Episode 119
The day of the Academic Festival arrived.
The academy was bustling with excitement, filled with visitors from outside.
Elonia’s presentation was scheduled for the late afternoon. Artius had also informed her that he would arrive around that time.
Elonia, accompanied by the Asta brothers, headed towards the representatives’ waiting room in the Central Building. They tried their best to ease her nerves, seeing her trembling hands.
“It’s okay, it’s not a big deal once you’re on stage.”
“That’s right. It’ll be over before you know it.”
Even Elonia, the seasoned warrior, was nervous about appearing before such a large crowd. She finally understood why they had been so eager to become representatives.
They had wanted to be there for her, to support her. They were so thoughtful.
Of course, it was Lady Asta, not Elonia, who had raised them to be so considerate.
Just as they were enjoying a moment of heartwarming camaraderie, the door opened, and their peace was shattered.
“Oh, you’re all here.”
It was Valerian. Llewellyn immediately bristled.
“What? Why are you here?”
“I’m also a representative.”
“Get out.”
“I’m a representative.”
“Come back in four hours. That’s an order from your senior.”
“You’re not my direct senior, and the presentation will be over by then…”
Valerian chuckled awkwardly.
Elonia sighed inwardly, Llewellyn’s momentary display of maturity quickly replaced by his usual petulance. Alberich also looked disapproving.
“Llewellyn, stop it.”
“Hmph.”
“And stop whining. Valerian, have a seat.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Valerian, smiling cheerfully, sat down on the empty sofa. Despite Llewellyn’s grumbling, all four department representatives were now present.
It was their first time being chosen as representatives. The Theology Department always went first.
“The Theology Department is always the opening act. This year is no different.”
“…No wonder they protested.”
“Haha.”
Valerian chuckled, as if he was used to it. After the Theology presentation, Llewellyn would present his research paper. And then came the Swordsmanship duel, the highlight of the presentation for many.
“Alberich, who’s your opponent?”
“Professor Gunnar.”
“Sometimes, they invite alumni as sparring partners. Mother was supposed to be my opponent this year, but it didn’t work out since I’m the representative.”
That would have been interesting. Elonia suppressed her disappointment. And finally, the Magic Department, with its visually stunning spells, would close the presentation.
Elonia was planning to demonstrate a summoning spell. Not summoning an object from subspace, but summoning it from a different location, without physical contact.
“Is that even possible?”
“It is.”
It was possible for her. She had been able to do it as Chelon, but she had kept it a secret, afraid of being forced to transport military supplies.
“I’m not an expert in magic, but that sounds impressive. What’s the range?”
“I’ll be using other spells as well, so not very far. Just from the stage to the sky above.”
The three of them were speechless. They weren’t magic experts, but casting two large-scale spells simultaneously seemed impossible.
Even Caroline, when Elonia had told her about her plan, had thanked her for not revealing her true power during her time as Chelon.
A knock came from the door, followed by Caroline’s voice.
“Elonia, His Majesty is here to see you.”
“Already?”
Elonia stood up. They had been chatting for so long that it was almost time for the presentation.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“See you soon, Your Highness.”
Elonia nodded and left the waiting room. Caroline, dressed in her usual attire, was waiting for her.
“Where’s Dad?”
“He’s in the reception room.”
Elonia followed Caroline to the reception room. Artius, instead of sitting on the sofa, was standing by the window, waiting for her.
“Elonia!”
He seemed even more excited to see her than usual, perhaps because of the important event. Elonia, unable to suppress her smile, approached him.
“Dad.”
Artius quickly knelt down, meeting her gaze, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, nine hours.”
“And did you eat?”
“I had lunch with Alberich and Llewellyn.”
It reminded her of the entrance exam, when Artius had seen her off, his face filled with worry.
Artius, finally relieved, sighed. He looked more tired than she did.
“Elonia, please don’t overdo it.”
“That’s going to be difficult today.”
“…Then at least don’t collapse.”
“I know. I’ll conserve my energy whenever possible.”
“Good.”
Artius reached out as if to pat her head, but then stopped mid-air, remembering that she didn’t like being patted.
Elonia, to reassure him and calm her own nerves, decided to indulge in a rare display of affection.
“Stay where I can see you.”
She clutched his sleeve, her voice small. Artius was surprised. It was the first time she had expressed such vulnerability.
A father couldn’t abandon his anxious daughter. Artius smiled gently and patted her head.
“Of course. I’ll be where you can easily find me.”
It was time.
Elonia, encouraged by her father’s support, left the reception room.
The Academic Presentation was held in the central hall of the Central Building. The hall was packed, and Artius, surrounded by the Tite Knights, was sitting in the middle of the crowd.
The department heads and representatives, except for Elonia and Caroline, were already backstage.
Valerian, who was going first, bowed his head, a cheerful smile on his face.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Good luck, Your Highness.”
Julietta also bowed her head. Elonia smiled and waved.
“Good luck.”
Shortly after they went on stage, a bright light enveloped the audience, followed by gasps of awe and admiration.
Llewellyn got ready.
“El, I’ll be going now.”
“Okay.”
“Can you say ‘good luck’ or something?”
“No.”
