Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 1 Episode 2

Capítulo 2 - Academia para Jovens Nobres

Parte 1

“Haah... Eu fiz isso agora.”

Em um porão sombrio, Lux acordou.

Era cercado por paredes de pedra e grades de ferro. Uma cela de isolamento simples com uma cama e um banheiro.

Nem algemas nem correntes foram colocadas nele, mas todos os seus pertences pessoais foram confiscados.

Claro, até os dois Sword Devices que estavam pendurados na cintura. Uma faca roubada, um kit de ferramentas e até mesmo a bolsa que ele pegou do gato foram apreendidos.

Embora ele não soubesse a hora exata, mas como viu a luz entrar pela escotilha, Lux imaginou que provavelmente era hora do café da manhã.

“Que chatice! Mesmo que eu tenha uma reserva de trabalho para hoje...”

Com um suspiro, quando ele cuidadosamente pensou sobre isso, percebeu que não era o momento para isso.

“Quero dizer, minha verdadeira identidade também foi completamente exposta....”

A característica de Lux – seus cabelos prateados herdados da família real do Antigo Império.

E o colarinho preto que mostrava o “criminoso” que recebeu anistia da nova família real.

Com tantas evidências reunidas, sua identidade provavelmente já havia sido descoberta.

O Antigo Império Arcadia, que abusou da tirania por muito tempo, foi destruído por um golpe de estado.

Cerca de cinco anos atrás, Lux, que era um sobrevivente da antiga família imperial, foi libertado pela anistia do Novo Reino Atismata... E assinou um contrato com a condição de “Aceitar qualquer trabalho de todo o povo”

O tipo de trabalho variava de empregado doméstico, garçom de bar, carpinteiro e ferreiro a trabalho de campo.

No início, sozinho, sem dúvidas, ele administrou o trabalho dado pelo Novo Reino como se fosse uma questão de disciplina, mas agora ele era reconhecido por ser um “cara conveniente” por várias pessoas, até que, um mês depois, ele se tornou tão popular que estava atolado. A fim de lidar com um novo pedido dessa vez também, Lux tinha planos para ir a um certo lugar, mas...

“Não importa como veja, não chegarei ao trabalho a tempo...”

Olhando para uma página do caderno, a única coisa que não foi confiscada, Lux resmungou.

(Mesmo que o cronograma do trabalho ainda esteja bem fechado.)

No final do descanso de meio-dia, ele estava sem sorte por ter encontrado aquele gato. “Se eu abandonar o trabalho que prometi fazer, minhas dívidas aumentarão novamente. O que diabos devo fazer...”

“Você está acordado? Príncipe.”

“Uwaah...!?”

Lux se assustou com uma voz que ele ouviu de repente.

Antes que ele percebesse, do outro lado da grade de ferro, uma garota estava ali. Com cabelos loiros nos quais uma parte estava amarrada com uma fita preta e pupilas vermelhas profundas, afiadas como a ponta de uma espada.

Envolvendo seu corpo em um uniforme branco, ela exibiu um sorriso que em algum lugar tinha uma sombra.

“Errr, você é...”

Era uma garota de pele clara, com uma altura ligeiramente inferior à de Lux e uma pequena estatura.

No entanto, a presença da garota era terrivelmente forte.

Ela estava vestida de autoconfiança destemida, forte e absoluta, que não deixava ninguém se aproximar.

Era uma garota que dava a impressão de ter doçura e calor, como um bolo aceso contendo bastante álcool.

“Fufufu” aquela garota de repente riu em voz baixa.

“Obrigado pela ajuda ontem à noite, aliás, foi uma cantada maravilhosa. Na medida em que fiquei involuntariamente encantada.”

“...Hã!?”

Por um instante, Lux levantou a voz.

Ele se lembrou!

Ela era garota que ele caiu em cima quando Lux caiu no banheiro na noite passada...

Para a presença que se encheu de raiva da garota, Lux sentiu suor frio escorrendo por suas costas.

“Fufufu. Bem, há algo que eu realmente te quero dizer. Além disso, a diretora quer falar com você. Siga-me.”

Quando ela virou o rosto que tinha uma sombra em algum lugar para Lux, a garota loira abriu a fechadura da prisão.

“....A diretora?”

“Hou. Você tem um rosto honesto e sua palavra se mantém. Não vai me dizer que você adentrou nesse dormitório feminino sem saber?

“Eh... Eeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?”

Com a resposta da garota, Lux levantou a voz surpreso.

