In Legend of Academy, summer and winter vacations hold significant meaning. For me, Murmur, it’s the only time I can freely roam outside the academy. Even in the game, the schedule during vacations is completely different from the regular semester. Especially for me, being of the demon race, the first summer vacation was surprisingly limited.
All I could do was study, play, or wander around the academy. Of course, this pitiful schedule isn’t forever. Depending on the affection levels of the heroines, I can visit places outside the academy or even spend the vacation in specific regions.
For example, if Nicasia’s affection increases, I can spend the vacation at the Imperial Palace; with Citrine, at the ‘Colonia Duchy’; and if I get closer to Esme, at ‘Count Bloodberry’s Duchy’. The important point is this: in Legend of Academy, ‘vacation’ is a golden opportunity for Murmur to meet new people!
“Murmur, you’ll be fine, right? If anyone bothers you, please tell me.”
“I’ll finish my work as soon as possible and come back! Are you getting along well with Citrine?”
Nicasia, with a worried expression, stroked my head, while Esme shook my right hand up and down. After defeating Aunt Colette and even Leviathan, aren’t they worrying too much?
“Ohohoho! Don’t worry. Murmur-sama will have a fun, beneficial, and fulfilling summer vacation with me!”
“I’ll be counting on you, Citrine. Do you remember the story I told you last time?”
“Of course, I remember. Imagining how lonely and sad Murmur-sama must have been during past summer vacations makes my heart ache.”
Isn’t that a bit too much? I, Murmur, have enjoyed my summer vacations in my own way. No classes mean no one to bother me, and I don’t have to worry about professors disliking me.
“Murmur is fine alone.”
“Absolutely not! It’s unthinkable that you’ve been alone all this time! I’ll protest to the elementary section’s vice-principal later!”
“That’s right!! How old does Murmur think she is?!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! This summer vacation, we must! Have fun together!”
Just one word from me, and everyone rushed to hold my hands tightly and shouted. What do they think of me? Do they see me as a helpless fool who can’t do anything alone? At least give me a round of applause if I can handle it at affection level 1.
“Princess Nicasia~!”
As the sun above became unbearable, we chatted endlessly in front of the carriage. Naturally, Nicasia’s maid, Riola, appeared with a bright smile.
“Ah, yes, Riola. It’s time to leave, right?”
“Indeed. If you wish to talk more with your friends, why not do so inside, given the heat?”
Nicasia looked at the sky for a moment and shook her head. Behind her was a splendid, large carriage for the princess and a modest-sized one for Esme.
“We can’t keep you waiting for over an hour.”
“Everyone else left more than half a day ago.”
Indeed, only two carriages remained in the clearing where there had been a commotion earlier.
“Murmur, have a good summer vacation. I’m really, really sorry I can’t be with you.”
Nicasia slightly bent her knees, holding my hands. The gentle touch of her thumb on the back of my hand felt strangely affectionate, but it must be my imagination.
“Murmur is fine. I’m not a child. I’ve been doing well, and Citrine is here.”
“Huhu, I worried for nothing. Then…”
Nicasia leaned her face slightly towards me, suddenly blushed, and pulled back. As I widened my eyes, she quickly continued.
“Have a good summer vacation! I’ll come back soon!”
“Eat well and take care, Murmur! If anyone bothers you, write it in your diary!”
Nicasia and Esme boarded their carriages, and Citrine and I waved goodbye with lingering regret.
“It’s a moment that truly fits the saying, ‘like the tide receding.'”
“Murmur thinks so too. It feels like there’s really no one left at the academy.”
Most students at Cosmos Academy return home during vacations.
“Even commoners can receive support for carriages to go home if they talk to the professors.”
Citrine held my hand and spoke. Looking around, the streets usually bustling with students were now empty.
“Yes, the academy is truly a nest of learning that selects heroes.”
Regardless of what other professors or vice-principals think, the headmaster of Cosmos Academy is sincere.
“Hero…”
Citrine muttered softly, clasping her hands and looking into my eyes.
“Murmur-sama, do you remember the story we shared last time?”
