Special Talent Admissions Examination (3)
"Huh?!"
Kirlin opened the door, then startled so badly she stumbled backward, trying to shut it again.
"I believe I told you to come in."
"B-but..."
At the Second Princess's command, Kirlin froze completely, unable to move a muscle. The princess was standing by the window, still in the middle of getting dressed — a thoroughly inappropriate moment to be receiving a report. But that wasn't the only reason Kirlin had panicked and tried to retreat.
Most of the princess's exposed back was covered in horrific burn scars. Kirlin, who had lived her entire life in her clan's forest and only stepped into the wider world after the war ended, couldn't even bring herself to look at them directly.
"My apologies. I thought I'd have enough time before you arrived."
"N-no, it's... I'm sorry..."
"It's fine. Don't just stand there — come in. Unless you find my body too grotesque to bear."
Backing out now would be tantamount to admitting that the princess's body was hideous. Kirlin had no choice but to shuffle awkwardly into the office and close the door behind her.
Meanwhile, the princess pulled on her shirt, fastened the buttons, and slowly turned around. The scar that had claimed the left half of her face meant Kirlin met only a single gaze — and she couldn't help but drop her head.
This time, it wasn't because of the scar. The Second Princess possessed an elegant, beautiful appearance that even the scarring couldn't conceal. Kirlin simply didn't have the nerve to meet those eyes head-on.
Here was a woman who had served as a commander in the Four-Year War, crossing countless lines of death and proving her own ability through distinguished merit. She stood at the polar opposite of Kirlin, who had become principal by accident through her father's political backing.
"What's that?"
Having finished buttoning her shirt, the princess shrugged on a uniform dripping with medals and looked at the approval folder in Kirlin's hands.
"Th-this is... a r-report on... current operations..."
"Is that so? I don't recall being told I'd be receiving a report. Well, fine."
The princess sat in her chair, smiled, and crossed her legs.
"Since you've prepared it, I'll hear it. Come closer."
She crooked a finger, and Kirlin hesitated before stepping to her side. Looking up at the faintly trembling Kirlin, the princess let out a low laugh.
"Why so nervous?"
"I'm sorry..."
"Report."
With trembling hands, Kirlin spread the folder before the princess and began.
"I'll begin..."
The report covered the academy projects Kirlin planned to launch this year. From the Special Talent Admissions Examination to be held at the start of the year, to external competitions and internal evaluations verifying the capabilities of graduating students, to arranging preliminary interviews and information sessions with prospective hiring agencies. It all sounded rather grand, but put simply, it amounted to: I'm going to work this hard, so please look kindly on me.
The Second Princess, who saw through every bit of that intent, simply smiled in silence and listened to the end. She was several years Kirlin's senior even by age, and several ranks above her as a superior. She might dislike the complicated political situation that had made Kirlin principal as the Emperor's parachute appointment, but she didn't dislike Kirlin herself. And so, in the princess's eyes, the sight of Kirlin overcoming her fear to assert her own will was simply... adorable.
"All of it is good. Proceed as you've reported."
The moment the report ended, the princess spoke without hesitation.
"You really do write an exceptional report. If only the officers in our National Security Office were half as good as you."
"Wha—?! Th-thank you...! Ow!"
Startled by the sudden ambush of praise, Kirlin hastily bent at the waist to bow her head — and smashed her forehead against the desk. It was behavior unimaginable for a dark elf, but standing before the Second Princess, Kirlin was like a reed in a typhoon.
"There's one thing I'm curious about, though."
"Please, go ahead..."
"Until now, despite my orders and my warnings, you've been so preoccupied with simply holding onto your position that you've neglected combat training entirely."
At the princess's blunt assessment, Kirlin's mouth opened and closed, unable to form a reply.
"But looking at what you've reported today, it seems you've resolved to put those past failings behind you and make a fresh start. What brought on this sudden change of attitude?"
"Ah, well..."
Kirlin hesitated, unsure how to answer. She couldn't say it was because of Dian. She couldn't say it was because she believed that even if she boldly took action and something went wrong, Dian would protect her and help her.
As Kirlin hemmed and hawed, the princess propped her chin on her hand.
"Could it be because of the newly appointed Combat Chief Professor?"
"Eh...?! N-no, it isn't!"
At the princess's sharp question, Kirlin's eyes went wide and she shook her head vigorously. The princess laughed out loud at the sight.
"I'll take that as a no."
"It really isn't, Your Highness..."
"Fine. I understand."
Watching Kirlin hang her head, the princess asked,
"By the way, how is Professor Dian doing?"
"The Combat Chief Professor is... extremely busy these days. Just yesterday, he went and captured wild horses from the Brun Plateau himself."
Kirlin told the Second Princess about how Dian had concocted an absurd plan and dragged in over thirty wild horses.
