My Beloved Princess ~The Boy Called Incompetent Rises with Only a Sword and the Princess's Devotion~ - Chapter 055: Fire Magic Instructor Meika

They mustn’t let Elesia Ignoosis realize they’d noticed.

To make the cunningly maneuvering killer swallow a bitter pill, they had to make her believe she held the advantage, that she stood upwind.

Then exploit that complacency and strike decisively.

Currently Kishō and the others were cornered in a critical situation where they could be ambushed anytime by the killer lurking in the academy. But on the other hand, if they could just identify the culprit, they also had an opportunity of a lifetime to launch a surprise attack instead.

Pretend to stand downwind playing the fool, then secretly circle around from upwind and land a devastating blow to the killer’s face. To succeed at this strategy, acting natural as usual was desirable.

Yes. No matter who the opponent was.

They had to proceed cautiously without letting their guard down.

◇◇◇◇◇

A vertically long room.

Beyond the black-painted iron sliding door lay an oppressive, confined space like a prison. In that prison-like area surrounded by thick stone walls, a simple reception table and sofa were placed. Beyond that, a desk and one leather chair. In the wall at the far end from the entrance was a small light-admitting window, but iron bars were fitted so one couldn’t exit.

Dragonkin buildings had special magical processing applied, designed so they wouldn’t break easily even if powerful dragonkin rampaged. With construction this robust, even powerful dragonkin would find destruction difficult.

Advancing across the red carpet and sitting on the reception sofa as prompted, Kishō glanced at Ōka sitting beside him. Then directing his gaze to the sofa opposite:

“It’s moldier than I expected.”

“Naturally, since this was originally a punishment cell that was renovated.”

Instructor Meika responded with an aloof attitude, arms crossed. Chin lifted haughtily, brows furrowed displeasedly. Among the six female teachers, she disliked Kishō most.

“Quite an oppressive room, but as always, your pressure is intense too, sensei.”

When Kishō cracked this joke, Instructor Meika glared at him fiercely. Without flinching at that sharp gaze, Kishō maintained his nonchalant attitude.

“With this much oppression, you can’t relax. Or is only Meika-sensei being punished? Like the other teachers’ rooms are bigger?”

“You’re still a rude student as ever. Teachers are all equal. There can’t be differences in treatment. Truly, not just ability but your head seems lacking too.”

—Same floor plan. He mentally noted the valuable information.

Once more, Kishō quickly looked around the room. Right side. The thick stone wall had a seam, and another iron door existed. If there was a room beyond that, Instructor Mion’s private room should have the same room.

Kishō lightly shrugged.

“The next room is a bedroom? Though I think it’s too dusty for naps.”

“Are you truly lacking in the head?”

Instructor Meika said as if spitting. Needless to say he knew full well it wasn’t a bedroom, but knowing everything, he deliberately provoked her.

“Wow, that’s harsh. Ah, could it be you have something to hide? Like, bringing men in?”

BANG! A fist struck the reception table.

Looking, the tips of her vertical roll curls stood on end pointing skyward with angry [Ki]. Her heavy makeup cracked at her demon-like expression, but pointing that out seemed inadvisable.

Given Instructor Meika’s high pride, he’d expected she’d definitely take the bait, but at her more furious state than imagined, Kishō inwardly blanched. Ōka sitting beside him jabbed his side with an elbow.

“Hey Shō-kun, that’s bad.”

Dragonkin women valued honor. After joining a pack, they devoted loyalty only to the pack’s master and wouldn’t be swayed by other men. That Instructor Meika showed anger at words trampling her loyalty was natural, and Kishō fully understood this, but—

“Meika-sensei likes excellent male students. Someone like me doesn’t even register.”

Smiling fearlessly to not show internal agitation, he deliberately spoke his usual hateful words.

Though she had an alibi, Instructor Meika wasn’t confirmed completely innocent. Then he should act assuming she might be Elesia Ignoosis.

Perhaps a polite attitude would make drawing out information easier, but to Instructor Meika who knew Kishō’s usual behavior, that would seem unnatural.

So act as usual.

He needed to gather necessary information while playing a student rebelling against teachers.

“It’s fine, you don’t need to hide it. I’m tight-lipped.”

High-pride Instructor Meika couldn’t stay silent when provoked by a student she scorned as incompetent. First she’d prove her innocence— from experience clashing repeatedly, he could easily imagine this. And indeed, that’s what happened.

The iron door to the adjacent room was violently thrown open.

“Look! Where’s the bed you speak of? Come on!”

With an air of “fine, I’ll confirm it for you,” Kishō peered into the adjacent room. It was like a storeroom. Magical tools were placed haphazardly. Two bookshelves also existed, with books of inconsistent, mismatched sizes lined up.

