episode_0107

Chuck- chuck-

The cadets parted like the Red Sea as I walked down the hallway.

“All cadets of 1-A—! Salute to Narias-nim—!!”

The cadets of my class, troublesome as always, greeted me with unnecessary fanfare from the morning.

“Loyal— ty!”

“Oh, yeah. How have you been?”

“Roll call number 18, Lloyd And—!! I’ve been well—!!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I led my energetic classmates like the Pied Piper, opening the classroom door.

“Oh my, Narias! Welcome~”

“We missed you—!”

Yes, this is it.

Unlike that sweaty, pungent pepper field a moment ago, I prefer this welcoming fragrance.

“How have you all been?”

“Great~ We did fine, but—”

“Do you know how bored we were without Narias—?!”

Their overly enthusiastic welcome was becoming a bit overwhelming.

Just in time, my black onyx necklace vibrated, signaling the time, so I decided to excuse myself for a moment.

“Thank you all, but I still have some things to take care of. I’ll just leave my things and be back shortly.”

“Leave it to us—!”

“Don’t bother Narias-nim—!!”

They say not to bother me, yet they are the ones causing the most commotion.

Overwhelmed by adrenaline, the male cadets, like Jarvis’s robots removing Iron Man’s suit, swiftly and efficiently took my bag and luggage with dazzling hand movements and coordinated movements.

“Whirr- clicking-”

“Baggage stowage complete—”

“Safe travels, mistress—!!”

Their service skills were top-notch.

Their highly advanced movements, coordinated as one, were enough to make even Yuri widen her eyes.

Before they learned another new skill without my permission, I patted her on the shoulder and headed to the Headmaster’s office.

.

.

.

Knock-knock-

“Narias Philbrogue.”

-Come in.

As usual, I entered the Headmaster’s office to the sound of Headmaster Natalya’s soothing voice.

“It’s… been a long time, Headmaster.”

“Hoho- It’s good to see you too.”

Natalya swiveled her chair, holding a teacup as she greeted us.

“It’s still early. Would you like some tea?”

“I would be grateful.”

The veteran grand mage who once shook the magical world poured tea into the cups with her own hands, not magic.

Pour-pour-

Behind the rising steam, her multicolored heterochromatic eyes, the eyes she traded for magic, glimmered fiercely.

“…You’ve grown even stronger.”

“It’s an honor. With every experience, I’ve had a beneficial time learning many things.”

Natalya chuckled, putting down the teapot.

“Yes, of course. I don’t know when you’ll leave the academy… but when that time comes, you won’t be able to enjoy this much free time.”

“…As you say.”

When you get comfortable with the present, the future tends to gradually fade from view.

As if she could read my ultimate goal, she expressed some concern about my future as a princess.

“So… at least for now, go on adventures and grow as much as you want. That’s why I personally selected you as a special student.”

“I’m always grateful.”

Headmaster Natalya, who had lost her original abilities but gained the ability to read others’ abilities more accurately than anyone else.

Her position as Headmaster of the Academy, where she trains future generations, was perhaps her destiny.

Because those who have bloomed are most sincere in sowing seeds.

When the aroma of tea filled the Headmaster’s office, she gently pushed the silence aside.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Ah- nothing much. My temporary leave of absence is over, and I need to go through the reinstatement process—”

“—Amelia seems to be away.”

That’s right.

I had visited the administrative office and faculty room first. Since the department head, who would be handling my case, wasn’t around,

Despite the end of my leave, I still don’t have the right to officially attend classes.

So I came to see the top— no, the highest authority.

“I can handle it… but don’t blame that child too much.”

“Is something wrong?”

“As if you wouldn’t know. The final exams are approaching.”

Indeed.

I’d known it, but this is the first time I’ve felt it so keenly.

“Well… as you might know, the final exams are a tournament-style mock battle involving all the cadets.”

“Yes. I’ve read the information multiple times.”

