A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 24. The Final Confrontation (4)

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May had arrived, and the warmth of spring was already beginning to fade, giving way to the season of birdsong.
Hebrion Academy held a peculiar tradition: every year at this time, potted trees were arranged in the doorways and around the campus entrance.
Though their buds were small, the branches stretched forth with such vigor that they seemed to contain infinite vitality.
“Sanwhang Trees.”
Romantica’s eyes sparkled without pause. Her gait down the corridor was remarkably light.
Fram rarely deigned to show knowledge, but this time she did.
“The Sanwhang Tree symbolizes progress, doesn’t it?”
This venerable tradition, begun at the behest of the academy’s founder, held within it a wish for the growth of all students and the prosperity of the institution itself.
Yet the students cared little for such deeper meanings—they simply delighted in the elegance the trees brought to the campus.
After passing some five of these trees, admiring the view as they went, the sound of raindrops striking the Sanwhang leaves began to echo through the air.
“It looks like rain.”
The unseasonably gloomy sky soon released its downpour. Rain in the Hebrion Region typically came as sudden cloudbursts.
Within moments, the world around them turned gray.
“I hate getting my clothes wet.”
The rain coursed down through the threads of their woven garments as though following channels. Water streamed from thread to thread, flowing like a river.
Romantica’s and Fram’s clothes grew damp rapidly, yet neither showed the slightest sign of annoyance.
“It rained just like this when we went to the Shadow World before, didn’t it?”
“That rain was colder then, and far more unpleasant.”
They turned to face each other, their smiles breaking wide, and pulled off their jackets to drape over their heads.

* * *

Dezir’s dormitory was the Starling Dormitory.
In the center of the dormitory lobby sat Dezir. He was not alone, however.
A lovely girl with long platinum hair sat across from him.
“So the time had already passed two o’clock. The Hour of the Demon couldn’t have manifested then. The gears that compose the clock must have stopped at that moment too.”
“Indeed. Now that you mention it, there was a point when the regular grinding of the gears ceased.”
The clue had clearly been provided.
We simply hadn’t known how to use it.
“What I can reverse through calculation is only magic formed from formulae. However, this Previus clock tower was a magical apparatus designed to summon demons—it’s no exaggeration to call it highly advanced magic composed of intricate formulae. That’s precisely why it fell within the scope of what I could reverse-calculate.”
“Hmm… I hadn’t considered that aspect.”
“Forcing a direct confrontation wasn’t wrong, but you can’t forget the fact that we were participating in the Shadow World. Excluding the final objective of the Shadow World entirely from your strategy—that was the decisive reason for your defeat.”
Azest wore the expression of someone who had taken a solid hit.
“So you were seeing the bigger picture rather than just our fight.”
“You could put it that way.”
Azest said nothing for a moment.
She closed her eyes briefly as if organizing her thoughts, then opened them again.
“I lost. Fair and square.”
Dezir waved a hand dismissively.
“Don’t say it like that. I’m sitting here explaining everything as if I’m so clever, but truth be told, luck was on my side too. If my reverse calculation had been just a little slower, if your blade had been just a little faster…”
Just then, Fram and Romantica pushed their way between them.
“If that had happened, we would’ve taken revenge for you.”
“We almost won anyway.”
Dezir laughed broadly.
“There you two are.”
They pulled chairs over and the four of them gathered around a single table. Romantica’s expression was decidedly sour. She pointed at Azest with clear displeasure.
“We weren’t supposed to be meeting with just us?”
“Azest just stopped by briefly to ask about the previous fight.”
“Even so—she’s an enemy, isn’t she? We almost got eliminated because of her, and you’re being way too casual about it.”
Azest murmured lowly.
“If you’d been eliminated over something like that, then you had no business entering Alpha Class in the first place.”
“Wha—what did you just say?!”
Romantica’s eyes widened.
Azest glanced at her and said nothing more.
Dezir hastened to add something.
“We passed the Promotion Exam and were assigned to Alpha Class. So what Azest is saying is that we’re qualified enough.”
“Is that what she meant?”
Romantica folded her arms, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
“Well, if you put it that way, I suppose I can’t object.”
“After all, we only won because of your marksmanship. Thank you, Romantica.”
“What? Th-thank you? Ugh… you don’t need to thank me like that.”
“What about me? Don’t I get praised too?”
“You did well too, Fram.”
Dezir gently stroked the head of Fram, who had wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
Fram clung to him like a puppy, surrendering herself to the touch of his hand.
Had she possessed a tail, it would surely have been wagging back and forth without restraint.
……
Azest gazed at the scene silently.
“So we’re taking a break from training now, right?”
Romantica probed Dezir’s intentions carefully.
“As if. Training continues every day.”
“What? That’s cruel! We only just finished the Promotion Exam yesterday!”
“You haven’t forgotten why you won the Promotion Exam, have you?”
“Even so— this is too much!”
The table soon grew loud with Romantica’s groaning and Dezir’s stern lecture.
Azest waited for her chance, then rose from her seat during a lull in the conversation.
“I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Fram, who had been smiling silently with her hand covering her mouth, suddenly turned to look at her.
“Are you leaving already?”
Azest looked between them and held up her Pad.

