第１１９９堀：学府の行く先について (Part2)

第１１９９堀：学府の行く先について (Part2)

"Regrettably, our Lancer Magic Academy cannot openly support her. Beyond our delicate relationship with Enaria, the primary issue is that her research threatens to diminish the perceived value of mages themselves..."

"All the more reason why the Academy cannot lend its backing. If we were to try, we’d risk tearing the institution apart from within—or rather, it would be an absolute certainty."

In the If Continent, this academy stands as the pinnacle of magical education. Consequently, there are plenty of fools who view 'attending this school' as the ultimate badge of honor. If it were discovered that the institution was supporting research that devalued the very essence of a mage, it was clear as day that there would be those eager to drag Popuri down.

"I suppose you're right. Personally, I’d be relieved if Lord Yuki would just take Niruah under his wing, so I’m certainly hoping for that."

"Ha! If you start down that road, you’ll end up with a queue of every troubled female student in the academy looking for a handout."

"Yes, I am well aware of that. That is why I’d be content if Niruah could simply manage on her own. Even just becoming a mistress would suffice, really."

"That’s not going to happen. You know as well as I do that Yuki is the type to cherish his women. If she were to join him, she’d be a proper concubine. Though, I find it hard to imagine Niruah—or Wazfi, for that matter—having the presence to make such an appeal."

"Ahaha... True. Though, things went quite well for Cleena and Samantha, didn't they?"

"No, that wasn't Yuki’s doing; the other wives sought them out to serve as bridges to their respective nations. In that regard, Niruah and Wazfi have nothing but their 'singular talent' to offer."

Would Yuki’s wives really support them at that level?

"Oh, speaking of singular talents—Wazfi may be a woman of action, but her research into monsters is quite substantial, is it not? How do you rate her in that regard?"

"Her investigations and knowledge of monsters are indeed impressive. But for now, she’s merely 'desirable talent.' Unfortunately, there are many others of her caliber across the other continents. Unlike the If Continent, the threat of monsters is far more acute elsewhere."

"Hmm. When you put it that way, I suppose you’re right. Research into monsters is indeed more advanced on the other continents than it is here."

"Well, it’s not as if she has no potential. She is receiving direct guidance from the Demon Lord Deryu herself. That alone suggests she is being groomed for a position within the Weed leadership. Which reminds me, Popuri—what is it you ultimately want for Hivia?"

"Oh? Does that follow the current thread of conversation?"

"It does, doesn't it? We are discussing the 'future of our students.' And since Hivia exists in the present, we must consider her next steps. Even if she is a ghost."

Truth be told, once Yuki took Niruah and Wazfi under his wing, their paths were essentially set. Any talk of them being 'rejected' now would come down to their own personal choices. But Hivia is a different matter entirely. As an indeterminate existence—a ghost—even Yuki and his circle seem at a loss for how to handle her. They don't know what the best course of action is.

And what, exactly, does Popuri hope for her? Or rather, what does she want her to become?

Popuri, faced with the question, seemed to contemplate something she’d rather avoid, her brow furrowing slightly...

"Let’s see. Ideally, would it be for her to pass on peacefully? But if she were to cause harm before that, we would have no choice but to eliminate her by force. However, that would likely be nothing more than a nuisance to her. To put it simply, it would just mean she’d be gone from the academy."

"Haha. That’s a rather malicious way of putting it. Though, one could view it as wanting her to leave the nest."

"Leave the nest? I would wish for that if she were a student with a 'future,' but... does she even have one?"

"Who can say? That said, she seems to spend her days quite happily reading manga and conducting her research."

"If my wish could be granted, I would want her to continue down that path and do as she pleases until she is satisfied. But that would mean foisting Hivia onto Weed."

"I think that ship has already sailed, don't you? Besides, it would be strange to push Niruah and Wazfi onto them while drawing the line at Hivia."

"Ahaha. You have a point. Still, for over two hundred years, I never noticed her. That weighs on me..."

I see. Is it the guilt of having let her die? Or is it simply the natural sentiment a principal feels for her students? Regardless...

"Well, Yuki is already moving on that matter, too. It might just work out. If you find yourself in a bind, feel free to ask for help. I’ll assist, of course. After all, a ghost is a fascinating phenomenon. And Noriko will be coming, too."

"Oh, Noriko? My, the ghosts of Weed certainly are free-spirited. Did you find some sort of hint there?"

"Not at all. Noriko is so heavily influenced by Luna-san that she’s entirely useless as a reference."

That much I can say for certain. Once Luna-san gets involved, you can throw any concept of a 'standard' out the window. Though, I must admit, I do enjoy Noriko’s manga.

Hm? Come to think of it, Hivia liked manga, didn't she? I believe she even read Noriko’s...

Everything is being secured, step by step, just as planned. Now, I only need to ensure no other organizations go rogue. The Lancer Magic Academy situation seems manageable, but the Great Sea of Trees and the ghost problem remain.