Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: The Calm Before the Storm on the Floating Island
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"Hahaha. Come, have a seat."
"Then, if you please."
Gold's father, Gald, had summoned me.
In truth, he'd been calling for me for a few days now, but I'd put it off due to training, Asita, and the general mess in my head and heart.
This was already the third summons, and since I was freeloading meals and lodging, I couldn't ignore it any longer.
"What brings you to call for me?"
"Hahaha. Don't be like that, Yedre. Do we really need a reason between us?"
"......?"
Gold and I weren't just business acquaintances.
But Gald... well. To be honest, we weren't close at all.
"Come now, Yedre. There's just one thing I want you to remember..."
"?"
"The Hart Clan is on your side. Not just my son, but me and the entire clan. We will never strike at you first or betray you!"
"Ah... yes..."
Did I do something wrong to him? Or had I done something to make Gald terrified by mistake?
I couldn't fathom why he'd say something like this.
"Even if the other Great Houses persecute you with their hidden powers, it's got nothing to do with us! Right!"
"Y... yes. It has nothing to do with the other houses."
Why was he being so unsettling?
He was talking like the other Great Houses were about to come after me.
...Probably just talk like that, though.
So, was it Grice?
Their patriarch had come to see me personally, after all.
Or maybe one of the Great Houses I hadn't met yet.
Anyway, was a Great House patriarch summoning me just because he didn't want bad blood with me?
Maybe because of the goodwill toward his son, who held me in high regard.
Let's reassure him.
"I want to keep good relations with the Hart Clan going forward. I trust Gold, too."
"Hahaha, is that so? What a blessing to our house! Hahaha!"
It had to be an act, but he seemed genuinely delighted.
Is this the acting prowess of a merchant and Great House patriarch?
"Now, now. Forgive my scatterbrain. I had something to tell you."
"Something to tell me?"
"You know there's a ritual across the entire Floating Island that disables Outsiders' special privileges, right?"
"Yes. Of course..."
Gald leaned in conspiratorially, hand to his mouth.
"To be precise, it's not an absolute disablement. Multiple people divide the zones and restrict privileges on-site judgment."
"...Yes?"
Gald smiled at my puzzled reaction and continued.
"Those multiple people are the instructors, granted authority by Prynar Academy's headmaster."
This was news to me, and totally out of left field.
I could guess why he was telling me this, though.
Gald didn't know I lacked privileges, or at least that mine were ambiguous.
He was probably saying that if I needed to use them, I should hassle or negotiate with the zone supervisor... which basically meant I'd need to use privileges on the Floating Island.
Need to use privileges? That could only mean combat.
What came to mind was Kaiz's warning about the Demon King's descent. Or the system window's alert about Almiras.
As I pondered, Gald chuckled and went on.
"Truth be told, the headmaster could control the whole island alone but delegated for the instructors' sense of privilege and fine-tuning."
"Fine-tuning?"
"You know, if a healing or repair Outsider needs to use privileges, it's inefficient to get headmaster approval one by one, right?"
"Yeah."
Mana suddenly gathered in Gald's hand.
No hostility, so I just watched as he mimed tossing something into the air.
Paah.
Mana spread, and a list materialized in the air.
"This is the list of zone supervisors."
"......"
"I've recorded it on this ring. Check it whenever convenient."
Gald erased the floating list and handed me the ring.
Curiously, I instantly knew how to use it upon receiving it.
"How to use it... oh."
I reached out, summoning the list myself, and Gald looked slightly startled.
Cold sweat seemed to bead on his cheek for some reason.
"Y-You're quite adept, as expected. Hahaha."
"Thank you for the praise."
"Ah... um... have you met Vice Principal Kiair by any chance?"
"Kiair... ah, the vice principal?"
"Yes, yes. He mentioned he'd visit you soon."
Why would the vice principal want to see me?
Did he know I'd taken Prostia and come to chew me out...?
"Ah, no worries. He's... let's say, deeply interested in talent."
"Talent?"
"Teaching is his calling. He can't stand seeing a brilliant gem unpolished. His track record is impressive."
"I've heard he's remarkable."
He'd talked about mage ranks before.
Worrak.
Jesuft.
Pleon.
Igula.
Emlephus.
