The day after I emerged from the Secret Archive, the first thing I did was chat with Headmaster Merlin.
There was plenty to discuss, including the tales from the Archive. As soon as we sat down, we shared numerous stories, from the structure of the Archive to discussions about rewards. I laid everything out without a single lie.
After all, it wouldn’t do any good to deceive someone I was dealing with, and I needed to explain everything to hand over the magical book I had brought. However, Headmaster Merlin shook his head and pushed the magical book back toward me.
“This is something for you to keep.”
“But, Headmaster…”
Even after I urged him twice to take it, he flatly refused and pushed the book back once again. There must be something bothering him. I had no choice but to ask Merlin for the reason.
“What’s the reason?”
“The magical book of the first headmaster? It must be something tempting. But this isn’t simply something to be donated. Didn’t Andras allow you to possess this book?”
No matter how valuable it might be, if it isn’t in the hands of a suitable owner, it’s just an antique.”
…Does that mean I won’t be recognized as the owner of this book?
But I didn’t really need it. I have Rue. Even if it is a magical book that grants three wishes, if not used properly, it could lead to backlash, so I’d rather want to seal it away deep inside.
“I… don’t really need this magical book.”
“Still, keep it. You’ll have a use for it someday, won’t you?”
“…Alright, I understand for now.”
If he kept rejecting it, I would just stuff the old magical book into my bag. I might sell it at the black market auction or find a small use for it later.
“Then I’ll move on from this topic.”
“Let’s do that. Since you found it, you should use it.”
He was so easily yielding that it raised suspicion. I stared closely into Headmaster Merlin’s eyes. The wise old man who had lived long was caught in my gaze, and as it turned out, I was the one to break the silence first.
“Headmaster, I know the Secret Archive isn’t something easily given away.”
“Anyone other than you wouldn’t even be able to access it. Besides, the fact that the Archive has revealed itself at this moment is surely Andras’s arrangement, isn’t it?
Even if they were to carry the contents inside it outside, few would understand. It’s better to use it to nurture talent.”
So the discovery of the Secret Archive at this time must have some profound meaning.
As expected of a sage, he seemed to see things clearly.
After all, it was a very chaotic time right now.
A time where cultists were running wild like fish in water.
It made sense that they would want to prioritize nurturing outstanding talents. Those who were currently under my wing.
The top talents of the Magic Department. The ace of the First Year in the Inspection Department, Lewis. The promising alchemist Viola and the Saint, Karina. Millia is… let’s just say she’s a mascot.
In any case, it seemed like a rather contrived gathering of talents all centered around me, and now Headmaster Merlin appeared to be pushing me even harder.
“If you’re going to push me that much, can I make one request?”
“Hm, go ahead.”
There was only one thing I needed to ask of Headmaster Merlin.
“I would like as much information as possible about the Halphas Cult.”
The curse lodged in Karina’s heart.
The clue to lifting the curse is probably with the Halphas Cult.
Headmaster Merlin readily nodded at my words.
“I’ll do my best.”
————————
“Johann! Look at this!”
“Is it the report card?”
Millia waved her report card at me like it was a study trip notification. Thinking about it, the red-haired Dullahan standing in front of me was filled with enthusiasm for learning.
After returning from the Secret Archive, three weeks later, she was diligently preparing for the midterm exams to score high.
“Yep! It’s the report card! I brought it to show you first!”
“Oh, it seems like it’s already time for the report cards to come out. Did you bring mine too?”
“Yep!”
Karina, who was drinking tea in front of me, smiled brightly and accepted an envelope from Millia.
“Open it quickly! I’m curious!”
“Alright, so stop pestering me. I’ve never seen someone so eager to see their report card…”
Is she so eager about learning, or has living in dungeons made her utterly devoid of this sense? I cautiously opened the envelope and pulled out the report card, which was made of luxurious white paper.
Let’s see how this unfolds.
I unfolded the report card and checked Millia’s midterm scores for the second semester.
“…First place in Continental History.”
“Hehe.”
So that’s why she was so eager to ask. Upon hearing my mumble, Millia puffed out her chest and beamed with pride. What an honest girl.
“Well done.”