Ele rapidamente pegou seu caderno e olhou para a data de hoje.

[Local de trabalho] Cidade Fortaleza, Academia “Crossfield”. [Cliente] Diretora, Relie Aingram.

[Conteúdo de trabalho] Novo Reino, Manutenção de Drag-Rides no quarto Hangar de Drag- Rides.

“E-Então não me diga que aqui é... Onde eu estava programado para vir trabalhar, desta vez....”

A academia feminina de Drag-Knights, fundada pelo Novo Reino Atismata.

(Por isso que as meninas que me atacaram ontem estavam usando Drag-Rides, hein.)

Como Lux, que percebeu que estava petrificado e meio espantado—

“Lisesharte Atismata.”

“Eh...?”

Da garota na frente dele, palavras e um sorriso voltaram.

“É meu nome. Primeira Princesa do Novo Reino – conhecida como a Princesa Escarlate. Sou a Princesa do Novo Reino que destruiu seu império há cinco anos. Prazer em conhecê-lo, Príncipe.”

Plop*, seu ombro foi atingido pela garota sorridente. Os olhos dela não estavam particularmente rindo.

“Eeeeeeeeeeeh!?”

O grito de Lux ecoou na prisão subterrânea.

Part 2

“Phew… then in the end, let’s just say that this time was an unfortunate accident, okay? Lux Acadia-kun.”

Lux who went to the Principal's Room was receiving an explanation from Principal Relie about the school itself which was the scheduled workplace at the same time as he talked about the circumstances which led to this uproar.

This was the academy of Drag-Knight officer candidates managed by the New Kingdom Atismata.

It was a place which trained the so-called officers –– high-rank persons even among government officials including military and civil officials, and moreover speaking in detail––

“An academy which trained humans engaged in Drag-Rides, huh…?”

“You can say that.”

To Lux’s question, Principal Relie nodded with a smile.

Although the Principal, she was still young.

She was probably in her late twenties or so. Even if one said teacher, the woman of allowable looks called herself Relie Aingram.

She herself was also the daughter of a financial group which held a market directly associated with the nation, in other words, one of the native cased young ladies.

And –– she was one of the few acquaintances of Lux who was from the former imperial family.

Both the Drag-Ride and the Sword Device were weapons which were used as a pair.

Drag-Rides were usually enshrined in a place called a “hangar” in various places; by pulling out the Sword Device from the scabbard and pushing a button in the grip, one could transfer –– summon –– the matching Machine Dragon.

With weapons other than Drag-Rides, such a thing was not possible.

It was a possible feat precisely because there were the Mithril Dite, metal which turned into light and enabled the metastasis of the space, and the Force Core, a nuclear stone which was the source of power of a Machine Dragon.

The structure of the transfer itself was not yet clarified.

That the Drag-Rides were ancient weapons excavated from the ruins, and that the investigation of the ruins themselves was not readily progressing due to certain circumstances was the main cause.

But even so, the power which the Drag-Rides held hid a too extraordinary power to refrain from use by the reason “the technology cannot finish clarifying it”.

Therefore, the competition on surveying(researching) the structure and even the principle clarifications of the Drag-Rides was carried out intensely in each nation.

“It has been more than ten years since the Drag-Rides had been discovered from the ruins. Their use has almost been prohibited to us women, due to the trend and the system of androcracy[1] that the Old Empire laid. But––”

As Relie cut her words, Lizsharte who was standing beside Lux suddenly opened her mouth.

“With the coup d’état five years ago, that perception completely changed after what the New Kingdom established. Aside from the exercise aptitude to use for the handling, the data reported that the compatibility aptitude of the airframe control of women was far above men, and thereafter, they established a special training organization, and concentrated their efforts on that upbringing in order to prepare Drag-Knight officers who won’t lose to those other countries–– something like that.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

To Lizsharte’s supplement, Relie nodded.

Drag-Rides were super weapons to the extent that they rendered the existence of swords, guns, cannons, and horses which were the main force of war previously, useless.

Since their appearance, it already came to the point where it was impossible to talk about anything without words including war, diplomacy, commerce and industry.

Taking that into consideration, even Lux knew at least that a Drag-Knights training institution existed.

However––

“B-But, why was I called?”

It was the principal Relie who made the request for work.

As Lux asked about that with a bemused expression––,

“Oh my. I see that the “weakest undefeated” of all people is quite modest, eh.”

A seemingly mature, teasing smile returned.

