episode_0007
by fnovelpiaKnock. Knock. Knock.
The tip of the pen tapped the desk. Laura von Adelheid nervously tousled her hair. Her silky white hair parted gently along her fingers.
“… What the hell was that? ”
The flower of the beginning that the man showed me. It won’t leave my mind.
‘Laura von Adelheid. You get ten points.’
Brrrr—
“Ugh… .”
The man’s expression was so cold. Her body trembled as she thought about the coldness seeping into her bones. Was that the kind of expression she would make in front of a student?
Laura von Adelheid really didn’t like the man. Her father had told her to some extent, but she still didn’t like him.
“What are you talking about… Are you just showing off?”
This is the Chaldea Imperial Academy. It is the best academy in the Empire, and indeed the best academy in the world.
If someone is appointed to a professorship at such an academy, shouldn’t they maintain the dignity appropriate to that position?
But what about this man? Laura thought of Professor Antonelli.
Even though he tried to organize it, his black hair was still messy. His eyes were always sharp. His skin was pale. And his attitude was cold.
I don’t like any of them.
“Sigh… .”
Of course, Laura herself knows that what she’s saying now is almost forced. The professor might be a little tired.
But you can’t do that in front of her. It’s unacceptable.
Well, Laura von Adelheid. As her name suggests, she was Adelheid. The only direct daughter of the war hero Duke Adelheid.
Laura was proud to be a part of the proud Adelheid family. She always looked up to her father and tried to be like him.
Her father is a 7th circle great wizard. Just as she claims to have inherited his blood, Laura is also very talented, having already achieved the 4th circle despite her young age.
“Ugh… .”
And, there is just one problem that is giving Laura a headache.
Laura looked up from her theology books. Numerous theological books were piled on either side of her, forming a small hill.
The librarian at the Academy Library seemed to be glancing at her with disapproving eyes, but Laura didn’t think much of it.
“It’s too difficult…! That idiot professor… .”
Professor Antonelli’s task was so profound. Not everyone in this world can use divine power. This has long been considered common sense and an immutable truth.
Well, it’s only natural that special powers like divine powers can only be used by priests, right?
‘Then why?’
No one can answer. People do not bother to question this fact, as if it were obvious that 1 plus 1 equals 2.
However, Professor Antonelli questioned the essential elements of theology. He threw a stone called “Why?” into the calm lake of obvious ideas.
The wave called question spreads out uncontrollably. In the wave that stretches out infinitely like a night, another wave is born and spreads throughout the lake. This is repeated countless times.
Laura felt a headache. That was why she pressed her fingers against her temples.
No matter how much I search through theological books, I cannot find an answer to the question that Professor Antonelli raised. At best, they say that priests are chosen people and can be used, or that the answer will be revealed if you prove it with faith.
Most of them were just absurd or poor conclusions. If you write an assignment with these kinds of things and submit it… .
– Laura von Adelheid. Is this the level of the assignments you’ve written?
‘…no.’
Absolutely not.
Such a future is unbearable.
At that very moment, I was about to look for a theological book again.
“Over there… .”
A bespectacled boy who appeared to be a member of the Academy Library Club approached her. Judging by the color of his tie, he seemed to be a second-year student.
“Yes, sir. What’s going on?”
“Ah, you’re a freshman. Well… It’s almost time to close now. The librarian has gone to get ready to leave work.”
Laura suddenly looked out the window. It was already getting dark outside.
“… Can’t I stay alone and study?”
“That… might be a bit difficult. As you know, Academy students have a curfew.”
“Sigh… .”
Laura sighed as if the ground was falling apart. The boy from the library flinched.
“Mi, sorry. But it’s really closing time, so I can’t help it.”
“No, I’m sorry, sir. I’ll go out.”
“Yeah. Thanks. But tomorrow is the weekend, so you can come early in the morning and study. It opens early on weekends too.”
Laura stood up, carrying her bag. The twenty or so theological books she had taken out of the library were still stacked precariously on the desk.
The eyes of the senior in the library department who saw that became tearful. It was natural, since he had to organize all these books before he could return to the dormitory.
Laura glanced at the sight and then quickly handed over her student ID.
“… I’ll borrow this.”
“Borrowed… all of this? ”
“Can’t I?”
“It’s not that it doesn’t work, but that… .”
Academy students can borrow books from the library without restriction. Of course, the books are engraved with a strong anti-theft magic circle, so there is no need to worry about students stealing them.
However, what I am worried about is this.
“Isn’t that too much? Can you carry it?”
“It’s okay. Please apply for a rental.”
