Since I accepted the invitation to be a guest teacher at the Academy…
“Thank you, Grandma!”
After expressing her gratitude, Camilla headed straight into the chapel. With the homeowner gone, we no longer had a reason to stick around and naturally made our way outside the castle.
“Hmm.”
But how do we get to the Academy?
I thought I’d at least be able to figure something out if I looked at a map, but…
“There’s no place marked ‘Academy’ on the map.”
No matter how closely I examined it, the word ‘Academy’ just wasn’t there.
As I pondered how to get there, Elia approached me with a small smile, as if she sensed my struggle.
“The Academy is in the Imperial capital.”
“Capital?”
“Yes, once you arrive, you’ll see a large building… you’ll probably know right away when you see it.”
Well, I guess it makes sense for talented individuals to gather in the heart of the Empire, so students meeting in the capital should be convenient.
Besides, I think I vaguely remember being in the capital from my fuzzy memories…
“Hmm.”
As I nodded along to the plausible explanation, a sudden question popped into my head.
“Elia.”
“Yes?”
“Where are you guys going?”
I wasn’t fond of the titles ‘Hero’ and ‘Saint,’ but having seen Elia and Lucius for a while, I felt a bit of affection for them.
So wouldn’t it be nice to know about their destination too?
I hate dealing with annoying things, but who knows when I might need their help, or when I might be able to help them.
At the very least, our outward relationship should be smooth.
Thinking along those lines, I asked about their next destination, and Elia responded with a slightly awkward smile.
“It seems we won’t be moving far from Ellen for a while.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
So it means I won’t be seeing them for some time, a relief and a sadness that feels quite strange.
“Yes. Besides, Jackal probably wouldn’t have gone far due to his lack of mana.”
Elia glanced at Lucius as she continued.
“The Hero said that now is the chance since ‘the Nameless’ has the weapon with us…”
“Hmm….”
Cold sweat dripped down my back as I avoided their gazes.
Should I just come clean now?
Jackal’s spatial movement definitely wouldn’t have been lacking; if anything, it was overflowing because I had sent my energy directly into him. And that ‘Nameless’ they were referring to was a character I hastily created…
Guilt pierced through my chest like a knife.
But if I just come clean now, what would I even say?
As I fumbled with my lips, Elia’s serious expression broke through my thoughts.
“Harang.”
“What is it?”
“Since you’re visiting the capital, you might want to consult the library or the Academy professors.”
Go to the library or ask the professors?
“Oh.”
I just realized that was also an option. I had completely forgotten since Camilla suddenly asked me to be a guest teacher at the Academy.
But even if Elia organized everything on paper, I can’t read…
What am I supposed to do about this…?
I was biting my lips for a while, and Elia smiled sweetly before leaving.
“Read it when you’re alone and think about it slowly.”
“Thanks.”
Well, I’ll figure something out.
I nodded with a confident look.
*
“Master, we’re going to fall!”
“…What are you talking about? I’m not a kid.”
Nameless pouted at my overly worried tone, half-leaning out the window of the carriage.
– Bump!
At that moment, the carriage hit a large stone and shook violently, causing me to lose balance and float into the air.
“Whoa!”
I’m falling…!
As I braced for the impact, I heard a voice.
“The road isn’t paved, so you should always be careful in the carriage.”
Fortunately, it seemed he was watching closely, as Nameless wrapped his arms around my waist, preventing me from falling.
“…Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
Nameless smiled gently and shook his head.
At that moment, we were on a carriage heading to the Imperial capital.
Initially, I had no idea, but Camilla had arranged for a carriage to the Academy and a guide to help us inside the Academy just in case we were lost.
…When I heard the old steward mention he prepared the carriage earlier, I felt so guilty.
Sorry for complaining so much, Camilla.
Anyway.
Narrowing my eyes, I poked Nameless’s arm, which was still wrapped around my waist.
“…Let go now.”
“Yes, Master.”
Really, we aren’t alone here, but how long does he plan to keep holding me?
Fanning my flushed face with my hands, I looked at the other person across from me.
With dark brown hair and violet eyes, she was wrapped in a robe, glancing nervously at me.
“Are, are you okay?”
It was Belle, a part-time professor sent by the Academy to guide us.
“Hmm, I’m fine.”
I waved my hand slightly to assure her, while Belle continued to look at me like a kitten cautiously peeking out.
“Why, why are you staring at me like that…?”
“It’s nothing, really.”
I replied, squinting at Belle as I evaluated her from head to toe.
“Ah…!”
Even with that large robe, her feminine curves were still noticeable, and her soft-spoken mumbling as she sat there stirred up a protective instinct.
I hadn’t looked closely at Belle for long, but she certainly had an appearance that would be popular with the boys.
However…
Sighing deeply, I shot a glance at Nameless.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, really…”
Everything about her was perfect, but she would be disqualified as a potential bride for Nameless simply for being too tall.
It would be great if he could find a bride at the Academy…
I felt a deep sense of regret.
As time passed, I absentmindedly gazed at the landscape outside the carriage.
“Um…”
“Hmm?”
Was Belle suddenly curious about something? She seemed to be mumbling to herself.
When I turned to look at Nameless, he either was disinterested in Belle or was worried about me almost falling.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
Our eyes met, and I wondered how long he had been staring at me.
I was a bit curious about that, but that wasn’t my main purpose here.
“Belle.”
I turned back to Belle, who was still mumbling.
“Y-yes? Ouch— I bit my tongue….”
“…”
How on earth is she working as a professor at the Academy?
At this point, I was worried she wouldn’t even be able to guide us properly.
…But I guess it’ll be fine.
I tried to ignore it and continued speaking.
“If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Ah… y-yes, thank you.”
After my words encouraged her, Belle timidly nodded before turning to Nameless with a question.
“Excuse me! Is that your… master?”
“Hmm?”
Master? Why is she looking at Nameless that way?
Intrigued, I tilted my head as she pointed her finger at me.
“Ah, no, I mean the master over here….”
Belle quickly shook her head, spreading her arms while pointing at Nameless.
“…He called you Master?”
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Didn’t she see that Nameless just called me Master a moment ago?
Seeing my reaction, Belle looked genuinely shocked, covering her mouth as she spoke.
“Wait… wasn’t it…?”
Sweat dripped down Belle’s forehead.
…She doesn’t seem to be mocking me.
But, well, people can misunderstand.
It’s true that my appearance has stabilized over time and I may seem younger for my age, and since Nameless has grown considerably, he looks like someone in his mid-twenties, so someone unfamiliar with us might think he is the senior.
Okay, that makes sense.
But…
“Have you really not seen Nameless calling me Master all this time?”
That’s the real mystery here.
Unless she has amnesia, how could she forget?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Belle scratched her head and spoke.
“Uh, I thought you two were just joking around…”
“Is there a point to the joke?”
Belle flinched with a startled expression and began fidgeting.
“Well, at the Academy, people often play similar pranks, so…”
“Is that so?”
Looks like her life isn’t easy either.
Feeling a bit sympathetic, I averted my gaze.
To my reaction, Belle seemed to get a little defensive, raising her voice for the first time.
“I-It’s okay! People just want to get along and joke around…!”
“Yeah…”
I didn’t want to hurt the pure-hearted Belle, so I simply nodded.
…Will we really make it to the Academy safely?
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