Chapter 99

A few days after the attack by the demon clan.

The school's entrance ceremony was held as scheduled.

The auditorium, adorned with numerous magical lamps, was impressive, but by now, having seen it three times, it had become familiar.

The sight of the new students, tense and stiff, was also as usual.

However, this year, I had a job to do, unlike the past years when I was just an observer.

As I absentmindedly watched the ceremony proceed smoothly, Amu suddenly came up and playfully patted my back while laughing.

"What are you so nervous about?"

"It hurts... I'm not nervous."

"Liar."

"...You're pretty good at figuring it out. I am a bit nervous."

I'm not particularly good at this kind of role.

But since I've taken it on, there's no going back.

"How was it for you?"

"Hmm?"

"I mean, two years ago. You were the representative of the new students, right?"

"Oh, that time?"

Amu stopped reaching for food and answered.

"I wasn't nervous at all."

"Really? That's impressive."

"I was a bit cynical back then, thinking that giving a speech was pointless. I think I would be more nervous now. Honestly."

"Hmm... "

"But it feels nostalgic. Back then, because of the demon, I couldn't finish what I wanted to say."

"Did you write the speech yourself? What were you going to say?"

"What was it? Let me see..."

After thinking for a moment, Amu started speaking.

"Today, I don't know why each of you is here. I came to this school just to become stronger."

"..."

"My idea of strength is the strength of an adventurer. The strength to defeat monsters and protect my companions. Maybe I'm the only one who came here for this reason. But... I believe everyone shares the desire to become stronger. The strength you seek may differ, but if you seek strength, we are all comrades with the same goal. Let's work hard together. That's what I said. ...Was it something like that? It sounds pretty ordinary. I did try to be serious, though..."

"It's fine."

I said honestly.

"You're good at delivering speeches and choosing your words."

"Huh? Thanks, I guess."

"I mean it. Where did you learn rhetoric?"

"I don't know much about that... but my parents used to tell me stories about heroes and brave people. I took some lines from those stories... and also from speeches I heard at taverns from drunk adventurers. Most of it was nonsense, but sometimes, something would really resonate. Things like that."

"I see."

That's typical of Amu.

This girl isn't stupid. As the saying goes, even a sparrow in the劝学院 can learn 蒙求. She must have unconsciously learned from what she saw and heard.

"If you had finished that speech, the other students might have seen you differently."

"Stop it... But now that you mention it, I do feel a bit regretful... What was that commotion all about, anyway? There were a lot of rumors."

"..."

"Back then, I managed to defeat one demon. What were you doing?"

"...It looked like a summoned beast, so I went to look for the mage who summoned it. I didn't find them, though."

"Wow. That's just like you."

This girl doesn't know.

That attack was aimed at me. And something similar happened just the other day.

I changed the subject.

"You were pitiful after that. You risked your life fighting monsters, but the other students were afraid of you."

"I remember you saying that... Was it really how you felt?"

"Of course. Did you think I was lying?"

"I thought you were just saying it casually. You were kind of suspicious back then."

"That's harsh."

"Ahaha. I never thought we'd become such good friends."

"Time changes relationships."

"True. It's been two years already."

Two years, huh.

For this girl, who is finally turning fifteen, two years is a long time.

The entrance ceremony proceeded smoothly.

My turn was approaching.

"...I'll go now."

"Huh, Seika-kun is leaving already? Good luck!"

"...Thanks."

Eifa and Mabel, who were chatting at the back, looked at me and said.

Amu was smiling.

"I'm looking forward to your speech."

"...I don't know what to say. I'll just get through it."

With a wry smile, I started walking towards the podium—when suddenly, a commotion arose near the entrance of the auditorium.

I turned to look.

Breaking through the group of new students, a dozen or so people appeared, armed with matching armor and swords.

I instinctively reached for my weapon but held back. They didn't seem to be attacking.

But they didn't look like they were there to celebrate the new students' arrival either.

The leader raised his voice.

"Silence! We are the Dilak Knights! We have come by the order of Lord Graville! Is there a girl named Amu here?"

The commotion grew louder.

"A girl named Amu, a sword user!"

The students gradually turned their faces towards us.

I hesitated.

What is this?

What should I do—

"Um... I'm... I'm Amu..."

Amu timidly raised her hand.

The group in armor turned their gaze towards her.

The leader, followed by the others, pushed through the crowd and approached us forcefully.

"Move!"

One of them shoved me, and I stumbled and fell silently.

"Hey!"

"You're Amu, the daughter of adventurer Claude, right?"

The leader asked Amu, who was protesting the rough treatment.

"Yes! What do you want with me?"

"You have committed a crime against the empire. Do you deny it?"

Amu, confused, asked back.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"You recently killed a special envoy from the demon territory who visited the school. This is a serious act of treason against the empire. Do you deny it?"

"Huh?"

Amu's eyes widened.

"I don't know anything about that! I didn't do it!"

"Even if you deny it, it doesn't matter. We will take you to the capital. You will be questioned thoroughly and then put on trial. Don't expect a lenient sentence. ...Restrain her."

"Wait! Stop it!"

Several knights twisted Amu's arms and tied her hands behind her back with a rope.

"Wait... Please wait! Amu didn't do anything like that..."

"Eifa."

I, still sitting on the floor, stopped Eifa, who was about to speak up.

"Stop it, Mabel too."

Mabel, who had frozen for a moment, put her hand back into her uniform.

Then I smiled and said to Amu.

"Amu, don't worry."

"Huh?"

"You're innocent. They'll realize it soon. Everyone... will have no choice but to."

"What are you saying, you insolent brat!"

"Stop."

The leader stopped one of the knights who was about to confront me.

"There are noble children here. Don't cause unnecessary trouble. Let's go."

The leader turned and the knights followed. The new students and other students silently made way for them.

"..."

Amu, being led away, turned her face towards me for a moment.

But as she was pulled forcefully, her face turned away, and her worried expression was hidden behind her red hair.

I watched silently.

"..."

I watched them leave the auditorium—quietly, without a word.