Chương 222: Chapter 9: “Yu Participates in the Welcome Party”

I spent the next few days commuting to the Magic Library non-stop, and by the time of enrollment, I had conquered every book in the library. I managed to acquire a part of Space-Time Magic and Light Magic, a full range of spells from Elementary to Advanced for the other seven attributes, and even a few Super-Advanced spells. From here on, I'll just have to refine them through practical learning.

Perhaps because my magic power is immense, even Elementary magic can unleash power exceeding Advanced magic if I use it without thinking, so I have to pay attention to control. Thanks to watching Alice use magic, I understand the general feeling. If I'm careful, I shouldn't stand out too strangely. The entrance ceremony ended without anything particularly unusual. A few days later, a welcome party for new students was held.

According to Alice, an unofficial one was already held in the girls' dormitory, but this is the official event. New students, both boys and girls, and some seniors gathered for recreation and a party.

"Yes, yes! Hello everyone! I, Karla Ringrad, will be your MC!"

"And I, Ketty Hane, will be restraining this bomb woman next to me. It's tough as always." Standing in front and gathering attention was the duo of third-years, Karla Ringrad and Ketty Hane. Karla is a beauty with slightly reddish brown hair with perfect cuticles, serving as the Student Council President. Ketty is Karla's best friend and apparently plays the role of restraining her, as she often gets carried away. I was told all this by Alice, even though I didn't ask.

"That's right~... Wait, who are you calling a bomb woman!?"

"I am. Who do you think suffers every time because of whom? Just the other day, this idiot was alone in the dorm—""Ah, wait! Not now, Ketty! The new students are watching! My dignity...!" When Karla desperately covered Ketty's mouth, small laughter arose. She seems good at livening up the place with her inherent brightness. However... am I the only one who senses something forced in Karla's behavior? To me, who can read minds, it's obvious. Deep down in her heart, she is sinking in deep sorrow.

Though I don't know the reason why. While I was listening half-heartedly, the seniors' greetings ended. After that, there were a few events like magic demonstrations and research introductions, and then it was time for the lunch break. Light snacks like sandwiches were distributed, and the flow was to freely form groups, chat, and deepen friendships. I'm not good at calling out to people myself in situations like this. Or rather, I've rarely been in an environment where so many people of close age gather.

Honestly, I feel out of place. I've always dealt with scary older people. I never thought I would be leading such a laid-back student life at this point. Well, even if I leave it be, Alice will probably call out and invite me soon enough. She's a meddler to the extreme, after all. While taking it easy, I noticed a silver-haired girl standing alone in the corner. She was looking down, seemingly bored. Looking closely, isn't she the girl who ran away from me at the library the other day?

I could have ignored her, but leaving her having run away felt bad, so I called out to her.

"You're the girl from the other day."

"...!" The silver-haired girl flinched, her shoulders trembling slightly. Her mouth remained firmly shut. Did I do something? This is bad. She seems completely scared of me. Troubled, I was scratching the back of my head idly when Alice, sharp-eyed, noticed the situation and interrupted her chat with another girl to come over.

"Nice to meet you."

"... Ah." Addressed by Alice, the girl softened her expression happily, though still acting skittish. Well, she's probably much easier to talk to than me. Much easier. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

"I'm Alice. Alice Luckin. May I ask your name?"

"I'm... Milia Lemak..."

"Milia, huh. That's a cute name. Nice to meet you, Milia." Smiling friendlily, Alice quickly held out the fingers of her right hand. Even Milia seemed to have her heart melted by Alice's brightness. She timidly extended her fingers, and the two intertwined them. In the language of this world, this is apparently called Simming. Doing it with the right hand shows affection, and doing it with the left hand shows courtship. Since I'm left-handed, I'll be in trouble if I accidentally use the wrong hand.

At this rate, it looks like the two will get along well. Watching them and thinking it was good, Alice pointed at me.

"This person is Yu. Yu Hoshimi. He's from a foreign country. That's why he has an unusual name." Introduced to me, Milia's eyes wandered anxiously between me and Alice's face. Sensing this, Alice said mischievously.

"He looks a bit like that, but he's not as scary as you think."

"What's 'like that'? What do you mean?" When I retorted immediately, Alice stuck out her tongue and laughed as if to gloss it over. This girl. A giggle reached my ears. Wondering what it was, Milia was covering her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter. I don't know what's so funny.

"What. You're cute when you smile." When I pointed it out, Milia turned red and looked away in embarrassment. Alice chimed in.

"Are you in a position to say that?"

"Shut up. This face is something I was born with." Can't help it. Milia was struggling even more to hold back her laughter. I sighed and took a step closer.

"Listen. We're not doing a comedy act here."

"Hey. Don't say things that scare her."

"Ugh. Yeah, okay. Okay, my bad." Being with Alice really throws off my rhythm.

"See? He's surprisingly talkative, right?"

"I suppose... so." Our eyes met. Anyway, she seems to have lowered her guard against me. The trembling of her shoulders has stopped.

"Aaaalright! Then let's do Simming!"

"Eh...?"

