A few days passed.
[Finally, the annual event of Grand Hertz Academy!]
The interior of the academy started bustling with outside guests.
[‘The Yearly Exam’ has returned! Everyone!]
As the principal began his speech like during the entrance ceremony, he opened the ceremony for the yearly exam. His voice was so loud it echoed throughout the school, as if amplified.
[As the narrator, I, Laplace, will take charge.]
There’s no one better for the job than him. After all, he’s the librarian who can browse historical records. A figure who honed his skills for the sake of his beloved.
[Looks like quite a crowd has gathered again. Good!]
Experts hoping to see the students’ achievements, or parents and families here to cheer them on. I could spot figures from the Wizard Tower or high-ranking officials from the North, trying to recruit young talents in advance.
[As you all know, the rules are always straightforward. Magic, swordsmanship, spirit magic, divine power. Anything goes!]
I had advised the elderly folks who take care of me not to come, lest they get shocked and faint. After all, flashy battles can be hard on the heart.
[All students, please check the brackets. The exam will begin tomorrow morning!]
They think of me like a grandchild, but they might really be saddened if they see me get attacked by someone.
“…”
Actually, I shouldn’t get hurt, thanks to being protected by mana.
“…There’s a lot of people.”
“Licht, you don’t know. The yearly exam is so popular that even folks from the countryside come to watch.”
“This is super famous! Helmet dude!”
As always, I was having lunch with the hero couple and watching the opening ceremony.
“…Licht. Do you like meat?”
To be precise, it was now a quartet with the Crown Prince added. Ever since the pastry incident, the four of us could go around together without hesitation.
Having shared bonds during the battle with the Magic Hat, it was now impossible to drift apart.
“Yep? Ah, yes. I’m not averse to it.”
“Got it, I’ll remember that.”
What exactly did he remember? My glass knight beside me had brought up an odd topic. Perhaps it was because today’s academy meal was beef stew.
I ended up eating a lot because it reminded me of our Saintess. It was delicious.
Then, Mardol nodded faintly as if relieved, clenching his fist.
‘…This guy must be stronger than Kainel.’
I briefly pondered while looking at Mardol, whose glass armor reflected my black helm. When it comes to the yearly exam, I would eventually have to face this guy.
A Magic Swordsman class.
Having played as Black Knight Licht in the game, I was already aware of his broken abilities.
He survived longer against the Magic Hat than the hero and could create clones, showcasing high adaptability. His movements would be unpredictable.
“What’s up…? Licht?”
“Ah, I was just thinking about something…”
Did I stare too hard? Mardol turned back to me with a question.
Whenever I tried to read him, he seemed to see right through my thoughts, cutting them off. It’s almost scary how well he reads people.
Being the Emperor’s only son must mean he has exceptional senses. After all, he’s the son of the man who creates sonic booms with brute strength.
“…Interesting.”
I crossed my arms and lowered my head to avoid revealing anything further. Ever since the showdown with the Magic Hat, the Crown Prince had been getting closer to me.
[Always seek out what is precious, what must be protected, what must be done! Everyone!]
It’s obvious that family is more important than anything, but I don’t understand why it feels so burdensome.
[May the blessing of Akasha, the God of Wisdom, be upon this exam as well!]
With those final words, the ceremony concluded shortly. I moved along with my party to check the brackets.
“…We’ve all been placed in separate groups? Kain?”
“Right? I wanted to face Licht.”
The names written large on the paper indicated we were in different brackets. If that’s the case, it means one thing.
“Haha, we’ll see each other in the semifinals, right?”
We’d have to push our way through one by one and meet in the semifinals. Given the Crown Prince’s skills and Kainel’s current growth speed, it should be possible.
“You won’t lose this time, right? Licht?”
Kainel flashed a smug smile at me. I felt like I was dragging him down to a bad place because of my influence. Did I push him too hard in the Swordsmanship Training Hall?
“…I’ll be looking forward to it.”
I was likely running away with our Saintess in [Black Heart]. I didn’t have trauma anymore, so I wouldn’t do that again.
“No.”
At that moment, a booming voice cut through the air, as if we were in a cave.
“I’ll go first. Kainel.”
You were obsessed with strength, weren’t you? Mardol was tracing the brackets with his finger, checking how many battles he’d need to win against me.
“…”
In such times, it’s best to maintain silence. If I’m not careful, I might end up locked underground by the Imperial family and never see the light of day again.
