I Became the Academy’s Pink Airhead

Before I knew it, the hot weather turned cool.

The memory of experiencing autumn for the first time in the academy city.

So many countless things had happened until now.

The pink airhead who got beaten up by delinquent students in the first fight and made them surrender through pathetic dog fights. In the end, I became [Pink Spiral] handling tremendous [Unique Ether].

It was difficult to rise to a higher level due to this world’s rules, but for a while I was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with those called the strongest in the game.

‘All that’s left now is… to defeat Hilde.’

I became able to beat all the other kids.

…

As the goal I had been spouting like empty boasts approached right before my eyes, I felt dazed.

The strongest.

My goal.

A faintly shining star.

‘I really became strong enough to challenge Hilde to defeat her.’

Even if it was thanks to tricks and knowledge of the original work…

I achieved something on my own.

As the weakest character Clara, I became as strong as I could.

I was proud of myself.

And I was grateful to this world that gave me a new opportunity.

I gained many memories from living with my seniors.

Eating meals together, going for walks, going out to play a bit far – it may sound trivial and insignificant when expressed in words. But the hundreds of emotions exchanged in those moments were enough to change a person.

‘I thought it was enough to just go between home and work, turn on the computer or phone to play games, or shop online…’

The emotions existing in this world were more diverse than I thought.

Sometimes it was troublesome, difficult, and bothersome…

But even those became memories when looking back later.

‘I didn’t know I’d come to defend such old-fashioned statements myself.’

The shyness when offering to let someone eat more delicious food. The romance of going on foolish adventures with shoddy camping gear. The freshness felt when walking on a path not usually taken.

Even if not as clear and neat as a black and white photo, it touched my heart like a picture drawn with colorful crayons.

Before I knew it, I had become ‘Clara’, not ‘Kang Jinsu’.

I changed.

I was happy.

I looked forward to tomorrow.

I wanted to make more memories.

And today too… to make new memories, I was riding Red Hare with Senior Frida on it. For reference, Nina and Selma were tidying up their belongings at school.

Now – passing the middle of the second semester, it was time for the 3rd year seniors to start organizing the belongings they had accumulated over 3 years. This place was just a school they were passing through, after all.

‘The seniors are graduating soon too, in the game they never talked about graduation no matter what… I thought it meant something significant. But it’s just normally packing up and taking the train home.’

To begin with, the schools in weren’t normal schools. So I thought there would be some secret to the world view when looking at the 3rd years’ lives…

But I was disappointed that it was more ordinary than expected.

Taking graduation photos in advance. Reminiscing about memories so far. Thinking about things to do in the ‘outside world’.

Of course, 3rd years from large schools have to lead the fight over the academy city’s resources, considering the position of the student council and juniors. Sometimes they even perform the role of ‘teacher’ that doesn’t exist in this academy city.

Even considering all that—

‘It was just… a normal school?’

A school where you don’t have to study.

What kind of paradise did some goddess design?

It felt foolish to have worried about the world’s destruction while thinking about the game’s developments in my mind. Just living comfortably was the right answer.

Of course, even if things unfolded according to the game’s story, it seemed like it would be resolved somehow… even without me.

“…”

Is that right?

“…”

I’m starting to feel guilty.

Who knew I’d change to be so sentimental.

Thinking that, I rang the bicycle bell.

Ding—☆

Ding—☆

Where we were heading.

Senior said she wanted to draw on the hill opposite the village overlooking . It was a place about 10 minutes away by riding Red Hare from school.

The scenery of the academy city passing by like an arrow.

Senior Frida, who was scared by Red Hare’s speed, was clinging to my back with her eyes tightly shut.

“Eeeek…! Clara, ride more slowly! I’m scared…!”

“Ahaha—☆ It’s okay☆ Even if you fall, I’ll catch you with a swish—♪”

“Eeeeeek?!”

Oh no.

I seemed to have scared her even more.

‘At times like this, apart from the extraordinary calmness like an enlightened monk she sometimes shows… she really seems like just an ordinary girl.’

She disliked scary stories and was surprisingly timid.

That’s why I came to like her more as a person.

Ding—☆

Ding—☆

We arrived at the hill with a big tree in an instant.

Senior Frida smiled brightly and took out drawing supplies from the bag hidden in her arms. Then she began to draw the scenery of the academy city in detail.

“Senior has been drawing the academy city a lot lately. It’s a shame when the cutest model in the world is right here—☆”

“Ahaha, is that so? I should draw a nice portrait of our Clara sometime… Let’s see… Should I draw you nude? Hm? How about titling it ?”

“Wow~☆”

“Want to stand naked under that rainbow over there? It’ll surely be wonderful!”

“Woww~☆”

“Model! What are you doing not undressing! Time’s passing~!”

Senior Frida pretended to roughly grab my clothes and pulled. Those shining yellow eyes were full of mischief.

I entrusted my body to that gesture and calmly screamed.

“Kyaaah☆ Senior Frida is a pervert—☆ Showing my naked body to everyone—☆”

“Pffft…! What, you don’t get flustered by these jokes anymore? At the start of the semester your face would turn completely red, it was so cute.”

