I Became the Academy’s Pink Airhead

‘They think I won against Hilde using a forbidden method, then lost all my power and disappeared, so they’re calling me [Faded Spiral].’

If even Maya was suspicious, it could be considered that most people believed it to be true.

Whoever spread it, it was a timely and absurd rumor.

A student who lost her ether realm as the price for using forbidden power and disappeared. It must have been a sensational story in this world where ether is an object of faith.

“…”

Oh.

‘…This could be useful.’

My heart started racing.

I couldn’t keep running away from scenes involving 3rd years forever. Rather than hiding and worrying about my alias being discovered, it might be better to be chased as [Faded Spiral].

Guide the three juniors along the flow of the main story, towards [The Fate of Three Heroes]. And follow as closely as possible the path advancing towards [The Fate of Three Heroes] that can protect the academy city we love.

Though fate has already been twisted, secretly resolve the twisted parts with strength.

“…!”

I had an epiphany like lightning striking in my head.

If the road was curved, instead of grabbing and whining, I just had to beat it straight.

The worst executive? Late-game event?

How many late-game level high-grade trial characters are gathered in the current story to be whining about.

I looked at Eir, Bell, and the hundreds of students gathered. Though not here, the investigation team would be there too.

‘If it’s a rumor that’s already spread as much as it can, let’s have the person herself drive in the nail and make it true.’

If there are three people, they can create a tiger that doesn’t exist.

A tiger created by me, Bell, and Eir.

The tiger’s name is [Faded Spiral].

I quickly revised my setting.

‘From now on, I am [Faded Spiral], a gag character with a backstory.’

A new fate character combining the personalities of ‘Clara’ and ‘me’.

I decided on [As long as you get to Seoul, it doesn’t matter if you go crooked] as the future course of action.

When things flow according to the main story, feed the results well to my juniors. And when anomalies occur, try to follow the story’s progression as much as possible by secretly saving them.

As my thinking turned positive, things I hadn’t considered before came to mind.

‘The rewards should be decent since it’s a late-game main story event.’

Especially, how much first-time experience did you get when solving the erosion dungeon?

Okay.

Decided.

I resolved while looking at Eir and Bell who were looking at me.

‘There’s no point in saying it’s just a rumor now, Eir would just go berserk.’

Once you decide on a concept, from that moment on.

Okay.

Ready.

Action.

I said with a bitter face while clenching my fist tremblingly:

“…Are you satisfied now? To mutter about a girl’s painful past like that―♪ Eir has become quite cruel too.”

“…”

“…I may not have the same strength as back then☆ But I’ve gained precious things―☆”

“…What?”

“I’ve… discovered things that shine much brighter than fighting☆”

Eir, who was about to shout something for a moment, pushed Bell aside and came forward.

“You… Are you serious―!!”

“Kyaah?!”

Bell, who was released, hurriedly joined where Alvit was. And Eir, who had walked right up to me, stared at me as if she would devour me and brought her eyes close to my face.

Magenta-colored ether like flames approached to gauge the distance. But that momentum was only stronger than before, not more delicate.

‘Has Eir not yet seen the moment of wuji?’

I dodged all the ‘distances’ constantly tapping my skin.

“…”

“…”

Will I be caught?

How should I smooth things over if she goes berserk?

Even amid such thoughts, Eir’s eyes stared at me as if they would devour me.

What was visible beyond those eyes I faced.

Magenta light and flame-like shapes.

In the past, looking at those eyes would make my blood boil, but now they just looked like ordinary eyes.

Behind us facing each other, the worried voices of my juniors are heard.

“…Senior!”

“Senior…!”

“Senior comrade…!”

Hearing those voices.

Numerous worries disappear beyond distant memories.

I am here to protect those children, and to guide them.

“…”

“…”

What did Eir see in my eyes?

“You’ve become weak… but not trash.”

“…”

“But I don’t like it.”

“…”

“…I don’t want to see it. If you don’t want to get involved, get lost. We’re going to burn everything to solve the dungeon gate erosion, and advance straight to the center.”

Whoosh―

With the sword like an animal’s spine resting on her shoulder.

Numerous students follow behind her turning back.

“…”

Somehow, Eir’s retreating figure looked lonely.

* * *

The street of flickering flames.

Hundreds of students gradually move away.

Alvit’s mind was dazed from the information that had passed in an instant. Clara approached Alvit with a bitter smile.

