Chapter 12 – Magic Contest (4)

The most secure place in Farencia Academy wasn’t the girls’ dormitory or the headmaster’s office, but the library.

Housing tens of thousands of books, it was protected by special magic inspired by the burning of the royal library during the Great War.

This magic linked it to the rebuilt royal library in the capital, synchronizing all materials.

The two libraries, existing in different spaces but at the same time, held identical contents. If a book disappeared from one, its copy would be preserved in the other.

Conversely, if someone unauthorized tried to steal a book, the same would happen. A theft in either Thessalon or Farencia would trigger an emergency in the seven magic towers managing ancient texts.

The reason for such rigorous protection was that these weren’t mere scraps of paper.

Grimoires detailing forbidden magic, rare scrolls containing lost ancient spells, confidential documents even royalty couldn’t freely access—all resided within.

The range of books students could access in this library, used even by professors, was extremely limited.

After requesting a book loan, Erzebet was guided by the librarian into a tiny room barely a square meter in size.

She closed her eyes and waited. The entire room gently floated up, then one wall opened to reveal her requested book.

[Farencia Academy Spatiotemporal Design Blueprint]

[Security Level: B]

Despite being a mere blueprint, its security level was quite high due to the potential terrorist threat if the academy’s exact structure became known.

From an aerial view, the pentagonal layout showed the convenience store at the exact center.

Finding nothing particularly special, Erzebet soon replaced the book and reached for the door handle to leave.

Click!

“Huh?”

But the space beyond was completely different from before.

Instead of the library interior, it looked like a single room in an inn.

“Welcome, Princess.”

And there sat Lehel, with an irritated expression.

“We need to talk.”

***

In Pennheim, a Grand Duke’s position was absolute. Creating Unique Magic meant establishing a world in one’s own way.

For Erzebet, who hadn’t even ascended to the throne yet, a visit from the Reincarnation Duke was a grave misstep.

“Why did you provoke Louis?”

“That’s…”

“Thought you’d test him since you were there?”

“…Yes.”

How did things escalate to this point? Erzebet belatedly realized the situation had grown far beyond her expectations.

Politics is about setting down one apple to grasp a bigger one. In this case, she’d lost her wrist before even knowing what she was reaching for.

And what she gained in return, while somewhat aligned with her goal, was trivial.

Terra Ernisten said to use the convenience store. Her father warned her about it. And the store owner told her to get out. So she tried to take over the store.

But—

“The important thing… wasn’t the store.”

The chairman’s words confirmed it. The spatiotemporal blueprint Erzebet had been looking at got the cause and effect wrong.

It wasn’t important that the store was at the academy’s center. The academy was important because he was there.

“Then… who is the store owner?”

“If you want to know, ask him yourself.”

“He wouldn’t tell me.”

“Then you’ll have to find out on your own. Just don’t mess with the store again like this time.”

“…”

Seeing Erzebet still wanting to know despite realizing her mistake, Lehel fell into thought.

The value of magic comes from pursuing the unknown.

It was an excellent mindset for a magician, but still too young for politics.

And as a leader—

The kingdom isn’t ready for war.

If Louis’s existence were revealed to the world again, it would spark a real war with the Holy Kingdom, not just the “small war” that was more like a cold war.

Lehel didn’t want to wake up next time to find Pennheim turned into another Heljeb, whether due to war or Louis’s rampage.

“Do you really want to know?”

“Yes…”

So there was only one thing she could tell Erzebet.

At least by saying this, she hoped Erzebet wouldn’t provoke Louis further—a somewhat light expectation.

“Louis… is your betrothed.”

“What…?”

“Phi—?”

Erzebet, who had been hanging her head, looked up at Lehel.

Her head tilted slightly. Her expression showed confusion from an incomprehensible information overload.

“Oh, to be precise, your ex-fiancé. When I was at the royal castle, I heard King Baor say he’d marry you to Louis. Something about it being a national rule or whatever.”

“N-no, wait…! What are you talking about…!”

“It’s a bit hazy since it was so long ago. Weren’t you about six? I think Louis slapped him right there, calling him an idiot, and the king was carried off with a broken neck.”

Startled, Phi flapped its wings, causing Erzebet’s golden hair to fly in all directions. She stood there, mouth agape, doubting her ears.

“It’s true. Should I swear by Mana? Make an oath? I swear by the name of the Reincarnation Duke, every word I just said is the absolute truth…”

“No, no, no, stop! Please!! If you do that, it’ll become real!”

Erzebet, who had been so keen on seeking the truth, immediately turned away from it.

Lehel clicked her tongue and reopened the <Teleportation Gate>.

“Anyway, Princess, have a good night. Don’t forget my warning.”

The truth is always cruel.

If she wanted to know about Louis, she should also be prepared to face the truth he carried.