After the mainstream of the magical world shifted to , Nifrantz Academy became renowned for its radical policies within the kingdom.

Although traces of the founder, Leah Flora, remained, her name had long been erased.

Currently, it seemed her will was being carried on by the Tower Master Leonardo Price.

Therefore, it broke from the traditions of the magical world and its educational ideals, previously focused only on the development and research of advanced spells.

It now prioritizes studies with immediate practical applications.

In short, the semester-end exams, conducted in a practical or near-practical mock battle format, carry higher marks and have unimaginable difficulty compared to any other exam.

However, it’s not a purely results-oriented system where only losers suffer penalties.

Points are awarded based on how much potential is shown and how much ‘instinct’ suitable for actual combat is displayed in the performance.

In other words… ‘Fighting well despite losing’ gets higher scores than simply winning.

Thus, even if their current abilities are a bit lacking, as long as individuals can demonstrate a good understanding of magic,

They can still achieve high scores.

Naturally, higher-grade cadets who have accumulated experience have an advantage, which maintains fairness because the points reflected in the final academic ranking increase with each grade level.

For us first-year cadets, this is our first official mock battle exam at the academy. That’s why everyone is more nervous than usual.

But what they should know is that a low weighting shouldn’t mean you can screw up the first exam.

While exceptions exist, most first-year, first-semester final exam scores are often maintained until graduation.

What do I mean?

Maintaining an advantage and pace is easier than catching up to others’ growth and staging a comeback.

Everyone should be seriously nervous from the start.

Individual matches, and class-wide matches involving selected top performers from each class.

I’ll probably be participating in both, and consider it an opportunity to witness my growth.

“Anyway, Headmaster Amelia will be busy preparing for it. Moreover… this year, the overall skill level is exceptionally high compared to previous years—”

Natalya’s gaze turned to me.

“There are several out-of-control monsters among them.”

“Haha- You flatter me.”

“I’m not flattering you…”

I suddenly remembered that my mother was also once called a monster, or something unknowable, which filled me with a sense of pride.

“Bloodshed is anticipated this year, leading to significant efforts in the medical team. It seems… they even contacted ‘the saint’.”

“…Is she coming too?”

My pupils dilated slightly, and my surprise at this news was obvious to Natalya.

“Ah, do you know her?”

“Yes… well, somewhat.”

“I see, your connections are not to be underestimated.”

Should I call this a connection or not?

To put that sleazy perverted saintess on the same level as my acquaintances would be disrespectful to them.

Though, I admit her skills.

…And her looks and breasts.

“Anyway, that’s that. Reinstatement will take only a few minutes.”

“Thank you very much. I’ll take my leave now.”

After offering my polite bow, ignoring Natalya’s warm farewell,

I silently left the Headmaster’s office.

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.

.

I have a lot to prepare for.

More so than the exam itself, things outside of it.

I only realized it thanks to the mention of the saintess earlier.

This final exam will have far more eyes on it than I anticipated.

Both from within and without.

If a medical team will be deployed from the kingdom’s temple, then besides that saintess, several other familiar faces will show up.

In particular, individuals connected to the royal palace might appear…In the case of Lulu and Aspe, both were favorable towards me, so I’ll somehow managed it.

But being noticed by someone who doesn’t like me would certainly be a huge problem.

It’s a shame,… but completely revealing my powers carries substantial risk of exposing my identity.

Do I need to keep it under wraps like with the ruins?

No.

I refuse that approach this time.

I will show it.

Overwhelming power nobody should dare to challenge.

If, under the watchful eyes of the kingdom, I display abilities rivaling Leah Flora’s,

It would at least give those wishing to harm me and those around me pause.

Additionally, solidifying my influence will be invaluable.

humiliation and persecution.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to display the ‘power’ to turn everything upside down.

Clench-

Making such a resolution, I was returning to the classroom.

Swish- whoosh-

Whoosh-!

I saw Eve wielding white mana in the training ground.