CH 275

Charlotte's power was safe for now, but no one knew when it might become dangerous.

Moreover, although Sabiolin Tana was in poor condition, she had managed to handle the situation.

To prepare for any possible scenarios, the royal family dispatched Sabiolin Tana, who would take action if Charlotte’s power went out of control.

The reason she stayed at the dormitory rather than the Spring Palace was likely due to another hidden purpose.

It was me.

Charlotte staying at the dormitory allowed me to intervene in case of an emergency and ensured that my identity remained concealed.

Of course, being a dormitory supervisor was not a terrible job, but it was strange for someone to suddenly become a Temple supervisor after serving as the Empire's First Knight Commander.

It was the Emperor's decision to ensure the safety of the First Princess and to deal with her potential rampage.

Those who knew the situation.

Berthus and Charlotte seemed to have anticipated this, and I thought this response was appropriate, albeit unexpected.

The role of the First Knight Commander was significant, but the safety of the First Princess was such a critical issue that she had to temporarily step down from her position.

-Commander Shanafel…?

-Why on earth?

Those who knew about Sabiolin Tana were undoubtedly confused. Everyone seemed unable to understand the situation.

Who could easily accept this situation? If one didn't know the circumstances, it would seem like a bizarre April Fool's joke.

Except for Ellen Artorius, who wore a blank expression as if thinking, 'I should have eaten more breakfast.'

Sabiolin Tana, standing between Ephinhauser and Mustlang, had removed her Knight Commander uniform and donned a two-piece suit.

"Addressing me as 'teacher' will suffice. Moreover, if needed, I can supervise your personal training as well."

Those interested in receiving training from the world's strongest person began to sparkle with excitement.

A prime example was Ludwig, who seemed ecstatic, though he knew little else.

Originally, there wasn't a supervisor for each grade. Supervisors were assigned without grade distinction, and they took turns on duty and patrolling.

However, Sabiolin Tana became a unique supervisor, responsible only for the first-year students.

Naturally, her primary concern would be Class B, where Charlotte was, so she likely paid little attention to Class A.

The newly introduced supervisor aside.

The final exam period had begun.

After Monday's comprehensive exam, many students chatted in their free time.

"Aren't you looking forward to the festival?"

Of course, someone like Kono Lint seemed to be solely focused on enjoying the festival.

"I've only heard about the festival, but what exactly do we do?"

It was Erich who replied.

"There's a beauty pageant!"

...Well, if you say so.

He seems to think that alone makes the festival incredibly valuable.

The official names are Miss Temple and Mister Temple.

There's also a cross-dressing contest.

The final exams were supposed to take place, but due to the counteroffensive, various practices kept everyone busy, and the Orvis class was closed down.

I know the student council is trying their best to make it happen.

As for the Royal class, there's not much to prepare, and they can just enjoy the festival.

"Reinhardt."

"Huh, what?"

Kono Lint, excited, spoke to me.

"Aren't you participating in the tournament?"

"Tournament?"

"Yeah, well... you could make it into the rankings, right? They're accepting applications starting today."

Although the counteroffensive was canceled, a tournament targeting the entire Temple would still take place.

There are tournaments for each grade, and an unlimited tournament regardless of grade.

I originally didn't plan on participating since I didn't have much chance of winning first place.

[(Festival) Unlimited Tournament Victory - 15,000 points]

[(Festival) First Grade Tournament Victory - 10,000 points]

However, the rewards from the challenge are substantial.

The possibility of the Orvis class participating is low since they were closed down, and even if they do, I've awakened the ability to strengthen magic through self-suggestion.

Self-suggestion with magical enhancement.

In reality, no one can beat me in my current state, excluding Ellen. Of course, this assumes that the magic enhancement will work properly in the tournament.

My ability is especially useful in real combat, but will I be able to use magic enhancement in a practice duel like the tournament?

It did work right away when I tried it in the palace of spring.

Ellen had said last time that she would not participate, as her victory appeared all too certain.

Exams were of course important as well.

It seemed only right to participate in the tournament.

Aside from the achievement points, winning the tournament would also grant one a trophy and a monetary reward bestowed by the emperor.

"Hmm, perhaps I should give it a try."

The hopeless trio gazes at me.

For some time now, they have been looking at me with awe.

Naturally, there was another person from whom I needed confirmation.

"Hey."

"?"

I approached Ellen, who was seated in the front row.

"I'm going to participate in the first-year tournament."

"Alright."

"Don't you participate."

"Alright."

Ellen coolly nods her head.

Does this guarantee my victory?

The gaze of the hopeless trio shifts.

That rascal, he's fixing the match.

That was the look in their eyes. But if Ellen participates, I can't win even if I were to die and come back to life!

I don't need second or third place! If it's not victory, there's nothing for me to gain! What's a few coins worth of prize money! I must somehow block this variable?

With a single word, I managed to hinder the participation of a powerful contender for victory.

It seems somewhat like cheating...

Ellen stares intently at me and then says dismissively,

"If you don't win, you'll be scolded."

"No! You said I should only make it to the quarterfinals last time!"

"The situation has changed."

It seems that Ellen's expectations of me have risen significantly.

The unnecessary success of my magical enhancement...

My unexpected declaration of participation.