[Party Summons Order.]

There was no reason to keep her then.
Just before heading toward the exit, Azest stopped beside Dezir.
“Dezir, there’s… one thing I’d like to ask.”
Her voice carried an uncharacteristic hesitation.
“I know it’s shameless, but… could I participate in your training as well?”
Everyone’s eyes went wide with surprise.
Everyone except one.
Dezir nodded readily.
“Six o’clock every morning. And after classes, we gather at the Training Area Main Gate.”
The door opened. The sound of rain pouring outside grew louder.
Azest’s lips, which had been pressed firmly shut, parted slightly before closing again.
Thank you.
That’s surely what she meant to say.
The door closed, and the sound of rain faded.
In that quiet, Fram spoke.
“So what’s our plan from here on, Dezir?”
“Surely our Party activities aren’t ending just because we were promoted to Alpha Class…?”
“Of course not.”
Dezir spoke with unwavering conviction.
“Discrimination against Beta Class still remains. Our Party will help those who were assigned to Beta Class despite their talent, all because of that discrimination.”
“That’s a wonderful plan.”
“What a meddlesome notion, really.”
“Are you withdrawing then, Romantica?”
“W-what are you talking about? I’m n-not withdrawing! I just meant it’s a bother, that’s all! Of course I’ll help!”
“Feel free to quit whenever you like, hehe.”
As Dezir watched their banter unfold, he leaned back in his chair.
‘Though we mustn’t lose sight of our true purpose.’
Dealing with the threat of the Shadow Labyrinth.
Dezir Armang had not forgotten that mission.
Promotion to Alpha Class was merely the beginning.
Gather more party members, elevate their strength. Methodically conquer the Shadow World while minimizing casualties in personnel.
When the true threat arrives—when the Shadow Labyrinth manifests—the party he has cultivated will become the key to conquest.
As Dezir Armang sat absorbed in these thoughts, a familiar voice reached his ears.
“So everyone’s gathered here.”
“Professor Bridgette.”
Bridgette drew a chair close and sat. She surveyed the group with a gentle expression.
“I have some wonderful news for all of you.”
Suddenly, Bridgette snapped her fingers.
A wave of mana rippled through the air, and a Chocolate Cake materialized above the table before dropping with a soft thud onto its surface.
It was enormous enough to cover the entire table. But its grandeur lay not merely in its size—it was the intricate decorations painted across the cake’s surface that truly commanded attention.
Romantica, who had always shown keen interest in sweets, recognized its quality at a glance.
“A specialty cake from Beswald Bakery!?”
Beswald Bakery—a renowned patisserie famous for its ultra-luxurious confections at eye-watering prices.
It was only then that Dezir Armang and Fram grasped the situation.
“Isn’t this too much trouble for you?”
“Not at all. It’s well worth the cost of witnessing that insolent fool’s humiliation.”
“Insolent fool?”
Bridgette was usually composed. But not now. Her cheeks flushed with excitement as she approached Dezir Armang, and before he could react, she pulled him into a firm embrace.
“P-Professor!?”
“What are you doing!?”
Romantica and Dezir Armang cried out simultaneously. Fram chimed in moments later.
“That’s not fair—hitting us with such a move!”
Despite their protests, Bridgette tightened her embrace around Dezir Armang.
“You’ve done well, Dezir.”
“That—what do you mean!?”
“Precisely this: you have all been officially registered as 217th Generation Single Rankers.”
The Alpha Class Badges she presented with her smile brought joy to the entire group.
Cheers erupted. Their happiness and elation were so complete that there seemed no room left for any other emotion.
Rain fell outside.
The soft whisper of raindrops caressing the leaves of the Sanwhang Tree that stood against the doorframe echoed quietly through the space.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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