The Saint doesn't simply guess at the future.
While the future changes based on our choices, her prophecies don't.
When the Saint says something will happen, it inevitably will.
In essence, her words are the result, a declaration of a fixed outcome.
No matter how much we struggle, that event will happen.
This is why the Saint doesn’t specify the cause leading to her predictions.
Because she knows, in one way or another, the events she has seen will unfold.
Furthermore, she doesn't discuss the aftereffects of her prophecies.
She only knows that it will take place.
That's why she often gives general advice: to be cautious of someone or to watch something closely.
She might not know under what circumstances or in which manner these events will happen.
Nor what changes they may bring about.
But one thing was clear: the prophecy centered on the rampage of Priscilla.
While I wasn't sure what the Saint saw, I was certain that the announcement meant for Homecoming Day was about Priscilla.
Preparing for this became my priority.
"Priscilla will go on a rampage someday."
I shared, looking between Rie and Luna.
"I don't know whether it will be today, tomorrow, or a year from now, but it will inevitably happen."
"Then... what should we do? If an elemental goes on a rampage...."
Luna's voice held a hint of fear.
"How do you know that?"
Rie, eyebrows knitted, asked.
"Astina received a prophecy on Homecoming Day."
At this, Rie nodded.
"For now, I'm preparing for it."
"But if an elemental goes on a rampage...."
Luna looked at me, her face filled with worry.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Rie shared her concern.
They probably both know very well.
"There is a way for the user to survive even if an elemental goes on a rampage,"
I said, aiming to calm them.
Though this concept wasn't widely studied yet, I had a rough idea.
After all, in the game, Serina caused Priscilla to rampage and still survived.
And the method was relatively simple.
"When the elemental rampages, you just need to reverse summon it and calm the user's mana."
"That's exactly why it's a problem; it's not possible."
Rie argued, her face still scrunched up in a frown.
She wasn't wrong.
"Yes, the problem is that it's considered impossible."
A rampaging elemental.
It's like the mana explosion Luna caused in the library.
A mana explosion simply involves the user's mana surging out uncontrollably, and calming the user down is enough.
However, with an elemental rampage, you must soothe both the user and the elemental.
"That's why I'm reading this this."
I pointed to the book in front of me.
It detailed spells related to mana control and mental purification—magic that could potentially control an elemental rampage.
But they were merely theories.
They weren't results of proven research, but mere conjectures.
Merely suggesting, "Couldn't it work this way?"
It wasn't a well-established thesis.
That's why I couldn't tackle this on my own.
Researching this alone would take too much time.
Proving this theory correct through experimentation wasn't something I could achieve by myself at my current level.
"Rie, Luna, could you help me?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Their reactions were immediate.
"That sounds fun."
"If Rudy needs our help, of course we'd help!"
And so, our research began.
The next day, I received a letter.
“A letter from... my brother?”
I tilted my head in surprise at the unexpected mail.
The name written on it:
Ian Astria.
I carefully opened the letter and began to read its contents.
Most of it seemed like small talk.
Inquiries about my well-being that I wasn't particularly interested in.
As I skimmed through, the main point emerged towards the end.
“Return to the family...?”
Not our family home, but the bustling capital.
Ian wrote about wanting to catch up and asked me to visit during the holidays.
“I'm definitely not going....”
I thought.
The Astria family's home and the capital residence were not the same in many ways.
The residence in the capital was where Ian Astria stayed.
It was more of a temporary lodging for him while he dealt with various affairs in the capital.
On the other hand, the primary residence of the Astria family, where my father, the Duke, resided, was our ancestral home in the Astria territory.
Visiting the capital meant it would just be Ian and me.
I doubted that would end well.
Ian was probably suspicious of me.
After Homecoming Day, rumors about me began to spread throughout the empire.
I've defeated Harpel, outsmarted Serina, achieved success at the Academy, and recently opposed Vice Principal Oliver and the Fred family.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})I doubt these went well with him.
So, visiting a place where only Ian was present could only spell trouble.
There was no upside to it.
After thinking it over, I made up my mind.
“I'll just pretend I didn't receive the letter.”
If I send a reply saying I won't come, Ian would find a way to drag me to the capital.
