Chapter 117
Chapter 117
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Guest (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Oh? What are you all still doing here?”
Shirone’s group, who had been standing awkwardly, entered the meeting room and bowed their heads as Shina acknowledged them.
“Ah, we wanted to say our goodbyes before leaving. Thank you for teaching us this semester.”
An elderly teacher burst into a hearty laugh.
“Haha! Hearing that from the biggest troublemakers in the school certainly brings a smile to my face. In any case, you all went through a lot, too. Have fun during the break. A good student should know how to have fun.”
Shina, who had made room for them, poured tea and offered some words of encouragement.
“Congratulations to all three of you on advancing. You’ll be even busier next semester, won’t you? It’s good to rest, but don’t let your guard down. I’ll be watching you closely when school starts.”
As expected, Shina never let things slide.
But for a teacher who would freeze the classroom just for talking, her words were quite gentle. It seemed the teachers were also relaxing now that the semester was over.
“Yes, we’ll work hard.”
As Shirone lifted his teacup to savor the tea, Thadd, who was standing beside him, asked Etella a question.
“Miss Etella, if you have time, would you perhaps care to join me for a meal…?”
Shirone nearly spat out his tea.
He might be a playboy, but hitting on a member of a holy order?
Etella, flustered, laughed awkwardly and waved her hands in refusal.
“I’m sorry. I have to manage the parish during my vacation.”
“Ah, I see. If I could be guided by a beauty like you, Miss Etella, I would want to join the Karsis Order right away.”
Etella was dumbfounded. One would have to be mad to say such a thing to a Bishop of a holy order.
But true to her pursuit of goodness, she remained polite to the end.
“Hehe, what a shame. So, Mr. Thadd, what will you be doing during your vacation?”
Shina cut in before he could answer.
“Hmph, probably chasing women somewhere.”
Thadd’s brow furrowed.
Why did this woman have to pick a fight over every little thing? It was as if she’d get an itch if she didn't cause a scene, even on the last day of the semester.
Knowing that getting angry would be admitting defeat, Thadd shrugged as if it were nothing.
“Haha, falling in love at my age is hardly something to be ashamed of. I’m actually more worried about you, Miss Shina. I imagine it must be difficult to find a partner with that prickly personality of yours.”
“What did you say?”
“What do you mean, what? I’m saying you lack charm. I can tell just by looking. You’ve never even been on a date with a man, have you? That’s exactly what I mean by a prickly personality.”
Shina’s eyes widened as she shouted.
“Don’t make assumptions! I’ve dated men before!”
At the unexpected declaration, all the teachers turned to look at Shina.
Shirone and his friends, who knew of her poignant relationship with Armin, were also surprised.
“Miss, is that true? When? Who did you date?”
Thadd clutched his stomach and laughed.
“Haha! Kids, do you really believe that? She’s just making it up out of embarrassment. Isn’t that right, Miss Shina?”
“You’re underestimating me. I really have dated someone!”
“Is that so? Then who was it? Asking for a name shouldn’t be too impolite, right?”
Shina ground her teeth, glaring at Thadd.
She didn't care about anyone else, but she absolutely refused to lose to this man.
“Ma…”
“Ma?”
Everyone’s ears perked up.
“I’m dating magic.”
Shina’s face flushed bright red.
They say that when people get stubborn, they can say things that defy reason, and this was a perfect example of that.
The atmosphere in the meeting room grew solemn, and the other red-faced teachers turned their heads away.
Thadd also wanted to flee the scene but managed to restrain himself and reply.
“Ah, yes. I see.”
“Are you mocking me? I plan to devote my entire life to magic. Is that so wrong!”
“No, I apologize. It seems I misspoke.”
Thadd gulped down his hot tea and turned his body away from Shina.
Shirone’s group, watching the scene unfold, covered their mouths to stifle their laughter.
It was a glimpse into the teachers’ daily lives they had never seen before.
“So everyone was still here.”
“Oh, Headmaster!”
Alpheas entered the meeting room.
His teaching license had been suspended, so he had been staying in his quarters and only came by after most of the students had left.
“The rascals are here, too. You’ve all worked hard this semester.”
“It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance, Headmaster. We’re grateful as well.”
“Haha, am I still the headmaster? Starting next semester, a temporary headmaster dispatched by the Magic Association will be here. Please treat him as well as you have me.”
Nade’s face fell.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t imagine someone better taking the position.
Even without invoking the saying that the old ways are best, Alpheas was arguably the greatest headmaster one could ask for.
“I wonder what he’ll be like. What if next semester is even harder?”
“Haha! That could happen. But you should be confident. Your achievements this semester were remarkable. You’ll do well next semester, too.”
As the teachers finished their tea and began to pack their things one by one, Shirone’s group also prepared to leave.
“Headmaster, we’ll see you after the break.”
“Yes. Go on a trip with your families, and have a good rest. Ah, and Shirone, could you spare me a moment?”
Shirone, who was about to follow his friends out the door, turned around.
Nade pointed toward the door with his thumb and said.
“We’ll wait for you outside then. Hey, Shirone, we’ll be in the hallway.”
“Yeah, got it.”
In the empty meeting room, Shirone was alone with Alpheas.
The headmaster’s expression was quite serious, so Shirone waited for him to speak, feeling a bit tense.
“I asked to see you because of Miro.”
“Ah, I see.”
Shirone recalled Miro’s image.
He had been busy with the whirlwind of activities after his promotion was confirmed, but her impression remained vivid in his mind.
“I’m curious. Do you still wish to investigate Miro?”
