Chapter 94: Chapter 94: 15-year-old Inglis and Hyrule Menaces' Escorting Directive (2)

Among the students that were summoned to the meeting, Inglis, Rafinha, Leone, and Liselotte were the only first years. What they had in common was that they all possessed the special extracurricular permit. There were also some second-year and third-year students; they must have owned the permit as well.

「Thank you everyone for gathering up~. We have a super important favor to ask, so make sure to listen to the end, okay?」

As usual, Principal Miliera sported a manner of speech that didn’t sound substantial at all. The gathering students looked disappointed for a while until they saw Special Envoy Theodore and Ripple the Hyrule Menace, making them straighten their shoulders. They could feel that it was not a trifling matter.

After which, the Principal updated them with the situation. About the strange occurrence that happened to Ripple’s body. About her existence which would bring forth Magic Stone Beasts. About borrowing the strength of Special Envoy Theodore to analyze and resolve the phenomenon. And about the policy of Ripple’s stay under the Academy’s roof until the solution was discovered.

「I see now. We are to escort Lady Ripple and in the event of Magic Stone Beast’s appearance, we will eliminate them immediately. That is all to prevent any damage to the surrounding, is it?」

The one who recapped it was a male student donning the uniform of a third-year Knight division student. His hair short and close to ashen in color, his eyes were behind a pair of glasses, and his profile assumed intelligence for a young man. The Rune glowing from his right hand was that of a High Grade—— No, it was Special Grade Rune, shining in rainbow.

「That’s a Special Grade——」

Hyrule Menaces were the ultimate Artifact. Their true strength would only shine once they turn into a weapon. It was said that only weaponized Hyrule Menaces could rein in the strongest of all Magic Stone Beasts, a Prisma. And the only ones who could wield them were Holy Knights with Special Grade Runes.

This young man would be a candidate as Holy Knights in the future, the so-called Kingdom’s Hero and Savior. Inglis wondered if he would become Raphael’s junior.

「That’s Sir Silva Eiren. The younger brother of the Imperial Guard Order’s Commander, Sir Reddas Eiren. The only owner of Special Grade Rune within the student body.」

Liselotte introduced with a hushed voice.

「In short, he is the strongest student in the academy?」 「Yes, that would be so.」 「That’s nice…… He sounds tough, I wish I can fight him——」 「That’s all you ever have in your head, huh……」

Liselotte looked at Inglis flabbergasted.

「It is as Mister Silva said. Everyone will pick your own members from your respective years. and make a group. Each group will take turns escorting Miss Ripple. You’re also allowed to ask for help from any students at your discretion. If the strange phenomenon starts and Magic Stone Beasts appear, please immediately put up barriers using these Artifacts we provided and isolate Miss Ripple from the surroundings.」 「「「Yes!」」」

The selected students nodded in affirmation.

「These are the mentioned Artifacts. Please take them, everyone. Make sure that there is at least one person who can set up the barrier by her side at all times.」

Following Principal Miliera, Special Envoy Theodore brought out the Artifacts. Spear model, shield model, staff model——it varied in shapes and form.

「…There isn’t any bow, huh. I can’t use them.」 「Then, I shall take the spear one.」 「I’m taking the sword.」

The Artifacts spread among the first, second, and third years. ——It appeared that there were still some Artifacts left.

「…Maybe I should get one too.」

Inglis had no Rune, but Rune was basically a controlled flow of Mana fixated in one direction. If Inglis converted Ether into Mana and controlled them in that specific flow, she should be able to use the Artifact as normal. Not to mention, if she could learn the phenomenon said Artifact created, it was all too possible for her to recreate the phenomenon directly. Although, if the flow of Mana was too complicated, it would be hard to do.

For the time being, having one of these Artifacts in hand won’t be a bad idea. And there are still some leftovers, too.

Inglis stepped forward and reached for the Artifacts in front of her.

「Hold it. Stop whatever you’re doing. What even the use of you carrying one.」

She was stopped by Silva.

「Hm? What’s wrong, Senior?」 「Don’t give me “what’s wrong.” You have no use carrying an Artifact. It’s not something a runeless Squire like you can handle. Don’t lay your hands on them.」 「Yes, I understand. I’m terribly sorry.」

She bowed to him. Inglis then tried to obediently back out, but——

「Wait a minute! You don’t have to say it like that……!」

Of course, it was Rafinha who couldn’t stay silent at times like this.

「Come on, Rani. It’s alright. Don’t get mad, I don’t really mind, you see… Fufufu——」 「W-, why are you smirking so happily, Glis.」 「It’s alright, it’s alright. Let’s just behave for now. Kay?」

Inglis was, in fact, in good humor. Apparently, this Silva student didn’t really favor the Squire students kindly in his heart. And, apparently, he was quite the naggy and short-tempered type. In short, he was mentally immature.

But, people like him would be willing to exert his everything to go at her with just any small provocation. Holy Knights and Hyrule Menaces wouldn’t so easily lose themselves in emotion and come slashing at her unless they were standing as hostiles. But for this Silva guy, it was possible. Inglis was delighted because he could be a good opponent to clash hands with.

「It’s fine, Mister Silva. We do have some extra, so it okay, right?」 「Principal! In that case, shouldn’t we instead keep them safely in case ours are compromised? There is no Artifact we could put to waste.」 「Well, what you said is true, but Miss Inglis won’t waste——actually, I think I can’t say that she won’t waste it away…… Ahahaha?」 「Stop jesting already! In the first place, what are Squire students doing here? Are you sure there isn’t a fault in your judgment? This mission is supposed to be an important one. If that’s the case, we should resort only to people up to the task. Runeless like her will only drag our feet down. They need to leave now!」 「……」

That’s troubling. Hm, how should I wheedle my way out of here… Inglis thought as such, but it was then——

「Understood.」

Someone else raised their hand. It was a girl with slightly pale, cherry blossom-colored hair that reached the shoulders. The uniform she wore indicated she was a sophomore year. She was extremely beautiful, but also had an equally cold atmosphere around her.

The right hand she held up had no Rune engraved on it. It seemed like this girl was a Runeless too.

「Thank you very much. Then, goodbye.」

She then headed towards the exit with a brisk gait.

「Aah, hold on! Wait, Miss Yua!」

The school principal, Miliera, flusteredly stopped Yua on her track.