Jill didn’t wave back.  Does that mean… she doesn’t associate with her enemies?  Or could she be angry?

“Jill does seem like she’d hate something like launching a suicide attack even though we’re not cornered.”
“She’s probably angry about the fake-flags too.”

Rave answered from a chair while sipping freshly squeezed fruit juice through a straw.

From the perspective of an ordinary person, the sight of juice rapidly decreasing from the glass would be a strange sight.  Fortunately, no one has tried to approach the section Hades was seated in, so it wasn’t a problem.

“It’s no—t like I’m breaking any rules.  The Dragon Emperor who guards reason doesn’t behave in such a way.”
“Try saying that to the Little Miss?  Hopefully you be let off with just a single hit to the stomach~.”
“…Once the match ends, I’ll make seafood paella for everyone. I’ll manage with that, somehow.”
“Hopefully that’ll settle it. But the Blue Dragon Class, wow, that’s utter pandemonium.”
“I really wish Lutiya would pull himself together.”
“You’ve got some nerve saying that after setting up such a brutal psychological trick.  He now has to face enemies who able to attack from unknown directions.”

Furthermore, they only had two choices with which to respond: either launch a suicidal charge with a small group or be surrounded by greater numbers with superior firepower to be unilaterally beaten down.  Thinking about what will happen brought a faint smile to Hades’ face.

A small suicidal charge might look advantageous for the Blue Dragon Class at first glance, but they had always been on the disadvantaged side until now.  They were not accustomed to harassing their opponents.  They’ll probably lose their nerve.

The students of the Blue Dragon Class were also most likely misunderstanding their situation.  They might think they are used to being attacked one-sidedly, but even if they were surrounded like always, the intensity between an opponent that is looking down on them and one taking them seriously differed greatly.  They probably won’t be escaping as cleanly as usual.  Then once they do, will they be able to escape while abandoning their comrades?

This was the first time the Blue Dragon Class experienced both the fear of not knowing from where they’ll be targeted from, and the intensity of an enemy coming at them seriously and without underestimating them.  Responding with a calm mind will be difficult.  Can Lutiya, within these circumstances, rebuild the battle situation while cutting off his own allies?

“I wonder if he’ll be able to remain standing until the end.”

That is what it means to stand above others.  A mountain of issues existed, and even though his little brother kept yapping at him like a puppy, he wasn’t entirely unlovable.  So, he intended to watch over his growth.

“Still, the Gold Dragon Class sure is strong~.  And that Noin kid, he has a serious amount of talent.  You aren’t going to recruit him into the Imperial Army?”
“Elder Sister Elynsia won’t leave him alone even if I don’t.  Ahh, that girl.  I’ve told her to drop that tendency of hers, but… Yeah, letting her make use of that habit might be better.”
“Hoo, what’s this?  You’re actually thinking this through?”
“Well, I’m Hades-sensei, aren’t I?  Besides, aren’t you the same?”

The previous night, his earnest students saw an apple disappear from one end to the other like magic as it was eaten and then brought various local specialty fruits to the Dragon God Rave-sama, They acted with the kind of honesty and curiosity typical of children combined with the thoughtfulness expected of model students.  When told that he was truly there even though he couldn’t be seen, they accepted it just like that.  No, it might be because he couldn’t be seen that they could be so friendly with him.  Thus they let their thoughts wander— “What sort of god is the one watching over them?”

Rave properly answered their feelings.  Despite his appearance, he is a god.

A student with artistic ability drew an imagined picture of Rave based on Hades’ description of him.  Rave said it didn’t look like him, but the likeness was perfect.  That paper had been folded up and was actually tucked into Hades’ breast pocket.

“Either way, the Blue Dragon Class will have to lose this time.”

Defeat and victory were both nourishment for growth.

“More than anything else, the Blue Dragon Class… if… if my memory… is correct, during that match, the one they, one, Jill… after that… she… they…!”
“Ahh, you remembered that?  Didn’t we agree to pretend not to have seen it?”
“We did!  I mean, no matter how you look at it, it was nothing more than a hug from emotion, one that didn’t take gender into account, and with absolutely no sexual intent in it!  If there had been, if… if any… what would have happened to me…?”
“Honestly, swallow it down just like that.  It’s already too late, way too late.”
“Still!”

Hades clenched his fist as he stood up.  Down below, the Blue Dragon Class had fallen into confusion after being stuck from behind by the Gold Dragon Class.  They were beginning to be unilaterally defeated.  His throat rumbled as he laughed.

“This is my revenge… experience the creeping fear of being tormented…!”
“At least don’t take it out on the students.  Target the Little Miss.”
“I’ll be thought of as petty!”
“So you are aware of that…”
“And if I complain, Lutiya will absolutely gloat over me, and I’d hate that!”

Rave’s expression filled with exasperation, but this dragon god was the one who raised him to be like that.  As if to proclaim he bore no responsibility, Hades snorted and proudly leaned back.

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