Chapter 42: And So, I Am Overpowered Because...

"Huh," Eleric starts, joining us as we walk down to register our newly formed team. "I'm a little surprised. I was sure Prince Larien was the team leader."

"You and me both," I muse.

With Larien on my team, I've found that I hardly need to do much since he takes care of the important stuff by himself. I only need to show up. It's incredibly comfortable and smothering at the same.

"Haha. Well I figured Alice wouldn't really want to be bothered by the common preparations of forming a team." Larien chuckles, leading the way to the registration office.

"Hm..."

Accurate as usual. If this goes on, I may become bothered by how much he's able to accurately read me. So this is what it feels like to be on the other end of profiling. Not very enjoyable.

"So, what sort of team are you trying to form?" Eleric asks.

"One with five members. Anyone will do." I respond not really paying attention.

"Huh? You're kidding right?" Eleric says. "How lax."

"Haha," Darius and Larien laugh, already used to my nonchalant and uncaring attitude towards most things.

"Well, given Alice's personality, as the team leader it really can't be helped." Darius responds.

"And since he's arguably the most powerful student in this school right now, we're focused on forming a team centered mostly on combat and offense." Larien adds.

Eleric stares at me in silence for a while before sighing, "Actually, oddly enough that seems like the best way to go."

According to what Larien and Darius told me about the competition, it seems that most teams try their best to focus on a well balanced offense-defense team as much as possible, or go for complete defense. It's pretty rare for any one team to focus completely on offense and ignore their defense.

This case would be pretty stupid for a couple of second years to accomplish... if I wasn't the team leader. The team leader position is so important because through out the entire competition, he/she is required to constantly pull his team through a group spell called 'Carsis' where the team leader's power is used to fuel his members. We can ignore our defense so completely because I alone will act as a defensive tower. So far, that's our plan to get us through the first half of the competition.

"Right?" Darius chortles lightly in agreement.

"So in your search for combat oriented teammates, you found me huh?" Eleric says, gazing between me and Larien. "But I don't even practice swordsmanship anymore, I'm enrolled in the magic theory course. So why me?"

I turn to look back at him, drawing the attention of Darius and Larien to him as well.

"Why? Hmm..., I start, thinking a bit. "Because you just exuded desperation."

"Ah, what?!" Eleric exclaims, flustered as his cheeks start to slightly burn light red.

Darius and Larien laugh, realizing I'm just messing with him. Looks like I've found myself a fun new toy. He's very fun to make fun of because of his straight forward and prickly personality.

"I'm serious!" Eleric retorts.

"So am I," I say, smirking as I see the annoyance on his face.

"Unfortunately Eleric, you'll have to just get use to him," Larien speaks, stifling a laugh.

Eleric clicks his tongue before sighing, resign to his fate.

I sigh and continue, turning on a slightly more serious tone, "I heard your story from Larien and got pissed. So I decided to beat you up a little. That's why."

All three of them turn to look at me, surprised at my ridiculous reason.

"Seriously?!" Eleric whines, exhaling as he scratches his temples. "Why would you get mad for my sake?"

"It wasn't for you. You just reminded me of someone," I respond solemnly.

When I snap back to reality from my small daydream, I notice Darius and Larien staring at me. I may have said too much, but really, I guess all that doesn't even matter now anyways.

"Oh?" Eleric uttered. "Is this person your family or something?"

I just smile a bit before retorting, "On second thought, you're nothing alike."

"What?!"

Yes. It really is interesting to mess with him, but I was being honest. They're nothing alike. Eleric is more like a pure but prickly knight of justice. And 'he's' probably more relatable to a demon by now.

"Hey," Eleric starts, calling my attention.

"What?"

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" He mutters, looking at me very seriously.

I sigh before responding, "What is it?"

"How did you get this strong?"

His question quiets the air, drawing Larien's and Darius's attention. Most likely, the question had crossed through their minds more than a few times but opted not to ask.

"I mean," He continues. "It's not like you're a noble. If you were I'd understand how you got such ridiculous power, but apparently you're a wandering orphan. Don't tell me it's some storyline like you wandered upon such strength or that after your family died you were raised by a dragon or something."

"Hmm..." I pause.

I honestly hadn't come up with a story for that. I don't know why, but I never expected anyone would ask, which now that I think about it was dumb. Of course someone would want to know after unintentionally placing a target on my back amongst the nobles.

Huh. Should I just say I'm half demon lord? No. In Elrev, just being connected to a demon was enough for humans to justify eliminating you, that would be bad right now. Then, should I go with the dragon story? It's a cliché but it works. Wait... This is the Dremid continent, nah that won't work either. The people in this country have been battling against dragons since the ancient time, to the point that dragons no longer strive in this continent. Saying I was raised by a dragon would put as me in as much as a disadvantage as being connected to a demon.

But then, what else can I say to explain an orphan commoner like myself possessing more strength than the Kingdom's third Prince, and at this point, even the high mages and Knights. I can spout something like it was hard work and training, Larien'll know it's bs.

I should've thought of something. I guess somewhere in my mind I'm still struggling with the concept of this being my new reality. For me it's kind of like, 'Why would an NPC ask a player why he's so strong?' Dammit. I guess I'll have to bs it. It may sound vague and false, but since I have no other backstory, they'll have to believe this for now.

"When I was younger, I was temporarily adopted..." I start, sighing a bit, as I am unsure if Larien will buy it. "By a dragon... slayer."

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