Mistress Of The Evil Forest

CRACK—!

With a crisp gusto, Balnok's deer skull is helplessly split, sending the beast wailing as it struggles to throw Chloe off. As the screens only show her, I turn my gaze down the arena to take a good look myself.

While everybody seems baffled, Claire is the one who looks the most bewildered. When I talked with her yesterday, she did say that she was aiming to be number one, so it makes sense.

I mean, who else but Chloe will pull this kind of stunt?

No matter how much confidence she has in her ability, facing off against a giant demon ought to be terrifying. At least, that is what I think ordinary people will say.

I know Chloe, and I know how crazy she can be.

Standing in a dark corner, I silently observe the battlefield, which is now starting to change. Seeing Chloe's outrageous opening, many feel compelled to push themselves, so I see more students being aggressive than what is expected.

Claire desperately breezes through the battlefield with her swirling light sword, Luxia rides a tornado across the terrains, and Sierra roams the area whilst literally bursting out flames...

Not counting Scarlett and the other two from class A, the whole scene is already seeming colorful.

As of now, the scoreboard shows Claire as the one leading, but I reckon once Chloe finishes off Balnok, she will take over with ease. 

''Hm?''

Isn't that Jalk the Lackey?

Rather than being surprised at its presence, I am more impressed at Claire's power as she fights it. It has only been a short while, yet she has progressed this much. As expected of a protagonist, I suppose.

''Enjoying the show?''

While thinking that, another presence creeps up on me. In the shade, only her fiery red eyes glow, allowing an ever-so-faint silhouette to be perceived. 

Professor Claudia Heisenberg is here.

Whether she takes my silence as an answer or not is unknown, but she quite boldly leans on the wall right beside me. Heaving out a weary sigh, she grumbles,

''The fact that you're here... means something terrible is about to happen, isn't it?'' She says. ''At this point, I don't even know if I want to feel relieved or terrified at that mask of yours.''

Indeed, I am standing here as 'Silaerob.'

Not erasing my presence is also deliberate. Silaerob is now more or less a heroic figure, which means I won't be attacked even if I show up randomly like this. However, all of this will probably change the moment that the demon shows up.

''Yet, you still show such composure?'' I reply.

''We made the preparations right after you showed up. More importantly, how bad is it?''

She is probably asking me if more precautions are needed or not. I'd imagine evacuating this many people is quite tedious, after all.

''Unknown.''

''Hm?''

''A threat is not guaranteed. I am merely here as a safeguard.''

''...I thought you could see the future?''

''Who said that?''

''...''

The more I stare at her eyes, the more I feel embarrassed for herself. In reality, the part where I said I could only see her silhouette earlier is merely for impact. If I can't see in the dark, I will be disqualified as an owl.

Seeing Claudia tumbling around to find words is quite refreshing. In this regard, I suppose she is different from Scarlett, who is utterly shameless and somehow full of composure at all times.

Talk about Scarlett; it looks like she is doing pretty well right now.

''Hey, can I ask you something?''

There's still more?

''You... what do you think about Claire, the holy sword owner?''

''A great talent.''

''Only 'great'? I heard many people regarding her as the comet of this generation.''

''So?''

''Unless we consider someone like you... wait. Are you implying that you are of the same age as her? Are you a student here?''

''What rich imagination.''

Hearing my scoff, Claudia finally stops her rambling. Does she have other intentions? 

Maybe she just wants to converse with Silaerob. I don't know.

In any case, I can probably go back to observing now—

''You know.''

...again?

''Many people are dying to know your identity. Like worshipping celebrities, they want to know your appearance behind the mask; they want to know your personal life, your true voice, your... true self.''

''Hm.''

''Since we have nothing to do here, can I speculate?''

No, we have a match to watch.

''Historically, there aren't many masters who would fit the category. In fact, there isn't one. Light magic is simply too rare, after all. So, I would lean in the possibility of you being an emerging power.'' Claudia says, rubbing her chin. ''Since most recent incidents somehow revolved around the academy, especially around freshmen, it would be safe to assume that you at least have eyes in here as well.''

''...''

''That narrows the potential suspects a lot, but it is still quite a long list to go through. However, if you ask me, basing only on my hunch... someone like the maid over there seems suitable for a fit.''

Submerging her finger in the sunlight, Claudia points to 'Aurora,' who is sitting in one of the audience seats.

''Why so?''

Intrigued, I ask.

''You can summon literal aliens. I wouldn't be surprised if you have multiple bodies, too.'' She sneers. ''Moreover... you two just seem similar. In general.''

''...''

Have I really shown that many clues?

I might need to change the way either of my identities act later. Having too many people like Claudia is risky. But then again, I might be overestimating how popular 'Aurora' is here.

''What do you think, Silaerob? Or... should I say, Aurora?''

''Not bad.''

''...!''

As Claudia truly becomes baffled, I silently enjoy her reaction behind the mask.

Eventually, when her trembling pupils finally settle down, she poses a serious expression and parts her lips—

''Aurora, you—''

''I never said I was her.''

''...''

''...''

One second. Two seconds. Three.

''You...'' Claudia utters, facepalming herself. ''Even that trolley side of you is the same. I'll just call you 'Aurora' from now on, I swear.''

Please don't do that.

Either way, since I am now entertained, I suppose this conversation is not so bad after all.

''What would you do if I was her?'' I ask.

''Hm? Ah... I'd stop nagging you to become a student, maybe? After that, I'd probably ask you for a duel.''

''...''

Can I only get the first half?

In any case, what she just said is quite milder than I thought. I guess not everybody is a stan like Claire. No, I'd rather everybody be like Claudia. The more neutral they are, the easier it gets to defeat that demon.

As I think that, a sudden cheer from the audience outside blows in.

When I turn around, the screens are all monopolized by a certain blonde lady again, and this time, they show a rather epic angle of her standing proudly on a slain Balnok, heaving a calm breath.

Amidst the dark environment, likely a replica of a real demon realm, her silhouette stands out like a shining star in the night sky.

''Hm?''

And the next moment, the ground beneath her—no, the ground beneath us begins to rumble.