Vice Principal Kiair held a status between Emlephus—the honorary pinnacle—and Igula—the practical top mage rank.
His current rank was Igula, but promotion to Emlephus was under discussion.
They said his authority rivaled a major power.
But I'd tuned him out since he was a guy. Now he was interested in me?
"He's probably just coming to offer blessings. As Prynar Academy's security chief and head instructor, he leaves most matters to instructors' discretion."
As I mulled it over, Gald hurriedly changed topics.
"Oh, right. Do you know Hero Kaiz issued an official request?"
"Official request?"
"Yes. He asked the Great Houses to help stop the Demon King..."
Gald shared more after that.
Kaiz's request, the Great Houses' knight orders patrolling festival opening, their deployments.
The Floating Island wasn't one landmass but an archipelago, so with authority, you could rearrange islands at will.
All vague stuff, but some useful info too.
Hart Clan performers at the central stage, food cart street locations from various nations, fireworks time, prime spots, festival schedules...
Honestly, the latter half interested me more than the start.
Taking Asita to fun festival spots, explaining properly, apologizing—it might ease her mood a bit.
And though she wasn't my girlfriend, it'd feel like a date for her.
I bowed low to Gald, who stayed humble throughout, and left the room.
No such thing as unmotivated favors.
Probably some Great House—likely Grice—would screw with me, and he was saying to tough it out with my strength.
...Would that cautious Grice patriarch really?
Maybe Gald was overthinking.
Leor didn't seem the reckless type.
Beep.
"Hm."
My magitech communicator rang.
The "smado"—issued only to academy students.
Garbage compared to my old world's smartphone, but in this fantasy setting, one of the few ways to contact remotely without much mana.
Short range, few contacts—but hey, it's something.
Currently, only Mayal was registered, so it was her dedicated line now.
Sounds kinda lewd.
"Mayal."
[Yedre! Slept well?]
"Yeah. Like a rock."
[Up early for a holiday? Hehe.]
It was 8 a.m. now.
I answered, watching sunlight filter through the glass to my feet.
"Early...?"
[Huh? You never pick up this early?]
Really? I woke early, but had I ever taken calls then?
Easy to question.
But if I said no and she'd been up but I ignored her? She'd sulk.
Mayal didn't seem the pouting type, but if I admitted apathy and she got like Asita... trouble.
Humans evolve. Me too.
Change the subject.
"Where to meet?"
[You had morning stuff, right? Lunch at Instructor Emily's Witch's House!]
Familiar café name.
Great desserts, full of cute cats—I liked it too.
"Okay. But..."
I trailed off, and quick-witted Mayal replied.
[Asita joins in the evening!]
"Got it."
I'd hoped to festival together, but evening?
No easy reconciliation.
I hung up and headed to the entrance.
There stood an angel, hands demurely clasped.
Maid Lena!
"All prepared, sir."
Her crisp salute showed maturity beyond her schoolgirl age.
Hart maids had tipped me off.
While apart these ten days, she'd studied etiquette, knowledge, housework—with great results. Be excited.
Their eyes brimmed with pride and love for her.
She was so lovable.
Good girl, Lena.
"Shall we?"
"Yes, sir."
As planned yesterday, Prynar Academy first, then festival.
Lena called academy visit honor enough and declined festival, but my stubbornness won.
Familiar route to Floating Island.
Lena's eyes sparkled at warp gate and isle's magic—though she hid it well. Fun to watch.
We strolled slowly, sightseeing, then to Prynar Academy.
"So this is Prynar Academy...!!"
"......"
Lena saw what I'd seen last time.
She thought one mage-engineering campus was the whole academy.
Cute.
"Lena."
"Yes, sir."
I hugged her maturely replying waist.
She gasped "Ah...", so I carefully scooped—one arm under thighs, one on back—hugging tight.
"Sir, others might misunderstand."
So adult and cool in this. Whatever training, I wanted some fluster...
Fine. I'll shatter that maturity.
Float.
My body lifted.
"...! Sir, magic?!"
"Just upward floating."
Learned to survey surroundings, not convenient travel.
Who knows later, but for now, that's it.
We rose steadily higher.
Ground shrank, winds strengthened.
Yet Lena stayed composed—no fear. Impressive.
Even I, the caster, was lowkey scared...
