Case 131: Survival game – Shining star.

Case 131: Survival game – Shining star.

CRACK—!

With a crisp gusto, Balnok's deer skull is helplessly split, sending the beast wailing as it struggles to throw Chloe off. As the screens only show her, I turn my gaze down the arena to take a good look myself.

While everybody seems baffled, Claire is the one who looks the most bewildered. When I talked with her yesterday, she did say that she was aiming to be number one, so it makes sense.

I mean, who else but Chloe will pull this kind of stunt?

No matter how much confidence she has in her ability, facing off against a giant demon ought to be terrifying. At least, that is what I think ordinary people will say.

I know Chloe, and I know how crazy she can be.

Standing in a dark corner, I silently observe the battlefield, which is now starting to change. Seeing Chloe's outrageous opening, many feel compelled to push themselves, so I see more students being aggressive than what is expected.

Claire desperately breezes through the battlefield with her swirling light sword, Luxia rides a tornado across the terrains, and Sierra roams the area whilst literally bursting out flames...

Not counting Scarlett and the other two from class A, the whole scene is already seeming colorful.

As of now, the scoreboard shows Claire as the one leading, but I reckon once Chloe finishes off Balnok, she will take over with ease.

''Hm?''

Isn't that Jalk the Lackey?

Rather than being surprised at its presence, I am more impressed at Claire's power as she fights it. It has only been a short while, yet she has progressed this much. As expected of a protagonist, I suppose.

''Enjoying the show?''

While thinking that, another presence creeps up on me. In the shade, only her fiery red eyes glow, allowing an ever-so-faint silhouette to be perceived.

Professor Claudia Heisenberg is here.

Whether she takes my silence as an answer or not is unknown, but she quite boldly leans on the wall right beside me. Heaving out a weary sigh, she grumbles,

''The fact that you're here... means something terrible is about to happen, isn't it?'' She says. ''At this point, I don't even know if I want to feel relieved or terrified at that mask of yours.''

Indeed, I am standing here as 'Silaerob.'

Not erasing my presence is also deliberate. Silaerob is now more or less a heroic figure, which means I won't be attacked even if I show up randomly like this. However, all of this will probably change the moment that the demon shows up.

''Yet, you still show such composure?'' I reply.

''We made the preparations right after you showed up. More importantly, how bad is it?''

She is probably asking me if more precautions are needed or not. I'd imagine evacuating this many people is quite tedious, after all.

''Unknown.''

''Hm?''

''A threat is not guaranteed. I am merely here as a safeguard.''

''...I thought you could see the future?''

''You can summon literal aliens. I wouldn't be surprised if you have multiple bodies, too.'' She sneers. ''Moreover... you two just seem similar. In general.''

''...''

Have I really shown that many clues?

I might need to change the way either of my identities act later. Having too many people like Claudia is risky. But then again, I might be overestimating how popular 'Aurora' is here.

''What do you think, Silaerob? Or... should I say, Aurora?''

''Not bad.''

''...!''

As Claudia truly becomes baffled, I silently enjoy her reaction behind the mask.

Eventually, when her trembling pupils finally settle down, she poses a serious expression and parts her lips—

''Aurora, you—''

''I never said I was her.''

''...''

''...''

One second. Two seconds. Three.

''You...'' Claudia utters, facepalming herself. ''Even that trolley side of you is the same. I'll just call you 'Aurora' from now on, I swear.''

Please don't do that.

Either way, since I am now entertained, I suppose this conversation is not so bad after all.

''What would you do if I was her?'' I ask.

''Hm? Ah... I'd stop nagging you to become a student, maybe? After that, I'd probably ask you for a duel.''

''...''

Can I only get the first half?

In any case, what she just said is quite milder than I thought. I guess not everybody is a stan like Claire. No, I'd rather everybody be like Claudia. The more neutral they are, the easier it gets to defeat that demon.

As I think that, a sudden cheer from the audience outside blows in.

When I turn around, the screens are all monopolized by a certain blonde lady again, and this time, they show a rather epic angle of her standing proudly on a slain Balnok, heaving a calm breath.

Amidst the dark environment, likely a replica of a real demon realm, her silhouette stands out like a shining star in the night sky.

''Hm?''

And the next moment, the ground beneath her—no, the ground beneath us begins to rumble.