“Oh, yeah. Yeah.”
Compared to her small body, she has a huge collection of books.
While the senior in the library went to apply for a library loan, Laura stuffed the books into her bag with all her might.
“… Excuse me. Senior.”
“Huh?”
At Laura’s call, a boy from the library who was returning with his student ID looked at her.
“Is there anywhere I can study at this time? The dormitory head teacher walks around.”
“Uh… . The night self-study will be conducted under the supervision of the on-duty professor in the Academic Affairs Department.”
“Department of Education… . Okay. Thank you. ”
After leaving the library, Laura headed to the Academic Affairs Office. Since tomorrow was the weekend anyway, it would be okay to study a little late today.
“… … .”
To get to the Academic Affairs Office, it was a long walk from this annex to the main building. Laura, who was carrying a heavy school bag, let out a long sigh. And she kept walking.
How long did I walk down that dark hallway?
“… ?”
A classroom door slightly open came into her view. A strange sound was coming out through the crack in the classroom door where red light was leaking out.
An eerie atmosphere from the red light enveloped her body. But coincidentally, she had to pass through this hallway to get to the Academic Affairs Department.
Laura waved her magic wand and silenced the sound of footsteps.
It was now time for everyone to return to their dormitories, except for a few exceptions, including the library club. Who on earth would be left in this nameless lecture room at this hour?
‘… Want to take a peek?’
However, Laura shook her head. It didn’t seem like peeping would produce good results.
Let’s go to the academic affairs office and talk to the professor on duty. The professor on duty will take care of it.
Laura passed the classroom quietly. She tried her best not to look through the crack in the door. For some reason, she had a strong feeling of foreboding.
Laura passed the classroom without making a sound and sighed in relief.
Suddenly, I looked back without realizing it.
“… … .”
Red eyes. Something about a blood-stained face.
Her, Laura. Laura von Adelheid.
Look at it. Glance at it? Observe it. Scan it? Look at it?
… coming, coming?
“Gasp… ! Huh… !”
When she came to her senses, she was already running down the hallway as fast as she could. The heavy school bag was so annoying. She threw it anywhere.
The hair on her body stood on end. A cool breeze brushed the back of her neck, sending goosebumps down her spine. Laura ran without stopping.
Academic Affairs. Let’s go to the Academic Affairs. I don’t know what that is, but let’s go to the Academic Affairs.
Who was the professor on duty today?
No, that didn’t matter.
The important thing was to get to the Academic Affairs Office safely. That was all Laura cared about.
* * * * *
Square. Square.
There is nothing more sweet than the sound of a fountain pen leaving a mark on paper. I enjoyed that pleasant sound as I signed my attendance sheet. Professor Esther’s signature was engraved on the side.
Since the academy boasts a large site, it would be difficult to have one professor on duty. Therefore, when the academy is on duty, it is common to have two professors who do not have classes the next day on duty.
During this first shift, the person who was with me was Professor Esther. She was sitting next to me, reading a paper on illusionary magic.
At that moment, a balding middle-aged man who was gathering up documents one by one smiled cheerfully and waved his hand.
“Then, I’ll go home! Haha!”
“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Thank you for your hard work~.”
Professor Andres, a second-year Summoning Magic professor who stayed in the Academic Affairs Office until the end to hand over the duties to me, waved and left the office. Professor Esther and I briefly saw him off and sat back down in our chairs.
“Chief Priest! I brought you some coffee!”
As soon as Professor Andres left, Deacon Sophia came into the office briskly. The fragrant smell of coffee spread faintly throughout the office.
Deacon Sophia placed the coffee she had brought on the table, and Professor Esther, I, and Deacon Sophia sat together.
“Whew… It’s cold at night.”
“The daily temperature range is large.”
“I think it would be better for the head priest to dress a little thicker. It’s so cold that my teeth are chattering, right?”
“Substitute Sophia. It’s still spring.”
“The weather doesn’t feel like spring!”
I tilted my coffee cup and savored its aroma. Normally, I would have had black tea, but since I had to work all night, coffee would have been better.
As I drank the warm coffee, I felt my whole body warm. Since I stopped taking the medication, I was in a situation where I needed to find comfort in small places like this, so it was incredibly comfortable.
“There are no students doing self-study today.”
“That’s right. It’s the weekend starting tomorrow. I guess I’ll wake up early on the weekend and use the training ground.”
In that case, there was nothing for me to worry about other than the occasional patrol. I relaxed a little and leaned back in my chair.
My first shift at the Academy. It shouldn’t be anything special.
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