Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Holy Academy Pantheon (4)
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Rosette began slowly inspecting the dildo—magic wand—with her fingertips.
If it was as good as I'd already checked, it would be a solid magic wand. Still, she needed time to confirm it herself.
Rosette's trembling fingertips groped the object.
The first spot her fingers touched was the glans. She stared at it in surprise, gave it a light touch, then slid her fingers down to the shaft below.
She continued tracing the veins along the shaft's surface with her fingertips. Seeing my exact shape replicated in that wooden pillar felt strangely thrilling.
'Feels like a remote handjob. That wooden dildo looks way too much like my cock.'
Even the wood's dark reddish hue added to the eerie vibe. As Rosette's touch grew even more delicate along those veins, she spoke up.
"These veins here... or vein-like ridges... they're incredibly functional. I channeled a bit of mana into it, and it feels like the mana amplifies as it flows through those ridge channels."
"Of course. I wouldn't slap together something meant for a friend."
"Sorry for doubting... I shouldn't have, but the shape is just so... unique. And for a commoner like me to buy such a special magic wand, it'd cost a fortune... I thought maybe it was a prank."
"Now you know, so it's fine. Keep checking it out."
She gripped the shaft and flipped it over this time. With the same careful touch, she caressed the two balls.
"These wrinkles here... every single one amplifies the effect each time mana flows through the gaps. With this wrinkled... structurally wide surface area... it has to double the efficiency when activating magic circuits. And whatever orbs are inside... they seem to mimic magic crystals too."
Rosette's face was now beet red, on the verge of explosion. It was like she was being put through some humiliation play.
"You get it. Good thing you like this dil—magic wand too. Guess you normally go for big, black, monstrous things like this, huh?"
"Don't talk like that in such a sleazy tone! Why do you have to sound so creepy?"
"Got it. I'll watch it."
I'd been laying it on thick with the sleaziness, and it showed.
"And with your look so different from usual today... what wind blew you this way? I knew it was shaped like that, but... you're so creepy!"
"My look? What's wrong with how I look? Does my face please you?"
"Stop leading me on!"
Rosette flung open the atelier's window wide. It was open enough for her small frame to slip right out.
"I'm heading out now. Not much time left before my duel with Chloe. Gotta get used to the new magic wand pronto."
Still, she seemed pleased with the massive black wand's performance. She clutched it tightly in her hand.
"But you're really using it just like that?"
"Yeah. Can't just mod an artwork you made however I want. That'd trample your artistic pride."
Rosette was an even kinder witch than I'd expected. Even if it perfectly matched my cock's shape, that was fine by her.
A gift handmade with care by a friend—she really planned to use it as is.
'That's a problem for me. Fine in front of me, but waving around a flesh rod identical to mine in public? Awkward.'
I decided to stop teasing Rosette here.
"Still, don't witches usually prefer long staves over short wands? That way, it looks proper when you're riding around on it."
"Really? It's okay to reshape it?"
"You've confirmed you like it, so yeah. My artistic soul's satisfied."
"Got it, Julian. Thanks for making the magic wand. The peasant tea was great too."
A swirl of mana—or rather, the more advanced blue mageforce—briefly enveloped the black wand. Comparable to a knight's aura.
As the mageforce wrapped around the wand, its shape shifted in an instant. The dark red-black color stayed, but it grew larger. It transformed into a more sensible magic staff.
"Your magic, huh. Neat. The wand got longer and thicker. Feels like it swelled up with power."
"R... right? This shape's more like a standard witch staff anyway. Easier to ride around on at this size."
Then Rosette wedged the new witch staff between her thighs.
"Eek!"
She startled at her own voice, caught off guard. It was a short moan, like her sensitive spots had been stimulated.
'Made with the Demon King's blood talent... does it stimulate erogenous zones too?'
Just in case, she tried mounting it again, but let out the same sound, her face flushing crimson.
"Why's it doing this? Gotta be 'cause it's new and I'm not used to it yet. Can't fly on a staff like this—puts me at even more of a disadvantage against Chloe. Big trouble!"
"Then switch up how you ride it. Side-saddle or something."
That way, the black staff wouldn't rub her thighs or privates. She adjusted to the position I suggested and sighed in relief.
"Yeah, riding like this works. Thanks, Julian! I'm off then!"
Rosette rose into the air astride the black staff—now a black staff—and flew out the window.
'Total witch vibe. Well, she is one.'
There were probably witches elsewhere too, but seeing her like that really drove home that I was at Pantheon.
I lingered in the atelier a bit longer. Eirin, back inside, cautiously brought up the atelier's maid service.
I was dying to know too, but held off since it was opening day. Had to attend the ceremony.
Soon after, I headed to the colosseum for Rosette and Chloe's duel.
The colosseum buzzed with opening ceremonies. Vast as a major stadium. I sat in the most luxurious seat there.
Pantheon was a three-year academy, so today featured the first-years' entrance ceremony and the rest's opening rites.
Once those wrapped, the second-year division reps would demo a duel. The one Rosette rushed off to prep for.
