Chapter 275

Shura, who had choked, somehow regained consciousness.

Calmed down by Yurii, and given food, Shura Heizen finally seemed to settle down.

"...I thought I was going to die."

"I'm sorry... I just panicked..."

"Hmph..."

Yurii put her hands together and apologized with a remorseful look.

Shura glanced at Yurii, then quickly averted his gaze and fell silent.

(Ah, just like in the game. What's he sulking about now?)

Clael sighed inwardly.

He had never personally liked the character named Shura Heizen.

He could understand that Shura was a victim of misfortune, cursed immediately after birth, and ended up isolated to avoid bringing misfortune to those around him.

(I get that he might have reason to be bitter at the world... but still, I can't forgive him for dragging Reina into his misery.)

In Shura's route ending, Reina loses her power as the Saint.

After that, she escapes with Shura and they live together, but... seeing the people who suffered due to the loss of the Saint's blessing caused her pain.

(It's not like he's evil. He's not evil, but... he still pisses me off!)

Reina deserves happiness more than anyone.

As a fan, that was the one thing he could never compromise on.

Shura isn't at fault. He might be a victim... but that's a separate issue.

"Shura Heizen... may I have a word with you?"

"............"

"You may already know, but I'm Clael Byrne. This is Mr. Yurii Kanesta. We're both teachers at the academy you attend."

"............"

Clael spoke, but Shura only turned his gaze toward him in silence.

"We know that you have the ability—or perhaps the constitution—to transform into the black lion. You're the one who attacked the party venue, aren't you?"

"............"

Shura remained silent.

He didn't deny it, which was as good as admitting it.

(Well, I already knew that.)

"Your target... is the Songstress Shedelielya, right?"

"Tch...!"

Shura's expression changed.

He widened his eyes and stared directly at Clael.

"How do you know that?"

"Because I was at the party venue, too. The black lion seemed to be targeting her the entire time. Thanks to Prince Eric and the others, nothing serious happened."

"...If it weren't for them, I could've finished that woman off."

He no longer seemed interested in hiding it.

Shura spat words of resentment with a bitter expression.

"I was so close to killing that woman. It was finally my chance... they're seriously annoying. I told her before to stay away from me."

"Why did you try to kill the Songstress?"

The one who asked wasn't Clael, but Yurii beside him.

"I know about you. You try not to get involved with others, but you're serious in class, you water the flowers in the garden after school, and I've seen you neatly organizing books in the library. Heizen, you're not the kind of bad kid who would hurt someone for no reason. If something's going on, please tell us."

Yurii's words left Shura dumbfounded.

Clael was just as surprised. He hadn't expected Yurii to be watching that closely.

(She's been teaching longer than me, so it's not strange that she's built relationships with students... but to know this much about the solitary, individualistic Shura Heizen...)

She really is a good teacher.

It was the kind of realization that felt like scales falling from his eyes.

(...Wait, Shura Heizen waters the garden flowers? I didn't know that.)

It's obvious, but there are a lot of things not depicted in the game's setting.

Maybe he should respect Yurii more for noticing those parts.

"So if something's bothering you, talk to us! As your teacher, I would never abandon you, Heizen!"

"Ugh, grr... You don't know anything..."

Pressured by the strong-willed teacher, Shura was visibly flustered.

"It's because I don't know that I want to understand! Saying 'no one understands me' when you won't talk is just self-indulgence, Heizen!"

"Grrgh..."

"This is actually kind of entertaining to watch..."

Shura being pushed around by Yurii was also something that hadn't happened in the game.

Clael paused the conversation and took a moment to observe the two of them interact.