As the weather grew cooler, memories of Clara's first autumn in the academy city began to form.
So much had happened since then.
From her first fight, where she was beaten by delinquents and managed to make them surrender in a pathetic brawl, Clara—once a helpless airhead—had now become the [Pink Spiral], a wielder of a fearsome [Unique Ether]. Ascending any further would be difficult due to the rules of this world, but at one point, she stood shoulder to shoulder with those who were once considered the strongest in the game.
'Now, the only thing left… is to defeat Hilde.'
She had become strong enough to defeat all the others.
...
As the goal she once boasted about approached, Clara felt a mix of disbelief and excitement.
The strongest. My goal. A star that shines faintly in the distance.
'I’ve really become strong enough to challenge Hilde.'
Even though it was thanks to shortcuts and knowledge from the original game... I had accomplished something on my own. As the weakest character, Clara, I became as strong as I could.
I was proud of myself. And I was grateful to this world that gave me a new chance.
I had made many memories living with my seniors.
Eating together, going for walks, going out to play—these things might seem trivial and insignificant if put into words. But the hundreds of emotions exchanged during those moments were enough to change a person.
'I used to think that going back and forth between home and work, occasionally turning on the computer or phone to play games or shop online, was enough...'
But the emotions in this world were far more varied than I had imagined.
Though it was sometimes troublesome, tiring, and annoying... In hindsight, those moments became precious memories.
'I never thought I’d end up defending such old-fashioned sentiments.'
The embarrassment of giving up something tasty for someone else to enjoy. The romance of setting off on a silly adventure with crappy camping gear. The freshness of walking a path I hadn’t taken before.
Even if they weren’t as vivid and clear as a black-and-white photograph, they resonated in my heart like a picture drawn with colorful crayons.
Somehow, I was no longer "Kang Jinsu," but "Clara."
I had changed. I was happy.
I looked forward to tomorrow. I wanted to make more memories.
And today, as usual, I was making new memories by riding the crimson horse with Frida-senpai. By the way, Nina and Selma-senpai were back at school, organizing their belongings.
Now that we were halfway through the second semester, it was time for the third-year students to start sorting through the things they had accumulated over the past three years. After all, this place was just a passing school.
'The seniors are graduating soon. In the game, they never mentioned graduation, so I thought it was something meaningful… but it turns out it's just about packing up and going home by train.'
The schools in <Academy City Yord> were not normal schools to begin with. I thought there would be some hidden secret in the lives of the third years, but...
It was more ordinary than I expected, which left me disappointed.
They took their graduation photos in advance, Reminisced about their memories, And thought about what they would do in the 'outside world.'
Of course, third-years from major schools would be at the forefront of battles over Academy City's resources, considering the influence of the student council or the standing of their juniors. Sometimes, they even played the role of 'teachers' that didn’t exist in this city.
But even so—
'It’s just… a normal school, isn’t it?'
A school where you don’t have to study— Which goddess designed this paradise?
It felt foolish to have worried about the end of the world and the game’s storyline. It was clear that just living comfortably was the right answer.
Even if the story unfolded as it did in the game, I had a feeling that, even without me… things would somehow work out.
"…"
Wouldn't they?
"…"
Suddenly, I felt a pang of conscience. Who would’ve thought I’d become this sentimental?
I rang the bell of my bike as I pondered.
*Ring-ring—☆ Ring-ring—☆
We were headed to a place where the senior wanted to paint. She had said she wanted to capture the view of the school from the opposite hill. It was a ten-minute ride on the crimson horse from the school.
The scenery of Academy City zipped by. Frida-senpai, who was scared by the speed of the crimson horse, clung to my back with her eyes tightly shut.
“Eeeek…! Clara, please slow down! I’m scared…!” “Ahaha—☆ It’s fine☆ Even if you fall, I’ll catch you with a shashak!—♪” “Eeeek?!”
Oops. It seemed I had scared her even more.
'At times like this, despite the occasional aura of enlightenment she gives off, she’s really just a normal girl.'
She disliked scary stories and was surprisingly timid.
That made her all the more endearing to me.
*Ring-ring—☆ Ring-ring—☆
We soon arrived at the hill with the large tree.
Frida-senpai smiled brightly as she took out her painting supplies from the bag she had hidden in her arms. She began to intricately draw the scenery of Academy City.
“Lately, you’ve been drawing the city a lot. It’s a shame when you have the world’s cutest model right here—☆” “Haha, right? I should draw a portrait of our Clara someday… How about I draw you nude? Hm? How does ‘The Daring Outing of the Pink Goddess’ sound for a title?” “Wow~☆” “Would you like to stand under the rainbow while naked? It’d look amazing!” “Waaa~☆” “Model! Hurry up and undress! Time is ticking~!”
Frida-senpai playfully pretended to tug at my clothes. Her bright yellow eyes sparkled with mischief.
I leaned into her playful gesture and screamed melodramatically.
