Final Exam (3)
Regia Pilots.
The protagonist of the original work, 'The World as Seen by The Little Prince', and a girl who secured a spot in Class A with top grades.
She was also a summoner considered to have the best talent of the modern era.
However, just as a good seed does not necessarily bloom, the best talent also needs time to ripen.
As she was still inexperienced, the protagonist had many problems.
Her recent worries were particularly profound.
-What should I do...?
The origin of this was none other than her ability.
From the first time she started communicating with her summoned creature, it was a constant homework for the protagonist.
The fact that she could not freely activate her ability.
The miracle of the dragon.
It was the side effect that was rightly required to realize it.
In reality, a transcendent being could overturn the natural order with a single breath, so it was difficult for a fragile girl to fully contain that miracle.
It was like not being able to contain the ocean in a pot.
-I did it. I was scared... but I overcame it.
-I wanted to help the young master even once.
Of course.
Regia had already overcome that limit.
Even in the fear of walking on a knife's edge, she learned how to bloom without shrinking.
It was thanks to a single heartfelt affection for her precious person.
However, if a new reaction occurred between such learning, it was that her heart had become too dependent on that time.
The girl felt her fear disappear only when that person was by her side.
In other words.
-I can't do it alone...
All her feelings were being controlled by him.
It was difficult to properly control her ability.
The process leading up to the summoning was always successful.
But even if she summoned a transcendent being, how long it could be held in the present world depended entirely on the caster's ability.
Sometimes it disappeared in less than 10 seconds.
For the girl, it was like a dice.
Depending on the condition given that day, it could last for a long time or disappear before even breathing out once.
Her ability fluctuated as unstable as the caster's inner self.
However.
It was different when she was by the snake's side.
-I have no doubt.
-Regia will become a brighter star than anyone else.
-Of course, until then, I will be by your side.
Perhaps it was because that time remained such a strong memory.
The snake's side was especially cozy.
It felt like all the worries of the world disappeared.
When all worries scattered into dust, and only the breathing of the person she relied on remained, Regia could activate her ability without any flaws.
It was possible to maintain the summoned creature in the best condition.
'Because you were there.'
The only person who believed in her insignificant self.
At the same time, the person who made her forget her weakness.
Therefore, the protagonist had no choice but to give her heart to the snake.
The two letters of dependence.
"Um, excuse me... Young Master."
"Regia?"
"Regarding the practical exam, I have a re, request I would like to ask of you."
"A request?"
This final exam was important to the girl.
As it was the end of the semester watched by the entire school, it was an opportunity to proudly prove herself to those who had been mocking her.
For that, she needed to show overwhelming results.
Although.
As she was admitted through the principal's recommendation, she wouldn't be expelled, but she didn't want to keep hanging on to Class A so precariously.
She wanted to confidently state her qualifications in front of those who secretly looked down on her.
By doing so, she wanted to stand by the boy's side.
She wanted to contribute even a little to that brilliant light.
That's why the girl asked.
"Could you possibly come and watch my match during the practical exam tomorrow...?"
A step forward.
It meant that she wanted him to watch over her immature self.
***
On the day of the practical exam.
Many people gathered at the public training ground where the exam was being held.
Even excluding those waiting for their turn, students from other grades and faculty members filled the seats.
The wide audience seats were bustling with noise.
All of them were people who came to watch.
Eyes filled with anticipation.
Everyone was watching the circular arena.
It was one of the most anticipated events in the academy, so it seemed that everyone, regardless of grade, was watching with interest.
Especially on the first day, there was a match that attracted a lot of attention.《The 6th exam will begin shortly.》
《Students taking this exam, please follow the instructions and move accordingly.》
The 6th exam.
It was the match Regia was participating in.
[6th Exam]
[Regia Pilots vs. Britain Bladers]
As always.
The exam, which consisted of sparring, blatantly illustrated the gap between the participants.
It clearly showed who was stronger and weaker.
In particular, this match was between Regia, the last place in Class A, and Britain, the first place in Class B, so the audience's attention was naturally focused on it.
The class assignments for the second semester could change depending on the results of this exam.
