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A year has passed since the destruction of the bandit group “Crimson Cats”.
A messenger from the royal capital visited Count Lieber’s residence in Daimkuld, where spring was approaching.
“… Jack, going… To the academy”
“Yes, by all means”
In the study, the messenger from the Royal Academy of Spiritual Arts is facing Count Lieber.
It’s commonly known as a scout.
“Along the way, I heard rumors from the people. Your son studied under a nomadic elf’s tutelage, and in just four months of studying spiritual arts, he drove the bandit group [Crimson Cats] to ruins. He has enough ability”
“No… It’s not good to overestimate my son, so I’ll correct the misunderstanding, my son only won against Vicky the [Bloody Leopard], and it was a fight that left him completely exhausted, the destruction of the group [Crimson Cats] was due to another factor.
Besides, he had the assistance of the daughter of the Posford family. If it was my son alone, his life would have been in danger”
“Yeah, I have heard about that too. I have heard that [Bloody Leopard] was exaggerating her ability… Another person is talking with the Posford family right now”
Karam nodded.
He had heard from his son everything that happened inside that fort.
“Even then, it’s still a remarkable achievement. We’d love to have such talent at our school. I’m sure he’ll grow into a great spiritualist”
Karam closed his eyes to think for a moment.
“… I’m sure he’ll be happy to enroll in the academy. But I would like to confirm some things first”
“What do you want?”
“Is it okay for my son to enroll in the combat department?”
“Yes, that’s okay”
“Then… Which grade will my son join?”
The combat department of the Spiritual Arts Academy has its own rating system.
All students are assigned to a grade from 2nd to 6th according to the examination at the time of admission.
Of course, It’s possible to rise in grade after enrolling, but if you enter in a high grade from the moment of admission, it will make a big difference to the other students of the same year.
Besides—
The entrance examination for the Spiritual Arts Academy is also a place of social gathering for aristocrats.
If he performs well, he can make himself known in the aristocratic world.
The school scout nodded and said with confidence.
“We have already gotten permission for him to take the 3rd grade exam”
“Hmm…”
Most students are only allowed to take the 4th grade exam.
Permission to take the 3rd grade exam is unusual.
However, Karam didn’t nod immediately.
And he answers with a smile reminiscent of a child’s innocence.
“Now, let’s take a look at my son’s abilities before replying. He’s training with the daughter of the Posford family”
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
The scout, who was guided to the training ground behind the mansion, saw.
“Jack! There are too many wasted movements! The feint and strike are easily identifiable! Phil, you are too wasteful! It’s easy to lose initiative if you don’t attack!”
A girl with long blond hair sharply giving instructions towards the sky.
That should be the rumored elf.
And at the sky.
There’s an amazing sight.
A flock of birds filling the blue sky—
100 birds? 200 birds? No, is it around 1000 birds?
However, you can tell immediately that It’s not a natural migration.
They are obviously being commanded by a spiritual art.
But that’s not all.
In the center of that flock of birds is a boy.
The boy is moving around while the birds attack from all directions.
He’s kicking the void as if there was an invisible foothold and flying around.
“… What…”
A girl controlling a terrifying number of birds.
And a boy that is jumping around while dodging all of them.
Philine Posford.
And Jack Lieber.
This is even better than what I have heard from the rumors.
From what I heard they will finally be 9 years old this year.
It’s undoubtedly due to that teacher’s education that they were able to reach this point by that age.
Due to the excitement, the scout’s body began to tremble.
“… Sir Lieber. I would like to correct the proposal from earlier”
“Hmm. How?”
“I’m changing it to allow Jack to take the second-grade exam. Even if I have to offer my head to school’s director.
And about her”
When he said that, the scout looked at the elf.
“I want to welcome her as a teacher at our school. She can start as a short-term. Could you please tell her?”
“Understood”
Karam nodded as if waiting for those words.
Karam and the scout smile at each other and shake hands.
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
“A scout from the academy!?”
After today’s training was over, I heard that from my father and I leaned forward as I raise my voice.
And dad smiles.
“Yes. It starts this spring. I got a promise for you to take the second-grade exam”
“Hmm…”
“Oh dear”
Raquel and mother, who were listening from the side, raised their voices in shock.
And Phil tilts her head.
“Second grade? What is that? Is it amazing?”
“There are a limited number of students that can take the second-grade exam per year… Or so I have heard”
“Yes. From what I know, there hasn’t been any second-grade in the last few years. Right, dear?”
