episode_0013

Finally, today was the day.

“Clothes?”

“I’ve got them.”

“Money.”

“You gave me allowance a week ago, remember? It’s enough.”

“Just in case, I’ll give you more. Extra black sword?”

“This one is enough.”

“No, get one from the warehouse. Potions?”

“I don’t have any.”

“You wrote it down there, what if you get sick? I’ll have it delivered later.”

On the morning of entering the Academy.

Rose, who entered Rudy’s room, carefully checked the luggage.

…The news that Rose had taken on a disciple was made public about 7 days ago.

Not only in the Kingdom of Lien but also in the Agnis Central Empire, Elundir Elf Forest, Tika Coastal Continent, and the Normand Sand Kingdom.

The news that Rose, the world’s only Grand Elemental Master, had taken on her first disciple quickly became a topic of discussion in various countries.

“Rose’s first disciple is a swordsman? What on earth happened?”

“Breaking news! The swordsmanship of an Elemental Master!”

“The first disciple of Rose, the Grand Elemental Master of the Kingdom of Lien, has an unknown face?!”

“Hidden child……”

And so, Rudy became the subject of media attention.

“Hmm…”

“It’s okay now. With this, I can even go to subdue the Demon King.”

Rose had to pay even more attention to Rudy.

Having Rudy as her first disciple was a matter directly related to her own status.

“Yeah, it seems like everything’s almost done.”

Finally, Rose approached Rudy and diligently fixed his clothes.

Rudy absentmindedly watched her.

‘…!’

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and his face brightened.

‘Is this like sending off a husband to his first job?’

Her hands moving outside the clothes.

Since he had not been lazy in training after being reincarnated into this world, he was confident in his body, but since it was a body made only of muscles without any fat, her touch felt even clearer.

“…? Why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?”

“…The scent of your hair is too strong, Rose. Please tie it up.”

“Do you want me to check? Is it that bad…?”

Of course, Rudy couldn’t honestly say.

As he had mentioned before, Rose was his benefactor, but he still didn’t completely trust her.

Not being a heroine, and not knowing what she was thinking or living for.

But.

“……”

“……”

Even if he tried to hide it, Rose could easily tell that Rudy was embarrassed.

Politically or diplomatically.

Rose had survived by meeting many people.

Her pupils moving here and there.

Rudy’s slightly stiff body.

It was impossible not to notice.

“Oh?”

Rose smiled mischievously.

“Did you just have a weird imagination?”

“Do you think I’m Rose? I didn’t do anything.”

“Lies. Hehe, you said it wasn’t your taste, but it seems like it was a bit of a taste after all?”

“Stop talking nonsense and let’s go-”

That’s when it happened.

“……!”

An unexpected and sudden situation.

He couldn’t help but be flustered.

…Rose hugged Rudy tightly.

Rudy, who only widened his eyes in confusion.

His rapidly beating heart was transmitted directly to Rose’s chest.

“…Hey, it’s beating fast, isn’t it?”

After confirming, Rose immediately let go of the hug and said to Rudy.

“Even though it feels like it’s bouncing, your body’s reaction is the opposite.”

“……”

“Is there a possibility?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“No, forget it.”

As Rose left the room, she said, “Get ready and come out first. I have a carriage waiting.”

*

The destination was the Agnis Academy.

Rose’s carriage was heading towards the capital of the Kingdom of Lien.

There was a national teleportation magic circle in the capital.

As Rose looked out the window with her chin in her hand.

Wearing a mask and hiding his expression, Rudy was recalling the events of the morning.

‘…She’s definitely a scary woman. I can’t let my guard down.’

Rudy thought of Rose as a snake.

She lulls you into a false sense of security, but then suddenly strikes when you least expect it, like a terrifying snake.

‘Especially with that expressionless face.’

Currently, Rose was absentmindedly observing the view outside the window, her chin resting on her hand.

Despite her actions in the morning, she seemed to have no thoughts at all.

Until Rudy clearly understood Rose’s intentions, he decided not to let his guard down.

With a determined expression hidden behind his mask, Rudy thought so.

…He thought so, but.

Contrary to Rudy’s expectations, Rose was in a very confused state of mind.

‘Ah… Was I too impulsive this morning?’

Unable to understand Rudy’s usual thoughts, Rose, in her haste, tried to physically confirm Rudy’s feelings by hugging him.

Her heart was racing.

She couldn’t tell if it was because of herself or if she was just surprised.

‘You don’t seem to dislike it, but I really don’t know. It’s my first time hugging a man…. How about giving me a reaction….’

What should she do if she makes eye contact with another girl from the academy? If she continues to push him away, Rudy might end up hating her.

She might even be uncooperative.

Rose’s worries were not limited to just this.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Imperial Square.

Approaching the national teleportation magic circle for dignitaries, the carriage came to a stop, and the guards showed Rose’s badge of the Chief Archmage.

“Permission granted! Let them in!”

The guards easily granted permission.

As the carriage entered the building, it soon stopped in a space where a huge magic circle, ten times the size of the carriage, was inscribed on the floor.

Whoosh!

As soon as the carriage entered the center of the magic circle.

The carriage teleported from the “Lien Spirit Kingdom” to the capital of the “Agnis Central Empire.”

“They’ve arrived! Stick to the carriage!”

“Mission begins, special task force, assume defensive posture!”

As soon as they teleported, dozens of knights attached themselves to the moving carriage once again.

Curious, Rudy asked Rose about them.

