TRUE ABILITY Chapter 60

In the Student Council Room

“Now then,” said Lloyd-senpai, sitting across the desk with both elbows resting on it, he turned his gaze towards me. I felt a sharpness in his eyes, causing me to involuntarily gulp while standing there.

It was all good up to the point where I was called by Lloyd-senpai to the student council room right after the introduction of the new student council, but…

“….”

Even though it was still daytime, the room was dimly lit, and the flame of the candle on the desk further accentuated an eerie atmosphere.

…I’ve gotten somewhat used to this atmosphere, though.

“First of all, let me congratulate you once again, Yuno Astario. With this, you have truly become the representative of the new students in both name and reality, without any hindrance…”

After saying those words, Lloyd-senpai flashed a somewhat meaningful smile.

“Again, you’re a peculiar one… that is my honest impression of you.”

“Peculiar… me?”

“Born into the prestigious Astario family with a reputation for valor, yet you have made your name widely known with the stigma of being incompetent. One could say you’ve made a name for yourself, to put it differently.” 

There was nothing incorrect about his words.
While feeling a slight discomfort in his tone, as if seeking confirmation, I remained silent, waiting for the continuation of his words.

“However, now you stand before me as the victor of a prestigious martial arts tournament and have joined the esteemed student council at this academy.”

“….”

“Indeed, when I lay out the facts for you in words like this, you should be able to understand my impression of ‘peculiar.’”

“That’s…”

I, who was supposed to be originally incompetent, won the martial arts tournament and joined the Student Council.

….That’s right.
I realized that my body had tensed up. Because until now, I had been expecting to be asked once more about joining the Shadow Moon.

“….”

Anxiety sets in all at once. When we first met, I had already demonstrated a portion of my abilities to Lloyd-senpai. So, what is implicitly being questioned now is my actual strength—questioning it in itself. Thinking about it, this person, being sharp-witted, wouldn’t just leave that mystery unanswered. But, yes. No matter how much discomfort it may cause, I will stick to my own convictions.

“Certainly, that’s true. But that’s because I made a contract with the goddess Athena.”

“…And?”

“Think about it. Those who performed well in the recent martial arts tournament, including me, were the ones who had already made contracts with Gods.”

Maro, Tina, and I—all of us had already made contracts with gods.

“Deciding to make a contract with a god, something said to occur only once in a lifetime, before the martial arts tournament is, logically speaking, a high-risk choice. We are still freshmen, and the possibility of renowned gods forming contracts with us is by no means high.”

“…Certainly. Even if the path to the student council is opened up, it’s meaningless without winning. I agree with your notion of advantages and risks.”

“Yes. That’s why I—”

“—Maro Byrne,” Lloyd-senpai uttered that name and looked at me with sharp eyes.

“Despite being a freshman like you, he had already made a contract with one of the Hero Gods and participated in the recent martial arts tournament. And yet, you defeated him. You, who is contracted with a former nameless god, a stray god.”

My heart began to beat rapidly. It seems that he intends to make the questions about me clear here and now.

“——Zeus.”

Lloyd Marz knew the name of the god with whom I made a contract right after I was born. It seems I wasn’t able to completely deceive him that time after all.

“That’s…” As I was struggling to figure out how to respond…

“Kuku…”
Lloyd-senpai’s laughter echoed softly, breaking the silence.

“No, my apologies. I guess I went a bit too far with the teasing. To put it plainly, your victory and joining the student council were both within my expectations. I already grasped that the first time we met, seeing what you’re capable of. So, if there’s one thing I’m curious about, it is——”

“…..”

“Yuno Astario’s strength. Did you awaken it through a contract with the goddess Athena, or—”

I heard his words gradually decrease at the end. However, instead of continuing with his words, Lloyd-senpai sighed softly, lifted the corners of his mouth as if to reset, and said,

“But what’s crucial now is that, like me, you harbor doubts about this world, that’s the only point. That just like me, you’re an anomaly. —Let me hear it. Your response. Whether you have the intention to peer into the abyss together with me.”

For a moment, I was kept on edge, but it finally landed in the development I had anticipated. The response. In other words, the question of me joining the dark side (read: Shadow Moon).
The significant questions that arose when I experienced that town (Kanna). The god called “Zeus.” And the questions about myself. I have a vague feeling that I will be able to get closer to the answer to all of them.
However, my decision had already been made.

“I am thinking of declining.”

“May I ask the reason?”

To be honest, there is hesitation. However, I am not omnipotent. The goal of making the Kami-sama more and more famous. And my role as a knight of Luna. Furthermore, there is the duty as a member of the Student Council. I already have many important things… many things that I must cherish.

“It’s because most of what I can gain by joining the dark side is for my own sake.”
That’s right. Questions about myself can be pursued at a later time, after all other tasks are accomplished.

“I have a goal. A significant goal that I feel I want to achieve for the first time in my life. So, I want to achieve that goal first, that’s what I think.”

When I responded that way, Lloyd-senpai closed his eyes as if pondering something.

“…I see. Yuno Astario. You are indeed interesting as expected.”
Saying that, Lloyd-senpai opened his eyes, looked straight into my eyes again, and continued.

“A goal, huh? You don’t need to be so on guard like that. I will respect your will.”

“…Thank you.”

Surprisingly easygoing, his words made me feel a bit deflated. It’s a strange feeling. Even though that’s what I wished for.

“But, yes. How about indulging me in a bit more small talk?”

“Small talk?”

“Yeah. Since we’re here anyway.”

Saying that, Lloyd-senpai directed his gaze not at me, but at the door to the student council room behind me.

“You can come in now.”

“———Excuse me.”
With that, the door, accompanied by a somewhat familiar female voice, opened.