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Chapter 54

 

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Translator: “Kousei” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

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When we returned from Solania, we went to the governor-general’s office to report everything, one by one, to the military headquarters, to the ambassador from Todorokuni, and to the governor-general.

With the sudden loss of Solania, one of the few places left where we could investigate the scarce remnants of the Celestial civilization, in addition to the involvement of one of the most dangerous groups in the world, Overgene, it was inevitable that they would all have many questions for us.

And for me, the one who was most worrisome was Headmaster Olivier.

All the people who had gone to Solania, except for Liu Yu and Vaje, were called to the Headmaster’s office at the Magic Academy, and we had to explain to the Headmaster, just as we had already done multiple times, about what had occurred in Solania. As usual, she did not show any emotions on the surface.

So far, Professor Edward’s records of Zagurs’ statements have been able to reduce some of the suspicion held toward us, but when the one we are talking to is the Headmaster, I think it will be troublesome in a different way.

As we stood in a line in front of the Headmaster’s desk, she listened to the details of what happened from Professor Edward and the rest of us with a solemn expression on her face, she looked over the documents at hand, and then she closed her eyes for a while to organize her thoughts.

The Headmaster had probably obtained the report we had given to the Wagrail military, and the materials received from Todorokuni’s side, through her various connections.

「First of all, I am glad you were all able to overcome the many dangers in Solania safely. I am delighted that you all returned home without injury to any one of you.
Professor Edward, I know the loss of Solania must be very unfortunate for you, and for many students as well, but I hope you won’t let that make you feel down…」

「No, there’s no time to be feeling down.
Solania wasn’t the only legacy left behind by the Celestial Beings anyway, and if Overgene is involved, it’s become even more necessary to investigate faster and more accurately in order to prevent it from being misused. We learned that those sites which had already been investigated in Solania needed to be reexamined again.
There is no doubt that this incident has made Todorokuni, as well as those within and outside the kingdom, even more eager to reexamine and secure the heritages of the Celestial Beings. We cannot afford to fall behind」

「That sounds like something you would say. Anyway, to cross paths in a battle against the best student of the wanted criminal, the Great Sorcerer Bastrell, that is a truly unfortunate encounter that most people in this world will never have.
However, it was truly fortuitous that you all had the luck and ability to overcome such misfortune.
Especially Dran, if you hadn’t been there, I’m sure you all wouldn’t be here standing before me today.
Also, I’m sorry to say this, but this incident this time has gotten rid of something that has been stuck in my mind ever since the incident in Ente Forest. Reincarnator of the Dragonkin」

In response to the Headmaster showing a slight smile as she said that, I unconsciously thought to myself, “So you will point me out after all, huh?”

Immediately after we defeated Georg in Ente Forest, the Headmaster had seen right through me and knew that I wasn’t just an ordinary human, and I guess after a few months passed, she had finally arrived at the answer.

「Please don’t say it like that. You flatter me too much, it’s embarrassing.
Certainly, I was a dragon in my past life, and I was reborn as a human while still retaining my dragon soul, with my identity and memories as a dragon still intact, but even so, right now, I am nothing more than a human.
I am Dran of Bern Village, and I am a student at the Galois Magic Academy. I just want to be seen as a regular human, but even I understand that that may be an impossible request.」

「I see, I guess I should say you are very perceptive and understanding.
You have retained your powers as a dragon, but you are still humble about it, and for that, we, the people of the Arkrest Kingdom, should be thankful.
It is frequently said amongst adventurers that the one thing that would be the most foolish thing to do is to be enemies with the Dragonkin, the ones who stand at the apex of all living things.
Regarding the fact that you are a reincarnation of that Dragonkin, I will use my authority and connections to try to conceal it to the best of my ability, but I think there are some people that you should let know about this. I would like all the rest of you to swear not to reveal this information to anyone. Is that understood?」

As the Headmaster said those last words with emphasis, along with her expressionless mask, everyone felt the inexplicable impact and sense of intimidation from her, and besides myself and Lenia, they all more or less took in a sharp breath, and nodded wordlessly in affirmation.

The tip of Selina’s tail curled in slightly, and it kept moving restlessly in small movements behind her head.

Even if she wasn’t feeling this much pressure, this snake girl has some weak sides to her, so maybe this kind of reaction was unavoidable.

「Headmaster, please don’t scare Selina so much. This girl has a slightly faint heart, you know」

「Excuse my rudeness. I may be an old tree, but this is my first time being involved in a situation like this, so I am suffering from some uncharacteristic nervousness, and it’s causing my voice and attitude to become somewhat stiff」

The Headmaster called herself an “old tree,” which really is such an Elf-like expression, but despite what she said, she didn’t look all that nervous.

「So even a person such as yourself feels nervous sometimes. That must be a feeling that is common for all types of existences. I feel like I can relate to you」

「Now that your secret is out in the open, I see your way of speaking has become more casual, Dran.
I don’t have many friends who are Dragonkin, but I see now, that calm presence of mind spreads toward the other girls. I suppose that’s how it is for the species that stands at the top of the world」

「I think that everyone always slightly overestimates Dragonkin, but it is somewhat surprising that I come off as having that kind of attitude. I’ll have to revise that from now on」

「I do think it is an attitude that suits you though.Nevertheless, if you say that you wish to be a student of the Magic Academy, as the Headmaster of this school, I think it would be a pleasure to have you here.
Thanks to you, Christina seems to be full of energy, and it seems like I can expect great things from her when the Magic Academy Tournament comes this fall.
I pray that your student life here at the Magic Academy, for you and your friends, is a rewarding and fulfilling one」

With that said, the Headmaster was implicitly saying that this conversation was over, and that she was asking us to leave now. I’m sure after we leave, there’s still a lot more in the bigger picture of this situation that she’ll need to work on.

