𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤
The demon attacked, and the F-class massacre spread throughout the kingdom in an instant.
News spread that a single student had defeated the demon, but who that student was did not become widely known.
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Ten days after the F-class destruction, Albero was nibbling on hard bread in the now-empty F-class dorm.
Cooking and cleaning were now his sole responsibilities. But it was easier since it was just for one person.
Moreover, the remains and belongings of Ratts and others were all sent to their families.
In the empty dorm, Albero lived alone.
ㅤ
Albero was ordered to stay put for twenty days.
Once, Faluo came to speak with Albero.
There was talk of demolishing the school building, but Albero strongly objected, and surprisingly, the discussion ended smoothly.
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Albero was lying on the bed in his now-empty room.
For these ten days, there were no visitors except for Faluo. He intended to turn away anyone who came.
Probably, they were considering Albero’s situation.
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“Maybe. . . . . .it doesn’t matter anymore.”
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With that thought, Albero rose from his bed.
He began to pack his belongings, pulling out a bag.
Change of clothes, textbooks, a few books. . . . . .surprisingly few possessions.
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“━━Where are you going?”
“Huh?!”
ㅤ
He was suddenly spoken to.
Startled, he looked towards the door, where an old man stood.
Even for Albero, this face was familiar.
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“Principal Meteore. . . . . .”
“Yes. I wanted to talk with you a bit. . . . . .shall we go outside?”
“. . . . . .No, I’m done.”
“Are you quitting?”
“. . . . . .”
“It’s your life. Do as you wish. . . . . .but would you hear me out for a bit?”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero threw his bag aside.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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The two arrived at the F-class building.
The partially destroyed building remained as it was, but rubble and wooden pieces had been removed, and the hole Albero made was repaired.
Together with Meteore, they entered a classroom.
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“There was talk of demolishing this place too, but I couldn’t approve. I considered it a wish from the one who defeated the demon, but even without that wish, I wouldn’t have destroyed it.”
“. . . . . .?”
“Hehe. After all, this is the building where I studied for three years.”
“What?!”
ㅤ
Meteore, one of the twenty-one most powerful summoners, was from F-class.
Faced with this unexpected truth, Albero couldn’t hide his surprise.
Meteore laughed, like a child who had pulled off a prank.
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“In the past and now, the grading system used to look down on others hasn’t changed. No one believes that I was from F-class and was only promoted to E-class out of pity when I graduated. . . . . .even though we’re all human.”
“. . . . . .”
“This time, F-class was used as a decoy. It was to buy time to recall Miss Esterize, an A-class, and prepare for battle.”
“. . . . . .I know.”
ㅤ
Albero had thought a lot during these ten days.
He had suspected that F-class had been used as bait, and Meteore’s words confirmed it.
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“First, let me apologize. . . . . .I’m sorry.”
“If you’re just going to apologize, I’ll leave. No matter how much a person of authority bows, my friends won’t return to this school.”
“. . . . . .”
“I. . . . . .can’t stay in this academy anymore.”
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
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Meteore says with a voice that’s hard to believe comes from a man over eighty.
Back to the point━━Albero, on the spur of the moment, became alert.
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“Demon subjugation. . . . . .I want you to fight against the threat to humanity.”
“. . . . . .Demon?”
“Yes. The one you defeated is Demon Abel of 『Gluttony』. He is one of the most powerful summoned beasts created by the Demon Emperor. With Abel defeated, the remaining demons will likely make their move.”
“. . . . . .The nation should handle that. After all, you’re here, and there are the 21 top summoners.”
“We can’t. . . . . .”
“What. . . . . .?”
“. . . . . .The 21 cannot move. They have a duty to defend the kingdom and protect the royal family.”
“That’s. . . . . .”
“We can’t abandon our post. That’s the duty and 『constraint』 of the 21. . . . . .That’s why the kingdom trains summoners and nurtures power to defeat the demons. Albero, your right arm is powerful. Combining physical and special abilities, it’s comparable to a special A-class.”