“Yes. Just taking this second-grade exam should gather a lot of attention”
Raquel looked confused at father and mother’s words.
“Did you two go to the academy…?”
“No, I’m from the countryside, but Karam graduated from the academy”
“I was an inferior student. I barely graduated. Father always yelled at me for it”
Dad’s shoulders drop as he says that.
Hee, so that happened…
Dad and mother don’t talk that much about when they were young.
It’s to the point that I don’t even know what his spiritual art is.
“Anyway, that happened Jack. Are you okay with it?”
“Yes!”
I have endured Raquel’s spartan training all this time to be able to enter the academy.
There is no way I would say no.
… But there is one person that seems dissatisfied.
“… Phil?”
“Boo—”
“Please tell me in an easy to understand manner”
“But… That means that Ji-kun and I will be separated, right?”
Ah, I see.
When spring starts, I will begin to live in the royal capital to attend the academy.
I can’t be together with Phil like we used to.
“Haha. You don’t have to worry about that”
While I was worrying, dad said so with a smile on his face.
“I think your father should tell you about it, but Philine-chan will also attend the academy”
“Fue?”
“I’ve heard that unlike Jack, who is being scouted for the combat department, you will be scouted to the intelligence department, but you won’t be separated”
“Fuee?” It seemed that Phil couldn’t keep up with the conversation, so I tapped her shoulder lightly and said.
“You can go to the royal capital with me”
“For real!?”
“Yeah”
“Yay!!”
As I was accustomed to it, I hugged her lightly when she suddenly jumped up to me.
Well, it’s natural considering her ability.
But…
There is one person who I have to say goodbye to.
“… Then, it’s about my role… Right”
Raquel said with a voice hiding her emotions.
Me and Phil enrolling in the academy… Means that Raquel won’t have a reason to stay in this house.
We spent a year and a half together…
“About that”
Dad said, as if he had just remembered something.
“The scout said… That he wanted to have you as a teacher at the academy”
“Eh?”
Raquel blinked her eyes in surprise.
“Make me a teacher?”
“Yes. He saw the training from today”
“But I… Just registered in the spirit arts guild, I’m not subordinated to anyone…”
“I wonder about that. He was very enthusiastic. He said that it would be okay for even a short-term, how about it?”
Raquel seemed embarrassed.
Speaking of being a teacher at the academy of Spiritual Arts, it would be an elite of the kingdom.
Most of the students at the academy are the sons of aristocrats, so it’s only natural.
There is no aristocrat that would entrust his child to a person who has no standing in the kingdom.
Therefore, some may think that Raquel is just nameless weed.
“It’s okay, isn’t it master?”
I said.
Raquel was surprised and looked at me.
“Aren’t you travelling to collect spiritual arts? If so, the academy is a great place”
“That, right…”
“Master, won’t you come with us!?”
The robe’s hem was pulled by Phil, who looked disappointed, and Raquel was troubled.
She gently stroked Phil’s head and after readying herself, she turns to my dad.
“… Okay. If it’s just while Jack and Phil are in school, I’ll take care of them as a teacher”
“I understand. I will inform the other party”
“Yay!” Phil rejoices and Raquel smiles faintly
… So we are going to be together in a new life.
When I thought about it, I couldn’t wait for spring to come.
… But—
There are some concerning matters.
Vicky, the female thief and head of “Crimson Cats” that I fought a year ago.
The words she said are stuck in my mind.
— I have to hand you all over to “Her” by dawn.
[Her]
She said she was going to sell us to the nobles at the royal capital.
[Her] probably means a middleman or someone that helps that middleman.
But if that the only thing, I don’t think she would have said [Her].
There was some weird pressure coming from that name…
Moreover, she knew that it was an aristocrat.
From that point, I have been skeptical.
Vicky’s group was ordered to kidnap us.
Yes— Ordered by [Her].
And the ending of the group “Crimson Cats”.
That mysterious mass suicide.
If that wasn’t a natural thing, but a hired actions—
—For example, if it was to completely clean any evidence of the contract.
I — Maybe someone is aiming at us.
Even if I can’t move on my suspicion, I need to confirm it.
Today’s events.
To prevent anyone from taking it away.
If I go to the Royal Capital, I may get information about [Her].
If there is anyone who can be harmful to me or the people around me, I will crush all of them.
Behind my long-cherished dream of entering the academy, I re affirm my determination…