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Clink!! A glass-shattering sound reverberated as cracks spread, and in an instant, the three-meter-tall black steel target shattered.

“““““W-What—It broke with a non-attribute magic attack?!?”””””

Impossible…such were the expressions of disbelief and shock leaked from the instructors present.

“…Surprisingly fragile, it seems. While this material has decent resistance to impact and slashing attacks, it appears to have issues with pressure focused on a single point.”

After a moment, a tall female student with pale pinkish-gold hair, a new student—or rather, an exchange student from another country—spoke up casually.

Beside her, a male instructor swallowed hard and swiftly recorded the results in his notebook.

“…Julia Fortuna Brandmüller, destruction efficiency test, first attempt: incalculable. Ah, and she’s also setting new records in the academy for consecutive firing speed and maximum magical power measured prior to this… Excellent.”

If this were anywhere else, people would look at her and call her a monster, but this was Livitium Imperial Academy, the foremost institution of learning on the continent. Moreover, the instructors here belong to the Department of Magic, which was renowned for gathering prodigies and geniuses in magic selected from all over the world, surpassing even the Cardinal Rose Superempire in magical research.

After the initial surprise, a fierce intellectual curiosity ravaged the instructors present.

“There was that kid who constructed his own Talisman Art, and then there’s you who broke the records without the amplification of magic stones, we’re really seeing a lot of promising students this year. …I’m looking forward to it. Next, let’s try changing the target’s attribute. — Hey, prepare five targets!”
“—Sure!”
“Understood, instructor.”

The instructors appeared lively and excited.

Meanwhile, seemingly unconcerned about how much of an outlier she was, Jill continued at her own pace. Without breaking stride, she directed her magic towards the next target as instructed.

—In the next instant, targets made of platinum steel, amber steel, azure wrought steel, crystallized wrought steel, and black wrought steel all disappeared simultaneously in a deafening roar.

♦♢♦

“I’ve heard things about you, Miss Julia.”

A woman with violet hair, who appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen, took a seat on the uncomfortable-looking sofa and addressed me with a sympathetic tone.

“Or perhaps I should call you Miss Syltianna?”
“Wha…?!”

She cheerfully chuckled at my stunned expression. Adorned with a silver barrette depicting the moon and clad in a robe of grassy green, though her features were too refined for that, her appearance might seem ordinary at first glance like any other girl one might encounter. If she were to change into a school uniform and walk through the corridors, she would be indistinguishable from a student.

However, she is none other than Mei Iroha, the chairwoman of this prestigious Livitium Imperial Academy, and a living legend among the world’s strongest and most elite witches. Known by numerous epithets such as the “Dominator of Infernos,” the “Witch-Goddess of Flames,” and the “Superempire’s Trump Card,” even someone as out of touch with the world as myself has heard many titles attributed to her.

Her appearance had remained unchanged ever since the founding of this academy…no, even since the distant era of the Finis Jihad, leading to speculations that she might be a half-elf…

(…but she’s not. She’s been suppressing it to the extreme, even then, the amount of mana she exuded is far from what a normal human could ever possess. Even the S-Class Magic Beast that Maya is would look like a kitten in front of her.)

Being in her presence, I came to realize that calling her a half-elf couldn’t be any further than the truth.

She surpasses not only elves but also the limits of what one would consider to be demonic beings with ease. If she so desired, no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn’t be able to defend against her attacks for even a second.

I’ll be honest. I’ve been underestimating her all this time. There’s the rumor that residents of the Superempire literally transcended everything, and I thought that was some sort of cheap propaganda. However, being in close proximity to her, I suddenly realized that it was not only true but also an understatement.

(The world sure is a big place~. But still, how did she know I was Syltianna…?)

In response to my question, the chairwoman winked mischievously.

“I didn’t read your mind or anything like that, so don’t worry. Didn’t I tell you before? I’ve heard things about you. Op…Regina might not mention anything, but since I’m her mentor in magic, that means you’re like a direct disciple of mine. And just so you know, I’ve helped Clara with her magic training a bit too.”

