Chapter 104
Chapter 104
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Saintess Advent (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The librarians working at the libraries in Pharenchia and Thessalon were all disciples or graduates of the magic towers.
It was a job possible only for those familiar with magic, who needed to accurately grasp the indexes of countless magic books and ancient tomes.
In particular, the mass replacement of shifts by the librarians dispatched from the seven magic towers was a signal that the new semester was fast approaching.
—How'd the transfer exam go?
—The notice came. I passed. Gotta pick up dorm assignment and the school rules booklet today.
—Ah~ that? Just toss it. I peeked inside—thicker than a draft of Magic Theory 101.
—I wanted to read it... Well, they say it's steeped in ancient tradition. I'm heading out?
Among the disciples working at the Pharenchia library, there were occasionally those who wanted to switch careers from the magic towers to the academy.
A sort of transfer track.
Liv lightly nodded as one familiar librarian approached to greet her.
"Student Liv Lavre, you came to the library every single day over break, didn't you? Guess I'll be seeing you in the classrooms now."
"Please take care of me. Your name is...?"
"Sharon. I'm a junior disciple from Mizhar Magic Tower. I really wanted to take Professor Pavret's class."
"I see."
He was the professor who'd previously suggested she join his lab.
According to Karen, he was a master of transmutation magic, right?
After exchanging light greetings with Sharon and stepping outside, lines of carriages heading to the dorms were already stretching across the grounds.
Gentle greenery draped over red brick and black carriage bodies.
It was such a spectacle that Gourmond Confectionery was said to release dessert trays mimicking the color scheme only during opening season.
Bakery craftsman Chef Boldap had been deeply inspired by the sight a few years back.
Some students were already unpacking their luggage from the dorms, while professors yawned, waiting for carriages to haul their lab equipment.
Sharon let out a gasp of admiration at the academy grounds buzzing with energy.
"Wow~ This is incredible. They say this is one of Pharenchia's famous sights too, right? I was bummed the Crying Woman fountain in the aquatic park near Apas Hall got demolished before I could see it, but at least I caught this!"
"Was there something like that...?"
Liv tilted her head.
It was outside her interests, so naturally she had no clue.
Carefully sticking to the shoulder to avoid bumping into the carriages blocking the main road, Liv finally reached her destination.
The peaceful canteen grounds, unchanged even as semesters came and went.
'It's been a while.'
After her conversation with the Snow Duke, she'd gained a small realization and holed up in the library the entire break.
She hadn't visited the canteen in ages, and just thinking about seeing Louis again already had her heart racing.
But for some reason, students were lined up all the way out the door.
Wondering what was going on, Liv pushed through them and stepped inside. She couldn't close her gaping mouth at the shocking scene before her eyes.
"Ice cream! Selling cool ice cream!"
"Just one, please. No, not mint chocolate—regular chocolate...!"
"Flavors are random. Take whatever I give you."
It was Adella, selling ice cream from inside a massive ice box.
"Oh? Magic cubes too? Uncle, how much for this one?"
"60 gold."
"Isn't that too pricey? I could get one in town for 50 gold."
"70 gold."
"Eh...?"
Louis jacked up the price on the magic cube for the student who called him "uncle."
And then Adella spotted her friend.
"Adella? What are you doing in there?"
"Selling ice cream?"
"Ha, haha, looks nice and cool. Uh... is that the owner next to you?"
"Yup."
She was plopped down right next to the counter seat Liv usually occupied.
Whenever a customer asked for ice cream, she'd rummage around and pull out a bag crusted with frost from underfoot.
Her hair, radiating icy chill, coiled around Louis's arms and neck like living tendrils.
On top of that, a few ice ducks waddled across the floor.
Liv was bewildered.
By all of it.
"Owner... what is all this?"
"Ah, new freezer I brought in. Runs on bread instead of magic stones—great fuel efficiency."
"Hehe..."
"Got one more unfinished. I'll show it to you when it's done."
Did it really need to be stuck right up against him like that?
She could've put it across the shop.
But soon enough, Liv realized.
Why Louis had placed the freezer—with Adella inside—right by the counter.
"Ah, so cool and nice..."
"Teacher, did I do good?"
"Yeah. Already sold almost all of 'em. Must be 'cause it's still hot out, huh?"
Just being nearby brought an overwhelming coolness, a refreshing chill.
From her body—now awakened to her unique magic pathway, just like her sister's—cold energy wafted freely.
Her skin even looked clearer, and she seemed a tad smarter (or maybe that was just the mood).
