An Unexpected Reunion
The goddess Pearis. The sole deity who watches over this star. The theology department at Delphiana Academy existed to nurture her followers. Like most theology departments, Delphiana Academy’s theology faculty kept a certain distance from the academy’s other colleges. Its physical location was quite far removed from the rest of the campus, and the very nature of theology created a psychological gap as well.
“What a strange thing to hear.”
Perhaps for that reason, when the theology students caught wind of the duel rumor, they simply laughed it off. The story never really became a topic of conversation for them. And if even the students felt that way, there was no chance their professors would take any interest. The students could still be called students, but the professors were fully ordained clergy. They had their dignity to uphold.
Professor Europe was no exception. She showed absolutely no interest in such rumors and devoted herself to her duties: prayer, teaching her students, and looking after the newly arrived instructor. Even those tasks alone left her days feeling too short.
Today was just as busy. She sipped her tea while observing the new instructor seated before her. The professor newly appointed this semester had achieved considerable accomplishments and was someone many people had high expectations for. But as the word “new” suggested, she still seemed unaccustomed to life at the academy. Moreover, rather than having lived a life of austere devotion in a monastery seeking enlightenment, she had wandered the world putting her teachings into practice. Neither path was inherently superior, but life as a theology professor here leaned much closer to the former. Since she was still heavily steeped in worldly ways, it looked like it would take quite some time to shake off those habits.
Of course, she had only been at the academy for a few weeks, so it wasn’t yet cause for serious concern. Still, Europe considered it her duty to shorten that adjustment period as much as possible. She decided to bring up a topic she thought the newcomer would find especially interesting.
“So something like that happened?”
Just as Europe had intended, the new instructor showed clear interest in the rumor.
“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard.”
Seeing her prediction confirmed, Europe allowed herself a small smile.
“You seem more interested in this rumor than in matters of theology?”
“Ahaha…”
The newcomer laughed awkwardly.
“That may be true. By the way, there are some strange rumors circulating about that instructor named Altair.”
“What sort of rumors?”
Watching the newcomer’s eyes sparkle, Europe smiled inwardly.
“They say she gives off a strange aura. Anyone who approaches her feels an overwhelming sense of fear.”
“A strange aura, you say. It’s surprising that Delphiana Academy would hire someone like that as an instructor.”
“She supposedly completely overwhelmed a professor, so her skills must be excellent. And perhaps she had a reliable recommendation?”
“I see.”
The new professor took a sip of her black tea. Suddenly, a memory from the past flashed through her mind.
“Cough, cough!”
“Oh dear? Are you alright?”
Europe looked on with concern. The new instructor before her was clearly gripped by terror. Her face had gone deathly pale, and her entire body was trembling. Tea splashed out of the cup she held. Slowly setting the teacup down, she brought a hand to her mouth. The treatment she had received left her teeth perfectly intact, but the pain, humiliation, and fear from that day were things she could never forget.
‘It couldn’t be…’
Her name was Asia.
I spent the time left after teaching students focused on my own training.
Even though I had received my master’s power, I was still far from reaching her level.
Originally I could barely brush the tips of her hair; now it felt like I could reach up to her ankles. But the destination was still impossibly distant.
Reproducing the night sky was something I could just barely manage now. Yet the image was so faint that anyone seeing it for the first time might not even understand what I was trying to depict.
‘It’s probably a difference in comprehension.’
Even after training diligently under her for five years, I still hadn’t truly grasped all of her teachings.
The Yacheongeom was born from an incredibly simple intention, but that didn’t make it easy to learn.
‘We’re on completely different levels.’
That was my honest assessment of my master.
Her Yacheongeom transcended even magic. Magic was ultimately just transforming mana into a different form, but the Yacheongeom reached the realm of creating something new from nothing.
‘And we don’t know when the truce will end.’
It was only right to sharpen my skills in preparation for that inevitable day. So I had to keep pushing myself relentlessly. I also needed to fulfill her long-cherished wish in her stead.
But then I heard someone’s footsteps.
‘At this hour?’
It was already night. Who would come looking for me at a time like this…? No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t think of anyone.
In truth, there weren’t many people who would visit me regardless of the time. Aside from Dean Lopez and Assistant Hendrick, I hadn’t really gotten close enough with anyone to chat casually.
‘Well, I do have a few students.’
If it was one of my particularly studious students, it wouldn’t be strange for them to come by. But somehow I had a feeling it wasn’t any of them.
Knock knock.
I didn’t ask “Who is it?” like I normally would. Sometimes surprises were fun.
I carefully opened the door.
Standing outside was someone wearing pure white robes…
‘A nun’s habit?’
What was this? I knew there was a theology department at the academy, but I’d heard it was quite a distance from here.
‘What on earth could she want?’
At any rate, it was clear she had come looking for me. There was no one else living in this area.
But wait a second. That face looked familiar.
Bang!
So this was the kind of surprise I got? Oh exalted goddess Pearis, this is not what I wished for!
“Um… could you open the door, please…”
Hearing her voice made it certain. Why the hell was Asia here of all places?
“You… you are the one, right?”
“Not interested.”
“Pardon?”
“I said I’m not buying.”
“I’m not a door-to-door salesman!”
That piercing, shrill voice. It was exactly the same as it had been five years ago. I opened the door again.
