I Became the Academy's Pink Airhead

Chapter 51

"..."

Hilde's voice echoed from the receiver. Despite the noise on the fantasy world's phone line, I couldn't mistake that clear, distinct voice.

'Hilde recognized my voice immediately.'

Perhaps it was because I had chattered endlessly beside her during our first year that my voice stuck in her memory. Even now, I lived with a pretty filter on, but back then, it was different.

As a man in a woman's body, the clumsy words I had used to get closer to the girls... I wondered what impression those words had left on Hilde now, and I was too afraid to ask.

'Because, for a brief moment... I had seriously considered Hilde as...'

A sudden rush of emotions from the past. When my male identity was much stronger. The fleeting feelings that passed by. Emotions I never wanted to reveal now.

"!"

I quickly shook off the resurfacing memory, lightly slapping my cheek with my free hand to ground myself.

Tap tap...

The light sting and the sensation of my cheek waking me up.

'Get a grip... this is a critical moment.'

With Bell up from her seat, I had to inform Hilde of the outpost's situation and coordinate with the . I also needed to hear about any anomalies and decide on a course of action.

Even though I sorted it out in my mind, I still felt my words getting stuck.

'Hilde must be surprised I'm in the outpost office.'

We shared several seconds of silence, which felt like an eternity.

"..." "..." "Um...☆" "Um."

Oh no... we spoke at the same time.

"..." "..."

Silence returned. I inwardly chuckled at myself, then tapped my cheek again to regain focus.

Tap tap tap...

As reality settled in, so did the embarrassment.

'Act your age...'

At that moment, a faint noise echoed from the phone. It was a classic thunderclap, reminiscent of a horror or old Chinese movie's background sound.

Rumble――

"...?"

Another thunderclap, louder and clearer.

Rumble――!

"...?!"

I was startled.

'This isn't the sound of the line cutting off, is it...?!'

I didn't know the principles of magical engineering, but hearing electrical noises on the phone wasn't normal. I didn't know when the beastkin or the eared ones might cut the line.

'This is serious. I need to speak quickly.'

The safety of many students depended on this call. So, pushing aside the part of me that wanted to cower, I spoke in a cheerful tone.

'Let's keep it simple...'

I chose a neutral greeting.

"Hi☆ Hilde, how have you been? I was so happy I couldn't even move my lips―☆" "I was, so, happy. I couldn’t... even move... my lips. That’s... really."

Rumble――

"Good."

Another thunderclap. And Hilde's voice grew fainter.

"Th-" Clink―

Maybe she dropped the phone. Or the signal was weak. Unsettling static made it seem like Hilde had gone silent.

"..." "Hilde? Hilde―☆ Wait, don’t hang up―☆"

This time, I didn’t lie. Even if it worried Hilde, I spoke sincerely.

"I’m coming there―☆" "..." "There are people who can help me, and people I can help." "..."

Hilde’s voice was filled with a mix of worry and resignation.

"I wish you would stay put. Then I could protect you." Warmth. Joy. Gentleness. Embarrassment.

Her voice, holding all these emotions, was special.

'Thank you for worrying about me. Always... Thank you. I don’t deserve you...'

I remembered the day I got up from the . I repeated the promise I made to Hilde back then.

"If what we cherish remains the same―☆"

To protect . To guide many students to a happy future.

"This time, I'll come to you―☆ Just like you came for me♪" "...!" "Wait for me♪ A girl's vow is heavy☆ I’ll bring my fearsome friends and head your way―☆" "...Hm."

I chuckled at the sound. I knew what emotion it held.

'When you're happy but being stubborn.'

Now was the time for a "Clara move." With the relaxed atmosphere, we would shift to the next topic.

'What Clara move fits now...'

I recalled the pranks I pulled on juniors with merit points. Their exasperated faces made me smile.

With a sincere heart, And a hint of old lingering affection.

'For always forgiving me and helping me, here’s 10 merit points...'

I kissed the phone's mouthpiece.

Smooch―

Hilde's voice sounded flustered.

"Lala, what was that." "...Hehe♪ It’s the reward 'Smooch' given to students who receive Clara's merit points at ―☆" "..."

Hilde spoke in a slightly chilling tone.

"Has anyone... ever received it?" "Nope―☆ Clara’s merit points aren’t easy to earn―☆" "I see... Then, I have a request." "Yes?" "Just... one more time..." "Haha―☆ On the cheek? Sure―♪"

I couldn't help but laugh.

'Hilde, you're a true friend for accepting Clara's antics...'

For my first friend to accept this prank, I gently kissed the phone's mouthpiece again. Our call concluded like that.

Of course, since it was Bell’s work phone, I cleaned it thoroughly. Then, I ran to Bell with the notes, detailing the crucial information.

To break through the beastkin and eared ones' siege and set our course.

*

Brynhildr withdrew her lips from the phone's mouthpiece.

"..."

Rising determination, feeling the world's ether. Blue and white ether roared with the sound of thunder. Today, she felt unbeatable.

Clank――!

Brynhildr grabbed a massive lance and left the office. She headed towards the auditorium where her subordinates awaited.

"President!" "Preparations complete."

Vice-President Ziegler, with black wolf ears, radiated fighting spirit. Treasurer Erda, calmly handling her bow, took a deep breath.

Thud―!!

Thousands of students lined up in the auditorium. They stood in disciplined ranks, furious at those who dared challenge 's dominance.

News arrived that 's prefects were also joining the battle.

"..."

Everyone was waiting for her. Brynhildr then spoke the words they awaited.

"Advance."