The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

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Chapter 191: Interlude – First Night (1)

The day after the treasure hunt.

The cadets, after having breakfast, gathered again at the assembly point.

"Alright, the commotion yesterday was fortunately resolved without issue."

As soon as the word "commotion" was mentioned, all eyes focused on me.

Feeling the sharp gazes from everyone around, I lowered my head deeply.

‘This is crazy.’

It had felt like only an hour or two had passed at most, yet when I came out, it turned out that over five times that amount of time had gone by.

‘It must have been because I was in the mental realm.’

Just as people say they "lose track of time" when they’re in a state of extreme focus, time often flows differently in the mental realm compared to what the body feels.

Still, even so, it normally wouldn’t differ by over five times.

‘But yesterday… it wasn’t an ordinary situation.’

The Primordial Flame, having absorbed the ember, started rampaging like an untethered beast, and then some unknown “flame-extinguishing power” subdued it.

And I had also tested out my newly acquired Calamity Fire.

“Haa…”

Thinking back, it was lucky that it ended with only about 12 hours passing.

Of course, calling it “lucky” is a stretch considering how much I lost.

‘And last night, I got scolded like crazy, too.’

By Yurina, Iris, Camilla, Lanez, and even the other companions.

I had to sweat through a long explanation about what had happened inside.

Well, at least after three hours of painstaking explanation, I was finally let go.

“Now then, we’ll hold the treasure ceremony for the cadets who found the tokens in yesterday’s treasure hunt.”

Since Pope Marianne and the Seven Star Knights were busy with their schedules and had returned to the capital, the award ceremony was overseen by the professors.

“First, the cadets who found the top treasure—Yuren, Iris, Camilla, and Albert—come forward.”

At Professor Lucas's words, the four of them stepped onto the platform.

“To the top-ranking cadets, as promised, we’ll award ‘Divine Grace’ along with a special bonus point.”

Professor Lucas handed a box with an elegant design to Yuren.

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted.

“And next, for the second-ranking cadets—Sophia, Lanez, Berald, and Juliet….”

After the brief award ceremony ended, the cadets who had received bonus points were given a full day to relax and enjoy the hot springs.

“Alright! All other cadets will now head to the Museum of the Light of Life, so board the magic-vehicles!”

“Ugh…”

“I wish we could go to the hot springs, too…”

“Haa.”

Hearing about the museum visit made some cadets sigh deeply.

While a few history enthusiasts were intrigued by the Light of Life exhibit that chronicled Grace's life, most cast envious glances at Yuren’s and Sophia’s parties, who were granted free time.

But that didn’t last long.

“Stop whining and get moving!”

At Professor Lucas's stern command, the cadets slumped their shoulders and made their way to the magi-vehicles.

Of course, I, who had found no treasure—let alone the top prize—also turned toward the magic-vehicles.

‘A museum visit, huh.’

It was the typical field trip itinerary, but not many cadets would enjoy it.

Especially—

“Dale, you’re sticking with me during the tour.”

—when the supervising professor was tagging along as your personal monitor.

“Haa…”

I let out a deep sigh as I followed Professor Lucas.

Once the magic-vehicles carrying the cadets departed, the once noisy hot spring inn became quiet, like a stage after the festival ends.

“Hmm. I should’ve just followed Dale to the museum.”

Iris kicked the ground lightly as she watched the magi-vehicles disappear into the distance.

Yurina smirked at Iris’s comment.

“You’d still have to stick with Professor Lucas if you went.”

“Ugh… well, that’s not great.”

“Anyway, Dale brought this on himself. Let’s just relax today.”

“Sure.”

As Iris nodded, Professor Elisha approached her.

“Why don’t we go to the hot springs together?”

“Huh? Professor Elisha? Weren’t you supposed to go to the museum?”

“Well, originally, I was supposed to, but…”

Elisha shrugged her shoulders.

“I decided to entrust the cadets to a dependable junior.”

“…Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Fufu.”

Instead of answering, Elisha lit a cigarette.

Iris silently offered a prayer for Professor Lucas, who now had to monitor Dale and guide the cadets.

“Anyway, shall we enjoy the hot springs if you have nothing to do?”

“Hmm. It’s early, but… we don’t have much else to do anyway.”

“Yurina, you should come too.”

“Ah, yes.”

“And…”

Elisha’s gaze turned to Lanez.

Lanez, who was stuck to Sophia like glue, flinched when Elisha looked at him.

“Lanez, why don’t you come along?”

“Eh? I-I, uh…”

Lanez turned to Sophia and tugged at her clothes.

“Sophia… l-let’s go together.”

“No.”

“W-why?!”

“Humph. No is no. Do I need a reason?”

Sophia flatly refused.

Lanez stomped his feet with a tearful expression.

Elisha smirked as she glanced at Camilla and Sophia, who had already quietly slipped away at the mention of the hot springs.

“Looks like Camilla and Sophia have no interest. Let’s just go.”

“I-I’m fine too—”

“Come along.”

