Chapter 233: He's a Student?!
'That's...?!'
Just as Luke spotted Arisuin, he also saw Luke.
Unlike Stella and Ikki, as an elite member of the Rebellion, Arisuin was thoroughly familiar with information about various countries.
He naturally recognized Luke.
'Why is he here?!'
Luke's appearance caught Arisuin completely off guard.
Since even Director Kurono had only learned about Luke's enrollment at the last minute, the Rebellion remained unaware despite their prior investigations.
'...The plan has already started, changing targets is impossible now.'
'The Fallen Star Sword Emperor's appearance greatly impacts the plan.'
'Among us, perhaps only Ouma could defeat him... but his magical power isn't outstanding, Ouma might not be interested in him.'
'Tch... this is troublesome, I need to report this information quickly.'
'With our current combat strength, we might not be enough for Hagun Academy...! Wait, he noticed me?!'
While Arisuin was rapidly considering the future plans, Luke's playful smile sent a chill down his spine.
In that instant, he seemed to see mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Behind that smile clearly directed at him, Arisuin, as an assassin, immediately recognized bloodied experiences far exceeding his own.
'He's... a student?!'
Luke's smile vanished as quickly as it appeared, his gaze soon shifting away from Arisuin.
But in that brief moment, Arisuin's back was already soaked with cold sweat.
After this brief probe, Luke stopped paying attention to him.
Having only watched the anime, Luke didn't know the Rebellion's plans, but he at least knew they wouldn't act before the representative selection battles ended.
So he returned his attention to the teacher at the podium.
Just then, Teacher Oreki was discussing the representative selection battles.
"Since it's the first day of school, we won't have classes today."
"However, I have one announcement about the Seven Star Sword Art Festival representative selection."
"Until last year, Hagun Academy used ability values as the standard for screening representatives."
"However, from this year, the ability value selection system will be abolished, changed to a 'practical combat selection system' open to all students."
"All students will participate in selection battles, and the final six victors will represent the school in the 'Seven Star Sword Art Festival'!"
"Match schedules and opponents will be sent to your student handbooks by email, please make sure to check them~"
The moment Teacher Oreki finished, many students' complaints filled the classroom.
"Are you serious?"
"What a pain... now we can't go play..."
"I never wanted to participate in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival anyway..."
Student complaints were inevitable, as not everyone was interested in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
Moreover, the festival didn't require Devices to manifest in Illusionary form.
Injuries were commonplace in real combat, and in serious cases could be life-threatening.
Students had to sign what amounted to a life-and-death agreement before participating.
Not everyone was willing to risk themselves for training.
Most students were satisfied just graduating safely with official Mage Knight qualifications, then getting a stable, high-paying job.
Predictably, a student immediately asked: "Are there penalties for forfeiting or losing selection battles?"
"There are no penalties at all, and it won't affect your grades~" Teacher Oreki answered the student's question with her deathly pale face and forced cheerful tone.
"But there are some rewards for victory."
"Students can choose not to participate, in which case your names will be automatically removed from the battle matchups."
At this point, Teacher Oreki suddenly paused, giving Ikki a worried yet gentle smile before continuing:
"The selection battles are indeed challenging, but they're also an opportunity for everyone."
"So I hope students will participate as much as possible, believing it will become a valuable life experience."
This statement was specifically meant for Ikki.
Last year, Ikki's successful enrollment under such difficult circumstances relied on the recognition of Oreki Yuri, who was then the examiner.
It was precisely because she correctly judged Ikki's talent that he could now remain at Hagun Academy.
Ikki gratefully nodded in response while recalling his first meeting with Teacher Oreki.
But then Ikki remembered a crucial issue.
'Wasn't Teacher Oreki's body...'
However, by the time Ikki hurriedly tried to stand up to stop Teacher Oreki, it was too late.
"Well then everyone~ let's work hard together this year... pfft!"
A sudden fountain of blood erupted from Teacher Oreki's mouth.
Calling it a fountain wasn't an exaggeration.
Luke stared in disbelief at the scene before him.
Though he knew this happened in the original story, actually seeing a full liter of blood suddenly spurt from someone's mouth still shocked him.
Luke's reaction was already quite calm - other new students around them had started screaming.
"TEACHER DIED AAAAAAAH?!?!?!"
Ikki, having anticipated this, immediately rushed to Teacher Oreki's side to support her.
At the same time, he told the screaming students:
"Uh... everyone please calm down, Teacher Oreki is fine."
After completing her impressive blood-spewing performance, Teacher Oreki shakily stood up and said:
"Cough cough... st-students don't worry... teacher just has a weak constitution."
"Teacher has always... cough cough... had a condition where I cough up a liter of blood daily since childhood..."
Her weak expression suggested she might pass away at any moment.
"It's amazing you've survived this long..."
Luke, who had followed Ikki, couldn't help but comment.
"Cough! Teacher has... lived over twenty years with this body, I'm quite robust... cough cough, impressive right?"
"Robust..."
Hearing Teacher Oreki's choice of words, Luke helplessly rubbed his forehead.
Was this the new standard for "robust"?
Just being alive was already a miracle in human history, right?!
Finally, under everyone's concerned expressions, Ikki accompanied Teacher Oreki to the infirmary.
The blood puddle on the floor was cleaned up by several classmates.
Luke shook his head to clear the wonder he'd just witnessed, then walked to the last row of the classroom.
Approaching Arisuin with a smile, he said:
"Classmate, if you don't mind, shall we have a chat?"