20
『春』は一学期の最初の日。『夏』もまた然り、夏季休業があけたその日が幻獣祭である。
『夏』はあくまで学校行事の域をでない他の行事とは一線を画す。この国の夏の名物であり、全国各地から多くの人々が集まるお祭りである。
フアバードン王国の貴族たち自慢の幻獣を一目見ようと、海外からも観光客がやって来るほどなのだ。
午前9時からが第2学年の部、正午からが第3学年の部、午後3時からが第1学年の部。該当する学年の生徒たちはそれぞれ自分の場所で幻獣のアピールを行い、他学年を含め観客はそれを好きに見て回る。
評価と順位付けを行うのは教師と著名な卒業生で構成された審査団だ。評価基準は明確にされていないが、主に強さ・美しさ・珍しさ・賢さ・主人との絆の深さだと言われている。
***
大きな垂れ幕がかけられた校舎。『幻獣祭』の文字が風になびいて踊っている。
現在の時刻は第2学年の部が始まる30分前の午前8時半。学園はすでに一般の人で溢れかえっていて、移動するのも一苦労である。
メリンダと私は殿下がいる場所を探して彷徨っていた。三強であり男性としても人気のある彼のことなので、早めに見つけ、その場で開催を待っていないと人だかりができてしまうと思うのだ。
幻獣祭はこの中庭のみで行われるが、考えられないくらい広いので三時間かけてやっと回りきることができる。
「ねえメリンダ」
隣を歩く友人に、というよりその肩にとまる幻獣に目をやった。人が多くて暑いのが不快なのか、メリンダは眉間に深いシワを刻んでおり、彼女の幻獣も同じ表情を浮かべている。
「気を悪くしないで聞いて欲しいのだけど...あなたのその子、蛇は食べないわよね?」
「さあ......」
「メリンダ、死活問題なの」
「ごめんなさい、あっつくって。そうね...安心してちょうだい」
「本当?なら良かっ――」
「何の腹の足しにもならなさそうだから食べないと思うの」
「メリンダ!」
にやりと笑ったメリンダ。つい眦をきつくして睨んだ。なんと肩の幻獣も同様に意地悪な顔をしている。
この子達似てる。すごい似てる!
メリンダの幻獣は夜の闇に溶けそうな色をしたフクロウだった。金色の目だけが満月みたいに綺麗だ。主人の色合いそのまんまで可愛いのだが、いかんせん頭が良く面白がりなところも主人に似た。あと表情筋も。
今も捕食者の目をして私のポケットを見ていたので、思わず手でポケットを抑えた。
こそっと中を覗きこむ。私のちっちゃなクリスティーナは可哀想に震え上がってしまっていた。白い体がさらに白くなってしまっている気がする。
クリスティーナは二週間前に生まれたばかりだ。卵をもらってから六週間経っても生まれなかったときはさすがに焦った。四、五日して無事産まれてきたので良かったが。殿下には見せたことがないので、今日は二人を会わせるのが楽しみだ。
第1学年は第2・第3とは違って、芸をするわけでもなく生まれたままの姿を見せればいい。生後二週間のこの子もそれならできる。臆病な優しい子で、私はこの子のことが可愛くて仕方がない。スカートの右ポケットが定位置だ。
「あ。レベッカ、殿下を見つけたわよ」
「え!ど、こ.........嘘、もう...。メリンダ、諦めて涼しくて座れる場所を探しましょう」
「賛成」
遠目に金髪の御人と立派な鷲がいるとやっとわかるような距離。既に大量の人だかりに囲まれた彼に近づくのは諦めた方が良さそうだ。
中庭の隅に腰掛け休んでいると、花火が打ち上がった。朝の日の光にも負けない太陽のごとき花火だ。幻獣祭開幕5分前の合図である。
それに合わせ、中庭の中心に開設されている円形のステージに二人の人物が姿を現した。
私は彼らを知っている。この学園ではあまりにも有名な二人だ。麗しいその姿に、会場のいたるところから感嘆のため息が漏れ出る。
「本日は卒業生代表の御役目を賜り誠に有り難く存じます」
腰まで届く瑠璃色の髪を垂らして折り目正しいおじぎをしたのが、双子の妹シャルロッテ・シーガン。
「再びこの学園の空気を吸えたことを喜ばしく思う。皆の幻獣を見るのが今から楽しみだよ」
同じく肩につく瑠璃色の髪を揺らしてはにかんだのが双子の兄シャルル・シーガン。
彼らは『シーガン兄妹』。学園の卒業生で、昨年末の『冬』のあと見事三強の称号を獲得した六人のうちの二人だ。
三強・五高は一年の終わりに発表される。一年前第3学年だった二人は三強の名を頂戴してすぐに学園を卒業した。
称号を持って卒業するのは特に名誉なことと言われており、昨年度三強の第3学年はシーガン兄妹だけだった。しかも、史上初めて双子で三強に輝いたのがシーガン兄妹だ。
憧れの存在を前に、生徒たちのエンジンは一気に温まった。
「それでは皆様」
「幻獣祭を始めよう」
二人の合図で爆発するような歓声が会場を包む。
私は胸を高鳴らせて椅子から立ち上がり、メリンダはそんな私を見て「もう疲れた」と文句を言い、クリスティーナは「シュー!」と、フクロウは「ホー」と言った。
Ch 20
[Spring] is the first day of the first semester. [Summer] is also the same, and the day after the summer break is the Phantom Beast Festival.
