Chapter 282: I Got a Stray Yandere!

Setting aside the craziness Luna just dropped on me for a moment, the prospect of actually being friends was a welcome one.

It wasn't that I particularly disliked her. We’d just had a bit of a catastrophic misunderstanding.

Besides, Cynthia and Lilith had both mentioned wanting to get along with her. If we could actually deepen our mutual understanding, our future relationship would probably turn out just fine.

More importantly, Luna’s Gift is something I want so badly I can practically taste it.

It would be indispensable for defeating the Demon King, and it was certain to be a game-changer for the next exam.

“I’d appreciate that,” I said. “But are you sure? I mean… won’t it be awkward for you?”

“…Of course, I’m sad,” she admitted. “But I haven’t given up yet. I told Lady Cynthia as much.”

“Wait, you told her what?”

“That someday, I will definitely make Vai-kun fall in love with me.”

She said that to Lady Cynthia? She’s bolder than she looks…

“Lady Cynthia just laughed. She told me I was strong. That’s why I want to become strong, too.”

“I see. That’s a good thing.”

“So Vai-kun, I hope we can be friends from now on.”

Luna held out her small right hand. I reached out and took it.

“I couldn’t ask for more.”

I never dreamed I’d actually be able to catch a Liquid Metal Slime at a time like this. This is a massive plot alteration. It’s light-years away from what I expected, but I’ll take it.

“Luna, you know the contents of the next exam, right?”

“Of course… it looks like it’s going to be rough.”

“There’s no doubt it’ll be the most difficult challenge yet. But with you on our side, our chances of Victory go way up.”

“With… me?”

“Yeah. So, please, lend me your strength.”

“…Of course. If I’m enough, then I’m happy to help.”

The way she looked right then reminded me a lot of how Carta used to be. Luna had been bullied into a corner and had retreated into her own shell, but I was sure she’d be able to overcome it now.

And so would I.

The following day after school, I summoned Debi in the city district, intending to have Luna teach him magic right away.

“Debibi!”

“This is the first time I’ve seen him up close, but he’s such a cute little thing.”

“You think so?”

“Debee!”

“So,” I asked, “what do you think?”

Debi was busy nuzzling his head against Luna. She reached out and touched his body, as if confirming his physical makeup.

And then—

“It’s just like you said, Vai-kun. I think I can do it.”

“I thought so. —Debi, do you want to get stronger?”

“Debibi!”

The exam was still a little ways off, but plenty of people had already started their preparations. It was only going to get busier from here on out.

Now, how should I handle this?

Normally, losing the next exam is a foregone conclusion. In the original story, it was basically just a bit of fun—a mock battle. We’ll be up against the Noblesse faculty members we know so well. The entire roster of Lowerclassmen and Intermediate-year Students will be taking them on together.

Darius, Chloe, and Coco.

And then, I would eventually have to face the aloof, undisputed Strongest—Milk Abitus.

Heh. Just imagining it is enough to make me look forward to it.