Chapter 180: Insults and Provocation
The target-shooting portion of the magic exam had ended. Each examinee had received an A, B, C, D, or E evaluation. Rigel had deliberately held back his strength and successfully obtained a B evaluation that kept him safely within the passing range. Meanwhile, Ero-Ra, one of the ’Miracle Generation’ and the bearer of the title ’Illusion Eye,’ had received an A evaluation.
It was an ordinary, happy result, but she was not satisfied. The mock battle portion of the magic exam was only for those who hoped to participate. That was why she had declared she would go all out.
"Hmph...! The time has finally come to show you my true power!!"
Ero-Ra snorted arrogantly. Watching her, the surrounding examinees looked terrified.
(That girl... Even if she’s confident, what will she do if there’s no opponent?)
Rigel muttered inwardly. No matter how confident she was, she couldn’t hold a mock battle without an opponent. Rigel had always believed that deliberately appearing weaker was one of the techniques for rape. In fact, when he fought swordsmanship examiner Oriana, he had deliberately shown a timid side to inflate her confidence. Even though he had never intended to lose in the first place.
(Well, fine... If there’s no opponent, the mock battle will be canceled. Or will the magic exam proctor fight her? Either way, it doesn’t concern me)
Rigel muttered inwardly. As far as he was concerned, he wanted the boring entrance exam to end as soon as possible.
"Well then, let’s begin the mock battle! Those hoping to participate, please step forward!!"
The examiner shouted. Only Ero-Ra stepped forward.
"Hmph! Is there anyone who wishes to challenge me?!"
Ero-Ra declared provocatively. Upon hearing her words, the surrounding examinees grew restless.
(It’s as expected... She came out after all...)
"That ’Illusion Eye’ Ero-Ra is terrifying..."
"I don’t want to participate in the mock battle. I think my current grades are safe enough..."
"I’m on the borderline, but if I get wrecked I’ll be ruined...!"
The examinees muttered to themselves.
(Hmph... Don’t be scared, you weaklings)
Rigel cursed inwardly. To Rigel, who possessed the cheat skill [Rape], Ero-Ra was no threat at all. In fact, he almost wanted to see her beaten to a pulp until she cried. Well, he wouldn’t do it while the other examinees were watching, because it would draw attention.
"Those hoping to participate in the mock battle, please step forward! Is no one besides Ero-Ra?!?"
The examiner shouted. But no one came forward.
(That’s right...)
Rigel muttered inwardly. Holding a mock battle with Ero-Ra offered little benefit and too much risk. After all, facing her seriously would mean being turned into a wreck by the ’Illusion Eye.’
Even if there were some who gained something, there weren’t many examinees who could actually beat her. Not being able to win was also not an opportunity to show off, which meant the benefit was small. Unless someone had extreme confidence, a mock battle with Ero-Ra was high-risk and low-reward.
"Haa... I guess it can’t be helped... Then, this year’s mock battle portion will be canceled—"
"Ah? No one volunteered?"
Just as the examiner was about to announce the cancellation, Ero-Ra spoke up.
"You all refuse to challenge me even though I’m here!?"
Ero-Ra wore a provocative smile. The surrounding examinees all turned their gazes on her at once.
(Whoa...)
Rigel muttered inwardly. Even though they were trembling before Ero-Ra, they were still examinees of the Royal Academy. Their skills and pride were not ordinary. Several examinees stepped forward to challenge her.
"I’ll take you on!"
"No, it’s me!"
"No, it’s me!!"
One after another, the examinees volunteered.
"Give it to me!!"
"Leave it to me! I’ll paralyze you with the strongest lightning magic!"
"No, I’ll crush you with my earth magic!"
More and more examinees stepped forward.
(What a pain...)
Rigel let out a small sigh inwardly. Had she forgotten herself because she was provoked, or was she showing off her confidence? The atmosphere had completely turned into a fighting mode. In this situation, Rigel, who was cold-hearted, felt like he was the minority.
(Well, fine... Just to blend in, I’ll show a participating pose...)
Rigel thought to himself. He had no intention of actually participating in the mock battle. But he didn’t want to stand out from the temperature difference with the others.
"I’ll participate too."
Rigel raised his hand. The surrounding gazes instantly turned toward him. Then—
"Please, please."
All at once, the examinees pointed their palms at Rigel.
(...Haa? What the hell is this?)
