I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 14-15

Chapter 14: By Your Side

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Three days until the exam. The entire academy had gradually begun to lose its composure. In the hallways, in the cafeteria, the topic was the same everywhere. And even I, who was saying that, couldn’t stop feeling restless.

“I hope my magical capacity has improved since last year~”

“What if you mess up the construction part?”

…Just hearing that made my stomach hurt. They were worrying about me at home too… and quite a lot. My stomach hurting wasn’t anything new, so that part was business as usual—but more than anything, it seemed I was far, far removed from the level everyone else was talking about.

Ah, I meant I was the one being left behind, okay?

That day, the class that had a test ended early. I didn’t know why. The teacher had only said, “Use the time for independent review.”

Don’t call it review when I’ve never been able to do it even once…

When I left the classroom, my feet naturally carried me toward the courtyard. It was a place with few people and a steady breeze.

I wondered if Yuka was looking for me. I was in the mood to be alone right now, so sorry, but I’d just mope around here until she found me. When I sat down on a bench, a single set of footsteps followed shortly after.

“…So this is where you were.”

A familiar voice echoed. 

“Huh, Elysia?”

“Yes. I felt the need to get some air.”

She neither sat beside me nor stood directly in front of me. As usual, she stood just a little distance away. For some reason, that distance felt calming. But still, why not sit down? Did she not want to be next to me? (Crying)

“The exam’s close.”

“Yes. Three days from now.”

Elysia answered immediately. She probably had the schedule and content completely memorized.

“Are you feeling nervous?”

“…Well, yeah.”

I had no intention of hiding it from Elysia.

“To be honest….”

“Yes.”

“I still can’t do it. Magic.”

It wasn’t self-deprecation. It wasn’t a joke. I said it simply as a fact. Elysia said nothing. She didn’t interrupt me.

“I don’t have talent, and I can’t even get used to it.”

“……”

“So when people have weird expectations of me, it’s kind of troubling.”

I chose my words carefully before continuing.

“I’m kind of a nuisance, aren’t I?”

That was all. It wasn’t that I felt pathetic or scared. I just hated the idea of dragging someone else down.

“Luka-sama.”

When she called my name, I looked up. Elysia wore her usual gentle expression. But somewhere within it, there was the slightest tremor.

“No one thinks of you as a nuisance.”

“Yeah, well, thanks—”

I was about to reply lightly, when—

“—However.”

Elysia stepped one pace closer.

“This is not a matter of whether you can or cannot do something.”

Her voice was quiet.

“The fact that Luka-sama is here—”

“……”

“Could never be a nuisance to anyone.”

It was direct. Not comfort. Not evaluation. Her eyes said it as a simple truth. As expected of Elysia-san, she was overflowing with compassion. I fell silent for a moment. Only the sound of wind rustling through the trees could be heard.

She really was amazing…

“…Hey.”

Still seated on the bench, I spoke.

“When you’re next to me, Elysia—”

After a brief pause, the words just kept coming.

“I can forgive myself a little.”

And the moment I finished saying it, I realized.

…Ah, was that creepy to say? Crap. Seriously crap. I was supposed to be the type of guy who didn’t show his weaknesses. But it was too late.

Elysia didn’t move. She didn’t speak either. She just stared at me, eyes wide.

S-Say something! Well, for now, let’s go with an excuse.

“Um… what I meant just now was…”

“……”

“I didn’t mean it in a weird way—”

But I stopped myself. Something felt off. Elysia was different from usual.

“…I see.”

When she finally spoke, her voice was very quiet.

“I… beside you.”

It sounded like she was confirming it to herself, almost like a whisper.

“Yeah.”

“……”

Elysia lowered her gaze. She placed a hand over her chest, as if she had just touched something there for the first time.

“…That is…”

She took a small breath.

“An honor.”

She said that, and smiled. But that smile… For just a moment, it looked fragile.

“Shall we head back soon?”

“Mm, yeah.”

We began walking. Our positions lined up as usual. Yet even though the distance between us was the same as before, somehow it felt closer.

Wait, seriously, isn’t this too close? Our shoulders are brushing… is this some kind of bonus service?

“Luka-sama.”

“What?”

“On the day of the exam as well—”

“Yeah.”

“…May I remain by your side?”

There was something faintly sorrowful in her expression, as if she were looking ahead to something beyond. But without dwelling on it, I thought for a moment about what her words meant.

“Of course.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Her voice trembled just slightly.

Three days until the exam. At that time, I still did not know what it truly meant to be nobility in this world.

