Chapter 88: After Story: Post Management ~Love Front Chapter~

Chapter 88: After Story: Post Management ~Love Front Chapter~

Wrapped by tentacles, Selvier, a wizard from the Red Magic Tower, hung upside down and used passive Antigravity Magic that did not consume mana to prevent her skirt from flipping over as she thought.

"Bennett, pass!"

"Don't pass it off to someone else, just because it's bothersome!"

[Bennett, if it's okay, could you please take mine too?]Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com

"Leave it to me."

"⋯⋯You punk, why do you react differently to Niolle?!"

⋯⋯What is up with them?

The trio knew they were attending a class by Mr. Crazy Wizard. Two weeks had passed if she remembered correctly, so they should have just finished their second lesson. Putting aside the unusual emotional exchanges between them...

They were unparalleled in individual skills and teamwork within this classroom. They were at a point where just the three of them could navigate through the Tentacle Labyrinth, which already placed them at the top. The reason for such an assessment was apparent with just a slight shift of the gaze.

“EUAAAAAAH!! AHHHHHHH!!”

"Ph, Philip! Damn it, let go of Philip, you tentacles!"

"IHATESLIMYSLIPPERYTHINGSSSSSS──!!"

A group of ordinary students being torn apart in real-time. Students without strength or power were being caught one by one by the tentacles and subdued. A few clever ones, having realized that the more violently one resists, the deeper the tentacles burrow, hung quietly like Selvier.

Students lacking such observational skills were on the verge of displaying scenes not suitable for... young viewers.

"Number 32, Number 33. Advance."

“Keuuuuuk...!”

"Think of the gold coins you receive each month. Fulfill your duties equivalent to what you have received, with faith and sincerity!"

The Gold Faction led by the favored disciple of the Gold Tower Master was methodically navigating the Tentacle Labyrinth by throwing forward one student at a time. In other words, the disciple had judged that it was hard to advance without sacrifices.

"Protect the Lady! Do not let even a single tentacle invade!"

"Do not back down! Fight with the resolve to die for the one you serve!!"

"Remember your oaths of loyalty. Think of the Lady’s compassionate heart!"

"⋯⋯N-No, you do not need to try that hard⋯⋯."

The only daughter of the White Purity Duchy, leading the Rose Insignia Faction, was steadily advancing by pooling their strength and defending step by step. The faction had at least dozens of members. The proportion of nobles among them was also high.

Nobles were generally superior to commoner students. They had the manpower to form a defensive formation and cooperate to break through.

And⋯⋯.

"『Freeze』."

A pure-white girl who was freezing the tentacles and smoothly navigating through the labyrinth alone. She was a wizard from the Blue Magic Tower and was already known to have reached the realm of Metamorphosis. Selvier's forever rival⋯⋯ Snow White.

A prodigy who had blossomed Metamorphosis at an early age, even capable of having a good match against a professor. Basically, that level of ability was necessary to break through the tentacles alone.

Such was the insane difficulty of this labyrinth, hence their noticeable presence as a trio navigating together. Especially Niolle.

The other two were unknown to Selvier, so she could chalk them off for having hidden powers. Or maybe they were always that strong. But Niolle's skill and character were well known to her. They weren't roommates for nothing, after all. She knew she had exceptional observational skills.

However.

Even if a nasty-looking tentacle suddenly flew towards her face, she wouldn't blink an eye and would dodge by tilting her head.

Or, without hesitation, she would poke a tentacle that resembled a human head, starting with the eyeball.

What she had originally possessed⋯⋯ Should it be called frailty, or should it be called humanity? Whatever it was, it felt like such things had all but evaporated. To Selvier, the current Niolle seemed almost like a merciless, ruthless killer.

"What on earth did you go through⋯⋯?"

And above all.

[Bennett. Just now, a tentacle brushed against my chest, so a few buttons fell off.]

"I do not have a sewing kit right now."

[I’m saying if you happen to look this way, you'll see my cleavage.]

"⋯⋯I’ll be careful."

