Chapter 22: Silently Casting Healing Magic on the Head

Reading Settings

After paying my respects to the students of the Hero Academy and taking a little break in Nainai Chinchin Village, I returned to the Magic Academy.

For some reason, I was immediately caught by Nee-san and forced to sit formally on the floor in seiza.

“Do you know why you're being made to sit like that?”

“Because I told Rukan-senpai all of your plans?”

“So that's why you've been persistently asking to hang out lately… I'll scold you about that later.”

It seemed that wasn't the reason. I'd just dug myself a hole.

“It's because you disappeared for several days without any notice.”

“I told Gar, though! I just said I was going home for a bit.”

“…Of all people, you asked that first-year to pass the message? That kid's scared of me and wouldn't come near me.”

“I see. Then it's not my responsibility, right?”

When I tried to get up from the floor, Nee-san placed her hand lightly on my shoulder.

The pressure was so overwhelming that I couldn't move.

“So, why did you suddenly go home?”

Well, it was just to see the students coming from the Hero Academy…

If I told her honestly, she'd get mad.

“Nee-san, now might not be the best time to—”

“Just say it. It's an order from your Onee-chan.”

“Ah, alright. I just wanted to see what the students from the Hero Academy are like.”

I told her everything, without holding back.

“So that's what happened.”

“…I see, so Belchika from the White Church is a student from the Hero Academy…”

“Nee-san, she's trying to hide her chuunibyou tendencies. Don't ever mention it.”

“Got it.”

“Then, can I stop sitting on the floor now?”

“No.”

Eh—still not okay?

For the next hour or so, Nee-san lectured me, and I just emptied my mind and let her words wash over me.

“Do you know how worried I was when you left the Academy without permission and didn't come back for days? Don't think I'll always look like an angel.”

“You've always been like a demon anyway—”

“Did you say something?”

“Nothing.”

“Good. …By the way.”

After finishing the lecture, Nee-san noticed a girl lying sprawled out next to me.

“Ask, who's that girl?”

“Huh? I am Luu!! Who are you?”

“It's Luu. Everyone in Nainai Chinchin Village found her, and somehow she ended up following me.”

“Nainai Chinchin Village? …Wait a minute!? When did that village get that name!?”

Even if you ask, I don't know either.

As Nee-san muttered, “There could've been a better name…,” Luu let out a low growl.

“King Ask. This woman is mightier than you.”

“Mightier? She's not just ‘mighty,' she's above me.”

“What!? She's above King Ask!?”

“Yes. Nee-san is a being above the clouds.”

“Above the clouds? Above the king? Then, a god?”

Nee-san's eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Yes. Nee-san is a goddess.”

“A goddess!! Amazing!! A goddess!! What's her name!!”

“…Fran.”

“Goddess Fran!!”

Luu cheerfully called Nee-san's name.

At once, the frown Nee-san had earlier vanished, replaced by a delighted smile.

She gently stroked Luu's chin.

For some reason, Luu looked like a cat being petted by a female villain from some evil organization.

“Ask, this one's pretty cute. Would you like to work under me?”

“Work?”

“Yes, as my maid.”

“A maid? What's that? Is it tasty?”

“It's not food. You'll take care of me and my needs.”

Since the Magic Academy is a school for nobles from all over the country, most students either handle their own affairs or employ servants to take care of them.

Still, seeing Nee-san decide to make Luu her maid… she must really like her.

“Will I get delicious food? Will I sleep in a warm bed?”

“Of course. You'll get three proper meals a day and a comfy bed to sleep in.”

“Then I'll work!!”

And so, Luu became Nee-san's maid.

“Oh, right. In the afternoon, the students from Hero Academy will arrive, so as student council, we'll go greet them.”

“Eh, sounds annoying.”

“Just get ready.”

“Y-yes.”

We got everything prepared and stood at the main gate of the Magic Academy to welcome the students.

At the gate were Student Council President Christina and Victoria, along with some high-ranking noble students not related to the council.

Among them was the son of Duke Arnal.

“Huh? Why is the son of Duke Arnal, whose engagement to Princess Christina was broken, here?”

“Y-you!! Are you picking a fight with me and the Arnal family!?”