Elysia probably understood…. What it meant, here, to expose one’s own helplessness before others.

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Chapter 15: I’m Save—… Or Not?!

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The training grounds of the Magic Department’s Elementary Division were strangely quiet from the morning. There was none of the usual buzz. instead, there was only a tense atmosphere. It had been a while since I felt this. Maybe since the entrance exams.

At the center stood a transparent crystal. It held a faint glow and reacted to magical power, and the students naturally kept their distance from it.

“Are you feeling nervous?”

Today I even had my attendant with me. Was Yuka taking the exam too? Also, Yuka’s voice was calming.

Any interest in ASMR, Yuka?

“Of course I’m nervous. Are you taking the exam too, Yuka?”

“No, however—”

“We will now begin the first evaluation examination.”

The teacher’s voice echoed through the wide space.

“There will be three points assessed. The amount of magical power, attribute, and a simple control check.”

His tone was matter-of-fact, but no one relaxed.

“Magical power quantity aside, control over one’s attribute will significantly affect evaluation. However, this examination will not rank you.”

A pause.

“—This is an examination to know your current self.”

Someone audibly swallowed. Yep, despair. As for me, I hadn’t changed at all since last week.

“Now then, those whose names are called, step forward.”

The first name called belonged to a background student. When he placed his hand on the crystal, it glowed faint red.

“Fire attribute. Magical response, average.”

Next was blue. Water. Earth, wind. Nothing exceptional, nothing lacking. But even that was enough to bring relief to the students’ faces.

…Yes. The standard was becoming clear.

“Next. Allen Milford.”

“Y-Yes!”

Allen stepped forward energetically. The moment he touched the crystal— whoom, a strong red light flared up.

“Fire attribute. Magical power amount is good for the Elementary Division.”

“Ohh…”

“Nice.”

A small murmur rippled through the crowd. Allen scratched his head shyly as he returned. Our eyes met, and he gave me a thumbs-up.

…Honestly, that’s impressive. We share the same attribute, am I going to be okay like this?

“Next. Serena Alfilia.”

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Serena stepped forward expressionlessly and touched the crystal.

—Softly.

A pale green spread out, and within it, purple lightning streaked.

“Wind attribute, lightning attribute.…Excellent.”

A stir ran through the crowd.

“Dual attributes…?”

“And so clean…”

Serena returned as if nothing had happened. Her expression remained unchanged. What was that? So cool.

“Next. Elysia Gladio.”

The moment her name was called, all eyes turned toward her. Elysia walked forward quietly. She placed her hand on the crystal.

Suu—

A clear, ice-colored light spread outward. Transparent. Cold.

“Ice attribute. …Extremely high precision.”

The teacher’s voice softened slightly.

“There is no waste. Excellent control.”

Elysia bowed and returned. Her profile looked as calm as ever yet somehow, she also seemed a little proud.

Okay, cute.

“Next. Kaiel Valdio.”

Kaiel straightened his back and stepped forward. When he touched the crystal, it glowed deep blue.

“Water attribute. Magical circulation is stable.”

“As expected.”

“Just like the textbook.”

Even the teacher nodded.

“Exemplary control.”

Kaiel bowed and returned. On the way back, for just a moment, he looked at me.

Stop looking at me every time. Handsome guys are bad for my eyes, you know?

And then… The training grounds fell silent. The teacher’s finger traced down the roster.

“…Next.”

Ah. Probably…

“Luka Noctire.”

Here it comes.

All eyes turned to me at once.

Expectation. Curiosity. Appraising gazes.

…Cut it out.

There was no way out of this. I could only try the secret strategy I had thought through all week. Its name: “Oops, my hand slipped and I accidentally shattered the crystal” plan. I let out a small breath and stepped forward.

“Luka-sama, perhaps—”

Yuka began to say something, but..

—Goooon.

A heavy, low bell rang. Once. Twice. What? Wait, did class end?

Am I saved?

The teacher’s expression changed.

“…Everyone, remain where you are!”

Huh?

The training grounds erupted into noise.

“What?”

“That sound…”

The bell continued to ring. From afar, another presence made its presence known. The already tense air grew even thicker. The heavy bell tore through the atmosphere of the training grounds. By the time the third toll finished, the murmuring had completely vanished.

The teacher immediately stepped in front of the crystal and looked over the students.

“Remain calm. This is an attack.”

His voice was low and sharp.

Wait, an attack? Seriously?

“The evaluation examination is suspended.”

Someone gasped.

“The Magic Department’s Elementary Division is not to leave this area. The protective barrier has already been deployed.”

