I Possessed a Character in an Academy Without a Protagonist – Chapter 134

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The riding lesson was more enjoyable than I expected. Perhaps it was because the warhorse was so well-trained, but it remained remarkably calm throughout the lesson.

Neigh…

“Whoa! What the—?!”

“….”

Ainz, on the other hand, was still struggling.

Trie was teaching him, while Pelaine was instructing me. Seeing the stark contrast in our progress, I couldn’t help but think the instructor was the key factor.

Perhaps Pelaine’s beastman heritage gave her a natural affinity with horses. Or maybe she emitted some sort of aura that only animals could perceive.

Which meant that if Pelaine weren’t here, I might be doing my own rodeo act.

“You’re a natural, Schlus. I think you’re ready to try trotting.”

“Pelaine.”

“Yes, Schlus?”

“Would you mind stepping away for a bit? I want to try riding on my own.”

“Alright.”

“And don’t look at the horse.”

“I’m sorry…?”

“Just do as I say.”

“O-okay…”

Pelaine tilted her head, but complied. Even from a distance, her gaze might intimidate the horse.

“Hyah! Let’s go.”

The horse started walking, its hooves kicking up dust in the training arena. Slowly at first, then gradually picking up speed.

Pelaine had explained that this particular horse was trained to accelerate when its neck was pressed.

I gave its neck a firm squeeze.

“Oh.”

The horse responded instantly, breaking into a trot. It was probably moving at about fifteen kilometers per hour.

It didn’t seem that fast, but the thought of being hit by such a massive creature at that speed was… unsettling. I doubted anyone without reinforced internal circuits could withstand a cavalry charge head-on.

I can do this without Pelaine.

I gently tugged on the reins, and the horse turned smoothly. At least I wasn’t as hopeless as Ainz.

Now, to practice wielding a sword while mounted. I was surrounded by trusted allies. It should be safe to use it.

Let’s do this.

I activated my internal circuits, channeling the surge of mana into my outstretched right hand.

Bzzzzt…!

A pillar of blue light erupted from my palm.

I was about to shape it into a sword, when—

Neigh!

“What the—?!”

The horse reared up, bucking wildly.

I was thrown from the saddle, my body tumbling through the air.

“Oof!”

The horse and I landed on the ground with a thud, my back slamming into the dirt.

Damn it…

That hurt.

Instinctively, I had executed the falling technique Trie had taught me. It had probably saved me from serious injury. Although, Iris could heal me anyway…

“Ugh… Are you alright?”

Wh-wh-what?!

I reached out to the fallen horse, but it scrambled to its feet and bolted back to the stables.

What just happened?

I stood there, dumbfounded, as Pelaine approached.

“It seems to be frightened.”

“Frightened? Why?”

“It’s probably afraid of the light. Perhaps it’s something that animals instinctively dislike.”

Animals were afraid of Vafe? Had I written that into the story?

I couldn’t remember.

“Are you afraid of it, Pelaine?”

“N-no, not really… but it is a little… unsettling…”

“….”

Pelaine flinched as I moved Vafe closer. She said she wasn’t afraid, but her ears were flattened against her head. She was clearly trying to hide her fear.

So there was something about Vafe that animals instinctively disliked.

“This is a problem. I can’t use it while mounted.”

“There might be some horses that aren’t as afraid of it. Let’s go take a look.”

“Alright.”

I wasn’t about to be known as the knight who couldn’t ride.

I followed Pelaine to the stables. It was where they kept the unclaimed horses.

Twenty or so horses stood in their stalls.

“Stablemaster, forget what you’re about to see.”

“I’m sorry, sir, what do you—”

With a buzzing sound, Vafe materialized in my right hand, its blue light illuminating the dim interior of the stables. By the time it had formed into a greatsword, the stablemaster’s jaw had dropped.

If a human reacted like that, I could only imagine how the horses would feel.

Neigh! Neigh!

Their panicked whinnies echoed through the stables. I approached each horse, holding Vafe out to gauge their reactions.

Every single one of them bolted, defecating and urinating in terror, before crashing into the back of their stalls.

Even Pelaine was trembling, clinging to my left arm.

I was about to give up, when I noticed a black horse at the far end of the stables.

I held Vafe out to it.

“Found you.”

Vafe was practically touching its nose, but the horse didn’t flinch. It just stood there, calmly staring at me.

I looked into its eyes, and I knew.

This was my horse.

“That one… he’s strong, but he’s a real handful.”

“….”