Seeing my unexpected and dumbfounded expression—quite a silly sight, I’m sure—the chairwoman’s smile deepened.

“Either way. I’ve heard your circumstances, so if there’s anything, I’ll do what I can from my end… Of course, I won’t mix personal and professional matters, but if you’re in trouble, don’t hesitate to rely on big sis here.”

With that assurance, she patted her chest.

“Of course, following the official protocol, I will address you as Miss Julia in public. —Or perhaps you’re planning a comeback as Princess Syltianna?”

In response to the questioning gaze of the chairwoman, in a fleeting moment, what crossed my mind were the days in the Tenebrae Nemus and the faces of the friends I’ve had.

“—No. I’m just Jill now, and I don’t wish to be anything more.”

For a moment, the chairwoman narrowed her eyes, then she looked up at the ceiling with a somewhat deflated expression.

“I see. Well, that’s…” Whether she was about to say “unfortunate” or “fine,” it’s hard to tell as she shrugged and muttered to herself in a tone that could be interpreted either way.

“Very well. As for your studies, it seems you have a program for classroom study in the mornings and practical training in the afternoons. For the practical side, I’ll be adding my special lectures twice a week, so keep that in mind for the future.”
“Special lectures…?”
“Yes. You might find the other instructors a bit lacking, no? And for me, I couldn’t sit idly having the opportunity to train my grand-disciple and Clara’s daughter. Don’t worry, they’ll be properly counted for credits.”
“I see. Thank you very much for going out of your way for me.”

As she looked at me, bowing deeply after rising from the sofa, the chairwoman smiled strangely happily and nodded.

“Jeez~~~~ I like you, I really do. You’re so different from Regina with her poisonous politeness and Clara who’s always so calculating to make people fawn over her! You’re above them both in looks and talent. On top of that, you’re so sincere! I’d even welcome you to have lectures every day if you’d like.”

Well, that feels like something my body wouldn’t be able to handle…

After compromising to have it three times a week, we spent about an hour chatting over tea about life in the capital and living with Regina. Then, with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I left the chairwoman’s office, as the proper special lectures would start next week, considering her schedule and preparations.

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“…That side seems really lively, doesn’t it?”
“I guess.”

Chaton, who stood in a corner of the kitchen while having dinner, watched Jill and the others eating dinner as they cheerfully chatted about the events of the day, gossip, and complaints. Emilia, who was washing dishes next to her, absentmindedly agreed.

By the way, Chaton was wearing a plain dress, as her original clothes became irreparable after falling into the river, so they were lent to her. Currently, she was wearing an apron over it.

“…Also, I can’t help but feel there’s quite a difference in treatment even though I’m a guest too.”

As she compared herself to the guests enjoying a variety of dishes served on small plates, chatting with wine and juice in hand, and her own scene of eating stir-fried rice topped with minced meat, served in a deep dish similar to what curry would be served in, Chaton’s expression, already lacking in change, became even more impassive.

On the other hand, Emilia, with an equally unenthusiastic expression and tone, remarked, “That’s our kitchen’s own ‘Chili-Pepper-and-Minced-Meat Stir-Fry on Rice’ you’re having. It’s quite decent, isn’t it? Also, over there are milady’s esteemed guests, while you’re an uninvited guest. Besides, since you agreed to work and repay your debt, there’s no intention of giving you special treatment, so finish your meal quickly and help out.”

She pointed to the pile of dishes as she said this.

“…To have my prince charming right in front of me, and yet face such a cruel reality.”

Quietly sighing, Chaton lowered her shoulders and focused on her meal in front of her for the time being.

Watching her out of the corner of her eye, Emilia, wondering if she might become a rival in love for the young lady, casually probed, “—So. You keep saying Prince Charming, but you just met sir Lucas today. What part of him is so attractive, even?”