“Who are those people?”

“They’re the escorts, you idiot. I’m the only Chief Archmage in the Spirit Kingdom, so wouldn’t the government provide escorts?”

“I see.”

Rudy once again felt how remarkable Rose’s presence was.

The knights formed a disorderly formation and walked closely beside the carriage.

Thanks to the students of the academy clearing the way, they quickly arrived at the academy.

The academy, upon reaching the main gate, was so large that it could hardly be called a gate.

If we were to borrow a phrase from the world where Rudy lived before possessing this body, it was like the gate of a conglomerate’s house.

Not just a simple school gate.

It could be considered the entrance to a city.

Various eateries and bars were spread out.

A small cathedral where priests were always on standby and ordinary student dormitories.

Of course, there were mansions for dignitaries and buildings for each department lined up, and the training facilities like the martial arts field were no exception.

‘It’s different from what I saw on the monitor.’

After the Imperial special forces finished their escort, Rose’s carriage arrived at the entrance.

Buzzing.

Students inside the academy seemed to be buzzing with excitement.

‘A carriage…? Wait, isn’t that the mark of the Lien Spirit Kingdom?’

‘Right! Hey, hey! It’s today! The day when the disciple of the Chief Archmage Rose enrolls!’

‘…! Amazing! Quickly, let the others know!’

Feeling overwhelmed by this, Rudy’s mood became increasingly uneasy.

Seeing Rudy’s nervousness, Rose chuckled and said, “Are you nervous?”

“…A little.”

“You’re cute.”

“In situations like this, flattery doesn’t work.”

“…? What’s ‘flirting’?”

“That’s a thing.”

Passing through the campus building.

The carriage stopped at the edge of a forest, with many students’ eyes following.

“What’s going on? Why are we stopping here?”

I naturally thought we would get off at the dormitory or the campus building.

Seeing Rudy’s expression, Rose realized and said, nodding her head, “It seems like you still haven’t realized your situation.”

“Why are you suddenly talking nonsense?”

“You are my disciple. The security of the academy is thorough, but of course, there are people targeting you politically or financially all over the country, so should I just leave it to security?”

“….”

As soon as Rudy heard Rose’s words, he suddenly felt afraid.

Now Rudy realized his position.

A walking golden goblin.

That was Rudy now.

“Don’t worry. If that happens, I’ll wipe out all of their relatives. I don’t just sit still for those who touch my things. Oh, and this isn’t just any academy, it’s the best in the empire.”

As they entered the forest, a street of mansions came into view.

Even though it was a street of mansions, there were only two mansions built.

Those mansions were tightly wrapped in a blue dome-like structure.

It was a barrier.

A barrier designed to activate attack magic immediately if someone who is not an authenticated student of the academy approaches.

It was a barrier that alerts the administration and professors.

“From here, only you can pass.”

“A barrier, so Rose can’t come…”

“Yeah. Before you go, take this.”

Rose handed something to him.

“What is this?”

“A spirit stone. If you break it, the strongest spirit I contracted with will appear in emergencies.”

“So you mean to break it in case of emergency.”

“Bingo. Now go. The first mansion is yours.”

“Yes. …Thank you for bringing me here.”

“….”

Rudy bowed his head and walked towards the mansion.

Just as he was about to turn around, Rose grabbed his hand.

“….?”

Just as Rudy was about to turn around in confusion.

Rose leaned close to his ear and whispered softly.

-If you make eye contact with another woman, I’ll kill you.

“….”

“Go.”

Shivers ran down his spine, and Rudy couldn’t bring himself to look back.

*

It wasn’t as grand as Rose’s mansion.

A two-story mansion that was too spacious for one person to live alone.

This would be Rudy’s residence while attending the academy.

Of course, he wasn’t living alone.

He had a roommate who he heard about from Rose.

Living together with the opposite sex is strictly prohibited at the academy.

The roommate was of the same sex and a noble guest in a high political position.

Rudy didn’t hear any other information besides that.

“Well, as long as he’s not a weirdo. Hasn’t the roommate arrived yet?”

Rudy entered the designated second-floor room, unpacked his belongings, and sat comfortably on the bed.

“…It’s stuffy, isn’t it? Wasn’t there a perception-inhibiting spell?”

Touching the mask he was wearing, Rudy said.

It was uncomfortable.

The air wasn’t flowing well.

It felt like he was sweating.

“I should take off the mask before the roommate arrives.”

Rudy tried to take off the mask.

The spell on the mask made it complicated to remove it in case someone else tried to take it off.

As Rudy infused magic into the mask, it slowly began to come off.

Little by little.

Very slowly….

“Huh?”

Did he mishear something?

Rudy stopped halfway through taking off the mask and looked around in confusion.

A rustling sound was coming from under the bed where he was sitting.

“Could it be a mouse?”

No way.

A fancy mansion like this with mice?

Especially in a mansion prepared for distinguished guests by the academy?

“Or not? Could it be because it’s a mansion in the forest?”

Thinking it’s better to be cautious, Rudy made no sound as he carefully investigated.

Under the dark bed, I stuck my head in.

And then.

“What, what?!”

“-Eek!”

Rudy was startled and frozen in place, bewildered.

It wasn’t a mouse, but a girl peeking at Rudy!

…Rudy’s and the girl’s eyes met.

She, with navy blue twin tails pressed tightly under the bed like a ninja.

Her green eyes, looking at Rudy, were trembling like a scared hamster.