It had already been several days since my meeting with Justia.
During that time, I stayed at a luxurious inn, one of the finest in the commercial district, and took in the scenery of the academy I had long dreamed of.
“This is Yasuji.”
As a result of my recent days spent visiting the locations that serve as the settings for the novel,
I felt an indescribable joy, my heart filled with the satisfaction of a devoted fan.
Is this the life of a successful otaku?
Visiting the shops that the characters frequented was a great pleasure, and occasionally meeting the extras from the novel was also quite entertaining.
‘…Though everyone was too busy bowing their heads to me.’
Perhaps it was because of my status as a Grand Duke.
The children of noble families were somewhat better, but the commoners trembled whenever I passed by, making me feel almost sorry for them.
Just yesterday, I went to a bakery known for its addictive bread, rumored to be laced with drugs, and the owner cried out, “Eek! Spare me! I swear I didn’t put any drugs in the bread!”
Causing such a commotion that the guards had to be called.
Anyway, hoping that no issues would arise during my upcoming meeting with Justia, I headed to the room I used for training.
“Shall we begin today as well?”
Sitting alone in the room, I crossed my legs in a meditative posture.
Lately, even after arriving at the academy, I hadn’t neglected my training.
I still hadn’t fully adapted to this body.
If I wanted to help the protagonist and the heroines and create a peaceful world, I couldn’t afford to stay idle.
And while living in this body, I realized something.
Even though I had already reached the level of a Sword Master, I could feel that there was still room to grow stronger.
‘Without a doubt… this body holds even greater potential.’
Naturally, strength filled my hands.
The realm that only one person in the original story, the protagonist, had reached—
Grandmaster.
I wanted to possess the strength to protect my people from any enemy.
“Hoo.”
I exhaled calmly.
Placing both hands on my knees, I gently closed my eyes.
Slowly, I observed the energy flowing from my dantian throughout my body.
Mana.
A cluster of energy found in living beings and the air.
I could feel an immense amount of mana within me, so vast that its depth was immeasurable.
‘So much.’
An extraordinary amount.
Perhaps it was because of the Sword Master’s body.
The mana was circulating through my body in an orderly manner.
By imposing a strong will on the orderly flow of mana, I manifested my unique aura.
Whoosh—
A sensation like flames flickering in my hands.
Intense, yet stable.
Because I was in control.
Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked at my hands.
There, a crimson aura shimmered.
‘This is the Aura of Despair…’
Normally, being able to wield one type of aura proficiently would qualify someone as an elite knight.
But this insane final boss character could wield ten different types of aura.
“…I think I’ll stop here for today.”
I wanted to continue, but the time for my appointment was approaching.
Training was important, but I couldn’t keep Justia waiting.
Moreover, I needed to hear from her about life at the academy, so this meeting was crucial.
***
I withdrew the crimson aura and quickly prepared to head out.
By now, the sun was high in the sky.
Arriving at the café where Justia and I had talked after the entrance ceremony, I found her sitting by the window, her posture oddly stiff.
Her golden hair shimmered warmly in the sunlight.
I was certain that even a living work of art couldn’t be more beautiful than this.
‘She’s truly an angel.’
She was adorable.
The face of a girl waiting for someone.
And on the table, a pouch filled with maternal affection.
Then, I heard people murmuring.
“Wait, isn’t that Her Highness the Princess and His Grace the Grand Duke?”
“So it’s true that His Grace is at the academy… But why are the two of them meeting?”
“Well, don’t they look good together?”
People chattered like spectators.
It was a bit bothersome, but I quickly ignored it.
Justia’s expression didn’t seem too bothered by the gossip.
I walked over to her and greeted her.
“Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to see you again. By the way, have you been waiting long?”
“Oh, no, no! I just arrived myself.”
Justia waved her hands, her face tense.
Her thoughtfulness made me smile naturally.
“That’s good to hear. How has life at the academy been lately?”
“Ah, I took the class placement test yesterday. It was a practical exam with the students from the Knight Department, and there were some impressive individuals.”
“Who were they?”
The class placement test.
As a fan, it was a topic I couldn’t help but be interested in.
As I waited for Justia’s answer, she pondered for a moment and then mentioned a familiar name.