Then.
Kiiing.
Something pinged my senses.
Familiar—like first at capital gate.
Detection magic? Floating banned...?
......
Quick look and down should be fine.
I hurried upward.
Lena caught on midway.
"Whoooaaa...!"
Childlike awe finally.
Her eyes took in the whole ground below.
Prynar Academy in full.
...Me too.
First time seeing the entire academy.
Beyond magic/combat campuses, many large "minor" buildings.
Dorms there... Blurt grandpa and Igulas' labs. That one?
That antique palace-like mansion?
Among Prynar's odd buildings, this mansion's style stood out.
Lena thought same, glanced at me, asked cautiously.
"Sir, what's that palace for...?"
"......"
"Sir...?"
Saying now, I wished Lena treated me casually.
But post-maid outfit, she's formalizing more.
Polite is good, but... honorifics hurt my heart.
Feels like she's talking to a stranger!
But if this is her survival skill for belonging, this dad accepts...
That instant.
Faint sense pinged; I sharply turned, eyeing behind.
Enormous transparent something.
Then a voice.
"That palace is my home."
"......"
Lena silently shocked—I felt it.
Fair; voice from empty sky was minor. This was dizzying heights.
"Who are you?"
"Sharper than last time? Talent plus effort is perfection."
"......"
Old voice, but tone oddly youthful. Like...
......Nah, imagination.
"Oof."
My thought cut by old man's groan; transparent thing outlined.
A gigantic...
"Fish?"
"Hm? First time seeing a heavenly fish, Yedre?"
Stooped grandpa, frail as if collapsing anytime.
Staff, white hair, wrinkles galore.
But piercing eyes and mighty aura screamed not ordinary.
...Well, house-sized fish and sky appearance? Obviously not.
"Too beautiful to call fish, no?"
I got it.
Fish-shaped overall, but sharp eyes, gemmed forehead, body glowing holy white.
Mana-dusted powder wafted.
Holy beast? I'd buy it.
But.
"Beautiful, but still fish-shaped."
"Hahaha. Harsh on a holy beast."
......Really holy beast?
Not Five Divine Beasts? Plenty other sacred critters.
"You discerned its full form up close."
"......"
As he said, fish was nose-close.
Normal vision? Shape unclear.
Even sharp eyes.
"Sensed via aura?"
"Who are you?"
Asked again.
Ready to draw sword anytime.
"The one guarding academy skies. Detection pinged, so I rushed."
"...Ah."
Academy staff.
Like me.
"My apologies. Just wanted ground view briefly..."
"Understood. I'd pass non-intruders normally, but you detected my spell yet stayed calm—curiosity won."
"Aha..."
Dozens seconds ago—where'd he detect from, bring monster fish?
"Pardon, your title?"
"Hm... several, but two famous."
"......"
"One's instructor like you. The other? Vice principal."
As expected. The vice principal.
Finally, face to face.
"...Vice Principal Kiair...!!"
"V-Vice Principal Kiair?!"
Lena gasped, face flushing...?!
Lena...?
This dad's body-trained, pretty hot now?
No praise for me, but fangirling grandpa...?
Top-tier encounter awe vanished; jealousy over Lena swelled...
But. Kiair closed in.
Not on me—on Lena.
"Vice principal?"
I pulled Lena to me, on guard.
"Hoo... this is..."
Intrigued, desire-glinting voice. Then Kiair's face twisted.
Smile, but to me? Creepy doll mimicking human grin.
"......"
Lena agreed—speechless briefly.
"...Ah, my bad. Saw shining talents, got carried away."
"...Talents?"
"Hm? You don't know?"
Kiair's eyes nailed Lena, not me.
"Yes. Best keep hidden. At least till festival ends."
"What does that...?"
"This festival will be very rough. Hehehe."
"......"
Hm. Conclusion.
Creepy grandpa.
Blurt grandpa was just grumpy but normal. This guy's trouble—avoid.
Pling!
......?
.....
....
......?
Him?
No way? Thought hit, alert sounded.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Thick-Thick Simulation Activated!] No, no.
This is really no. Fuck off.
Long time no see, and this is what you bring? What the fuck?
Thick-Thick Simulation ignored, dropped bombshell result.
...P.S., I'm normal.
Really.