—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The day after returning from the hidden archive, the first thing I did was speak with Principal Merlin.
We had a lot to discuss, including the hidden archive and other matters. We sat down and talked for a long time, covering everything from the archive’s structure to the rewards. I told him everything, holding nothing back.
He wasn’t the type to be fooled by lies, and I needed to explain everything if I wanted him to take the grimoire. But Principal Merlin pushed the grimoire back towards me, shaking his head.
“You should keep this.”
“But, Principal…”
Even after I insisted, he refused to accept it. Something seemed to be bothering him. I asked,
“Why?”
“The first headmaster’s grimoire… it’s certainly a tempting artifact. But this isn’t something to be simply donated. Didn’t Headmaster Andras grant you ownership of this book? A treasure is merely a trinket if it’s not in the hands of its rightful owner.”
…So he wouldn’t accept it because he considered me the rightful owner?
But I didn’t need it. I already had Rue. And the wish-granting grimoire, while powerful, could backfire if used improperly, so I preferred to have it sealed away.
“…I don’t need this grimoire.”
“Keep it. You might need it someday.”
“…Alright.”
If he insisted. I put the ancient grimoire in my bag. I would either sell it at the black market auction or find some other use for it later.
“Then let’s move on.”
“Indeed. You found it, so you should use it.”
He was being too agreeable. It was suspicious. I looked at Principal Merlin, our gazes locking. Despite my suspicions, I spoke first, out of respect for his age and position.
“Principal, I don’t think the hidden archive is something you would give away so easily.”
“No one else can enter it anyway. And the fact that it appeared at this particular time… isn’t that Andras’s arrangement? Even if its contents were brought out into the open, few would understand them. It’s better to use them to nurture talent.”
So the timing of the hidden archive’s discovery was significant.
As expected of a sage, he had a keen understanding of the world.
These were turbulent times.
The cultists were running rampant. So it made sense to prioritize the development of talented individuals. And those individuals were the students I had gathered.
The top students of the Magic department. Lewis, the ace of the first-year Swordsmanship department.
Viola, a promising alchemist, and Karina, the Saintess. Milia… well, she was the mascot.
With such a concentration of talent around me, Principal Merlin seemed intent on supporting me.
“Since you’re offering your support, may I ask you for a favor?”
“Hmm, let’s hear it.”
I had only one request.
“The Halphas Cult. I need as much information as possible on the Halphas Cult.”
The curse afflicting Karina’s heart. The key to lifting it likely lay with the Halphas Cult. Principal Merlin readily agreed.
“I’ll do my best.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Johann! Look!”
“Your report card?”
Milia presented her report card like a child showing off a permission slip for a field trip.
The red-haired Dullahan standing before me, staring at me with wide eyes, was surprisingly studious.
She had studied diligently for the midterm exams, which started three weeks after our visit to the hidden archive, determined to get a high score.
“Yes! My report card! I wanted to show you first!”
“Oh my, it seems the report cards are out. Did you bring mine as well?”
Karina, who was sipping tea, smiled and took the envelope from Milia.
“Open it quickly! I’m curious!”
“Alright, don’t rush me. This is the first time I’ve seen someone so eager to see a report card…”
Was she this enthusiastic about academics, or had she lost her sense of normalcy after spending so long in dungeons?
I carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the report card. It was printed on high-quality white paper.
Time to see the results.
I unfolded the report card and checked Milia’s midterm grades.
“…Top in Continental History.”
“Hee hee.”
All those questions had paid off. Milia puffed out her chest, a proud smile on her face. She was so honest.
“Well done.”
Time to check the other subjects.
“Seventh in Basic Mathematics, fourth in Advanced Imperial Literature, fifth in Basic Administration, eighth in Etiquette and Speech, fourth in Monster Ecology, eighth in International Relations… Milia, how many students are there in the first-year General Studies department?”
“Um… Leon, Sion, Karin, Lise… and Sena…”
Milia started listing the names of her classmates. There seemed to be about thirty of them.
“…You did well.”
She had studied diligently, even while skimming through the books she took from the hidden archive.
I patted her head.
“Good job.”
“Milia, you’re smart!”
“Hee hee. Thanks! Can I see Karina’s report card?”
“M-My report card?”
Karina looked at Milia with wide eyes, surprised by the request. It was understandable.
But she didn’t seem to mind sharing, so she opened her envelope.
“It’s a bit embarrassing, so please don’t stare…”
“Come on, Saintess Karina always reads and studies diligently. I’m sure you got good grades.”
When did you get here?
I waved at Renny, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, and asked as she approached with her arms crossed,
“Is it break time?”
“I finished my work. It’s a bit hectic with the festival preparations, but…”
“Festival?”
“Yeah. Saint Sabrina’s Day is after the midterm exams. It’s a three-day festival celebrated throughout the city.”
“Have you been before?”
“I worked security there when I was younger… It was quite fun.”
“I see… You can be our guide.”
“Guide?”
Renny looked at me as if I had grown a second head. When our eyes met, she looked away, scratching her cheek.
What was with her reaction?
“Were you planning to leave us out? We’re going to the festival together.”
Had she been planning to stay at Yeomyeong-gwan and do paperwork? Judging by her expression, I was half-convinced.
“Saintess Karina, I was going to…”
“Come on, let’s go together!”
“But my work…”
“It’s okay to take a day off.”
So Karina wanted to go to the festival with Renny as well. I watched them try to persuade Renny and thought about the festival.
The martial arts tournament held in honor of Saint Sabrina’s Day. The incidents that would occur during the tournament, open to both students and outsiders. And the victor.
It was an event I always participated in to check the protagonist’s progress and obtain the rewards, but I wouldn’t be able to participate this time.
I planned to enjoy the festival with Karina.
I had to escort her anyway, and the incidents always revolved around her.
Especially the martial arts tournament.
The winner would receive the prize directly from Karina. And then there were the plays depicting the adventures of the first Saintess and the heroes, the magic demonstrations, the alchemy demonstrations…
As befitting a festival named after the first Saintess, Karina would be busy throughout the event, which meant I, as her knight escort, would be running around the academy as well.
While I could still enjoy the festival, I wasn’t sure about Karina.
“Saintess Karina, are you sure you’ll be alright? You’ll be very busy during the festival…”
“Huh? So Karina can’t enjoy the festival with us?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Karina has a lot of responsibilities, so she won’t be able to join us.”
Milia looked up at me with a worried expression. Realizing that I would be busy escorting Karina, I shook my head.
“I have to stay with Karina, so I won’t be able to enjoy the festival either.”
“Th-Then can’t I come with you?”
“…We’ll be meeting a lot of important people. It won’t be fun. I recommend enjoying the festival with your friends.”
“But… I want to enjoy the festival with you…”
“We can watch the fireworks together. They’re at night.”
“Really?”
She really wanted to go with me.
I chuckled, seeing her eyes light up with excitement.
The festival…
I had a lot to do before then.
I put down my teacup and stood up.
“I’m going to the workshop for a bit.”
I had some things to finish.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
