After Evangeline had finished winding Chachamaru's mainspring to her heart's content, a strangely cozy atmosphere settled over the Headmaster's office. Even Chizuru and Ayaka were watching the vampire and her automaton with the sort of warm, indulgent smiles one might reserve for a pair of playful kittens.
"Right then," Konoemon began, clearing his throat and gesturing toward the mangled device in my hand. "About this... 'marker' of yours."
"Hard to say," I admitted, turning the crushed metal over. "Repairs are out of the question; this tech is way beyond anything I can fix in the field. It's all going to depend on how much of its internal logic is still firing."
"Is there no way to test it?" Takahata asked.
"No. It's exactly what the name implies—a homing beacon. It's a passive transmitter designed to tell the Dimensional Transfer Device on the other side that I'm here. There are no switches, no diagnostic lights. Either it's still shouting into the void, or it's dead weight. The only hope is that it managed to lock onto this coordinate before it was smashed."
The marker was supposed to be able to ping my original world even from inside my spatial hangar. But now? I decided it was best to keep it out in the open. Tucking it away in a sub-dimension might kill whatever faint signal was left.
"I see. A precarious situation indeed," Konoemon mused. "In that case, Axel, what do you intend to do with yourself in the meantime?"
"Good question."
I hadn't planned for a one-way trip. In worlds like Code Geass or Gundam SEED, I could have easily carved out a living as a mercenary. But in 2000s Japan? Demand for child-sized private military contractors was exactly zero. I could head to a conflict zone overseas, sure, but who in their right mind would hire a ten-year-old as a frontline operative?
Suddenly, Ayaka, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, stood up with a look of fiery determination.
"Axel is the savior of our lives!" she declared, her voice ringing out. "If I do not repay this debt of honor, the name Yukihiro shall be shamed! I shall take responsibility for Axel's well-being!"
"My, my, Ayaka. You're certainly enthusiastic," Chizuru added with a soft giggle. "But she has a point, Professor. I can't exactly ignore his plight either. What do you think, Professor Takahata?"
Takahata sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, I appreciate the sentiment, but you two have nothing to do with the 'other side.' Normally, the protocol is to erase your memories and let you return to your peaceful lives."
I felt the temperature in the room drop as I narrowed my eyes at Takahata and the Headmaster.
"Is that how you do things here?" I asked, my voice dangerously low. "Erasing people's lives whenever it's convenient for you?"
I focused. I was feeling better; the physical backlash of the skill absorption was finally beginning to ebb. I might not be able to use the three new magic skills yet, but if I went all out with my base stats and Telekinesis, I could likely punch a hole through this room and get the girls to safety.
"Axel, please understand—" Takahata began.
"Takamichi, hold your tongue for a moment," Konoemon interrupted. He looked at me with a knowing glint in his eye. "Axel, am I correct in assuming you have no immediate objectives in this world other than protecting these two from memory erasure?"
"Pretty much," I grunted.
"Fofofo. Then perhaps it is destiny that someone like you appeared in Mahora at this specific time."
"Headmaster?" Takahata asked, confused.
Konoemon ignored him, focusing entirely on me. "Axel, how would you like to become a student of Mahora Academy?"
"...What?"
I stared at him. Given my appearance, I expected him to suggest a local primary school. But Konoemon's next words blew that expectation out of the water.
"I am asking if you would like to enroll in Mahora Academy Girls' Junior High."
I turned to Evangeline, who was already wearing a wide, wicked grin. "Help me out here. Is he being serious, has he lost his mind, or is this just senile dementia? Which one are we going with?"
"Kuku! I'm leaning toward senility myself," Evangeline cackled.
"Oh, it's perfect!" Ayaka cried, her excitement reaching fever pitch. Chizuru, too, was beaming beside her.
"I hate to state the obvious," I said, pointing at myself, "but I'm a boy."
"Now, now, let me finish," Konoemon said, waving a hand dismissively. "Next month, a young mage will be arriving at Mahora to serve as a teacher. I would like you to be there to provide him with support should things become... complicated."
"I thought this was a normal school?"
"It is. But this boy has just graduated at the top of his class from the Merdiana Magic Academy. His 'field training' is to teach a class here."
"Boy?" I repeated.
"Yes. He is nine years old."
"Oh, how precious!" Ayaka swooned.
"You happen to look about his age," Konoemon continued. "I want you to enroll as a transfer student in the same class he will be teaching—Class 2-A. The same class as Naba and Yukihiro."
"Wait a minute," Chizuru interjected, her pragmatic side finally showing. "Axel is ten. Putting him in a middle school class... will he even be able to keep up with the curriculum?"
Evangeline let out a dry laugh. "Chizuru Naba... do you really think this brat, who fought me to a standstill—and nearly won—is just a normal child?"
Chizuru went quiet, glancing at me with a complicated expression.
"So you want me as a bodyguard," I said, turning back to Konoemon. "But I assume you want me to keep a low profile?"
"Indeed. Officially, you will be a 'test case' for co-education and accelerated learning. Naturally, as this is a formal request, you will be compensated handsomely. What do you say?"
