Chapitre 1326: -1309- A lingering effect?
Perhaps it was natural; when at the academy, Rozen, Ikki, Stella, and Shizuku usually moved together as a group. Whether eating meals or returning to their dormitories, they acted like typical students with their fixed circles, interacting naturally without the need for deliberate organization or discussion. This naturally became their routine.
Rozen had a similar fixed group back at Saikai Academy, often hanging out with Kojou, Asagi, Motoki, Nagisa, and Astarte.
Thus, it wasn't strange for him to form a group at Hagun Academy. Unlike his solitary nature at Machinart Academy and Onmyo Academy, where he was mostly accompanied by his automata or shikigami, and had no fixed group, making him a bit of a loner and more unique.
Today was no different. After school, the group had planned to go out together for a bit of shopping.
Although there was an afternoon selection battle, Ikki, Stella, and Shizuku had already won their battles earlier. With no matches for any of them today, they decided to spend the afternoon shopping.
As a result, after school, Stella and Shizuku returned to the dormitory first, wanting to change clothes. Since girls usually have a lot to prepare for when going out, Rozen and Ikki let them be.
Ikki, now a popular figure admired by both freshmen and upperclassmen, had recently been asked by many to provide guidance. Ikki seemed to enjoy helping the juniors.
Given all this, Rozen ended up alone and was approached and persistently followed by Kusakabe Kagami.
Having finally shaken off Kusakabe Kagami, Rozen found himself with plenty of free time before the planned meetup. Without a specific destination in mind, he decided to wander around the campus.
Although he wanted to return to the dormitory, Stella had sternly instructed him before leaving:
"Don't go back to the dormitory. If you want to change clothes, wait until I'm done."
Stella must have wanted to try on different outfits for going out and did not want Rozen to walk in on her inadvertently.
"Women..."
Rozen sighed at the hassle of dealing with girls. Unable to return to his dormitory, he decided to wander around by himself.
However, due to the selection battles in the afternoon, the campus was bustling with people, making it hard for Rozen to find peace.
Thus, Rozen turned into a more secluded area he rarely visited, seeking some quiet.
"Finally, some peace and quiet."
Rozen planned to find a lawn or a rooftop to lie down and sunbathe.
But then...
"Hmm?"
Rozen suddenly stopped.
"Ugh..."
Ahead of him, a figure was wobbling towards him.
It was a girl.
She was wearing Hagun Academy's female uniform and had long chestnut hair tied into three braids. She was not very tall, similar in height to Stella, and had a figure just as voluptuous, a type that would attract a boy's gaze.
Unfortunately, Rozen couldn't see her face.
She was carrying a stack of files so high it covered her face, wobbling as she walked, clearly struggling and unable to see where she was going.
This was not an unusual scene, nor something that should have particularly caught Rozen's attention.
Yet, Rozen stopped to take notice of her.
The reason was simple.
"Though she looks like she's wobbling, her balance is impeccable. Despite an unstable stance, her footsteps are inaudible, and her posture suggests rigorous training. She appears unreliable, full of flaws, but on closer inspection, there are no flaws at all."
Because of this, Rozen was intrigued by the girl.
While Rozen wasn't a master of close combat or martial arts, he had seen enough to have a keen eye. After witnessing so many Servants and heroes, coupled with his sharp "Mind's Eye," it was easy for Rozen to notice such details.
Thus, Rozen could assert:
"This must be a master I haven't seen before."
Even those who had fought against Ikki, Stella, and Shizuku might not be as skilled, possibly even surpassing Shizuku.
Someone like this...
"There's probably only one person in all of Hagun Academy who fits that description."
Rozen had already guessed her identity.
Meanwhile, the girl seemed unaware of Rozen's presence, still wobbling towards him.
At that moment...
"Need some help?"
Rozen suddenly spoke up.
"Eh?"
His sudden voice startled the girl.
"Wait...! Ah!"
With a yelp, the startled girl lost her balance completely, tripping over her own feet and falling forward.
Naturally, this caused the stack of files she was holding to scatter like confetti in the wind, accompanied by her distressed cry.
In the desolate corner of the campus, white papers fluttered into the air, drifting down gracefully.
And the girl fell toward the ground.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the girl's forehead slammed into the ground, her body buried under the scattered papers.
"That hurts...!"
From within the pile of papers, the girl's crying voice echoed.
"Ouch..."
Rozen instinctively covered his forehead, feeling a pang of sympathy.
Watching someone hit their forehead directly on the ground made anyone wince in pain.
"Ugh..."
The girl, with tears in her eyes, struggled to emerge from the pile of papers.
In her struggle, she ended up emerging feet first rather than head first.
Rozen, hesitating on whether to step forward and help, found his face stiffening.
The reason? The girl, in her efforts to free herself, had her skirt completely flipped up, exposing her underwear to the open air. As she struggled, she wiggled left and right right in front of Rozen.
That scene was beyond merely fortunate—it was downright tempting.
Rozen's face stiffened, and he instinctively did what any man might do in that moment.
"Click..."
In the small flash of the camera, Rozen's hand had unconsciously grabbed his student handbook and captured the beautiful scene before him.
It wasn't until after he had taken the photo that Rozen realized what he had done, feeling an urge to slap himself.
"When did my hand become so wicked...!?"
This must be a lingering effect from that time with Kirisaka Sayaka!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone