“President Elena, please come this way. As for the Fairy Young Lady, please rest on the viewing stand over there.”
The assessment venue was in the academy’s large training ground.
As soon as they entered the building, a student guide approached to lead Ai’er and Elena.
“Ai’er, if you’re alone…”
“I’ll be fine~ Elena, do your best! I’ll cheer you on from up there the whole time!”
‘No good, Elena… that look on your face, like a mother worried about her daughter, isn’t good.’
‘If we have to be apart a little longer, what then?’
“O-okay… then wait for me, Ai’er. I’ll be done soon—”
“Done soon?!”
“Hey! Keep your voice down!”
Before the words faded, Elena was interrupted by a gasp from a student nearby. But when she and Ai’er looked over in confusion, the student and their companion had already disappeared.
“What’s up with today’s assessment?”
“Well, President, the one overseeing your assessment is a Great Mage, right? Everyone guessed it would be a practical combat type. Saying you’ll finish soon sounds like you’re saying ‘A Great Mage’s assessment is nothing at all.’ And also… I’m a bit curious. For the upcoming assessment—are you really not nervous or worried at all?”
Elena wasn’t nervous, but she was worried.
Worried that if she wasn’t by Ai’er’s side and her Ai’er fainted again, she wouldn’t be able to handle it immediately.
“I don’t feel anything special. I just want it to end as quickly as possible.”
“As expected of the President…
Then Fairy Young Lady, please come with me. You’re probably not familiar with this building, so I’ll take you to the viewing stand.”
But the moment the words fell, Elena suddenly grabbed Ai’er’s arm.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, the tips turning pale from the force.
“Ai’er, I…”
“Really, don’t worry, Elena. We’ll only be apart for a little while~”
Still, seeing Elena’s heavily dependent expression, Ai’er was actually happy inside.
“Well then, Elena, see you soon! Good luck on your assessment!”
After firmly saying goodbye to Elena, Ai’er followed the guide to a place that resembled a private box.
In front of the room was a huge floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the entire training ground from above.
“Oh ho, VIP treatment—huh?”
As she stepped into the room and looked around, Ai’er spotted a figure sitting on the sofa—
A young man who looked like a doctor.
—And the student who had guided her here was gone.
The next moment, Ai’er heard the lock turn behind her. Soon, the young man, who had been facing away, turned around.
…Damn it [○･｀Д´･○]!
How did I fall into a trap again?!
“This is probably our first meeting, Ai’er Young Lady, but actually, we’ve met before. A year ago, in the Duchy of White. Miss Elena asked me to examine you back then, but you were asleep in bed, so you probably don’t remember.”
The doctor spoke as he kept approaching Ai’er.
[Current Remaining System Points: 7.5]
Can’t exchange for a mid-tier magic… but at worst, I can still trade for two Beginner magics.
“What’s your goal?”
“Then I’ll be blunt, Ai’er Young Lady—I want your blood.”
…QAQ?!
A-a pervert!!!!!
……
The viewing stands were packed with people.
Elena didn’t know why there were so many people just for a graduation assessment.
But unlike any large event or ceremony, there was no chatter on the stands—
Only silence.
“…Still not starting?”
Elena didn’t care about anything around her.
She just wanted to finish the assessment as fast as possible and go see that silver-haired girl.
The next moment, a hexagram unfolded perpendicular to the ground.
First the staff, then the person.
Just like when Elena first saw him in front of the Marquis’s mansion, the White-bearded Great Mage appeared before her, standing in opposition.
“According to the academy’s procedures, this old one must first ask you a question—
Elena White, after passing this assessment, what do you seek?”
“I seek nothing, but there is something I want.”
Perhaps Elena had originally agreed to this assessment because of the Great Mage’s words about ‘not fulfilling a small promise would leave a bad name in noble society.’ But that was only to ensure that Ai’er, who stayed by her side, wouldn’t be seen as the follower of a promise-breaker by those around her.
But now that she had evidence of Sirius’s connection to the Black God Church, Elena’s goal went beyond that.
It was a rule clearly written in the student handbook—students who successfully pass the assessment could request an audience with the highest authority of an imperial-direct organization.
And the White God Holy Church’s branch in the Empire was included.
“The Archbishop of the White God Holy Church in the Imperial Capital—I want to meet him after passing the assessment.”
Elena’s voice was strikingly clear in the silent crowd.
The moment she said that, the stands fell into a deeper dead silence…
Everyone in the academy knew about that rule, but who would dare make such a request?
An audience with the Archbishop of the White God Holy Church in the Imperial Capital—
That demand was no different from asking to see the Emperor of the Empire.
In shock, the crowd stared at the young girl in the center of the training ground, at the Great Mage facing her—
Everyone wanted to know just how far this daughter of the hero, who had repelled three Leviathan invasions, this Witch feared by all in the Duchy of White…
could go.
“…Although this old one is your recommender to the academy, is it proper for you to speak so arrogantly?”
The old man’s staff slammed hard against the ground. The magic circle beneath the training ground instantly activated, and a massive isolation barrier spread out.
This was no ordinary barrier—it was the highest level of isolation barrier the entire training ground could activate.
What that meant was already clear.
“Thus, begin—”
“Don’t come near me QAQ!!!!”
It was a maiden’s scream.
Elena whipped around, looking at the source of the scream, at the high private viewing box.
“Ai’er—!”
A beam of light that nearly grazed Elena’s skin pulled her attention back to the training ground.
“It’s assessment time, Elena White.”
The White-bearded Great Mage said calmly, as if he wasn’t surprised by the scream.
Yes, his tone wasn’t surprised…
“Hahaha! Good, good!”
So Elena laughed, laughed recklessly, without restraint!
“If you dare touch my only light, then die!!”