“Eep!”

Lanez was dragged away by Elisha.

“Well, that worked out perfectly.”

Professor Elisha spoke softly as she glanced at Iris, Yurina, and Lanez.

"I've been meaning for us to sit down and have a leisurely chat."

“…‘Us’?”

“Hm? There’s only one thing the four of us have in common, isn’t there?”

A sly smile played on Professor Elisha’s lips.

"Let’s soak in the hot springs and talk about Candidate Dale."

“…….”

“…….”

Iris, Yurina, and Lanez stiffened, glancing at each other awkwardly.

Professor Elisha extinguished her cigarette, tossing it away before walking leisurely in the direction of the hot springs.

* * *

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“Phew. Coming here early in the morning feels quite refreshing.”

At the separate hot springs annex.

The place was quiet and serene, with only the four of them in the water.

“By the way, if what Candidate Dale says is true, the hot springs of the Thermal region will disappear in a few years… What a shame.”

Professor Elisha clicked her tongue, recalling Dale’s words from the previous night.

“But we can’t let the seeds of disaster left behind by the Demon God linger, even for the sake of the hot springs, right?”

“That’s true.”

Professor Elisha nodded and looked at Iris.

“By the way, why did Candidate Iris fall for Candidate Dale?”

“Pfft! Huh? W-what kind of question is that…?”

“Fufu. Isn’t this the kind of thing women talk about when they’re together? Especially….”

With a meaningful smile, Professor Elisha’s gaze slowly swept over Iris, Yurina, and Lanez.

“When they all have feelings for the same man.”

“…….”

The other three women swallowed dryly, unable to respond as Elisha spoke so bluntly without hesitation.

“…Why does Professor Elisha like Dale, then?”

“Oh? You want me to go first?”

Professor Elisha poured herself a drink from a bottle she’d brought in an ice bucket before taking a sip.

“Phew. Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’m telling you all my story.”

She began speaking softly.

Her hometown, which had been destroyed by the Archbishop of Beasts leading the Demon Beast Army.

How her parents, friends, and everyone in her village—except for herself—had been killed.

“…What?”

“That’s… terrible.”

“It’s an old story. There’s no need to look at me like that.”

Elisha offered a faint smile as she continued calmly.

How she became interested in Dale.

The time they chased the Archbishop to a rural village.

How they descended into the Abyss together during the last invasion of the Demon Beast Army.

“That… sounds like you’ve been through a lot.”

They had already heard some of these events, but only the broader details.

They had never known what Professor Elisha had felt during those times.

“To be honest… I’ve felt jealous of Candidate Iris.”

“Jealous?”

“It was obvious who Candidate Dale cared about most, even without him saying it.”

“…….”

At her words, Iris flinched, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Yurina and Lanez, listening quietly, also gave faint, bitter smiles, as though they already knew this.

“T-that’s…”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about, Candidate Iris. It’s my own foolishness for not being able to sort out my feelings, knowing what I do.”

“…….”

Elisha gave a self-deprecating smile, prompting Iris to speak up carefully.

“That’s not true.”

“Oh?”

“If the situation had been reversed… I wouldn’t have been able to give up, either.”

“…….”

Elisha blinked, slightly surprised by Iris’s unexpected response.

“And… it might sound strange, but I don’t think this kind of relationship is so bad.”

“That’s certainly a strange thing to say.”

“Fufu. Right?”

Iris let out a small laugh, hugging her knees to her chest.

“But I mean it. I can’t speak for the others, but before I met Dale… I didn’t really have anyone I could call a friend, except for Camilla.”

“That’s true for me, too.”

“M-me too! Before meeting Dale… I didn’t know how fun it was to spend time with other people like this!”

Yurina and Lanez both nodded at Iris’s words, a soft smile spreading on their faces.

For a moment, the four women exchanged glances before bursting into laughter together.

“Honestly… Candidate Dale really is a sinful man.”

“Fufu. That’s true.”

“Hm. By the way….”

Professor Elisha gave Iris a teasing smile.

“Just how far have you and Candidate Dale gone?”

“…Huh? W-what do you mean?”

“Have you had sex yet?”

“……!”

Iris’s face turned bright red, her mouth dropping open as she splashed her legs frantically in the water.

“W-w-what are you even saying?!”

“Hm? It’s natural for lovers to share a physical relationship, isn’t it?”

“T-that’s true, but…”

“Or are you perhaps completely uninterested in such ‘shameless’ things?”

“T-that’s not true, but…”

Her face flushed scarlet, Iris sank halfway into the water, bubbles rising to the surface as she exhaled under the surface.

“Hm. Then how about this?”

With a sly grin, Professor Elisha continued.

“Why don’t you spend the night alone in a room with Candidate Dale tonight?”

“…What?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Fufu. If Candidate Iris makes the first move, it’ll make it easier for the rest of us to follow suit, don’t you think?”

“…….”

Caught off guard by the bold suggestion, Iris’s eyes trembled as she stared at Elisha.

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