-If Britain does well this time, he might be able to skip a grade, right?
-Will the other one be demoted to Class B?
-It's not that simple... but there might be a chance, right? If he overwhelmingly crushes her, it might be possible.
-It's definitely possible. The opponent is notoriously weak, after all.
Regia Pilots.
There were many rumors about her.
Although she proved her ability by summoning a dragon, that was in the desert, which was another world.
Most of the academy still didn't know about the girl.
The only image the students remembered of Regia was her miserable appearance when she was trampled by the villainess during the class placement exam at the beginning of the semester.
She was treated as a bubble who couldn't even properly handle her own abilities.
-So, who are you betting on this time?
-It's obviously Britain.
-She hasn't shown anything. On the other hand, Britain has maintained the top spot in Class B throughout the semester.
-She doesn't give off the overwhelming feeling that other Class A students have...
-I really don't get it. How did she even pass the entrance exam?
-How would we know?
It was perhaps natural.
Gallimard Academy, full of fierce competition.
She was too easy a target.
There were also many rumors that she was trying to mingle with the nobles without knowing her place.
Even though she was a commoner whose origins were unknown, there were opinions that she was trying to leech off of distinguished families like Judas or Emilia.
Originally, the higher-ups were mercilessly bitten when they appeared weak.
-I heard she summons something incredible, though?
-A wyvern? Wasn't that just a rumor?
-There are different opinions about that. Some say it's a made-up rumor, while others say she does summon a dragon but her skills are terrible.
-Either way, Britain's victory seems like a predetermined future.
-That's true.
Even some students believed her abilities were fake.
In principle, there was no training exchange between different classes, so unless you were in the same class, you couldn't determine the truth of the rumors.
At the very least, the opportunities to show her abilities had already passed.
It wasn't strange that some people didn't believe it.
-Shall we see how badly she gets crushed?
-I bet it'll be over in 5 minutes.
-5 minutes? Then I'll go with 3 minutes.
-I just hope she doesn't do anything embarrassing.
The students were muttering amongst themselves.
To most, the girl was like a broken flower on the roadside.
But they didn't know.
Even though the dark dawn cast a shadow between the leaves, the protagonist had finally borne beautiful fruit.
It didn't take long for the public opinion to change.
《Candidates, please take your positions.》
《The exam will be conducted as a sparring match. The exam will end when one opponent is subdued or incapacitated.》
《The exam will also end if one side forfeits.》
It was in the first sentence announcing the start of the match.
Right after the announcement.
《Ready... Begin!》
Before the opponent could even make a move, the girl's lips whispered a faint call.
A silence that echoed as if it could be heard.
A voice that overwhelmed the surrounding air for a moment.
"Lend me your strength."
Transcend.
"Ephri."
The next moment.
A cry that sounded like the world was collapsing came from the sky.
A huge creature swept away the white clouds with a single flap its wings and landed precisely in the center of the circular arena.
The cool autumn air became hot with the presence of this being.
The audience screamed in surprise.
But even that noise was drowned out by a roar.
It was the dragon's roar.
Kuo-oh-oh-!!
A majesty that instilled a shattering fear throughout the arena.
In front of the dragon, which bowed its head as if in submission, stood a girl with pink hair, slowly stroking its snout.
Her pupils seemed to shine due to the flickering flames.
The sudden change in atmosphere captivated the audience.
Regia stretched out her hand.
"Everything."
The command that followed was execution.
Incineration.
"Burn it all."
Greeee-!
Blazing flames gathered in the giant mouth, and then a pure white flash engulfed the entire arena.
It was a spectacle of brilliance that could deceive the midday sun into two.
***
Just 10 seconds.
That was the time it took for the exam to end.
-Everything... burn it all.
In fact, by the time she muttered that order, her opponent was already in the process of losing consciousness and collapsing.
It wasn't a level of pressure a student could withstand.
Just by making eye contact for a moment, the boy who was considered the top of Class B foamed at the mouth and collapsed.
The other students in the audience were no different.
They were safe thanks to the barrier between the arenas, but children complaining of nausea appeared here and there.
I was enjoying the ensuing wails.
