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The main semester of the Academy has concluded. Scholars who were active as professors focus on their research, while students take the time to explore the world or sharpen their lacking studies as they wish. During this period, the Academy typically retains a serene atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the bustling crowd of students seen during the term.

However, filled with concern for Sion, Shione found the following morning’s atmosphere at the Academy distinctly different from its usual tranquility.

“The guards have definitely increased compared to before.”

The patrols, which previously appeared occasionally, now seemed to be everywhere. The clang of armor echoed more in my ears than the sound of passing pedestrians in the early morning.

“Of course, since a demon appeared at the Academy last night. If it were the Count’s House, we would probably see priests and wizards being engaged at once.”

Shione wore a pouting expression. It seemed she was not thrilled about the hurried response only coming after Sion nearly got hurt. Certainly, the lack of action when five individuals went missing shouldn’t go uncriticized.

Moreover, as Shione suggested, if this were the Count’s House, they would have deployed their forces immediately to punish those responsible. It wasn’t surprising that Shione felt frustrated.

After walking through the streets, we arrived in front of the Divine Faculty dormitory.

“I will go fetch Sion.”

“I’ll wait over there.”

Shione pointed to a bench set quite a distance away. She seemed to think that waiting alone in front of the male dormitory would be somewhat inappropriate.

As she sat on the bench, she looked over at me briefly and then immersed herself in the wildflowers blooming near the bench. I could see various shades of pale purple and yellow flowers. She quickly became absorbed in her own little world.

As expected of a flower enthusiast, she never lost her curiosity while observing various plants. It seemed a better option than awkwardly waiting in front of the dormitory.

I chuckled gently at her demeanor before heading inside the dormitory.

‘I should call Sion quickly.’

After requesting the dormitory supervisor to inform Sion, I soon found him without any chance of passing by one another amid the morning rush.

“Sion, I hope you slept well last night.”

“Thanks to Ray, I had no significant issues. By the way, it’s early for you to come visit.”

“Yes, Princess Shione expressed concern for you, so I took the liberty of arriving at this early hour.”

“…You mean my sister?”

What more could I add? Sion had been asked numerous times whether he was injured the day before.

Even now, despite becoming a Deputy Commander, there was no significant change between Shione and me. Only once I gave him the cookies I had stashed did I finally stop hearing that tedious question.

“…Would you believe that I was asked all night about how Sion was doing?”

“……You’re doing quite a good job as a Deputy Commander.”

Well, regardless of how it sounded, I was simply relieved that he did not appear too worse for wear, considering he nearly died yesterday.

Unlike other young adults, who usually spent their lives attending lavish banquets, his experience as a priest healing the wounded in wartime seemed to have strengthened his mental resilience more than I would have thought.

“By the way, where did my second sister go? She mentioned needing assistance…”

“She’s outside on a bench enjoying the flowers.”

“Seems she still loves flowers. Back in the day, when she did come out, she’d often be found in the garden.”

With memories from the past flashing in his eyes, Sion responded, his gaze turning introspective.

“I’m going to see my sister. Ray, could you guide me?”

“Of course.”

As I led him over to Shione, she stood up from the bench as soon as she spotted us from a distance. Maybe she had grown tired of staring at the flowers. Or perhaps she was just worried about Sion.

Like a puppy seeing its long-lost owner, she dashed toward him.

“Is Sion okay?”

“Thanks to your necklace from last night… and Ray rescuing me in time, I’m fine. By the way, sister, I heard you were asking Ray about my condition all night long—”

“Ray… did he really say that?”

Shione wore an expression that seemed to demand an explanation as to why he would mention it.

Nonetheless, I simply shrugged nonchalantly in response.

“I didn’t know you cared so much about me. Um… thank you.”

With Sion’s unexpected small smile, instead of remaining in an awkward state, it seemed better for us to become closer, even if it was like this.

Even though our gratitude resulted in somewhat cringeworthy reactions, one couldn’t deny it was a vast improvement over before.

After a brief exchange of typical conversations, Sion was the one who prompted a deeper discussion.

“By the way, sister. I have something I want to ask for your help with.”

“If it’s help, I presume it concerns the cultists?”

“Exactly. So… let’s move to another location. This one feels too exposed.”

Having given Shione a heads-up the night before, our conversation quickly progressed once we found a suitable place to discuss.

After outlining my discussions with both Shione and Sion, along with any suspicious points, Sion finally expressed his intent to seek Shione’s assistance.

“Sister, as a party to this incident, I intend to request an audience with the Headmaster of the Academy.”

The Headmaster of the Academy.

Requesting an audience with the leader who oversees the Royal Academy is no small task.

“To the Headmaster of the Academy?”

“Yes, typically it’s challenging for a mere student to request such an audience… but given the circumstances.”

The Headmaster, appointed for their outstanding capabilities and management skills, was someone most nobility found it difficult to even salute under normal circumstances. For a student, regardless of being from a Count’s House, to request an audience was an unusual occurrence. Yet, these were not normal times.

“Moreover, since the subject of discussion among everyone at the Academy daily includes your and Ray’s matters, if you two were to directly condemn the cultists and demons…”

Given that they come from the same noble lineage and are viewed as a third party, they would possess a significant reputation concerning demons.

“Even the Headmaster would have no choice but to provide a response that aligns with our expectations, wouldn’t you agree?”

Currently, the kingdom struggled with the demon’s emergence, and to have such an event occur at the Royal Academy, established as part of the royal family, was simply unacceptable.

Thus, Shione’s response was predetermined.

─In that case, I don’t intend to get tied up in this mess.

Similar to her words during the time she sliced through steak.

That statement suggested she had no desire to become entangled but would actively respond if swept into it.

“I think it would be good to discuss that plan in a bit more detail.”

Shione nodded eagerly at Sion’s words.

*

The Headmaster held the most substantial authority within the Academy.

The Academy was an institution focused on cultivating talents possessing the skills of both martial and scholarly pursuits. Therefore, placing such a figure in a position to act as their idol was fundamental; this individual undoubtedly had impeccable skills and reputation.

From overseeing the hiring and dismissal of professors to managing the academy’s overall operations and order, the authority bestowed upon her was geared toward enhancing the Headmaster’s esteem.

Yet, with such elevated authority came immense responsibility, and the Headmaster was burdened with countless tasks essential to the Academy’s preservation and prosperity. Spending days grappling with paperwork in her office had become the norm, and at this moment, the current Headmaster was amid a particularly challenging predicament.

“…Is this even acceptable?”

Her gaze, filled with deep rage, turned toward her unfortunate secretary.

“Five missing persons. I distinctly received reports of only two, and I had ordered an active investigation, yet, what in the world is this situation?”

“…I apologize.”

“The most crucial details have been omitted, and even the information received is predominantly fabricated. Exactly what is going on within this month?”

The aging Headmaster shifted her gaze from her secretary to the neat stack of letters upon her desk.

There lay a neatly penned letter from Sion Shianella. She found herself unable to pull her gaze away from that letter for quite some time.

A whirlwind of negative emotions, from doubts about her own incompetence to anger at manipulated reports, swirled across her face.

“Secretary, trace all reports related to this matter back to their origins. Compile a list of all individuals who have tampered with them, and I’ll conduct a thorough investigation with my own inspectors.”

“I will comply.”

“And one more thing.”

The partially dilapidated barn.

“I will respond to Sion Shianella’s request for an audience, so prepare accordingly.”

Yet, it was only reasonable to fix the barn before everything else crumbled.

 

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