“……”
“You are the one, aren’t you?”
My heart sank for a moment. What did she mean by “the one”? Had she figured out that I was Glaiese? Could a nun see through something like that?
“The one? What are you talking about?”
I barely managed to play dumb.
“Stop pretending you don’t know…”
She bared her teeth.
“The person who broke my tooth…”
Oh, that’s what she meant? Phew. It looked like she had gotten proper treatment—her teeth were perfectly fine now.
I couldn’t just leave her standing there, so I invited her inside.
“Come in for now.”
“Y-yes… yes…”
I poured water into a cup and specially served it to her.
‘Am I an angel or something?’
Giving water to a girl like her. She drank it with an expression of gratitude. Then her eyes widened slightly as she looked into my cup.
“Um… the contents are different?”
“This one’s mine.”
My cup contained the tea Ditrua had given me. Since it was personally provided by the princess herself, I assumed it was no ordinary expensive brew.
“You just drink water. Do you have any idea how much this costs?”
One cup of this tea might be worth more than my weekly salary. And she was eyeing it with envy? Tsk tsk! How dare she covet something when even a glass of water should be too good for her!
“…Anyway, thank you.”
Asia drank her water, and I followed by sipping my tea.
Ahhh, as expected of something from the princess—it was incredible!
“……”
After emptying her cup, Asia looked at me. The atmosphere was incredibly awkward. Why had she even come here?
“So… have you been well all this time?”
After kicking me out like that, she had the nerve to ask that? Of course I couldn’t say it out loud or my identity would be exposed.
“…Thanks to you.”
I could only give a polite, formal reply.
“So why are you here?”
“I… I came to express my gratitude and apologize…”
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
“You spared me back then. You only broke my tooth. Even though we attacked you with the intent to kill.”
Hmm, that was true. At least she seemed to have some minimal sense of shame. But if she had that much shame, why had she voted to kick me out of the party?
“Hic… ugh!”
Her face turned deathly pale. It seemed my worsening mood had strengthened my aura. Her mouth fell open, and I took the opportunity to examine her teeth closely. As expected of someone from the Hero Party—they had plenty of money and had gotten her treated at an excellent clinic.
‘They’re sparkling pure white.’
After finishing my observation, I spoke.
“How did you find out I was here?”
“I also got a job here… I became a professor at this academy. I happened to hear the rumors…”
Of all places? I pressed a hand to my forehead. What a ridiculously small world.
“A job? Weren’t you in the Hero Party? What about the party? Did you get kicked out t—”
Ahem. That was close.
“It was disbanded. Thanks to the truce…”
I suppose that made sense. With their main source of work gone, it seemed all those Hero Parties had been dissolved. Everyone must have gone off to find new paths.
I recalled the parties I had seen in Rosenburg.
‘I wonder what those people will do from now on?’
Of course, worrying about Hero Party members was like worrying about successful celebrities. Someone like Asia could even become a professor at a prestigious academy like this. And even if they couldn’t find new work, they would have saved up more than enough money. I myself had enough stored in the bank to let three generations live comfortably without working.
“Ji…”
I almost asked about Jin but quickly shut my mouth.
“Really?”
“Yes. Everyone scattered in different directions.”
Thanks to my superb crisis management, I managed to avoid disaster.
‘That was close.’
I didn’t want Asia finding out that I was Glaiese. It would be pretty embarrassing to be living as the opposite gender.
“Hmm. So is that all?”
“Yes…”
Asia answered, looking thoroughly intimidated.
“Fine. If that’s all, you can leave now. I don’t particularly want to look at your face any longer.”
“I-if there’s anything I can help you with…”
“There’s nothing you can h—”
Wait. Actually, there was.
“…Well, if it really bothers you that much, I suppose.”
“Yes! I’ll do anything I can to help!”
“This aura of mine. Is there any way to deal with it? It’s because of a demon race curse.”
I had already asked Ditrua, but two heads were better than one. It couldn’t hurt.
But Asia’s expression upon hearing my request was far from positive.
“I’m sorry, but with my abilities…”
Now that I thought about it, during our fight she had tried to suppress my aura. But it hadn’t been very effective.
‘If it’s difficult even for Asia…’
I acknowledged Asia’s abilities. A priestess skilled enough to join the Hero Party had to be top-class. If even she found it difficult, escaping this curse was clearly no easy task.
Well, it was something I had already prepared myself for.
“Just try your best. You don’t have to solve it with your holy power, right? Maybe a holy relic, an artifact, or visiting some sacred site. You get what I mean, don’t you?”
“Y-yes! I understand! I will definitely find a solution!”
Asia answered energetically. Seeing her like this, she actually looked a bit cute. But the fact remained that she was one of the people who had kicked me out of the party.
“Alright, it’s getting late. You should go.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you. I’m sorry.”
She kept bowing deeply to me in apology.
‘If that apology is for kicking me out of the party…’
Would I have forgiven her? I wasn’t sure.
“Take care on your way back, Asia.”
Still, I at least offered a farewell to the girl who had grown distant. Though I probably didn’t need to say “take care.” It left a bitter aftertaste. Ugh.
Then she turned back to look at me. She seemed somewhat surprised.
‘Why is she reacting like that?’
Did I say something wrong?