Please Do Not Abandon the Adopted Heroine

Chapter 2 – Advising Professor and Assigned Student_2

The long silver hair was neatly ordered.

Eyes as red and beautiful as burnished gems, with sharp lashes. An elegant jawline set just right.

She was of average height. Until a few moments ago, I had been looking at the tall Cecilia, so in comparison, she seemed somewhat petite.

She maintained a delicate demeanor as if she intended to personify the image of tender youth. Unfortunately, a touch of mischief and her peculiar smile reminded me of a mischievous child.

But I knew it. That was an act.

But I knew it. She was posturing.

She, resembling a typical noble lady, partly concealed her lipsticked mouth and snickered as she spoke to me.

“I’m planning on revising my schedule of classes. I am not fond of the ‘Margin Structure’ lecture I had initially signed up for, therefore, wanted to ask if there was a possibility that I could attend Professor Neferna’s class instead?”

“Enrollment has ended.”

“But I’ve heard there are still available positions.”

“Enrollment has ended.”

“If you can’t get three more by the end of the day, aren’t you going to have to cancel that lecture?”

“… How did you… huh! Enrollment… has ended.”

“Can I use this form for revision? I’ll take one and submit it to the administration office myself, so you don’t need to worry.”

The silver-haired girl casually proceeded to pick up a form from the box. I quickly snatched the form away. But it seemed she was equally determined not to let it go as her lips tightened with resistance.

“Miss Undine, can you let go? I didn’t give you permission.”

“That’s amusing, professor. Did you think I would let it go so easily? I have the right to attend the lectures I choose.”

“There’s nothing more I can teach an exceptional student like you.”

Students began to gather one by one. Was the sight of us tussling over this piece of paper entertainment for them?

Ah, I should be campaigning at this moment! Campaign! Campaign!

“According to the school’s regulations, professors are allowed discretion in accepting students. It’s not only a student’s right to choose a course, but I also have the liberty to reject it.”

“Oh my, Professor, it sounds like you don’t want me? If others overheard, they might get the wrong idea~”

“Misunderstanding? It can’t be a misunderstanding.”

“Master!”

Windine, unable to hold back anymore, yelled out loud.

Startled, I reflexively let go of the papers, which fluttered into her hands.

Seemingly satisfied with just that, Windine folded the papers neatly and hid them behind her back, before finally turning to look at the quietly seated Cecil.

“……Anyway, who is this impertinent… hmhm! Lovely young fox lady?”

“Cecilia? She’s my assigned student.”

“Ah, I see! Student! …Assigned? Assigned…student?”

“Yes.”

“As…assigned student? Ehehehe, it seems I must have misheard due to my hearing loss recently.”

“Yes. You heard correctly. Assigned student.”

“Mm… let me think… as…assigned…student?”

Windine, who couldn’t fully comprehend what I was saying, mulled over the same word several times with a relaxed smile.

“Assigned student……?”

“Correct.”

“So… are you, by any chance…this transfer student’s advisor?”

“That seems to be the case.”

“Heh… Huhuh. You’re such a good joker. If you thought I’d fall for such an obvious lie, you’re greatly mistaken.”

“Why would I lie to you.”

“Lie! You’re not even a full professor yet!”

“That’s the privilege of the president.”

“What kind of school even allows that! Where’d the school rules I mentioned earlier go!”

“You really do say the darndest things without fearing the consequences. What are you talking about in Imperial Magic School, one of the top magic schools in the empire? Surely the president came to this decision after recognizing my ability.”

Undine bit her lip as if she were upset, moving her small lips subtly.

“… You didn’t listen when I asked you.”

She might have mumbled this only to herself, but unfortunately, my hearing was sharp enough to identify the exact location of a mosquito buzzing in the dark when I’m awake.

“Ugh~~! Never! I can’t give up! If I become the top student of the semester, you know I can choose which classes to take?”