"And that's not all. The shopping district that was recently established was pushed through almost entirely by the Combat Chief Professor from start to finish. That's why the students and faculty all like Professor Dian."
"I take it that includes you."
"It does not."
At Kirlin's firm reply, the princess smiled faintly.
"Very well, Kirlin. I've heard your report. Go back and do your utmost in your duties."
"Understood, Your Highness. But I actually came because I was summoned..."
"My business is already concluded."
"Pardon...?"
"You may go."
"Understood..."
Bewildered though she was, Kirlin turned and left the office, since the princess had ordered her to leave twice. Watching the closed door, the princess laughed once more.
The original reason she had summoned Kirlin was to confirm the change in her attitude since Dian had gone to the academy as a professor. If Kirlin had been no different from before, the princess had been prepared to replace her — even if it meant clashing with the Emperor — and install Dian or Linus as principal.
The largest destination for students graduating from the Special Operations Academy early next year would be the National Security Office under the Second Princess's command, along with its subordinate organizations. The students selected by each organization would receive additional training there to become more complete operatives, but they still needed to arrive with their standards already raised from the academy.
That was why she had summoned Kirlin. And having met her face to face, the Second Princess decided to put her inner plans on hold. The Kirlin of now was different from before. She couldn't be certain, but it was probably because of Dian. There had been no other special catalyst at the academy recently that could have changed Kirlin so dramatically.
I suppose that's what comes of being Sir Linus's friend.
Then I'll leave Kirlin be for the time being.
"Yes, yes, yes!!"
In the carriage heading back to the academy, Kirlin let out a scream of pure joy. She'd been trembling, but she'd managed the report reasonably well, and Her Highness had praised her for the first time.
It's all thanks to Dian. Dian came and changed the atmosphere of the academy, protected me, and gave me courage. That's how this happened. Really, Dian is... haah...
As Kirlin sat there grinning to herself, cupping her cheeks in both hands, the carriage passed through the academy's main gate and came to a stop at the main building.
"Oh? You're back already?"
When the carriage door opened, Dian, who happened to be passing by, stopped and greeted Kirlin.
"Dian...?"
The moment she saw his face, a surge of fondness and affection welled up from her chest, and she threw herself into his arms.
"Dian!"
"Ghk!"
Though she was a half-blood, Kirlin was still a dark elf, and that leap was considerably sharp.
"Dian! Thank you so much! You're all I have!"
"What are you doing?! There are people watching!"
When Kirlin pressed her face into his chest, Dian recoiled in alarm and peeled her off. Only then did Kirlin realize she'd been swept up in a momentary impulse and done something insane — and that the Combat Department professors were standing behind Dian.
"Eek?!"
Mortified at having been seen by everyone, Kirlin scrambled backward and slammed her back into the carriage. The Combat Department professors stared at her, each wearing an expression that revealed their individual personalities. They were all different, but they shared one thing in common: silence. Either they had nothing to say, didn't want to say anything, or were simply speechless.
"The dark-skinned principal has just made a roundabout proposal to breed with the chief professor."
Orc professor Brog broke through that mercilessly cold silence.
"Shut your mouth, Brog."
When Professor Morton spoke in a low voice, Brog looked ready to say something more.
"Haha!! What a wonderfully warm atmosphere this is!"
Survival professor Waiver laughed loudly and clapped Orendi and Pelemiya on the shoulders.
"Isn't it just delightful to see? Well then, we'll be going on ahead! Come on!"
Once the professors had retreated a good distance, Dian scratched his head, looking awkward.
"Principal. What's gotten into you all of a sudden? Did Her Highness chew you out so badly you lost your mind?"
"That's not it! I got praised!"
Excitedly chattering about what had happened in the princess's office, Kirlin drifted closer to Dian again.
"So when I told Her Highness, 'I'll take full responsibility and see all of this through!' she said something to the effect of 'Kirlin, you're the absolute best'..."
In the middle of her breathless bragging, Kirlin realized she'd unconsciously come right up to Dian and was standing on her tiptoes.
"You've decided to go ahead with the special talent admissions? That's great. I was actually going to bring that up with you myself."
Dian smiled and patted Kirlin on the shoulder.
"Looks like you and I are on the same wavelength, Principal."
"O-on the same wavelength...? We're not that far yet!"
Kirlin shoved Dian away, then in a single bound leaped up to the terrace of the second-floor principal's office and fled inside.
"What the hell. What's with her today?"
Dian grumbled as he looked up at the terrace where Kirlin had vanished, then started walking toward the Combat Department professors, who had already gone quite a distance.
And from around the corner of the main building, Priestess Maya had been watching it all.
A few days later, notices for the Special Operations Academy's Special Talent Admissions Examination went up all across the Empire.