Adella was putting that vaunted Roshiar unique magic pathway to fervent use, all to earn a bit of Louis's affection.
"Hehet."
When her eyes met Liv's, Adella smirked smugly, hand over her mouth as she chuckled.
The intent clear: You can't do this, can you? Pure mockery.
Liv trembled, gripping her staff, but maintaining a delicate elemental spell safe even for skin contact—non-offensive—was no easy feat.
For starters, she wasn't even sure magic that emitted cold from the body existed.
After standing there like a statue for a while, Liv strode past the counter and squeezed onto the seat on the complete opposite side.
"Baroness!?"
"Hmph."
On Adella's opposite side, she grabbed his arm and draped it behind her waist.
His hand naturally settling on her abdomen calmed her heart, and though embarrassed by her own reaction, she didn't shake it off.
Adella's hair sneaked over and sharply poked her back.
When she grabbed and yanked it, an "Aak!" yelp came from the side.
This went on for tens of minutes.
Until the line of students finally thinned out, the three of them sat side by side, passing the time.
As the canteen gradually quieted down, Louis asked, puzzled.
"Almost lunchtime, but this is weird."
"Ah, there's a new semester orientation soon."
"Orientation?"
"Yeah. Everyone gathers in the auditorium for announcements and such. Introducing new professors and transfer students."
"Then shouldn't both of you go?"
"Was just about to get up. Especially since there are all these rumors about the saintess coming this time..."
"Saintess?"
"Kyaa!?"
Louis's hand suddenly clenched hard.
Liv, wincing with an oh no, leaned half against him and painfully continued.
"Ugh, y-yes... From Monarch..."
"..."
"Owner?"
"Sigh, no wonder that weird prophecy..."
Louis peeled Adella's persistently clinging hair from his face.
Then, stroking his iron hounds, he pulled out the closed sign.
"Guess I wanna see her in person."
—Ahem! This is Chairman Lehel speaking. Students, at last, autumn—the season known as the finest of the year. I hope everyone enjoyed their break? Rest is important, of course, but for a mage, nothing surpasses the pursuit of knowledge as our greatest goal and reward. Even back home with your families, carry the pride of being Pharenchia Academy students in your hearts, and above all, occasionally crack open the school rules to nurture a proper student spirit...
The auditorium echoed with Lehel's old-fart speech.
Honestly, I'd been worried if I could even get in, but surprisingly, entry was a breeze.
With students packed in, the hall was decently stuffy.
—The new professors will now introduce themselves in turn. First up, Professor Michelle from Dube Magic Tower...
Near the stage, two eye-catching groups stood out.
Holy Kingdom delegates in priestly robes, greeted—and watched—by Royal Knights dispatched from the palace.
Erzebet was tensely stroking Piy.
'Saintess, huh...'
So that's why she'd come to see me before.
The Holy Kingdom had been a bona fide enemy state until just a few years ago, locked in petty wars and shadowy intelligence skirmishes.
As I pondered their intentions at Pharenchia Academy, Lehel suddenly spotted me and bellowed.
—Next, the second-year transfer from the Holy Kingdom of Monarch this semester... Huh? Canteen owner—!!
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
But ignoring it all, Lehel beckoned me up insistently.
—Before that! My steadfast business partner, co-signatory, and dedicated contributor to the academy—our very own Louis Canteen Owner will say a few words!
"No, why me?"
—Come on up here! You've been around quite a while now, and I've never introduced you once.
Reluctantly ascending the stage, every eye in the place locked onto me.
I could clearly see Erzebet's face go pale, unsure what I'd say.
Slowly turning my head, I spotted a woman in the front row glaring at me with an irritated expression.
A pouch of holy power brimming with compassion.
Conversely, an impression like a raging demoness utterly devoid of mercy.
"Owner, say whatever you want."
Red hair like she'd been splattered in blood.
Arms crossed, glaring daggers like at a mortal foe, she even pulled a cigarette from her bosom.
This wasn't the image of a saintess I knew. Talk about shattering illusions.
"Owner?"
"Ah, yeah. As introduced, I'm the canteen owner."
Until Lehel handed me the amplification orb enchanted with magic, neither of us broke eye contact.
I decided to chew her out later for dragging me into this hassle. First, I addressed the assembled crowd.
"Not much to say... Most of you know, but for the newcomers, just one heads-up."
Especially aimed at the saintess with her sharp eyes.
"Get caught stealing bread from the canteen, and you're toast."