The Departure to Mendelssohn
Just a few hundred years ago, the primary means of transportation within the Ellemental Kingdom had been horses. Even then, expert-class archmages and high-ranking nobles could travel anywhere in the kingdom within a single day using spatial transfer magic circles, but ordinary citizens often needed more than a day just to visit a neighboring territory. Automatic carriages, magic trains, and even airships. The development of these various modes of transport had done more than simply provide convenience—it had, without exaggeration, united the entire kingdom as one.
"It's truly fortunate. If we had to travel by horse, we would have needed to depart at least a week earlier than we are now."
If that had been the case, they would have fallen far behind schedule. Of course, if magic engineering—the very foundation that enabled such advanced transportation—had never developed, the academy itself might never have come into existence. In a way, the Academy Tournament could be seen as a direct result of the Ellemental Kingdom becoming one unified nation.
Karlsen explained this with a gentle smile. The midday sunlight cast shadows beneath his eyes, making his smile appear even paler than usual.
"By the way, your luggage is quite light."
"Is it? I packed everything I thought I'd need."
"You didn't just bring a few changes of clothes like when you stayed at the royal palace, did you?"
"That's exactly what I did, though."
"……."
Karlsen's gaze drifted toward the four students participating in the Academy Tournament. It was unclear who his earlier explanation had been intended for. None of the children spared him so much as a glance, each absorbed in their own lively conversations.
"……."
Watching them, Karlsen's smile deepened. At the same time, tears welled in his eyes and traced down his cheekbones.
"You and Togun are both beyond help."
Whether he spoke or not, Karlsen was thoroughly ignored as the students continued chatting among themselves.
"Huh? Why me?"
At Marily's words, Togun—who had been talking with Jeon—turned his head toward her. Perhaps he was still stuck in summer. Unlike the other three wearing spring-and-autumn uniforms, Togun was dressed in his summer attire. A sword nearly as tall as he was dangled from his back.
"Are you asking because you genuinely don't know?"
Marily's eyebrows twitched at his perfectly innocent response.
"This isn't some casual visit to a neighboring village. We're going to be gone for several days, and you only brought a sword? That doesn't make any sense!"
At least Arina's situation was better. She had brought at least one change of clothes. Marily also knew that Arina's spatial pouch likely contained just about everything one could need. But Togun was different. He had truly come with nothing but the sword on his back. No spatial pouch like Arina's—just himself exactly as he stood.
"What was I supposed to do? I spent the entire night training until dawn and came straight here."
Togun hadn't wanted to arrive in this state. Unlike the others who had rested the day before departure, he had spent his final hours locked in a fierce battle with Jealousy. Fresh wounds of various sizes marked the muscular forearm visible beneath his rolled-up sleeve, proof of that struggle.
'I really thought I was going to die.'
Footwork training had only been the beginning of the ordeal. The true danger had come during swordsmanship practice.
"Just so you know, swordsmanship isn't my specialty. If I lose control and you die, don't blame me."
With those words, merciless sword strikes had rained down, tearing through skin and muscle in a way that made all previous training sessions seem gentle by comparison.
'I nearly died for real this morning.'
On the final day, the intensity had been relentless. At one point, Jealousy's hand had slipped, and Togun's neck had come within a hair's breadth of being severed. If he hadn't instinctively drawn the Anti-Magic Sword—which he had kept sheathed throughout training—he might not have made it to this gathering today.
"It was an accident. Just let it go. I didn't do it on purpose."
Even after pulling such a stunt, those were the words he offered. The usually good-natured Togun had been unable to contain his anger at that remark, his fists clenched and trembling.
'At least that's over now.'
He would likely never see that mysterious instructor again. Finding comfort in that thought, Togun forced a smile.
"At least I remembered to bring my wallet. I can just buy clothes once we get there, right?"
Since the tournament matches would be fought in their school uniforms, he figured buying a few outfits for daily wear would suffice.
"Hmph. That's not nearly enough."
Marily shook her head firmly, as if to refute his words. At the same time, a group of people appeared behind her—the attendants the King of Raymond had prepared for his only daughter, the princess of the Ellemental Kingdom, who was traveling far from the capital.
Cha-cha-cha-cha-chak!
At Marily's signal, the maids in servant attire simultaneously presented several items. They were spatial pouches—magically bound pockets of empty space that did not exist in this world. Marily looked at the pouches, each possessing twice the capacity of the luxury spatial artifacts Arina had purchased at the department store, and declared boldly,
"As they say, better safe than sorry, and more is always better. No matter how excessive one's preparations may be, they are never truly excessive."
With both hands on her hips, shoulders squared, and chin raised, she looked every bit the princess she was. It was the very picture of extravagance befitting the highest authority in the land.
"Your phrasing is off. The correct saying is 'too much is as bad as too little.'"
How many people in this world could possibly challenge her in this manner? Yet here stood one who could. The direct descendant of the great noble House of Raydel.
"What did you say?"
Perhaps stung by Jeon's words, Marily's eyes narrowed sharply as she whipped her head around to glare at him. Her hair stood on end like an angry cat's.
"Hmph."
Completely unfazed, Jeon simply turned his head away as if to ignore her.
"Eek! Sir Philodein! What do you think you're doing? The princess of this nation has been openly insulted!"