“Kyaa~☆ Frida-senpai, you pervert—☆ You’re going to show everyone my bare body—☆” “Pfft…! What’s this? Are you not embarrassed by these jokes anymore? You used to turn completely red and look so cute at the start of the semester.” “Tsk☆tsk☆tsk—! A young girl learns to grow—♪”
We laughed together for a while. Chatting and spending time aimlessly.
"…" "…"
When our conversation finally ran dry, We each quietly watched over Academy City in our own way.
One, by drawing. The other, by reminiscing.
After some time, Frida-senpai suddenly spoke to me.
“…Clara.” “Yes?” “Did you enjoy the time we spent together?” “Yes!”
I answered instinctively. Truly… I was happy to have met them.
“Then… can you promise me one thing?” “What kind of promise?”
Frida-senpai pulled out a document from her bag. It was a form that only the student council president of each school could fill out.
A document that had already been approved by the <United Student Council>.
And it was a ticket to the most special stage, where I could challenge Hilde...
【Academy City Martial Arts Festival Application Form】 [Participant: <Central Prism Academy> Clara.] [Recommended by: Student Council Presidents Frida, Nina, Selma.] [With the consent of the entire student body, we apply for this entry.]
As she handed the document to me, she said,
“…Here.” “We’ve always watched you progress. We’re so proud of you. That’s why we wanted to give you the opportunity to go to the most special stage.” “…Because of me.”
To apply for this, they would have needed an entry fee large enough to build a new classroom.
Frida-senpai shook her head gently.
“It’s not because of you, Clara. The strength you’ve accumulated over time is truly admirable. It’s something ordinary people like us could never imagine. That’s why we absolutely wanted to send you.”
“…”
As I stood there, images of the hardships they must have faced to secure this spot flashed before my eyes. It might have been even more difficult for ordinary seniors.
Frida-senpai continued speaking.
“And… there’s one more thing we wanted to ask you. It might be an unreasonable request, a burden on your ‘specialness,’ but… would you promise us, nonetheless?” “What kind of… promise?”
She looked at me seriously and said,
“If you consider our time together to be happy, if you’ve come to love this Academy City, would you, for the happiness of future students and for this city… would you fight as a senior? Could you do for others what we could not?”
“…”
The painting was just an excuse to bring us here alone.
A breeze swept across the wide plains. Beneath a clear sky with a rainbow, the trees and fields swayed, and the clouds drifted by.
On the hill overlooking Academy City, we made a solemn pact.
“…”
For some reason, I felt a chill. It was as if this seemingly ordinary girl knew the story that was yet to unfold.
‘That can’t be…’
Was she asking me to protect the original story? No, what Frida-senpai was saying was something more fundamental…
As a senior, or as a strong person, She was asking if I could ‘sacrifice’ myself for others. If I could take responsibility for the power I held.
Frida-senpai, who was always so gentle, would never ask this lightly. The three seniors must have deliberated over this countless times.
“…”
In truth, my mind was blank. A lot of thoughts came up, ready to argue against this sudden emotional talk.
It was laughable. Why would I use my power for someone else?
‘But…’
My heart began to burn with her words. Because, as she said, I had come to love this city…
‘Because you… showed me what happiness is.’
If that’s the case… If it’s a request from you…
‘I’ll gladly do it.’
Emotions should be met with emotions. I adopted the pledge stance that Hilde had once taught me. Kneeling on one knee, back straight, and eyes slightly downcast.
It was a stance resembling that of a knight swearing fealty to their lord.
“Yes, I swear.”
I will assist the nine schools of this city. I will not ignore the suffering of future students. With the power I have, I will do my utmost.
When the time comes… I will protect everyone with my strength.
This was a vow I would never have made originally. But in the end, I pledged it to Frida-senpai.
‘Now, even out of guilt, I can’t just look away.’
Well… I could think about the details after the martial arts festival. ‘Does she realize what a huge request she’s made, and how foolishly I accepted it?’
I gave a wry smile and said,
“Can I take it now—☆” “Yes~ You did great.”
The light piece of paper slipped into my arms. As I tucked it away, I looked around.
‘No one saw that, right?’
Thankfully, only the distant rainbow was watching over us. It was so vivid it seemed like a glass bridge.
I should keep this as my own private embarrassment.
“…By the way, this rainbow is really bright.” “Yeah, I’ve never seen such a vivid rainbow—“
A sudden silence.
“…Senpai?”
I turned around.
“…”
Only the distant rainbow was watching over me.
“…Senpai?”
The farewell came so suddenly.
That was my last memory with my seniors.
The phenomenon that appeared in the latter half of the original story. A phenomenon that could only be resolved by defeating the final boss. A punishment inflicted on those who defied the fate of the world.
And the only reason my seniors would deserve it… was because of me.
‘Because I… am not ‘the fool Clara’ from the original.’
That’s what I thought at the time.
[Kr-r-r-r…!] “…”
In front of Brunhilde stood a massive dragon resembling a giant dragonfly. Its size was estimated to be over ten meters.
Having rushed over after hearing the news that a Chaos Insect had appeared near the Golden Street, what she found was a dragon and a man in robes.
The man was perched atop the giant dragonfly.
“I’ve found you. Reincarnator.” “…?”
Brunhilde tilted her head in confusion.