Of course, even Lehel didn’t want to know about what happened in the depths of Heljeb that disgusted even her.

Click!

“…”

“Phi—”

“Be quiet, Phi. Close your beak.”

“Phi…”

Returning to her original location, Erzebet couldn’t move for a while.

Betrothed… she says?

The words she heard from the chairman wouldn’t leave her mind.

***

The Bayu Pavilion at Farencia Academy was famous throughout the Kingdom of Pennheim for its elegant and sophisticated design.

Located on a gentle hill with the best view, the building housed various fine dining options, a great hall for university-hosted balls, and even accommodations and hot springs.

The third floor of the cafeteria, home to the renowned Gourmand patisserie from the royal capital, was usually off-limits even to academy members without a special reservation.

At 6 PM, the golden hour when the sunset view was at its finest, the most expensive Loge seat on the terrace—which required at least 8 gold coins, half the cost of a suburban house, just to reserve—was occupied by Hafen Zahar, heir to Viscount Cloud, who had been invited by Viscount Ruhillen.

“Sorry I’m late, Lord Cloud.”

“Vi-Viscount…”

“What is it?”

“Are you alright? Were you perhaps attacked by someone…?”

Hafen had to ask carefully.

Viscount Ruhillen looked a mess, as if she’d tumbled around in a carriage. Her clothes were disheveled, and both cheeks were swollen as if pinched, with small tears still visible.

“It’s nothing… Just ran into someone at the mansion and got scolded a bit.”

“Scolded…?”

Was there anyone in Pennheim who could scold the wealthiest person in the kingdom?

He’d heard that Darling Tokarev’s parents had passed away seven years ago.

He bowed his head respectfully.

“To be received so warmly by the Lord of Farencia—I will cherish this as a family honor.”

“Warm reception? I always drink tea here. Don’t think too much of it.”

Indeed, such luxury seemed commonplace for the Ruhillen family.

Who would have imagined that the Ruhillen family, mere provincial gentry until the end of the Great War, would rise to such prominence?

Though both held the title of viscount, their actual standing couldn’t be more different.

As they sat down, dessert trays and herbal tea were carefully placed before them.

Holding a steaming teacup, Darling brought up the main issue first.

“The convenience store’s rights have been removed from this contest.”

“…”

“…Ahem!”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Unless I delay my graduation, this would have been my last year. It’s a shame.”

Her gaze briefly lingered on the Officier 4th Class medal on his chest.

The Ruhillen family wasn’t known for military achievements. Their magical accomplishments were only slightly above average, not enough to represent their year.

That’s why Darling had devised a strategy to solidify her position within the academy early on: recruit other nobles, especially those who had distinguished themselves in the Great War.

“Still, I’ll keep my promise to you. For the next two years, all furs produced in Cloud Viscounty will be traded in Farencia. Our company will handle the transportation routes too.”

“You don’t have to go that far when I haven’t given you anything…”

“It’s fine. If you win, feel free to request any magic book from the library or other property.”

“…Thank you.”

Hafen bowed deeply. Though the main issue was settled, he had one more question before leaving and cautiously opened his mouth.

“Um, Lady Ruhillen. May I ask you one question?”

“As long as it’s not empty talk about marriage proposals. Go ahead.”

It was a warning that someone of his status shouldn’t aim for her, but Hafen wasn’t foolish enough to misunderstand his place. He was simply curious.

“Why do you want ownership of the convenience store so badly? Of course, it’s in the most advantageous location in the academy, but don’t you already hold substantial rights within the grounds, including this Bayu Pavilion?”

“Hmm…”

Darling looked at the sunset, then stepped off the footrest under her chair.

Her twisted cheeks still ached from earlier.

“How many people do you think have sat with me here until now?”

“Probably not many.”

“That’s right. But almost no one who sees this view doesn’t want to come back again.”

Hafen strongly agreed.

Space holds a hierarchy. While people’s values may be equal, their golden standards are not.

To him, who was merely good with sword and magic but far from power or capital, the small merchant before him seemed like a celestial being.

“What I’m interested in isn’t the convenience store.”

However, this rule didn’t apply to everyone.

Darling recalled the one man who had never been swayed by this view she cherished most.

“Much less the center of the academy.”

In the past, the price he offered to sell back his property was a staggering 48,000 gold coins.

This amount, close to five years of Farencia’s income, was exactly half of the Ruhillen family’s entire fortune, including the royal promissory notes Darling managed.

He had scoffed at the price and left.

Without looking back, telling her to just come buy bread occasionally.

And he never came up here again.

“What Ruhillen wants is just one thing.”

She couldn’t keep him close with money, or with the moral debt of tolerating her arrogant behavior.

“The only thing we don’t have yet.”

But she would never give up.