You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 79

“Is that mask your creation?”

“Yes, it is. I was asked for a skull that would plunge juniors into the depths of terror.”

“It’s like a scene straight out of a horror movie, isn’t it?”

The space was filled with luxurious chairs, sofas, tables, and a refrigerator, all exuding a sense of luxury.

It was a VIP room, a place only special associates could enter, equipped with a view that looked down upon the audience seats from the window.

“Nevertheless, I had no idea that Shiori-chan was participating in the event on a mission.”

“It was a secret to everyone except for the teaching staff and certain related parties. I could tell you because of the achievements you’ve made this time.”

On a three-seater sofa, a girl lay sprawled out, her shirt disheveled. Standing next to the sofa was a man in a long lab coat, his speech marked by a distinctive drawl at the end of his sentences.

Midorigawa Haruna and the professor were there.

In addition to them, there were teaching staff and individuals involved in the event preparations, all watching the event seated in rows.

Despite being in their midst, Haruna lay carelessly sprawled across the wide sofa, not minding her manners.

She spoke to the professor with the casual attitude she always had.

“To demonstrate the power ranking of the tenth place to the freshmen and suppress typical adolescent behaviors. —Combat College sure is tough.”

That was Shiori-chan’s reason for participating. Many of the new students were still uneducated about reality.

What would happen if such students gained combat powers?

“I am strong! I have power! I am superior to everyone! Hahaha! No one can beat me! Everyone will obey me!… Haha, it’s laughable.”

She spewed out lines reminiscent of a play, ending with a laugh.

There was a student who did just that in the distant past. Obsessed with his own power, he used it to satisfy his desires.

“What do they ultimately seek? The answer is ‘the strongest.’ Thus, the final target becomes—”

“The ranked, right?”

The professor concluded. Essentially, by demonstrating the ranked individuals’ power, it instilled a fear strong enough to prevent any defiance.

A “taming” to prevent drowning in self-confidence was the goal of Combat College.

“Thanks to Shiori-chan’s excellent job of instilling fear, it looks like we won’t have any rebellious students this year.”

“Is it really okay? To scare them to that extent—”

“Students quitting school… that’s all part of the plan.”

Students who break so easily are better off returning to regular schools, even if they have talent. If there are problems with their character, it’s better to let them go.

That was the policy of the Japanese branch.

“My guess? Half of the students in that building will leave.”

“Half… what a waste.”

“It’s better than being defied. That’s how terrifying combatants can be.”

A certain event in the past led to a significant reduction in adults with combat power, resulting in a shortage of adults capable of suppressing unruly students.

That’s why this event was so important.

“It looks like we’re in for another peaceful year.”

“You sound like an old man.”

Haruna looked up at the professor with a leisurely voice, rolling over to face him.

“I wish I had combat power too.”

“It’s not something you get just because you want it.”

“I want it! Professor, give me something that’ll make me a combatant!”

“Don’t mix me up with someone else. That character suits you better.”

Haruna and the professor shared a bond that was indistinguishable from that of a parent and child.

The teachers present in the room observed this warm scene with gentle eyes.

“You two always seem to get along so well.”

“Ah, sorry for showing you something so embarrassing.”

“No, it’s a nice atmosphere, isn’t it?”

Next to Haruna’s sofa, a teacher sitting on a luxurious seat smiled at Haruna and the professor.

“Between me and the professor, there’s a secret and somewhat embarrassing relationship.”

“Eh!?”

“It’s just a usual joke, please don’t mind it.”

“Ah, yes. Well, that makes sense. There’s an age difference, and more importantly, the professor is already…”

“Yes, married with a wife.”

The professor, who was of a certain age, already had a woman who was his partner. This was well known among those involved with Combat College.

“I wanted to bring her here, but our schedules didn’t align…”

“That’s unfortunate…”

There was a desire to have his wife here, yet now, someone who could be considered a stand-in was sitting right beside him.

“Munch munch…”

Haruna, sprawling on the sofa and rudely munching on potato chips, elicited a sigh of exasperation from the professor.

“I’ll say it again. Can’t you sit properly? The others might tolerate it, but I—”

“Munch… I’m in exhausted mode. I’ve been working tirelessly for the event. Please, let me off this time.”

“Ha, you, my daughter…”

The reason Haruna could watch the event from here was because she was the developer of the synthetic mass used in the event.

Thanks to her, the event was able to proceed without a hitch.

“Ah, exempt from the exams and watching in luxury from the VIP room. This is like heaven.”

