Chapter 9: Academy Candidate Number 1
“Spontaneous combustion? Court Magician Nathaniel?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The young maid bowed her head as she greeted the red-haired woman.
The woman, who had just returned from subjugating magical beasts, frowned at the unexpected news.
“How could that happen? Wasn’t he known for his skills? How could such a person lose his life in an instant?”
“It seems he was impatient before the entrance ceremony. Don’t magicians who fail to ascend ranks die in similar ways?”
“Hmm…”
Wiping off the blood with a towel, Princess Krimhild von Hohenlaufen narrowed her eyes.
She had been working secretly for the past few days to exterminate the hordes of magical beasts that were disturbing the vicinity.
While her foolish brother was running around doing nonsense, she was busy tending to the people.
She even ate only pieces of bread and postponed a simple bath while scouring dangerous areas.
Because of that, she only heard the disturbing news belatedly.
Of course, it wasn’t entirely bad news for her.
‘Ferdinand must be flustered, too.’
She gave a wry smile and put down the blood-soaked towel.
Nathaniel was a magician who faithfully served the Second Prince like a shadow.
It would be difficult to find a replacement for him easily.
Especially now, when they were preparing for the entrance to Klomes.
“First, bring me bathwater. I haven’t even been able to shower properly because I was chasing magical beasts.”
“It’s already prepared. Please go in right away.”
“Thank you. As expected of my maid.”
Praising the maid’s preparedness, Krimhild entered the dressing room.
Then, with the help of the maids, she took off her sweat-soaked clothes, one layer at a time.
Once her naked body was revealed, she went straight to the bathroom.
Her maids followed her.
“Mmm…”
Feels good.
As soon as she entered the hot water, Krimhild let out a happy moan and trembled.
It felt like the fatigue from wrestling with magical beasts all day was melting away in the warmth.
She almost fell asleep, but held back.
There were still things to discuss while washing.
“I heard that the list of attendees for this year’s entrance ceremony is quite impressive.”
Krimhild asked, resting her chin on her hand.
An elegant gesture, befitting a princess, yet strangely alluring.
Glittering water droplets ran down her alluring curves and into her cleavage.
“Setting aside the children of noble families, it’s an event that even the next Hero candidate and the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom are attending. Isn’t it exceptionally large?”
“That’s because the recent situation is unusual.”
The maid, who was wiping the blood from the princess’s red hair, replied softly.
“Rumors of the opening of the gate to the demonic realm of Pandemonium and the Demon King’s reinvasion are rampant. The frequency of magical beast appearances has also increased significantly.”
“Hmm, I heard that the next Hero candidate is on the freshman list.”
“She’s already received a preliminary number, number 1. It must be a kind of courtesy from the academy.”
“Preliminary number 1? To that unruly tomboy?”
She laughed at the VIP treatment that even royalty would find difficult to receive.
It meant putting her first on the glorious list of the academy’s strict entrance exams.
That much shows their intention to keep the next Hero candidate as a member of the academy.
“And in the case of Her Highness the Saintess…”
“I know. She’ll be attending the academy lectures as a special envoy of the Holy See, right? To control the behavior of the Hero candidate and to ensure a safe educational environment for the students.”
Martial arts and magic.
Keywords representing the academy, and at the same time, teachings that represent its danger.
Since it cultivates talented individuals in various fields, the academy is full of various dangers.
Haven’t there been frequent casualties during practical training or workshops?
But the appearance rate of magical beasts has surged, and there are even rumors that the Demon King, who was defeated long ago, might return?
The church would be on edge as well.
‘Even so, they’re sending the Saintess, that formidable woman?’
“Are both Saintesses from the East and West Churches coming? Or just the Saintess of the Western Church, as planned?”
“It seems only Her Highness the Saintess of the Western Church will be coming. The Eastern Orthodox Church is still pending.”
Pending. They’re waiting for now, but if the situation worsens, they’ll send her at any time.
The justification seems plausible, but honestly, Krimhild wasn’t pleased with the Saintesses’ attendance.
The Klomes Academy has always been operated as an institution dedicated to fostering talent, isolated from external powers.
The reason why the puppets of the church are crawling in? Isn’t it obvious to anyone?
‘Those sly old men.’
Krimhild smiled bitterly, recalling the Pope of the Holy See and the Patriarch of the Archdiocese.
Her head already ached from dealing with the pesky Ferdinand, and it felt like the things she had to worry about had doubled.
‘But it’s not all bad.’
