episode_0030

“If Astan said it, I don’t think it would be a good thing to say. I wonder what he said. Can I ask?”

“The Princess of Flames said she wanted to be friends, and then she praised the magic.”

“That’s just how Astan is. She said she wanted to be friends, but I didn’t pay any attention to her.”

“Astan has a lot of embarrassment, more than meets the eye.”

“That’s true.”

I sighed at their conversation.

“It doesn’t seem right to talk about me like that in the middle.”

“Think of it as a warning.”

“Right, being friends isn’t that difficult.”

“What did you say? ‘I have no intention of being close to someone who I feel will burn me.’ Right? It was the first time I heard such words in my life.”

At that moment, I felt a burning sensation. Did I really say those words? Sharen’s laughter filled my ears at that moment.

“You were too harsh, Astan. Seresria is kind, or else you would have really burned to death, wouldn’t you?”

“I have nothing to say. But at that time, Lady Seresria seemed like she would have been enough to burn me to death.”

“Well, I did attack first.”

“Lady Seresria was also too much.”

“I regret that too.”

Amidst such conversations, someone stood in the center of the hall. It was a familiar face, Senior Leonardo.

“Any students not here?”

It was a small voice, but it sounded clear.

“None, Andris checked everyone.”

“What about Isabelle?”

“Erika is bringing her.”

“Then we can start.”

After saying that, Senior Leonardo came forward to the platform and spoke.

“I regret gathering the students and canceling the class. The most important thing at the academy is the class, but there is something more important than that, so I gathered the students. Please understand, the principal will come shortly to start the discussion.”

After Senior Leonardo finished speaking, the surroundings became quiet.

First of all, before the announcement, I am Leonarda, a 5th grader. It would be nice if you remembered me. You probably won’t have many chances to meet me, but if we do meet, it will probably be when you are watching a duel or, if not that, when you’ve gotten into an accident. I hope we don’t meet if possible.

Following that, the seniors’ greetings continued, and my gaze naturally sought out Erica and Isabelle. After the seniors’ greetings ended and silence followed, the president opened the door, and a senior came in.

With striking silver and purple hair, I could faintly hear Cerestia’s voice as I looked at the two.

“That person.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“The 5th grader with the purple hair, the rumored strongest at the Academy, Denaetus’s reincarnation who single-handedly defeated all the monsters crossing the sea of Caron… It’s thrilling. And the person next to her is the famous Queen of Frost. The apprentice of Arnold, the great sorcerer who froze the southern sea.”

“So that happened.”

“The rumors about those two are amazing. The Goliath of Flames who single-handedly subdued the rampaging dragon, the owner of gold who restored the forgotten ancient golem crafting method, and the Stormbringer standing next to them. The one who stopped the famous storm in the Zebron Forest, the master of lightning… the person who shattered the Runeless Arena that no first-year student had been able to break at the Academy.”

Hearing the seniors’ rumors and titles, I once again felt that pressure. Indeed, everyone with a title had shown their worth. The only one who received a title through strange behavior… was just me. At that thought, I let out another sigh.

“You’re too late, Isabelle.”

“I’m sorry, I had something to take care of for a moment.”

I heard the conversation between Senior Leonarda. It was definitely a small voice, but when I listened carefully, it seemed like I could hear that voice.

“She was in the middle of introducing herself, so after she does, we just need to wait for the principal.”

“Will Erica go first?”

“That’s the proper order. The strongest of the grade should appear last.”

Then Erica senior stood in front of the platform and began to speak.

After Erica’s introduction ended, Isabelle stood in the center of the platform. As she did, murmurs filled the surroundings. I didn’t know much about the fifth-year rumors, but it seemed like many people knew who she was, as various rumors circulated amidst the murmurs.

“Um… could you keep it down a bit?” She smiled, but there was an inexplicable sense of pressure that seemed to weigh on everyone. The look in her eyes from that moment still lingered. In the hushed surroundings, she slowly began to speak.