“Weakest undefeated”.

An Official Mock battle which made use of Drag-Rides was held once a month in the coliseum of the royal capital.

As there was also a prize depending on the military record, it was the nickname attached to one who boasted of the most participation frequency from his combat style, and Lux was called so, but––

“It’s probably strength in no way inferior to that of Lizsharte-san who is one of the best users even in this academy. I think that it’s by no means an inappropriate job for you though.”

“…Hou.”

As if to disapprove Relie’s words, Lizsharte twitchily shook her shoulders.

(I-I have a bad feeling about this…!)

“I-I don’t mean that, it seems that this place is a girl’s academy, so for me to work here––”

“It’s regrettable, but we lack manpower.”

Relie answered before Lux’s rebuttal.

“The history of Drag-Knights is rather short, isn’t it? Most of the users of the Old Empire which monopolized the Drag-Rides for many years have died with the coup d’état. In that case, though reluctant, I can do nothing but regularly invited a male cooperator. Be it a Drag-Ride’s mechanic or a Drag-Knight.”

“…I can hardly do maintenance, you know?”

“You just have to learn hereafter. Just having a prerequisite knowledge as a user is valuable.”

Relie replied immediately.

“The New Kingdom fourth Machine Dragon hangar is located in the premises of this academy. Your work is there, so from today I will have you go by there three times a week. It’s dirty, the work is hard and there is also the danger of injury. I can’t give such a job to young ladies from good families, can I? Don’t you think that you should also feel honored and privileged to have been born male?”

With a teasing voice, Relie smiled.

“…………”

(She’s pushy as usual, eh…)

Lux thought as he smiled wryly.

It had already been several years since he had met Relie for the first time, but nothing about this quite indifferent personality, deftness and malice had changed.

She should be the eldest daughter of the Aingram House, the big mercantile House of a financial combine class, but she was quite unique.

When Lux inwardly sighed, Relie took another deep breath,

“I’m still thinking about what work to give you as a Drag-Ride user, so I will tell you soon ––okay?”

“Right”, when the conversation was settled,

“Principal. Can I have a little time?”

Suddenly, Lizsharte stuck out her hand and interrupted the conversation.

“I understood the story. But, we haven’t admitted this man yet.”

She stared at Lux with a sharp look and said.

The edge of her mouth made a faint smile.

“…………”

Is she really a Princess, this child?

How to put it, I feel a really bloodthirsty presence.

No, well, I did such a thing in the bath, so it might only be towards me though.

“My doubt has not cleared up. This man is guilty of being a peeping tom, a molester and a pervert underwear thief. There is no way we would let such a ‘man’ work in this academy. I mean, we should first hand him over to the army. And we should judge him in a judicial place and let him get some fresh air after he ate smelly food for several years.”

“N-No, like I said, it was a misunderstanding––!?”

Lux tried to object, but being thrown a glance at by Lizsharte, he shut his mouth.

“I see, he said that he accidentally intruded into the bathroom as he was chasing a cat. But, how can he prove that? Principal. I think that giving shelter to a criminal who is not worth trusting is rather dangerous.”

“You’re right. We are acquainted, so I know Lux-kun really well, but––”

Relie said that and smiled wryly.

“I can’t assert at all that this uproar was really caused accidentally.”

“Shouldn’t you assert there!?”

With somewhat teary eyes, Lux complained.

He was sure that she would support him.

“But actually, no one can prove about whether or not it was on purpose. Then, he is also a victim in this matter, and so is Lizsharte-san who is the top student of the second year, too. May I leave his punishment to your discretion?”

“Eeeeeeeeeeh!?”

(Why did you leave it to her!?)

Lux desperately swallowed the cry of his soul and endured.

As a pardon at the time of the New Kingdom's establishment, Lux was forgiven for the crime of being former royalty and released on parole, but at the same time by the contract which he signed, he was charged with a debt of an amount equivalent to 1/5 of the national budget.

That such an ‘offender’ Lux becoming a criminal furthermore was very inconvenient––

“Fufu.”

Lizsharte who saw that Lux panicked scornfully laughed in a low voice,

“Then, let’s see. I will give you one chance of redeeming yourself.”

“…Eh?”

“Whether you are really worth enough to work in this academy as a ‘male’ Drag-Knight. Or just a simple pervert. I will test your fighting spirit and ability.”

Saying so, Lizsharte touched the handle of the sword at her waist and at the same time slowly walked before the door of the principal’s room.

