Chapter 74 - 'The Genius Youth's Secret - First Half'

第七十四話「天才少年の秘め事　前編」

Chapter 74 - 'The Genius Youth's Secret - First Half'

　クリフ・グリモル。
　ミリス教団の教皇の孫。
　若くして魔術に長けた、天才少年。

　性格はやや喧嘩っ早い所があり、
　自尊心が強く、自分を大きく見せようとするきらいがある。
　ゆえに友人はいない。

　才能はある。
　しかし、才能にあぐらをかかない勤勉な姿勢を取っている。
　発言は鼻持ちならないが、行動は伴っていないのだ。
　そこに好感を覚える者も少数ながら存在する。


　クリフは現在１６歳。
　一年前に成人を迎えたが、祝う者は誰もいなかった。

　彼が魔法大学へと来た理由は簡単だ。
　一言で表せば、権力争いである。

　数年前にミリシオンで起きた、神子暗殺未遂事件。
　その事件は教皇派の仕業とされ、ミリス教団内部での権力争いが激化。
　騒動の中、教皇は自らの孫であるクリフを、世界の反対側にあるラノア王国へと避難させた。

Cliff Grimoire. The grandchild of the Pope of the Miris Faith. Young and excellent with magic, a genius youth.

He was a bit quick to pick a fight, his self-respect was strong, and he had a habit of seeing himself as a big deal. As a result, he had no friends.

He had talent. However, he didn't rely on this alone and was diligent in his training. Though his mouth was terrible, his actions weren't. Though they were few, there were those who thought well of him.

Cliff was now 16. Though he had become an adult a year ago, there wasn't anyone to celebrate that.

His reason for coming to the Magic University was simple. In a few words, it was due to a power struggle.

A few years ago in Mirishion there was an attempt on a miko's life. Because this incident was the work of the Pope's faction, the internal struggles intensified. During the conflicts, naturally the Pope had his grandchild take refuge on the other side of the world, in the Kingdom of Ranoa.

「クリフ、お前は大物になる器があります。慢心せず己を見続けなさい」

　教皇はそう行って、クリフを送り出した。

　クリフは自らが期待されている事がわかっていた。
　当然だ。
　エリスには負けるが、自分は天才なのだから。
　そう思っていた。

　長い旅路の末にたどり着いたラノア王国は、過酷な土地だった。
　食事は合わず、気候は厳しく、
　考え方が大幅に違う者達でひしめいていた。

　だが、それでも。
　それでもクリフは自分の才能だけは信じていた。
　特別生であり、教皇の孫であり、
　将来はミリス教団を背負って立つ自分は、他とは違う。
　そう思っていた。

　一年目に二度、打ちのめされた。

　一度目は、ザノバ・シーローンという人物だった。
　彼は神子だった。
　生まれつき、神に愛された人物だった。
　頭はちょっとおかしかったが、能力は確かだった。
　自分の三倍は体重があるような相手の顔を掴んで、持ち上げ、放り投げるのを見たことがある。

　そんな力があるのに、彼は魔法大学にいるのだ。
　魔術を学んでいるのだ。
　土系統の魔術ばかりを重点的に。

　その成長速度はクリフから見れば遅々たるものであった。
　だが、そもそも神子が魔術を習う必要など無いのだ。
　魔術とは太古の力無き人々が神の所業を真似ようとして創りだされたものだという説もある。
　神子とは神の力を持った人間だ。
　魔術など習う必要はない。
　そう思い、クリフは彼に問うた。

"Cliff, you possess great ability. Be not conceited and look outside of yourself."

The Pope sent Cliff away.

Cliff understood that there were expectations for him. It was natural. Though he had lost to Eris, he was still a genius after all. So Cliff thought.

After a long journey, he arrived in the Kingdom of Ranoa; a harsh land. The food didn't suit him, the climate was harsh, and there was a fuss because his way of thinking was drastically different to the locals'.

Even so... Cliff continued to believe that he was a genius. He was a Special Student, the grandchild of the Pope, and as someone who would carry the Miris Faith in the future, he was different to others. So he thought.


In his first year he received two major shocks.


The first time was by a person named Zanoba Shirone. He was a miko. He was a person who was loved by the gods since birth. Though he was a bit messed up, his power was the real thing. He'd been seen lifting someone thrice his weight up by the head, and then throwing them.

Though he had such power, he was at the Magic University. He was learning magic, focused completely on earth magic.

From Cliff's perspective, his growth was slow. However, to begin with there shouldn't have been a need for a miko to learn magic. One of the theories regarding magic stated that it was a means for the weak to imitate the acts of the gods in the ancient past. Miko were people who possessed the power of the gods. They hadn't a need to learn things like magic. Thinking that, Cliff went and asked him,


「お前はどうして、魔術なんか習っているんだ？」
「うむ。やりたいことがあるのだ」

　そう言って、ザノバはいつも持ち歩いている箱から、一体の人形を取り出した。
　そして、その人形について長々と語った。
　クリフは、彼の言葉の意味が半分もわからなかった。
　だが、その人形の出来が素晴らしいものであるという事だけは伝わった。

"Why are you learning magic?"

"Mm. There's something that I want to do."

Saying this, Zanoba brought over a box and produced from it a doll. He then began to talk for a long time about the doll. Cliff only understood half of what Zanoba said. However, he at least understood from Zanoba's talk that this doll was something wonderful.

「余は、この人形を作った方に弟子入りし、この方と共に世界に人形を広めたいのだ！
　そのため、余も人形を作れるようにならねばならん！
　再会した時に基礎的な事はできるようになっておかなければ、師匠に申し訳が立たん！
　もっとも、自らの手でも作ってみたいというのもあるがな！」

　それは『夢』であった。

　クリフが持っていないものであった。
　否。
　クリフが諦めたものだった。

　神子であり、自国の期待を一身に背負っているだろうに。
　故郷に戻れば、きっと自由なんてないだろうに。
　彼は一縷の望みを捨てていないのだ。
　ある日突然、自由になる可能性を。
　そして、自由になった時、自分のやりたいことをやるつもりなのだ。

　ちなみに、クリフは、シーローン王国での事件やザノバの事情などは知らなかった。
　自分の常識になぞらえて考え、そう結論付けたのだ。

　勘違いである。
　だが、クリフは感銘を受けた。
　大したやつだと思ったのだ。

"I've become the disciple of this doll's creator, and I wish to spread dolls throughout the world with him! For this reason I must be able to create dolls! If I'm not capable of the fundamentals of doll creating by my next meeting with Shishou, I won't be able to face him! However, I do also want to be able to create dolls myself, you see!"

