Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

I expected a flood of challengers to pour in at any moment, but the streets were surprisingly quiet.

Visitors to Allen’s city were just the usual tourists.

No one approached me with a challenge. Instead, everyone seemed worried about me.

So I casually mentioned that I preferred a strong man like Papa, and everyone looked at him with warm eyes. Of course, it was natural for him to want to die from joy.

Honestly, I wanted to openly say it was just a polite remark and that I could never like such a troll, but I held back for Papa’s sake.

I guess I’m starting to become an adult.

As soon as the basic morning training was over, I stepped outside and faced a heap of gifts.

Behind me stood a bunch of people.

In the center, a spot had naturally formed for me.

As I stood there like always, the fairies scattered light beside me.

People gasped in admiration and naturally shifted their gaze towards me.

“Hello, everyone. I am Lucy Allen.”

Holding my skirts like a noble, the audience’s amazement grew even more.

Hmm. Judging by their reaction, it seems there won’t be any challengers today either.

No matter how blinded by ambition one might be, it must be hard to confidently challenge me in front of all these people.

After all, they might end up getting buried by the crowd if they mess up. It’s understandable they could be scared.

I’ll need to put out another notice later. This time, if I stir up some provocation without holding back, people will gather, right?

Thinking that, I finished my morning greeting and returned to the reception room, where Karia had already arrived and waved at me.

“It’s been a while, Employer.”

“What’s going on here? Did our Papa do something stupid again?”

I brought it up since I remembered scolding Papa each time I visited the mansion, and Karia shook her head with a smile.

“He’s been cooped up in the mansion, so what could he possibly do?”

“Did he get into trouble outside last time?”

“I can’t deny that, but anyway, I’m not here because of him.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I came because of a problem caused by your friend.”

Stupid mistake? What could my friends possibly do?

I could understand if the Perverted Apostle or Sloppy Fox had gone crazy after seeing the notice, but there’s no reason for my friends to act strangely.

After all, they know I’m just trying to mess with people a bit.

“Do you really think that?”

“I’m not thinking it, it’s actually true.”

“Then here’s the problem. Did you write anything in the notice about gender?”

“…huh?”

What does that mean all of a sudden? It’s a notice about a marriage proposal, after all.

It’s normal for it to be limited to men. Why would I need to mention gender?

“Now, one more question. If one of your friends tries to monopolize you, what happens?”

“Uh, I don’t think anything big will happen.”

I denied it with my mouth, but my mind was already conjuring up various scenarios.

The one I worry about the most is Phoebe. Even though her dependency has weakened, a part of her heart still sees me as a deity.

Next is Frey. I could see her getting hooked on some weird idea and spouting nonsense.

Honestly, I’m not too worried about Joyna and Arthur. They’re both fine without me. In terms of mental maturity, they might even be better than me!

“I brought proof because I thought you’d say that.”

Karia, rummaging in her arms with a bright smile, placed a notice on the desk.

“I brought it because I thought you would say that.”

“…What is this?”

“It’s the result, the stupid mistake I mentioned.”

Not wanting to look at Karia’s smug face, I lowered my gaze and my eyes caught the violent word “Lucy Capture Battle.”

“What is this?”

“Didn’t you think it was strange lately? The people who should swarm like dogs have disappeared mysteriously.”

“Is this because of that?”

You must be joking! Please tell me Karia’s just playing around, but she shook her head.

“It’s just a capture battle to get a chance to challenge you.”

“I never said anything like that! Are they really taking this seriously!?”

“Wanna go? They should be in the thick of the fight right about now.”

Nodding slowly, Karia handed me a mask.

“It’s a mask with multiple layers of magic to hinder recognition. It’d be troublesome if your identity got revealed.”

I put it on and grabbed Karia’s hand, and the moment she tore a piece of paper, the familiar nausea hit me as the surrounding scenery changed.

The first thing I heard was the people’s cheers.

With a frown at the overwhelming shouts that shook the entire space, I cautiously looked around.

A high ceiling.

Heavy air.

Slightly dark vision.

Eyes of madmen.

The constant sounds of battle echoed.

Looking down, I saw the scene of struggle.

These fighters battling on the dirt floor. I, with memories of another world, recognized this place.

The so-called underground arena. Unlike the Empire’s arena, it’s where fights happen in the shadows.

“Are those high-ranking folks fighting in a place like this?”

“Surprisingly, yes. The nobles from other places are rampaging while bracing for humiliation.”

