An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge - Chapter 272
Chapter 272: Questioning
“Okay, class. Attention.”
Instructor Samantha entered, her posture straight, expression unreadable. Her usual strictness was still there, but there was a heaviness in her voice — a rare softness that wasn’t often seen from her.
Everyone straightened in their seats.
“I know everyone’s feeling down after what happened,” she began, her eyes scanning the room. “And I understand. It wasn’t easy — for any of us.”
Her tone was calm, but firm. “However, you can’t stay like this forever. You’re knights. You’re mages. You’re soldiers in training. And the truth is…” she paused, letting her words sink in, “this is what the real world looks like.”
No one spoke. A few students shifted uncomfortably.
“Demons aren’t bedtime stories. They’re real. They’re ruthless. And they’re only one of many things you’ll face after graduation.”
Her gaze lingered on the front rows, where the empty seats stood out like scars. “You lost friends. Teammates. People you trained beside. It’s natural to grieve — but don’t let it consume you.”
Samantha crossed her arms. “You either learn from this… or you become the next victim.”
Her words were blunt. Too blunt for some. But they carried truth.
Arthur watched the reactions quietly — heads lowering, jaws tightening, eyes burning faintly with new resolve. Even the weakest students, those who had once treated training as a chore, now sat with fists clenched.
“Instead of wallowing in guilt,” she continued, her tone sharp again, “strive to become stronger. Strong enough that when something like this happens again, you can protect the person beside you.”
Silence filled the room. Then, slowly, the tension began to shift.
For the first time since the incident, a faint spark of life returned to the students’ expressions. Their grief didn’t vanish, but it turned into something else — determination.
Arthur looked around the classroom, seeing the change.
Even Akira’s eyes burned a little brighter. Alan and Alex sat straighter, their faces still tired but their spirits hardened.
He leaned back slightly, exhaling.
“Guess she knows how to wake people up,” he murmured.
Alicia, sitting beside him, nodded. “She’s right, you know. We can’t keep drowning in what happened. It won’t bring anyone back.”
Arthur gave a faint smirk. “Yeah. Guess I needed that reminder too.”
Instructor Samantha looked over the class one last time. “Good. That’s the spirit I want to see. Training resumes tomorrow morning. You’ll be rebuilding yourselves — physically, mentally, and magically. Dismissed.”
As she left, a quiet murmur spread through the room — not of sorrow, but resolve.
*******
The summons arrived before the afternoon ended.
A short note sealed with the Academy’s crest was left on Arthur’s desk.
Report to the Headmaster’s Office immediately.
No explanation, no tone — just an order.
Arthur folded the letter once, tucked it into his pocket, and stood. Alicia called after him, but he only gave her a small nod and left.
The corridor leading to the Headmaster’s Hall was silent. The sound of his boots against the polished floor echoed faintly as he walked. Portraits of past deans and archmages lined the walls, their painted eyes seeming to watch him.
When he reached the tall wooden doors, two knights in white armor stepped aside without a word.
“Arthur Ludwig,” one announced, knocking twice before pushing the door open. “As requested.”
Arthur stepped inside.
The office was large, circular, and brightly lit by mana lamps hanging from the ceiling. Shelves stacked with old tomes filled the walls. At the far end sat Headmaster Astaire, silver-haired and stern.
To his right stood Professor Darius, arms crossed, and beside him Professor Lyra, holding a clipboard. Another unfamiliar man — dressed in royal inspector robes — leaned against the wall silently.
“Arthur Ludwig,” Astaire said evenly, “thank you for coming.”
Arthur bowed slightly. “Headmaster.”
“Sit.”
He obeyed, taking the seat across from them. The air was heavy. No one spoke for several seconds.
Darius finally broke the silence. “I’ll get straight to the point. We’ve reviewed the reports from instructors and surviving students.” His tone was calm but sharp. “Your team engaged a high-level demon during the field test. We need to know everything — in your own words.”
Arthur nodded slowly, keeping his face neutral. “Understood.”
He took a breath and began, recounting the sequence as he chose to present it:
The infiltration of the Black Hand, the ambushes, Alan’s discovery of their hideout, the demon emerging from the woman’s body. He detailed their cooperation, the chaos, the casualties — and finally, how they managed to destroy the creature.
But he carefully avoided anything that would raise questions about his own knowledge.
He didn’t mention that he already knew Black Hand’s presence before the exam.
He didn’t mention recognizing the premature demon seed for what it was.
And he certainly didn’t mention the words Count Belmorath — a name from a future that wasn’t supposed to exist yet.
When he finished, silence filled the room again.
Professor Lyra was the first to speak. “You mean to tell us that a student group — a first-year student group — killed a demon of that level by yourselves?”
Arthur met her gaze evenly. “It was luck. The demon wasn’t fully formed. It had only half its power. If it was at full strength, we wouldn’t be here.”
Darius nodded slightly, though his frown remained. “Your report matches our readings. The mana residue was unstable — premature awakening, likely triggered by near-death trauma of the host.”
Astaire’s fingers tapped the desk slowly. “Still… a premature awakening or not, this shouldn’t have been possible within the exam perimeter.”
The inspector finally spoke, his voice smooth but probing. “Mr. Ludwig. Were there any signs before the incident? Any indication that something unusual was happening?”
Arthur’s answer was immediate. “No, sir. We noticed increased monster aggression, but assumed it was part of the test. Nothing pointed to demonic interference until the transformation began.”
The inspector’s eyes narrowed slightly, searching his expression. Arthur didn’t flinch.
Astaire leaned back in his chair, sighing. “This incident will reach the Imperial Council. A demon appearance — especially within Academy grounds — cannot be ignored.”
Lyra’s tone softened. “Many students didn’t survive, Arthur. Yet your team’s performance prevented total disaster. Whatever the reason, you have our thanks.”
Arthur inclined his head. “I only did what anyone would’ve done.”
Darius gave a short, approving nod. “Still, what you did wasn’t normal. I’ve seen veteran knights break under that kind of pressure. You kept your team alive.”