“Sir! Don’t touch him! He bites!”

“….”

Ignoring the stablemaster’s warning, I reached out.

I had a feeling. I had a feeling I would be fine.

Snort…

My hand touched the horse’s cheek.

It snorted, but it didn’t bite or try to shake me off.

I gently stroked its head.

It lowered its head, closing its eyes, seemingly enjoying the attention. It even let out a contented sigh.

“Well, I’ll be… I’ve never seen him like this. I was planning on slaughtering him for jerky, but I guess he found an owner.”

“We still have to see how he rides.”

“Haha! That horse is the fastest and most agile we have! You’ll see!”

The stablemaster clapped his hands, beaming.

It seemed I had found a horse that was compatible with me, a horse that understood me.

Encouraged by his praise, I immediately led the horse out to the training grounds.

The horse, which I had imagined would gallop majestically, carrying me effortlessly—

“Oof!”

“Whoa!”

“Agh!”

Threw me ten times in a row.

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Fourth Castle, South, Suppression Force Headquarters.

Commanders filed into the meeting room, taking their seats. As the last commander arrived, the bell tolled, signaling the start of the meeting.

Pelaine, the Commander-in-Chief, who had been sitting silently, finally spoke.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s begin the war council.”

“….”

The commanders, their expressions serious, focused on Pelaine’s every word. The atmosphere was markedly different from the first meeting after she had been appointed.

No one dared underestimate her now, not for her gender, nor for her race. She was the hero who had resurrected the suppression force from the brink of annihilation. That was how they all saw her.

There might still be some who disliked her, but no one questioned her competence.

“First, I’d like an update on the enemy’s strength.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll report on the rebel movements.”

The reports began.

Based on direct observation, the enemy had eight thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry.

Considering their mobilization capabilities, their total strength was likely double that.

“They’re still strong…”

Despite our recent victories, we hadn’t gained a decisive advantage.

Our only advantages were our mages and the superior quality of our cavalry. And even the mages would be returning to the Imperial University in a few days.

“The enemy has established scattered encampments across the plains, away from the Fourth Castle. They seem to be wary of magical attacks.”

“….”

Having learned their lesson, the enemy was now taking our mages into account. They had established their camps far from the Fourth Castle, making it difficult for us to launch a safe and effective magical attack. They were also avoiding large concentrations of troops.

We wouldn’t be able to replicate the devastating blow we had dealt to their cavalry.

“The enemy is slowly tightening the noose. Their hasty attempt to retake the castle failed, but they will eventually surround us. We need a plan to break through before our supply lines are cut.”

“….”

A heavy silence filled the room. They weren’t without ideas. They could try repeating our previous tactic, embedding mages within the cavalry formation to disrupt the enemy lines.

But the enemy would be more cautious now, trying to bait us into wasting our mana. The moment we used a spell on one encampment, the others would swarm us, forcing us into a chaotic melee.

We would inevitably suffer losses.

And if we lost any of our mages… that would be a disaster.

The commanders couldn’t bring themselves to propose such a risky plan, one that would endanger the university students.

“Since no one has any suggestions, may I speak?”

“Yes, go ahead, Schlus.”

Schlus Hainkel, who had been observing silently, stood up, unfolding his arms. He was the mages’ representative, the owner of the Holy Knights, and, in many ways, even above the Commander-in-Chief.

He held considerable sway in these meetings.

“How much military support are the rebels receiving from the Great Forest?”

“Based on their banners, we estimate at least one thousand cavalry and six thousand infantry are from the Great Forest.”

“….”

Nearly half of the rebel army was comprised of Great Forest troops.

Schlus tapped his finger on the table, deep in thought.

“Have we made any contact with the Great Forest since the rebellion began?”

“We’ve sent several messengers, but none have been granted an audience with the Elder Council. Aside from His Majesty’s letter, we haven’t had any communication with them.”

“Then I will go to the Great Forest myself, as the Emperor’s representative.”

“…!”

The commanders were speechless. The Great Forest was practically an enemy nation. They could do whatever they wanted with Schlus, and it wouldn’t damage their already fractured relationship with the Empire.

And even if he managed to reach the Great Forest safely, there was no guarantee the Elder Council would agree to meet with him.

“What do you plan to do there?”

“Negotiate. I will convince them to cease all support for the rebels. I will have them withdraw their troops and complete the blockade.”

“….”

Silence descended upon the room once more.

They waited for him to admit he was joking, but Schlus’s expression remained serious.

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