“Hey, come here a second. I need a word with you.”
I had returned safely to the classroom and just finished an enjoyable lesson when Gazel appeared before me.
“Uh… do you need something from me?”
“I’m calling you because I have a use for you. Just shut up and follow me.”
Giving me a blunt command, Gazel turned on his heel and started walking. He strode away quickly, not even looking back.
Hey, I haven't even said I'd follow you yet.
“What’s with that guy? If he has something to say, he should just say it here.”
“To be summoned again so soon after the last incident… Master Lloyd, you certainly seem to be attracting a lot of attention.”
Exactly. I’m supposed to be keeping a low profile; I can't imagine how this keeps happening. It just doesn't make sense.
“What do you plan to do, Master Lloyd? Do you actually intend to follow him?”
“It’s dangerous, Master Lloyd! They say that in places where people like this gather, they call anyone they don’t like behind the school building to beat them to a pulp with a group! Just look at Gazel’s appearance—he’s clearly that sort of thug!”
“—Ho.”
Being able to be showered with Gazel’s magic in a place where no one is watching… what a charming invitation.
“Why are his eyes sparkling…?”
“Well, in the first place, I’d like to see who exactly could manage to beat Master Lloyd to a pulp…”
“On, on!”
Grimo and Jiriel both looked on in exasperation.
Regardless, I couldn't just stand around. I followed after Gazel along with Shiro.
Leaving the classroom, Gazel passed by the automated stairs and headed deeper and deeper into a narrow corridor. We wove through empty classrooms, old stairs that looked unused, and paths that felt like the backside of the academy or hidden passages. It was a total maze.
After walking for a while, we finally reached a bright, open area. It seemed to be a gap created for the tower’s mechanisms, surrounded on all sides by towering walls.
“To call a meeting this early in the morning—give us a break, Gazel-san.”
At the sound of a voice from above, I looked up and saw several students standing on top of the walls, effectively surrounding me.
“Big Brother Gazel, is that the transfer student you mentioned?”
“He’s a total brat. Hahaha.”
“Shut it, you morons. Ga-tsan is interested in him for a reason. He’s probably a thousand times stronger than you.”
The students throwing words at me one after another all had incredibly flashy, cringe-worthy appearances—wearing strangely shaped black glasses, styling their hair to point straight up, or hiding their mouths behind masks.
“What is with these guys and their painful fashion choices?”
“They appear to be Gazel’s companions. As expected, they likely intend to use their numbers to jump Master Lloyd.”
“Grrr…!”
While soothing the growling Shiro, I felt my own excitement rising. I thought it would just be Gazel, but to be able to receive magic from so many people… I’m so glad I followed him. I wonder if they’ll start firing spells at me soon.
While I waited with bated breath, Gazel turned back to face me.
“…Now then, let’s get to the main point.”
“I’m ready whenever you are.”
There wasn't much time before the next class, so I wanted them to fire off all sorts of magic at me as quickly as possible. I had already deactivated my barrier, and the Sword of Magic Absorption was on standby. I was good to go.
“Why are your eyes sparkling? Are you more bellicose than you look? I’m not planning to eat you or anything, so don't be so guarded. And you lot, stop trying to provoke him.”
For some reason, Gazel seemed completely put off by my attitude.
Wait, so they aren't going to do it? How disappointing. My spirits sank.
“I don’t know why you look so let down… but whatever. I’ll give it to you straight, transfer student. —You, become my underling.”
Without caring that I had frozen in confusion, Gazel immediately pressed on.
“We are the School Delinquent Group. An unofficial organization, I guess you could say. We keep an eye on the students so they don’t cause too much trouble. …According to our intel, you’re sticking out like a sore thumb in this academy. You’re drawing quite a bit of attention.”
Is that so? I thought I was just attending classes normally. There shouldn't have been any reason for me to stand out.
However, Grimo, Jiriel, and even Shiro were giving me looks of pure disbelief. Ugh, I have no allies here.
“Now, it’s not like that’s a bad thing. But the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Especially among kids. However, if you become my underling, no one will dare pick a fight with you. Besides, you looked like you didn't want to stand out, didn't you? I’ll make sure to look out for you on that front, too.”
As he spoke, Gazel loomed over me with an intimidating gaze.
“And if you’re thinking of refusing, you’d better think again. The guys up there were all problem children who did nothing but cause trouble before I got here, but after I beat them to a pulp, they became quite well-behaved. You don't want to be made to 'behave' like that, do you?”
At Gazel’s words, the delinquents above nodded in frantic agreement.
“That’s right. Big Brother Gazel’s strength is no joke.”
“Kid, for your own sake, you shouldn't defy him.”
“If you make him angry, he might just kill you! Hyahaha!”
Despite their light banter, the mana I felt from them was decent. To be able to enter this academy, a certain amount of talent was necessary, after all. And since such people had completely admitted defeat, Gazel’s ability must indeed be considerable.
“Well, what will it be? Will you become my underling? Or won't you? Which is it?!”
It might be interesting to refuse the invitation and start a fight, but—
“Okay.”
When I nodded my head in agreement, Gazel let out a low, muffled laugh.
“Heh, a wise decision, transfer student.”
I had to agree that it was a wise decision on my part as well. While I might enjoy being hit by spells from Gazel and the others for a moment, joining their group would likely allow me to come into contact with even more varied magic in the long run. Besides, by getting on their good side, they might even teach me some of their unique spell formulas.
I had already joined the Student Council, so there was no need to rush things. Yes, this was perfect.
This shrimp… he’s got some guts to step in between me and that scumbag older brother during our battle. But no matter how gutsy he is, he’s still just a kid. If he keeps standing out like this, some troublesome people will surely target him. But if I put him in my group, there won't be any need to worry about that. Besides, it’d be boring if he went over to my scumbag older brother’s side, so this is the best move. …Plus, that dog-thing he’s got with him is huge and has a great coat; it’s exactly my type.
Gazel was muttering something to himself while staring at Shiro with a somewhat covetous look. Shiro looked uneasy and snuggled up against my leg.
“…Besides, I have to prepare for the coming battle.”
Gazel’s expression suddenly turned serious. He was a restless guy, always switching moods. It seemed he had entered his own little world.
Come to think of it, Noah was similar in that regard. I guess brothers really do resemble each other.
“Good grief, making Master Lloyd his underling… this guy is a total daredevil.”
“But is this truly alright, Master Lloyd? Noah and Gazel don’t seem to get along very well. Won't it be a problem if they find out you’re part of both groups?”
“It should be fine.”
After all, I wasn't told that I couldn't join more than one organization. Since it wasn't forbidden, it meant it was allowed. At least for me. …Well, if a problem occurs, I’ll just handle it when the time comes.
Regardless, I was starting to look forward to my new academy life.