The sparks flew in an unexpected direction. Marily grabbed the collar of the royal mage Lucian Philodein, who had accompanied her as an escort, and pointed an accusing finger at Jeon. Lucian scratched his cheek awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
"Insult? I merely corrected the princess of my own country before she could embarrass the nation by misusing our language."
"You certainly have a way with words for someone with a hole in their mouth!"
Marily snarled while Jeon calmly ignored her. Between them, sparks seemed to fly with a crackling sound.
'So the princess has this side to her as well.'
Watching from behind, Lucian found himself chuckling softly. The only times he had seen Marily Raymond had been at the royal palace, where she wore an unchanging, ice-cold expression while dealing with nobles. Though renowned for her genius and forced to mature early due to her position as princess, the girl before him now was the complete opposite of the one he knew—someone who looked perfectly natural for her age. Was this what having friends looked like? Seeing this scene, he felt that her decision to attend Benedict Academy had been an excellent one.
"Sorry we're late~"
Just as the lively atmosphere continued, a voice called out from a distance. It was a characteristically slow, languid tone. At the same time, Togun's hair stood on end instinctively, and he found himself hiding behind Jeon without thinking.
"I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long~?"
Clara Propol, the school nurse at Benedict Academy. With an indescribable floral fragrance and pink hair fluttering like cherry blossoms, she appeared with a bright smile and waved at the group.
"Hmm."
Behind her stood five people. The man at the front slowly passed Clara and walked toward Karlsen.
"This is the first time we've met face-to-face, despite both being professors at Benedict Academy. I am Savage Frankhorn, senior professor."
His dark green hair was slicked back stiffly, likely with wax or spray. His sharp eyes, visible behind round-framed glasses, took in Karlsen's gloomy appearance.
"Yes, I've heard much about your reputation. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Karlsen, a new professor at Benedict Academy."
"The pleasure is mine. And thank you for agreeing to assist with my thesis. I'll be sure to repay you properly later."
"If possible, I'd prefer something expensive."
The two professors exchanged greetings and shook hands. Meanwhile, the Academy representative team members who had followed Savage Frankhorn also began greeting Arina's group.
"Did you prepare well?"
"Of course. We won't let you down."
"Let you down? Your performance in the final mock match already exceeded expectations."
"Yes, so this time we're going in with the intention to win."
"Good. I'll be looking forward to it, underclassmen."
At Jeon's confident declaration, Student Council President Aaron Dice let out a soft chuckle.
"You have a cut on your arm!"
Meanwhile, Sylvia approached Togun—who had been frozen in inexplicable terror since Clara's arrival—and gasped at the wounds visible beneath his summer uniform.
"Who did this to you? Were you being bullied in class? Should I teach them a lesson?"
"N-no, it's fine."
If she got involved, the senior would end up in far worse shape. Swallowing those words, Togun gave an awkward smile. Sylvia stared at him for a moment before rummaging through her pocket and pressing something against his cheek.
"Here, a gift. Drink this and give it your all in the tournament."
What she offered was a can of cola with a bright red logo—the so-called "chubby can," a 355ml beverage.
"Thank you, senior."
"Don't mention it."
At Togun's words, Sylvia grinned bashfully and scratched her cheek.
'Even over there, a youthful romance is blooming.'
Watching the scene, Marily nodded with a pleased expression.
"Why are you nodding to yourself?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
Marily simply shook her head calmly at Arina's puzzled question.
"Now then, everyone gather over here!"
At Professor Frankhorn's call, the students stopped their conversations and approached him. Exuding a charisma that Karlsen had never possessed, Frankhorn lightly scanned the eight students gathered before him. Starting from Aaron Dice on the far left and moving to Arina on the far right, he met each of their eyes before nodding and adjusting his slightly slipping glasses.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Savage Frankhorn, senior professor at Benedict Academy."
The Academy representative team already knew him, but the first-year students had never encountered him even in class. Therefore, he introduced himself to them first before moving straight to the main point.
"First, both teams will travel together to Mendelssohn Grand Territory, where the Academy Tournament will be held."
Normally, the academy would cover the cost of magic train tickets, but this year the circumstances were different. The Ellemental Kingdom's only princess was participating in the tournament. It was common knowledge that King Raymond was a doting father. True to the rumors, the royal family had specially covered the expenses this time, renting out an entire first-class carriage.
'I don't recall Prince Mihail receiving such treatment.'
With that thought, Frankhorn glanced briefly at Marily and the line of attendants trailing behind her before quickly looking away, just before their eyes could meet.
"Once we arrive at Mendelssohn Grand Territory, each team will proceed to separate accommodations. From that point onward, both teams should regard each other as competitors and approach the tournament accordingly."
"……."
"The schedule for the Academy Tournament is known to each team's supervising professor, so follow their instructions carefully. This year, Professor Clara, our health advisor, will be accompanying us as well, so anyone feeling unwell should report it immediately. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"Good. Now, everyone board the train."
At the students' spirited response, Professor Frankhorn turned with a calm expression.
"I've heard a great deal about you from Dice. I'll be expecting great things from the first-years' performance."
"You won't be disappointed. Not just me—the students have put in tremendous effort."
Karlsen followed behind the leading Professor Frankhorn, exchanging words.
"Now then~ everyone~ please follow me this way~"
With that, the professors led the students, and the entire Academy Tournament delegation boarded the magic train.