Llewellyn was about to whine when Theodore, appearing out of nowhere, pushed him towards the stage.
“Get ready, Llewellyn!”
“Fine…”
Llewellyn, his shoulders slumping, was practically dragged onto the stage by Theodore. But the moment he stepped onto the platform, his posture straightened, his coat billowing behind him as he walked confidently towards the podium.
“I am Llewellyn Asta, representing the Academic Department.”
He began his presentation. Now, only Caroline, Gunnar, Alberich, and Elonia remained backstage.
Alberich asked,
“You’ll be bored without me.”
“Me?”
“Your success is guaranteed.”
His golden eyes shone with certainty. Elonia couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You’re good at flattery.”
“It’s not flattery.”
“Right, get ready.”
Alberich, looking slightly offended, was then dragged away by Gunnar.
They were truly brothers.
Now, only Caroline and Elonia remained. Or rather, four people.
Lucius had appeared backstage.
“Your Highness.”
“Lucius, how are you feeling?”
“As you expected, Your Highness.”
Elonia grinned. He seemed confident.
“Caroline, can you excuse us for a moment? I need to talk to Lucius.”
“Of course.”
Caroline, a strange smile on her face, stepped away. Elonia, as soon as they were alone, took Lucius’s hand.
“Y-Your Highness?”
Lucius was startled by the unexpected contact. Elonia had been thinking about it. The voice had transferred to Lucius when they bumped into each other at the entrance ceremony.
She focused on his hand, and she could sense her presence behind him. Elonia, channeling her Chelon persona, addressed her.
“Mother, you’re there, aren’t you?”
Lucius’s gaze shifted, and Elonia, her eyes fixed on the spot where his gaze had landed, spoke, her voice trembling slightly,
“I’m curious about why you’re still alive, why you’re in that form, but I know you won’t tell me, so I won’t ask. But please, tell me one thing.”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Why are you trying to protect me?”
Her voice trembled, and so did her hand, which was still holding Lucius’s.
Lucius, as if offering comfort, placed his hand over hers.
The warmth of his hand strengthened her resolve, and she continued, fighting back tears,
“I was a terrible daughter to you, a child you didn’t want. But you fulfilled your duty as a mother. You left me a message, a dying wish. It was my fault for not fulfilling it. So why… why are you trying to protect me, even now, as Elonia, not Chelon?”
Elonia genuinely wanted to know. Alexia had already fulfilled her duty as a mother. She had left a dying wish for her unwanted child to survive, to hide her powers.
Alexia didn’t answer.
Elonia, having expected her silence, gave up on getting an answer. But she didn’t let go of his hand. There was something she had wanted to tell her ever since she realized the voice’s identity.
“Mother, my unhappiness wasn’t your fault.”
Elonia’s grip tightened.
“I wasn’t unhappy because of you. Please know that.”
Elonia, her gaze fixed on the space behind Lucius, spoke those words.
Caroline called out to her. It was time.
Elonia quickly withdrew her hand, pressed her palms against her eyes, and then, her usual composure restored, turned to Lucius.
“I’ll be counting on you, Lucius.”
“Your Highness, please…”
“Yes?”
She thought she had heard him say something, but he shook his head, as if it was nothing, and gently took her hand.
“Nothing will go wrong.”
“…Okay.”
Elonia nodded.
Their hands slowly separated, and Elonia walked onto the stage.
Lucius, staying backstage, closed his eyes, his back to the audience.
A clear, confident voice filled the hall.
“I am Elonia Ainar Ravanta, representing the Magic Department. Today, I’ll be demonstrating a summoning spell.”
As Elonia finished her introduction, Lucius unleashed his apostle’s power. The rings resonated. A bright light, engulfing the stage and the entire academy, erupted.
It was a warm, gentle light, even Lucius, who was backstage, could feel its warmth.
Elonia’s mana, enveloped by Lucius’s power, seeped into the ground, without causing any destruction.
A shower of flower petals and glittering dust rained down on the cheering audience.
Elonia, looking out at the magical scene, spotted Artius, surrounded by the Tite Knights, and smiled brightly.
The spell was a success.
Alexia, her form materializing, sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
Lucius, listening to her sobs, wished he could stay here forever.
The day after the Academic Festival,
Elonia, her body stiff and sore from yesterday’s exertion, reluctantly got out of bed and left her dormitory. It was Saturday, so she had no classes, but she wanted to talk to Lucius, who had disappeared without a word after the presentation.
She was worried.
And her worries, as usual, were well-founded.
She arrived at the Theology Department, located on the opposite side of the academy from the Academic Department, and went to Julietta’s office.
“Julietta.”
“Y-Your Highness.”
Elonia, catching her breath, asked,
“Where’s Lucius? I haven’t seen him since the presentation yesterday.”
“W-well…”
Julietta, flustered, stood up from her desk.
Something wrapped in swaddling clothes fell to the floor.
A small hand, clad in the red-embroidered sleeve of the Theology Department uniform, was visible. But the arm was lifeless, severed from its owner.
Elonia’s face turned pale.
Julietta, her voice trembling, said,
“L-Lucius… was murdered last night… in his dormitory…”