The weather was clear.
People could be seen walking around the territory.
It was a lively atmosphere with an abundance of both sellers and buyers.
The territory wasn’t particularly large, but with the number of people present, you'd think there wasn't an impending magical beast invasion.
"Rudy! Let's go over there!"
I'm currently in the North.
The Northern region, Lucarion territory.
Luna and I were able to come to the north through proper procedures.
Our supervising professor is Professor Gracie.
Most 3rd-year students were on their internships, so none of them were present.
The first-year students were also absent due to midterm camp.
At first, Yuni tried to skip the midterm camp to join us here.
-Wait, wasn’t I supposed to come too?
-Why would you go? You should be at the midterm camp. It affects your grades, after all.
-But we're lab comrades! Are you leaving me out?
Yuni vehemently argued her case.
She truly wanted to ditch the midterm camp and come here.
-Do you think this is some kind of field trip?
-Isn't it?
While Yuni and I were having this back-and-forth,
Rie came into the lab.
-Don't worry about the midterm camp.
-...What?
Rie said she had already excluded Yuni from the midterm camp attendees.
In exchange for a perfect score, Yuni would assist with student council duties.
Such an arrangement would usually be impossible, but when I expressed my wish to visit the North, they made it work.
The reason for the extra credits for the Northern visit?
Simply because few students apply.
The academy's assurance of safety to students visiting the North is due to the same reason.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})However, when the student council president, which is me, wanted to go, the academy seemed to bend over backward to make it happen.
Yuni looked baffled, wondering how it went through without asking her first.
But Rie just shrugged and smiled, saying it was done.
Yuni simply nodded back.
It was curious how Yuni just accepted it obediently, but the matter was resolved for the time being.
"Luna, that looks fun too!"
"Oh, really? Let's check it out!"
And so, we arrived in the North.
The students treated us with honored guests, making sure we were comfortable.
After that, they let us do as we pleased.
Technically, it was Professor Gracie who decided to give us free rein.
On our arrival, Professor Gracie announced she would rest, leaving the students to explore on their own.
Her behavior wasn't surprising.
Before arriving here, Professor Gracie, like Luna and me, had been swamped with work.
Although most tasks were handed over to other labs, there were still some that Professor Gracie had to complete.
She had completed all of them before coming here.
She probably worked without getting any sleep.
We left a worn-out Professor Gracie at the lodgings and stepped outside.
Outside, there was plenty of food and attractions.
I had initially planned to just tour the territory, but I couldn’t resist this.
"Could I get one of those skewers, please?"
"Of course! Thank you!"
Luna handed over some money and bought a skewer, taking an eager bite.
"Rudy, this tastes amazing."
She spoke, savoring every bite of her skewer.
Seeing her like that naturally brought a smile to my face.
Lately, we haven't had much of a chance to unwind and enjoy ourselves.
This felt like a refreshing change.
"But, why are there so many people here?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})After finishing her bite, Luna looked around curiously.
"They're probably here because of the magical beasts."
Upon hearing my explanation, Luna tilted her head in confusion.
"But everyone looks rather cheerful, don't they?"
She's right.
I thought the locals would be trembling in fear, knowing that numerous magical beasts could attack the castle at any moment.
Yet, despite that, the people in the territory were spirited.
"Ah, it's because they all trust the Lord of the territory."
The skewer vendor in front of us chimed in.
"The beasts have never made it inside the castle. Our Lord has always guarded it like an impenetrable fortress."
"They trust the Lord, you say?"
That made sense.
From the perspective of the ordinary residents, if the magical beasts couldn't penetrate the castle, it would make them think everything was safe.
The massive influx of people into the territory every four years was good for business, and considering the valuable materials obtained from slain beasts, the entire event felt more like a festival for the locals.
However...
My gaze turned to the Lord's mansion.
"The Lord needs to come up with a solution!"
"Think of your people, Lord!"
In front of the mansion, a surprisingly large group of people was protesting.
“There’s a reason for that…”
“What reason?”
“There was a food shortage last winter.”
I had heard stories about it.
In the harsh North, winter always brought with it food shortages.
Even with money, the main issue was transportation.
When heavy snowfalls occurred, it was impossible to transport food to the North using carriages.
Especially in the North where it snowed heavier than the other regions.
Storing large quantities of food in advance also wasn't feasible.
While magic could extend the food's shelf life, the cost of using wizards or magical tools often exceeded the food's value.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})So, the North always had food-related issues.
