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After a dense night of intimacy, Princess Shione seemed to have shed all the accumulated stress. A smile showed no signs of leaving her face.

‘No, it’s not just a smile.’

The succubus that had successfully drained the vitality from the man had gained a vitality that was enviable. Strangely enough, Shione, who despised such beings, seemed to embody that very state.

In her lodging, she sashayed with a haughty flair, darting around like a hamster in a house. Outside, she seemed eager to flaunt her heritage as a member of a venerable family, even showcasing a power walk. Her not just bright face but also lively demeanor shone even more vibrant than usual.

This vibrant display of Shione was particularly pronounced in the morning.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Is Ray here?”

The sleepyhead Shione in the morning.

Normally, by the time I’d come to visit her, she would have opened her eyes, but there she was, rubbing her sleepy eyes and drifting between the realms of dreams and reality.

“It was cloudy yesterday, gloomy and dull. But today, the sky is clear.”

Even in the early morning, Shione was tidying her bedding and opening the window to soak in the sacred air, basking in the day’s start.

Not to mention, she was already practicing magic separately. She embraced the customized textbook that Epheana had gifted her. It brought back memories of her passionate beginnings with a bow in hand.

Swish─!

Just as she tossed the book onto her bed, she dashed over and wrapped her arms around me.

“Today, you smell like a refreshing breeze.”

I pondered what a refreshing breeze might even smell like.

With her bright response, I felt mischievous and playfully tossed some words that had been resonating well with Shione lately.

“Is it okay to hug me this tightly?”

“…Why? We do this every day anyway?”

“If I showed up without any fancy attire like you, Your Highness—”

“Ugh, seriously! How many times do I have to hear that…!”

Shione began swinging her arms in a mock fight.

For a brief moment, as she poked me, her shyness overwhelmed her, and she let out a defeated sigh.

Well, what can you do about it? It’s all the karma she’s built up herself.

Thinking about that, I glanced at the magic textbook Shione had tossed.

‘She’s been absorbed in magic all day.’

The cultists hiding in the academy had all been dispatched, and now what remained was Shione’s magic. The refinements on the magic formulas were nearly complete. As soon as Shione got the hang of using her magic, the return to the Count’s House would commence.

With Sion back at the Count’s House, she had intensified her magic training.

“How’s the magic coming along?”

“Hmm… It feels like it’s gonna work but isn’t quite there yet. Still, with Epheana’s help, I’m sure results will come soon.”

“Perhaps it might be better to take your time practicing here a bit longer. You’ll have a lot to do once you return to the Count’s House.”

At that, we couldn’t help but both sigh.

‘Just thinking about it now…’

With practices of magic already well underway, we needed to speed up the Western Expedition led by Ainel Shianella.

Moreover, considering the World Tree had suggested there might be tools to face demons in the uncharted territories west of the Beltrin mountains, it was wise to secure them before the calamity from the north arrived.

And once Shione returned to the Count’s House, the various retainers that Ainel had held back would surely make their moves to actively engage with Shione. One of the retainers, who rallied around Sion last time, even interfered with Shione when she was shooting her bow.

‘Looks like things’re gonna get busy.’

With no more threats to worry about, things were finally starting to feel a bit easier.

Though I hold the title of Deputy Commander, all the support right now still rests on my shoulders beside Shione.

“Well, Lady Diolia must have already sorted out the tasks I entrusted to her by now.”

It seemed like our Knights’ Order leader had shared something with Shione in private. Despite feeling somewhat left out, I could take an educated guess at what they might have discussed.

‘It must be about Shione’s nurse.’

The former maid and loyal attendant to Shione, Herrel.

I had overheard them having a serious conversation about her. Shione seemed noticeably interested in that Herrel person too.

I smoothly continued the abruptly cut-off conversation prompted by her reaction.

“Besides that—”

There was indeed more that needed attending to.

This was also something I’d gained as knowledge from the academy.

“Your Highness, you need to prepare for the social gathering this fall, right? Baron Evan mentioned he would write a recommendation.”

“Ah….”

A gathering for nobles, especially tiresome barons and young lords who love spreading rumors and yapping away.

As soon as Shione heard the term “social gathering,” her expression looked as if she was already fed up with the very idea.

“You can’t make such a face already.”

“…What can I do? I loathe it. Wearing uncomfortable dresses and making small talk with strangers while smiling brightly…”

It might be different if Shione had to deal with soldiers on the battlefield.