“Why are there books? There’s a reference room.”

“Going to fetch them each time is troublesome. Use your tiny brain a little.”

Apparently she kept frequently used books for classes here.

He wanted to check more thoroughly, but the iron door shut with a snap, so Kishō shrugged and sighed.

“Sorry, let me correct myself. I forgot Meika-sensei isn’t popular enough to bring men in.”

With a fierce expression, killing intent surged and heat shimmer formed around Instructor Meika. The wavering mirage refracted light, blurring images. Baring canines as if to bite, Instructor Meika said:

“Every single time, such a detestable student. If not a student, I’d tear you to pieces.”

“That goes both ways. If I didn’t talk back, you’d curse me freely.”

Bowing and scraping. In dragonkin society, if you tried to get by with lowered head, that head would be trampled. Survival tactics from human society didn’t work here.

Moreover, if you clashed boldly, surprisingly you wouldn’t be looked down on.

“So what do you want anyway? I’m not that free either.”

Kishō sat sprawled on the sofa and brazenly declared this. Ōka fidgeted uncomfortably. Instructor Meika also returned to her seat, propped her cheek on the armrest, and spoke ostentatiously:

“Classes should have already started, but what were you two doing? First-years’ next class is the required breath course.”

“Skipping.”

“Hey, Shō-kun!”

Ōka jabbed the side of Kishō who’d answered immediately, slightly harder.

“That was a joke. Actually, I haven’t seen an acquaintance female student since this morning. I’m worried, so I thought I’d consult with Mion-sensei.”

This was a pretext to visit Instructor Mion’s private room, the excuse prepared beforehand.

Instructor Meika’s complexion changed.

“Do you know something?”

“You have no need to know.”

Kishō didn’t miss that her eyes darted for just an instant. However, before he could make the next move, Instructor Meika blurted something he couldn’t ignore.

“More importantly, you. I hear you’ve gotten quite cocky since getting engaged to Princess Kuroyō.”

“I’m cocky? You’re joking. I’ll admit my attitude is brazen, but that’s because you people try to suppress me with force.”

He’d gotten engaged to the Princess purely because he found her dear. He’d accepted intending to spend his life with her. Definitely not from vulgar, impure motives like gaining power or enjoying benefits. At the dishonorable accusation, Kishō couldn’t suppress his head heating with a flash.

“Being told I’m doing whatever I want with the Princess as my backing is offensive.”

Had she read his internal agitation? Instructor Meika had regained her composure.

“In fact, I heard you defied the academy director. Biting at that person is so audacious even I couldn’t do it. Without Princess Kuroyō’s prestige, you wouldn’t get off lightly, you know?”

Guh— Kishō bit his back teeth. No immediate rebuttal came. Because he’d acknowledged there was some truth. Creaking the sofa, he leaned forward glaring at Instructor Meika. Then, deflecting that heated gaze with a cool face, Instructor Meika raised an index finger.

“One thing. Since you seem more excellent than I thought, I’ll warn you. Princess Kuroyō’s mother, General Consort-sama, also opposes the marriage. Do you understand what this means?”

He removed his gaze from Instructor Meika and dropped it to his clenched fists.

“I understand. That it’s difficult. But I’ve decided to marry Kuroyō. That won’t change no matter who opposes. Even if it’s Kuroyō’s mother.”

Would she oppose, curse, or laugh it off— Kishō had braced for the impact that would surely come, but for some reason Instructor Meika heard that answer and nodded with satisfaction.

“Indeed. A dragonkin male must show spirit for the woman he’s fallen for. If you gave up over something this minor, there’d be no point. However, having made an enemy of the academy director, a trial will visit in the near future.”

“Trial?”

“Yes, a trial. You’ll be tested for whether you’re suitable for Princess Kuroyō. That’s when my turn comes. I’ll personally crush you to pieces.”

Saying so, Instructor Meika floated a confident, malicious smile.

◇◇◇◇◇

The private rooms prepared in the Teacher Building were divided into waiting rooms and preparation rooms.

The preparation room was literally a room for storing reference materials and teaching materials used in classes.

Normally, teachers rested in waiting rooms between classes, and met visitors there. Frequently used teaching materials like textbooks were piled on the waiting room desk, so actually they rarely entered the preparation room.

Meaning, it was perfect for hiding things.

“But that alone is insufficient.”

Sliding the heavy iron door, Elesia Ignoosis invaded the preparation room. Walking briskly to the bookshelf, she pressed a hidden switch installed behind it with practiced hands. Then with a click, the stone floor began moving.

“Hehe, I need at least this much for when I’m suspected.”

Beneath the transformed floor, stairs were hidden, and a gaping darkness continued downward.