Chapter 4: News of the Cultural Festival
“I have returned.”
Using flight magic, I flew straight back to the academy city and landed directly in the courtyard of Fidic Academy. There, as if he had been waiting for me, Glen stood watching in my direction.
Was it coincidence? Surprised, I returned his greeting and dismounted from the driver’s seat. The carriage door opened, and Strass, Eliza, and Court descended, spotting Glen’s figure.
“Welcome back… you’ve finally returned.”
Glen muttered with a voice tinged with fatigue, causing Strass, Eliza, and Court to exchange glances.
“I apologize. Are we late?”
When I asked, Glen weakly shook his head from side to side.
“No, it’s been exactly one month. Normally there might be a week’s deviation in travel time, so this is perfectly according to plan and wonderful indeed…”
“Really? The atmosphere doesn’t seem to suggest that at all.”
When I confirmed with the weakened Glen, he sighed and looked up.
“What troubles me is something else entirely. Actually, we hold a cultural festival—a cultural exchange ceremony—every year, but this time we haven’t been able to prepare anything at all. Right now, we’re contacting each nation about the schedule and rushing to make preparations. I’m sorry to ask this right after your return, but I’d like the three of you to lend us your strength as well.”
When Glen said this with a troubled expression, Eliza and Strass bowed their heads apologetically.
“N-no, no! I’m the one who should apologize! I completely forgot!”
“I’m sorry. We’ll rush to prepare immediately.”
Saying this, the two ran off toward the dormitory.
“Well then, Court-kun and the others should head home as well. Let’s meet again in the next lecture.”
When I told them this, Court and the others also gave their farewells and departed. Shenley looked back anxiously, but was led away by Aile.
Once we were alone, Glen furrowed his brow and sighed deeply.
“This is troublesome… Usually we spend three months preparing, but this time, for some reason, no one remembered the cultural festival. Normally, each instructor presents their research results from Fidic Academy, but when presenting to royalty from various nations, a certain level of completion is required.”
Saying this, he looked at me. I tilted my head and spoke.
“Why did you forget such an important event?”
When I voiced this simple question, Glen slowly looked up and stroked his beard with one hand. He gazed at the courtyard scenery with distant eyes for a while before slowly turning toward me.
“I’d be grateful if Aoi-kun could demonstrate flight magic. No matter which nation’s magicians come, they’ll be amazed, so simply flying freely through the sky would be sufficient.”
“…You ignored my question. But still, is something that simple really acceptable?”
I was genuinely surprised by Glen’s statement. After all, seeing how frantic Strass and Eliza were, I thought extensive preparation would be necessary.
However, Glen nodded shallowly and dropped his shoulders.
“That’s because Aoi-kun already has something ready to present. Usually Eliza-kun creates large golems, and Strass-kun presents new applications of wind magic, but this time there’s no time, so it’ll be quite difficult for them.”
“I see.”
Saying this, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
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“Don’t students participate in these presentations?”
“Students? Hmm… Every year, one or two students present magic they’ve researched independently. Well, they can only present if they have something they’re quite confident in, but in return, students who can present get to demonstrate their excellence to all nations. This time, perhaps Rocks-kun might have something he could present.”
Hearing Glen’s explanation, I looked up and spoke.
“In that case, let’s have the students I’m teaching participate. At Maple Leaf, Shenley-san demonstrated lightning magic, and that might interest magicians from various nations.”
When I said this, Glen looked at me with a startled expression.
“Lightning magic! That’s excellent! Actually, can Shenley-kun already use it? If we have multiple students who can use it, Fidic Academy would receive high praise, which would be wonderful. Could we get one or two more students ready in another month?”
Glen, suddenly energized, leaned forward as he asked. Somewhat taken aback by this, I recalled the situation of my students.
“Currently, about ten students can use lightning magic, and there are five more who seem close to mastering it. In terms of new magic, Felter-kun’s body enhancement magic might also be interesting. While it might look modest visually, since the basics are established, I think he could quickly learn either full-body enhancement or concentrated enhancement magic for arms and legs.”
“Full-body enhancement! That’s fascinating! Body enhancement has a strong impression of being flawed magic where strengthening one part weakens others. If we can overturn that, it would be a significant achievement!”
Rather than being relieved as headmaster, he seemed more like someone personally intrigued by new magic. Well, I suppose I should think it’s good that he’s become energetic.
“Is there anything else?”
As Glen asked excitedly, I smiled wryly and considered what else there might be.
“Let’s see. The water flow cutter I showed you before, and magic circles might also be good. At Maple Leaf, I created a magic circle that generates a wall of flames, but it turned out somewhat different from what I intended, so I wanted to remake it. Since this is a good opportunity, shall I try creating one?”
“A magic circle that generates a wall of flames! That sounds interesting too! The cultural festival lasts three days! I was worried about how it would turn out, but at this rate, three days won’t be enough!”
And Glen, with his previously dejected atmosphere completely gone, became very pleased and eagerly latched onto my suggestions.
[SIDE: Varted Kingdom]
“It’s finally arrived. News of Fidic Academy’s cultural festival.”
Middleton announced while looking around the hall, holding a letter in his hand. Then, Lea, who was wearing a light dress by the window, looked up. Around her, four women were each wearing dresses and enjoying tea.
“News of the cultural festival?”
“My, how lovely.”
“I look forward to it every year.”
The women who appeared to be in their early thirties responded to Middleton’s words before Lea could.
“Oh, my apologies. I didn’t realize such beautiful flowers were spending such an elegant time… I was in a hurry to deliver the news as quickly as possible to the queen who was looking forward to the cultural festival.”
“My! How kind His Majesty is!”
“Lea-sama is so beloved… you’re truly blessed.”
When Middleton expressed regret for his breach of etiquette, the women looked at Lea and made a fuss. Smiling wryly at this, Lea received the letter from Middleton.
“I truly am blessed. So, the cultural festival’s schedule is… one month from now? Oh? Usually it would have been held in about half a month by now, I believe…”
When Lea muttered this, the surrounding ladies immediately agreed.
“That’s true indeed.”
“Why was the date delayed?”
To the women voicing their questions, one woman smiled.
“Everyone, do you know about the amazing instructor who’s currently at Fidic Academy?”
At the woman acting knowledgeable, the surrounding women narrowed their eyes.
“Of course. That would be Aoi-Konominato-sensei, wouldn’t it?”
“The person who can use advanced-level magic of all attributes, right?”
“I heard that person called the second coming of Headmaster Glen.”
At this reaction, the woman who first brought up the topic pouted in displeasure.
“Everyone, your ears are so quick… According to rumors, this Aoi-sensei can use several types of magic that were considered impossible. Perhaps this cultural festival will be held on an even grander scale than usual thanks to Aoi-sensei!”
“My!”
“How amazing!”
The women made such speculations and commotion, then looked at Middleton and Lea. The two smiled wryly and nodded in unison.
“We’ve met Aoi-dono as well, and that person certainly an incredible magician. The fire magic I saw before was spectacular. It was something wonderful that even surpassed Headmaster Glen’s magic.”
“Yes. that person probably a magician on par with Headmaster Glen. Our son Rocks seems to be receiving quite a bit of care from that person, and we’re also looking forward to seeing what kind of magic Aoi-sensei will demonstrate.”
When Middleton and Lea affirmed this, the four women raised excited voices. Since they were all first and second wives of dukes and marquises, this rumor would quickly reach the ears of nobles throughout the kingdom.
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