Chapter 57

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Classes were progressing smoothly, and I had become familiar not only with the surface of the town but also with its hidden side.

I was feeling quite pleased with myself, thinking everything was going well, when one day, I was called by Headmaster Glen, and a foreboding shadow fell over me.

"..."

I sighed and looked down at the letter I had received from Glen. It seemed like things were about to get complicated.

Sitting in a chair in the courtyard of the academy, I was lost in thought when I noticed someone approaching. It was Strass, Eliza, and Shenli.

"Ah, Aoi-sensei is here!"

Shenli called out my name with a radiant smile. Strass and Eliza also turned their gazes toward me.

"Good morning."

I stood up from the chair and bowed. Shenli hurriedly bowed deeply, placing her hands on her knees.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Aoi-san."

The three of them stood in front of me and returned my greeting.

"Is something the matter?"

When I asked, Strass glanced at the letter in my hand.

"…It's a rumor, but it seems a high-ranking official from the Mapleleaf Holy Empire has appeared in this town, and they've brought a notorious court magician with them."

"Bad news?"

In response to my question, Eliza frowned and answered.

"…He's known as the 'Mad Magician,' Crown Windsor. Despite being in his mid-thirties, he's a genius who has already created ten new spells. However, it's said that countless slaves have been sacrificed in human experiments to create those new spells. Crown Windsor is coming to this academy…"

"A court magician from the Mapleleaf Holy Empire… I see."

As I nodded in understanding at Strass and Eliza's explanation, I unfolded the letter in my hand.

"I was wondering why it was me, but now it makes sense."

Saying this, I held up the letter so Strass and the others could see its contents. They leaned in to read it.

"…Invited to the Holy Empire? To establish a new magic academy…"

"I've never heard of such a thing…"

"Wait, Aoi-sensei, are you going to Mapleleaf…?"

Each of them showed signs of confusion. The content was as they had said. However, the invitation was from the King of the Mapleleaf Holy Empire, meaning it was a request from the top of the Holy Empire.

This was not something even Headmaster Glen could easily refuse.

Seeming to understand this, Strass looked at me with a serious expression.

"What about the headmaster?"

"The letter says that someone will come from the Holy Empire to pick me up. So, Headmaster Glen will speak directly with the envoy and try to persuade them to let me stay at this academy."

Upon hearing this, Strass and Eliza exchanged glances, and Shenli looked down with a troubled expression.

"…I don't want to say bad things about my home country, but the current king…"

Shenli hesitated, mumbling something. Tilted my head, Eliza spoke up.

"…The previous king of Mapleleaf was a moderate who focused on domestic affairs. However, the current king, who is the eldest son, is trying to raise the level of magic in the country by any means necessary. That's why someone like Crown has become a court magician…"

Eliza spoke hesitantly, as if criticizing another country. I nodded, considering their words. If this information was true, it made sense why the letter contained such a request, and it was also clear that they wouldn't easily back down.

After thinking this through, I put the letter away and sighed.

"…Well, I'm not going right now."

I had just gotten used to the Fidic Academy. First, I needed to spread the use of non-verbal incantations and magic arrays in this academy.

If I could improve the students' and faculty's knowledge and understanding of magic, it would surely lead to the creation of new magical theories that neither Owen nor I could have thought of.

After achieving that, I might consider the request.

When I said this, the three of them looked surprised.

"…You're going eventually?"

"You're leaving the academy!?"

"I, I'll follow you, Aoi-sensei."

Shaken by their reactions, I shook my head.

"If the situation at this academy changes, I might visit other academies. But it's not happening right away."

They didn't seem entirely convinced by my words, but they calmed down for the moment.

"Headmaster Glen is expected to arrive at the academy tomorrow. So, I'll go home and prepare."

"Prepare?"

"Change of clothes?"

When I said this, they tilted their heads in confusion. I smiled and nodded.

"If a court magician from the Mapleleaf Holy Empire is coming, I want to see what level of magic they can perform."

When I said this, their faces contorted in unison. I wondered why.

The next day, I had packed my belongings into a bag and was heading to the headmaster's office.

"Did you call for me?"

"Ah, you came. Thank you."

As soon as I opened the door, I met Glen's eyes and spoke.

"Yesterday, I received a message by fast horse. Considering the character of the person coming here, they might be traveling at the same speed. I thought they might arrive as early as tomorrow."

"…? I understand."

I nodded, despite the odd phrasing. Glen suddenly frowned and shook his head.

"I didn't expect them to arrive the day after receiving the message."

"…They're already here?"

Surprised by his words, I asked. Glen nodded, still frowning.

"…Yes. They're waiting outside the academy for permission to meet. Sigh… This is troublesome. What should I do?"

"Is it even possible to not meet them?"

"It's impossible."

"Then, there's no choice but to invite them in."

When I advised the reluctant Glen, he looked like a child faced with food they dislike.

"No way! It's too troublesome! Besides, the one who came is a mad magician. They won't listen to anything! Ah, I want to go home…"

Glen was completely disheartened.

"…Then, I'll go and greet them. Please prepare yourself in the meantime."

"O, oh… Thank you."

After this exchange, I left the office.

If Glen was so reluctant, the court magician Crown Windsor must be quite troublesome.

I needed to be prepared myself.

With renewed determination, I walked down the hallway.

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