[I’m not telling you to be careful, though.]

For some reason, her sex appeal seems to have increased tremendously. She wasn’t like this before, though⋯⋯?

Transformation, huh.

Change was not always good, but it was essential for those who had reasons to climb higher.

Selvier aimed to obtain the wish that would be granted by the Red Magic Tower Master by becoming her direct disciple, and for that, she needed to reach the realm of Metamorphosis.

The most likely trigger for Niolle's transformation was the lecture... 『Otherworld Exploration』. Selvier resolved herself to plunge into the Crazy Wizard's class. She needed a catalyst for growth.

⋯⋯After escaping the Tentacle Labyrinth first, though!

"There is no need to go that far."

"It doesn't matter what you want, Bennett. I said I’m going to do it!"

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

Tara fumed for a while, glaring at Bennett, then grabbed and vigorously shook his collar. It was the result of her inability to contain her surging anger. How dare he thought of going alone into such danger?

Bennett, silently enduring the shaking, finally spoke after about three minutes.

"⋯⋯I'm getting dizzy."

"Do you think I’m not?! I’m dizzy too!"

After sighing heavily, Tara muttered. Her words were tinged with a hint of moisture; she felt aggrieved that Bennett did not recognize her feelings.

"⋯⋯You, do you really not know why I'm doing this? How I feel about you⋯⋯."

"I know."

"⋯⋯Huh?"

"I said I know."

While Tara was caught off-guard, Bennett gently loosened her grip on his collar and straightened his clothes.

"Unless one is incredibly dense, there is no way they would not notice. I would appreciate it if both of you could try to restrain yourselves from now on. It is difficult to endure."

"⋯⋯You, you?!"

[⋯⋯⋯⋯!!]

"I am not saying I will gladly accept my fate and die. I am not that noble of a person. If the Academy tries to kill me, I will do my best to escape. I have dreams I wish to fulfill, missions I have not completed yet. But⋯⋯."

Bennett paused, looking embarrassed as he lowered his gaze.

"I wanted to rid myself of my past and face you both squarely."

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]

Taken aback by Bennett's sudden outburst, Tara and Niolle were left stunned.

The Crazy Wizard, who had been secretly trailing the trio, silently clapped in admiration. The Tower Master, overwhelmed by sweetness beyond the daily recommended intake, made a fuss and playfully slapped the back of the wizard.

With just a few words, Bennett had rendered the two powerless and departed smoothly.

Tara and Niolle, standing dazed at the epicenter of the commotion, took a long while to reboot their thoughts. A subtle awkwardness and tension lingered in the air.

"⋯⋯So he says."

[⋯⋯Indeed, that is what he said.]

After a moment of contemplation, Niolle offered her hand to Tara for a handshake. Tara, though surprised by the unexpected gesture, raised an eyebrow but nonetheless took her hand.

Niolle smiled brightly and spoke.

[Shall we compete fairly from now on?]

"Uh, E-Eung⋯⋯ Over Bennett, right?"

[No interfering with each other.]

"Sure, and whatever the outcome, gracefully accepting defeat⋯⋯ may be a bit hard to do, actually."

[To be honest, I feel the same. It would be quite disappointing.]

Thus, a war loomed ahead. The onset of a love front, where no tactic or strategy would be spared in the quest for love, was imminent.

Despite this, there existed a strong friendship between Tara and Niolle, forged through life-and-death situations and trials. They firmly grasped and shook each other's hands.

"Even so, we're still friends, okay?"

[Of course. Shall we disperse then?]

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

Tara pondered the lingering unease in her mind. What was it? What am I missing?

"⋯⋯Huh?"

The phrase that they would compete fairly ‘from now on’ implied that their previous interactions were not fair. And bringing up 'not interfering with each other' meant that... the interference that had occurred so far were?

"You were doing it on purpose too, weren't you-?!!”

[Since we’re friends, you’ll forgive me, right?]

"Come here, you punk-!"

Tara chased after Niolle, who had jumped over the fence and was running away. The season of youth was in full /genesisforsaken