[Summer] is a completely different event from school events. It's a famous event in this country and many people from all over the country gather together.
Many people, including tourists from abroad, come to see the Phantom Beast, which is a pride of the Huaverdon kingdom's nobles.
The second-year class is from 9 am, the third-year class is from noon, and the first-year class is from 3 pm. Students in the corresponding grade perform their own Phantom Beast appeal in their own place, and the audience, including other grades, can watch it as they like.
The evaluation and ranking are done by a judging panel consisting of teachers and famous graduates. The evaluation criteria are not clearly defined, but it is said to be mainly strength, beauty, rarity, intelligence, and the depth of the bond with the master.
***
A big curtain is hanging on the school building and the words [Phantom Beast Festival] are dancing in the wind.
The current time is 8:30 in the morning, 30 minutes before the second-year class begins. The academy is already overflowing with people and it's difficult to move around.
Melinda and I are wandering around looking for where His Highness is. Since he is one of the three strongest and also popular among men, we thought that if we don't find him early and wait for the event in that place, there will be a crowd.
The Phantom Beast Festival is held only in this courtyard, but it is so large that it takes three hours to finally be able to walk around.
"Hey Melinda."
I looked at my friend, or rather the Phantom Beast perched on her shoulder. Is it because the heat and the many people are uncomfortable, Melinda has a deep wrinkle on her forehead and her Phantom Beast also has the same expression.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but your child... don't eat snakes, does he?"
"Well..."
"Melinda, it's a matter of life and death."
"I'm sorry, I got excited. Yeah... please relax."
"Really? That's good----"
"I don't think it's useful as a stomach filler so I think it doesn't eat."
"Melinda!"
Melinda smiled with a smirk. She glared with squinted eyes. Even the Phantom Beast on her shoulder had a mischievous expression.
These kids are alike. They're really alike!
Melinda's Phantom Beast was an owl with a color that seemed to melt into the darkness of night. Only its golden eyes were as beautiful as a full moon. It was cute with the same colors as its master, but unfortunately it also had a quick wit and a sense of humor similar to its master. And also its facial expressions.
Even now, with the eyes of a predator, it looked at my pocket, so I couldn't help but hold my pocket with my hand.
I peeked inside quietly. My little Christina was trembling pitifully. I feel like her white body has become even whiter.
Christina was born two weeks ago. I was worried when six weeks had passed since I got the egg and it hadn't been born yet. But it was born safely after four or five days. I haven't shown it to His Highness yet, so I'm looking forward to introducing the two of them today.
In the first grade, unlike the second and third grades, you don't have to perform any tricks, you just have to show your natural appearance. This child, who is only two weeks old, can also do that. It's a timid and kind child, and I love this child so much. The right pocket of my skirt is its fixed position.
"Oh, Rebecca, I found His Highness."
"Oh! What, this...no way, already...Melinda, let's give up and look for a cool place to sit."
"I agree."
From a distance, you can finally see a blonde man and a magnificent eagle. It seems like it would be better to give up on approaching him, who is already surrounded by a large crowd.
As we sat in the corner of the courtyard and rested, fireworks went off. They were like fireworks as bright as the morning sun. It was a sign that the Phantom Beast Festival was about to begin in five minutes.
Along with that, two people appeared on the circular stage set up in the center of the courtyard.
I know them. They are the two famous people in this academy. Their beautiful appearance made sighs of admiration escape from all around the venue.
"Today, we are honored to have the representative graduates take on the role of masters."
The one who lowered her lapis lazuli-colored hair to her waist and made a proper bow was Charlotte Seagan, the twin sister.
"I'm happy to be able to breathe the air of this academy again. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's Phantom Beasts."
Likewise, Charles Seagan, the twin brother, shook his lapis lazuli-colored hair and smiled.
They are the Seagan siblings. They are the graduates of the academy and two out of six who won the title of the top three in the last [winter].
The "Three Strong" and "Five High" are announced at the end of the year. The two of them, who were in the third grade a year ago, received the title of "Three Strong" and immediately graduated from the Academy.
It is said that graduating with this title is particularly honorable, and last year the third-year "Three Strong" were only the Seagan siblings. Furthermore, the Seagan siblings were the first twins to shine in the "Three Strong" in history.
With the presence of their idol in front of them, the students' engines heated up.
"Now then, everyone."
"Let's start the Phantom Beast Festival!"
A burst of cheers that envelops the venue at the two's signal.
I stand up from my chair with my chest pounding, Melinda complains "I'm already tired" seeing me, Christina says "Shii!" and the owl says "Hoo."
The Villainess Carries a Strategy Guide
その悪役令嬢は攻略本を携えている
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-villainess-carries-a-strategy-guide/
Fantasy Josei Romance Shoujo
Academy Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Doting Older Siblings European Ambience Female Protagonist Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Nobles Otome Game Reincarnated in a Game World Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6554fr/
岩田加奈