Instead, by not responding and showing no reaction, I could buy some time.
When the holidays conclude and another letter appears, I can claim the upcoming semester as a reason to stay away.
With the semester beginning, what could Ian possibly do?
Bang! Bang!
A sudden forceful knocking interrupted my thoughts.
“I got it, I'm coming.”
I tossed the letter into the trash and opened the door to see Rie with a multitude of books.
Luna was behind her, equally burdened with various books and stacks of papers.
Rie grumbled, her face scrunched in displeasure,
"Ugh, these are heavy."
"Thanks for bringing them."
I helped Luna and Rie stack the materials in a corner of my room.
Looking around my room, Rie asked,
"Wouldn't it be better to get a separate room for this? Do we have to do it in your room?"
"There's no need. Renting a room outside the academy would only lead to more issues."
We start our research from today onwards.
And the chosen location was none other than my room.
The room was spacious enough for three people, and since it was mine, I felt more at ease.
Initially, I considered reserving one of the academy's laboratories or renting a room outside the academy.
However, I didn’t like the idea that our research might get leaked, and the cost of renting a room seemed unnecessary.
Even if I had plenty of money, there was no need to spend unnecessarily.
"Shall we begin?"
We began attaching the magic circles we had designed the previous day to the walls.
We discussed two main plans yesterday.
The first aimed to counteract the elemental.
By focusing on Priscilla's vulnerabilities and the nature of elementals, we intended to gain control.
Rie was in charge of this because she was the most knowledgeable about elementals among us.
The second strategy centered on controlling my mental state and mana.
This task was Luna's.
If I were to lose control, Luna's plan was to use a magic circle to stabilize both my mind and mana.
While Luna and Rie each took on these two tasks, I would assist them.
Honestly, I wanted to take on one of these roles myself, but it's not practical.
If a magical circle had an aspect only I knew about and I went berserk, Luna and Rie wouldn't be able to modify or repair it.
So, I settled into a supportive role.
"Rudy, bring that over."
"Ah, got it."
But something felt wrong.
"Rudy! Can you help me with this?"
"Yeah, like this?"
I responded immediately to Luna's request, too.
Gradually, I felt...
"Rudy. Can you give my shoulder a rub?"
"Rudy! Could you brew some warm tea for me?"
There seemed to be sparks flying between Rie and Luna.
Helping with minor tasks was no problem, but it seemed they were intentionally finding or creating tasks for me to do.
"......"
Regardless, it was my duty to assist them, so I followed their directions.
"Rudy."
"Rudy!"
"......"
In the heart of the Empire lies the Royal Palace.
The Emperor walked slowly down a corridor, his eyes settling on a part of the Palace.
This section had once been the living quarters of the First Princess, Rie.
But now, it seemed deserted with only servants moving about; Rie was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing this, the Emperor addressed his attendant.
"Has Rie not returned yet?"
"Yes... Princess Rie said she has some research at the Academy and will be returning a bit later.”
"Hmm... She should come back."
The Emperor looked up to the sky.
Snowflakes began to drift down from the heavens, settling softly in the palace gardens.
“It seems the snow is beginning to fall…”
The Emperor mused, stroking his beard.
“Tell her to return before the snowfall intensifies.”
"Yes. I understand."
As the attendant replied, another voice sounded from behind.
“Don’t you think my sister can take care of herself?”
It was a voice similar to Rie's, but unlike her calm and mature tone, this one was bright and spirited.
Turning his gaze, the Emperor smiled,
"Hoho, Yuni, you're here."
Speaking was the Second Princess, Yuni von Ristonia, Rie's younger sister.
"Don't you have me by your side, father?"
With a bright smile, Yuni approached the Emperor.
Hearing her, the Emperor chuckled and gently patted her head.
"If you also decide to attend the Academy, what joy will remain for this old man?"
"Even if I decide to attend the Academy, I'll make sure to visit the palace often~"
Yuni responded playfully.
However, considering the rigorous schedule of the academy, frequent visits to the palace would be quite a challenge.
“Even if it's just words, I appreciate it.”
The Emperor looked at Yuni with a warm smile.
In response, Yuni's laughter filled the corridor.
