Chapter 91 : Chapter 91
Chapter 91 Continuation.
All the remaining professors gathered in the faculty meeting room.
“How about we stop this?”
Veridian broke the heavy silence. But nothing came back in return.
Silence flowed again. The professors only glanced at each other.
“His Majesty is here. We must go on until the finals. That is what His Majesty would want as well.”
“The Vice Principal is right.”
“I think the same. His Majesty didn’t say anything particular. Didn’t Dwight also stop the situation from escalating? It means he is looking forward to the finals.”
Potecus nodded at the agreement of several professors.
However, one person, Allegri, had a different thought.
“What meaning is there in going to the finals like that?”
“What are you saying? Are you saying the martial arts tournament is meaningless?”
“The point was to see the students’ capabilities. But what has happened? Instead of verifying capabilities, hasn’t it turned into a fight to beat the opponent and gain a good position?”
At Allegri’s words, the other professors shut their mouths.
Of course, Potecus had no intention of doing so.
“Isn’t it enough if we can see the will to win even like that?”
“What is the use of showing them fighting while destroying themselves? If they win like that, what remains for that friend?”
“The fact that Saint-Denis Academy is an excellent educational institution.”
Potecus glared at Allegri. Her eyes contained the meaning that her belief was unconditionally right.
“Stop it, both of you.”
Veridian tried to stop the two.
“No. We must make this clear. We must prove the school’s excellence. Only then can we receive state support. We need support to nurture excellent students. Professor Allegri needs to know that without anything, we really become nothing. No, every professor here needs to know that.”
Allegri closed his mouth. Because Potecus’s words weren’t wrong. The school was in a situation where funding might be cut off due to the incident with Hans. The only way to break through this is to persuade the King. The martial arts tournament is the optimal card for that persuasion. But to suddenly stop the martial arts tournament? That would be tearing up the card that could persuade him with our own hands.
Creak.
The door to the meeting room opened, and Olivier entered.
“You were already at it?”
Everyone looked at Olivier except for Allegri, who was looking at the floor.
Naturally, Olivier’s gaze turned toward Allegri.
‘Fought one against many. That person has quite a personality too.’
Olivier, reading the atmosphere, sat down with a sly smile.
“How did it go?”
Potecus asked.
After Maxim took Barthe away, someone had to go check. The professors were all reluctant.
Because they saw what happened to the person who stepped up as referee against Barthe.
Furthermore, it was even more so because of Dwight’s words to just leave it be. At that time, Olivier stepped up. Saying, ‘Since I can communicate a bit with Maxim.’
“I put out the urgent fire. It seems he was poisoned by something, and to know what that something is…….”
Olivier looked at Keller’s empty seat.
“Where might he be?”
“Well. We are looking for him too. Did it look like it was connected to the Barthe case?”
At Potecus’s question, Olivier made a ‘Hmm’ sound and pretended to think.
‘Let’s pass over it moderately and watch the reaction.’
“I wouldn’t know that. Since I couldn’t ask.”
“I see. When Maxim took him, I think he said he could treat him, was that true?”
“No. Wouldn’t it be that he wanted to argue because a close student got hurt? Of course, he couldn’t do it because of me.”
Hearing the answer, Potecus stared intently at Olivier’s face.
“Right. How is Barthe’s condition now?”
“He is in a sleeping state. Since I called a doctor in Saint-Denis, he will get better. It’s a clinic I’ve been to a few times. I know that doctor’s skills; they aren’t bad.”
“……I see.”
Olivier felt that Potecus was deeply uncomfortable.
He was convinced that Keller, Potecus, and Uresra were connected, just as Maxim had said.
“What about the tournament? Are we continuing?”
“We decided to do so. We plan to announce it in 10 minutes.”
“That’s good. Since we’ve come this far, we should see the end. Don’t you agree?”
Light laughter came out from among the professors.
Amidst that, Olivier observed Allegri’s mood. It was getting darker.
“Principal, you think the same, right?”
At Olivier’s question, Veridian hesitated slightly.
“Yes, I have to say so.”
With Veridian’s confirmation, the meeting room atmosphere, which had been somewhat heavy, lightened.
“We will end the meeting here. Vice Principal, please convey the message well. And Professor Olivier, shall we talk for a moment?”
At Veridian’s words, Potecus’s eyes became sharp.
“What do you two have to talk about separately?”
“Nothing much. Just curious about how Cadet Maxim is doing and such.”
“Yes, I see.”
Veridian sent a smile to Potecus as if to say it was nothing special.
Thus, only Veridian and Olivier were left in the meeting room.
“Is it Blue Opion?”
“You knew.”
“It’s because I’ve lived longer than others. Instead, I have a lot of fear.”
“It must be that you have a lot to protect.”
Veridian showed a bitter smile.
“How critical is Barthe’s condition?”
“No. He really got better.”
“Didn’t you say it was Blue Opion?”
Veridian narrowed his eyes as if that couldn’t be possible.
“Maxim did it. I don’t know how he did it, but he did.”
“Ha! Good heavens……. Where is Maxim right now?”
“He is at the arena. He says to watch the final match.”
“Does he have a plan?”
“It seems so.”
“Am I not allowed to know?”
“I haven’t heard properly either.”
“I see.”
Veridian, stroking his beard, let out a weak laugh.
“Professor Allegri, how about you stop standing there and come in?”
At Veridian’s words, the firmly closed door of the meeting room opened.
Olivier looked at Veridian and Allegri alternately with a stiff face.
‘He’s not Potecus’s person but…….’
