After finishing the conversation with Senior Isabelle and leaving the conference room, Senior Erica was leaning against the corridor.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
"I'm waiting for a bold disciple. What did you talk about with Isabelle?"
"It was nothing special, just a continuation from our last meeting."
"It's surprising that you met Isabelle. It's not easy for us to meet her either."
"What does Senior Isabelle do that she's not at the academy?"
"She's at the academy, but I don't know where exactly. She doesn't tell the professors where she goes, so she might be at the academy… but I don't know where. And when we call for a meeting, she either comes very late or doesn't come at all… Well, it doesn't matter. If Isabelle comes to the academy, it means something important is happening."
Nodding at Senior Erica's words, she seemed to start walking, and I followed her down the corridor. I couldn't tell where the conference room was. Judging by the corridor and the windows, it must have been above the 5th floor, as ordinary students only go up to the 4th floor. It felt strange.
There were rumors about student clubs and giving out research labs, but maybe it's something else.
"How strong is Senior Isabelle?"
"Similar to the professors? Of course, among the professors, some are strong, and some are weak, but Isabelle is not inferior even compared to the professors. In fact, her magical destructive power and activation time are better than the professors'."
"Then how strong are you, Senior?"
"I've never thought about that. The strength in rune martial arts and actual combat is different. If it came to a real fight, I might be stronger than Leona… But the situation where Leona and I would be aiming for each other's lives wouldn't happen, and if it came to a real fight, Isabelle, Claire, me, Andreas, Leona, Arcadian? That's interesting. In martial arts, since we can't use magic potions, Claire, who has no restrictions, would be unstoppable by anyone. But if it really came to a real fight, would there be someone to stop Isabelle… Even the professors couldn't? They would probably be overwhelmed instead."
She paused and then continued speaking.
"The professors have probably never seen Isabelle fight seriously. If that girl fought seriously… Well, they'd probably want to run away first. Even though she doesn't fight seriously and just plays around with Leona."
"I'm scared of the 5th years."
"The 1st years are scary too. There are already strong ones, and when I think about it, once they become 5th years, no one will be able to touch the Princess of Flames or the Witch of Thunder, right?"
At Erica's words, I fell into deep thought for a moment. Ceresia is strong, that's undeniable. Even as a 1st year, using magic with that level of destructive power is rare. Even if you search the entire continent, would there be a mage using that level of magic at that age?
"I'm most curious about the Manifestation of Light. They say that light magic is the basis of all magic. 'All magic originated from light magic.' It's written in books."
"What kind of magic does Isabelle use?"
"By the time they reach the 3rd year, they start handling multiple attributes. I can use wind magic, and Isabelle… Well, from what I've seen, it was fire, wind, and lightning. Maybe more?"
"Talented."
"She wasn't that strong in her 1st year, but after traveling in her 2nd year, she changed. Where on earth did she go?"
As they continued their conversation, they arrived at the end of the corridor where a small magic circle was drawn.
"If you touch that, you'll go back."
"Aren't you going back, Senpai?"
"I can teleport, you know?"
"Ah… I see."
"In that case, come in,"
After greeting the senior, I raised my hand towards the magic circle. As I raised my hand on the magic circle, the scenery in front of me instantly changed into the main gate of the dormitory. This must be the feeling of teleportation, a sensation of uneasiness and stuffiness.
Does the senior do this kind of thing every day? Does it become familiar if done frequently?
"So, do you have something to say?"
The next morning, I looked for Sharene. It seemed like I couldn't shake off this feeling, so I thought it would be better to let Sharene know.
"You might have been surprised early in the morning, but I have something to tell you."
"Seeing Astan speak like this… seems like it's something very important. Should I prepare myself mentally?"
"It would be better, as it concerns your life being in danger."
At that moment, Sharene's pupils sharply changed. Facing the blue eyes that contained both interest and strangeness, it felt like the thought of looking like a protagonist dominated my mind. He's really handsome, isn't he? With this face, just looking in the mirror would make one happy. As I had this funny thought, a smile formed on my lips.
"Do you know about the news that a villain was captured at Ignolia's tavern recently?"
"I cannot know about Ignolia's news."
"That villain was a member of the Demon King's army… and the person attacked by that villain was me. Well, that's not important, but what's important is that although we thought the villain was dead, they are alive and hiding somewhere in Ignolia. Yesterday, they intruded into the academy."
"I understand that much, so are you telling me because that villain is dangerous?"
"The villain's target is you."
"… Surprising yet not surprising. The reason is?"
