第５８４堀：珍しいものを見た (Part1)
**Chapter 584: I Saw Something Rare**
**Side: Yuki**
Due to various circumstances, I am currently visiting the academy where Kagura is studying—or rather, has been studying—magic. It was there that I witnessed something truly rare.
After finishing my greetings with the academy director, I began discussing the curriculum and teaching methods with Kagura’s older sister, Kanna. We had just left the director’s office and were heading toward the classroom where we were scheduled to hold our lessons when we encountered it.
"Kyaaa!"
The first thing I heard was a chorus of high-pitched female voices.
It sounded like a fair number of people had shouted at once, making it quite conspicuous. Naturally, our group turned our gazes toward them.
Surrounded by a swarm of female students, there was a single male face visible in the center.
"Hey, Yuki-san..."
"Don't say it. Nothing has been decided yet. Right, let's confirm. Excuse me, is that group over there some kind of event?"
Taiki-kun and I, despite having already guessed the identity of that mass of people, asked Kagura and Kanna, desperately hoping to be proven wrong. However, Kanna just tilted her head, seemingly unaware.
"No, I haven't heard of any such thing. It seems the students are getting excited about something... Kagura, do you know anything? Has there been some new trend among the students lately?"
Ah, right. Kanna hasn't been at this academy for very long. Furthermore, she’s essentially dedicated to our service; she wouldn't have the time to keep track of school events, let alone the hobbies and interests of the students.
As for Kagura, who had been asked the question...
"...That face belongs to Geman Domno, a mid-level student, I believe."
"Domno? As in the son of the Baron who serves as the captain of the Wide-Area Attack Magic Corps?"
"Yes. He is the eldest son of the Domno family. His ability is head and shoulders above the other mid-level students, which is why he is so popular."
Kagura stared at Geman with a look of distaste as she spoke.
Ah, so he’s *that* type.
"If he’s a mid-level student, that means he wasn't caught up in the battle at Baide, right?"
"Yes, that is correct, Elder Sister."
Incidentally, this school is divided into lower, middle, upper, and special-level students. There is a rule that one must spend at least one year in each of the lower and middle levels to complete the prescribed studies. It’s a form of compulsory education, and from there, students can advance to the "upper level" to pursue professional careers in the military or research. It also serves as a way for noble families to add prestige to their names.
In this New Continent, magic hasn't declined as much as it has on the If Continent, so many people can use magic, but few reach a level suitable for actual combat. Since there are no monsters here, that kind of progress has been slow. However, by the time they reach the middle level, they have enough skill for real combat against humans, so for the commoners who enter this academy, it serves as a badge of honor.
While being an "upper-level" student isn't strictly necessary to land a prestigious job in the military or research, it seems that having been one is a significant advantage. They undergo training that simulates real combat, and since they are highly regarded by the state, very few students choose not to become upper-level students.
Kagura, by the way, is a special-level student. Her magical ability and knowledge are said to be peerless, making her the top student in the academy.
"So, that means he's doing that to make himself look better?"
"Yes. Every time there is a break, female students flock to him like that. It’s just noisy, and I wish he would stop."
Oh, wow.
It’s a classic. A total classic!
The popular male student!!
"I’ve never seen this before. So people like that actually exist."
"Yeah. Me neither. Back at Lancer, I saw guys filled with jealousy, but I never saw a type like that."
"No, no, at Lancer, the desire to learn magic comes first. Very few people come there just to make connections like they do at this academy, so it’s only natural."
Agil chimed in from the side.
I see. That makes sense.
The other place was a facility for training the few existing mages, so making social connections was secondary. It was an institution that prioritized academics.
Here, social climbing and networking for future career success take priority. I suppose the difference in the initial number of students leads to this kind of divide.
"Well, for now, it seems like there’s no problem for us."
"That’s true. People like that are weak against those with higher status. Nothing strange should happen."
At the Lancer Magic Academy, we were looked down upon because we were mercenaries, but this time, we are here as representatives of our country. Plus, we have Kagura, Kanna, the academy director, and the princesses, kings, and dukes—not to mention everyone else. Anyone who tries to pick a fight with us would just be an idiot.
"Was it an eyesore? If it’s too noisy, I can go and warn them."
Kanna asked, looking concerned for us.
"No, that won't be necessary. I was just wondering what the gathering was about."
Neither Taiki-kun nor I have any intention of causing trouble. Well, since we’re essentially "VIPs" here, I don't think much will happen anyway. Besides, these are students, not teachers. There’s no chance of some messy romantic drama. If we were becoming permanent faculty, we might clash with the current staff, but this is only temporary. It’s not like we’re going to have a *Great Teacher Onizuka* situation.
It’s not a den of delinquents, nor is it a hangout for ghost stories. It’s an elite school, after all. I’m sure they understand that causing trouble would jeopardize their own futures. We aren't career counselors, and the students' academic progress has nothing to do with our own standing. It’s a relaxed situation. Compared to the Lancer Academy, this is easy mode.
Thinking this, I was about to leave since Kagura looked annoyed, but then...
"Kagura-sama!?"
"It’s Kagura-sama!!"
"Wait, is that the peerless, wise mage who protected Baide alongside the Princess!?"
Hm?
Suddenly, the female students who had been making a racket started looking our way and causing a scene.
"Elder Sister!!"
In the next instant, the group of female students came running toward us.
"Is it just me, or is Kagura the one triggering the flags instead of us?"
"Looks like it. For us, that’s safe and reassuring."
As we were talking, Taiki-kun suddenly started speaking in a strange tone.
"Oh my!! Did you hear that, Yuki-san? 'Elder Sister', she said!!"
"I heard it, Taiki-san. 'Elder Sister'!!"
I joined in, playing along like a couple of housewives gossiping over the fence.
Well, when you see rare things happening one after another, you just have to comment on them, right? Is this a garden of young ladies?
Actually, maybe that’s not entirely wrong.
"...You two seem to be having fun."
"It’s like a trope from a manga, isn't it?"
However, it seems Deryu doesn't get it. Ria, on the other hand, seems to understand because she reads that kind of manga.
While we were exchanging those words, Kagura, who was surrounded, opened her mouth with a troubled look on her face.
"You all heard me, didn't you? I am currently guiding royalty from other countries by royal decree. Behave yourselves."
The effect of her words was immense. The female students immediately backed away, knelt, and bowed their heads.
"W-we are terribly sorry!!"
"Please forgive us!!"
Yeah. They’re trembling.
If they mess up, it could be a "heads will roll" situation. At the very least, it would affect their future. It was a careless move on their part.
That said, there’s no way we’d ask for blood over something this trivial. We want to foster friendly relations, after all. They didn't look down on us, and they seem to be reflecting on their actions, so we won't demand any punishment.
"Yuki-sama, Princess Stasia, Agil-sama, what shall we do?"
The fact that she properly seeks our judgment shows that Kagura has gotten used to these kinds of situations.
"If they acted that way intentionally, it would be a problem, but... was it on purpose?"