"Stop! The match is over!"
The one who ended the situation was none other than the supervisor.
Perhaps he realized that it was dangerous to continue.
The professor who was observing the exam jumped in and blocked Ephri's flames with a huge shield.
He clearly coated it with magic to minimize the damage.
But the surface of the shield was already melting and dripping from the high heat.
"What is this...?"
The professor was flustered.
It was fortunate that the attacking side belatedly controlled its power, but if it had been hit with maximum output, he couldn't guarantee that he could have defended against it.
He seemed to break out in a cold sweat at the thought that he might have been overwhelmed.
Even so, the dragon was still roaring.
Kuo-oh-oh-!
"Ahem."
I watched quietly.
As the chief assistant, I was in charge of assisting with the exam, and I was watching Regia's match up close.
It was to fulfill the girl's request.
-Could you possibly come and watch my match during the practical exam tomorrow...?
At the time, I was a little flustered.
The request she made after much deliberation was only that.
It felt like my inflated expectations were deflated.
Of course, since I was planning to watch anyway, I readily agreed to the girl's request.
Thanks to that, I was able to spend my time with an interesting spectacle.
《Britain Bladers loses by default. The winner is Regia Pilots.》
The announcement came quickly.
The unusually agitated voice contained the news of the protagonist's victory.
Behind it, the shock of the supporting characters continued.
-Wh, what did I just see?
-A wyvern...?
-She really could summon it?! I thought it was all bullshit until now...!
-I told you it was real!
-Just hearing the roar, I felt a terrifying pressure crushing my whole body...
-......I think I pissed my pants.
-Crazy bastard.
The reactions flipped in an instant.
The words that had mocked the girl until just before disappeared, and only reactions of admiration filled the audience.
The ridicule shattered in an instant in the face of overwhelming power.
Perhaps not even thinking of enjoying that thrill, our protagonist ran towards me as soon as the match was over.
Her green eyes were shining brightly.
"I did it! Young Master!"
Whoosh-!
The girl hugged me tightly.
It was a rather sudden physical contact, but I decided not to point it out.
In this situation, praise should come first.
"You did well. You were really amazing."
"Hehe...!"
"I guess you really do deliver when it counts."
"Th, that's... because you were by my side, Young Master."
"You've even mastered humility."
I embraced her slender back.
A warmth that filled my arms.
While warming the autumn temperature with that warmth, I stroked her soft hair with my hand.
It was an affectionate hug, as if implying lovers.
We stood like that for a few minutes.
"......Ah"
"...Ah."
The girl belatedly stiffened.
Perhaps she realized it herself.
On the large screen projected over the arena, the two embracing each other were being broadcast.
A truly bold contact in front of the entire student body.
"Uh, um, ah...?"
Her pale face instantly turned red.
She became a hot tomato.
Soon after, the protagonist tried to awkwardly pull away.
I deliberately held her tightly, trapping her between my arms so she couldn't escape the screen.
Her flustered state was quite a sight to behold.
"Y, Young Master...?!"
"Oh dear... You've used up a lot of energy, so you need to rest. Please lean on me and relax."
"No, th, this isn't the time for that...!"
A slight commotion.
With that pleasantness behind us, the practical exam came to an end.
It was a successfully completed schedule.
***
Meanwhile.
After all the practical exams were over.
"Hmm... so it's you? The person who's supposedly my doctor's lover."
The rose asked, looking down at the shrunken pilot.
Even though she was leaning on a wheelchair, her leaf-like eyes shone brightly.
A cold gaze was fixed on Regia.
"Hi, hiiieek..."
The girl cowered, frightened.
She tried to shake her head, but all that came back was a vicious thorn.
"It's, it's not like that... I, I just, I was happy."
"So what?"
"......"
"I didn't ask for a reason or anything."
"Sniffle..."
"Why are you about to cry? I haven't even said anything yet. Do I look that bitchy to you?"
"N, no...!"
"Then what?"
"Ah, ugh... Y, Young Master, help me, please..."
A voice desperately calling for help.
The fragile protagonist had to be crushed by the princess's atmosphere for a while.
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