“If you are defeated by me, you will be taken to prison as a criminal; if you win, I won’t mind you working by acquittal. The match will be a mock battle of a one-on-one fight using Drag-Rides. ––It’s all right with that, isn’t it? Curious onlookers.”

The moment that Lizsharte said so and turned the doorknob of the room,

“Kyaaaaah…!?”

The female students who had gathered over the door noisily fell into the room and were overlapping on one another.

They were apparently concerned about the treatment of Lux whom they heard rumors about, and it seemed that they were listening outside, over the door.

“Spread it to everyone in the academy. The more spectators, the better. A show where the New Kingdom’s princess will beat the Old Empire’s prince.”

The female students who heard that raised happy voices and left.

“It has become something big! Lizsharte-sama challenged this pervert to a duel––”

“It seems that the other party is the ‘weakest undefeated’. Does anyone know the details?”

“In the first place, he is a prince of the Old Empire, isn’t he? That underwear thief, I mean.”

“Appearance-wise, he’s my type –– but it’s a shame.”

Hearing such voices along with Lizsharte who got out from the room, Lux became speechless.

At this rate, this talk would spread all over the academy before the duel.

“…………”

Somehow, it has become something big…

“I wonder if I should review the educational system a little. Don’t forget that this place is a diligent academy.”

To Relie’s amazed mutter, Lux unintentionally swallowed his words,

No matter how you look at it, it’s your influence…

“By the way, Lux-kun. Before the duel, there is a place I want you to stop by a little.”

“Errr… where is it?”

“The reception room immediately nearby. Your younger sister is waiting for you there.”

“––Eh?”

To Lux who raised a surprised voice, Relie returned only a smile.

Part 3

“Geez, what is Nii-san doing? I’m amazed.”

The Academy reception room for visitors.

As expected of an academy where noble children gathered, in this room which gave a high class impression along with the furniture and furnishings, two female students were standing stock still.

One was a calm black-haired girl who ringed a bell.

The other was a girl who had the same silver hair and the same collar as Lux.

Her graceful and calm atmosphere like a high class antique doll looked somehow more mature than her big brother Lux’s.

“Um––, I’m sorry for a lot of things. Airi.”

First of all, Lux lightly apologized to the girl, Airi Acadia who was his younger sister.

Airi who saw that shrugged her shoulders along with a sigh, and moved her gaze towards the girl beside her.

“She is my roommate in the girl’s dormitory. Her name is–– may I ask for it?”

“Yes. I am… first year, Nokuto Leaflet. I apologize for last night.”

The girl who gave a quite calm impression softly bowed her head and stared at Lux.

Last night was the bathroom intrusion incident.

She was one of the three girls who chased him at that time.

“It seems like you were really running after a pochette which was stolen by a cat. I am sorry for having treated you like a pervert.”

“I-I am sorry, too. Um––, I didn’t think that there was underwear in it… But, what a relief. It looks like the baggage is perfectly safe.”

He thought that she was a fairly severe child last night, but she apparently seemed to be an honest and good child.

(I’m happy that she believes me…)

As Lux looked at Nokuto and let his troubles melt––

“Um, though I’m sorry to interrupt your happy conversation.”

Airi who was looking at their exchange with reproachful eyes coughed, seeming to be in a bad mood.

“Because of Nii-san, it isn’t time for that now though.”

“Ah…”

The moment Lux came to his senses, Airi sighed once again.

“Hah… Even though for appearance’s sake, I have told my surroundings that you’re a cool older brother, what on earth will you do about it? Peeping tom, underwear thief, molester. To think that a relative of mine is a criminal, please think about my position in the academy.”

“F-For appearance’s sake, huh… not that, like I said, it was a misunderstanding!?”

“Yes. I think that only your face seems like a Prince roughly. It is a little unreliable though.”

“…You’ll be cleaned off if you thought that she was praising you!?”

It was simply shocking.

As expected, this girl called Nokuto is a little strange.

“Shall I get down to the main issue?”

*cough* clearing her throat, Airi sat on the sofa.

As Lux did the same and sat opposite to her, Nokuto poured tea in the tea cup from a teapot which had been prepared.

“To be frank, I think that it will be good that Nii-san occasionally sees painful experiences, but––”

“Cruel!?”

Not paying heed to Lux’s reaction, Airi continued with a serious look.

“This time only is a little special. If Nii-san was to be caught, how will I be able to pay back the debt alone?”

