[SIDE: Shenley]
When I decided to go to Maple Leaf, I was terribly anxious at first, but as I spent time with everyone, my gloomy feelings changed. With reliable Sensei Aoi and the always cheerful and fun Aile and others by my side, even though we were walking in the Holy City of Maple Leaf, I had the illusion of being on a sightseeing trip to an unknown city.
Meeting Sensei Cameron at the magic academy reminded me a bit of the painful past, but seeing Sensei Aoi silence him with sheer ability made my chest feel lighter. I was able to feel that what I had been worrying about was very small.
Thinking like that, I’m not afraid to go to the magic academy in the Holy City. If I’m in the Holy City, I probably won’t have to deal with my family, the Rosensteel Viscount house.
“Oh, that bread looks delicious too.”
With my mood lightened, I said something like that and walked ahead of everyone. When I turned around, even Aile and the others were looking at me with wide eyes. I felt embarrassed and unconsciously averted my gaze. Come to think of it, this was the first time since returning to this country that I had expressed wanting to do something on my own.
As I was wondering what to say, Aile came right next to me and put her hand on my back.
“It does look delicious, doesn’t it! I wonder what fruit that jam is?”
“Oh, I think it’s probably green strawberry.”
“Oh, sounds tasty! Come on, let’s all go!”
As I was fidgeting, Aile came to my rescue. Liz and Bell quickly followed suit.
“Yeah, it looks delicious.”
“I’d love to have some apple jam too!”
Laughing heartily at such conversations, I happily walked around the holy city.
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After finishing the city tour, as Shenley was walking through the academy grounds with Cort and Aile, there was a figure in the distance staring intently at them. The gaze could hardly be called friendly.
“…Could it be Shenley? Why is she at the academy in the holy city?”
The figure whispered softly, then turned on their heel after a while. Their destination was towards the main gate leading out of the academy. As they stepped out from behind a building, the figure of a beastkin girl who closely resembled Shenley appeared. Her hair was tied back, but her face was nearly identical. The girl wore a white robe with a small black cape draped over it.
“…I should inform Father. Coming to the holy city so casually, it’s a disgrace to our family.”
Muttering this, the beastkin girl left without looking back.
[SIDE: Glen]
As an express delivery envelope containing a letter arrives, I suddenly get an ominous feeling.
“Could something have happened at Maple Leaf…?”
I mutter while opening the envelope to check the letter. There’s no writing on the outside, just a wax seal. I lightly heat the seal with the weakest fire magic to melt it. I’m afraid to look at the contents, but as the one who approved Aoi’s departure, I must read it properly. I’ll check the sender on the back first, just in case. With that Crown-Windsor accompanying them, they might even accidentally blow up the royal castle.
“Hmm? This is from the Kingdom of Grandsands? Oh, it’s from the King of Grandsands. Well, it’s not a complaint after all.”
Seeing the sender, I breathe a sigh of relief. If it were a complaint, diplomatic pressure, or an unreasonable demand that could worsen impressions, they wouldn’t usually use the king’s name. Remembering this common sense, I feel relieved as I check the contents of the letter.
“Hmm, as always, it seems to be handwritten by the king himself. He could have had a subordinate write it, but he’s so conscientious. Let’s see, he’s looking forward to the time of year when he can visit our academy again. Ho ho, that’s very kind of him.”
As I read on in a good mood, I feel like I’m forgetting something and tilt my head.
“Come to think of it, he comes to our academy every year. What was it for? Something important that I wouldn’t normally forget…”
I mutter while continuing to read.
“…He says he saw something very interesting last winter, so he’s looking forward to this time as well. However, he’s wondering if the cultural festival schedule has changed this year, as he usually receives an invitation around this time…”
For a few seconds, my thoughts stop. Then I check the contents of the letter two, three times.
I fold the letter once and place it on the desk.
“…Cultural festival.”
After muttering this again, I close my eyes and look up to the heavens.
“I forgot.”
What a thing to happen. To forget the most important event where dignitaries from other countries gather all at once.
Normally, we should have already started preparations by now. Of course, the schedule should have been decided, and we should have sent letters to the dignitaries from other countries who attend every year and been waiting for their replies.
“Am I getting old? I feel like I’m becoming forgetful… Anyway, we need to prepare within two months.”
I mutter with a sigh, then realize that the other teachers haven’t mentioned the cultural festival either. Have we all become forgetful together?
“…No, come to think of it, things have been quite busy lately thanks to Aoi. Everyone’s been sneaking peeks at Aoi’s lectures, researching their own magic and Aoi’s chantless magic. Some teachers even completely restructured their lectures. They probably got so absorbed in magic research that they completely forgot about the cultural festival.”
I chuckle wryly as I think of the reason, looking at the letter placed on the desk.
“Still, I’m grateful to the King of Grandsands. It’s good that we remembered at this time. But while it’s nice that the cultural festival is popular, it does cause a lot of trouble every year. Well, it’s unavoidable since it’s an opportunity for each country to show its presence, but some people intentionally cause problems. There have even been those who try to investigate magical secrets when it’s convenient…”
Remembering various past incidents, I let out a deep sigh.
Then, suddenly, Aoi’s face comes to mind.
The stay in Maple Leaf is scheduled for one month. In that case, Aoi will be back at Fidic Academy during the cultural festival.
“Oh no, this is bad! I can already see it! Aoi getting caught up in troublesome situations and blowing them away entirely with grand magic…!”
I slap my palm on the desk twice and stand up.
The cultural festival always includes royalty who have left their country for the first time, and such people often cause problems with those from other countries. And now, knowing about Aoi’s existence, which is probably already a topic of conversation in other countries, they’re sure to get involved in unnecessary ways.
“…Oh.”
I’m suddenly becoming very anxious. Without any effort, the image of Aoi running wild plays in my head.
And then, the image of royalty from great nations sitting formally in a line with their heads bowed, while Aoi lectures them.
“…Aoi’s lectures often hit the nail on the head, leaving no room for argument…”
But that’s when dealing with those of the same rank. When dealing with nobles, especially royalty, there’s a possibility of being punished for insolence without question.
What should I do?
In the empty office, I quietly held my head in my hands.
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