With a bright smile, Haruna looked up at the professor. His recognition was evident in her accomplished expression.

“…Just remembered something.”

“Hm? What’s that?”

“The dual black guns that Shiori-chan has.”

On the giant monitor set up in the stadium, the professor noticed Shiori’s weapons and mentioned his observation.

“If it had been those, I think you would’ve passed the exam without any trouble.”

“…”

“Why did you decide to submit Excalibur?”

“…Because it’s cool, isn’t it?”

Haruna puffed out her cheeks, a child’s face who insisted on her whims.

However, that wish was not to be fulfilled, as the professor had to put a stop to it.

“I’ll allow it as a hobby, but not in official settings.”

“…”

“Your response?”

“…Someday, I’ll make you acknowledge it.”

“Give it up.”

To his stubborn student, the professor spoke as a mentor, convincing her to let go. Time passed, and the monitor showed Shiori causing havoc in the large hall.

“Everyone’s in tears, huh?”

“I think the mask you made is a big reason for that. It really tickles their fear.”

Shiori’s rapid maneuvers, with red eyes glowing in the dimly lit hall, demonstrated that among humans capable of body enhancement, only those with rigorous training and talent could reach such heights.

No one there was stronger than Shiori. Her actions as the absolute strongest made everyone believe so.

“Hmm~ Shall we head to the restroom? I can already predict what happens next.”

Interlocking her hands above her head in a stretch, Haruna shifted her gaze away from the monitor. She knew what was coming next would be Shiori’s execution time.

“What will you do, Doctor?”

“I’ll watch a little longer. The live footage of Shiori-chan’s battles are a rare sight indeed.”

“But there are training records.”

“She’s fighting with a mission’s mentality. That’s why I can’t take my eyes off her. Shiori-chan might do something that doesn’t show up in training.”

“…………”

“You’re expecting something to happen. You understand Shiori-chan better than anyone, I believe.”

From between his long hair, the Doctor’s gaze pierced through to Haruna’s eyes.

“Something is bound to happen. There’s an irregular element in this event.”

That was about the opening ceremony. Specifically, the two participants who appeared at the end.

“I knew Hiroki-kun was participating, but to think he teamed up with Suzuko-chan…”

“…………”

“Did you hear me?”

“…If I had known, I would have told you. Especially about the presence ranked ninth.”

With a serious expression, Haruna straightened her posture on the sofa.

“While I am an ally of Hiroki, Shiori is my top priority. If I had known, I would have informed Shiori first and foremost.”

Regardless of the rewards offered by Shiori, Haruna supported her out of pure affection. That was why her heart ached.

“The items ordered by Hiroki… they were all requested by the ninth-ranked…”

It was too late now.

The arsenal given to Hiroki was not something an ordinary participant would possess.

Had she known the names, she might not have refused the order, but at least she could have warned Shiori.

She was looking forward to Shiori and Hiroki’s rematch, but now, the possibility of a war between the tenth and ninth ranks loomed.

That meant,

“A disaster…”

It suggested an implicit taboo within Combat College was about to be invoked.

A battle between those who had accepted their ranks was a source of fear for all faculty members.

That fear lingered somewhere in her heart.

“…Doctor. You mentioned earlier that Shiori might do something.”

“Yes, I did.”

“I may have done something terrible…”

That might have been a mistake.

“I gave Shiori… a weapon that could be Pandora’s box. It might trigger something to happen.”

“Pandora’s box… A box filled with calamities… What exactly did you give her?”

“…That is──”

Pausing, Haruna looked at the Doctor, about to share a fact from the past. But,

“──ッ!?”

Suddenly, the room’s atmosphere transformed.

The shift was caused by the air around the faculty members present.

Engrossed in their conversation about Shiori, Haruna and the Doctor were a step behind in noticing.

“Why are you here…”

In the frozen atmosphere, someone uttered the question on everyone’s mind.

This person was not supposed to be here.

“…………”

No answer came.

The figure, with thin ice-blue hair, slowly sat down on a seat, accompanied by a slender woman in a black suit.

“We’re here to watch the event, so please, carry on without minding us.”

The accompanying woman said with a smile.

Yet, no one in the room could easily accept her words.

This presence was not supposed to be here.

An unimaginable scene unfolded before everyone’s eyes.

“Hazuki, would you like something to drink?”

“…………Apple.”

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

Present was the pinnacle of Combat College’s Japanese branch—

—Ranked first.

Shirahime Hazuki was seated there.