“. . . . . .”
“I hope you’ll fight to prevent sorrow.”
“. . . . . .You must be joking. Prevent sorrow? It’s because adults with power like you do nothing! Class F as bait? . . . . . .It’s you adults who made that decision, right?!!”
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Albero points a finger at Meteore and shouts.
Meteore accepts everything Albero says.
ㅤ
“I’m sorry. . . . . .That’s all I can say.”
“Damn it. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Meteore asked Albero.
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“Your right arm. . . . . .Why did your summoned beast give you its power? I heard your summoned beast was a cute. . . . . .no, a lovely mole?”
“. . . . . .It told me to ‘live.’ To defeat the demons. . . . . .Ah.”
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──Albero, defeat the demons.
ㅤ
The words of Mog, Albero’s summon, echo in his mind.
Was it just something said in the heat of the moment?
Six more demons. . . . . .Are there others like Abel?
Perhaps this academy will. . . . . .
ㅤ
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero gently raised his right arm.
Then, as if speaking to the now silent Mog, he says.
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“Mog, I. . . . . .”
『───Albero, live. Fight to live.』
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero clenches his fist tightly.
He faces Meteore and speaks firmly.
ㅤ
“Alright. I’ll do what I can. But there are some conditions.”
“Hmm, let’s hear them.”
“I’ll only listen to adults I respect. I won’t be a pawn.”
“Understood.”
“Also, I don’t plan to join any class. I’ll study in this classroom.”
“Very well.”
“. . . . . .Are you really okay with that?”
“Of course. Heh, I’ve prepared for this.”
ㅤ
Only now did Albero realize he was speaking informally to Meteore.
Meteore clears his throat with a cough.
ㅤ
“Firstly, your status will change. The class F class will be discontinued. From now on, you will study as a 『Special』. . . . . .yes, as an 『S-class』 student. The classroom remains here, the dormitory remains the same, and we will assign a dedicated teacher.”
“. . . . . .S-class?”
“Yes. It’s a special class above the A-class and Special A-class. I got it recognized by the king in these ten days.”
“. . . . . .”
“It must be lonely without classmates. Therefore, I’ll grant you the authority to recruit. You can place anyone you approve of in the S-class.”
“Sorry, but in this academy. . . . . .”
“Did you listen to me? I said 『you approve』. It’s also possible to scout people from outside who aren’t students. Leave the transfer procedures to me.”
“O, Okay. . . . . .”
“Also, we will repair the school building. We’ll provide proper ingredients to the student dormitory. You will probably refuse any assistance anyway.”
“. . . . . .”
“Well, I’ll hand over the details in documents later. Do you have any questions?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Right. Classes start tomorrow. Make sure you’re not late.”
“Eh, tomorrow?!”
“Yes. Your dedicated teacher will come tomorrow. Rest well today.”
ㅤ
Meteore smiled and left the scene.
Albero, who was left behind, looked up at the sky from the partially destroyed classroom.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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When he returned to the dormitory and opened the refrigerator. . . . . .it was filled with a lot of meat.
Additionally, there was a new uniform in his room. The design was the same as before, but there was a large 『S』 embroidered on the back.
Taking the opportunity, Albero grilled the plentiful meat, piled it onto a plate, and started eating.
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“This is delicious!! This meat is amazing!!”
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It was a premium meat, soft with a rich juice oozing out.
Unable to resist the long-missed taste, Albero couldn’t stop his hands.
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“So good!! . . . . . .Delicious. . . . . .”
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The meat had an added touch of saltiness.
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“. . . . . .ugh. . . . . .uh, u. . . . . .uwu.”
ㅤ
Eating meat all alone.
It was delicious. The meat was much better than ever before.
But no matter how much he ate, he felt unsatisfied.
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Alone in the cafeteria, Albero continued to cry.
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