Wrapped by tentacles, Selvier, a wizard from the Red Magic Tower, hung upside down and used passive Antigravity Magic that did not consume mana to prevent her skirt from flipping over as she thought.
"Bennett, pass!"
"Don't pass it off to someone else, just because it's bothersome!"
[Bennett, if it's okay, could you please take mine too?]
"Leave it to me."
"⋯⋯You punk, why do you react differently to Niolle?!"
⋯⋯What is up with them?
The trio knew they were attending a class by Mr. Crazy Wizard. Two weeks had passed if she remembered correctly, so they should have just finished their second lesson. Putting aside the unusual emotional exchanges between them…
They were unparalleled in individual skills and teamwork within this classroom. They were at a point where just the three of them could navigate through the Tentacle Labyrinth, which already placed them at the top. The reason for such an assessment was apparent with just a slight shift of the gaze.
“EUAAAAAAH!! AHHHHHHH!!”"Ph, Philip! Damn it, let go of Philip, you tentacles!"
"IHATESLIMYSLIPPERYTHINGSSSSSS──!!"
A group of ordinary students being torn apart in real-time. Students without strength or power were being caught one by one by the tentacles and subdued. A few clever ones, having realized that the more violently one resists, the deeper the tentacles burrow, hung quietly like Selvier.
Students lacking such observational skills were on the verge of displaying scenes not suitable for… young viewers.
"Number 32, Number 33. Advance."
“Keuuuuuk…!”
"Think of the gold coins you receive each month. Fulfill your duties equivalent to what you have received, with faith and sincerity!"
The Gold Faction led by the favored disciple of the Gold Tower Master was methodically navigating the Tentacle Labyrinth by throwing forward one student at a time. In other words, the disciple had judged that it was hard to advance without sacrifices.
"Protect the Lady! Do not let even a single tentacle invade!"
"Do not back down! Fight with the resolve to die for the one you serve!!"
"Remember your oaths of loyalty. Think of the Lady’s compassionate heart!"
"⋯⋯N-No, you do not need to try that hard⋯⋯."
The only daughter of the White Purity Duchy, leading the Rose Insignia Faction, was steadily advancing by pooling their strength and defending step by step. The faction had at least dozens of members. The proportion of nobles among them was also high.
Nobles were generally superior to commoner students. They had the manpower to form a defensive formation and cooperate to break through.
And⋯⋯.
"『Freeze』."
A pure-white girl who was freezing the tentacles and smoothly navigating through the labyrinth alone. She was a wizard from the Blue Magic Tower and was already known to have reached the realm of Metamorphosis. Selvier's forever rival⋯⋯ Snow White.
A prodigy who had blossomed Metamorphosis at an early age, even capable of having a good match against a professor. Basically, that level of ability was necessary to break through the tentacles alone.
Such was the insane difficulty of this labyrinth, hence their noticeable presence as a trio navigating together. Especially Niolle.
The other two were unknown to Selvier, so she could chalk them off for having hidden powers. Or maybe they were always that strong. But Niolle's skill and character were well known to her. They weren't roommates for nothing, after all. She knew she had exceptional observational skills.
However.
Even if a nasty-looking tentacle suddenly flew towards her face, she wouldn't blink an eye and would dodge by tilting her head.
Or, without hesitation, she would poke a tentacle that resembled a human head, starting with the eyeball.
What she had originally possessed⋯⋯ Should it be called frailty, or should it be called humanity? Whatever it was, it felt like such things had all but evaporated. To Selvier, the current Niolle seemed almost like a merciless, ruthless killer.
"What on earth did you go through⋯⋯?"
And above all.
[Bennett. Just now, a tentacle brushed against my chest, so a few buttons fell off.]
"I do not have a sewing kit right now."
[I’m saying if you happen to look this way, you'll see my cleavage.]
"⋯⋯I’ll be careful."
[I’m not telling you to be careful, though.]
For some reason, her sex appeal seems to have increased tremendously. She wasn’t like this before, though⋯⋯?
Transformation, huh.
