The group listened to Instructor Horas while looking at the distributed documents. When he finished his report, Boyle deliberately let out a loud sigh so that everyone could hear.
“Hmph. Beast Kingdom Gaun on the Northern Continent, huh. A continent where demons dwell and a kingdom of beastmen… I don’t trust either of them. Especially those who ignore the exam and fall asleep, they’re out of the question. I can’t even feel any motivation from them. Aren’t they just beastmen, after all?”
“With all due respect, student Rami is not a beastman. While Beast King Leon has recommended her and promised a large sum for tuition, she doesn’t seem to be royalty from Gaun.”
“What!? So, you’re saying you’d offer that much assistance to a mere commoner living in Gaun!? What in the world are you thinking!?”
“I cannot answer that. However, it is also true that she is a person worthy of trust, of whom I am absolutely certain. We are not permitted to treat her dismissively, Instructor Boyle?”
“G-grrr…! I-I understand!”
“Heh, Instructor Boyle, you just love noble humans, don’t you? But as an instructor, you shouldn’t show favoritism to just a part of them. Or could it be, Instructor Boyle, that you are a discriminatory person who judges students based on their race?”
“—That’s impossible! Regardless of race, I just wanted to point out that being insincere is not good! Instructor Milky, you’re being mischievous!”
“Then Mr. Boyle, why did you say you couldn’t trust student Bell, who got a perfect score? From what Mr. Horas said, it sounds like she took the exam seriously.”
“Th-that’s…”
Cornered by Archet’s follow-up, Boyle felt like biting his tongue. Archet, normally so airheaded, showed no remorse at times like these and always struck at Boyle’s weaknesses. Moreover, she would relentlessly pursue the issue unless he managed to skillfully evade her. That was precisely why Boyle detested her.
“…It’s not so much about her, but rather the Northern Continent itself that concerns me. The idea of a new continent sounds good, but aren’t most of the people there demons? Throughout history, demons have always been considered enemies of humanity. Many Demon Kings have also emerged from there. The Principal seems to be hoping she will act as a bridge, but it’s hardly strange to prioritize the safety of the students, is it?”
“Oh, that’s unusually logical. Indeed, indeed!”
“Hmph, it would seem so. She claims to have answered all questions correctly on the written exam, but couldn’t she have used some unknown technique and committed a violation? It’s highly suspicious.”
Perhaps encouraged by Archet’s affirmation, Boyle became unexpectedly talkative. However, the gazes from the other examiners were not entirely favorable.
“Instructor Boyle, isn’t that an extreme and absurd argument?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot agree with that line of thinking either.”
“Ah, then I object too!”
“What? Instructor Milky, Instructor Horas, why is my opinion not being accepted?”
“Ah, then I object too!”
“As for me, I was merely stating something perfectly reasonable.”
“Then! I also object—”
“—Enough! Just be quiet for a moment!”
Boyle ignored Archet and waited for their next words.
“In your less than a few decades of life, have you ever encountered a talking demon, a demon whose form is not so different from us humans? I haven’t. Most of the reports of demonic appearances thus far have been of lower-ranking demons with strength but no ability to communicate. However, this one is clearly superior to them, a High-ranking Demon, no, a Princess, so she is undoubtedly more than that. Yet, without exercising her power, she is formally seeking admission to Lumiest by following our common sense procedures. There are few events as endlessly fascinating as this! Just as there are bad people among humans, there are also those with bad habits. Therefore, shouldn’t we consider her not as an existing demon, but as a new kind of demon? I would greatly like for this intelligent individual to come to my laboratory.”
“Th-that may be true, but…!”
“Allow me to offer a word of opinion. Instructor Boyle, you suspected student Bell of cheating earlier. Does that mean she somehow bypassed my countermeasures against cheating and my watchful eye? Do you believe that the reason for such suspicion is my negligence? If so, I would like you to provide specific examples of how she might have cheated. I will use it for future reference.”
“Ah, no, I’m not saying that definitively, but the possibility…”
“I also want Bell to do her best. Not only in the first exam, but she also achieved an astonishing result in the second exam. It might even be considered historic. Not only are her physical abilities outstanding, but her martial arts skills easily surpass the realm of a master. In the designated exam, she gave a performance so amazing it almost made me… I’m embarrassed to call someone with her talent merely a ‘prodigy’. To dismiss her because she’s suspicious would be an immense waste! It would be like ordering seconds and then refusing to eat them! Also, I think we’d get along!”
“M-m-m…!”
Boyle, betrayed even by Archet who had been his sole supporter, was cornered one after another. He turned to Art with a sliver of hope, but Art’s principle was to aim for academy management that treated demi-humans without discrimination or favoritism. Seeking his help was fundamentally mistaken.
“This is also a perfect opportunity to establish a new connection with the Northern Continent. Is it not foolish to turn away such an opportunity by only looking at it with suspicion? That might even lead to conflict with the demons you, Instructor Boyle, are worried about. If that happens, our academy’s position will become precarious.”
“…That is true. I apologize, I retract my statement.”
“I’m glad you understand. However, I can fully understand what Instructor Boyle is trying to convey. I will also take the utmost care to ensure that no danger befalls the other students. And, yes… If you are that concerned, would you like to participate in tomorrow’s interview with student Bell, Instructor Boyle? If you speak with her directly, you too will get to know what kind of demons inhabit the Northern Continent.”
“I, I will, is that it…?”
At Art’s suggestion, not only Boyle but also the other instructors looked surprised. According to the schedule, Boyle was supposed to be in charge of different examinees, and he wasn’t scheduled to interview Bell.
“…If the Principal says so.”
Though suspicious of his intentions, Boyle agreed. Upon hearing his reply, Art smiled and stood up, spreading his hands.
“Alright, then it’s settled. And while we’re on the topic, let’s change the mood! Tell me, which examinees are you currently paying attention to?”
“Yes, yes! Bell and Rion! Both of them are good kids, we get along well, and they have amazing talent! Anyway, they’re amazing! Although she wasn’t my responsibility, student Rami was amazing too—”
“Of course, there’s student Bell Baal, who got a perfect score. Personally, however, I’m also paying attention to student Graham Nakatomiuji. He was late for the first exam, so his overall score isn’t remarkable, but he answered every question correctly after he started participating. If he had taken the exam from the beginning, he might have had the strength to be among the top.”
“Hmm, I see. As everyone says, I agree with student Bell… and considering her future potential, I’d say student Kuromel. Despite being the youngest, she possesses unquestionable academic ability, and all the more, her results in the second exam were also wonderful. There’s no one else with as much room for growth as her.”
“I, I recommend Edgar Lausser! I am confident that there is no one as dependable as him!”
The instructors began to speak with immense enthusiasm. The reason for such fervor would only be revealed after the announcement of the results.