“What do they believe in?”

I didn’t say another word. I never guaranteed anything. So what the heck are people relying on to participate here?

“The Saintess said that you were exhausted after a long battle.”

Of course, she’s compassionate, so she’ll welcome some rude visitors, but how long can they pout like kids?

We should determine who is worthy and challenge the Young Lady.

“The Saintess spoke, so everyone nodded and said they would participate.”

“No way. Phoebe would do something reckless on her own.”

“Ahaha. It seems she’s filled with the thought of monopolizing you.”

“…Sigh.”

This mess completely derailed my plans.

I pictured challengers coming, getting beaten up by me, and everyone being scared while watching, but how did it turn into this?

“You should have told your friends in advance. It wouldn’t have spiraled out of control like this.”

“So this is all my fault, Auntie?”

“You, as the Employer, need to understand that every action or word can have a tremendous impact on the continent.”

It doesn’t matter how I think or plan.

The status I hold now means even a single word or action can have massive consequences, so I need to consider a lot before acting.

Especially with sensitive issues like this.
Karia spoke as if she had said something wise.

“So you’re saying it’s ugly old hag Auntie who led this situation?”

Well, there’s no way this situation could have gotten distorted without her interference.

It’s clear this mess occurred because someone like Karia was in the middle stirring things up.

I don’t know what her intent was. I doubt she did something silly just to inform me of this. There’s definitely something more behind this.

But whatever the intent is, I’m not a fan.

“I just told you what the Employer did…”

“Ha. Are you angry because you’re messing with a marriage proposal that someone would want but can’t have?”

“…I guess.”

“If you want to seduce a man, change your personality. How can you be so grumpy with all those wrinkles?”

“Hey.”

“Do you know what they call women like you? A wicked hag. A wicked hag.”

I ignored Karia, who pouted her lips, and stood up.

Normally, people would naturally focus on me, but thanks to the mask, the audience was too busy looking at the center of the arena.

However, the final winner standing in the center of the arena was none other than Frey, who had excluded all the other beasts eyeing me.

At first, she tilted her head as if she didn’t understand, but soon after, her eyes widened, and she broke into a big smile.

“Lucy!”

Following her shout, people turned their heads to look for me.

That idiot. You’re not supposed to say this kind of thing whether you know it or not.

I waved my hand dismissively and stepped into the void.

It was quite the distance from where I was to the center of the arena, but for me at that moment, distance wasn’t a big issue.

Arriving right in front of Frey, she threw down her sword and tried to embrace me, so I gave her a kick in the stomach.

Even though it should have been a complete ambush, Frey blocked my kick with her arm and flew back, landing gracefully.

“What’s going on? Are we fighting right now?! I’m always welcome!”

“Hey, you fool.”

“…Huh? I’m Frey.”

“Do you think I’d be in a good mood while you’re pulling this stunt behind my back?”

Lowering my voice, I reprimanded her, and Frey wiped the smile off her face and hesitantly fumbled for words.

Regardless, I sighed as if to say, “Listen up,” taking off the mask and approached Frey.

“If you want to play with me, then speak up, you idiot.”

“If you ask, I’ll play with you!”

“If that’s the case, you’re not going to play with me. We’re friends.”

“…Oh, I see.”

Seeing her eyes widen as if she didn’t know, my head started to hurt.

“First of all, do you even understand what a marriage proposal is when you pull this kind of stunt?”

“Yeah. I know.”

“What is it?”

“It means Lucy will become mine! I want to be with Lucy always!”

…

I seriously want to ask Kent and his wife about this.
She may have some flaws, but she’s a Young Lady from a noble family; does it make sense for her to not know anything at this age?
She should receive at least a minimal education!
Of course, Frey isn’t the type to listen to anyone lecturing her!
“Forget it. More importantly, why are you here all alone? What about the others?”
“I’m in another group. I don’t know.”
“Groups can be divided into several?”
“Yup.”

High-ranking folks from each nation.
Is this really acceptable? Can you all sell your pride in something like this?
“Don’t worry. I’ll win it all.”
As Frey flashed a bright smile, I grabbed her cheeks and squished them while looking at the buzzing crowd.
I wanted to smash everything right now, but there seemed to be too many involved.
…Fine, since it’s turned out this way, let’s modify the plan on the spot.
“No. You can’t.”
“Why? I’m the strongest!”
“Because you’ll get smashed by me.”
I’ll take matters into my own hands and smash everyone.

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