Let’s check the scores for the next class.
“Basic Math, 7th; Imperial Language Advanced, 4th; Basic Administration, 5th; Etiquette and Language, 8th; Monster Ecology, 4th; International Relations, 8th… Millia, how many first-year students are there in the Liberal Arts Department?”
“Uh…Leon, Sion, Karin, Rize, and…Sena…”
Millia began listing off the names of the students in the Liberal Arts Department in front of me. By the time she finished listing, it seemed there were about 30 students.
“…You really worked hard.”
Despite barely reading the books I had brought from the Secret Archive, she diligently studied and ended up with pretty good results. I gently patted Millia’s head as a form of compliment.
“Well done.”
“Millia, you’re so smart!”
“Hehe. Thanks! Can I also see Karina’s report card?”
“M-my report card?”
Karina looked surprised, her eyes widening at Millia’s request to see her report card. Asking to see the report card must have caught her off guard.
Still, it seemed that Karina had no intention of refusing Millia’s request, as she quietly started to open her envelope in front of us.
“Please don’t stare at me so intensely; it makes me a bit shy…”
“Come on, Lady Karina, you read and study a lot anyway, right? You must have gotten good scores.”
When did you come in?
I waved lightly at Renny, who seemed as if I hadn’t seen her in ages, and then asked as she approached me with her arms crossed.
“Is it break time?”
“Work has wrapped up for now. It’s a bit of a headache since we have festival preparations going on…”
“Festival?”
“Yeah. There’s the St. Sabrina Feast after midterms. It’s a three-day event, and since it’s held throughout the entire city, there are lots of fun activities.”
“Have you been before?”
“I worked some extra shifts when I was young, so I’ve been to it… it was pretty fun.”
“Is that so… then I can assign you as a guide.”
“A guide?”
Renny looked at me as if I were speaking nonsense. When our eyes met, she scratched her cheek and averted her gaze.
What’s up with that?
“Were you planning to send us off alone? We should go together during the festival.”
I half suspected she had intended to stay at Yeomyeong-gwan handling administrative tasks again. I was pretty sure of it based on Renny’s expression.
“Lady Karina, I wouldn’t do that…”
“Why not? Let’s go together!”
“Still, work…”
“Taking a day off should be alright.”
Karina seemed eager to enjoy the festival with Renny. I watched the two of them persuading Renny and became lost in thought.
After all, the mention of the festival reminded me of something.
The martial arts tournament held to commemorate the St. Sabrina Feast. The events that would occur in a tournament open to students and external participants. And the winners.
It was supposed to be an event to check the protagonist’s specs and receive the winner’s reward, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to participate. I had planned to enjoy the festival alongside Karina.
After all, I had to provide protection, but incidents were bound to erupt around Karina.
Especially during the martial arts tournament.
The winner of the martial arts tournament would receive the prize directly from Karina. It wasn’t just that. There would be theatrical performances depicting the adventures of the First Saint and Heroes, and demonstrations of magic and alchemy.
Given that it was a festival named after the First Saint, Karina would be running around busily throughout the event, meaning my role as a knight protector would involve a lot of running around the Academy as well. I might be able to enjoy the festival somewhat, but I worried about Karina.
“Lady Karina, are you going to be okay? It seems like you’ll be really busy during the festival…”
“Hm? Does that mean I won’t be able to watch the festival with Karina?”
“Yeah… probably.”
“Because of her position, Lady Karina will likely be busy. We can’t just roam around together.”
Millia looked up at me with a “No way” expression. Since I was Karina’s protector, it was common for me to accompany her, so I could only shake my head.
“I’ll have to follow Karina. Sadly, it seems watching the festival won’t be possible.”
“W-well, can’t I follow you both?”
“…You’ll probably encounter quite a few high-ranking individuals. It might be boring for you. I’d recommend enjoying the festival with friends instead.”
“But… I want to enjoy the festival with you…”
“Still, we should be able to see the fireworks festival at night together.”
“Really?”
She really wanted to go together. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Millia’s eyes sparkling with joy.
A festival…
There are still many things to do before that.
I put down my teacup and stood up.
“Then I’ll just take a quick trip to the workshop.”
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