Chapter 92: Chapter 92

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: The Rise of Azure Flame

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Demon Palace Academy Slayer Side Story: The Rise of Azure Flame Arc.

The Rise of Azure Flame Arc depicts only the protagonist Eve's first year at the academy.

The reason is simple.

The Rise of Azure Flame Arc itself is an epilogue to earlier arcs of Demon Palace Academy Slayer.

Demon Palace Academy Slayer consists of a total of three arcs.

The two arcs preceding the Flame Butterfly Arc are set in different time periods.

Both are set in an earlier generation than the Flame Butterfly Arc.

I hadn't played the two preceding arcs much.

This was because one was a puzzle game and the other was a bullet-hell shooter.

As someone who enjoys pixel-art RPGs, they weren't to my taste.

Perhaps because of this, Demon Palace Academy Slayer had different fanbases for each arc.

Among them, The Rise of Azure Flame Arc was an appendix to the second arc.

It was an epilogue arc released as an RPG by the game company to promote the third arc, the Flame Butterfly Arc.

Therefore, The Rise of Azure Flame Arc wasn't very long in terms of playtime.

The fact that it only covered Eve's first year at Ordo Academy was proof of that.

'In other words, Eve right now is—'

A character who has completed her scenario.

And it was also the only arc I had played besides the two preceding ones.

Her blue hair flowed as she confidently strode inside.

"Azure Flame."

"Ordo's only star."

Eve's exploits in the Kingdom of Ordo were quite famous.

Perhaps because of this, other students seemed to know about her.

"...So that's Azure Flame."

Isabelle reacted, looking at Eve.

It seemed Isabelle had also heard Eve's name.

'Indeed, she was often mentioned in the Flame Butterfly Arc too.'

Eve was one of the Six Stars who had made a name for themselves in her generation.

My playing The Rise of Azure Flame Arc was also due to my curiosity about Eve.

From the game developer's perspective, it was probably their intention to create curiosity like this to encourage purchases of the two preceding arcs.

It was a malicious trick, but thanks to it, I was able to encounter the protagonist of another arc.

I could feel the heat rising from her body.

Seeing this, I was certain.

'I must transfer Eve to Jerion Academy.'

During the summer vacation, I had completed the Dean's event.

The Dean had agreed to initiate Eve's transfer procedures if she consented.

'I went through hell preparing for that.'

That was also why I barely rested during my vacation.

All that remained was Eve's consent.

However, this was the most difficult hurdle to overcome.

Even Eve wouldn't be without affection for Ordo Academy.

Even if the students of Ordo Academy envied and resented her.

"Finally, everyone's here."

Zebra, an ordinary kingdom that was the only one among the Six Stars generation not to record a star.

The President of Rosalie Academy, from Zebra, rose from their seat to approach the round table.

Then, other presidents also rose one after another.

Iris, the interim president, also stood up and headed for the round table.

Soon after, those seated at the round table began their meeting.

I didn't particularly pay attention to the meeting.

After all, the meeting was just about discussing the progress of the international individual competition.

'While the power of student council presidents in the academy cannot be ignored—'

An event of the scale of the international individual competition was organized and managed by the deans and professors.

So, this meeting was merely a formality.

In reality, networking with future dignitaries at the subsequent party was more important.

'But precisely because of that—'

They conversed in the meeting without yielding an inch.

Everyone present knew they would become representatives of their respective nations in the future.

To yield here meant the same for later.

A meeting held under the name of nations.

It was an utterly relentless battle of wills.

"Hwaaaah-um."

Sharin yawned, completely uninterested in any of this.

Isabelle scolded her, telling her not to, but she was already nodding off.

My gaze was fixed on Eve.

Eve was separated from the Ordo Academy students.

The Ordo Academy students chatted among themselves but didn't exchange a single word with Eve.

Anyone could see they were keeping their distance.

Eve had displayed dazzling achievements, enough for her name to spread to other countries.

Because of this, Eve was an alien presence among the Ordo students.

The Kingdom of Prelise was ridiculed as a fallen kingdom.

Its students, too, were steeped in this, their self-esteem crushed, and pessimistic.

With the economy collapsing and no future in sight, the populace was mired in pessimism.

The Kingdom of Prelise also once had a time when it shone brightest among the Five Kingdoms.

However, compared to the kingdom's growth, its people couldn't keep up with the pace of development.

As a result, society became difficult, the suicide rate rose, and the birth rate sharply declined.

Amidst all this, the royal family and nobles were corrupt.

The enthroned king, despite ruling an already collapsed nation, was criticized as the most incompetent king in history and burdened with responsibility.

Therefore, Prelise could not shed the stigma of being a fallen kingdom.

This influence directly affected the children, the assets of the future.

The children of the fallen kingdom no longer looked forward to the future.

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't be happier than the adults who had sickened society.

A life where even basic sustenance was uncertain.

So, all the children abandoned their dreams.

Amidst everyone abandoning their dreams.

A star was born in the Kingdom of Ordo.

The unyielding Azure Flame.