I ran the numbers in my head. Pros: A steady income, a base of operations, and a place to stay without having to hunt for food. Cons: Guaranteed trouble, as Konoemon wouldn't ask for a "guard" if everything was peaceful, and the psychological exhaustion of being the only boy in a school full of middle-school girls.
"I assume room and board are included?"
"Of course. We have a vacancy in the staff dorms—"
"Wait just a moment!" Ayaka cut in. "I already told you, we are taking care of Axel! If he is going to be in Class 2-A, it is only natural that I, as the Class Representative, should oversee his daily life!"
"Ayaka, did you hear what the Headmaster said?" I asked. "This isn't a game. If I'm around, you're going to get caught up in whatever mess follows me. Just like tonight."
"My, my, Axel," Chizuru said softly, stepping closer. "Don't you worry about that. You'll just have to protect us again, won't you?"
"Kuku! Axel, just give up," Evangeline laughed. "You can't escape those two. They've already decided your fate."
I looked at Chizuru. She was smiling, but there was an immovable weight behind her gaze. She wasn't budging.
"...Fine," I sighed. "I guess I'm moving in. At least I won't have to do my own laundry."
"Fofofo! Then we have a deal?"
"Yeah. When do I start playing student?"
"Today is January 5th. Let's say the new term starts on the 7th. Does that work for you?"
"Fine by me. But what about uniforms? School supplies? I don't exactly have a backpack."
Ayaka's smile was positively radiant. "Leave everything to me, Axel! It is my duty and pleasure to provide for your every need!"
"Well, there you have it," Konoemon chuckled.
"Right. Then on the morning of the 7th, I just head to the faculty room?"
"Precisely. Takamichi will be your homeroom teacher, so report to him."
I looked at Takahata, who gave me a weary, sympathetic nod. He looked like a man who had been on the receiving end of Konoemon's "whims" one too many times.
"I guess we're done here then. Let me know if something comes up," I said.
"Well done. You're dismissed," Konoemon replied.
"Now then! Let us show you to your new home, Axel!" Ayaka grabbed my hand again, pulling me toward the door.
"Wait! Don't you dare think you're off the hook!"
Evangeline stepped in front of us, arms crossed. Right. I'd promised to explain my powers to her.
"It's late, Eva," I said. "How about tomorrow?"
"Hmph. Fine. It's barely evening for me, but I suppose children need their sleep. I'll send Chachamaru to fetch you tomorrow morning. Be ready."
"Your house? I thought you lived in the dorms?"
"Axel, even your confused face is adorable!" Ayaka squealed. I ignored her.
"Circumstances prevent me from staying in the dorms," Evangeline said vaguely. "I have my own cottage on campus."
"Got it. Tomorrow then."
"Don't forget your promise."
With that, we left the three of them—Evangeline, Takahata, and Konoemon—to their secret meeting. I didn't need Telekinesis to know they'd be debating the "Axel Almar Problem" for hours.
"So, how far is the dorm?" I asked Chizuru as we walked through the darkened school halls.
"At this hour? The trains are still running, so about twenty minutes," she replied.
Apparently, Mahora was large enough to have its own internal railway system. I was starting to realize this "school" was more like a small country.
Twenty minutes later, we stood before a modern, high-rise building.
"It's surprisingly new," I noted.
"Some of the dorms in Mahora are thirty years old," Ayaka explained as we walked through the front doors. "But this one is practically brand new."
"No security?" I asked. There was nobody at the front desk.
"Oh, there is, but Mahora is quite laid-back. It's a policy of autonomy. Come, this way."
We climbed the stairs to their floor and entered the room. I took one look and blinked.
"This is huge."
The suite was far too large for a standard student dorm.
"Yes, we had it renovated when we moved in," Ayaka said casually. "The original layout for three people was simply... unacceptable. We received special permission from the school, of course."
Wealthy kids. Right. Well, at least there was plenty of space.
"You said there's a third roommate?"
"Yes, Natsumi Murakami. She's away at a club training camp tonight, but she'll be back tomorrow. You'll meet her then."
"Right... look, I hate to be a bother, but I'm crashing," I said, my eyes drooping. "Can I just take the sofa?"
The combination of the dimensional transit, the skill absorption, and this child body's limited stamina was finally catching up to me. My brain felt like it was made of lead.
"Oh! But you must sleep in my bed—wait, Axel?!"
I didn't even hear the end of her sentence. The moment my backside hit the sofa cushions, my consciousness plummeted into the dark.
"Poor thing, he's exhausted," I heard Chizuru's voice from a great distance. "After everything that happened today..."
"You're right. Chizuru, could you bring a blanket...?"
And then, there was only silence.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Axel Almar
Level: 38
PP: 625
Stats: Melee: 262 | Ranged: 282 | Skill: 272 | Defense: 272 | Evasion: 302 | Hit: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Spend SP to increase Slime performance)
Spirit Commands: Accel (4), Effort (8), Focus (16), Strike (30), Zeal (32), Love (48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Regen, Concentration)
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
Infight Lv.9
Morale Limit Break
Geass (Grey)
Magic (Fire)
Magic (Shadow)
Magic (Summoning)
Kills: 376
-------------------------------
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