Change was not always good, but it was essential for those who had reasons to climb higher.
Selvier aimed to obtain the wish that would be granted by the Red Magic Tower Master by becoming her direct disciple, and for that, she needed to reach the realm of Metamorphosis.
The most likely trigger for Niolle's transformation was the lecture… 『Otherworld Exploration』. Selvier resolved herself to plunge into the Crazy Wizard's class. She needed a catalyst for growth.
⋯⋯After escaping the Tentacle Labyrinth first, though!
===============================================================
Tara stretched.
"We made it out! Ugh, I hate how slimy it feels."
Her custom Saintess attire rode up, exposing Tara's armpits and potentially even the side of her chest depending on the angle. Her outfit hadn't changed, but her reason for wearing it had.
Now, it wasn't about spiting the Church; it was about attracting a certain someone's gaze. Tara squinted slightly and gauged Bennett's expression. He was looking off into the distance.
Alright, so he averted his gaze, is it? Tara was satisfied.
It would have been the worst if Bennett had looked without any reaction. It would mean it didn’t hold any appeal to him, wouldn’t it?
⋯⋯Should I go a bit further?
Just as Tara was about to sneak closer and cling onto Bennett, Niolle spoke up with impeccable timing.
[Still, it wasn't too hard. It seemed just right for killing time.]
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Since the Telepathy Magic from the Otherworld no longer worked, Tara had rummaged through the Church’s storeroom and found a necklace with built-in telepathy to give to Niolle.
The item was of dubious enough value that Tara could take it without repercussions, so its performance was poor. It had limited usage time per day and a short range.
Because of these various restrictions, Niolle still carried a whiteboard and pen. Nevertheless, it was sufficient for everyday conversation among the three.
However, to think that gift would turn out to be a poison.
Tara's suspicion grew as Niolle consistently intervened at strange times. Couldn’t it seriously be intentional?
"You’re right, the difficulty⋯⋯ definitely wasn't that high. It's not like you lose limbs if you get hit."
Bennett spoke, looking somewhere in the air between Tara and Niolle; it was because the custom Saintess attire and the shirt with fallen buttons had caught his eye.
The trio chatted as they left the classroom, ignoring the pitiful screams of students from inside the exit.
Due to the aftermath of being briefly immersed in the session, their sensitivity to difficulty had dulled.
===============================================================
On the way back, Bennett casually mentioned something to the two of them. Though he spoke lightly, the content was extremely serious.
"I'm thinking of telling the Professor. About the plans of the Black Wizards and the impending dangers."
Niolle grabbed Bennett's sleeve in surprise. When he turned to her, she looked up at him, eyes filled with worry.
[Does that mean… you'll reveal that you were a Black Wizard, Bennett?]
"I suppose I will have to. If I do not reveal the source of the information, they will not take it seriously."
[It's dangerous. You might be attacked, Bennett. Or at worst, imprisoned and sentenced to death…]
"I will have to take that risk. Of course, I do not think it will come to that. Being a double agent has its uses, after all. The Academy would rather utilize me than kill me."
Niolle stepped three paces ahead and blocked Bennett's path. She stretched her arms wide on either side, ready for him to step over her if he tried to pass. She did not want him to take the risk.
There were countless ways to anonymously warn the Academy. Why did he feel the need to go as far as to expose his own misdeeds?
[Don't do it.]
"Niolle."
[You saved a world, even going as far as cutting parts of your soul. Bennett. No one in this world may know that, but we surely… did something great. So.]
If it's a matter of belated guilt, isn't there enough merit to bury it?
"It is not about that. I just… wish to get rid of any further trouble or future repercussions. The Black Wizards definitely have evidence. Evidence that I fought under their command."
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
"If my defection becomes known, they will use whatever means to accuse me. It is bound to come out someday. Better to tie up the loose ends now."
[Bennett⋯⋯.]
Blink. Blink.
Niolle could see the look of concern in Bennett's clear eyes. It wasn't worry for himself; he was worried about Tara and Niolle.