However, there was enough room for him to be a hindrance to the work.
“Why were you eavesdropping?”
“……I felt there was a different meaning. I thought I might be of help.”
Hearing Allegri’s answer, Olivier furrowed his brow as if he didn’t understand what he was saying.
Veridian looked at such Olivier and opened his palm to indicate it was okay.
“You don’t have to be wary. Since he wants to help Professor Olivier. Please tell us. What is happening?”
“Tell me too. Even if our relationship isn’t good. I believe thinking about the school and the students is the same.”
Olivier looked into the eyes of Veridian and Allegri. Eyes where dishonesty could not be felt.
‘Ah, damn. What do I do?’
Olivier scratched his head.
***
“You have waited a long time. We will begin the last match of the quarterfinals!”
Dwight and Michelle stepped up to the arena.
“Will she be okay?”
Adellian, who returned after soothing her father, looked at Michelle with anxious eyes.
“I told her not to overdo it.”
Before entering the arena, I told Michelle to just do enough and come down. The opponent is Dwight. He won’t end the match at the level of suppressing the opponent. Because I am watching.
“Bow!”
Following the referee’s words, Dwight extended his hand.
Michelle looked at it sullenly, then bowed her head slightly.
Laughter burst out intermittently from the spectator seats.
“She’s really consistent too.”
It seems Adellian has the same thought as me.
“Those who hang around with Maxim are all arrogant without exception.”
Dwight’s gaze is cold. A fishy smile hangs on his lips.
Michelle, having stepped back, held her bow with an indifferent face. The arrow caught in her hand aimed at Dwight’s leg.
Thud.
“Huh?”
Michelle revealed emotion for the first time.
Because Dwight caught the arrow shot with the power of wind with his hand.
“Benetuo. It’s unripe. The flow is crude.”
Dwight drew his sword.
“Thinking about what would be best makes one have too many thoughts. Whether to defeat you at once, or to tighten little by little and make you speak defeat.”
“…….”
“I’m not telling you to choose, so you don’t have to worry. I will give the answer. You just have to receive it.”
Dwight kicked off the ground.
“Too fast.”
Just like Adellian’s words, Dwight was quick enough that it was hard to follow his movements with the eyes.
Clang!
Still, Michelle had good eyes and blocked Dwight’s attack.
“Quite impressive?”
Thwack!
Michelle’s face turned at Dwight’s fist.
“I did not give permission to fall.”
A stone pillar rose up and caught the falling Michelle.
Dwight walked toward Michelle, step by step.
Their faces became close.
“I’ve felt it from before, but it’s a familiar face. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere.”
Michelle looked at Dwight with fierce eyes.
At this, Dwight clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“From now on, it is a warning. I don’t want to leave a scar on a pretty face, so block it with your skills.”
Bang!
Michelle broke the stone pillar and flew toward the arena wall.
Thud!
Michelle, embedded in the wall, vomited a handful of blood.
Dwight watched such Michelle quietly.
“Compared to how noisy it was, it’s nothing much. The school’s level has dropped a lot too.”
Michelle wiped the blood on her mouth and gripped her bow. At that moment, a strong wind rose creating dusty haze.
Rat-a-tat-tat.
Footsteps rang out loudly.
Thwack!
One arrow wrapped in dust stretched out in a straight line and smashed the floor.
Thud!
Thwack!
Bam!
Arrows were sprayed toward a single target from various locations. But they only battered the floor.
“Like a shy cat.”
Along with Dwight’s voice, the dust disappeared.
“What is that?”
“Did a tree grow?”
“Suddenly that…… how did it come out?”
A giant tree soared where the arrows were stuck.
Dwight leaned on the tree and stared at Michelle.
“Is that all of your talent?”
“……No.”
“You weren’t mute. I wondered what if you had a disability, but it’s fortunate you don’t. Once the match is over, I will personally fix you.”
“Crazy bastard.”
Michelle glared at Dwight with disgust. At that moment, stone pillars filled Michelle’s vision.
Ping!
Michelle moved her position and fired arrows. The arrows imbued with the power of wind dodged the soaring stone pillars here and there and aimed for Dwight’s arm.
Tak.
This time too, it stuck in the floor.
Michelle fired three arrows in succession. But they didn’t reach Dwight.
Slash.
Blood spurted from Michelle’s arm.
“Did the guy called Odekerkh fight like this?”
The stone pillars disappeared, and new stone pillars rose. Behind them, Dwight appeared and slashed Michelle’s arm, leg, waist, back, and stomach in succession.
Michelle, covered in blood, knelt.
“Michelle!”
Adellian shouted.
But Michelle couldn’t react to that sound.
“I expected it to be a bit more interesting, but it wasn’t.”
Dwight lifted Michelle’s chin with the tip of his sword. And he let out a mean laugh while looking at me.
“What shall I do for you? What must I show for the atmosphere to heat up?”
He grabbed Michelle’s hair and headed toward me.
“Here! Speak. What must be done to raise the atmosphere that has cooled down? Isn’t it a festive ground?”
He forces an answer from me. As if implying he could kill Michelle otherwise.
I stood straight and glared at Dwight.
“Quite annoying eyes.”
Dwight grabbed Michelle’s face and threw her toward me.
I caught Michelle with my whole body.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry.”
Michelle, embraced in my arms, shed tears.
I wiped Michelle’s tears and told her, ‘It’s okay.’
“One match left.”
Dwight looked down at me and scoffed.
“I will be looking forward to it.”
Right, look forward to it. I will clearly show you what despair is.