Since she was seriously aiming for the throne, it was only natural that she needed the church’s full support.
If she could win over the Saintess at this opportunity, it would be a worthwhile deal.
Aren’t the current Saintesses known for their unusually strong voice within the church?
Winning over the Saintess means winning over the church.
She was confident that she could do better than Ferdinand, whose head was filled with nothing but lust.
‘Winning over…’
“Come to think of it, what happened to that man?”
“That man?”
“The last necromancer. The one Father specifically allowed to live.”
Although he was just a low-ranking necromancer, his skills were definitely useful.
It was a judgment she made after silently observing the achievements he had made as a so-called cause-of-death investigator.
Of course, it was disgusting, but necromancy is a fairly rare and special skill.
There’s no one else in the world who can use it except him, right?
At least, it seemed worthwhile to keep him as a pet and feed him.
But the maid’s answer immediately dashed that prospect.
“I apologize. He also went missing around the same time. I heard he was attacked by someone.”
“Missing? Attacked? That necromancer?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The investigators reported that it is believed to be the work of extremists who demanded the necromancer’s execution. Although it’s classified as a missing person case for now…”
“…It’s practically a death.”
“Yes. Investigator Vellam said it herself, so there’s no mistake.”
The maid replied, applying a fragrant, fruity perfume.
Princess Krimhild’s skin always had a sweet peach scent.
The perfume was a natural product that enhanced this scent.
“Eve Vellam’s report… Then it must be reliable.”
Crossing her white legs under the water, Krimhild sighed.
Staring at the colorfully painted ceiling, she muttered in a complaining tone.
“It’s a shame. I thought he might be useful.”
“Forget about it. He’s just a descendant of an evil witch. Didn’t His Majesty also suffer from trying to use him?”
By principle, the descendants of the witch Altra should be executed without question.
Both the witch herself and her descendants caused great harm to the world with their wicked magic.
But Emperor Konrad II had a particular interest in the remnants of the Altra bloodline.
So he guaranteed him a minimum income as a cause-of-death investigator.
And secretly condoned the care of his ‘sister’, who might awaken as a witch someday.
Of course, that sister died of an incurable disease not long after.
“If I may be so bold, Your Highness.”
The maid addressed the sentimental princess.
“In my opinion, necromancers are just remnants of the old era. A stain of the past tainted with the fear and karma of witch hunts. They are a race that is not worth Your Highness’s embrace.”
“…”
“On the other hand, Your Highness is someone who will ascend to the throne and open a new era. I believe there is no reason for you to be concerned with such remnants. The sinister help of a necromancer is not necessary for the world Your Highness will create.”
“…Heh.”
With a faint smile, Krimhild closed her eyes.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, my head is clear.”
Right. The target she should focus on now is not the dead necromancer.
Ferdinand von Hohenlaufen.
Now that her older brother Maximilian is out of the political strife, he is the biggest obstacle in her path.
Wouldn’t it be enough to focus all her energy on devising a plan to crush him?
“…Nathaniel was originally supposed to recommend someone to the academy, right? Professor Kamala Bishop’s successor.”
“That’s right. He was supposed to recommend a professor for the black magic defense course.”
“Did he write and send the recommendation letter properly? It would be troublesome if a pro-prince faction member takes the professor’s position.”
“He said he sent it, but honestly, even the prince’s faction doesn’t seem certain. Even Sir Nathaniel was always agonizing over the lack of a suitable candidate.”
“Heh heh, that’s right. Even if Nathaniel is great, he wouldn’t have been able to recruit a magician better than himself, would he?”
Magicians are inherently proud beings.
Unless there is a special reason, they never bow down to others.
But for such people to get a job at the academy through a recommendation letter from a weaker magician?
It’s absurd.
In the end, he had no choice but to recommend someone inferior to Nathaniel, who is 5th rank.
There’s no way a candidate chosen so carelessly would catch the eye of Professor Bishop, known for being strict.
‘Whoever he chose, they’ll be rejected spectacularly.’
Imagining her brother’s frustrated face, Krimhild took a deep breath.
She wasn’t particularly looking forward to entering the academy, but she really wanted to see Ferdinand’s selection become a disgrace.
‘So I hope he enters soon.’
The unknown magician that Nathaniel brought for her brother.
So that she can see his smug face at least once before he gets kicked out of the academy.
“Pichew!!”
Is someone talking about me? I suddenly sneezed.
By the way, a “pichew” instead of an “achoo”.
