The Saintess Descends
Elion couldn't come to his senses after witnessing the series of events unfolding right before his eyes. Seeing that scene had been nothing more than a coincidence. On his way back to the dormitory after finishing his daily routine, Elion had happened to spot Kyle. Filled with joy, he was about to call out to him when he suddenly froze. The reason was simple: a familiar face stood before Kyle. None other than Bellard Berwen.
Bellard Berwen. There wasn't a single first-year who didn't know him. His background spoke for itself, and even judging purely by skill, he stood at the very top of their year. Yet despite that, hardly anyone gathered around Bellard. With both his status and ability, it wouldn't have been strange for people to flock to him wherever he went. But that was entirely due to his personality. Bellard disliked associating with others and despised those who flattered him without any real talent.
In the early days after enrollment, back when his personality wasn't widely known, there had been those who approached him with hidden motives. Every single one of them had tasted bitter defeat and been driven away by Bellard. Because of those incidents, no first-years dared approach him anymore. Even among his peers, he was a figure who inspired fear. That was Bellard.
Of course, Elion was different. He didn't particularly find Bellard intimidating. That had been true before their spar, and it remained unchanged even now after they'd fought. He thought Bellard wasn't as terrifying as the rumors claimed and that he could become quite close with him. However, even Elion—who held a rather favorable impression of Bellard—couldn't fail to recognize how unpleasant this situation was.
Kyle and Bellard. He naturally knew the story between the two of them, including the circumstances of the Berwen family. That must have been why he secretly followed after them. It wasn't out of personal curiosity. He was worried about Kyle. He feared the two might get into a fight.
Of course, Elion also knew that Kyle's skills weren't as terrible as the rumors suggested. He'd witnessed Kyle fighting on the train, after all. But the opponent was bad news. Having sparred with him twice, Elion understood Bellard's level all too well. No matter how much better Kyle's skills were than the rumors claimed, there was no way he could defeat Bellard.
So Elion had secretly trailed after the pair. To protect Kyle from Bellard if the worst should happen. Sure enough, his worries became reality. The two soon began to fight, and Elion prepared to rush out at any moment.
But then, something shocking occurred. Kyle had defeated Bellard.
Shocking... No, that word alone couldn't even begin to describe the outcome. If it had simply been Kyle beating Bellard, Elion would have been surprised, but not horrified. This was on another level entirely. Kyle hadn't merely won—he had completely overwhelmed Bellard. The fight hadn't even been a contest.
It was an unbelievable sight. To unilaterally dominate a fighter of Bellard's caliber like that would clearly be impossible at the student level. At minimum, one would need to possess professor level strength for such a feat to be possible. Yet Kyle, whose reputation was anything but stellar, had done exactly that. How could Elion not be horrified?
However, the astonishment from the spar's result vanished completely because of the conversation that followed. More precisely, because of what Kyle had said.
The words Kyle had spoken while radiating a chilling killing intent that felt completely unlike his usual self. Elion couldn't hide his confusion. Just what was going on? Why would he say something like that? He couldn't understand it. It made no sense.
He couldn't fathom why Kyle would say such a thing to Bellard, but what was even harder to comprehend was the meaning behind it. Those words sounded almost as if... as if Elion himself was more important to Kyle than the position of family head of the Berwen family.
Why?
If they had been deeply close, he might have understood. But that wasn't the case. They hadn't known each other long, and they hadn't shared many conversations. Thanks to their encounter on the train, they exchanged greetings from time to time, but it wasn't anything special. And yet Kyle had said those words.
They weren't a lie or something thrown out carelessly. Elion's intuition, which could read people's true intentions, was telling him that those words were sincere.
'Why?'
So he simply couldn't understand. He had known for some time that Kyle held pure goodwill toward him. But for it to be to this extent... 'I, I don't get it...'
More flustered than he had ever been before, Elion hurriedly left the scene. He had no idea that the tips of his ears had turned a bright crimson. That... no, that she hadn't noticed.
Several days had passed since he'd given that warning to Bellard. He didn't know how Bellard had taken his threat, but after secretly checking, it didn't seem like he'd tried anything strange with Elion. That put my mind at ease.
Of course, I couldn't be certain whether Bellard had completely given up on causing harm. Still, I decided to think positively. If he didn't seem inclined to act right now, that was enough. After all, if Bellard truly set his mind to scheming something, there was no way my abilities could detect it in advance. Worrying about it would only exhaust me.
So I chose to worry only moderately. If something happened, I could move then. That was my mindset.
'He must have understood.'
I wasn't too concerned. Bellard wasn't a fool, after all. Since he'd realized my strength completely overwhelmed his, he wouldn't act recklessly. If he ignored my warning and made a move anyway... well, he'd come to regret it.
In any case. While I was regaining my composure and going about my daily life, an unexpected event occurred. The academy suddenly summoned all students.
"What is this?"
I couldn't hide my confusion. This wasn't an event that happened at this time of year. It was rare for the academy to call together the entire student body. Only during special events or major ceremonies. Yet here was something completely unscheduled.
There was only one thing that could mean. Some kind of variable had arisen.
"Hmm..."
I tried hard to calm the unease stirring in my heart. There was no point in getting anxious when I didn't even know what had happened. For now, I needed to see it with my own eyes.
"Why did they call us together?"
"No idea. They'll probably tell us soon."
The atmosphere among the students gathered by the rather sudden summons was chaotic. Some openly voiced their curiosity. But that was only a small minority. As someone had said, it was a question that would soon be answered.
And before long, the person who would resolve their doubts stepped onto the platform. The current student council president of the academy. The most noble person within these walls. One of the few exceptions in an academy that, at least nominally, had no class system. A man with blazing golden hair and captivating purple eyes who drew attention simply by existing. Ernene Rihel.
He ascended the platform with a dazzling smile that matched his appearance. At the same time, the previously murmuring crowd fell silent. No one had ordered it. It happened naturally. There was the respect due to royalty, but more than that, it was because of Ernene's aura. The presence of one who carried the most noble blood, capable of overwhelming the entire assembly simply by standing there. That was what silenced the crowd and drew every eye.
Confirming that all attention was focused on him, Ernene smiled and began to speak.
"First, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for gathering here despite your busy schedules."
A voice that perfectly suited his appearance naturally spread in every direction. It was a phenomenon created through magic.
"There is a reason I have gathered you all in one place like this."
Smiling, Ernene continued.
"It is because a very special guest has come to visit our academy."
The crowd stirred slightly at those words. It wasn't unusual for outsiders to visit the academy. However, it was rare for them to gather all the students separately like this just to make an introduction. Even when it did happen, it was usually incorporated into other events. But to create a separate occasion solely for an introduction? Just who could have come to warrant this?
Naturally, curiosity welled up in everyone's hearts. Sensing that the mood of the assembly had formed exactly as he'd intended, Ernene deepened his smile.
"Then allow me to introduce our guest."
He extended his arm, pointing in one direction. Soon after—
Step. Step—
Footsteps could be heard. They were perfectly ordinary footsteps, yet strangely clear enough to reach the ears of every single person in the crowd. All eyes turned toward where Ernene was pointing, and before long, someone appeared on the platform.
“““......”””
A heavy silence fell over the assembly. Everyone had lost their breath. Silver hair swaying around her chin. Golden eyes that seemed to hold the stars of the night sky. Perfect features as if a god had personally sculpted them one by one. The appearance of a woman radiating an almost divine, otherworldly beauty that made her seem like a goddess descended to earth caused the entire crowd to hold their breath.
The new Saintess of the Astrea Order, Lady Julia Librel.
The crowd immediately erupted into a massive commotion.