Hmm. My two teammates for this exam, Ramune and Kiki—neither of them were ordinary people. Regardless of strength, those who have crossed the Death Line carry an unmistakable aura. Though they acted like amateurs, everything from how they monitored their surroundings down to the way they took a single step was far more refined than any regular student. It was likely subconscious on their part, which was precisely why it couldn't be faked.
If so, who were they? Agents planted by the academy? Or were they tasked with keeping an eye on me because I had been standing out in the wrong ways lately?
No, thinking that was a bit too self-important, even for me. There was little reason for the academy to monitor me. It had to be related to that idiot prince. After all, I had force-fed him right in front of a crowd, so he was definitely holding a grudge.
If he wanted to pick a fight with me directly, that was fine. Entertaining a child's game might even be amusing.
However, on the off chance that idiot prince crossed the line of basic decency, a proper lesson in discipline would be necessary. And this time, I wouldn't go easy on him like before. I would be thorough.
More importantly, it seemed my bad premonition had hit the mark.
Right now, paying no mind to Ramune and Kiki, I had been tracking Roman and Lumia within the range of my Divine Eye. At this very moment, they were being attacked by the brown-haired, buzz-cut boy on their team.
Judging by his practiced technique, he had to be an inhabitant of the underworld, just like Oboro and his syndicate.
Either way, I didn't have the luxury of playing house here. Leaving the two of them to their fate was simply not an option for me.
Having lived for one hundred thousand years, there were things I had come to realize about myself. I was far more selfish, short-tempered, gloomy, and utterly devoid of a sense of justice than I once imagined.
If I genuinely hated Roman, I would have at least harbored some ill will. Yet, when we reunited after one hundred thousand years, all I felt was a strange sense of nostalgia. In the end, Roman was nothing more than a high-maintenance younger brother to me.
Well, even I wasn't petty enough to hold a grudge over simple childhood squabbles from one hundred thousand years ago. That was about the extent of the feelings one held toward a cousin they used to fight with in the distant past.
And the same went for Lumine. She might have developed an impossibly difficult personality, but despite how she acted now, there was a time in our childhood when she was more attached to me than to Laila. Somewhere along the way, she became glued to Laila's side and started treating me like an enemy, though.
At any rate, to me, the two of them were merely troublesome kids. I didn't have the patience to let them become playthings for trash like that. Besides, given the timing, he had almost certainly been hired by someone affiliated with the Tower.
It seemed they truly wanted to make me angry. Very well. I would treat the scum who orchestrated this accordingly.
Turning back toward the two of them, I spread my arms and grinned broadly.
"I have a proposal, if you don't mind."
I broached the subject.
The moment they laid eyes on me, their faces stiffened, and they dropped their hips slightly, bracing themselves.
"What is it?"
They probably thought they were acting composed. But I could clearly read the emotions they had been directing at me the entire time we were in the labyrinth. They just needed one final push.
Using my unique footwork, I slipped behind them, wrapped my arms around their necks, and pulled them in close. Then, I began pouring in magical power. Whenever I did this, the monsters in that Easy Dungeon would usually shudder in terror. Humans were bound to be much the same.
"Don't be so frightened. It's not like I'm going to eat you. It's just that, from here on out, I'll be doing whatever I please. Of course, you two are free to do as you like as well. But let me give you one piece of advice."
"Advice...?"
All trace of playfulness was gone from the blonde-braided girl. Breathing raggedly, she forced out the question in a trembling voice.
"Do not get in my way. Do not anger me. Do not displease me. If you do—"
I paused mid-sentence.
"I-If we do...?" Ramune repeated like a parrot, his voice wavering slightly.
"I will crush you. Whether you belong to an organization or act alone, I will do it so thoroughly that not a single piece of you remains."
I whispered the words directly into their ears.
With the loud clatter of their chattering teeth serving as background music, I added,
"Didn't I tell you not to be so frightened? I'm not going to do anything right now. Ah, that's right. For now, at least."
Turning my back on the two of them, I sprinted off toward Roman and Lumine.