Chapter 12: Visiting Prison.

“Where do you plan to sit, CocoLiss dear?”

Noile had already taken a seat in the third row, looking at the little nun with expectant eyes.

The position was somewhat toward the front, but not excessively so.

Honestly though, CocoLiss still preferred a seat closer to the back. It would be more convenient for doing small things during class.

But right now she was the innocent little white flower Saintess.

“Then I’ll sit here.”
She followed Noile’s expectant gaze and sat down beside the fox-eared girl.

“Yay!”

Noile’s childish cheer sounded completely out of place among this group of somber new students.

The new students who had entered the superior class didn’t know each other. Only CocoLiss and Noile had met the previous night, and that was largely thanks to Noile’s overly friendly personality. Otherwise, the two would probably still be acting like strangers, each keeping to themselves.

Among these new students, some might have come with friends, but the crystal ball at the academy gate had clearly assigned them different fates.

There were also envious glances directed toward the two of them.

Of course, it might simply be that CocoLiss’s seven-ring golden talent when she entered was far too dazzling.

“Tch!”
The Second Prince shot a sideways glance at the noisy Noile, then walked straight to the very front row—only one row of seats separating him from the two girls.

The entire classroom resembled a large lecture hall, with seats arranged in a fan shape.

“Tsk…”
Noile’s mood visibly soured.

“What’s wrong?”
CocoLiss tilted her upper body slightly. The Golden Rose robe brushed against her skin as her lively eyes swept across her classmates, each wearing different expressions.

“If that guy sits in front of us, won’t we have to stare at his back the whole time during class?”
Noile continued speaking her “whisper” at full volume.

The Second Prince definitely heard it.

He immediately turned his head. “For lowly commoners, being allowed to admire this prince’s back is already an honor. Consider it your privilege. Don’t be ungrateful.”

“He’s so pretentious.”
Noile continued her loud whisper.

“You—”

The Second Prince, who seemed about to lose his temper, was suddenly suppressed in place by an inexplicable oppressive pressure.

The students who had chosen their seats around them were also pressed down into their chosen places by this mysterious force.

The classroom felt sparse and empty, making the room seem too large, or the number of students too few.

“Good morning, everyone.”
An elderly-looking woman in a red robe walked in through the classroom door. “This old woman’s hands and feet are slow, so I arrived late. I hope none of you mind.”

She walked slowly until she reached the front of the lectern. The hood of her red robe fell back, revealing her aged face and the kindness in her eyes.

She glanced at CocoLiss, but only for a moment.

“I am the current headmistress of Freud Academy. You may call me Granny Zain.”

CocoLiss naturally recognized the Bishop Zain on the platform. She was, aside from the blond Hero, the only person she knew in this royal capital.

She hadn’t expected that, in addition to being a great bishop, she also served as the headmistress of this seemingly prestigious academy.

That made sense. As a wild person from a remote border town, knowing that the church had three great bishops had already been a blessing. Before coming here, she hadn’t even known the academy was called Freud.

Still, the academy’s name sounded strangely familiar. It had quite a refined ring to it.

If she ever founded an academy, she would call it that.

“All of you were selected from various places and can be considered geniuses in magic attainment for this year’s batch. Please allow this old woman to ramble a bit before you begin your studies.”

A familiar opening speech.

Even in another world, it seemed they couldn’t escape the cliché.

The girl’s gaze drifted to the side, as if seeing an unexpected sight.

The fearless, naturally airheaded fox-eared girl was now sitting perfectly upright, staring at the red-robed great bishop on the platform with a face full of awe.

She hadn’t expected this side of her—looking like a mouse that had seen a cat.

Perhaps because she had interacted with Bishop Zain beforehand and had some connection and exchange with her, her own first meeting with the red-robed bishop had produced a similar expression to what she saw in the classroom now.

“First, I want to apologize to all of you.”

The red-robed great bishop on the platform bowed to the young people who were much younger than her.

Even CocoLiss’s face showed the same stunned look as the other students.

“I am sorry for pulling you into this academy. Your future peaceful and happy lives may no longer exist—especially those of you in the superior class. As the ones with the highest magic talent among your peers, you have come to the academy with firm resolve to stand on the empire’s side and grow stronger. Some of you may end up at the very front line, confronting the despicable Abyss. I am truly sorry.”

The red-robed bishop’s attitude was sincere. This old woman whose eyes always held kindness seemed completely unaware of her high position.

She only knew that at some point in the future, this batch of students would stand on the front line against the Abyss just as she did now. It was destined to be fraught with danger, while these students could originally have enjoyed ordinary but happy lives.

She seemed genuinely sorry—sorry that her own old age prevented her from shielding these children from all disasters, sorry that she couldn’t let them experience the peace and happiness they deserved.

It seemed that these important figures had their reasons for becoming important figures.

Only she, CocoLiss the Saintess, felt like she had picked up the title for free and was now only thinking about surviving.

“Great Bishop, you have done nothing wrong and have nothing to apologize for.”
The one who spoke was not any student in the room, but the arrogant and confident Second Prince. “I came to the academy of my own free will. I will definitely stand at the forefront against the Abyss and shoulder the fate of the entire empire.”

As expected, still the same arrogance.

Someone with this level of pure hot-bloodedness was rare even in her previous world’s schools.

What a pity. If this guy weren’t a spoiled rich kid who harassed decent girls, he might just be a simple, hot-blooded idiot.

“You are all good children…”
The kind elderly woman roughly swept her gaze across everyone in the class. “Then this old woman won’t say much more. I wish you pleasant studies. If you encounter any difficulties, you can also come talk to this old woman.”

Then, just as she had arrived, she walked out slowly but steadily.

“Phew—”
Noile beside her let out a long breath.

“You seem really scared of her?”

“Don’t you think she’s terrifying? People like her all carry this inexplicable pressure.”

The two chatted as they stood up and headed out of the classroom.

However, it seemed rather noisy outside.

Looking around, there was a crowd of people deliberately slowing their steps while chattering, and a golden-haired man stood at the academy entrance. His gaze was resolute, completely ignoring the noise around him.

Even the arrogant and domineering Second Prince couldn’t escape it. He slowed his steps, and together with the surrounding students, passed by the golden-haired man as if paying homage to a statue.

CocoLiss recognized this person.

She just didn’t know why he would appear in this place.

“CocoLiss dear, look quick!”
Noile had already started frantically slapping CocoLiss’s arm. “It’s Lord Hero! It’s the living Lord Hero!”