We left the Headmaster’s office just as we were told to, and then we parted ways at the great hall of the main school building, with each of us returning to the boys’ dormitory, the girls’ dormitory, and the teachers’ office, respectively.

When we arrived at the great hall, Professor Edward burst into loud, but cheerful and pleasant laughter, which caught the attention of the other students in the vicinity.

「Wow, that was the first time I’ve ever seen the Headmaster show so much emotion. Ever since we started working together, Dran, the amount of first experiences I’ve been having are surprisingly frequent. It’s truly delightful」

「Professor, please lower your voice」

「Oops, my bad」the Professor said in a quieter voice upon Miss Eliza pointing that out to him. We are already a strange group that draws attention as it is.

For starters, Christina and Lenia are two of the four strongest students with the highest combat ability, called the Big Four.

And then there’s me, who was admitted into the Magic Academy as a special transfer student because I fought evenly with Nell, who is also a part of the Big Four together with Christina and Lenia, and also my familiar, Selina, who is a lamia.

So we stick out. Of course we would stick out. Even more so if we’re talking at a volume where the people around us can overhear.

「I didn’t mean for things to turn out like that, but if you enjoyed it, then I’m glad」

When I shrugged my shoulders, Selina, who was standing next to me with a caring expression on her face, asked Professor Edward about what they would be doing next.

Since it was clear that he seemed to have interest in only the legacies of the Celestial Beings, we also already knew that he was well versed in the conditions, politics, and diplomatic affairs of other countries.

「But what will happen from now on, I wonder. Isn’t there a lot that we have to let people from other countries know about as well?
Maybe, just maybe, Dran and I might get driven out of the Magic Academy…」

Christina and I gave words of encouragement to the dejected Selina, and after a short pause to think, Professor Edward replied to her.

「You’re thinking a little too hard, Selina. Professor Edward took records of Zagurs’ statements, and if the worst case happens, we can summon the Todorokuni people who went to the underworld through necromancy, and have them testify for us」

「Necromancy isn’t as easy as Dran makes it sound, but I’m sure if it’s him, he could do it. It’s honestly a little terrifying. Anyway, just as he said, you’re overthinking it.
We didn’t make any mistakes, and Todorokuni’s quarrel with Overgene is an everyday occurrence, so they’ll be convinced, and just say, “What, them again?”」

As a matter of fact, neither Christina nor I believe that Todorokuni, with their reputation for their ambitious territorial expansion into their neighboring countries, would so easily overlook the events that occurred in Solania, which could be used as a bargaining chip in diplomatic negotiations.

「That’s right, but it’s understandable that you would be worried, Selina.
But since Solania was lost, along with all its academic value, and because the people of our country know that backing down against Todorokuni gives them the opportunity to suck us dry, they won’t back down, I’m sure.
Besides, our Headmaster of the Galois Magic Academy is a very capable person, and has the wisdom that comes with her age. She would never throw away or abandon her own students」

Since all three of us were persuading her, even Selina was able to feel reassured, and she patted her own ample chest, relieved.

Then Selina was approached by Lenia as well, which I was not expecting.

「You weakling snake. You’re Fathe– …Dran’s familiar, so don’t be so soft as to be agitated by the hounding of the masses. It would be impudent of you to call yourself his familiar if you are so cowardly. It’s truly pathetic. You must always strive to be a familiar worthy of Dran」

Hmph, Lenia snorted once as she gazed at Selina with cold sternness.

This sudden change in Lenia’s attitude toward me had begun the night we had escaped from Solania, when we had camped in the area near Wagrail. Selina, Christina and the others were in an uproar from top to bottom, asking if I had done something to Lenia.

「Y-Yes. I’ll do my best to act with resolution befitting of being Dran’s familiar.」

「You should be doing that, even without me having to tell you. You can stay as Fa– as Dran’s familiar, but you must understand that you were blessed with such a lucky miracle to be Dran’s familiar.」

「Y-Yes」

This alone isn’t enough to stop Lenia from continuing, and she continues to spit out sermons one after another to the terrified Selina.

As I stood on the sidelines thinking to myself that Lenia hasn’t been this talkative except for when we revealed our identities to each other in the forest, Christina looked to me, asking if we should help Selina.

Fumu, more and more people are starting to look over here, and Selina is beginning to panic, so I guess I should help her out.

「Lenia, can you leave it at that, for me? I always think Selina is too good of a familiar for me, and she always does such a good job. In my opinion, Selina is a great familiar.」

「Yes. Fa– ahem. If this is what Dran-san says, even though I still have a lot more to say, let’s leave it at that then. You were saved by Dran, huh, Lamia」

「Thank you for saving me…」

Released from Lenia, who still wanted to say hundreds to thousands more words, all the tension left Selina’s body, and she coiled up and sat down on the spot, as if she had become a snowman melting in the sunlight.

I think it’s okay for her to talk back a little, but I guess for now, that’s still a bit too much to ask of her.

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