“Yes. I’ll have to talk to my parents, but I plan to make time if I can. Since it’s vacation, I feel like now is my only chance.”
“I see. It will be a good experience.”
Alpheas readily gave his permission.
However, a lingering, unsettled look remained on his face.
“Is that why you called me?”
Alpheas finally voiced what was on his mind.
“No, I actually called you because there’s something I want to ask. Can you tell me what Miro’s state was at the time?”
“Her state… you mean her mental state?”
“Yes. Her mental state, and just in general. I want to hear a detailed account of what you saw of Miro.”
Shirone recalled the events of that time.
Though their meeting was brief, the incident had been so significant that he remembered even the trivial conversations they had shared.
“Hmm, thinking back, her emotions seemed to… change quite rapidly. At the time, I just brushed it off because she was such a mysterious person.”
“To what extent? Was it serious?”
“No, it wasn’t that bad. Though I do think there were moments that gave me the chills.”
Alpheas let out a low sigh.
Shirone could feel a complex emotion that he couldn't possibly describe in his short life.
“Did she seem lonely, Miro?”
“I asked her the same thing back then, and Miss Miro said that a god does not feel loneliness. That’s what she said.”
“A god does not feel loneliness. Hmm.”
A shadow fell over Alpheas’s face.
Perhaps Miro had wanted to convey a message to him through Shirone.
‘No, is she conveying it to *them*…’
Shirone studied Alpheas carefully.
What on earth could have happened to make him look so serious?
But he had promised not to pry, so he couldn't ask directly.
“If you’re that worried, Headmaster, I won’t investigate the ruins.”
Alpheas finally snapped out of his thoughts.
He realized he had been too lost in thought with someone sitting right in front of him.
“Hmm? No, that’s not it. The Kergo Ruins are a tourist site, so you should go if you get the chance. You’ll get a rough idea of what kind of world Miro lives in.”
“Does that mean there really is a secret hidden there? But it’s a tourist spot, isn’t it?”
“Haha! It wouldn’t be fun if I told you everything. However, you must never let your guard down. I’m only allowing you to investigate because I trust your skills.”
Shirone realized there was a hidden meaning in his words.
Alpheas was the type to let his students roam free. But because of that, he also had a mischievous side that would condone a reasonable amount of danger.
“Yes. I’ll investigate thoroughly.”
After bidding Alpheas farewell, Shirone left the meeting room and met his friends waiting in the hallway.
“Shirone, what did you talk about?”
“About Miss Miro, who I told you about before.”
“Aha, that’s right, you said you were curious about her. The Kergo Ruins, was it?”
“That’s right. But after hearing what the Headmaster said, I’m even more curious. I’m planning to make time to go.”
“That’s a shame. We’d like to go with you.”
“No, it’s fine. You should spend the break with your families.”
“Tch, who’s worried about that? I’m not a kid. The problem is I’ll be half-dead if I don’t go home.”
Nade stuck his tongue out as if the mere thought was horrifying.
Iruki was in a similar situation. With his father being the head of the Thunder Lord, he was in a position where he couldn't act rashly outside.
“Still, I’m really curious. To think that someone named Miro was the president of our research society… technically, she’s my direct senior, right? Then I wonder if she was watching me, too?”
Iruki shattered Nade’s childlike hope.
“Shirone told you. It’s impossible to make contact unless you enter the Immortal Function. She’s probably residing in some intermediate dimension between this world and that one.”
“Aw, I wanted to meet her and say hello.”
“Well, you might get to see her before you die. Anyway, it looks like it’s time for us to part ways. Everyone, take care.”
Where Iruki was pointing, three carriages were waiting.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the magnificent two-horse carriage sent by the Mercodine family.
“Oho, as expected of a first-class noble. A different class entirely.”
“Shut up. It’s all a waste of money. Besides, that thing is slow as molasses.”
The three friends said their goodbyes.
Though they would see each other again soon, a wave of sadness washed over them now that the time to part had come.
“Shirone, Iruki. I’m going to miss you guys. This is the first time I’ve ever hated the idea of vacation.”
“Are you going to be okay? Can you handle it?”
Iruki asked with concern.
Knowing what Nade’s family was like, he could guess how terrified Nade must be right now.
But unexpectedly, Nade smiled brightly.
He was different from how he was last semester. It was likely because he was now carrying a trove of happy memories made with Shirone.
“No problem. I’ll go back, regroup, and then I’m going to have some real fun next semester. Everyone, stay healthy and take care.”
The three, who had shared joys and sorrows for half a year, waved as they walked toward their respective carriages.
“Alright! See you on the first day of school!”
* * *
One week earlier.
Kaizen Sword Academy, like other sword schools, had concluded its first-semester training.
Rian had received the worst report card, but thanks to his inherently positive nature, his steps were light as he headed home.
He wanted to return to his hometown immediately, but he had to pick up his belongings from his sister’s house, so he was reluctantly heading toward the royal palace.
‘Damn it, I have to see that witch again. If I’d known, I would have left my stuff at Grandpa’s. She’s going to kill me when she sees my report card.’
Hoping that Reina was out, Rian opened the door to the mansion.
Befitting an artist acclaimed by the royal court, the mansion was large and luxurious. But for Rian, it just meant a longer escape route.
He was tiptoeing through the hall like a cat burglar when, crushing his hopes, the loud sound of a piano echoed through the air.
“Damn it! She’s home?”
The sound of the keys was so loud it drowned out his voice.
Reina was sitting at the grand piano that adorned one side of the hall, completely engrossed in her performance.