Rigel muttered inwardly. When he announced he would participate, the other examinees all volunteered to let him go. That was only natural. Rigel, who had already seen everything, was slightly stunned by this unexpected turn of events.
—-
The examinees who had been provoked by Ero-Ra one after another volunteered for the mock battle. Rigel had raised his hand to participate in a purely formal way, but that backfired. By the time they all withdrew their volunteer status, Rigel had been forced to give up his participation rights.
"Hmph! I never expected you to volunteer!"
"Ah, no... This is..."
Rigel was confused. He never imagined he would have to fight Ero-Ra.
(What should I do...? Winning is easy, but that would make me stand out... But losing is also bad...)
Rigel was troubled. He didn’t want to stand out at all, but he also didn’t want to lose. While he was at a loss over this dilemma, Ero-Ra spoke to him.
"What? Did you volunteer just to act cool? Did you chicken out once you thought you’d actually have to fight?"
"Guh...!"
The arrow struck home. He wasn’t acting cool, and he wasn’t scared. But the examiner’s point was correct — he had never imagined that he would actually fight.
Seeing Rigel’s reaction, Ero-Ra smiled with delight.
(You damn amateur...)
Rigel cursed inwardly. If he continued like this, it would ruin his enjoyable rape academy life. He wanted to insert her right then and there without foreplay, but he couldn’t because of the examinees’ gazes. While Rigel was unable to move, Ero-Ra provoked him even more.
"Hey! What are you mumbling about?!"
"Um..."
"Hmph! A spineless weakling!! If you want to interfere, just get out of my way!! —Pfft!"
Ero-Ra insulted Rigel, then spat right in his face.
"..."
"What? Did that make you angry? Then why don’t you beat me to a pulp in the mock battle? Intentional murder is forbidden, but since this is a magic contest, an unfortunate accident isn’t impossible, right?"
Ero-Ra provoked him. She clearly wanted to rile Rigel up into participating in the mock battle. She also seemed to be carrying the grudge of being called a "flat-chested brat" earlier.
(As expected of me, I’m starting to get pissed... No, wait...)
Since obtaining the cheat skill [Rape], Rigel had freely done as he pleased. Above all, he acted according to his desires. However, he also had a certain amount of patience. This was especially true when it came to rape. When he raped swordsmanship examiner Oriana, he had even used a losing act to create an environment for the rape.
In this case, if he flew into a rage and beat up Ero-Ra, it would harm his future rape life. That resolve kept his reason intact. After receiving Ero-Ra’s fierce insults and provocation, the surrounding examinees began to stir.
"Hey now, isn’t this a bit pathetic...? You volunteered and then backed out at the last minute..."
"He’s a man, after all. I can understand Ero-Ra-sama’s feelings a little."
"It’s pitiful. I feel like crying knowing I might be in the same year as that guy..."
The examinees criticized Rigel one after another. It seemed their disappointment in him had now surpassed their fear of Ero-Ra.
(Tch... These idiots are saying whatever they want...)
Rigel’s irritation was rising. If this continued, even after enrolling, his position would be at the very bottom of the year. Well, actually, as someone who had done tremendous things in the war, he didn’t need to worry about school hierarchy right now... But Rigel, who loved rape, was different.
If he became the bottom of the year, his rape situations with classmates would become one-note. In other words, something like "Revenge of the bullied girl! Class bully gets raped as punishment!!" Rigel wanted to rape girls in various situations.
For that reason, he didn’t want the surrounding evaluations to become uniform. He wanted to be neither strong nor weak. He wanted to be nothing but an extra.
"Hey! Say something already!!"
"Hey! Say something, you spineless bastard!!"
"What a pathetic man!!"
Some of the examinees joined in criticizing Rigel. They had completely turned into Ero-Ra’s sycophants.
"Haa..."
Rigel let out a sigh. I’m done...
He thought that.
"Okay, I’ll do it."
"Hm?"
"Did you not hear? I said I’ll do the mock battle."
Rigel spoke calmly. That was a declaration of war against Ero-Ra.
His judgment wasn’t bad. If he continued like this, his position as the bottom of the year would be sealed. On the other hand, his position after the mock battle was still uncertain. If he beat her overwhelmingly, he would be recognized as the year’s strongest, but he might still avoid standing out if he played it carefully.
"Hmph! So you finally decided to fight!!"
Ero-Ra curled her lips. She had completely classified Rigel as inferior. Thus, the mock battle between Rigel and Ero-Ra was officially decided.
