The pure white landscape regains its colour and a vast lake appears before us. A cityscape surrounded by walls is situated on the lake.
The royal fortress city of Gairadeite was built on an island in the centre of the lake. The vast lake is called Lake Seimei (1) and is said to be a holy lake which acts as a natural magic circle and has the power to seal evil.
It seems the holy water is still flowing strongly but do they have anyone that can use it after 2000 years?
“It’s a bit of a let down to arrive so easily.” (Sasha)
“Heroes are said to be good with swords. It would be interesting to have a sword exchange with some of them.” (Ray)
Sasha looks at Ray with an amazed look. I can see her thinking, how do you intend to ask for a sword exchange when we haven’t even started the academy exchange yet.
“You only ever think about swords Ray.” (Sasha)
Ray laughs.
“Maybe so. Just like you only ever think about the demon king.” (Ray)
“Wha……what are you saying…….” (Sasha)
Sasha’s face goes bright red.
“Students of the demon king academy are supposed to only think about the demon king though. You look like an honour student.” (Ray)
Sasha glares at Ray.
“………I’ll remember this sword fetishist………” (Sasha)
Unusually, Sasha and Ray are trading barbs with each other as we saunter over to the castle gates.
Seeing our uniforms and badges the soldiers on the gates let us right in.
As we went through the gate a voice came from behind me asking something even I didn’t know the answer to.
“By the way, where is the 3rd hero academy dorm located?”
“To the east of the hero academy near the wall.” (Misha)
“Fumu. And where is the hero academy?” (Arnos)
“Arno’s doesn’t know either?” (Misha)
“It didn’t exist 2000 years ago.” (Arnos)
Misha points to a tall building in the distance.
“There. Hero academy Arclaniska. It was in the material we were given.” (Misha)
Fumu. That was the name of the royal castle 2000 years ago. Did they turn it into the hero academy?
I guess even though its a peaceful world and military facilities are no longer required its a shame to lose magical facilities. Not a bad decision actually. It would make a good place of learning. My castle of Deruzogedo was turned into an academy as well.
On the surface, it seems a good idea but it feels suspicious to me.
“For now let’s go and meet Menou Sensei.” (Sasha)
“Will she be there? She won’t think anyone will be arriving today.” (Misa)
“……You have a point…….” (Sasha)
We might as well go anyway so we head over to the 3rd hero dorms.
After walking for a while and taking in the unfamiliar cityscape we arrive in front of a beautifully decorated stone building.
It’s pretty big. I’d say it houses around 200 people. A sign above the gate says [Arclaniska 3rd Dorm].
“Here.” (Misha)
Misha points and Menou comes out of the dorm.
“Fumu. We’ve arrived Menou.” (Arnos)
“Eh…..?”
Menou stiffened like time had stopped for her.
“It should be a pretty good new record.” (Arnos)
Menou is still stunned as she listens to my words. After a few seconds she opens her mouth.
“Wha… just a moment…. impossible….right……? A day……not even one day….. Hardly any time has passed……How did you get here…….!?” (Menou)
Menou keeps talking like she can’t believe it. She would have seen through the owl that we were indeed at Deiruheido just a little while ago so there can’t be any doubt that we cheated or anything.
“I’ve been to Gairadeite before so I used <Gatom>.” (Arnos)
“…….I’d heard that you can use lost magic but I never believed that it could connect to a space so far away……” (Menou)
From the bottom of her heart, Menou looks truly astonished.
“……I knew you had a talent for magic….. Since I’m a teacher I’ve seen many children called geniuses and even many mixed-bloods who had superior magic but you are in a dimension where the words genius means nothing.”
Menou stared straight into my face and used her demon eyes.
“Arnos-kun……..who are you?”
“I’ll give you the same answer I’ve given everyone else. If you trust in the words of others but don’t trust your own demon eyes then you will never learn the truth no matter how long you live.”
Demon king of tyranny. Did those words appear in your head?
Menou falls silent.
(1) Means something like sacred brightness.
