I Don't Know Anything (1)

All the teachers watching Raphael take the test were struck with shock in their own ways. Especially Professor Tallen, who began watching her with intense focus after she had captured the pentagram ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠demon.

...If that person becomes a demon hunter, she will be an enormous help to this world headed for destruction. I must ensure she becomes an ally of the demon hunters no matter what. She is someone who will prove invaluable against the coming hardships. Her abilities are beyond question, but her personality... I cannot say. I can only pray she is a good person.

The swordsmanship professor regained his composure and spoke.

"Hahaha... Excellent! Then we shall begin the second test immediately."

"I will witness your most powerful attack!"

"You simply need to strike the training dummy in front of you!"

"As a word of caution, that dummy was personally crafted by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and the principal herself."

"It is sturdy enough to be called absolutely indestructible, so attack with everything you have!"

When Raphael heard it was a doll made jointly by Athalia and Flora, a playful spark ignited within her.

"Hehe... A doll made by those two, huh? Shall we test its durability?"

A barrier of a never-before-seen form materialized around the dummy with a heavy rumble. The professors looked bewildered by its unfamiliar shape, but only Tallen recognized its true worth.

...Is that the prototype of indestructible magic—the very first barrier? All barrier magic was modeled after the original one, so...

..... It can't be, can it?

The first barrier was one of the ancient spells used only once, at the founding of the Empire. Its appearance was identical to the barrier that protected the Empire itself.

Just who was this person?

Several other professors also gazed at the barrier and recalled the Empire's own defensive ward.

"...It can't be..."

"That magic was lost to time... It must not be..."

"If it truly is..."

While the professors argued heatedly over whether it was indeed the first barrier, Raphael ignored them completely and continued her casting.

The air crackled as space itself began to tear. With every step Raphael took, spacetime warped and ripped apart. The professors and the swordsmanship instructor could only watch in stunned silence. Standing before the dummy, Raphael spoke in a calm, unwavering voice.

A deafening screech echoed as particles of light gathered behind Raphael, rising into the sky to form the shape of a colossal blade. The enormous sword of light began its descent, radiating blinding brilliance. Everyone watched the awe-inspiring sight of a weapon forged from pure light falling from above. The overwhelming energy spread far beyond the training plaza, reaching every corner of the Empire.

Two people in particular sensed it immediately—Baden and Athalia Stardust. Others connected to Raphael also began to feel it, however faintly.

"...Raphael...?"

"This is definitely...!"

"Raphael...!! Have you returned? But you were surely dead..."

Baden, who was taking the swordsmanship instructor exam while hiding his identity, recognized the aura at once. Athalia, who had just returned from the demon realm after slaughtering demons and demonkin, also detected it instantly.

This was unmistakably Raphael. Without question.

It resembled Ian's energy, yet it was far more refined and dense. Raphael... is it really you? Have you come back?

The source of the aura was clearly coming from the direction of the demon hunter specialist teacher examination. If it weren't for my own test, I would rush there right now. Just wait a little longer. Once I finish, I'll head straight over.

After causing such utter chaos, Raphael looked at the completely annihilated dummy and grinned.

"Ha! As if something like this could possibly stop me~"

"That said, even the barrier has cracks in it now... It seems stronger than before."

"Hmm...?"

"Oh. Right, I was in the middle of the exam, wasn't I? Examiner?"

"Does this mean I passed??"

Normally, the vast majority of applicants for demon hunter specialist teacher were eliminated in the first test. Even those who reached the second test had to earn acknowledgment of their strength in front of most of the faculty. Only with majority approval could one pass.

Because of this harsh mechanism, no one had applied for the position in twenty years. Yet Raphael became the first demon hunter specialist professor in history to pass with unanimous consent.

Seeing every single professor acknowledge her, the swordsmanship instructor trembled as he spoke.

"H... ha... ha... p-p-pass... You've passed..."

"Oh my! Really? That makes me so happy!!"

"Eek!! Please don't come any closer!"

When Raphael approached him, the instructor recoiled in pure terror. She dispelled every buff and maximization effect on herself. The spacetime distortion vanished at once, and the professors finally relaxed.

One of them bravely stepped forward with a question.

"...Um, I'm the barrier studies professor! If I may... I'm curious about that barrier you used..."

"What kind of barrier was it, exactly?"

"Huh? What?"

"Ah, I see."

"It's the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Absolute Barrier... Is there a problem??"

"Gasp... The Absolute Barrier...! Just... who in the world are you...!"

"My name is Nameless. I worked as a heretic inquisitor long ago, and now I'm unemployed."

"......"

The professors who had witnessed her techniques could tell from her clothing that she truly had been a heretic inquisitor. Someone that strong was a heretic inquisitor? Why come to our academy? And why quit?

As the professors wrestled with their swirling thoughts, steady footsteps approached.

Step— Step—

"Hehe... I thought the Four Heavenly Kings had revived, but you were simply taking a test?"

"An incredibly interesting professor has appeared after twenty years..."

"You there—the masked woman taking the exam. Follow me."

The principal appeared and calmly took control of the chaotic situation.

"We shall appoint this woman as the new demon hunting specialist professor. Everyone is dismissed!"

At her command, the professors dispersed at once. Raphael followed the principal into her office.

Once inside, the principal asked directly, "Who are you? And what is your connection to Raphael?"

"Speak truthfully. Skills only Raphael could use, a similar physique... It is obvious you are connected to her. So who exactly are you?"

"........"

"I don't know who Raphael is. I am Nameless. Here, let me show you my identification."

Principal Flora accepted the ID with a neutral expression at first. She inserted it into a verification device, but the moment the results appeared, tears began streaming down her face.

The name she had only seen in dreams. It really is you, Raphael... It hasn't been that long since I last saw you. You said you would live as an angel... Yet the person standing before me is undoubtedly you. Could it be you've obtained a human body?

But something feels wrong. It's as if she knows nothing at all.

I hope ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my fears are unfounded. I need to confirm this.

"Nameless... have you lost your memories?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Who am I?"

"Huh? Obviously you're the principal, right?"

"...You ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mentioned being a heretic inquisitor earlier. Do you remember anything from that time?"

"Uh... not really. Did I lose my memories??"

Tears continued to fall. Poor, tragic Raphael... Miraculously returned from death, yet she remembers nothing of herself. The gods are so cruel...

The principal gazed at Raphael, her mind racing with thoughts she knew she should never entertain.

.....!! Wait a moment... Raphael appeared so suddenly...? Could it be that an ordeal so great it requires her presence is approaching?

They say the goddess creates heroes whenever a great trial looms. Does that mean a terrible danger is coming to this world?! To stop that threat, must Raphael sacrifice herself once more...?

No. Absolutely not. I cannot allow that!

Especially not when she's lost her memories and knows nothing, only to die again?

Goddess... is this truly Raphael's final fate?

I cannot simply watch. I want Raphael to live happily. Without any more suffering... I want her to live in peace.

Just before Flora began her questions, Raphael was quietly pondering how to handle the situation.

We definitely ended on a warm note last time, but suddenly showing up like this would probably shock her senseless...

Maybe I should pretend to have amnesia or something...?

Doesn't seem like a bad idea. If I run into people who know me, it could get messy.

I'll just go with "I don't know anything~" It should work perfectly.

From now on, I'm an ordinary countryside girl who knows nothing. I have no memories of being a heretic inquisitor and I don't know anything~ I'm just a regular citizen who wants to catch the Demon King and the Fiend as quickly as possible and live a happy life~

I will pour my heart and soul into this performance. After all, how many people even know about me?