When I reached the front of the Tower along Babel's Main Street, a crowd of onlookers had formed. Curious, I peered in to find a girl named Ares clashing with several Elf boys. Her reason was likely to protect that Elf girl with the black hair tied in a half-up style. Well, that girl, Seth Accard—Lorelei—was the daughter of the head of a clan with a troubled past, after all. To the Elves, she was an outcast. Even if she was subjected to unreasonable treatment by her own kind, it wasn't particularly surprising. If anything, I was surprised that Ares had chosen to save the Elf girl while fully aware of the danger to herself. Perhaps that girl named Ares possessed a far more pure and upright spirit than I had imagined.
When Ares's attendant was burned by the fire lizard and cast aside all pride and shame to beg for help, I couldn't stand by any longer, so I stepped in.
After thrashing the irritating fire lizard and preparing to teach the instigating Elf boy a harsh lesson, the boy threatened me, claiming that harming him would make Lorelei my enemy. True, I am no battle-crazed warmonger looking for pointless conflicts. However, I have not the slightest intention of backing down from a necessary fight. If someone picks a fight with me, I will gladly finish it, and if something displeases me, I will eliminate it. No matter who they are in this world, once they make themselves my enemy, I show no mercy. I will wipe them out to the last. Simply by conveying that to him, the boy began to panic wildly. It was then I realized he wasn't thoroughly depraved at heart.
Of course, if someone is an irredeemable scoundrel, age is irrelevant. I would simply treat them like a full-fledged adult. But that Elf boy's mentality was still childish. There was also the matter with that Okame boy. If someone is capable of reflecting on their own actions, I have no desire to escalate matters unnecessarily. That was why I left the decision of whether to wage war with Lorelei entirely up to the boy.
Now, to attend the entrance ceremony for all of Babel, I sat in my assigned seat in the massive hall on the Tower's second floor, waiting for the proceedings to begin.
Judging by how those bearing the Tower's embroidery sat in the front rows, it seemed the seating arrangement was organized by school rank, with the top academies in front. Naturally, we at the very bottom, Ouboro Academy, were relegated to the very back. A remarkably transparent setup.
"Kai!"
Hearing my name called from behind, I turned to find my longtime blonde friend standing there with a smile.
"Hey, Laila. I heard the news. Word is you got accepted into a pretty high-ranking academy, didn't you? Congratulations!"
Laila's score on the Aptitude Test had been exceptionally high. On top of that, she had racked up a huge number of points alongside Somni's team during the Practical Exam, and her badge had remained intact, giving her a stellar overall score. Being accepted into a top-tier academy was only natural.
"Yes, though I honestly would have preferred Ouboro Academy."
She replied in a downcast tone, shooting a glance at Lumine, who was sulking beside her.
Knowing Laila's personality, she likely didn't care in the least which academy she attended. If anything, given how overprotective she was, Ouboro Academy—where she could stay by Lumine's side—would have suited her far better.
"Dear Sister..."
As Lumine looked up at her, an expression of profound anxiety plastered across her face, Laila took her by both shoulders.
"It will be all right. I arranged for us to share the same living quarters, you see?"
She spoke with gentle reassurance.
"Y-Yeah."
Lumine nodded with a smile, tucking her chin in firmly. Oh? Putting on a brave front, is she? It seems Lumine has grown up a little, too.
"Wh-What are you smiling at?!"
Noticing my amusement, Lumine snapped at me, her face flushing bright red.
"Nah, it's nothing."
I brushed it off with a wry smile.
Just then, the handsome, brown-haired Roman approached us.
"Lady Laila, let's leave these people behind and get going!"
He urged Laila with his usual overflowing confidence.
Like Laila, Roman had achieved top-tier marks on the Aptitude Test. Until he was knocked out by Poison Bee, it seemed he had been taking down undead single-handedly. Naturally, his overall score was high, and combined with the great value placed on his Gift as the Spear King Gift Holder, he was assigned to the same academy as Laila. Normally, possessing the Spear King Gift made admission to the Tower practically guaranteed. From Roman's perspective, the result was rather disappointing, but being able to enroll in the same academy as Laila seemed to have him walking on air.
"Well then, Kai, Lumine, I will see you later."
Without addressing Roman's remark, Laila offered Lumine and me a warm smile before heading toward the front rows.
"Bleh!"
Lumine hooked her index fingers into the corners of her mouth, sticking her tongue out in blatant hostility toward Roman. Watching her with a wry smile, I turned my gaze back toward the stage.