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“Elysia, Selian. Both of you are to come to my office after school.”

I wonder what it could be.

This was rather unusual for our homeroom teacher to call us, and on top of that, both Selian and me at the same time.

“Any idea what’s going on?”

“Well, I’m just as clueless. This is my first time experiencing something like this…”

Yeah, I’ve been called to the homeroom teacher a few times due to scholarships, but Selian, who’s at the top, probably rarely gets called.

“Could it be that someone reported about us coming back to the dorm after curfew last weekend?”

“But matters regarding the dorm are solely under the supervision of the dorm matron. It shouldn’t be something Professor Ferrent needs to worry about…”

As we speculated various reasons for being called together, Selian and I headed towards the Professors’ Building.

“Well. It shouldn’t be anything serious.”

And indeed, it was something serious.

“So Elysia, Selian. You two need to escort the Saint to the Capital for a bit.”

“What? Senior Mariel?”

Why is the Saint suddenly being mentioned here?

“Um? Did you already have a relationship with the Saint? That’s good to hear. I guess that’s why they asked for you.”

I inadvertently referred to her as Senior Mariel, but it felt awkward to say we were close.

If anything, we’d only met briefly.

“Anyway, since the Saint personally designated you two, I hope you won’t turn down the request. The Academy and the Temple will make sure it doesn’t affect your grades, so don’t worry.”

At least it seemed like there wouldn’t be any week-long hospitalization like last time.

“But even as escorts, we are just ordinary first-years. There are stronger individuals, and if they had to choose students, there are plenty of fourth-year seniors too.”

…

Selian’s point was quite reasonable based on the content.

However, Professor Ferrent merely scratched his nose silently in response.

“Selian, when you say you’re just an ordinary first-year, it’s quite… perplexing, considering most people know your skills are already above Academy standard. Of course, Elysia, you’re not exactly ordinary either.”

…I hadn’t even brought it up, but my face was getting hot for no reason.

However, Selian, the one who made the statement, seemed to be frowning, as if she didn’t like that.

“Anyway, you don’t need to think too grandly about escorting. We’re not idiots who’d rely on just two Academy students.”

“So…?”

“You two just need to stick closely to the Saint. If I had to put it bluntly…”

“You mean like attendants.”

“Well… that might be a harsh term, but it’s accurate.”

I didn’t particularly mind.

Being called an attendant didn’t sound bad to me, and I assumed that the Saint wouldn’t be the type to rigorously boss us around.

At least not the Saint I had experienced, Mariel.

Though, I did feel like she would find some other ways to bother us.

“There’s probably going to be a special scholarship involved too.”

“I’ll do it! Please let me do it!”

With the addition of a scholarship, there was really no reason to argue further.

No detriment to my studies, getting closer to the Saint, building up some experience, and even getting a scholarship sounds fantastic.

It would be foolish to refuse, at least for someone like me.

However, for Selian, who didn’t particularly feel any lack of money, this wasn’t all that tempting of an offer.

I turned to look at Selian, and it seemed like she took offense at being referred to as an attendant, as her expression didn’t look too pleased.

But in the end, Selian accepted Professor Ferrent’s offer.

“Alright. When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow, right away.”

*

In the end, I spent the night being grilled by Yuli and Anne about what was happening while packing my bag.

Since the Academy had decided to prepare various necessary items, I only needed to pack a few personal belongings.

“Come on, let’s get going.”

When I headed to the meeting place early in the morning, a few people had already arrived ahead of me.

Among them appeared to be an old-faced Wizard who I assumed was a professor, Selene, the homeroom teacher of the first-year Swordsmanship Department’s Class 2, and the Saint Mariel, who was already onboard the carriage.

Though it was only a few people, there were only three of us.

As I was looking around, one of the wizards in the group called out to me.

“So you must be Lady Elysia Frentz.”

“Hello.”

Though I didn’t recognize the face, it was evident they were of a higher status than I was.

However, I found it a bit strange that he was acknowledging me while ignoring Selian next to me, but there was a reason.

“Last time my student messed up in managing the barrier, and it caused some trouble, so I’m having him apologize on my behalf.”

“No, it’s fine. He compensated properly, and in the end, everything turned out fine. You don’t need to worry.”

“Well, my student is reflecting on it, and he’s doing some volunteer work to make up for it. I’ll be sure to arrange a meeting next time so he can apologize personally.”

“Alright, now that everyone is gathered, shall we set off?”

I was going to say it wasn’t necessary to rush, but Selene suddenly interrupted.

“…Five of us, you mean?”

“Where did that bravado you showed earlier go? You’re acting all timid now? Either way, don’t worry. The Saint will use holy magic to hide us. The demonic race won’t be able to see us.”

“But the enemies aren’t all demons…”

“I don’t think petty creatures would be able to penetrate through me and Professor Hilpin, let alone get through to touch the Saint, do you? If a Sword Master or Great Wizard shows up, that might be a different story, but those kinds of beings are unlikely to be free right now.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

I didn’t like his attitude, but I believed in Professor Selene’s skills. Together with his own acknowledgment of a fellow magic professor and Selian, I’d have to agree that it would take at least a Sword Master to actually pull off a proper ambush.

“Then go inside. Professor Hilpin and I will take the driver’s seat.”

“No matter what, I should…”

I tried to say that even if it was a new professor, it was courtesy to make a comment, but—

“…How about you at least show a decent expression while spouting that insincere nonsense?”

I had no intention of hiding anything from Selene, so I merely shrugged.

“Honestly, it’s better for me to drive than to trust you kids with the carriage. Don’t worry, go inside and take care of the Saint.”

Selian was already inside the carriage, chatting with Mariel about various things, while Professor Hilpin took up one side of the driver’s seat.

Seeing me enter the carriage, Selene finally headed to the empty driver’s seat to take the reins.

“What made you choose us?”

As soon as I opened the carriage door and stepped in, Selian’s voice rang out.

She was shooting a glare at the Saint Mariel.

“Um… It’s a bit shocking to me too that you’re raising your defenses like that.”

Mariel seemed equally taken aback by Selian’s confrontational attitude.

“Half of it was my own will, but half of it was what the Goddess instructed me, you know?”

“Lady Serena?”

“Yes. Lady Serena told me to keep a close watch over Lady Frentz and Lady Deretia.”

Forget about Selian; why did I have to be included?

“Hello, Lady Frentz! Nice to see you again!”

While Selian was lost in thought, Mariel turned to greet me.

“Hello.”

“Come, come. Sit down quickly.”

Mariel patted the seat next to her, inviting me to sit.

I hesitated for a moment, but since she had offered, it would feel rude to decline, so I began to walk toward the seat beside Mariel, at which point Selian, who had been in silent thought, grabbed my wrist.

Thanks to Selian pulling me, I naturally ended up sitting next to her.

I was worried that Selian’s excessive caution might upset Mariel, but thankfully, it didn’t seem to bother her.

“Mariel… I mean, Saint. Even so, there’s really no need to drag a commoner like Elysia into this. If it was necessary, you could’ve just called me, the Hero candidate.”

“Uh… I’m sorry? But really, the Goddess told me to invite both of you. If it upset you, I apologize.”

Mariel had a truly apologetic expression, so much so that it felt guilt-inducing just to look at her.

In the end, it seemed Selian also surrendered to that expression.

“Sigh… It can’t be helped since it’s already happened. But please do keep that in mind next time. I also want to get close to Mariel… I mean, the Saint.”

“Yes! Then we’ve made up, right?”

“I’m actually quite happy that I can also receive a scholarship…”

I quietly presented my viewpoint, but for some reason, it seemed to go unheard by both of them.