“…………”

(It’s a cruel way to put it…!)

The brother and sister of the Old Empire’s royalty were coldly treated.

In the amnesty contract exchanged at the same time as the New Kingdom's establishment, one became a “person in charge of odd jobs” and worked bearing a part of the national budget of the New Kingdom.

And the other would live in a place where the royal family’s eyes would reach.

It was agreed that if Lux were to run away or commit misbehavior, Airi would be punished instead.

However, Lux had not thought of this agreement in itself to be dissatisfying.

Although there was the restriction that he must receive miscellaneous jobs from anyone, he was the “property of the Kingdom”, so he had not received compulsive treatment so far.

To begin with, it would not be strange even if the Old Empire’s imperial family, which had been exerting tyranny for many years, were killed with the unjust resentment of anyone.

In such a meaning, they were made to work to pay a debt –– so as to atone for their crime; and depending on the situation, it could be said that they were protected by the New Kingdom.

Well, there were also other little circumstances which were concealed though.

“With that said, Nii-san must win against Lizsharte-sama by any means necessary. However––”

Starting to say so, Airi faltered.

“Is that child strong?”

Lux asked.

This was because in the tournament of Drag-Knights held in the capital where he had fought, Lux had no memory of Lizsharte participating in it.

“We, students of the academy, are not admitted to participate in the tournament. It is also for the concealment of military strength, and if an officer cadet student were to lose, it would not look good enough to be shown publicly.”

“I see… which means.”

“Yes, instead, there is regularly something like a campus battle in this academy. Lizsharte-sama is currently undefeated. Moreover, after having begun to use a Divine Drag-Ride, she continued winning successive victories with an overwhelming strength.”

Divine Drag-Ride.

Being able to handle it, which held a special power among the Machine Dragons would certainly mean that she was a powerful opponent.

To Airi’s words, Lux was troubled,

“Well, it’ll be a little tough, I guess.”

As he scratched his head…

“Yes. Then, I will advise a way so as to be able to withdraw the duel to Lizsharte-sama.”

“Oh my. You shouldn’t, Nokuto.”

With a gentle smile, Airi stopped Nokuto who offered so.

“It’s best that he takes responsibility for his own actions himself. Geez, since a long time you immediately act when you make up your mind and you can’t become calm at all, so you only encounter such bad experiences.”

“Uwah, you’re cruel!? Even though I have been doing my errands of “person in charge of odd jobs” all along since the day of the contract!?

“Hmm. Then Nii-san, are you saying that you want to become the hostage of the New Kingdom in my stead?”

Airi took up Lux’s rebuttal with a cool expression.

And just now, she ran her white fingertips onto the back of Lux’s neck.

“…!? Wait, Airi, what are you––!?”

As she approached his face until a distance as to seem to kiss him, Lux got excited.

“Nii-san. Being watched as a hostage is really hard, you know? Because of this collar, I’m always seen by strange eyes from others. Even so, I earnestly think that　it's my personality and the fruits of my efforts that enable me to maintain smooth human relations. Ah, and then, even I considerably contribute to the debt repayment after all, you know? If I concretely have to say how much I earn in the side jobs which extend until midnight while studying the deciphering of ancient manuscripts excavated in the ruins or the update of the Drag-Ride’s manual in the academy––”

“U-Understood. It was my bad…”

“Fufu, I’ve won again. With this, it’s 102 games, 102 victories. I wonder when the day will come when I will be defeated by Nii-san”

With a childlike smile, Airi abruptly stood up.

It’s always like this…

In his fights over these several years, there was no precedent where Lux was able to win.

This young sister honor student had a weak constitution a long time ago and always clung to her mother and Lux, but now she was very strong.

As Nokuto found such an aspect of Airi unexpected,

“You get along quite well, eh.”

She said and smiled wryly.

“Well then, shall we go already? Follow me.”

“Go? To where?”

“To the Machine Dragon hangar. An airframe check before the mock battle is an indispensable matter in the academy after all. Just in case, I will guide you up to there. And while we are at it, I will teach you a countermeasure against Lizsharte-sama.”

Saying so lightly, Airi left the reception room ahead.

As Lux followed afterwards while sighing,

“Well but, if you haven’t yet lost to anyone, I guess Nii-san is also like her, right?”

A voice full of conviction tickled Lux’s earlobes.

“…………”

And after heading to the Machine Dragon hangar which was away from the academy and having Lux’s Sword Devices returned––

Finally, the time of the duel came.

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