Because that’s how it was for the route that was dating the Imperial Guard. If you fail the love escape, you’d end up imprisoned. Things could get pretty scary.
“I want to fight you, Licht.”
“…Do as you please.”
I’ll give you the Dragon Heart, but please don’t touch Mana Rose. I felt a strange déjà vu looking into those golden wolf eyes that are only focused on me.
*
The day was coming to an end, and the academy’s day was wrapping up.
“Well then, Mardol. Be careful going back.”
“We’re heading to the dormitory. Mardol!”
“Yup, Licht. Kainel. Take care.”
Pina waved farewell to the Black Knight and the hero as they entered the boys’ dormitory. Finally, she found some peace of mind and spoke a bit longer.
‘Licht.. you said you like meat, right?’
After sending off the man with the black knight helmet, she found herself wishing to invite him to her favorite restaurant someday.
‘Would it be alright if it’s at the place run by the dwarves?’
It’s the same place that her brother and sister, Nex and Schartines, had saved.
He had already become a lifesaver in her eyes. Licht seemed indifferent, but she couldn’t turn her back on the debt of gratitude for saving even her mother.
‘These days, school feels comfortable.’
At first, she was scared of being harmed by the Demon King and built walls around her. She was afraid that if she got close to someone, the crazy mage would do something to her.
So, she thought she’d never get close to anyone. But the man named Licht kept pulling her in.
‘The cute little black one…’
The black knight who summoned the fluffy little creature was adorable. Its soft fur was so pretty it looked like a doll. Taking it for a walk someday was Pina’s dream.
“Tomorrow… the yearly exam.”
Muttering to herself, she began to step forward. She figured she’d need to use teleportation stones in less populated areas so she wouldn’t be mistaken for a princess.
As usual, she scanned her surroundings to ensure no one was around.
At that moment, she heard familiar voices.
“Miss Pina. It’s been a while.”
“Sister! Long time no see!”
A boy with black wolf ears and an older-looking butler appeared from across the way.
“Dijur.. Rufus..? What are you doing here…? Ah.”
“That butler, Dijur, is always guarding Mardol.”
“Hehe. I came to cheer for the yearly exam! Pina sister!”
They had come all the way to the academy to cheer for her during the yearly exam. Seeing their familiar faces after a long time made her tail and wolf ears perk back up.
“…Rufus. Here, you can call me Mardol.”
“Got it! Mardol sister!”
The mid-armored glass knight warned her younger brother to be careful. She made a shhh gesture with her finger, fearing the Magic Hat might target her friends.
“You look well, Mardol.”
Seeing Pina speak a bit longer than usual brought a smile to Dijur’s face. He knew that attending the academy had brightened her considerably.
“Surely it’s because of that knight, Licht, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, Dijur.”
This was unexpected. Perhaps it was because she had regained Queen Bellin, but her behaviors and attitudes were gradually shifting back to her old, bright self.
“I knew you were strong, but I never imagined you’d defeat the Demon King of Truth.”
A man who fought against the Demon King of Truth and rescued hostages. The adept demeanor he showed while capturing the Shadow Wolf must have come from his strength.
If it ever became truly dangerous, she had planned to jump in and save both the hero and the mage.
“Someday, you might really be named a hero.”
“Different. Dijur… strong but…. weak, kind.”
“I see. So, you were a pure boy who hasn’t shed the remnants of childhood.”
Pina shook her head as she corrected Dijur’s evaluation. No matter how she thought about it, she felt the belief that he was only strong was wrong.
‘A kind liar.’
In her opinion, he was a unique person. Strong yet naive, a black knight. It was paradoxical, but she felt that he was a kind liar.
“Licht bro.. he’s the one who saved our mom, right?”
“Yup. Rufus.”
“…I want to thank him.”
The Crown Prince, who had initially misunderstood Licht, moved his tail and ears in gratitude as soon as his name was mentioned.
The quick change from referring to him as “that guy” to “bro” also played a big role. It made sense since he was the person recognized by his proud sister and saved even his mother.
“…”
But still, it was uncertain when he would return as the powers couldn’t be released yet.
She couldn’t inform her dear mother about this. She might faint from shock or, for another reason, gather an army to capture the Magic Hat.
“…There will be an opportunity, Rufus.”
She needed to wait a bit longer. She didn’t expect anything in return or any costs for this part. Licht was merely her genuine source of comfort.
He surely wouldn’t like the thought of war. That’s what her fine instincts told her.