Even the way I sneeze has changed since I became a woman. It wasn’t this anticlimactic before.
Will I even snore cutely now?
I sucked on a lollipop, thinking about trivial things.
This time, it was a lemon-flavored candy with a sourness that could be felt just by looking at its color. I bought it because they say sourness is good for relieving tension.
Once I finish this, I finally have to go into the academy.
“…It’s huge.”
Lapland Town, a village in the lowlands where the academy shuttle dropped me off.
A rural-style commercial district formed around Klomes.
It’s also a place I’ll be visiting year-round once I become an academy official.
And even in the middle of the village, the academy’s main gate could be clearly seen.
It seems they weren’t just bragging about the academy for nothing.
‘Should I fill my stomach before I go?’
Crunch. I thought as I crushed and swallowed the lemon candy.
As Danilov said, food is the key to good health.
Now that I’ve refreshed my mouth with sour candy, I should relieve my stress with delicious food.
All the delicacies I couldn’t eat in my poor Crowley days.
I’m going to try at least one of them every day.
It doesn’t matter since I have plenty of money taken from Shylock.
Thinking that, I stopped by a street stall.
A sausage specialty store with a huge sign that read, “Lapland’s best specialty! Limited to 100 servings per day!”
As expected of a store for students, it was street food that could be eaten comfortably while walking.
‘It’s so flashy. For just a sausage.’
I left the stall and stared at the grilled sausage.
A skewer of sausage grilled crispy at the right temperature, topped with special sauce, eggs, and various vegetables.
It was also coated with a thick, crispy batter.
It was large enough to be a meal replacement, and it was indeed worthy of being called a limited edition of 100 servings.
I’ll have to come and buy it often if I get into the academy. The taste is excellent, and the price is reasonable.
‘…I hope it goes well.’
If I fail the staff evaluation, the whole plan will be messed up.
Besides not being able to get revenge, I’ll have to rethink how to make a living.
If my white magic had become stronger instead of necromancy, I wouldn’t have to worry about this.
“But I can’t complain either.”
I died and came back to life, even getting a chance to live a new life.
Isn’t this more than enough?
I muttered and brought the steaming sausage to my mouth.
And I strode towards the academy’s main gate.
Or rather, I was about to.
A small object suddenly flew towards me.
I dodged reflexively, and the object hit the village fountain and bounced.
A pink yarn ball embroidered with flowers. It was a childish item that children usually play with.
‘…What?’
While I was blinking in disbelief,
“Hey, you there!”
Someone’s voice full of playfulness.
A girl’s voice, thinner than an adult’s, but stronger than a child’s, was heard.
What I found when I turned my gaze in that direction was…
‘A kid?’
A girl with light beige pigtails and emerald-green eyes.
A girl wearing colorful leather armor and carrying a halberd on her shoulder was glaring at me.
“That limited-edition sausage is mine! I waited all day to eat that!”
A girl who looked to be in her late teens at most.
She pointed at herself with her thumb and shouted.
“So hand over the sausage, human!”
A girl with a childish impression.
She was throwing a tantrum with a truly wronged expression.
She was so indignant that for a moment, I wondered if I had done something wrong.
“Human! Why are you dawdling! Can’t you hear me!”
When I remained silent in bewilderment, the girl stomped her feet and blushed.
Her ponytail, swaying like a horse’s tail, was quite cute.
“Pea promised me! If I behaved well all day, she’d give me all the limited-edition sausages I wanted! But you dared to steal my rightful share! I can’t forgive you! Hand it over before I show you what I’m capable of!”
Ah, come to think of it.
The owner did say it was the last sausage when he sold it.
It was so childish that it was more refreshing than annoying.
It had been a while since I had seen such childish stubbornness.
I hadn’t seen proper childish behavior since I lost my younger sister.
I don’t know who ‘Pea’ is, but she seems to be a guardian, though she doesn’t sound like she’s doing a very good job.
‘Wait. Is that badge…?’
It was at that moment.
A silver badge shining on the girl’s chest.
The embossed wing pattern and the clearly written number ‘1’ caught my eye.
‘Preliminary student number?’
A mark of prospective students that I occasionally saw while living in the capital.
It was even a proud mark indicating that she was first on the waiting list.
She’s acting like this even though she received the highest score in the evaluation among freshmen?
Could this be… the average of the students I’ll have to deal with if I get into the academy?
‘Oh my.’
I muttered with a wry smile.
This year’s academy life… seems like it will be very tiring.