“I’m Isabelle, a fifth-year. I’m not sure how to introduce myself… Well, please take care of me. I don’t think we’ll have much occasion to meet, but if we do, I doubt it will be for a good reason. I hope you won’t have to meet me.”

As Isabelle returned to her seat, Leonardo stepped up to the platform again.

“Please remain quiet for a moment.”

Then the principal came and gave a rather straightforward talk. There is a spy of the Demon King’s army within the academy, and we will strive to find this spy. If they confess voluntarily, we will not inquire about their guilt, and we will strengthen security in the future.

Feeling somewhat detached by the unexpectedly mundane story, I left the auditorium with Cerestia and Sharon.

“There’s no morning class, and we have time until lunch. I’m going to the library. What about you two?”

“I think we’ll go back to the dorms and rest for a bit, then come out. How about you, Astan?”

“I should go back to the dormitory too.”

“Then we’ll part ways here. See you in the afternoon class.”

After Cerestia greeted us and took the first step, I looked at Sharon and said,

“Should we go back too?”

“It would be nice if the Lightbringer could come with us for a while, wouldn’t it?”

I heard a voice and turned my head to see Senior Erika walking with Senior Leonard.

“Astane must have already told you, right?”

“Yes, senior.”

“I told you, Leonard. If it’s Astane, he must have definitely mentioned it.”

“But still, we need to confirm. If you’re not busy, come along for a moment.”

“Alright, see you in the afternoon lecture, Astane.”

As Sharon went with the seniors, I found myself wondering what to do alone. I thought about just going back to the dormitory and getting some sleep, but even that seemed uncertain. As I pondered, a voice reached my ears.

“Hello? Junior?”

Claire senior was standing there.

“Are you going back?”

Since it’s difficult to go back until the Dark Lord’s spy is caught, I decided to stay here. What about you, junior? There’s no morning class, so let’s have some fun.”

“Shouldn’t we be studying at the academy?”

At that moment, Claire senior smiled, rummaged through her pocket, and handed something to me.

“This is just a gift. Drink it when you’re tired. It works better than you think.”

“I didn’t expect to receive a potion of the Golden Master. It’s an honor.”

“Do you know my title? Who told you, Erica?”

“Some of the first-year students know your title. I heard earlier.”

“It’s amazing. I’m not that famous compared to other kids. My dueling skills aren’t that strong either.”

“But aren’t you ranked 4th?”

“Among the 5th years, there aren’t many who can defeat my golem, right?”

After saying that, Senior Claire waved her hand and left, and I moved slowly towards the dormitory after bidding farewell.

As lunchtime approached and I arrived at the restaurant, Sharen was sitting in her usual spot, waving at me and looking my way. I sat down and opened my mouth to speak to her.

“What did you talk about?”

“She said she would let me guard the surroundings as a servant if I wanted.”

“By the way you’re talking… you refused, didn’t you?”

“I thought it wasn’t that serious yet, because I can protect myself.”

“It’s best not to be arrogant.”

“In return, I received a magical tool that can call seniors when in danger, so that should be enough.”

Sharen showed me the ring on her right index finger, and I took a sip of tea.

“It will be dangerous, but I’ll help as much as I can.”

“The villain has already met you, so they might appear near you next time.”

“There must be a main body of Ignolia somewhere… The problem is that we can’t find it.”

“The 5th-year seniors will find it, there’s also the professor and Ignolia’s security.”

I had various thoughts. I couldn’t trust the security. I could trust the seniors and the professor, but the biggest problem was probably that there might be a collaborator somewhere in the academy.

That was the biggest problem.

“It’s most troubling that someone in the academy is a spy. We can’t know who it is.”

“It’s also impossible to find it by searching for the mark of the Demon King, you can’t find it with magic.”

“… It’s difficult.”

After drinking the tea and placing the cup down, the fairy filled it up again.

But my curiosity was elsewhere. Why target Sharen? If light magic is important, there must be someone on the continent who uses light magic, so why Sharen?

I couldn’t erase that curiosity.