『To the Respected Headmaster of Cosmos Academy』
After reading the first part of the letter, the Headmaster of Cosmos Academy tossed it into the fireplace without hesitation.
Watching the blazing flames with a sly expression, the woman mechanically checked the next letter, and after reading a few paragraphs, she threw it into the fireplace again.
“If you were planning to burn them all, you could have just told me to burn them from the start.”
Sylvia, the Headmaster’s secretary with silver hair, grumbled with a voice full of dissatisfaction. A scar that could only be described as slightly horrifying remained on her right ear.
“I can’t do that. These letters were written with great care from the farthest reaches of the empire and the United Kingdom. How could I burn them without reading them?”
“You’re joking, right?”
“It’s obvious what tricks this greedy fool has up his sleeve. He probably cast a spell to check if I’ve read them or not. He didn’t carve those ‘runes’ into the sealing wax for nothing.”
Sylvia let out a deep sigh. She knew exactly what would happen after this mountain of letters arrived.
“Should I prepare to receive guests?”
“Think of them as ignorant ruffians and thugs, not guests… Since we can’t let them sleep on the floor, we’ll just have to clean the Neptune Hall where Count Colette stayed once more.”
Unlike Sylvia, who was worried sick, the Cosmos Headmaster still wore an expression of overflowing composure.
“Are you really sure about this? Count Colette may be a petty and trashy woman, but she was a mage recognized even by the Magic Kingdom, slated to become the next Magic Minister.”
“That’s why the letters are going wild.”
The Headmaster shrugged her shoulders.
“Final warning! Headmaster of Cosmos! If you do not expel the evil and treacherous demon race, we will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of our kingdom’s students!”
“Headmaster of Cosmos! Have you heard the news? They say there’s a dangerous demon in Cosmos Academy? Ah… Our guild doesn’t want to invest considering such risks.”
“Headmaster! What is going on! Our family’s eldest son is in danger! Do something about this! If you keep acting like this, we can no longer provide donations!”
Sylvia rubbed her forehead with her right hand at the Headmaster’s playful imitation.
“…It’s always been like this. The king’s son, who once led an army and threatened to occupy the duchy, has now become the king.”
“It happened last year too.”
“Last year, you said the same thing, and then you attended the cultural festival and caused a drunken ruckus, saying how could your daughter be so pretty.”
The Headmaster checked another letter and immediately threw it into the fireplace.
“But Headmaster, you know this time is different, right?”
“Hmm, seems like the same old story to me. Demons get good grades, humans get jealous and bully them, then letters fly in threatening to cut ties because humans bullied demons…”
“Count Colette called Murmur ‘the flesh and blood of the Demon God,’ didn’t she?”
Sylvia perked up her ears and looked at the Cosmos Headmaster.
“Do you think that’s possible?”
“Even though I feel disgusted by the shamelessness of humans who pile up mountains of corpses and still shout that ‘the flesh and blood of the Demon God’ is alive, I think it’s not impossible.”
“Right now, at this very moment, the Demon King is introducing himself as ‘the flesh and blood of the Demon God,’ uniting the scattered and wandering demons on the surface, but that makes it even more impossible.”
Sylvia clenched her fist.
“Even when I was attending this academy, the flesh and blood of the Demon God was a dangerous topic.”
“That’s why humans piled up mountains of corpses. Fortunately, regardless of Murmur’s exceptional talent, there’s no chance that child is the flesh and blood of the Demon God.”
“Do you really think so? That child… I’m sorry. The child that Miss Seren, covered in blood, brought back in her arms was Murmur, wasn’t it?”
The Cosmos Headmaster still wore a sly smile but didn’t reach for a new letter.
“Seren simply saved one precious life.”
“From that mountain of corpses? From that hell? She only saved one person.”
“Seren wasn’t a hero who could weigh the value of lives. That child did her best to save just one person, and that person happened to be Murmur.”
“That child is surprisingly showing magical talent that completely ignores the academy’s curriculum, something we’ll never see again.”
“And admirably, she threw herself in harm’s way for her friends.”
Sylvia let out a sigh.