"This Holy Academy Pantheon carries on the legacy of the great miracle-working Saintess Agnes..."
The dean's voice filled the colosseum. Some skilled illusion mage had multiple screens floating in the air overhead.
"Heard the dean's pretty old. But he looks about student age. No, even younger."
Uriel, seated to my right, commented. As she said, the dean had Rosette's petite build and a cute, youthful face.
Some holy priests apparently used holy power to preserve their youth like that.
While I sat there, noble scions popped by to greet me now and then.
"Lord Julian the Count. Pleasure! I'm Peter, second son of Baron Faine."
"I'm Brown, third son of Baron Kassel! Greetings!"
Most were forgettable extras whose faces rang no bells. Given my status, ambitious noble kids lined up to curry favor.
'Makes sense. Even that scary Chloe halted her carriage to bow.'
It hit different from back in the border county. My current body's rank really sank in. Ideally, I'd have the Third Imperial Princess Lilia—befitting my station—seated with me, but...
She was busy prepping her own demo duel. As the second-year rep for the Goddess of Medicine Medica division.
The ceremonies dragged on. I was zoning out staring at the screens when...
Three more familiar-faced noble scions approached to pay respects.
"Glory to the lion's valor that tames even the north winds. Fabian greets Lord Julian the Border Count."
Fabian and his two buddies. Per Demon King's Son lore, they were the loyal retainers of the original Julian—sons of a southern count and merchants.
Fabian especially, with his southern roots, sported striking blond hair and tanned skin. The classic golden sun look.
'Hang on, he just called me Border Count?'
The Border Count of Essenmont was, naturally, my grandfather Wilhelm. My official title was Count of Harsen at most.
Uriel's face soured at the misnomer. Blasphemy to her, sworn to the Border Count.
But she seemed used to it, just blushing silently. I barked instead.
"Watch your mouth, you fool! I'm no Border Count—I'm a count. Fabian. Never utter that in public again."
"I... is that so? But didn't Lord Julian the Border Count instruct us to call you that over your count title?"
"No need now. And I said I'm a count, not Border Count. Don't make me repeat myself."
Fabian looked puzzled, then nodded.
"Understood. If Lord Julian the Count commands, we obey. But your humility's truly admirable! As the sole heir to the Border Count, you're as good as one already!"
Fabian gushed on, praising me lavishly. Eirin looked surprisingly pleased; Uriel kept glaring daggers at him.
Surprisingly useful guys in Demon King's Son, though. Perfect for quest errands.
They'd fetch info on demand to trigger handy quests too.
"By the way, my lord. Word is the gate in the old capital's acting up. So this semester's Imperial Guard reserve platoon formation might start two weeks early."
Predictably, reserve platoons came up. Top priority for second-years. He continued.
"Since you haven't been ordained a holy priest yet, my lord, best decide your division quick. And for noble Reinhardt blood like yours, naturally the War God Loia's division..."
I gleaned the needed info, then checked the system pronto.
As expected, Fabian's intel unlocked two key quests. Holy ordination was a prereq for reserves, so basically one quest.
'But 600 GP total...'
That cost meant doable but tough for current Julian. And I only had 140 GP left.
All set, though. I knew a zero-GP way to clear both.
"Lord Julian the Count's sure to land in the top-tier Golden Wing platoon for reserves..."
I cut off the yapping Fabian.
"Second-year rep duels are up soon. I wanna watch quietly—head back to your seat."
"Yes, sir. Oh, one last thing I must relay."
Fabian whispered in my ear.
"With classes starting, we'll throw another one of our debauched private parties soon. You always loved those, right, my lord? I'll handle it perfectly this time. Tailored to your tastes."
Debauched party. My eyes lit up. In Demon King's Son, just vague text—always wondered what it really was.
'Pantheon's noble kids are notoriously lewd these days. A debauchery bash prepped by golden boy Fabian himself.'
I replied calmly.
"Not bad, you. Prep the perfect party to my tastes. Any shortcomings, and I'll punish you."
"Count on it. Enjoy the show."
Fabian and crew bowed and withdrew. The second-year rep duels kicked off right then.
Division reps were all ace holy priests. But the highlight was Chloe vs. Rosette.
Mage versus alchemist—spectacular show. Pantheon had even reshaped the colosseum terrain for their clash. A sight to behold.
'Just a few illustrations in the game. Live? Insane.'
Rosette wielded her black wood wand—no, new staff—like a pro, pushing Chloe hard. Hovering midair on her staff, unleashing nonstop tier-3 attack spells.
Cast times so fast, no delay perceptible.
Chloe held her own, though. Using arena terrain and her prepped alchemy reagents to block Rosette's flashy barrage.
I nearly lost myself in the spectacle like the crowd, but snapped to.
Something big was about to go down here in the colosseum. Handle it right, and I'd ace those new quests.
'My mana now: base 80 MP plus what's left in system... total 500 MP.'
This mana was key to it all.
The duel neared its end. Buoyed by her new staff's buffs, Rosette cornered Chloe into near surrender. Her victory-sure face close-upped on the screens.
Then, a pitch-black gate ripped open in the colosseum skies.