“Sorry―☆ It wasn’t really a past I wanted to reveal…”

“…Senior.”

“Ugh…! S-Sorry… for speaking on my own.”

Bell apologized to Clara, but Clara said it was fine with a wry smile.

Alvit quietly looked at Clara like that.

To think that foolish senior had such a past. Moreover, it was brilliant enough to be comparable to the current ‘Five Colors’, the strongest in the academy city.

But her current appearance was like… faded, just as that alias said…

‘No…’

Alvit shook off the rude thought that had momentarily passed through her head. It wasn’t a thought to have about Clara who had devoted herself for them.

“…”

Alvit suddenly recalled the moment she first met Clara.

The sight of her with a bucket upside down on her head, unable to control her body, staggering here and there. And always coming out at dawn to obsessively ride her bicycle for physical training.

As if wanting to regain something she had lost.

Alvit shuddered for a moment.

Clara had always been rebuilding what she had lost.

“…!”

The day they first met.

At that time, Clara asked with a very embarrassed expression:

-I… actually don’t know how to handle basic ether… Could you teach me―☆

Indeed.

Clara’s ether sword manipulation was crude and clumsy.

As if she had held a sword for the first time in her life.

-A bizarre skill not even using weapons… and endless ether… There’s no way there wasn’t a price. Tsk…

-The legend that burned out all ether realms and faded away…! To think the rumors about [Faded Spiral] were true!

But for Clara, who had fallen from the brightest place and lost everything. Those were efforts containing the resolve to start over from the beginning.

-I was just at the school☆ Because even schools not in the union wouldn’t accept me…

From that miserable past, with what feelings did she climb to the strongest position, then fall again? And what were Clara’s feelings when she told herself, who was like that, to have an enjoyable school life?

What expression did she make seeing that?

-You’re incompetent, senior.

Throb―

It felt like something was stabbing a corner of her heart.

Alvit bowed her head inwardly due to the guilt welling up.

‘I’m sorry senior… Sorry for laughing at you…’

“…”

“…”

Clara and Bell walking ahead.

All three juniors following them.

They were silent, having glimpsed one person’s painful secret.

Bell spoke up with difficulty in that heavy atmosphere.

“In this atmosphere… Um… I’m sorry to suddenly say this. Anyway, we need to find the investigation team that clashed with the guys…”

-Secretary Bell―! Run away―!

“…Huh?”

Bell blankly looked towards the source of the call heard from afar. There was a student with sparkling eyes holding a bow in the collapsing ruins.

Twitch

The dark-skinned girl twitched her large elf ears and shouted loudly in a righteous tone:

-Ahahaha―! Secretary Bell also couldn’t ignore people’s troubles and left the garrison―! Of course! We are all the righteous ―!

Council…

Council…

Council…

A shout so loud it echoed.

Bell’s complexion turned pale hearing that sound.

“Sigrun you crazy bitch…!”

The hundreds of members gradually advancing in the distance suddenly stopped. Heads slowly turning around. Their eyes were filled with distorted madness.

-…?

-…Secretary Bell?

- investigation team…

Sigrun, who confirmed their turning figures, shouted in a hearty voice while aiming her bow:

“Justice never surrenders!! Quickly release the investigation team members!! I can’t forgive your actions of destroying the academy city’s order and destroying citizens’ residences!!”

Bell shouted in a voice like she was about to faint seeing that sight:

“We’re doomed―!”

-…Catch that brat and the elf.

-Yes boss!! Huhahaha!!

-It’s elf hunting time―!!

Eir’s low voice advancing forward echoed all the way here. And at the same time, hundreds of students turned around and came running.

Thud thud thud thud―!

“Kyaaaah―!!!”

Bell screamed seeing that sight and ran forward.

“Senior! I think we need to run away!”

Alvit was flustered by the suddenly changed situation again and turned around to take care of Clara. There, Clara was still smiling brightly.

“Ahaha☆ We’re doomed―♪”

“…”

As if saying it’s okay.

That smile that seemed to be comforting.

Alvit felt both comfort and guilt. So she grasped Clara’s hand tightly.

Clara said with a playful smile:

“Oh my? What’s the matter? Looks like Alvit is scared―♪”

“I’ll definitely protect you…!”

“…”

And Rota and Kara following behind also stayed by Clara’s side and made eye contact.

“Senior, don’t separate from us!”

“Don’t worry, senior comrade…!”

Amidst that.

Clara was somehow smiling bitterly.