“So, in the end, Headmaster, you think Murmur is just an ordinary academy student?”
“Of course. She’s a very admirable and cute child.”
“That’s why… I respect you, but please understand that this time it’s a bit dangerous. I’m saying this because I’m worried. Even the Holy Nation is sending people.”
“Don’t worry, Sylvia. And you can go home early today.”
At the Headmaster’s gentle words, Sylvia’s worried expression finally softened. Having served her for more than a day or two, she knew there was something blatantly up her sleeve.
“Don’t drink too much.”
Sylvia bowed and left the room to make her way home, though it was already too late to call it “early.”
As soon as she left, the Cosmos Headmaster pulled out a bottle of liquor from under her desk.
“The flesh and blood of the Demon God…”
Muttering softly, the Headmaster filled a glass to the brim with green liquid.
“She knew the location of the Demon God sealed under the curse of knowledge… She self-taught magic that couldn’t be learned and instantly pierced through the magic of a woman destined to become the Magic Minister…”
The Headmaster downed the fragrant liquor in one gulp and exhaled a hot breath.
“Even I can’t help but think you brought the ‘flesh and blood of the Demon God,’ Seren.”
In the Headmaster’s wavering eyes, a dusty picture frame reflected.
A photo of a bright-smiling green-haired lady and the Cosmos Headmaster.
The Headmaster stared at the photo for a long time before closing her eyes.
“We need a test to shut the noisy nobles up.”
She needed evidence that even she could firmly believe in.
* * *
“Ugh…”
“Was the motion sickness that bad, Murmur?”
“No. It’s just that Murmur’s horns are hot.”
The weekend, which she had not been looking forward to at all, had arrived.
The voices of the two girls, who were shouting about having a pajama party at Esme’s house, eating cake, and playing, showed no signs of diminishing, making it an unavoidable fate.
“If you feel really sick, let me know, Murmur. This is your first time in a carriage, right?”
“I’m fine. It’s not hot now.”
If only I knew the standard for getting hot, I could prepare myself mentally.
“Anyway! Since Murmur seems to be feeling better, let’s get out of the carriage.”
Esme snorted and jumped out of the carriage first.
Outside the wide-open door, a crowd of servants and maids from the ‘Bloodberry Family’ had gathered. A count is a count, after all.
“Miss Esme… It’s an honor to serve you again.”
“We’re truly glad you’ve been freed from that devilish woman.”
The notoriety of Aunt Colette must have been well-known here, as everyone greeted Esme with genuinely bright smiles.
“That child… Really? She’s a demon?”
“What does it matter if she’s a demon? I heard she fought a duel for Miss Esme!”
“Really? A duel? Aunt Colette is incredibly strong, isn’t she?”
“Ah… She’s so cute and admirable, it’s killing me. Let’s take good care of her.”
And whether it was goodwill or not, the general opinion of me wasn’t at the level of outright insults.
There was even a butler who reached out to help me down from the carriage, half-hugging me.
“Thank you.”
Once Nicasia got out of the carriage, Esme smiled, took our hands, and started walking inside.
“We’ve prepared hard for today. This weekend will be so much fun!”
Although I was about to experience an event I had never been through before, I still had a goal amidst all this chaos.
At first, I thought it would be a waste of time to wear a woolen pajama and squeeze between the two girls, but upon reflection, that was too laid-back a thought.
Originally, defeating Colette Bloodberry would give me a ‘huge reward,’ right? I didn’t get it last time, and I thought I couldn’t, but now that I’m at the Bloodberry family, things are different.
“Pearl? Are you preparing the meal?”
“Yes, Miss. We’re preparing delicious food for you to enjoy.”
Seeing Esme talking to the maid with a full smile was heartwarming, but I also needed to prepare well for the future.
“Are we sharing the bed today?”
“Of course. Princess Nicasia! We agreed to wear pajamas and sleep together, didn’t we?”
“Murmur can sleep alone.”
“Absolutely not. Let’s sleep together!”
Since free time wouldn’t be given separately, I naturally had to find the reward for defeating ‘Colette Bloodberry.’