Behind the teacher, the magic circle surrounding the training grounds began to glow faintly.

“The Middle Division, Upper Division, and faculty are responding.”

Reliable upperclassmen only!

For just a brief moment, the teacher’s eyes flicked toward the outside of the grounds.

“—Do not let your guard down.”

Those words sent a chill down my spine. The students remained frozen in place. The evaluation examination… A safe school event… The ordinary day we believed in… Everything was beginning to crumble within mere minutes.

…Seriously? The public safety here is awful.

“An intruder… really?”

“But this is the academy…?”

Small voices leaked out. Elysia stood right beside me. She was standing a little closer than usual.

“Luka-sama.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“It will be alright. The defenses of this academy are not ordinary.”

…She was the one comforting me, yet I could sense a trace of desperation in her. It was obvious she was forcing herself to stay composed.

“Even so,” Elysia’s fingers clenched tightly. “In the unlikely event, I will—”

“It’s fine.”

The words left my mouth before I could think. Elysia’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then she smiled faintly.

“…What?”

“If it comes to it, I’m here.”

At that, she said nothing. She simply nodded.

“Yuka too. Don’t leave me, no matter what.”

Apparently, my specialty subject was being a meat shield.

Nice to meet you, I’m the meat shield~

One of the teachers was at the edge of the barrier, performing magical communication.

“…Engaged at the Second Plaza.”

“Numbering over a dozen.”

“They’re coordinated…?”

Just those fragmented words were enough to tell us the enemy wasn’t mere bandits.

Please, just let them be overly well-coordinated random weirdos…

Kaiel spoke quietly.

“They are organized.”

“Yeah.”

Serena gave a short nod.

Serena-san!? When did you get there!?

“This isn’t a coincidence.”

Allen bit his lip.

“…To target today, during the examination…”

At his words, I thought to myself. 

Was the target really the exam? Or the academy itself?

…Well, probably…

At that moment, from outside the training grounds, there was a faint creaking sound.

…My bad feelings are always right.

The teacher turned immediately.

“Everyone, fall back…”

The next instant, something touched the barrier. There was no impact. No explosion. Magical power traced along it from the outside.

“…W-What is that?”

Someone’s voice trembled. The teacher’s expression hardened.

“They’re taking aim.”

At what, no one knew.

“…It’s coming.”

But that single sentence made everyone understand. Outside the barrier, something was testing it.

Touch. Withdraw. Touch again. Like a living creature checking the strength of a cage.

“Barrier integrity, maintaining at eighty… seventy-five…”

A voice from outside muttered numbers.

“It’s still holding! Stay calm!”

The teacher’s voice rang out, but the earlier composure was gone. Right beside me, Yuka stepped forward. The movement came naturally to her. She perfectly positioned herself to shield me.

“…I will protect you.”

Her voice was devoid of emotion.

After saying I’d protect them…

…Damn it, honestly, I kind of want to leave it to her. This is pretty scary.

“They understand the barrier formula. They’re likely searching for a weak point from the outside.”

Elysia inhaled sharply.

“That can’t be…”

“They may not be ordinary intruders.”

Yuka’s gaze was fixed on a single point of the barrier.

“Most likely…They came here assuming they would break it from the start.”

…This was getting seriously bad. The teacher gritted his teeth.

“We will redeploy the barrier—”

At that instant…

The barrier creaked.

“—!”

The air became distorted. The invisible wall vibrated so violently that its presence became undeniable.

“The barrier is breaking!”

The teacher shouted. And then, a crack formed. With a sharp, splintering sound, the barrier became clearly visible. Like fractures in glass, cracks ran across the surface of the barrier.

“…No way.”

A student stared blankly. Another began crying. A servant desperately restrained a panicking student who looked ready to run. Chaos spread through the space.

“They’re forcing it through…!?”

The teacher shouted.

“Everyone, to the center!”

The students moved reflexively. I grabbed Elysia’s hand and stepped back half a pace. And then..

Crack.

A dry sound echoed. Part of the barrier shattered completely.

“—They’ve breached it!”

The next moment, outside air rushed in. Cold. Sharp. Magical power filled with hostility. A black shadow stepped through the tear in the barrier. It was only one figure. A hooded form. Its face unseen. But… Its gaze alone was fixed straight toward the center of the training grounds.

Toward us.

“—!”

My breath caught. The teacher shouted.

“Run!”

There was nowhere to run. But the teacher’s desperate cry was enough to make us understand the situation. The intruder said nothing.

Just… Behind them,  the cracks in the barrier continued to spread.

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