“Ah, sorry. I just made a simple mistake.”

“Damn it!! Do you know how much effort it took to erase the rumor about me being interested in men because of you!! You're the only one I'll never forgive!!”

“Is that really okay to say? If I shout again, ‘Kyaa!! The son of Duke Arnal is going to violate me!!'”

“!? N-no, stop, absolutely stop!! That would just make the rumors worse!!”

I had said it as a light joke, but he seemed genuinely terrified.

I see, he's really scared of rumors.

Well, without TV or smartphones, gossip is a major source of information. Being the subject of all kinds of rumors must be exhausting.

Next time Duke Arnal's son bothers me, I'll use this joke to shut him up.

Huh? I was the one who started the fight? Small details don't matter—worrying about them will just make my head bald.

While I was thinking that, Nee-san stepped in.

“Duke Arnal's son, please forgive my brother's rudeness.”

“Huh. F-Fran… no, it's fine…”

For some reason, the moment Nee-san joined the conversation, the Arnal son became meek.

Could it be…

No, that can't be. Even if it were true, it would be hard to believe his sanity.

But I remembered he lost an arm in the recent Academy takeover incident. Nee-san had healed his injury, and she treats the sick and injured like a saint.

…Hmm.

“…Hey, why are you silently casting healing magic on my head?”

“Just felt like it. Oh, just in case, I'll cast some on your eyes too.”

Then Princess Christina appeared, her smile not reaching her eyes.

“Fran-sama, would you mind keeping Duke Arnal's son away?”

“Princess Christina. I don't think you have the right to tell me what to do?”

“But I am Fran-sama's ‘friend.' We must eliminate pests that gather around the light.”

Wow, this is going to be intense.

Everyone should learn from Victoria, quietly munching on snacks.

Or maybe I should cast healing magic on Christina too.

“So, why is Duke Arnal's son, whose engagement to Princess Christina was broken, here?”

“Y-you, still asking!! …Well, fine. Didn't you hear? High-ranking nobles were ordered to attend the welcome for Hero Academy students.”

“Oh, really?”

As I tilted my head, Princess Christina nodded.

“Yes, it's true. The Belhart Empire is a good neighbor now, but in the past, they fought a large-scale war with our Kingdom, you know?”

“Did we?”

“Haah, Ask, Onee-chan taught you this many times.”

History is hard for me. Even if I study desperately, I forget it in three days. But somehow, I recall it during tests.

“Years after that war ended, while tensions still lingered, when Hero Academy students came to study at the Magic Academy, all high-ranking nobles came to greet them to intimidate them…”

“Oh, so that became a weird tradition that stuck until now?”

“Yes, exactly.”

History leaves traces in everything.

As we talked, the carriage carrying the Hero Academy students I saw at the Medicus Viscountcy stopped at the Magic Academy gate.

People got off one by one.

At the very end, Belchika bowed to Christina.

“Nice to meet you. I am Belchika, top candidate from Hero Academy representing the heroes.”

“Nice to meet you. I am the first princess of the Kishirika Kingdom and the student council president of the Magic Academy, Christina Astia Kishirika.”

As they exchanged greetings, the atmosphere lightened.

Then, Belchika glanced toward the high-ranking noble attendants and froze when she spotted Luu among them.

What's going on?

“Could it be… the Divine child who went missing three months ago? No, it must be someone who just looks like her. The divine child didn't have horns or a tail, so it must be someone else, right?”

Wait, could Belchika know Luu from before she lost her memory?

Could they have been chuunibyou friends?

The world may be surprisingly small.

While I was thinking about that, one of the Hero Academy students stepped forward.

A massive lion. Its mane looked extremely fluffy.

“Hey, Princess.”

“Raio-san, do not speak rudely to Princess Christina.”

“Ha! Belchika, just stay silent. I only show respect to the strong. If you want respect, show me your strength!!”

Sending a troublemaker from a foreign kingdom to study at our academy, huh?

In response, Christina—

“Hero Academy is merit-based, isn't it? For the friendship between our nations, let's have a friendly duel to also serve as a welcome match.”

Ah, the princess is smiling, but her eyes aren't.

She's really annoyed.