“Tsk☆tsk☆tsk—! A girl grows up, you know—♪”

We laughed for a long time.

We spent time idly chatting as well.

“…”

“…”

When we ran out of things to talk about, we watched the academy city in our own ways.

One drawing pictures.

One reminiscing memories.

In the midst of that, Senior Frida suddenly spoke to me.

“…Clara.”

“Yes?”

“Did you enjoy the days you spent with us?”

“Yes!”

I answered reflexively.

I was truly… sincerely happy to have met them.

“Then… can you make one promise?”

“What kind of promise?”

Senior Frida took out a document from her bosom. It was a document that only the student council president of each school could fill out.

A document already approved by the .

And a ticket to go to the most special stage… where I could challenge Hilde.

【Academy City Combat Festival Participation Application】

[Participant: Clara from .]

[Recommenders: Student Council President Frida, Nina, Selma.]

[We apply for participation with the consent of all students.]

Handing that document to me-

“…This is.”

She said:

“We three have always watched you move forward. We were… very proud. So we wanted to give you an opportunity to go to the most special stage.”

“…Because of me.”

To fill this out, they would have needed at least enough participation fee to build a new classroom.

Senior Frida gently shook her head.

“It’s not your fault, Clara. The strength you’ve built up over time is truly admirable. It’s a specialness we ordinary people can’t even imagine. That’s why we really wanted to send you.”

“…”

The hardships they must have gone through for the entry ticket while I was away flashed before my eyes. It may have been even harder for ordinary seniors.

Senior Frida continued speaking:

“And… I wanted to make one request to you who are so special. This request may be a nasty curse riding on your ‘specialness’, but… even so, can you promise?”

“What kind of… promise?”

She looked at me seriously and said:

“If you consider the memories with us happy. If you’ve come to love this academy city. For the happiness of juniors who will come someday, for the academy city… can you fight as a senior? Can you do what we couldn’t do?”

“…”

The drawing seemed to be an excuse to come here alone with me.

A wind blew from the vast plains.

Under the clear sky where a rainbow hung.

Trees and fields were moving, clouds were flowing.

A secret pact shared by just the two of us on a hill overlooking the academy city.

“…”

Somehow I got goosebumps. It seemed like this ordinary girl… knew a story that penetrated the original content.

‘That can’t be…’

Is she asking me to protect the original content?

No, what Senior Frida is saying is something more fundamental…

As a senior, or as a strong person.

It seemed like she was asking if I could ‘sacrifice’ myself for others.

It was a request to show responsibility befitting the power I had.

The gentle Senior Frida would never bring this up lightly. It must be words the three seniors uttered after much deliberation.

“…”

Honestly, not many thoughts came to mind. Numerous rebuttals to this sudden emotional talk came up.

It was funny too.

How could I use my power for others?

‘But…’

My heart started burning hotly at Senior Frida’s words. Because as she said, I had come to… love this city.

‘Because you… taught me happiness.’

Then…

If it’s your request.

‘Gladly.’

The way to respond to emotion is with emotion.

I took the oath posture Hilde had taught me once.

Kneeling on one knee, straightening my back, eyes slightly downcast.

A posture like a knight swearing to their lord.

“Yes, I swear.”

I will help the nine schools of this city.

I will not ignore the pain of my juniors.

I will do my best with the power I have.

When the time comes…

I will protect everyone with my power.

Words I wouldn’t have uttered originally.

In the end, I swore to Senior Frida.

‘Now I can’t pretend not to see, even if just because of conscience.’

Well… it was something to think about gradually after the Combat Festival ended.

‘I wonder if she knows how big of a request she made, and how foolishly I accepted.’

I said with a bitter smile:

“Can I receive it now—☆”

“Yes~ Well done.”

Rustle—

The light paper enters my bosom.

While putting it away in my bosom, I looked around.

‘I hope no one saw?’

Fortunately, only the rainbow floating far away was watching us. It was frighteningly clear, like a bridge made of glass.

This should remain just my own dark history.

“…By the way, the rainbow is really clear.”

“Yes, it’s the first time I’ve seen such a clear rainbow—”

A sudden silence.

“…Senior?”

I turned around.

“…”

Only the rainbow floating far away was watching me.

“…Senior?”

Farewell came so absurdly.

That was my last memory with the seniors.

The phenomenon that appeared in the latter half of the original work. The phenomenon that could only be resolved by defeating the final boss. The punishment given to those who go against the fate of the world.

And the reason the seniors received that… was only me.

‘Because I… am not the ‘foolish Clara from the original work’.’

That’s what I thought at the time.

* * *

[Grrrr…!]

“…”

In front of Brunhilde was a giant dragonfly-shaped dragon. It was estimated to be over ten meters in size.

She had rushed over hearing news of chaos beings suddenly appearing near the Golden Street. But what was there was one dragon and a man in a robe.

He was riding on top of the giant dragonfly.

“Found you. Reincarnator.”

“…?”

Brunhilde tilted her head.