and still…’

All eyes in the magic department were on Alice.

It was an overwhelming situation for Alice, whose presence was so faint that even wind spirits, known for their ability to detect life, would overlook her.

Alice fidgeted with her fingers and bowed her head deeply.

The professor was about to say something more, but seeing the girl slumped like a dejected puppy, he decided against it and cleared his throat to refocus the class.

‘Ahem, Alice. Can you explain the incantation theory of the great mage Charlotte?’

‘Y-yes… Charlotte’s incantation theory is the embodiment of will through words…’

Alice stuttered but managed to explain the theory the professor had asked about quite well.

However, no applause followed.

It would have been strange to praise her for explaining such a basic theory.

‘Exactly. Charlotte’s incantation theory is one of the fundamentals that every mage should know. The theory she created has been refined over hundreds of years…’

‘I don’t understand a single word of this.’

Sneakily positioned by the window, Nine yawned and stretched.

If he stayed still any longer, he’d end up falling asleep like the student dozing off in the back row.

No matter where you go, the old professor’s lectures are bound to be boring.

Nine pondered seriously as he toasted some bread.

‘I was hoping for something more exciting, but it seems like it’s still a long way off.’

He’s interested in magic.

But he has no intention of learning it.

After all, cats can’t use magic.

Even Nine, who stands out a bit among cats, can’t escape the limitations of being a cat.

‘Magic tailored strictly for humans would be hard for a cat to use.’

Manipulating magical energy is already a challenge.

It would be more efficient to coax someone who knows magic into using it for him.

‘Today’s class ends here. Everyone, please write a report on Charlotte’s incantation theory and submit it by the next class.’

The long class finally ended.

He watched her quietly pack her bag, and when the classroom was almost empty, he slipped inside.

‘Oh, a cat…’

Her melancholic eyes looked down at the white cat.

The white cat, as if it alone could see her, jumped onto the desk and looked up at her.

‘C-can I touch you…?’

‘This is getting on my nerves.’

Seeing her so timid made Nine want to press his paw against her soft cheek and shout ‘YOU FUCKING IDIOT!’ but he held back with an incredible amount of patience.

He sensed that while it might have an effect, the result would lead to a genre shift driven by obsession.

The story hasn’t even properly started yet, and we’re already heading down the yandere route?

The gum stuck to Alice’s chest was enough.

‘Meow.’

Can’t speak human language, can’t speak human language.

The girl, who had as many unnecessary rules to follow as a Neapolitan ghost story, cautiously reached out and stroked Nine’s head.

‘Hehe…’

Her careful movements, not as forceful as on the first day of school.

Even though her technique wasn’t great, Nine decided to let it slide.

How much time had passed?

‘Ah…! Class! Kitty, I’ll be going now!’

Realizing she had to attend the next class, Alice quickly grabbed her bag and hurried out of the classroom.

‘What to do with that bomb.’

Even if she’s not the protagonist, there are many ways to use her, but there are just as many things to be cautious about.

‘…Well, I can think about it later.’

It’s not too late to get closer once the protagonist is confirmed.

Nine left the empty classroom and headed to the theology department.

‘Oh, friend! What brings you here?’

‘I came to observe.’

‘Observe, you say! What do you want to see?’

‘I heard there’s a big human here. Really big, they say.’

I answered Ratatosk’s question with a hint of curiosity, deflecting the real reason.

Mentioning Madison’s name here wouldn’t be a good idea.

It’s strange for me to know a human’s name anyway.

Most animals don’t remember human names.

They don’t really care in the first place.

Only dogs, who love their owners, occasionally remember names.

‘Ah! That faithful friend?’

‘Yes.’

‘He should be in the chapel by now. Follow me!’

I swallowed the drool threatening to spill and followed Ratatosk to the chapel.

The chapel, the largest building in the theology department, is a major habitat for devout theology students.

In other words, it’s where Madison usually hangs out.

‘Here we are! This is the chapel dedicated to Solaris! Friend!’

It’s disgustingly huge.

It could easily accommodate a thousand people.

It was big in the game, but seeing it in person is overwhelming.

Being a cat probably makes it seem even bigger…

‘Do you want to meet him directly? Or just observe?’

‘Just observing for now.’

It’s too burdensome to approach Madison right now.

If he were the protagonist, it might be different, but if he’s not, he might grab me and start preaching.

I had no intention of listening to Solaris-sama’s teachings.

‘Then have a good time! Oh, don’t disturb the prayers!’

Ratatosk quickly disappeared beyond the door.

But he probably didn’t really leave.

Ratatosk isn’t that simple.

I jumped onto a chair and then onto a two-meter-high windowsill to get a better view.

When there are many people around, the best way to find someone is from a high place.

And Madison was the kind of person who stood out even at eye level.

Like that.

‘Solaris-sama descended upon this land and said—’

A massive build that even an orc would have to look up to.

A body packed with muscles that seem to have chosen the wrong department.

Eyes filled with excellence and hands so large they could tear an orc’s mouth apart, turning the pages of a book.

He clearly chose the wrong genre.

How is that guy a priest candidate?

Even the barbarians up north would be intimidated by him!

By the way, he’s not the protagonist either.

•If he were the protagonist, he should be holding an old, inherited Bible, not a brand-new one.

It’s hard to tell from this distance, but the Bible Madison is holding looks new.

So, he didn’t bring his grandfather’s heirloom.

That means I won’t get to hear [In my grandfather’s name, I will make you repent.]

The scene where he uses the power of faith to pry open the evil dragon’s mouth and save his comrades is one of the most iconic moments in Academy Chronicles.

What a shame.

This might be the last time I see him.

If Madison isn’t the protagonist, he’s just a slightly peculiar priest.

Well, my business here is done.

Now only the monster enthusiast and the hunting maniac are left.

I really hope the hunting maniac is the protagonist.

The dragon-dismantling monster enthusiast is beyond my capabilities.

…Please.

I quietly left the chapel.