It was what people called a 『dream』.

That some something that Cliff didn't have. Nay, it was something Cliff had given up on.

Even though a miko would be burdened with the expectations of his homeland... Even though upon his homecoming, he probably wouldn't have any freedom... This man hadn't given up on his hope, in the chance that one day he might suddenly gain his freedom. And he planned to do what he wanted to do the moment that day came.

Incidentally, Cliff didn't know about the circumstances surrounding the Shirone Kingdom and Zanoba. The conclusions he came to were a result of his common sense.

He misunderstood. However, it left Cliff with a deep impression. He thought Zanoba quite the person.

「その師匠というのは、どういう奴なんだ？」
「ルーデウス・グレイラットというお方である」

　名前を聞いて、クリフは打ちのめされた。
　ルーデウス・グレイラット。
　エリスにフラれたあの日より、その名前は心に残っていた。
　ここでまた、その名前を聞くとは思わなかった。
　それも、自分が感銘を受けた人物の口から、である。

　ショックは大きかった。


"What kind of person is this shishou of yours?"

"He's a person named Rudeus Greyrat."


Hearing this, Cliff received an incredible impact. Rudeus Greyrat. The since the day he was rejected by Eris, this name had remained in his heart. He hadn't thought that he'd hear it again here, and furthermore from the mouth of the person who had left such an impression on him.

The shock was huge.

　二度目は、先輩によって。

　当然の事ながら、クリフはこの学校では自分が一番強いと思い込んでいた。
　接近戦も含めるとなればエリスには到底かなわない。
　だが、魔術師という枠組みでなら、自分に勝てる者はいない。
　自分は天才だし、学校にいるのは、所詮学生レベル。
　教師だって、自分より魔術が使えない奴が大勢いる。
　故に、自分はこの学校で一番強い。

　それが思い上がりだと知るのは、入学して約二ヶ月。
　学生の中でもトップクラスだと噂される、二人の獣族の少女に負けた時だ。
　リニア、プルセナ。

　きっかけはどちらからだったろうか。

　クリフは口も悪く、鼻持ちならない発言ばかりをしていた。
　当時のリニアとプルセナはすでにかなりおとなしくなっていたが、
　やはり生意気な年下にでかい口を叩かれるのは気に障る。

　クリフも、なんと言って二人を怒らせたのかは覚えていない。

　ただ、戦いの内容だけは覚えている。
　上級魔術を唱えようとしたクリフに対し、
　プルセナが初級魔術で牽制しつつクリフの詠唱と足を止めた。
　そして、リニアが接近してきて、クリフをぎったんぎったんにしたのだ。

　公衆の面前でボコボコにされて、クリフは一人、泣いた。
　２対１だし、しょうがない、自分は負けてないと言い聞かせた。
　そして後日、フィッツという年下の先輩が、一人であの二人を倒したと聞いて、二度目のショックを受けた。


　上には上がいる。
　この学校にきて、クリフはそんな当たり前の事を知った。
　そして、上級魔術を使えた所で、決して強くはなっていないという事を、ようやく理解した。

　その日以来、クリフは努力した。
　ただ、そのプライドは高く、誰にも教えを受けることはなかった。
　自分で強くなるにはどうすればいいのかを考え、
　しかしわからず、ひたすらに足りない部分を補おうとした。


The second time was because of a senpai.


Though this was as to be expected, Cliff had been under the impression that he was the strongest in the school. If you included close combat, then he was absolutely no match for Eris. However, he believed that there wasn't anyone who could beat him as a magician. He was a genius after all, and the ones enrolled in the school were student-level. Even among the teachers there were many who couldn't use more magic than he could.※ As a result, he was the strongest in the school.

[※Note: It doesn't specify just how he's better than these teachers. Just that he's better, so it might be that he uses the magic better, or he can use more magic, or anything else.]

That this was simply his conceit was something he would learn roughly 2 months into enrolment. It was when he lost to the two Beast Race girls who were also rumoured to be top class amongst the school; Rinia and Pursena.

Just who was it that started the fight?

Cliff had a bad mouth and everything that came out of it was intolerable. At the time, though Rinia and Pursena had already relatively calmed down, as expected, an impudent first year would rub them the wrong way.

Cliff couldn't remember just what he had said that had angered them.

However, he remembered the battle that followed. When Cliff made to use advanced level magic, Pursena used elementary level magic to deal with it and at the same time put a stop to Cliff's chanting and movements. Rinia then drew closer and thoroughly beat him down.

Because he had been beaten to a pulp in public, he cried once he was alone. 'Since it was two on one, it couldn't be helped. I didn't lose.' he told himself. And then one day, a senpai named Fitts defeated the two of them by himself, and Cliff received his second major shock.

There was always someone stronger. Since coming to this school, Cliff realised this obvious fact. And that just being able to use advanced level magic didn't make you strong, was something that Cliff finally understood.

　そして、入学より二年目。

　さらに二度の衝撃を受ける。

　一つ目の衝撃。
　ルーデウス・グレイラットの入学だ。
　自信のなさそうな顔。
　みすぼらしい鼠色のローブ。
　初対面の相手にへりくだる言動。
　卑屈とも言える態度、低い腰。
　女性を見る、ねっとりとした目線。
　男としての魅力が欠片も感じられない立ち姿……。

　エリスやザノバから聞いて想像していた人物とは大きくかけ離れていた。

　こんな奴が、と疑問思った。
　同姓同名の別人だろう、と。
　しかし、ザノバは彼を師匠と呼び、エリスの事も知っていた。

　なら、こいつは嘘を付いているんだ、とクリフは結論づけた。
　嘘を積み重ねてエリスとザノバを騙したのだ、と。

　それが証拠に、リニアとプルセナに挑発されても、へこへこと頭を下げるだけだ。
　本当に強いのなら、あの二人を打ち破れるはずだ。

　クリフはそう判断した。
　だが、すぐに化けの皮が剥がれるとも考えていた。
　ザノバは本当の神子で、勤勉な努力家だ。
　リニアとプルセナも実力はピカイチ。
　嘘やごまかしでやっていける場所ではないのだ。