“Luke Starlight, the son of Baron Starlight from the Knight Department. I heard he’s the top of the incoming class. He was so strong that he could even hold his own against the vice-captain of the Royal First Knight Order.”
“Hoo…”
A sigh of admiration escaped my lips.
A name I could never forget.
Luke Starlight.
A boy blessed by the stars, destined to become a Sword Saint.
And the protagonist of the novel I had transmigrated into, *Academy’s National-Level Sword Prodigy*.
Hearing news about him made my hands clench.
‘And the vice-captain of the Royal First Knight Order is at least a Sword Expert, a graduate-level knight.’
For a new student to already reach that level…
As expected of someone destined to become a Grandmaster.
Even if the story has changed, his talent remains the same.
“Ah, and there was also an impressive student from the Magic Department. Liliana Mapleflower… an elf student who was placed in the top class with me.”
Justia added, as if she had just remembered.
I murmured the name softly.
“Liliana…”
“Do you know her?”
“…Well, you could say that.”
I slowly lifted my teacup and sipped the warm black tea.
As I set the cup down, Justia looked somewhat anxious.
“…I see.”
Justia bit her lip slightly.
‘What’s this? Did they not get along?’
In the original story, there wasn’t anything that would cause such a rift.
But Liliana Mapleflower…
She’s one of the heroines in the original story.
An elf mage known as a once-in-a-generation genius.
‘Is it about time for that incident to happen?’
If she took the class placement test yesterday, then the incident involving Liliana should be happening soon.
The upcoming event would be too much for Liliana to handle alone.
It involved those despicable slave traders, after all.
‘I’ll need to meet with Rüdenburger in the capital.’
The man who holds absolute influence in the empire’s underworld and is my loyal subordinate.
I had some tasks for him regarding this incident.
After chatting with Justia for a few more hours, as the sun began to set, casting a reddish glow on the horizon,
I bid her a gentle farewell in front of the dessert shop.
“Take care on your way back.”
“Will I be able to see you again…?”
Justia looked up at me with round eyes.
Her trailing words carried a hint of reluctance.
Having lived in the royal court without her own faction, she must feel particularly close to me, someone she can trust and rely on.
I smiled reassuringly.
“Of course. You’re special to me, Your Highness.”
“Special…”
Justia fidgeted with her small hands, mulling over my words.
No matter how many times I saw her, she was an adorable girl.
‘I’ll have to tell my subordinates to pay extra attention to her.’
After all, I’ll be seeing her again soon.
Suppressing the reluctance to part,
I turned my back on Justia, who was waving shyly.
***
At that moment, somewhere in the forest in the southwestern part of the empire, a group of people was pulling a large carriage, heading somewhere.
“Hey, we need to reach the next campsite before it’s too late. Everyone, hurry up!”
“Yes!”
They were on their way to the capital after capturing young elves near the elf autonomous region.
As the rugged-looking man shouted, the slave traders quickened their pace.
While they busily moved around the carriage, Ayla, an elf girl huddled inside the dark carriage, quietly raised her head.
‘Where are we…?’
Trapped in a windowless space for what felt like an eternity,
Ayla felt her senses gradually dulling.
She had no idea how much time had passed or where they were.
All she could do was wait for a glimmer of hope in the midst of utter despair.
Her shoulders slumped weakly as she bowed her head, her light green hair, resembling her sister Liliana’s, cascading over her shoulders.
How did it come to this?
She had only wanted to experience the outside world she had heard about from her sister.
The beautiful scenery, the delicious food.
And the righteous knights from fairy tales.
She had only wanted to leave the autonomous region for a brief, thrilling journey and return home, but now this had happened.
‘I should have listened to Mother.’
Her mother’s words came to mind: “Do not leave the autonomous region before completing your spirit contract.”
A shadow fell over her doll-like face.
At that moment, she felt like giving up on everything.
Then, a faint sob reached her ears.
Looking around, she saw elf girls a year or two younger than her, huddled in fear, crying.
Friends who had been captured like her.
It was a hopeless sight.
‘Please… someone, help us.’
Inside the carriage, where not even moonlight could reach, the elf girl’s silent prayer spread into the darkness.