Monogatari no Naka no Hito

In the classroom of Rhonks magic school general magic department, as would be expected the topic of the practical skills examination is being raised.

What magic are you using, what kind of practice did you do, not all students are saying as some are trying to take advantage of them, and students are looking at them suspiciously.

Every year the second semester classroom of the first years is flooded with the topic of the practical skills examination, but it was only different this year.

It was the duel.

Furthermore it was a general department student and attack department student.

And then was the unexpected result of the general department winning, it became the topic of all departments.

Not knowing of this and parting from Mari, Riheed enters the classroom with Mikene.

“Good morning Riheed-san, Mikene.”

“Yea, morning Litris.”

“Morning Litris.”

Riheed and Mikene reply to Litris who promptly greeted them when they entered.

The strange appearance of the two makes Litris puzzled.

Mikene doesn’t have her usual dignified atmosphere, and seems to be somewhat tired this morning.

Riheed who usually is high tension is quiet, he walks to his seat with a composed atmosphere while greeting.

The students were impatient waiting for Riheed to come to hear about the duels commotion, but because his atmosphere is completely different from yesterdays, they didn’t speak.

Riheed sits on his seat, and following up is the worn out Mikene sitting on her seat.

Though students who can’t read the air try to enclose Riheed and question him, they gave up as Kyrie entered the classroom just before they could.

“Now then, today is the practical skills exam. The class will be moving as a unit, please follow chairperson Mikene’s directions. First is the practical skills assignments for each subject, please make your way to the fourth practice ground. That’s all.”

Homeroom approaches its final stages as Kyrie gives instructions to the students.

When Mikene receives the paper with the details of the practical skills exam schedule written on it, she gives directions to line up in the corridor.

In accordance with it, everyone goes out to the corridor.

Some people who failed earlier, were about to barrage Riheed with questions.

But they gave up when seeing Kyrie is speaking with Riheed, and joined the line.

“What’s wrong, Riheed-kun?”

On the other hand with Kyrie speaking with Riheed, for a moment the last night was recalled, but he regained his calmness at once.

“No, I was thinking about something while accompanying the class. For future reference I would like to have a look around the other practice grounds if it’s fine.”

“Y-yes. That’s so, you can look around as long as you don’t enter the practice ground. Try to not stand out as much as possible and causing problems.”

The different atmosphere from Riheed’s normally self-important behavior makes Kyrie confused while answering.

He felt like letting him look around would cause problems, but on the other hand Kyrie smells danger in making him look at the same magic being used many times, so he decided to permit Riheed’s proposal.

If it’s outside the practice ground, it won’t quickly develop into a problem, and because the teachers are gathered Kyrie thought it would be alright.

“Thank you, then I’ll go at once.”

“Yes, please be very careful. Talk to a teacher if there’s something, and convey that my permission was granted.”

“Yea, understood.”

When Kyrie is cautioning, Riheed nods obediently and directs his steps towards a practice ground without joining the class line.

“Something’s not going to go well.”

Kyrie reveals his true opinion while seeing off Riheed.

That true opinion disappears into the corridor’s noise.

Soon outside the first practice ground was the figure of Riheed.

Though there was extremely few who caught sight of that figure.

Riheed is keeping to the promise with Kyrie, and lays a cognizance obstruction magic around himself.

Speaking of the persons who can see Riheed’s figure, it is limited to those with special eyes.

There are several such persons on Rhonks magic school, even if able to view Riheed’s figure, because the cognizance obstruction magic used isn’t known, they only see him as they normally would.

Therefore the possibility of a problem developing is extremely low.

And Riheed, who isn’t disturbed, is immersed in watching magic.

In normal case he alone would let out his unpleasant laughter, but there’s no such thing this time, though his eyes would occasionally shine unnaturally.

“Hmm, as expected of magic to this degree, it’s unlikely to be able to reproduce it after only seeing it once. But being able to observe different people use them many time is really convenient.”

Riheed mutters somethings during the intervals of the class exams, and when the next student begins their magic, he immediately watches closely.

Like that Riheed’s eyes suspiciously shine again.

Mikene is at a loss.

The cause is when it was noticed that Riheed is taking separate action.

The students who want to question Riheed changed their target to Mikene.

Because there was the work as class chairperson she could cut it off, Mikene was getting fed up with the approaching students.

Though Litris is trying to help a friend in need, it is considerably difficult to do so.

“Well, Riheed’s origin is really that of a commoner…, ah! We’re next and must move soon!”

“Eeh! But I heard somewhere that Riheed-san has deep relations with royalty, is that trying to be hidden?”

The girl students turn glances of thick doubt due to Mikene’s reply, surrounded by multiple people Mikene can’t move.

“There’s no such reason! Ah, enough, not moving now would really be a nuisance to other classes.”

“No, this story is more important than a practical skills exam!”

As expected, Mikene is annoyed by classmates saying selfish things.

Herself being more determined than the first year, but because of Riheed who was above all else odd this morning making her tiring her out, a dark aura is worn around her body.

Litris who sees that state is startled.

However, because it was difficult for the students surrounding Mikene to read the air, the change wasn’t noticed.

To stop the students whom are furthermore arguing, Litris is going to start speaking, but is stopped from the side before that.

“Be quiet”

If the owner of this voice is Riheed, the root of Mikene’s displeasure would be blown right off.

But for Riheed who stayed indoors for 200 years, that kind of good timing can’t come around many times, the owner of this voice is a man, or rather a female who can be mistaken as one due to her imposing face, it was Leanne.

By chance Leanne happened to pass by while the class was moving, and especially came because a face she recognized was troubled.

To some extent, there was the calculation that Riheed would be there as well.

The words that Leanne gave off power entirely similar to magic, the noisy students who were enclosing Mikene became silent.

And when Leanne approaches Mikene, the enclosure is immediately dispelled.

“You seem to be having a tough time. You remember? We met yesterday during the measurements yesterday.”

With the surrounding students watching, Leanne casually handles Mikene’s disheveled hair hanging on her cheek while speaking.

“Ah, yes. Thank you, I remember. I’m general department first year’s Mikene Mikarune.”

“O… I’m in attack department first year, Leanne. By the way, I don’t see Riheed-dono here.”
(TLN: Leanne was about to use ‘ore’ but changed to ‘watashi’ to refer to herself)

Leanne was a little hard pressed at returning Mikene’s greeting, and made an effort to change how she referred to herself.

Leanne looks around, and is a little disappointed that Riheed isn’t there.

“Riheed’s acting separately. Ah! We must move anytime now, excuse me, you helped me.”

“Don’t worry. You people were a nuisance for others as well.”

Leanne stares at the students surrounding Mikene.

The glint in the eye was sharp; the pressure is as would be expected of the one known as the Maou’s child.

The students can do nothing but give up under that pressure, it isn’t even possible to open their mouths and show their consent by nodding.

“Hmm, well then.”

“Yes, until next time.”

Turning towards Leanne who leaves gallantly, Mikene bows her head.

After that, there’s no abuse directed towards Leanne, but some sighs in a trance can be heard.

Mikene who avoids making eye contact as much as possible, guides the class as their practical exams is next.