“Do you want to visit the Imperial Magic Academy?”
“Hmm… Not particularly? …I guess?”
“I’m busy training too…”
“Then, does anyone want to visit the academy Yuri attends?”
“Me! Me, me, me! I want to go!”
“Me too! I want to go too!”
“…”
Charlotte and Julia enthusiastically raised their hands in excitement, despite the question being phrased only slightly differently.
Thus, the decision to visit the Imperial Magic Academy was made.
Of course, the headmaster outright refused to provide a tour program, pleading for them not to come. But obtaining the headmaster’s permission wasn’t strictly necessary to visit.
The academy was generally open to outsiders, so visiting on any given day could count as a tour in its own right.
Tour programs?
Who needs those?
With Yuri’s extensive network, a simple request would be enough to see most places within the academy.
“Then shall we set off?”
“Yay! Let’s go!”
“Right now? Is that okay? Yuri… Shouldn’t we let Yuri know first?”
“According to today’s schedule, Yuri should have plenty of free time to guide us around campus.”
“Why does Aslan know Yuri’s schedule in such detail? It’s kind of creepy…”
“…”
With the trip to the academy finalized, the kids excitedly dashed off to change their clothes.
Aslan considered having a cup of tea while waiting, and just as he called for Sylvia—
“Sylvia.”
“Ah, yes?”
“…”
“Did you call for me, my Lord?”
Sylvia, who seemed momentarily dazed, flinched and responded nervously.
It was then Aslan realized why Sylvia was acting this way—she had always been reluctant to visit the Imperial Magic Academy.
He had forgotten about that.
“Why don’t you stay back at the estate? You probably have a lot to take care of.”
“Nothing is more important than protecting you, my Lord. I will accompany you.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I’ve already overcome my trauma. I’ve even rewritten my fate alongside you. The past no longer frightens me, so please don’t worry.”
“Hmm… Good. That’s the answer I wanted to hear.”
Sylvia spoke confidently, a faint smile on her lips. Her reluctance stemmed from the fact that someone who had trained her harshly during her time as a hero candidate was now employed at the academy.
Until recently, that person had been a source of fear for her.
But now that Sylvia had physically and mentally surpassed her former self—having endured grueling trials and inscribed her own destiny—she no longer found them intimidating.
The past was just the past.
Having grown both stronger and more mature, Sylvia had nothing left to fear.
“Mister, Mister! Let’s go already! If we don’t leave now, it’ll be sunset by the time we get there!”
“All right, all right. Let’s head out.”
As Aslan barely sipped the tea Sylvia brought, the sound of the children’s hurried footsteps echoed. They were already back.
For kids who usually dawdled endlessly when changing clothes, they were remarkably quick this time. Their excitement about the academy visit was obvious.
Their outfits were practical and lively, perfect for an outdoor excursion.
They had likely chosen such clothes after hearing that the campus was vast—ready to explore and play.
Originally, Aslan planned to tour the campus by carriage, but considering their high spirits, walking seemed like the better choice.
In the heat of summer, such an idea might have been exhausting, but now that autumn was settling in with its cooler weather and shorter days, it felt manageable.
If they grew tired of walking, Yuri could take over as the guide while Aslan rested indoors.
As the carriage headed toward the highway, Aslan noticed something odd through the window.
“…Huh?”
“What is it, Mister? Did you see something strange outside?”
“Ah, it’s nothing…”
Perhaps it was because he hadn’t been to the city recently, but the scenery seemed strangely unfamiliar.
Skeletons were casually strolling through the streets, chatting with people.
Guards carried dazzling, elaborately designed weapons rather than ordinary ones.
And in the distance, he spotted what appeared to be a massive, oddly colored creature flapping its stubby arms.
On the roads, bandits were diligently laying concrete to repair the streets…
“Huh? It just looks normal to me.”
“Indeed… utterly normal…”
Strange. Life in the peaceful Vermont territory couldn’t have been more ordinary, so why did the scenery suddenly feel so peculiar to him?
Scratching his head, Aslan decided to dismiss the unease and focused on the journey ahead.
The carriage sped along, filled with lively chatter and bursts of song reminiscent of a family road trip.