“Was there such a school rule? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Humph! Too bad. You won’t be able to refuse next semester! Because of the school rule!”

Despite the bravado in her voice, you could hear the tremble, evidence that it was already steeped in sadness.

One touch, and her barely held back tears might just fall. The corners of her watery eyes reddened as I thought this, and for a moment, I let out a small laugh at the sight.

Ah, I shouldn’t laugh.

But it’s too late. I’ve been caught. It’s too late for regret.

“Ah~ I hate you! I really do! I’m not going to see your face anymore!”

With that, Undine ran off haphazardly.

… This marks the 157th time she’s declared she’s cutting ties with me.

While it’s true my heart softened at her tears, there’s no use in chasing after her now. I’m sure she’ll show up again, as if nothing happened, brimming with confidence. There’s no need for excessive concern.

“Was she a bit too noisy? I’m sorry, Cecilia.”

“… You don’t have to pay attention to me.”

She keeps telling me not to worry about her. Is it a habit of hers?

I then picked up my drumsticks. Thanks to Undine, students have gathered.

Boom boom!

Just as I was about to resume playing, the voice of someone I’d rather not encounter — second only to Undine — reached my ears.

“Ah, Professor Nefertina.”

I wonder if there would be a person who would willingly listen to a detailed description of his looks.

If I had to pick peculiar points, it would be his silver hair, which had an incomparable color to Undine’s, haphazardly placed atop his head, and the fact that he was annoyingly handsome for a man. Like father, like son, I guess.

The young man, who appeared to be utterly disorganized, swung his long arms and asked with a sly smile,

“Hey Undine, I saw her crying again. What happened?”

“Well, it worked out just fine.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re getting the best student award this semester. You can’t lose to your own little brother, can you?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

As Ignis showed incredulity with a shake of his head, a girl of unknown status who happened to be passing by greeted him.

“Eek! Hello, Ignis!”

“Hello, it’s been a while. That’s a new set of clothes, isn’t it? It suits you well.”

He softly waved his hand towards the girl, who was blushing and running away.

“Who is she?”

“I don’t know.”

“So, you don’t remember what you were just saying? You said it’s been a while.”

“I just responded to a greeting. I just acted like I knew her, you know, just in case she was the one sitting next to me at the bar last night.”

… Damn it. I didn’t want to see him for a reason.

If Undine’s mask was like a childish bluff, this guy’s, Ignis, was like a heavily armored persona.

Although they are siblings, the only similarity they share is physical appearance. Obviously, parents made some mistakes in the genetic distribution.

“You came home on time for the curfew yesterday, right?”

“Of course. I always follow the set rules.”

He leaves some room for speculation, making one wonder if this choice of pronoun ‘they’ was only felt by me.

Whether he knew it or not, or was pretending not to, Ignis smoothly smiled upon seeing Cecilia, asking,

“Hmm, is this the transfer student I’ve only heard rumors of?”

“…Are there already rumors?”

“Ah, some kids nearby told me. They said it’s quite the talk because they’re from the Sixth Holy Sword Party. They’re so kind to bring the news all the way to me, those school kids.”

“A man?”

“I think a girl? I don’t remember clearly, but their voice sounded feminine.”

“She can fall and break her nose, for all I care.”

“hahahaha, you sure know how to crack jokes, professor.”

That’s a shame if it sounded like a joke.

“I should go now. I don’t want her to feel neglected because of me, since she’s my first assigned student.”

“She’s my student, okay? Don’t lay a finger on my students. Don’t get close.”

“hahahaha, already being protective of your own students?… Hmm, let’s see. Sorry to interrupt, Cecilia. Let’s grab something to eat together later.”

Where did he even learn that name from? I’m sure I never mentioned it?!

Don’t make plans before me either!

I haven’t even been with her half a day yet, and haven’t even bought her a cup of coffee!

She’s my student! My student!