　フィッツがルーデウスに敗れたという噂も聞こえていたが、
　何かの間違いか、彼が流した嘘か、卑怯な手を使ったのだろう。

　そう考えていた。

　が、ルーデウスは実力を示した。
　彼は無詠唱魔術の使い手だった。
　まず、ザノバを更に心酔させた。
　リニアとプルセナも軍門に下った。
　あのフィッツも認めており、数日に一度は、一緒に図書館で勉強をする仲だという。

　それだけの実力がありながら、授業に出ているのも見た事がある。
　神撃や結界魔術の『初級』の講座である。
　いまさら必要ないだろうに、自分に足りないものを貪欲に学ぼうとしているのだ。

　ルーデウス・グレイラットは自分よりも才能があり。
　自分よりも勤勉であり。
　自分と違って結果を出している。

　それはクリフにとって、認めたくない事実であるはずだった。
　しかし、ザノバと出会い、リニアとプルセナに敗北したという経験のせいだろう。
　思いの外、すんなりと受け止めることができた。
　この少年は、自分の遥か上を行く存在なのだと。

　だからといって好きになるわけもなかった。
　事実を受け止めるのと、ルーデウスを好きになるのは、まったく別の事であるからだ。

Then two years after he first entered...

He received two more shocks that were even greater.

The first shock; Rudeus Greyrat entered the school. He had an expression that lacked confidence. He was wearing a shabby grey robe. On first meetings, he would ingratiate himself to others while debasing himself. He'd lower his back and took an attitude that could be called servile. When he saw women, his gaze would stick to them. He had no appeal as a man...

He was too far from the person that Cliff had envisioned based on the things he had heard from Eris and Zanoba.

'A guy like this?' he thought. 'It's probably just someone with the same name', he thought. However, Zanoba called him Shishou and he knew about Eris as well.

In that case, he had lied to them, Cliff concluded. Piling up lies upon lies, he fooled Zanoba and Eris, he thought.

As proof of that, even when Rinia and Pursena provoked him, he simply smiled foolishly and lowered his head. If he were truly strong, he'd beat the two of them down.

Or so Cliff had judged. However, his true character would immediately be revealed, he thought. Zanoba was the real deal as a miko, and he was a hard worker as well. Rinia and Pursena's ability was also assured. He wouldn't be able to get by with lies or deception.

Though he had also heard the rumour that Fitts was defeated by Rudeus, there was surely some mistake or perhaps Rudeus had lied again, or he had used some sort of cowardly trick.

That was Cliff had thought.

But Rudeus showed his true power. He was a user of chantless magic. To start with, Zanoba's adoration for him further increased. Rinia and Pursena also withdrew. That Fitts had recognised him as well, and it was said that once every few days they would study together in the library.

Though he had this much ability he was seen going to classes too. They were classes in 『Elementary Level』 exorcism and barrier magic. Even though he'd have no use for them after all this time, he still greedily made to learn the things that he was lacking in.

Rudeus Greyrat had more ability than him. He was more diligent than him. He produced different results from him.

It was a reality that Cliff shouldn't have wanted to recognise. However, it was probably because he had met with Zanoba, and had been defeated by Rinia and Pursena. Unexpectedly, he readily accepted it; that this youth was far, far ahead of him.

Even so, it wasn't as though he had come to like him. Accepting this reality, and coming to like Rudeus were completely different matters after all.

　そして、最後の衝撃。

　それは、ある日の事。
　時刻は夕暮れ時のこと。
　道を歩いていた時のこと。
　ふと上を見上げた時のこと。

　そこに女神がいた。

　金色の豪奢な髪を持っていた。
　窓に寝そべるように物憂げな表情で外を見ていた。
　夕暮れに赤く染まる顔は美しかった。

　クリフの心臓は打ち抜かれた。
　一目惚れであった。

　もともと、クリフは面食いである。
　冒険者にあこがれていた幼少の頃には、
　将来のお嫁さんは綺麗な人がいい、なんて言っていた。
　孤児院のOGである治癒術師が美しかったからだ。

Then, the final shock.

It was something that happened on a certain day. It was something that happened when it had turned into the evening. It was something that happened while he was walking down the road. It was something that happened when he had looked up by chance.

There, stood a goddess.

She had magnificent golden hair. She was leaning against the window and with a languid expression she was looking outside. Her face, dyed in the red of the evening, was beautiful.

Cliff's heart was pierced. His gaze was stolen at a glance.

However, it was purely physical. During his childhood when he was yearning for the life of an adventurer, he had said something like 'It'd be nice if my bride were someone beautiful' or something like that. The reason was because the alumni of the orphanage that had become clerics were beautiful.

「……っ！」

　その時、窓辺の女性がクリフに気づいた。
　ふわりと微笑んで、手を振る。

　その仕草、笑顔、シチュエーション、全てがクリフのド直球だった。
　クリフは思った。
　僕はこの女性に会うために生まれてきたのだと。
　彼女は僕に出会うために生まれてきたのだと。

　その瞬間、エリスの存在は初恋の相手から、ただの憧れに変わった。

"...!"

At the time, the woman by the window noticed Cliff. She gently smiled and waved at him.

That gesture, that smile, that situation; all of it hit Cliff head on.

Cliff thought,


'I was born to meet this woman.'

'She was born to meet me.'※


In that instant, Eris changed from the target of his first love into someone he simply admired.



[※Note: Oh Cliff TT_TT]


--- ルーデウス視点 ---
--- Rooday'Az's Visual Dot ---


　月に一度のホームルーム。

　現在は、俺の周囲にザノバ、リニア、プルセナが並んでいる。
　友人と机を並べるというのは、やはりいいものだ。
　ちなみにジュリもザノバの膝に座っている。

　リニアはいつも通り、机の上に足を乗せ、健康的な太ももを惜しげもなく俺の前にさらけ出している。
　これが間近で見られる生活というのも、なかなか悪くはない。

I'm attending the once-a-month homeroom.

Presently, lined up around me are Zanoba, Rinia and Pursena. As expected, it's a nice thing to have your friends' desks lined up along yours. Incidentally, Julie is sitting on Zanoba's lap.

As always, Rinia has her feet on the desk and her healthy thighs are freely revealed before me. This lifestyle where I can see these up close is really not bad.

