The future is unknown.  That is only natural.  However, lately it feels as though there have been far too many unexpected situations.

“As you all know, we’ve received confirmation regarding the arrangements for acceptance into the homeland and places of refuge.  The day after tomorrow, we will disband.  Those who wish to transfer to the Radea Military Academy may do so, but that won’t be for some time still.  Of the rest of you, I’ve heard that some will be remaining here, some will be returning to their parents, and some will be temporarily transferring to other military academies such as the Imperial Capital’s.”

Perhaps it’s because I still can’t throw away my childish naivety.  Yet, I feel as though that cannot be the only explanation.

“I too shall be returning to the Rave Empire, so for now, this will by farewell to everyone.  Therefore, for one last time, I would like to make a few memories with you all.”

To begin with, the fact that the Dragon Empress is serving as an instructor at a military academy is already strange.  Once my age is taken into consideration, the matter becomes even more absurd.

“And so, for today and tomorrow, His Majesty will serve as a temporary instructor for the Gold Dragon Class! And then tomorrow, the Blue Dragon Class, led by me, will have a match against the Gold Dragon Class, led by His Majesty!”
“Hello, I am Hades Theos Rave.  Usually, I act as the Dragon Emperor.  Feel free to call me Hades-sensi!  Looking forward to working with you all!”
“What do you all think?  This is the best way to make memories, right!?”

“No, isn’t this just weird!?”

The only one to shout was Lutiya.  However, losing heart could never be allowed, regardless if an air of resignation was drifting off every student assembled in the schoolyard.

******

Jill tilted her head in blank bafflement at Lutiya’s shout.

“You’re dissatisfied?”
“It’s not about being dissatisfied.  How in the world did you even come up with an idea like this!?”
“This is the result of a discussion with His Majesty!  There is no need to hold back.  Alright, everyone, we’re going to smash the Gold Dragon Class led by His Majesty!”
“That makes even less sense!”

“Making memories is part of it, but the class competition also ended the way it did.”
Hades began to speak gently while looking over at his younger brother who had been desperately retorting alone and also at the bewildered students.  Lutiya fell silent all at once, so Jill wondered if hades perhaps had some talent at being an instructor.
“The class competition is an important tradition of the town festival.  I want to quickly sweep away the bad image of it that was left behind.  Not to mention, with the La Baia Military Academy closing, if we do nothing, this tradition might disappear altogether.  Besides, everyone seems to have really enjoyed the way the Blue Dragon Class came out victorious back then.  Although something of that scale might be impossible right now, by doing something similar, we’ll be able to both liven up your memories and support the tradition.  Once people hear about a rematch between the Blue Dragon Class and the Gold Dragon Class, even those exhausted from the reconstruction effort will get excited.”

So an intention like that was also behind it.  Jill, careful not to let anything show on her face, was impressed.  No wonder Elynsia was being cooperative.

And here I had only been thinking of how fun it would be to have a match against the Gold Dragon Class commanded by His Majesty!

Apparently, she would still need some more time before she could catch up to Hades’ perspective.  Beneath the blue sky, everyone was listening intently to the Emperor’s direct explanation.  Even Lutiya, although furrowing his brows, remained silent.

“However, as of the moment, the Purple Dragon Class has Roger-sensei while the Gold Dragon Class and Blue Dragon Class are being managed by Jill-sensei.  Having the same commander for both sides in a match wouldn’t be very interesting, hence I’ll be the teacher for the Gold Dragon Class!”
“That’s what’s strange!  Just because it’s a temporary instructor doesn’t mean the Dragon Emperor himself would fill in, normally!”
“Well, if I am not the opponent, then if the Blue Dragon Class wins, won’t people say it was out of deference to the Dragon Empress?  Besides, Ane-ue was busy.”

Lutiya pursed his lips in displeasure.  Jill also felt somewhat annoyed, but she kept silent.  Indeed, whether she said anything or not, such deference was a possibility.

Suddenly, Noin politely raised his hand.  “Go ahead,” Hades prompted him to speak.

“Except… that, the academy’s current condition.  And then rules, and the equipment.”
“The Noitral Dragon Knight Order will be helping with that, so it’s fine.”
“You don’t know how to act as a temporary teacher, but you managed to do that…!?”
“The Purple Dragon Class will also help, right?”

Roger reluctantly stepped forward at a glance from Hades.

“For what it’s worth, I did oppose this.  Jill-sensei’s situation was what it was, and digging into that now would just be uncouth, but Hades is the Emperor.  Why isn’t Elynsia putting a stop to this…?”
“Her Highness Elynsia said she doesn’t mind!  Security is easier to manage when His Majesty and I are together!”
“Elynsia has gotten quite resolute in the time I haven’t seen her… Despite how she appears now, she used to be a sensitive child always worrying about this and that.”
“Why not go and have a talk with her?”

Roger cleared his throat.

“Now then, I shall explain the rules.”
He didn’t seem to have any intention of going to talk with her.

“The match will be held tomorrow at noon.  The Noitral Dragon Knight Order will be overseeing it.  However, there will be a few changes from the class competition.  First, the flags.  Simply stated, they’ve become smaller.”
Roger held out the two flags he had hanging at his waist.  The shafts were simple, made from the legs of broken chairs.  Attached to their tips were strips of blue cloth and yellow cloth.  Gold probably hadn’t been available.  The La Baia Military Academy crest, however, was properly embroidered on both of them.

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