Eve.

Those who had already lost their light could not bear her brilliance.

Therefore, what they chose was not to make the star shine brighter, but to turn away from it.

Because it was better to avoid the star than to try to shine beside it and burn out.

Thus, Eve was an isolated island within Ordo Academy.

It was because all the children who feared burning out beside the star had avoided her.

Just then, as if sensing my gaze, Eve raised her head.

Her blue eyes fixed on me.

At first glance, her eyes seemed emotionless, but the strong confidence contained within them was undeniably palpable.

Truly befitting the Unyielding Azure Flame.

Poke—

At that moment, I felt something poke my side.

When I turned my head in surprise, Isabelle was there, holding up her index finger.

"You, what are you staring at so intently?"

For some reason, Isabelle's eyes held displeasure.

It seemed she had noticed I was looking at Eve.

"It's my business where I look."

"And it's my business to scold you."

Isabelle's retorts were getting better and better.

Was she growing in this area too?

Under Isabelle's glare, I had no choice but to avert my gaze.

It was fine; I would talk to her soon anyway.

***

The meeting concluded successfully.

The reason for its success was simple.

Although the other students struggled, Iris led the meeting.

The Imperial Princess.

Moreover, she was highly likely to inherit the imperial throne.

Even royalty felt a burden in directly opposing Iris's statements.

Thus, Iris freely led the meeting.

Watching her, I was once again reminded that Iris was of imperial blood.

"Hanon."

That is, until after the meeting, in the room assigned for rest, she spread her arms out to me.

It was full of the clear intention for me to embrace her.

Isabelle stared intently at me.

It was as if her gaze was full of the question, 'Are you really going to do it?'

"Hanon?"

Iris tilted her head.

It was an action urging me to come running immediately.

I quietly took a breath, then exhaled.

It felt like they were both going to start fighting again.

This, I needed to draw a line soon.

It felt like things were going too far.

"Princess Iris, your pranks have been excessive lately. Even for me, it becomes difficult if this continues."

I spoke to Iris very politely.

And I gazed steadily at Iris.

Iris, too, seemed to realize something, as she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her outstretched hands.

She wasn't someone who couldn't be reasoned with.

Her excessive behavior, more than usual, was probably due to Isabelle provoking her possessiveness.

She was someone who could exercise self-restraint if she wanted to.

"I am more than willing to help Princess Iris rest comfortably.

However, if you keep acting like this normally, it will tarnish your name, Princess Iris.

More importantly, it puts me in a difficult position too."

Isabelle and Sharin aren't the types to blab to others.

But if someone else were to see such behavior, it would become very troublesome.

Even if they are cousins, it's not good for an 18-year-old male and female to display such behavior.

Especially for Princess Iris, such conduct could spread as bad rumors.

There are always those who seek to find flaws in her usually perfect demeanor.

"...Okay, I'll only do that when we're alone."

So, she wouldn't say she wouldn't do it at all, huh.

Still, Iris showed an intention to exercise self-restraint.

I turned my attention to Isabelle.

As Iris was being scolded by me, she was nodding her head, as if to say it was well-deserved.

Isabelle, you're just the same.

"And Isabelle, your interference with me has been excessive lately."

Isabelle flinched her shoulders.

Isabelle, who had developed a love-hate relationship with me, was truly meddling in everything like a childhood friend.

Knowing her insecurity, I had left her alone, but her obsession was growing more severe by the day.

"I know you dislike that I insulted your friend, but stop it."

I reminded Isabelle once again that I had insulted Lucas.

Although it hadn't had much effect lately, so I hadn't bothered, she and I were originally rivals.

We had evolved through various processes into rivals.

However, we weren't meant to be on such friendly terms.

"..."

Isabelle lowered her gaze to her feet.

Since I had warned her this much, she would probably restrain herself for a while.

"Finally, Sharin."

And I called out to Sharin, who had somehow entered the room and was munching on popcorn.

"If you look at me with those fascinated eyes one more time, I'll give you a German Suplex."

"Mmmph."

I couldn't tell what she was saying because she had popcorn in her mouth.

I really wanted to pinch those puffed-up cheeks.

But if I did that, I'd be the one getting German Suplexed by magic, so I stopped.

"Alright, everyone, rest up. I'm going to get some fresh air."

I had no intention of staying in that atmosphere, so I quickly made my exit.

Fortunately, no one followed me.

I finally managed to leave the room and catch my breath.

I learned one thing today.

Isabelle and Iris have the worst compatibility.

I should avoid putting those two together from now on.

It was as I was thinking this and moving my feet.

By the window in the hallway, I saw blue hair fluttering.

My eyes widened slightly at the familiar hair color.

It was Eve.

As soon as Eve saw me, she walked straight towards me.

It was as if I had been her target from the start.

Her eyes stared directly at me.

Befitting the protagonist of a side story, an extraordinary aura emanated from her.

"You."

Eve called me out precisely.

Immediately, my body froze solid.

"You were hit by the ancient dragon's magic, weren't you?"

This was an unexpected turn.