By the time Aslan started feeling dizzy from the commotion, the carriage came to a halt.
They had arrived at the Imperial Magic Academy.
“Wow! This is the academy! It’s amazing! The buildings are huge and so cool!”
“Wow, it’s real… Ugh… There are so many people. It’s overwhelming…”
“…”
As soon as the carriage door opened, the children rushed out excitedly.
When I got off and turned around, I saw Sylvia hesitating, one foot still inside the carriage.
“…Ugh.”
Although she claimed to have completely overcome her trauma, it seemed she hadn’t fully erased all psychological resistance.
Instinctively, I reached out my hand.
“What are you doing?”
“It seems your motion sickness has worsened, making it hard to keep your balance. Take my hand.”
“Ha… You refused to offer your hand when I asked so desperately back then, and now this…”
Sylvia gave a small smile as her tension eased upon seeing my gesture.
Despite grumbling incessantly, she didn’t refuse my hand and held on tightly as she gracefully stepped out of the carriage.
The way she shyly tucked her hair behind her ear as she descended looked straight out of a refined lady’s debutante scene.
“Ah… You’ve grown so well…”
“…Huh? What?”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ fully understands your sudden emotional shift and encourages you.]
Perhaps it was because I had watched Sylvia since her childhood—or even gone back in time to meet her younger self—but a strange sentimentality washed over me, as though I had personally raised her.
Sylvia stared at me with a confused expression, seemingly wondering, “What on earth is this man thinking?”‘
“Aslan! Aslan! I asked one of the students, and they said that magnificent building over there is the library! Can I go there? Please, please, please?”
“Let’s find Yuri first. We need to say hello before anything else.”
“Oh, right! Yuri doesn’t know we’re here. We need to surprise her…!”
“Wait, isn’t that Yuri over there!?”
“Huh?”
Charlotte pointed to a distant spot, and Julia reacted with a gasp.
From my perspective, it was too far to distinguish anyone, but if the sharp-eyed kids said it was her, it probably was.
Before I could say anything, Charlotte and Julia were already running toward her, quickly leaving me behind.
Wasn’t Julia bad at running?
…Now that I think about it, she wasn’t as fast as Charlotte, but she was definitely faster than me.
“My Lord, should I carry you and run?”
“Are you trying to ruin me socially?”
“You care about appearances at times like this, I see…”
Was she serious?
In the middle of the Imperial Academy, filled with future leaders and elites, I wouldn’t dare show such disgraceful behavior.
Instead of taking the convenient route of being carried by Sylvia, I opted to chase after them on foot.
By the time I caught up—breathless and sweating—Charlotte and Julia had already reached Yuri.
“Wow, Yuri! It’s Yuri in a school uniform!”
“So cool! You really look like an… an… an elephant…?”
“Do you mean elite?”
“Ah! Yes, that! You look totally like an elite!”
“Guys…!”
When I finally caught up, the kids were gleefully clapping their hands together in excitement.
It had been less than a week since they’d last seen each other, yet it felt like a reunion after half a year.
“What are you all doing here?”
“What do you think? We came to visit you, Yuri!”
“Really? Then should I give you a tour? Want to explore the academy?”
“Hehe! Yes, please! I’ve been curious about it for so long!”
“All right, follow me then… Oh, Aslan… I mean, Count, you’re here too…”
Yuri’s face lit up with joy at the sight of Charlotte and Julia, but the moment she noticed me, her expression darkened instantly.
What kind of reaction is “ugh” upon seeing someone’s face?
Offended, I raised my hand to deliver a light smack on the head, but instead, I found myself patting her head without thinking.
“What? Do I seem like someone who shouldn’t be here?”
“N-No… That’s not what I meant… Wait, huh?”
Without realizing it, Yuri had leaned closer to make it easier for me to pat her head.
Then, as if she just realized what was happening, she froze.
Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat.
“…”
“…”
The quiet sound of my hand brushing through her hair echoed as Yuri glanced around, noticing the gawking stares of nearby students.
Her face turned bright red in an instant.
They say habits are hard to break…
She let her guard down, didn’t she?