“Eh? Well, that’s obvious. His wealth…and face. What else does he even have?”
“…You have a point.”

Emilia somewhat reluctantly accepted Chaton’s answer which was mired in desire.

♦♢♦

“Chaton mentioned that it was a wyvern egg, but I think this is probably a Familiar egg.”
“Indeed, it is definitely different from a regular egg.”

Post dinner. As we were relaxing, I voiced my thoughts on the egg that was still being caressed by Luke, and Pryui responded with a knowing look of agreement.

““That much is obvious.””

Let’s just ignore Ashimi and Bruno for now.

“Fundamentally, a constant exposure to the mana of the prospective master is required to hatch it, but…” At this point, I inadvertently stumbled over my words but prompted by Luke and the gazes of those around me, I reluctantly continued. “The problem lies in two points. One is that Luke lacks the mana necessary to become a magician.”

It’s not completely zero, but he only has the magical power and aptitude of an ordinary person. As I supplemented these words, Luke visibly deflated. Ah, the pangs of guilt sure are painful.

“The other problem is that this egg itself is unresponsive to magical power.”

As an experiment, I tried sending mana waves toward this purple egg, but it was like pouring water into a bottomless bucket; it simply passed through with no effect.

Well then—I decided to try something different.

“Oh…?”
“Hm?!”

I switched to spiritual power, and something inside the egg stirred. Pryui and Ashimi, being elves, seemed to grasp it more precisely.

“Perhaps it’s closer to a spirit beast than a magic beast?”
“I sense the breath of the wind spirits. Calling it a wyvern might not be entirely off… No, something is off—”

They exchanged subtle glances and nodded at each other.

“…So, instead of mana, it feeds on spiritual power—or rather, the power of the ‘Wind User’ that dragon knights wield, is it?”

Recalling the glimpse of that power shown by Sir Eilmer, Luke’s father, I voiced my speculation.

“Wind user? You mean a wielder of wind spirits?”
“Possibly, a similar technique, but much more natural… They were using the wind as naturally as they would their own limbs.”

I could only shake my head in uncertainty in response to Pryui’s question. At that time, I had no understanding of spirits at all. Looking back on it now, I feel like the technique Sir Eilmer used was subtly different from the one used by spirit users (even if the essence was the same).

“So you’re saying that I need to be a Wind User in order to hatch this egg?”
“…at the very least, it’d be difficult without establishing a connection with the wind spirits.”

Luke pondered my response with a troubled expression once again.

“Hmph. If you want, I can take care of that egg for you, you know? It might be too much for a pampered Bean like you.”

At Ashimi’s mocking words, Luke, visibly irritated, hugged the egg protectively.

“No, thank you. This is something I’ve taken responsibility for. As someone descended from dragon knights, I’ll hatch it with care.”

“Heh. Your enthusiasm is commendable if nothing else. Just make sure you don’t let it rot. …Oh well, let me give you some consolation. It’d seem that you’re somewhat acknowledged by the wind spirits. You should pay more attention to your surroundings.”

With a snort, Ashimi casually dropped these words, prompting Luke to reflexively look around with a confused expression.

“Yeah, I had a vague sense of that too. It’s like the familiar presence of the spirits as if you’ve been earnestly speaking to the wind spirits for a long time… Have you any idea what you did? Like praying to the wind spirits, perhaps?¹ ”

Luke, lost in thought for a moment at Pryui’s follow-up question, suddenly gasped, then—

“Speaking to…the wind…eh?! You mean, the whole time I was in the sea, I had been heard—?!”

—he stared at me for some reason.

“…Yes?”
“Hmm. You have an idea, after all.”

I tilted my head in confusion, while Pryui nodded with understanding. However, Luke, the one in question, vigorously shook his head and firmly declared, “I don’t know! There must be some mistake!!”

Author’s Note:

The unexpected foreshadowing, or rather, I doubt that anyone would guess Luke being that would be the impetus of his awakening (´・ω・`)