Yet, at the banquets, she felt like a mere puppet standing still.

But now, it was time for our Shione to change her passive demeanor.

“This time, Your Highness, you will have to enter on your own. Once you return to your family, more preparations will await you.”

“…What?”

“Baron Evan won’t recommend me either, will he? Even as a Deputy Commander, I’m treated like a lesser noble, and I am a commoner myself.”

“……!”

Shione froze in place, denying reality for a moment.

*

Shione wiped her sweat as she exerted her magic.

She was handling various kinds of Ancient Magic. Successfully accomplishing even the most basic form, the very foundation that all magic must solidify.

Epheana applauded her.

“Congratulations, Young Lady. Now that the foundation is laid, the remaining applications will depend on your efforts.”

“It’s harder than I thought. I wonder if I can really do this….”

“Well, there’s no reason to think it won’t work, right? Even a wizard who hasn’t delved into Ancient Magic could offer you advice on how to apply it. It’s a good thing.”

Shione had taken her first step.

Through a single letter from Ainel, Shione had come to learn magic. Epheana had been given a glimpse into the essence of the spell contained within that magic.

The transaction that had brought benefits to both finally reached its conclusion.

“Then, will the Young Lady return to the Count’s House now?”

“I suppose so, since the reason I came to the academy was to learn magic from Epheana.”

“That’s true. By the way, I feel a bit disappointed. If possible, I wish I could ask Ainel if I could continue teaching you.”

“…Huh?”

“I want to teach you more magic. And….”

Suddenly, a scholarly glimmer of curiosity brightened Epheana’s face.

“I heard that potions possessed by the traitors could aid in your magic refinement.”

“Oh, you mean what was mentioned in the Divine Faculty previously.”

“That’s right. Since there aren’t many samples, and we just started collaborating with the priests, it’ll take some time before we see results.”

Potions with effects that could instantly awaken someone into a Demon.

Together with research on Magic, these potions would provide vital clues for dealing with them in the future.

“When we find points to improve while continuing the research, I will let you know through Ainel.”

Epheana, who spoke that, showed a refreshing smile before her expression suddenly turned serious as if she had recalled something important.

“Speaking of which… I was asked by the Headmaster to inform you. Due to a direct royal summons, the Young Lady and Lady cannot meet with me.”

“I will listen.”

“Well, it’s not too heavy of a topic; it’s about the compensation for this matter.”

Epheana crossed her arms and shrugged, her playful demeanor signaling she was curious about our reactions.

“The compensation for the support in the academy by the Young Lady and Lady will not come from the academy but from even higher up.”

“If it’s from higher up, could it be—”

“Exactly as you think. The royal family, Her Highness, the First Princess wishes to commend you personally.”

Suddenly, the name of the royal princess, Adelhaite, radiated a notable presence.

Surely, the fact that the princess personally commends us was enough to stir reactions from us both.

Evidence of that was how both Shione and I could only widen our eyes in surprise.

“Detailed information will be sent to the Count’s House, so it’s crucial not to delay your return to your family.”

With that, Epheana extended her hand to Shione and then to me, shaking hands gently in turn.

As the farewell moment arrived and silence settled in the demonstration hall, Epheana stood alone at the center.

“…In conjunction with the instruction to survey the north, the princess has personally headed north as well.”

Epheana sighed, erasing all lingering sentiments on her face.

It was a natural reaction.

The princess had never directed any family to scout around this closely before.

“I should contact our family head.”

The princess, endowed with the power of generational lineage.

The strength of her gaze bore witness to the kingdom’s history.

*

Count Shianella’s office.

Ainel Shianella slowly perused the deciphered ancient texts her second daughter had brought back from the Demonic Realm.

The texts, carrying the name of the Count’s House, ignited a swell of curiosity and excitement within her as the head of the family.

After finishing the reading, Ainel’s face danced between joy and doubt, bedazzled by their enigma.

“I’ll need to verify a bit more, but… this is rather intriguing.”

The manuscript held tales of the formidable Church of the present continent.

And also spoke of the era before the Church’s rise.

“I’d love to see the reaction if the Church were to find out.”

Ainel’s lips curled up in curiosity.

Just as she tried to delve deeper into her book, she soon closed it as if it were of no more importance.

“Mother, it’s Sion.”

“It’s been a while, Sion. I heard about what happened at the academy… Are you hurt anywhere?”

Ainel cherished her child far more than the book.

 

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