“About whether Murmur talked to demons?”
“Yes, it’s a very important issue. I’d appreciate an answer.”
As soon as we were alone, she asked. Well, I have no choice. If I want to meet Monica, I’ll need Citrine’s help, so I’ll have to set a tricky condition.
“Murmur will answer. But promise me. Since I’m telling you a huge secret, you must fulfill Murmur’s request later.”
“Of course! I’d even give you my heart if you asked!”
Knowing where that heart would go, I felt a bit guilty.
“Murmur doesn’t need that.”
“Anyway! I promise!”
I stood on tiptoe, covered my mouth with both hands, and whispered.
“Murmur can actually use black magic.”
“…Goodness!”
Citrine covered her mouth with both hands and looked around.
“Y-you can use black magic! Murmur-sama is truly a great person!”
The truth is entirely different, but it’s a magical story that Citrine can understand instantly.
“Indeed, I must have been born to become Murmur-sama’s bride!”
Sometimes, a pure white lie is better than the truth. Revealing my true identity wouldn’t do any good. I don’t want to see Citrine, who rubs her cheek against mine with a bright smile, suffer or be sad.
* * *
《Exploring the Academy with Citrine》
《Time: Afternoon》
The summer vacation started alone with Citrine wasn’t as bad as I worried. It’s a shame I can’t test 【Gabriel’s Jealousy】, but that’s something I’ll have to do in front of the Demon God. Objectively, it was incredibly good. I just can’t meet the Saintess immediately, but it couldn’t be better. How could time spent with a child who’s eager to do anything for me, Murmur, be bad? …Thinking about it, following me to the bathroom is a bit embarrassing.
“Murmur-sama! Come this way!”
“Aren’t you hot, Citrine…?”
Citrine’s energy didn’t wane even under the scorching sun. She seemed eager to show me every nook and cranny of Cosmos Academy, now empty of students. I know why Citrine is so enthusiastic. It’s because Nicasia and Esme asked her to.
“Murmur-sama, I heard you’re not familiar with Starry Lane.”
“I’m not entirely unfamiliar.”
“Huhuhu! But I think this is your first time here!”
Behind the brightly smiling Citrine was a large, silver-glowing fountain. So, this was the ‘business’ Citrine mentioned.
“Balkan!!”
Citrine clapped twice, and the quiet fountain began to spout water. The droplets sparkled like jewels.
“Ohoho! The long-slumbering Milky Way is showing its light again!”
Citrine covered her mouth with her hand, delighted. It’s natural to feel a bit proud. This fountain had been broken for a long time. Citrine’s company fixed it after buying the surrounding area, so she thinks I’m seeing this for the first time. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this event several times.
“Come, come! Murmur-sama! This way!”
“Murmur is fine…”
As expected, this happened! Citrine grabbed my hand and started playing in front of the fountain. The cool spray naturally soaked our uniforms, and Citrine playfully splashed water on me.
“Murmur-sama! When it gets hotter, we can enjoy swimming at Hedone Lake!”
“Murmur doesn’t have a swimsuit?”
“That’s no problem! I can buy you as many as you want!”
Citrine splashed me again. Not wanting to be outdone, I summoned a ‘Water Spirit’ and threw it at Citrine’s chest.
“Mu-Mur-sama?! That’s cheating…!”
“Citrine started it.”
“I didn’t get you this wet?!”
“Murmur is already soaked!”
Citrine covered her mouth with her left hand and laughed. In an instant, we were both drenched like soaked mice.
“I was planning to leisurely enjoy the fountain…”
“Citrine splashed me first, and now you’re saying that?”
I playfully splashed Citrine’s face with cold water. She giggled and pushed me slightly, making the water spray hit my bottom. Is this okay? Both Citrine and I are soaked to our underwear.
“Huhu…!!”
Well, it’s fine. Citrine, drenched in water droplets and sweat, was truly beautiful. No wonder she’s the future bride of the Demon King route. Though still young, her future beauty is already anticipated.
“My, my… Couldn’t resist and started playing in the water, huh?”