「ボスはいつもあちしの足に釘付けだニャ、ボスも飢えた男ってことか……。
　ほら、ピラッ……ギャー、スカートの中に手を入れるニャ！」

　リニアはたまに無駄に挑発してくるので、遠慮なく触らせてもらう。
　しかし、触れども触れども、虚しくなるだけだ。
　行き場のないリビドーが悲しみとなって増幅されるのだ。

"Boss' eyes are always nyailed to our legs nya. So Boss is also a hungry male huh... Lookie, lookie ...Gyaa! Don't put your hand up my skirt nya!"

Since Rinia occasionally provokes me for no reason, I feel her up without hesitation. However, no matter how much I may touch, it's all in vain. The libido that has nowhere to go turns into sadness, and it just piles up.

「ニャ！？　何ニャその目は、自分から触っておいて、なんでそんな顔するニャ！？
　あちしの何が気に食わニャいんだ！？」

　ぶっちゃけ、最近では耳とか尻尾とか触らせてもらった方がいい。
　猫耳と猫尻尾は癒されるのだ。

"Nya!? What's with those eyes nya! Even though you touched me yourself, why are you making such a face nya!? Just what is it that you didn't like about me nya!?"

Honestly speaking, these days I'd rather just touch their ears and tails. Cat ears and cat tails can heal you.

「リニアは馬鹿なの」

　プルセナは俺の手の届かないギリギリの位置で肉を食っている。
　干し肉だったり、焼肉だったり、生肉だったり。
　種類は様々だが、基本的に常に肉を食っている。
　普段はクール系を気取り、迂闊なリニアを馬鹿にしているが、
　肉で釣ると尻尾を扇風機みたいにしながら近づいてくる。
　彼女の方が毛質は柔らかく、撫で心地がいい。

　前々から気になっていたので見てみたが、獣族には人間耳はついていなかった。
　人間が耳の生えている場所を斜めに横断するように生え際がある。
　もっとも、種族によってはもっと横寄りに耳がついている奴もいる。
　頭蓋骨の形が違うのだ。
　恐らく、耳の内部構造も違うはずだ。
　もし俺が生物学者だったらぜひとも解剖して調べてみた事だろう。
　だが、俺は生物学者ではない。
　してみたい解剖は違う意味での解剖だ。
　もっとも、全ては病が治ってからだがね。

　彼女はリニアと違い、肉をあげなければ撫でさせてくれない。
　逆に言えば、肉さえ上げれば撫でさせてくれる。
　貞操観念はそこそこ高いようだが、
　少々心配である。

"Rinia is an idiot."

Pursena is sitting just outside of reach and eating meat. Dried meat, grilled meat, fresh meat... though there are a lot of types, it's essentially always meat. Though she normally pretends to be the cool type and makes fun of Rinia, if you lure her with meat her tail will wag about like an electric fan and she'll come towards you. Her fur is softer than Rinia's so it feels great to stroke.

It's something that's been on my mind for a long time now, but the members of the Beast Race don't have human ears. Their hairline is sort of diagonally to the side of where we humans would have ears. However, it depends on the species and there are also those who have their ears further to the side. It's because their skull structure is different. It's probable that the internal structures of their ears are different as well. Were I a biologist, I'd probably love to dissect one of them for analysis. However, I'm not a biologist. The type of analysis I'd like to do is completely different. However, everything starts from after I'm cured.

Unlike Rinia, unless I offer her meat she won't let me pat her. On the other hand, as long as I give her meat, she'll let me do so. Though she's quite chaste, I'm still a little worried about her.

「師匠、以前より足首の角度が悪くなっていますな」
「ごしゅじんさま、あたしがなおします」
「ジュリ、余のことはマスターとよべ。そして師匠の事はグランドマスターと呼ぶのだ」
「はい、ますた」

　ザノバは平常運転だ。

　しかし、彼はこのグループ内のヒエラルキーは一番下となっている。
　先日の決闘でリニア・プルセナに勝利したのはもっぱら俺であり、
　ザノバはそれにくっついていた金魚の糞にすぎない。
　虎の威を借る狐は気に食わない、というのがリニアの言い分だ。

　対するザノバは、
　余は師匠の一番弟子である、と主張した。
　だが、俺の教えを受けているのはシルフィ、エリス、ギレーヌに続いて四番目だ。
　ギレーヌとは持ちつ持たれつの関係だったから除外するとしても三番目。
　そう言った時のザノバの情けない顔ときたら、ちょっと悪い事をした気分になったぐらいだ。
　フォローとして、人形の方では一番弟子だと教えておいた。

　人形の二番弟子であるジュリは、ザノバのロキシー人形に関する講義を真面目に聞いている。
　彼女もだいぶ洗脳されて(わかって)きたようだ。
　人形製作に意欲的に取り組もうという意志を伺える。
　とはいえ、俺やザノバと対等なレベルで人形について語れるのはまだまだ先だろう。

　そして、拙いながらも無詠唱魔術を使える。
　やはり幼いと魔力総量が増え、無詠唱魔術も使える、というフィッツ先輩の説は正解らしい。

"Shishou, for a while now, the angle of the ankle has been getting worse."

"Goshujinsama, I'll fix it."

"Julie, call me Master. And call Shishou Grandmaster."

"Yes, Master."

Zanoba is the same as always.

However, his position in this group has dropped to the lowest. Since the one who did all the work in the duel the other day was just me, Zanoba just ended up as a tag-along. 'I can't accept someone who just borrows someone else's authority', or so Rinia said.

In response, Zanoba asserted 'I am Shishou's first disciple'. However, I've also taught Sylphy, Eris and Ghislaine, making him the fourth. Since Ghislaine was also my master, excluding her puts him third. When I told him this, Zanoba made a miserable expression, and I felt a bit like I'd done something bad. I followed up and told him that he was my first disciple in doll making.

The second doll-making disciple Julie listened earnestly to Zanoba's lectures on the Roxy doll. It seems she's quite brainwashed now. She's also become quite motivated about doll-making and will ask questions herself. Though I say that, she's still far from the level of Zanoba and I when it comes to talking about dolls.

Also, though it's still unskilful, she can use chantless magic. As expected, you really can increase your mana capacity when you're young, you can also use chantless magic, and so it seems that Fitts-senpai's theory was on the mark.

