NOVEL WEB Chapter 100.2
Chapter 100.2. The Summons
Katia’s cheeks flush redder than ever as she snaps.
She probably thinks she was a bit off back then. Despite being in a sulky mode now, she apologized to Hermes for that incident first.
…Well, since it was partly his fault, he decided to be more careful in the future.
After that, they enjoyed their meal, chatting about the competition.
“…Katia-sama, you’ve truly become an amazing magician… I realized that when I faced you directly…”
“Thank you. It’s thanks to Herm, though.”
“It’s an honor. …But honestly, it was more than I imagined. Who knew you’d be that troublesome as an enemy.”
“Yeah. Summoning soldiers that are as tough as walls and shields with attack abilities, it’s like being a one-person fortress.”
Well put.
While not undermining other B-Class students’ efforts, it felt like the final battle was B-Class vs. Katia rather than B-Class vs. A-Class. A close victory was the best they could manage.
“That’s the general consensus from the others, too.”
Nina said, looking around at the students watching them from a distance.
This spot, always a focus for its beautiful girls’ lunch gathering, now had even more eyes on it, filled with respect and awe.
The one receiving the most attention was Katia.
Despite A-Class losing, her last stand in what became an eight-to-one situation made her almost victorious. Few would mock her now.
…On the other hand, the rest of A-Class, who lost to the “dropouts” of B-Class, were viewed harshly… but that wasn’t Hermes’s concern.
Next in line for attention was Sara.
B-Class students’ individual struggles were remarkable, but spectators’ eyes were on those who stood out.
Sara, who healed wounded B-Class students on the front lines and protected the crystal from A-Class’s attacks, earned high praise, also due to her “dual aptitude.”
Her title of Saint must have spread even more after this event.
And inversely… in such a fierce battle, only these two received recognition.
“…It’s a bit unsettling… and somewhat… unsatisfactory.”
“It’s mutual, Sara. I’m very unsatisfied.”
Sara voiced her unease timidly, and Katia, agreeing, let her feelings out explosively.
“Why aren’t Herm and Nina getting any recognition!”
“Katia-sama, thank you for not forgetting about me despite being on edge… but it can’t be helped.”
“Indeed.”
Nina’s precise support prevented B-Class from collapsing, and Hermes holding off Katia was significant.
Despite the confidence in their roles, this nation of magic doesn’t value non-magical skills highly.
“Besides, after the initial battle, I didn’t defeat anyone. And Herm… from an untrained eye, it just looked like Katia-sama was beating him up.”
“Exactly. The problem is… too many untrained eyes…”
Katia’s words were proven by the looks directed at Hermes.
The surrounding students gazed at Katia and Sara with admiration and respect, but turned hostile eyes towards Hermes. Likely due to other reasons too.
But he didn’t mind.
Ignoring such looks— or rather, understanding they had their reasons.
Whether trivial or deep, he wouldn’t accept or reject until he understood them.
This new indifference was something he gained here.
…Simply put, after such intense events,
He wanted to enjoy this peaceful time a bit—
(…Well, that won’t happen.)
Just like before, someone’s arrival interrupted lunch.
Hermes sensed the beginning of something new and fun.
Fortunately, unlike Clyde, this newcomer wasn’t hostile, but friendly.
“…Excuse me during lunch. May I?”
“Albert, what’s up?”
The male student, Albert, approached respectfully. Sara noticed and called out.
He approached, saying,
“This is for… rather, I was told to deliver a message to Hermes.”
“Me? What is it?”
Albert hesitated but then spoke decisively.
“…A teacher stopped me. Hermes, you’re to report to the instructor’s room immediately.”
“──”
A summons from a teacher at this school.
Albert, reading Hermes’s expression, nodded and said,
“Knowing you, you can guess it’s not for anything good. …Be careful.”
Grateful for his friend’s honest advice,
Hermes faced his next challenge.