S13 The Saintess and the Sword Emperor
The enrollment ceremony concluded without incident.
Afterward, students dispersed. Most returned to their new dormitories, or began touring the campus.
The academy operates as a full-board institution.
This applies to me as well. While attending this academy, I must reside in the dormitory.
Leaving the academy grounds is restricted, except during extended vacations or in exceptional circumstances.
"What shall we do now?"
Katia speaks in her ladylike manner.
Our dormitory preparations are already complete.
Ideally, we would inspect the campus grounds.
"I'd like to meet someone, so—would everyone like to come along?"
"Meet someone?"
"Yes. The future Saintess and the Sword Emperor. Meeting them can only be beneficial."
The Saintess and the Sword Emperor.
The Saint, as a figure, is the symbolic representative of the neighboring holy nation of Saint Aleyus.
The圣女, known as the Hero's Companion, is bound by duty to act alongside the Hero, as appointed by the nation through successive generations.
Julius, as elder brother, should have had the current Holy Maiden accompanying him.
The Sword Emperor refers to the sovereign of the largest human nation on the Kasanagara Continent, the Lengzant Empire.
The Lengzant Empire borders the Demon Realm and is a nation perpetually at war.
To rule a nation, strength is the first requirement.
From that point onward, each successive emperor was known as the Sword Emperor, retaining the epithet of the first emperor.
The Saint is chosen from among candidates with proven aptitude, but the Sword Emperor is selected purely by bloodline.
In other words, the son of the current Sword Emperor is enrolled at this academy.
Ah, the Crown Prince of the Langzant Empire, is it? I’ve heard rumors. I believe he’s enrolling at this academy this year, just like us. They say he’s a sword prodigy—something akin to the First Emperor, so they claim.
Wait, you know about Catia?
I don’t know anything about that at all.
“Shun, you’d do well to acquaint yourself with the world beyond your own sphere.”
She looks at me, as if reading my expression, and sighs in mild disbelief.
I—can’t argue.
“But, Teacher. If you’ve gone to such lengths to meet him… does that mean…?”
“That is precisely what it means.”
“Then we cannot avoid it.”
The conversation proceeds as if only they two are involved.
Suu and I are left behind, watching in silence.
“Come now, Shun. What’s with that face?”
“I just… can’t keep up with the conversation…”
“Suu, I understand. But why are you…?”
Katia and the teacher both make faces of mild disappointment at once.
You don’t have to make that face, you know.
“Ah, it seems we won’t need to go over there after all.”
Following the teacher’s words, I look over that way—there, the boy and girl were approaching from that direction.
The boy had sharp features, dark brown hair, and eyes of the same shade.
The girl had wavy golden hair and turquoise eyes—somehow mysterious, delicate.
“Yo. That little elf there is Okachan?”
“Natsume. That’s rude to the teacher. It’s been a while, teacher.”
The boy and girl spoke in Japanese.
Only then did I finally understand the conversation between the teacher and Katia.
These two were reincarnates, like us.
“It’s been a while. Natsume and Hasebe-san look well.”
From the teacher’s words, I learned their original names.
The boy’s original name was Natsume Kengo. In class, he had been a central figure among the males.
Yet I had never liked this Natsume.
He possessed strong athletic ability and physical strength.
He never resorted to actual violence, but he frequently displayed his power to compel others to comply.
That was his nature—dominant and forceful.
As a result, some in class followed Natsume, while others resisted.
I was among those who resisted.
Well, “resisted” is a strong term. I merely avoided interaction whenever possible.
"Haha! Okazaki, you were always small, but now you’re even smaller! Priceless!"
"Natsume-kun!"
It was Hasebe Yuka, formerly seated beside him, who reprimanded Natsume.
Unlike Natsume, Hasebe was an average girl—neither particularly outstanding nor lacking in any way.
She was supposed to be easily swayed, but whether she harbored something extraordinary enough to be called a saint candidate—no clear image came to mind.
"Elves are small by nature. Besides, isn't Summer now about the same size?"
"I'm going to grow steadily from now on. So, you there—aren't you the prince of this country? Who's inside that body?"
Summer’s gaze locked onto me.
His eyes held a feral gleam, predatory.
A glare sharp enough to attack at any moment.
This guy—yes, in a past life he was definitely a troublemaker—but was he this dangerous?
"Yamada Shunsuke."
"Oshima Hotaru. Long time no see."
I answered briefly. Katia stepped forward deliberately, drawing attention.
"Wait—Oshima-kun?"
“That’s right. I’m Oshima. Surprised? Got reincarnated as a woman this time.”
Hasebe seized on Katia’s lead.
The conversation intensified. Hayame’s gaze shifted away from me.
Thank you, Katia.
Regardless, Hayame—your current name, Yugo van Lengzand, is a concern.