「…………ぐらんどますた。できませんでした」
「はい」

　ただ、やはりまだ幼いせいか、失敗が多い。
　今もまた、ロキシー人形の足が水ぶくれみたいにでかくなってしまっている。
　小さなサイズの土魔術を作り出すのは無理なのだろう。

　もちろん、俺は怒らない。
　何事もやってみろと教えている。
　失敗に懲りず、何度でもやりなおせと教えている。
　失敗は成功の母とも言うし、一度の失敗でやめてしまえば引きこもりまっしぐらだ。

"...Grandmaster. I couldn't do it."

"Right."

However, it might be because she's still young, but she fails a lot. Just now she made the bubble on the Roxy doll's leg bigger. It's probably impossible for her to use create small-sized earth magic.

Of course I'm not angry. I teach her to try things herself. I teach her not to feel bad about failing, and to try to redo it as many times as it takes. Failure is the mother of success, and if you give up upon failing once you're on a straight track to becoming a shut-in.

「ロキシー人形を直すには、まだ早かったですね」
「ごめんなさい」

　彼女が俺を見る目には、たまに恐怖の色がある。
　なんでそんなに怖がるのか。
　俺はお前を救ってやったじゃないか。
　そう聞いてみると。

　炭鉱族の寝物語に登場する『穴の怪物』というものを教えてくれた。

　その怪物は穴の奥に住んでいて、たまに出てきて悪い子を攫う。
　逃げようとしても、いつのまにか足元が泥沼になっていて逃げられず、
　袋を被せられて穴の奥底に連れて行かれるのだ。
　穴の奥に連れて行かれた悪い子はある日ひょっこり戻ってくるけど、
　まるで別人みたいにいい子になっているんだと。

　なるほど、言われてみると確かに。
　俺は泥沼を使ってリニアとプルセナを倒し、袋を使って拉致監禁。
　ザノバとジュリがいない所でフィッツ先輩に手伝ってもらってお仕置き完了。
　リニアとプルセナは俺にでかい口叩かなくなった。
　ジュリの目から見れば、その通りかもしれない。

"It seems it's still a bit early for you to fix the Roxy doll, huh."

"I'm sorry."

The eyes that she looks at me with are sometimes a little fearful.

'Why are you so afraid of me? Aren't I the one that saved you?'

When I tried asking this, I was told about a dwarven bedtime story; 『The Hole Monster』.

It lives inside of a hole, and occasionally comes out to abduct bad children. Even if they try to escape, at some point the ground beneath their feet will turn into a bog and they won't be able to escape. The monster then stuffs them into a sack and brings them back into the depths of his hole. Though the bad children taken by the Hole Monster will one day suddenly return, they'll be good children, almost like different people.

I see, now that I'm told this it does make sense. I used a bog to defeat Rinia and Pursena, and then I stuffed them into a sack and abducted and confined them. While Zanoba and Julie weren't there, Fitts-senpai helped me out and we concluded their punishment. Rinia and Pursena were talking big to me. Perhaps that's how Julie saw it.

「ふぁー、眠いニャ」
「最近、暖かくなってきたの」
「ボス、今度あちしの昼寝スポットを教えてあげるニャ」
「え？　昼寝してるリニアさんにイタズラしていいんですか？」
「……ボスはエロいことしか考えてないのかニャ？」
「師匠は人形のことを第一に考えておられる」
「お前は口開くとややこしくなるから黙ってるの」
「ですが」
「いいから肉でも買ってくるの」
「もうすぐ教師がくるニャ」
「ダッシュなの」
「ますたー、ここはわたしが」
「じゃあ、僕が」
「ボスがいくくらいならあちしが行くニャ」
「どうぞどうぞ」
「ニャ！？」

　教師が来るまで、そうやって雑談をしていた俺たち。
　まあ、うるさかっただろう。
　間違いなく、うるさかっただろう。

　さて、この部屋にはもう一人いる。
　教室の前の方。
　ひとりポツンと勉強をしている少年。
　真面目に勉強している少年。
　クリフ。
　彼は俺たちの雑談に、肩を怒らせて立ち上がった。

"Faaa, I'm sleepy nya."

"Right. Lately it's gotten warmer."

"Boss, next time we'll show you our napping spot nya."

"Eh? Is it okay to mess around with you while you sleep, Rinia-san?"

"...Don't you think about anyeething but perverted things, Boss?"

"Shishou thinks about dolls before anything."

"Right, whenever you open your mouth complicated stuff comes out, so be quiet."

"However,"

"Right, just do it and go buy me some meat."

"The teacher is about to come nya"

"That's right, make a dash for it."

"Master, I will-"

"In that case, I'll-,"

"If you're going to go, Boss, then I may as well."

"Go ahead, go ahead."

"Nya!?"

Until the teacher arrives, we just continue to chat like this. Well, it was probably noisy. Without a doubt, it was noisy.

Well then, there's another person in the room. He's sitting in the front. A youth studying by himself. A youth who's studying in earnest. Cliff. He got angry at out chatter and stood up in anger.

「うるさい！　集中できないだろ！
　遊びに来てるんなら故郷に帰れ！」

　俺は黙ったよ。
　ザノバも雑談をやめて、ジュリへの講義に戻った。
　しかし、元不良生徒二人は、それを喧嘩上等だと受け取った。

"You're noisy! I can't concentrate! If you're just here to play around then just go home!"

I shut up. Zanoba stopped chatting as well, and returned to Julie's lectures. However, the two former delinquents took that as an invitation to a fight.

「誰に向かって口聞いてるニャ」
「お前のサイフの中身は、今日から私のお肉になるの」

　「！？」が中空に浮かび出る。

　普通、前回やられた奴というのは、次回では噛ませ犬となる。
　が、この二人はクリフとはすでに喧嘩済みであるらしい。
　クリフは入学早々に二人にやられ、
　それ以来、ずっと真面目に勉学に励んでいるのだとか。
　敗北を糧に成長する。
　勤勉な少年だ。
　邪魔するのはよくない。

"Just who the hell do you think you're talking to, nya?"

"Right, the insides of your bag are all my meat from now on."

"!?"s are suspended in the classroom.

Usually those who have just been done in would be all show. However, I've heard that these two have already fought with Cliff. When Cliff first entered the school, he was done in by the two, and since then he's been earnestly studying. Using failure to feed growth. He's a diligent youth. It'd be better not to disturb him.