"Ugh, it's those rebels. Only our kind Lord suffers."
I didn't respond to that remark, merely watching the crowd in front of the mansion.
A typical Lord wouldn't have tolerated such a gathering outside their mansion.
The Lord was surely working on solutions for the food crisis, and yet, the citizens were protesting.
Any other Lord would have surely acted out of injustice, but the head of the Lucarion family, the Lord of this place, merely observed in silence.
It was as if he considered their complaints as just another opinion.
"More importantly... the rebels..."
I still haven't received any news about Yeniel.
I once headed to the principal's office out of curiosity, but only found Cromwell there.
I heard that Principal McDowell is currently away on a business trip, making it difficult to meet him.
"Rudy, is something bothering you?"
"No, it's nothing."
"Shall we head that way then?"
"Yes."
I smiled gently, following behind Luna, and momentarily turned to gaze at the Lord's mansion.
"Hmm..."
“Ugh... I just want to rest...”
Dragging her weary body, Gracie made her way to the Lord's mansion.
She was heading for a dinner with the nobles who came from the central region, the head of the Lucarion family, and herself, representing the academy.
Even though Gracie would have preferred to skip dinner and just sleep in her room, she couldn't miss such an important gathering.
It wasn't in Gracie's nature to make such excuses.
"Heh..."
As Gracie sighed and was about to enter the mansion,
“Hello?”
Someone called out to her.
“Hmm?”
Gracie turned to see who it was.
A woman with fiery red hair.
She radiated an aura of grace and her poised demeanor was truly remarkable.
“Oh, you are?”
Not many in the empire had such red hair.
Especially not as vivid and blood-red as this.
A dignified woman with such hair could only be...
“Could you be... from the Persia family?”
“Yes, I am Astina Persia.”
Gracie blinked in surprise.
“I've heard a lot about you. You're Professor Gracie, aren't you?”
“Yes, that's... correct.”
Gracie hesitated, searching for the right words.
She was a professor, and Astina, a student.
But Astina had served as the student council president even before Gracie’s tenure began, and this was their first face-to-face meeting.
Gracie’s thoughts raced.
Should she address Astina as a student or as a noble from the central region?
Astina was the heir to the Persia Viscount family, holding a status higher than the local Lord, Lucarion.
Though she hadn't officially inherited the family name yet, it was widely believed it was only a matter of time.
So, should Gracie treat her like a Viscount?
However, as Gracie wondered this, Astina smiled faintly.
“How is Professor Cromwell?”
“Pr, Professor Cromwell?”
That's when it hit Gracie.
She remembered the person who had told her about Astina.
It was Cromwell.
The connection between Gracie and Astina:
Both were disciples of Cromwell, having learned telekinetic magic from him, sharing a deep bond of master and disciple.
“I've heard much about you, senior.”
Astina's respectful address warmed Gracie’s heart.
Senior...
Such a title brought back fond memories, erasing the sorrows of her days as a royal wizard and a professor.
How wonderful were her student days?
She was the top of her class, constantly praised by the faculty, and everyone looked up to her with respect.
It was a memory as radiant as a jewel.
"Yes! Astina, I've heard so much about you too!"
With Gracie's cheerful words, Astina's mood visibly brightened.
Being too stiff with each other would only make things uncomfortable.
"What are the other students up to right now?"
"Oh, they're probably wandering around. They were told they could explore the area."
"Did Locke go as well?"
"Locke? Ah, I believe he might be at the castle."
Upon hearing this, Astina nodded.
She had initially wanted to inquire about Rudy, but hesitated, thinking it might be rude to abruptly bring him up.
However, as if Gracie sensed Astina's thoughts, she spoke up.
"Rudy and Luna said they'd be outside, so excluding them and Locke, the others should be at their accommodations."
Gracie said this offhandedly.
Astina's eyes widened in response.
"Rudy... you mean?"
"Yes, Rudy Astria."
"Right..."
A look of surprise spread across Astina's face.
Seeing her reaction, Gracie tilted her head in confusion.
Astina seemed like the type who wouldn't easily show their emotions.
But seeing her shocked expression, Gracie couldn't help but wonder the reason for it.
Gracie cautiously tried to gauge Astina's thoughts.
"Did something happen between the two of you?"
"No, not at all. Absolutely not."
Astina quickly waved her hands in dismissal and then swallowed.
"After the meeting, could we possibly go together?"
"Together? Where to?"
"To where the students are staying."
Astina said, her voice a mixture of excitement, surprise, and anticipation.
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