Balkan, Citrine’s butler, approached, shaking his head as he watched us playfully throwing water at each other. With his white hair, he brought a triple-layered ice cream.
“You’ve worked hard, Balkan. Murmur-sama? It’s snack time.”
Smiling, Citrine handed me the ice cream. To an outsider, this scene might seem heartwarming, but there’s a bit of Citrine’s meticulous calculation hidden here. This ice cream is from the dessert shop her company is preparing to open near the fountain. Helping Piglet House’s event was also part of this plan.
“I’ll enjoy it. Thank you, Citrine.”
But her calculation isn’t unpleasant.
“Gulp…”
Citrine silently watched as I took a big bite of the ice cream. When she stares so openly, I have no choice but to evaluate.
“Yum yum… It’s delicious, Citrine. It’s strawberry flavor, right? It’s different from other shops’ ice cream; the strawberry bits make it even tastier.”
“Ye-yes! Murmur-sama knows best!”
“Yum… And these tiny chips in the chocolate are also very tasty.”
“Hehe…”
Citrine wiggled her fingers and smiled happily. Of course, this is the moment her business idea, proposed to her mother after entering the academy, is about to shine.
“But Citrine, stay still.”
Ice cream is ice cream, but even for a fifth-grader, this is a bit much. I took out the handkerchief Nicasia gave me and wiped Citrine’s face and forehead.
“Murmur-sama?”
“Citrine is pretty, unlike Murmur. You can’t stay drenched like this.”
The men working around the fountain are all from Citrine’s company. You can’t stay looking like a soaked mouse.
“And your underwear is showing.”
It’s natural since we’re soaked. I quickly dried Citrine’s chest area with wind magic.
“…Thank you, Murmur-sama.”
Citrine, perhaps because of the heat, blushed slightly and muttered while looking at me. Her skirt is dark, so it’s fine if it’s a bit wet.
“B-but Murmur-sama? My underwear is showing, but yours…”
Citrine approached me, flustered, and covered my chest area with her hands.
Why is she doing this? She seems incredibly apologetic for some reason.
“Huh? Murmur’s isn’t showing, right?”
“Wh-what are you talking about?! Murmur-sama’s situation is more serious!”
“Why?”
I pointed to my chest.
“Murmur isn’t wearing a bra─”
“That’s why it’s more of a problem! Ba-Balkan! Bring a towel, please!”
“?”
Citrine blushed at a point I couldn’t understand and shouted. Shouldn’t it be more embarrassing if the bra is showing?
* * *
It was already known, but the fun date at the fountain was hours ago. Citrine tirelessly showed me every corner of Starry Lane.
“…How about we stop here for today and continue the fun tomorrow?”
“Sure, Murmur thinks it’s fine to rest.”
“Hoho, that won’t do, Murmur-sama! Tomorrow, I’ll show you even more fun things.”
As expected, she has no intention of giving up.
─Clang!
Citrine, who had been smiling brightly, clung to me as a group of people in silver armor passed by.
“…That Edelina Countess we saw last time got into big trouble.”
“That’s right. She claimed she never used black magic, but it turned out she was colluding with demons. Serves her right.”
“Edelina? That countess? I knew it. Humans who associate with demons get punished by the gods…”
Now I see why Citrine was startled. The group passing by were ‘Inquisitors.’ They were walking towards the distant silver tower of Capella.
“…Fools who don’t understand the situation.”
Citrine muttered with a voice full of hatred.
“Citrine, do you dislike the people of the Holy Nation?”
“Yes, I hate them the most in the world.”
Citrine shook her head, not wanting to look at Capella, where Monica is, and pulled me tightly.
“Because they always speak ill of us?”
“Of course. I really, really hate them. I never want to be associated with them.”
Citrine pulled me so hard that her chest touched my arm.
“This is a problem.”
“Wh-what? Do you have any issues with them?”
“No, it’s not that. Murmur plans to become friends with the Saintess.”
“…What?”
“So, soon, Citrine will have to become friends with the Saintess too.”
“Wh-what?! Become friends with the Saintess of the Holy Nation?!?!?!”
Is that so surprising?
