I Became an Academy Counselor - Chapter 16
Stella’s POV
“…Useless.”
“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Are you getting up?”
“Yes. There’s no point in waiting anymore”
“How about waiting a bit longer? Some might come back, even if not all.”
“That would be nice, but it seems they were more incompetent than I thought”
“?”
The magic isn’t being transmitted.
All the magic paths I had connected to those who stood up to help me have been cut off.
Of course, I didn’t cut them off.
They were forcibly severed.
“…That.”
“Yes. It seems they’re all lying down somewhere”
“Aw, and I thought this would be easy…”
“We shouldn’t rely on incompetent ones.”
I know better than anyone that what I just said is ridiculous.
Incompetent ones.
Well, it’s not wrong.
They couldn’t even do what I expected, so they have no right to complain if I call them incompetent.
They’re still inexperienced, after all.
However, it’s not that they lack skill.
It’s just that not much time has passed since enrollment, so the differences between students aren’t that big yet.
Except for a few outstanding ones, their skills are all about the same.
That’s why I accepted just about anyone as an ally. It wouldn’t make much difference who I brought along.
But they all lost.
They were supposed to be hunting other students in groups.
It wasn’t even a case of being picked off one by one.
Judging by the time the magic paths were cut, they were all taken at once.
…It means they were defeated by an extraordinary existence.
“The Observer?”
“Probably. It would be good to keep that lowly one in mind as well.”
“Ah… Right. She was here too.”
I really can’t understand what Father and that old hag who kept pretending to be young was thinking.
Why did they let such a living bomb into the academy?
That old hag might have easily allowed it, always going on about how children are innocent and whatnot…
But to think even Father would bring in a demon’s spawn.
“But she’s been pretty quiet lately, hasn’t she?”
“…Hmph. It must be because of the new teacher that the old hag brought in. She does have a good eye for people.”
“Your Highness… Calling the principal an old hag, that’s…”
“But she is an old hag. Everyone knows she’s already ancient.”
I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t call that old hag an old hag.
No matter how I look at it, that old woman is just too frivolous.
“She’s already over a hundred and still pretending to be young, it’s nauseating. Sometimes when she passes by, the smell of decay…”
“Y-Your Highness! Isn’t that going too far?!”
“What? It’s the truth. No matter how respected an old person is, being old doesn’t change…”
Crash.
One of the earrings on my ear shatters with a loud noise.
“Well, it’s a respectable experience. Sometimes I’m proud to be well-acquainted with such a person.”
“Your Highness…”
“W-What? Why?”
“You should have stopped when I told you to…”
“What? I, I didn’t do anything!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
…Damn that old hag.
How long had she been watching?
Shouldn’t this be a busy time for her?
There’s no way it was a coincidence that a single magic bullet suddenly came down from the sky and grazed my earring.
She must have been watching.
She’s sensitive about age-related topics, even if she doesn’t show it.
My academy life is going to be tough from now on.
Should I throw a tantrum later?
I’m already starting to get a headache at the thought of having to appease her sulking.
***
Ophelia’s POV
“…”
“…”
“Why is everyone’s mood like this? Haha, the appearance of young students is so fleeting! It’s best to enjoy it while you can! Time flies so fast!”
The principal’s voice, seemingly cheerful, echoes through the situation room.
But no one thinks that laugh is genuinely happy.
Well, it’s understandable.
Such abusive words were hurled right in front of the principal who suddenly barged into the situation room saying she had some spare time.
Just as we were wondering if that was okay, she heard it herself.
Her judgment is really quick.
She gathered magic in her hand, and bang, all at once.
The sight of the magic bullet piercing through the wall and instantly shattering Stella’s earring.
There must be quite a distance from here to there…
As expected of the principal.
She’s terrifyingly strong.
“…Ah, Ophelia, let’s talk face-to-face. There’s a student whose mental state I’d like you to overhaul.”
“Understood…”
The other teachers are giving me pitying looks.
…If you’re going to look at me so sympathetically, couldn’t you help me out?
I turned my head towards the teachers, asking for help, but they avoided eye contact with me. Those terrible people.
I feel betrayed.
TL CORNER:
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