That’s pretty good, right? It was a magic book that allowed me to learn ‘Dual Casting’ knowledge.
It was the only way to learn ‘Dual Casting’ knowledge in Legend of Academy, so I had to get it. It wasn’t for nothing that I kept defeating that annoying hidden boss.
Depending on whether you learned Dual Casting or not, the character’s tier could differ by two levels, so learning it would definitely be beneficial. My academy life would become much easier.
Thinking about the promotion exams, joint monster hunts, demon subjugations, and minor duels that would happen in the main story, it would be good to learn it.
“There’s still some time before dinner… Esme? Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the warehouse?”
“Ah, right. There are things I want to check. Aunt Colette said I should never go there.”
“Why do you want to go to the warehouse?”
“Hehehe! Our Bloodberry family’s precious magic books are stored there? There are rare magics that can’t be learned at the academy. And I want to check if my mother’s precious things are still there. I’m a lady too, you know?”
Colette probably didn’t want Esme to learn it and become stronger than her.
“Pearl, do you have the key?”
“Yes, with Princess Nicasia’s help, we secured it.”
Nicasia coughed awkwardly and blushed. Did that aunt Colette throw a tantrum and run away? How embarrassing.
“Now, come this way.”
After receiving the key from Pearl, Esme hummed a tune and led us through the mansion’s hall to the ‘warehouse’ built separately outside the main building.
─ Clink!
The rune-carved key fortunately worked without any trouble. The large steel door creaked open, revealing shelves filled with magic books and items of unknown purpose.
“As expected… There are magics here that are more difficult and complex than what can be learned at the academy.”
“Can you understand them, Esme?”
“Hehehe! I’m not a fool, you know? A child who can’t run can’t ride a horse. I plan to learn them step by step, as my mother and father organized them.”
How great would it be if I could read all the magic books here.
Maybe I could come every weekend to read them? If I could just level up one Elemental Magic to LV. 5, I’d be confident of defeating any opponent before entering the high school chapter.
Should I ask later? Anyway, Elemental Magic can be leveled up to LV. 5 at the academy, so let’s not be greedy. The important thing is ‘Dual Casting.’
“Oh, Murmur. You seem interested in that book?”
Esme is quick to notice at times like this.
I planned to quickly read the black leather book with a red gem, the magic book that would give me ‘Dual Casting’ knowledge, and return it immediately.
“What kind of magic book is this?”
“I remember it being quite difficult. It’s a book my mother obtained from the Mage’s Tower a long time ago? She said it was a precious gift from a friend.”
“A precious gift?”
Ah, I’m doomed.
This is definitely not going to be lent out, right? She’s not quick to notice; she saw me reaching for her mother’s keepsake.
“Can Murmur read it?”
“Can you read it? You can read it as much as you want while staying at the mansion! But you have to read it carefully? It’s my mother’s precious, really precious keepsake.”
Yes, as long as I can read it! I won’t damage it!
“Ugh…”
The ‘Dual Casting’ magic book I opened with joy was written in a language I had never seen in this world.
“Oh my… It’s not written in the common language.”
“That’s right. I don’t know which friend gave it to her, but it’s absolutely unreadable.”
“It looks a bit like demon language…”
If it’s demon language, there’s no way I can’t read it.
『Knowledge』
【Demon Language, Common Language】
Just in case, I checked my knowledge status, but I know demon language, right?
If it’s not demon language, then what is it? It’s not a magic book with knowledge or wisdom restrictions, is it?
“Ah…!”
I see. It’s probably 【Ancient Demon Language】.
No wonder Nicasia said it looked like demon language. I can read a few characters if I look closely.
If it’s the Demon God, Armonia, she could read it…
In the game, if you brought undecipherable magic books classified as ‘miscellaneous’ to Armonia, she could convert them into readable magic books, right?
Should I shamelessly ask?
“Esme, can you lend it to me for just one day?”
“Absolutely not. It’s my mother’s precious keepsake. I’ll let you come every weekend to read it.”
As expected, it’s a no.
Then how do I borrow it? I need to borrow it to show it to Armonia.