I don't know the situation."
Upon my words, Sharene fell into thought for a moment, and I continued speaking upon seeing that.
"They said the first place the villain appeared was Photon, I'm not sure if it's Tyrk or probably Tyrk. They came to Photon to find you, and then they came to Ignolia to find you."
"… Is Tyrk safe from harm?"
"A noble thought."
Sharen ruffled her hair with a sigh at my words.
"It's not a noble thought, it's a family concern. If that villain were to invade our mansion, there would be no one to stop them. Even though we have an older brother, he can't be at the mansion often due to family matters."
"We don't know that for sure, but we do know that Photon killed seven wizards."
Sharen nodded in response to my answer and clenched her fist.
"Alright, I'll check on the family, but ultimately what matters is that my life is in danger right now."
"First, the seniors will contact the professor to probably protect you, but… it's difficult to be certain. Getting into the academy means somehow breaking through the academy's protection."
Sharen smiled at my response.
"…You must have an accomplice, or else someone at this academy is a spy for the Demon King's army."
"You think fast."
"That much is easy to think about."
After saying so, Sharen smiled at me.
"Shall we go eat breakfast then?"
"If you're hungry in this situation, you really are an amusing person."
"What should we eat to gain strength?"
I sighed at Sharen and smiled.
"If there's something you want for breakfast, I'll give you one of mine."
As we walked from the dormitory to the dining hall to eat breakfast, I suddenly became curious.
"Are you the only one in the Tirk family who uses light magic?"
"My older brother uses wind magic, my younger brother doesn't seem to have any magical talent, my younger sister is still too young to confirm properly, but she showed talent in lightning magic. And… I don't think our parents use magic; it's just my older brother and younger sister in our family who use magic."
"You certainly have unique talents."
"There aren't many people with the talent for light magic, or maybe there are those with the talent but haven't confirmed it."
Finding such people is also the academy's job, but ultimately it's limited to Jingga continent; we can't confirm other continents."
"Are there students from other continents in this academy?"
At my words, Sharen fell into thought for a moment.
"But the number isn't that large, even in the first year, there won't be more than seven people from other continents."
Nodding at Sharen's words, we entered the dining hall, where quite a few students were seated. We found a seat in a corner and sat down.
"But it's strange, Astan."
"What do you mean?"
"That he frequently meets and talks with fifth-year students who are rarely seen. It's difficult for first-year and even second-year students to have conversations, isn't it?"
"It must be good luck."
"Luck is also a talent, isn't it?"
"Unluckiness seems like a talent too; he's been attacked several times behind the tavern. He even got attacked by Erica senior yesterday…"
In response to my answer, Sharen smirked, and the fairies approached and placed our food in front of us.
"Having a strong body is also a talent, right? You blocked Erica senior's attack, didn't you?"
"If she had attacked properly, I would have turned into ice on the spot."
"Fifth-years are strong."
There is a separate existence that is the strongest… Erica senior is strong too. I took a sip of my drink as if Isabelle senior's name might come up.
How strong is Isabelle senior, I couldn't shake off that curiosity.
And just as I was thinking about that, a voice reached my ears.
"Attention, students, I have an announcement. This morning's classes have been canceled. All academy students are requested to gather at the academy's headquarters at the usual class time. I repeat the announcement."
I looked at Sharen and spoke.
"It seems like you're trying to talk about yesterday's story."
"If we don't hurry and leave, we might miss out on a good spot."
"Is this some kind of performance?"
At my words, Sharen smiled.
"But things like this don't usually happen, right?"
"Seems like it, but…"
At that moment, when I looked at Sharen, he had already started eating, and I quickly began to eat my breakfast as well.
Aren't nobles supposed to be leisurely?
The academy's headquarters were located at the back of the building. Since the entrance ceremony, I hadn't thought I would come here after enrolling.
When I arrived at the chairman's office, I cautiously sat down with Sharen, leaving the people who were already seated behind me. As I looked ahead, I saw the 5th-year seniors standing in front. I recognized their faces and felt like I should greet them, but the atmosphere didn't seem right, so I quietly took my seat. Someone sat down next to me. When I turned my head, Celestria was standing there.
"Is the seat next to you taken?"
"Well, it's not my seat, so please, have a seat."
"Thank you. It's nice to meet you for the first time. I'm Sharen, Celestria."
"I've heard a lot about you from Astan. It's an honor that the Flame Princess remembers me."
"It's an unfitting title, though."
I briefly wanted to escape from their conversation.