Nevertheless, Cecilia took a quick glance at Ignis and subtly avoided his gaze. This wasn’t surprising for someone who didn’t even bat an eye upon seeing Freya before her.

“…It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Speaking up like this wasn’t unexpected. I took advantage of her words and promptly pushed him out, as if shoving in his back.

“Cecilia wants you to leave, hurry up. Shoo, shoo~ hurry up.”

“Understood, see you next time! Cecilia!”

What a hectic day.

I sighed as I picked up the hard drumstick once again.

It was really about time to start the business again…

“Ah, right! Hey, Eugene! Huah… Huah…”

Running towards me out of breath was Freya, someone I knew well.

Following Undine and Ignis was Freya.

Only if they didn’t pretend not to disrupt my business, they wouldn’t have rushed in as if it was a sausage fest.

Freya talked to me with a radiant smile, without even sorting out her disheveled platinum hair.

I could not get angry at her when she smiled like that.

“Did you not hear the chairman’s words?”

“Words…? What words?”

“There’s a monster hunting exercise tomorrow at ＜Snowfield＞, remember?”

“I see. I had forgotten. Are you coming along?”

“Why would I be there? I am of no help… I am not the problem, you need to be there.”

She said while flicking the sweat gathering at her neck.

Just at the word Snowfield, I violently resisted as if I was having a seizure. Snowfield? I’d rather die.

“What? All of a sudden? Why! There’s only monsters crawling around! I hate it!”

“Why are you suddenly throwing a tantrum? Starting today, Cecilia is your assigned student. You must tell her and get prepared yourself. The hero of the sixth holy sword, who joined at the same time as Cecilia, is also planning to participate tomorrow.”

“When a hero is accompanying, they should handle the monsters they encounter in the experimental drill themselves. They should have that much strength. They wouldn’t have the sixth holy sword just to handle the monsters, right?”

“That’s right, but… you need to take care of Cecilia. It is a duty of an academic advisor.”

Duty of an academic advisor.

I chewed on those sweet words echoing in my ears over and over again.

‘A teacher’… I see.

Oh well… can’t be helped.

I sprung up as if a spring had been released under me.

“Ugh! Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it. Let’s give it our all?”

“You changed your mind rather quickly.”

“Heh-heh, isn’t that a teacher’s heart toward her students, Freiya? My proud student, Cecilia…”

Our gaze followed Cecilia, and we suddenly closed our mouths, as if by some promise.

In the midst of glancing away, a strange girl was unilaterally speaking in front of Cecilia.

“Who the heck is she?”

“I heard she came with Cecilia today, isn’t she a student? Her name was… Rebecca, right…?”

“Isn’t she the lover of the fraud who’s the sixth holy sword or whatever? Why is she arguing with Cecilia?”

“Well… both are members of the Sixth Holy Sword, so they would be close.”

Suddenly questioning why the tone was so sharp, Freiya squinted and glared.

“Freiya, I’m not very good with women’s communication.”

“Of course. You’re a man.”

“Yeah, and that girl who’s a hero’s lover or something, whispering to my student, sounds a bit sharp to me.”

“Ah, If that’s the case, let me take a look… hey, just a moment! I am a man, too!”

I couldn’t help but ignore the Freiya’s protest a bit.

Rebecca, who was staring at Cecilia, made me doubt my ears for a moment with her words.

“… You understand what I’m saying, right? Don’t act like this is a school. If the stinky beast child unknowningly messes with the hero… this time, I’ll step over you and kill you… anyway, don’t appear before my eyes.”

“…………….”

“Do you understand? If you understand, I want an answer from that smart mouth of yours! …… Please.”

“…… I’m sorry. …… Yes. I know.”

Cecilia’s tail was tightly shrunk, and her ears were frozen. Her stiff face, mixed with her pale complexion, seemed to collapse at any moment.

Freiya seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere as well, rolling her foot and looking up at me.

“What… what do I do? Are those kids fighting?”

… It would be fortunate if they were just bickering.