Rumors of the Second Sun Rising Beneath the Heavens
The Empire's Emperor was receiving a report from his minister. "A cadet at the academy has appeared who summoned two summons, just like His Late Majesty the First Emperor."
"Oh? Did that child summon a 5-star summon as well?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then he's a talent who will become a pillar of the Empire in the future."
"...Yes, indeed."
"Strengthen the academy's security to ensure that child doesn't get hurt or killed. Next?"
"A report of invasion from the Southern Absolute Defense Line."
"What's the content?"
"An assault by the demonkin timed to match our top-secret expedition—and the discovery of a traitor in connection with it."
"Hm..."
The Emperor let out a low groan and fell silent. Demonkin invasions happened all the time, but this was the first instance of them seducing someone on the human side to extract information and launch a coordinated attack.
"Any chance it's a false report?"
"Given that the reporter is Duke Iritz himself, the possibility is slim..."
"Right. He wouldn't stage something like that."
The rank of duke wasn't something you could claim just by possessing a 4-star summon. It required unwavering loyalty and meritorious service to the Empire—only great souls who offered their bodies and spirits for the realm could ascend to it. The Iritz ducal house had always demonstrated a fiery passion and loyalty across generations.
"Bestow a medal on the duke... Any other peculiarities?"
"According to the duke, an academy cadet defeated an upper-rank demonkin and defended his territory..."
"Ho, an academy cadet?"
The Emperor took keen interest in those words. Of course, academy cadets were heirs to great houses and might possess 4-star summons... but.
'No heir with a 4-star summon would head to the Iritz ducal lands.'
In other words, at best a 3-star summon—defeating a higher-rank demonkin with an inferior summon was something only brilliant strategists and prodigies could achieve.
"Then bestow a reward on that cadet as well."
"Understood—"
"...No. I'll go to the academy myself."
"Your Majesty, that..."
"It's been a while since I've seen my daughter's face, and I can check out this cadet with talents rivaling the First Emperor. Adjust the schedule accordingly."
"—Understood."
With that, the Emperor recalled the academy's schedule. The ranking matches where all cadets participated weren't far off.
"Field trip—good work, everyone."
Morning roll call. Oliver scanned the kids who'd returned from the trip one by one and said as much. He'd already gotten the report via magic communication that everyone had completed the practical safely, but he collected the paperwork per procedure anyway.
A few from the dorms had forgotten theirs, but he wasn't sending them back now.
"Bring your forms by end of day. We'll proceed with class, so open your textbooks. Empire History, page 43..."
The kids flipped open their books at his words. I did the same and listened attentively.
The academy's subjects were few. Basic language and math, ancient Empire history, summon theory and practice—that was it. The heaviest weight was on summon theory and practice, naturally.
The theory had plenty of errors, but it was gradually being corrected.
'Can't be helped.'
The flawed theory was inevitable. There simply weren't that many summons, and researching them wasn't easy. Summoners were all nobles, so studying summons required the backing of prestigious houses.
But those nobles were summoners themselves—with no need or desire to research.
Sure, if humanity faced total crisis, the nobles would collaborate on summon research... but.
'They're barely holding the line as is.'
No need to research. They were fending off the demonkin just fine. The entrenched nobility had no wish for their power to be dissected and democratized.
That would strip them of their privileges.
Thwack.
Lost in thought and zoning out mid-class, a crumpled paper ball hit my head and rolled across my desk. I whipped around with a scowl, spotting Sheera smirking.
She mouthed read it quick, then turned back to the blackboard to avoid Oliver's notice.
I carefully unfolded the note without drawing the teacher's eye.
Wanna eat lunch together?
Nothing major. A casual invite that didn't need class time. But a fresh, youthful gesture unique to this age.
Protecting kids' innocence was a must, so I scribbled [凸] in the corner and flicked it at the back of Sheera's head.
The note hit her nape and wedged right in.
"Eek!?"
She yelped involuntarily as she grabbed the prickly paper from her collar. Oliver frowned, turned, realized it was her, and just sighed heavily.
"...Focus during class."
"Ah, haha. Sorry, teacher."
After apologizing, she glared back at me cautiously. She fished out the note, read it, scowled, and shot me another look.
I ignored her innocently and stared at the board. In that brief moment, she rolled the paper into a tight bullet and flicked it with finger strength alone.
'Ugh.'
It smacked my face—and didn't stop there. Her aim was freakishly good; she kept pelting me endlessly.
She didn't quit until class ended, and only then did I escape the one-sided torment.
"Hey."
"Huh? Ack—"
Pent-up from the ordeal, I marched over and grabbed her cheeks. No makeup, soft and squishy like a baby's.
"You nuts or what?"
"Hahaha—! Hehe!"
"What're you on about."
I twisted and pinched mercilessly. She flailed her arms, whining in pain. But mere complaints wouldn't free her.
I kept tormenting her. Take my wrath, you brat.
After a while playing with her, I noticed the weird vibe around us and paused.
"...Since when are those two that close?"
"Yeah... They hung out before, but..."
"PDA right in class..."
This world, crafted by a 21st-century mind, mirrored modern Earth in many ways—but not perfectly. Nobility lingered, genders were segregated. Touching a woman's body without betrothal was taboo, and even then, public displays were scandalous.
'...Oops.'
She rubbed her reddened cheeks and gave me a what now? look.
Kids' mouths are loose, and trapped in this narrow academy studying, their curiosity swells boundlessly. Rumors spread faster than a thousand-mile steed or a 5-star summoner.
"Why the hell are there rumors we're dating...?"
"Dunno? No idea∼."
Sheera hummed innocently. Not entirely her fault, though.
'Nah, total her fault.'
Retract—she started it. No provocation, no retaliation, no rumors.
'Never got rumors like this with Stella...'
But Stella was too big a target—the Iritz duke's daughter. Sheera was Acacia marquess heir, but their notoriety was downplayed, achievements hidden. Most kids couldn't even place the Acacia house.
Makes sense. Exposing an emperor-backed assassin house would cause uproar.
"Anyway, weekend plans aside, lunch is on me today!"
"School lunch is free."
"Yay! Eat as much as you want!"
She tossed the joke, grabbed her tray, and headed to her seat. I followed, sitting in front of her.
Stares burned. Whispers felt all about us. True or not... it soured my mood.
"Hey."
"Ah, Ian. Hi!"
As I ate quietly, Stella and Noah appeared and took seats beside us. Sheera frowned at their uninvited company but said nothing.
Noah fidgeted, glancing between us, then spoke carefully. "Ian, is that rumor true?"
"Nope."
"...I didn't even say which rumor."
"Heard it over a hundred times today already."
Obvious what Noah meant. The betrothal buzz between me and Sheera. Marquess heir and 3-star summoner—not a bad match; some even approved.
'Betrothed to Sheera?'
Folly like gambling with dice gods. Life with unpredictable Sheera? A trampoline.
"We're not like that—so don't buy the weird rumors."
"Really? Phew! Right, Stella?"
"Hmph, I never believed that crap anyway."
Noah smiled faintly, passing my words to Stella, who snorted them off. Then, casually:
"Ian's not dating Sheera. He's engaged to m—"
"Engaged?"
"To?"
Realizing her slip, Stella's eyes widened at them. But Noah and Sheera pounced on the slip-up.
Stella pondered, then spat her "best" fix.
"...Forget I said that."
Of course, words once spoken couldn't be unsaid.