「申し訳ありません。勉強に励んでる方の邪魔になりますね、静かにします。
　ほら、二人も座って、座って、座れって、おすわり」
「……ボスがそう言うならしょうがないニャ」
「ファックなの……」

　リニアとプルセナは不機嫌そうな顔でストンと座った。

"We apologise. It seems we've gotten in the way of your studies; we'll be quiet. Come on, you two sit down, sit down, I said to sit, SIT!"

"...If Boss says that then there's no helping it nya."

"Fuck..."

With unhappy expressions, Rinia and Pursena sat with a thump.

「ふん、わかればいいんだ。まったく、ザノバまで一緒になって何をやってるんだ、まったく……！」

　クリフはふんと鼻息を一つ。
　リニアとプルセナはチッと舌打ちをしていた。
　真面目に生きている奴の邪魔することはない。
　俺も不真面目に生きているつもりはないがね。

　どちらにしろ、彼とは接点を持たないだろう。
　その時は、そう思っていた。

"Hmph, if you get it then good. God, even Zanoba, what are you all doing, god...!"

Cliff snorted. Rinia and Pursena clicked their tongues. I won't get in the way of those who are living their lives seriously. I don't have any intention of living otherwise either though.

Whatever the case, I probably won't cross paths with him. So I thought at the time.


---


　それから一週間後。
　俺はいつも通り、フィッツ先輩と転移について調べていた。

　最近わかり始めた事だが、
　転移と召喚というのは、やや似ている部分がある。
　魔法陣の形状も似ている。
　魔法陣から発する魔力光の色も似ている。

　しかし、決定的に違う部分がある。
　それは『人間は召喚できない』という事だ。

　どんな召喚魔術でも、人間が召喚できたことはない。
　魔獣、精霊、植物……それらを召喚することはあっても、
　人間は召喚出来ない。

　過去の文献、資料、物語を見ても、人間を召喚するものはなかった。
　人族、魔族、獣族……この世界にはあらゆる種族がいるが、
　人間と称されている者達を召喚することは出来ないのだ。

　もっとも。
　俺もフィッツ先輩も召喚については専門外だし、
　似ているからなんだという話に落ち着いた。
　けれど、俺には引っかかる部分があった。

　『生身の人間』は召喚することは出来ないとして。

　じゃあ、『魂』だけなら？

After that a week passed. As usual, I was researching teleportation with Fitts-senpai.

It's something I'm realising recently but there are some similarities between teleportation and summoning. The magic squares are similar. The colour of the mana light is also similar.

However, there are some decisive differences; that is 『People cannot be summoned』.

No matter the summoning magic, people can't be summoned. Magic beasts, ghosts, plants... all of these can be summoned but people can't be.

Whether in literature, documents or stories, there are no mentions of human summoning. Humans, demons, beast people... though there are many types in this world, as long as they're designated as people they can't be summoned.

However, neither I nor Fitts-senpai are experts in summoning so though I say they're similar it's not a strong assertion. However, there's a part that I'm stuck at.

The 『summoning of living people』 can't be done.

Then what about just their 『soul』?

「……」

　それを口にする事はない。
　ただ、詳しい人に聞いてみたいと思った。
　異世界をさまよう人間の魂。
　そいつは召喚できるのか。

"..."

I don't speak of it. However, I thought that it would be good to ask an expert about it. The wandering soul of someone from another world. Would that be possible to summon?

「フィッツ先輩、召喚魔術に詳しい先生にあたりを付けておいてくれませんか？」
「え？　うん、わかった。でも、この学校では召喚術って付与系しか教えてないよ？　僕らの調べてることがわかる先生、いるかなぁ……？」

　そうなのか。
　そういえば、授業のリストを見た時も召喚術の授業はなかったな。
　あるものに関してはわかるが、無いものに関しては気づかないものだ。
　しかし、付与って召喚術にカテゴライズされるのか。魔術教本には書いてあったっけか。

"Fitts-senpai, could you see if there's a teacher who's knowledgable about summoning?"

"Eh? Mn, got it. But I don't think there's anyone at this school who knows about anything but enchanting-type summonings, you know? Are there really any teachers who know about what we're researching...?"※

Is that so? Speaking of which, there really wasn't 'summoning magic' listed amongst the available courses, huh. I noticed the things that I were familiar with, but didn't pay much attention to the things that I weren't. However, enchanting was categorised under summonings? Did I see that in a magic textbook?

[※Note: I think Kaito translated as 'bestowal' or something. I'm gunna go with 'enchantment' since 付与術師 is read as エンチャンター(enchanter) in Log Horizon.]

「とりあえず、探してみるしかないでしょう」

　この時、
　俺の内心には不安が芽生えていた。
　それを表面に出すことはない。
　杞憂だ。

　関係ないはずだ。

　あの災害は１０歳の時に起こった。
　俺が転生して、１０年だ。
　そう、１０年も、何も、起こらなかったのだ。

　関係ないはずだ。

"For now, there's probably nothing we can do but try searching for one."

At that time, an unease sprouted in my heart. I don't let it show. It's a needless worry.

There shouldn't be any connection.

That disaster happened when I was 10. It was 10 years since I had reincarnated. Right, in those 10 years, nothing had happened at all.

There shouldn't be any connection.


---


　寮への帰り道。
　この世界にも季節による日の出と日の入りはあるのか、
　入学当初は夜になっていた時刻でも、まだ夕暮れという時刻。

　すっかり周囲から雪は消え、北方大地特有の、赤茶けた地面。
　そこに敷かれた石造りの道を歩いていると、ふと声が聞こえた。

On the way back to the dorms. In this world, it might be that the sunrise and sunset are affected by the seasons, but though it was night at this time when I first entered, it's evening now.

Characteristic of the north, now that the snow has completely vanished, only the reddish-brown ground remains. While walking along the stone-laden path embedded in this ground, I happened to hear a voice.

「まてやコラァ！」
「詠唱できると思ってんじゃねえぞ！」

　校舎の裏から、一人の少年がまろび出てきた。
　それを追うように、六人の男が追いかけてくる。

　少年は距離を取って魔術を詠唱しようとする。
　最初は大規模な詠唱を行おうとして、しかし男たちに妨害され、
　初級魔術で牽制するも、相手が六人いれば意味もなく。
　少年は追い詰められ、殴られ、転がされた。
　六人は亀のように耐える少年に追い打ちをかけた。

　イジメだ。
　イジメの現場だ。
　胸が痛くなる光景だった。

　俺は思わず声をかけていた。

"Oi, wait!"