"Huh?" Alice grabbed my arm and Milia's arm, pulling us together. I was shaken by the suddenness.

"I, um..."

"What are you doing?" She looked at me and Milia alternately. Her face was smiling, but her eyes were not.

"If you don't do this properly, you won't make friends."

"I don't really need friends..."

"Don't lie." It was a light remark, but it felt like my heart was gouged. Taken aback, my voice stopped. She must have seen that. My weakness must have been seen. Milia—who was so scared at first—softened her eyes gently. It was a feeling of sympathy. A slender white finger reached my finger. I couldn't refuse. Finger and finger intertwined. At the same time, Milia's heart was transmitted to me. I understood the circumstances. This girl couldn't speak properly for a long time and couldn't make friends.

She had been suffering all along. And even the trigger that caused it—. My ability sometimes reveals things I don't need to know. Her trauma flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern. She used to be a lively girl, but in the past, her relatives were killed by the Masked Group right in front of her eyes—. I see. Because I have the eyes of a killer, she was scared.

"Yup. You tied it properly." Alice smiled happily. I inadvertently looked away.

"I guess. But being acquaintances is enough." Feeling awkward after saying it, I stepped away from the two. I didn't listen to the voices calling me back. Friends, huh... It's too late for that. Besides, I am... The sensation of her finger clung faintly to mine. Eventually, I joined a different group from Alice and the others and engaged in idle chatter. Before long, we moved to the Magic Training Ground, where a Magic Combat exhibition was to be held.

Magic Combat, as the name suggests, is a combat sport using magic. The rules are simple: win by making the opponent surrender or knocking them down. However, killing results in disqualification. The rule this time was a one-on-one free participation format. Basically, it's a place for seniors to show new students what practical magic combat is like, and we first-years are supposed to just be spectators. That was the plan.

"Is there no challenger!?" A cocky male senior had defeated three people in a row today. Perhaps intimidated by that, no next challenger appeared for quite a while.

"Since we're here, why don't you go?" I heard Alice's voice from behind me as I watched from the front row. Turning around, she winked.

"I'm not really into festival-like things."

"Oh, come on, it's fine."

"Whoa!" Pushed on the back, I stumbled. Before I knew it, I had come out to the position to hold the match.

"Oh. Haven't seen your face before. First year?" When I glared at the culprit behind me, she was laughing without much guilt. Good grief. My rhythm has been off all day today.

"Hoh. A lively kid has come. Could you tell us your name?" To Karla's call, I answered quietly.

"Yu. Yu Hoshimi."

"Yu, huh. Just because you're a first year, don't cry because it hurts~♪" Laughter arose from the surroundings. Half mocking laughter, half warm laughter.

"Yu, is it. I acknowledge your spirit!" The opponent laughed fearlessly and readied both hands. He's completely off guard. He thinks I'm a first-year brat who doesn't know his place, so it's natural. What a pain. Let's finish this quickly.

"Then, begin!" Simultaneously with the start signal, a stream of water was released from the opponent's hands. It boasted a thickness enough to swallow a human body. Intermediate Water Magic 《Tilmio》. However, the proficiency is not great. I can see wavering in the composition. Does he think he can do something to me with an attack of that level? The moment the magic approached right in front of me, I released magic with one hand from an upright position.

"《Falactor》." A raging gale arose. Originally, it is an Intermediate Wind Magic, but in my hands, it has power exceeding Advanced. It swallowed the opponent's water magic and turned the tables in a single move. The intense wind mixed with water hit the opponent and blew him away with great force. A cheer like a commotion arose from the surroundings. And when the wind subsided, the opponent had fallen with the whites of his eyes showing. It's just a strong wind magic.

It's not particularly lethal, so his life shouldn't be in danger.

"Winner! Yu Hoshimi!" When Karla declared, an exceptionally loud cheer arose from the surroundings. Maybe I overdid it a bit. This stands out way too much. Feeling embarrassed to stay there, I returned to Alice and Milia.

"Wow. You just went out on a whim and won easily..."

"That is... amazing." Both of them welcomed me with completely impressed faces. Milia seems to have a mix of respect in her eyes too. At that moment, a voice called out from behind.

"Interesting. A promising guy has appeared." Turning around at the extraordinary presence. A handsome guy with fiery red hair jumped out to the front.

"Whoaa!"

"It's Argus!"

"Kyaaa!" Shrill cheers erupted. Perhaps due to his sweet looks that give a good impression at first glance, he seems very popular with girls. I understood from the name mixed in the cheers. If I recall, he was the genius mage Alice mentioned.

"Eh, Argus, you mean that Argus!?"

"The real one..."

"I see. So you are Argus Ozbein." I felt my lips distorting in amusement. I stepped forward. He also stepped forward with a confident look. We ended up glaring at each other in the middle of the arena.

"Oh my! This is turning into something huge!" Karla, serving as the MC, shouted in great excitement. The atmosphere of the place was heated enough not to make even that feel like over-tension. I wanted to try sparring once. Genius Mage, or whatever. What kind of magic do you have? Why don't you show it to me a little?