Executioner’s Dream

　This was… to say the least… quite an odd development.

　I was in a snowy alley, outside the confines of the painting (the barrier), with a strange woman I had met only moments ago.

　The woman picked up a doll that had been disposed of in the dump, the one that was just outside of the painting/entrance.

“When I was a kid, I fell in love with a doll without a head that was thrown away in a garbage dump. I cannot say why. After that, I fell in love with all the broken toys. The moment I fix a broken toy and make it shiny, I feel a sense of purpose. “

　The doll in the woman’s hand is tattered and has sustained severe damage to one of its arms.

“… I’m glad I went all the way here, just the sense I get here is worth it.”

　The woman shook a cane about 30 cm long toward the doll’s right arm. The green light that jumps out of the cane collides with the doll. By the time I noticed, the doll’s right arm had healed.

　The woman picked up the doll and put it in her pocket and turned her eyes to me.

　To be honest, I was frustrated, but I covered it up.

　I smiled, as normal, and equipped myself with my most respectful tone.

“Aha.. you seem like quite the interesting person.”

“Ick. Take off that awful mask that only a person truly unacquainted with expression would call a smile.”

　This is a surprise, through and through. Most people enjoy my passive act.

“Creepy on purpose. How disrespectful. Use that when you can, though, for there are lots of idiots in the world..”

　Don’t laugh, don’t raise your voice, and talk with no intonation, I do this to ensure my survival.

“Huh.”

　For the first time, I saw a person who caught my expressionless face and considered it bad.

“I was late to introduce myself. I’m Yunferno Darts Vice-Principal Refil-Harman.”

“Vice Principal… Harman–“

　Her name was in a letter dropped by Himari Lanfer. The female examiner I’d met earlier also mentioned her name.

　Deputy principal of a super prestigious school. I can see why she was picked. I feel innocent in the view of this intimidating senior.

“What’s your name?”

“Charles.”

“Where are you from?”

“Lamberg.”

“How old are you?”

“14.”

“I see.

　Vice-Principal Harman raises the corners of her mouth, a terrible grin showing through.

　It’s a creepy smile.

“From Lamberg, and at the age of 14, a baptismal user. The nameless slave of the Sanson executioner family.”

“I didn’t think I was so famous that I was known to the Vice-Principal.”

“All the talented young people have been checked. But I haven’t been able to investigate you deeply. Heard rumors of your criminality, though.”

　The criminal is probably master. But I have no choice but to serve him. 

“I was thinking of going to you someday, I’m glad you saved moi the trouble. There’s no avoiding it. Let me tell you straightforwardly.”

　Cigar ashes are dropped on the white snow, and Vice-Principal Harman looks into my eyes.

“Are you willing to come to our school, executioner?”

“Me at the magic school…?”

　Do you really know my position and say this? Does she think me a fool>

“I’ll ask you.Is it possible you’re asking me to come to Yunferno Darts?”

“What do you say?”

“I don’t have the money, I can’t afford to pay the tuition fees. I’m a slave, a place for lofty learning isn’t exactly my kinda shtick, you know?

“Our school doesn’t work like that.. It doesn’t matter what your status is. You don’t have to worry about tuition fees. We have a convenient scholarship system.”

“Scholarship student?”

“Three people a year, excellent people are selected from the examinees and welcomed with special treatment. Some of the special treatment is exemption from tuition fees.”

“Am I an excellent person?”

“Well, if you think about the skill level of magic or the amount of knowledge, you are rather the lowest!”

　Vice-Principal Harman smiles creepily.

“If you have to kill each other, you will definitely survive to the last three.”

“Does being a murderer really equal me being excellent?”

“It is for me. You were terrifying in that match against Cerberus. It was just like an executioner should be.”

　If you look at my fight earlier, most people will drawback in terror.

　But this woman is different. She looks happy.

　When I defeated Cerbeus she seemed happy while the audience was scared shitless.

　This woman is strange.

“So what’s the answer? A challenge or be a slave for the rest of your life, Executioner?”

“…”

　I was supposed to die today.

　Magic Academy–

　Will anything change if I go there?

　If I go there, will that ridiculous dream come true?

“I have only one dream. It’s a dream I’ve given up. Please tell me if that dream will come true if I come to the magic school.”

“Dream? Interesting. Didn’t know slaves could dream.”

“I want..”

　For the first time, Vice-Principal Harman looked surprised at my remarks.

“I see. Who do you want to kill? Is it the master who forced you to work and enslave you?”

“I don’t care about such an irrelevant person. What I want to kill …”

　I hesitate a little.

　After all, telling others your dreams for the first time is quite hard.

　A dream undesired by most.

“It’s the death penalty.”

“Yes?”

　I say it clearly, strongly.

“Well… how about we get rid of the death penalty?”