"Don't think you can use your chants!"

From behind the school building appeared a fallen youth. Chasing them were 6 men.

The youth had been gaining distance to chant. At first they had tried to use a large magic but were stopped by the men, but even when they used elementary magic it made no difference due to the numbers. The youth was cornered, beat, and thrown about. The six of them were attacking the youth who like a turtle, unable to move, just bore with it.

It was bullying. It was the scene of bullying. It was something that hurt to see.

Unconsciously, I raised my voice.

「これこれ君たち、亀をいじめてはいけないよ」

　思わず駆け寄ってそう言うと、六人は一斉にこちらを向いて、睨みつけてきた。
　俺よりちょいと背丈が高いのもあって、威圧される感じだ。

"Oi, oi, you guys. Don't bully people(turtles) who can't escape."

When I unconsciously ran up while saying that, the six of them simultaneously turned towards me with a glare. Because they were also a little taller than me, it felt daunting.

「んだてめぇは！」

　しかし、そのうち一人が気づいた。

"The hell you say!?"

However, one of them noticed.

「お、おい、こいつ、泥沼の……」
「泥沼……？　る、ルーデウスか！？」
「リニアさん達を部屋に監禁して調教したっていう！？　あのルーデウスか！？」

　調教はしてねえよ。

"O-, oi, Quagmire..."

"Quagmire...? R-, Rudeus!?"

"The one who confined Rinia-san and Pursena-san in his room and trained them!? That Rudeus!?"

I didn't train them!

「いや、さすがにデマだろ！？」
「プルセナさんがボスって言って尻尾振ってるんだぜ……！？」
「あのひとは肉くれる人にはだいたい尻尾振るだろうが！」
「だけどよ、あの二人が従ってるってのはマジなんだろ？」
「ああ、顔に落書きされてる所、授業中にみたもんよ」
「なんだっけ、『私はルーデウス様の性奴隷です』だっけか？」
「いや、内容はよく覚えてないんだが……」
「決闘して倒してから、拉致って奴隷かよ……」
「……しかもドルディア族をだぜ？」
「後先考えてねえのかよ……」

　男たちは俺を尻目にあることないこと喋りだし。
　最終的にはゴクリと唾を飲み、戦慄の視線を俺に送ってきた。
　互いに目配せしあい、頷き合う。
　そして、倒れている少年に目を落とす。

"Nah, that's just a story right!?"

"Pursena-san called him Boss and wagged her tail at him you know...!?"

"But she'll basically wag her tail at anyone who gives her food!"

"But you know, those two really listened to what he said yanno?"

"Ahh, I saw them with scribbles all over their faces in class you know."

"What was it again? 『I'm Rudeus-sama's sex slave』 was it?"

"Nah, I didn't really see it but..."

"After he beat them in a duel, he kidnapped them as slaves...? Seriously...?"

"...Not just that, but someone from the Doldia clan, you know?"

"Doesn't he think about consequences...?"

The men were just talking without even taking a glance at me. Finally, they nodded with a gulp, and with a shudder turned to look at me. After exchanging looks, they nod together. They then lower their gazes to the fallen youth.

「おい、今日の所はこれで勘弁しといてやる」

　今日の所は。
　という言葉に、俺は敏感に反応した。

"Oi, we'll let you off for today."

For today. I'm sensitive to words like that.

「今日の所はってことは、また後日同じことするつもりですか？
　六人がかりで、一人をイジメるんですか？」

　きつい口調でいうと、六人はあからさまにめんどくさそうな顔をした。

"By 'for today', you mean that you'll do the same thing another day? Six of you bullying a single person?"

When I said this harshly, the six of them openly showed on their faces that this had become troublesome.

「チッ……」
「なあ、ルーデウス……さん、あんたには関係ねーだろ……」

　こいつらはいつもそうだ。
　関係無い。関係無い。
　俺だって関係ないことは承知で首つっこんでんだよ。

"Tsk..."

"Hey, Rudeus...san, this none of your business, right...?"

These guys are always the same. None of your business. None of your business. I was well aware that it was none of my business when I stuck my nose in you know.

「事情は知りませんが、六対一は卑怯ですよ」
「…………」

　六人は顔を見合わせ、そして首を振る。
　目線で話すなよ。

"I don't know the circumstances, but 6 vs 1 is unfair, you know."

"..."

The six of them exchange glances, and then shake their heads. Don't have a discussion using your eyes.

「わかったよ。やらねえよ。けどな、そいつだって、別に何もしてねーわけじゃねえんだからな」

　男の一人はそう言うと、踵を返した。
　ほか五人も付き従い、校舎裏へと戻っていった。
　校舎裏に巣でもあるんだろうか。

"We get it. We'll stop it. But yanno, it's not like that guy is innocent."

One of the men said that, and went back behind the school. The other 5 accompanied him. The area behind the school building might be their hangout.

「ふぅ」

　俺は息を一つ吐いた。
　やはり、ああいう威圧してくる相手がたくさんいるとビビるな。
　多人数との戦い方はある程度俺の中でもシミュレートされているが、
　しかし、それと心の問題は別だ。
　１対１ならビビらんのだがなぁ……。

"Phew."

I sighed. As expected I get pretty nervous when faced with so many imposing guys. I've mentally simulated battles with multiple opponents, but even so, this is a matter of the heart. I wouldn't be afraid in a 1 vs 1 fight though...

「やあ、大丈夫ですか？」

　俺は、立ち上がりつつある少年に近づいた。
　彼は服の埃を払いつつ、小声でヒーリングを詠唱していた。
　さすが魔法大学といった所か、イジメられっこでも治癒魔術を使うとは。

　そう思っていると、少年が振り返った。
　クリフだった。

"Hey, are you alright?"

I approached the youth who was getting up. While dusting off his clothes, he chanted Healing in a quiet voice. It's to be expected of a Magic University, but for even bullying victims to be able to use healing magic is...

While I was thinking that, the youth turned his head. It was Cliff.

「…………」

　正直、クリフにはいい思い出が無い。
　顔を見る度に突っかかってくるし、
　今回もどうせ「お前に助けられる筋合いはない！」とか言うんだろう。
　そう思っていた。

"..."