He was concerned that if it was revealed that he was a Black Wizard, the two people close to him would get caught up and suffer harm. He worried that even these innocent women might face undue consequences simply for having associated with him.
Thus, he wanted to settle all potential repercussions.
"Go ahead, do as you like."
[Tara⋯⋯?!]
At Tara's dismissive tone, Niolle quickly turned her head. However, contrary to her voice, Tara's eyes were blazing with a fiery determination.
"But, Bennett. It seems you keep underestimating the title of Saintess⋯⋯ I'll bring you out no matter what. If they take you in for being a Black Wizard, I'll stake my position as a Saintess and scream that you are not, even if it kills me. Got it?"
"There is no need to go that far."
"It doesn't matter what you want, Bennett. I said I’m going to do it!"
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Tara fumed for a while, glaring at Bennett, then grabbed and vigorously shook his collar. It was the result of her inability to contain her surging anger. How dare he thought of going alone into such danger?
Bennett, silently enduring the shaking, finally spoke after about three minutes.
"⋯⋯I'm getting dizzy."
"Do you think I’m not?! I’m dizzy too!"
After sighing heavily, Tara muttered. Her words were tinged with a hint of moisture; she felt aggrieved that Bennett did not recognize her feelings.
"⋯⋯You, do you really not know why I'm doing this? How I feel about you⋯⋯."
"I know."
"⋯⋯Huh?"
"I said I know."
While Tara was caught off-guard, Bennett gently loosened her grip on his collar and straightened his clothes.
"Unless one is incredibly dense, there is no way they would not notice. I would appreciate it if both of you could try to restrain yourselves from now on. It is difficult to endure."
"⋯⋯You, you?!"
[⋯⋯⋯⋯!!]
"I am not saying I will gladly accept my fate and die. I am not that noble of a person. If the Academy tries to kill me, I will do my best to escape. I have dreams I wish to fulfill, missions I have not completed yet. But⋯⋯."
Bennett paused, looking embarrassed as he lowered his gaze.
"I wanted to rid myself of my past and face you both squarely."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
Taken aback by Bennett's sudden outburst, Tara and Niolle were left stunned.
The Crazy Wizard, who had been secretly trailing the trio, silently clapped in admiration. The Tower Master, overwhelmed by sweetness beyond the daily recommended intake, made a fuss and playfully slapped the back of the wizard.
With just a few words, Bennett had rendered the two powerless and departed smoothly.
Tara and Niolle, standing dazed at the epicenter of the commotion, took a long while to reboot their thoughts. A subtle awkwardness and tension lingered in the air.
"⋯⋯So he says."
[⋯⋯Indeed, that is what he said.]
After a moment of contemplation, Niolle offered her hand to Tara for a handshake. Tara, though surprised by the unexpected gesture, raised an eyebrow but nonetheless took her hand.
Niolle smiled brightly and spoke.
[Shall we compete fairly from now on?]
"Uh, E-Eung⋯⋯ Over Bennett, right?"
[No interfering with each other.]
"Sure, and whatever the outcome, gracefully accepting defeat⋯⋯ may be a bit hard to do, actually."
[To be honest, I feel the same. It would be quite disappointing.]
Thus, a war loomed ahead. The onset of a love front, where no tactic or strategy would be spared in the quest for love, was imminent.
Despite this, there existed a strong friendship between Tara and Niolle, forged through life-and-death situations and trials. They firmly grasped and shook each other's hands.
"Even so, we're still friends, okay?"
[Of course. Shall we disperse then?]
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Tara pondered the lingering unease in her mind. What was it? What am I missing?
"⋯⋯Huh?"
The phrase that they would compete fairly ‘from now on’ implied that their previous interactions were not fair. And bringing up 'not interfering with each other' meant that... the interference that had occurred so far were?
"You were doing it on purpose too, weren't you-?!!”
[Since we’re friends, you’ll forgive me, right?]
"Come here, you punk-!"
Tara chased after Niolle, who had jumped over the fence and was running away. The season of youth was in full bloom.
***
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