The most powerful rivals from the Orvis class should have scattered and been reassigned to the general classes.

I don't know if they will participate or not.

However, as long as Ellen isn't present, my status as a strong contender for victory remains unchanged.

It has suddenly come to this.

“But, is there no one from our class participating in Miss Temple?”

“You little brat.”

“If you're going to whisper, do it quietly; we can hear you.”

Harriet and Liana threw disdainful looks at Kono Lint.

“You should be aware that you're a nuisance to us in a different way.”

"Ah, no! I, I was just... I thought everyone was worthy of participating..."

“Why don't you just keep your mouth shut?”

-Bang!

"Reinhardt!"

And then,

Olivia Lanze suddenly bursts through the first-year classroom door.

Why is she here instead of studying during exam period? Unfazed by everyone's surprise at her sudden entrance, Olivia quickly rushes towards me.

She then thrusts a piece of paper at me. My face pales as I read the content.

[Miss Temple Participation Application]

It was clearly written.

"I'm going to participate in Miss Temple!"

"…What is that?"

"You're going to vote for me, right?"

Miss Temple participation application.

What is this person thinking, wanting to participate in such a thing?

"Ah, ah! Why are you clinging to me whether you participate or not!"

What am I supposed to do about it when you tell me? I fended her off with disgust as she tried to grab my face and rub it.

This cannot be.

The children's gazes grew strange again.

Now it was even happening in the classroom.

That was the feeling.

As I forcibly pulled myself away, Olivia glanced around the quiet classroom.

"Heh, it seems like there are no competitors here for me."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Liana, Ellen, and Harriet's expressions turned grim.

Why did she suddenly pick a fight? That was the look on their faces.

No, why did she come here to attract attention all of a sudden? Olivia laughed at her classmates, whose expressions grew darker because of her over-the-line remarks.

Then, she suddenly walked somewhere.

To the front row.

Beside Ellen.

"Are you not participating?"

Taken aback by the sudden provocation, Ellen glared at Olivia.

"Why would I participate in something like that?"

As Olivia covered her mouth and looked down at Ellen, she said:

"...Because you think you'll lose?"

"What?"

"Without even looking, you think you'll lose?"

No! Why do you always do this to someone who's just minding their own business?

Leave her alone!

I felt like slapping the back of Olivia's head as she grinned. As I was about to step in and say something.

An accident occurred.

-Whack!

"Ouch!"

Ellen stood up and grabbed Olivia's collar.

The expressions of the children watching this scene turned to shock, and I was no different.

She's lost it.

With a hardened, ferocious expression, Ellen held Olivia's collar and glared at her.

"I don't know why you've been treating me like this, but get lost. I don't want to deal with you."

"Are you going to...hit your...senior?"

As I thought Ellen might start a fight, something unexpected happened.

-Grrrrrrrrrr!

"!"

"Remember...there's always...someone better...in this world...?"

Smiling brightly, Olivia gripped the wrist of Ellen, who had grabbed her collar.

With no signs of struggle.

Olivia forced Ellen's hand, which had been gripping her collar, to open just with her grip strength.

Ellen, the strongest first-year student and recognized as a monstrous outlier among us.

No matter how much older Olivia was, everyone was shocked to see Ellen being overpowered. Olivia, who had removed Ellen's hand, straightened her clothes and grinned.

-Boop!

With her index finger, Olivia poked Ellen's surprised forehead.

"I know you're confident, but there will always be someone better than you. Keep that in mind, okay?"

"..."

Ellen stared at Olivia with wide eyes.

"Why don't we compete in the Unlimited Tournament if it's not the beauty pageant? I'm confident I can win both Miss Temple and the tournament."

Olivia looked at me, leaving Ellen, who had lost her wits, behind.

-Wink

Olivia winked at me and left the classroom.

Ellen stared blankly at the door through which Olivia had left. Everyone alternated between looking at the dumbfounded Ellen and me.

-I've been envious of her...

-She will never die in disgrace...

Erich and Kaiyer muttered quietly.

Kono Lint patted my shoulder.

"Well... Cheer up."

Who would have thought that there would come a day when I would receive sympathy from this kid?

No matter how strong I've become, I still don't dare to face Ellen.

And then there's Olivia Lanze, who might be stronger than Ellen, at least in terms of raw power.

It seemed like everyone imagined that I would eventually be crushed between these extraordinary individuals, like a shrimp's back snapping.

Anyway...

Sister.

Let's see.

I've been defeated.

—---

A short while later.

"I told you to stop bothering her when she's minding her own business!"

"I-I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"

In the end, I stormed up to the fifth-year classroom, and my temper erupted as I raged at Olivia.

"Do you really want to be knocked down? Huh? Show me? Do you want me to show you?"

"Reinhardt! I went too far! Yeah! I'll apologize! Is it okay if I apologize to her?"

"I said just leave her alone! Do you always want to act like you're not worth anything? Huh?"

"Yes! I'll leave her alone!"

The situation was the same, only the grade level was different.

All the other fifth-year seniors stared blankly as their seemingly distant junior grabbed their fellow senior like catching a rat.

In the end, I made Olivia cry and beg profusely.

Not knowing she would actually cry, I couldn't help but feel a little taken aback.