Chapter 181
"Lord Clael, that girl... she's a student council officer, right?"
"...I believe so. I don't know her name, but she should be a first-year."
If they're in the same grade, then maybe Reina knows her?
When he asked with his eyes... Reina shook her head.
"No, at the very least, she's not in the same class. But I have seen her in the hallway, so she must be a first-year."
"I see..."
To be selected as a student council officer, she must undoubtedly be an excellent student.
Even so, it's strange that Reina, who is also an honor student, doesn't know her name.
With that question in his gaze, he looked up... where Eric and the girl were chatting peacefully.
"Wow, the tea you made is delicious. Who taught you?"
"I learned from my late grandmother. She really loved tea."
"I see, she must have been a lovely lady."
"Yes... It's my dream to become a woman like my grandmother someday."
The two of them continued their pleasant conversation, enjoying a small tea party.
Just looking at that scene alone, it might seem heartwarming.
A page of youth. A moment that could be the beginning of love.
However... those two were inside an upside-down student council room, surrounded by grotesque slime students crawling around.
Precisely because their behavior looked so normal, it only made the situation seem more bizarre.
"Lord Clael, what is going on here...?"
"...I don't know."
At Reina's confused words, Clael responded in a heavy tone.
This kind of situation never happened in the game.
That girl, who looked like a background character, never appeared at all.
"But... there's no doubt she's the key to something."
"Yes... 'White Nova'!"
Reina activated a powerful Holy Arts spell.
Pure, immaculate light filled the room and instantly wiped out the writhing slimes.
"Huh... Whoa!?"
Then, Eric fell.
Falling helplessly toward the ceiling, Eric slammed his back and writhed in pain.
"Are you all right, Prince Eric?"
"Ugh... Guh... M-Mr. Byrne? What is this...?"
"I'll heal you for now. Heal."
Clael activated a healing magic.
Enveloped in blue light, the pain vanished from Eric's face.
"S-Sorry... But more importantly, I was trying to save that girl who was abducted...!?"
Eric's eyes snapped open.
It seemed he'd regained his senses. He was dumbfounded by the abnormality of his situation.
"W-Where are we... and where is she!?"
Eric looked up.
There, still standing on the ceiling, was 'her' figure.
"............"
She stared at Eric with a sad expression, but then vanished like smoke.
"Where did she go... What's happening!?"
"Please calm down, Prince Eric."
"Calm down...? How can I...!"
"There's something I need to confirm. Who is she?"
"W-Who...?"
"Her name. And her class. If she was under your student council, you should know her, right?"
"I... uh..."
When Clael pressed him, Eric's mouth opened and closed.
He tried to say someone's name, but the name wouldn't come out... his expression turned as if he were doubting reality itself.
"W-Why...? I can't remember her name. Even though she should be one of my student council members..."
"...I thought so."
"Mr. Byrne, who is she...?"
Eric asked in a daze, but unfortunately, Clael didn't know the answer either.
"I don't know... But I believe she's connected to the Seven Wonders. She should be somewhere in this Dungeon, so let's search for her."
"............"
Eric, though pale, nodded.
Eric had joined them... but the mystery remained unsolved.
The three of them left the student council room and continued their exploration of the Reverse Academy.