Frankly speaking, I don't have any good memories of Cliff. Each time we meet he flares up and this time he'll probably just say "You had no business saving me!", I thought.

「お前に助けられる筋合いは……」

　と、そこまで口にして、クリフは口をつぐんだ。
　そして、むむっと考えるような表情を作り。
　ふぅとため息を一つ。

"You had no business..."

Cliff stopped speaking halfway. He then made an expression like he was sullenly thinking. He then let out a sigh.

「…………いや、助かったよ。ありがとう」
「どういたしまして」

　クリフは頭を一つ下げると、足早に去っていった。

　俺はその光景をあっけに取られてみていた。
　確かに助けはした。
　だが、こうも唐突に態度が変わるとなると。
　何か企んでいるんじゃないかと思ってしまう所だ。

　いや、ここは素直に受け取っておくべきなのだろうか。
　今までクリフはやけに噛み付いてきたが、俺から噛み付き返す事はなかった。
　クリフもようやく、俺を敵ではないと認めてくれたのかもしれない。
　そもそも、なんで嫌われてるのかもわかっていなかったのだが……。

"...No, you saved me. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Bowing once, Cliff quickly walked away.

I was shocked to see that. I certainly did save him. But for him to suddenly change his attitude like this. It's enough to make me wonder if he's scheming something.

No, it might be best for me to obediently accept this. Though Cliff has been really snapping at me up until now, I've never snapped back. Cliff might have finally recognised that I'm not an enemy. To begin with, I don't even know why I was hated so much...

「まあいいか」

　俺は寮に向かって歩き出した。

"Well whatever."

I returned to the dorm.


---


　翌日。
　俺は昼食を食い終わる頃、クリフに呼び止められた、

　そして、放課後に校舎裏へと呼び出される。

　クリフは怒っていた。
　何を怒っているのかわからない。
　だが、難しい顔だった。

　喧嘩するのだろうか。
　と、俺はボンヤリと考えていた。
　すでに予見眼を開眼している。
　周囲に気を配りつつ、右手に魔力を溜めていた。

　恩を仇で返すとは、最近の亀は酷いな。
　そんな風に考えていた。

The next day. When I had just about finished lunch, Cliff called out to me.

Then, I was summoned behind the school building after school.

Cliff was angry. I didn't know what he was angry about. But he was making a difficult expression.

He might want to fight, huh? Or so I vaguely thought. I'd already activated my mystic eye. Whilst paying attention to my surroundings, I gathered mana to my right hand.

To pay back my kindness with evil, turtles sure are cruel these days. Or so I was thinking.

「よし、このへんでいいか」

　誰もいないことを確認して、クリフは振り返った。
　顔が真っ赤だ。

　すぐにわかった。
　これは決闘ではない。
　そういう目的で呼び出したのではない。
　むしろ、これは告白だ。
　このシチュエーションはそういうアレだ。

　参ったな。
　いくら女の子相手に役に立たないからって、
　パンツレスラーになった覚えはないんだが。
　フッ、もてる男は辛いぜ。
　なんちゃって。

"Alright. Here seems fine."

Making sure noone was nearby, Cliff turned around. His face was bright red.

I immediately understood. This wasn't a duel. He hadn't called me here for such a reason. On the contrary, it's a confession. That's basically how things are in a situation like this.

Oh man. No matter how many times I've failed with women, I don't recall ever becoming a Pants Wrestler.※ Phew, it's tough being popular. Just kidding.




[※Note: If you don't already know about this, you must have a watch -> http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/people/billy-herrington-gachimuchi]

「じ、実はな……」
「おうよ」

　答えは決まっている。
　俺は堂々と、返事をしてやろう。
　まずはお友達から、そして、そこで終わりだ、とな。

"T-, the truth is..."

"Aye."

I've decided on what to say. I'll answer him with dignity.

'Let's just start out as friends first, then after that, once we get to know each other better, we'll stay as just friends.'

「好きな子がいるんだ」
「お、おうよ……」

　照れ照れと頬を描きつつ、顔を赤らめてクリフはうつむく。
　俺はこれを断るのか？
　胃が痛い。
　これがもし女の子だったらと考えてしまう。
　俺の剣は聖剣でも、その鞘でもないのだ。

　しかし、クリフは顔を上げると、ある一点を指さした。

"There's someone I like."

"A-, aye..."

With shyness written all over his face, the completely blushing Cliff cast his eyes down. Am I going to reject this? My stomach hurts. I think about how it would be were this a girl. Though my sword is a holy sword, I don't have that sheathe either.

But Cliff raised his head and pointed to a certain place.

「あの子なんだ」

　指さした先は、校舎。
　やや遠目に、窓から顔を出した人物が見える。
　ここからでも、長い金髪が風に揺れているのが見て取れる。
　彼女は夕日に染まる学校風景を、物憂げな表情で見下ろしていた。

"It's her."

His finger is pointed to the school building. Some distance away, a person can been seen through the window. Even from here I can see their swaying, long, blonde hair. Beholding the scenery of the school dyed in the colour of the evening, with a languid expression she looks out the window.

「昼間、見たんだ。話してる所。
　知り合いなんだろ？
　その、紹介、してくれないか？」
「…………おうよ」

　校舎から顔を出している人物。
　それは、俺もよく知っている人物だった。
　噂でよく聞く問題児。
　サキュバスのように同級生を食いまくっている魔性の女。

　エリナリーゼ・ドラゴンロードだった。

"Today, I saw you. Talking to her. Is she an acquaintance? That's, um, could you introduce me?"

"...Aye."

The person who had appeared in the school building... That was a person I knew well. An oft-talked about problem child. A devilish woman who would 'eat up' her classmates like a succubus.

It was Elinalise Dragonroad.


----------------------------------------------------


副題を

「クリフvsエリナリーゼ」
「騙されし童貞～純真な恋心を叩いて砕く淫靡なる性欲～」
「気になるあの子がくっついちゃう！？　生意気なあの子の恋心！」

の、どれかにしようかと思ったけどやめた。

I was wondering just which of these I should pick as the subtitle,

"Cliff vs Elinalise"

"The Deceived Virgin ~The Impure Lust That Crushes a Pure Love~"

"I Became Intimate with That Boy That Bothered Me!? That Impudent Boy's Crush!"

but decided against it.