Chapter 69
A man.
And when she confirmed the stranger was male, the pleasant sensation diluted into anxiety.
Luna pressed her fist against her chest. She unconsciously shrank back at the sight of the man.
At first, she thought the Guardian Tree's power had driven away the black figures. But seeing the masked man, she realized that had been an illusion.
A being that instilled primal fear in spirits and all thought entities. Luna had experienced only one such strange person in her life. It was Damian, Silveryn's disciple. Even if he changed his appearance, Luna could sense his presence with her sensitive spiritual perception.
That man was Damian.
When he took a step forward, Luna reflexively stepped back.
Fear and hatred of men began rising within Luna.
A being who could defile her body.
In Luna's subconscious was imprinted the image of her father violating a maid. And she clearly remembered what miserable life the maid lived afterward. Thanks to memories rooted since childhood, Luna had closed all doors in her heart to men.
This wasn't something that could be resolved with courage or willpower. Like a burn on the soul, it was a scar she had to carry forever.
Luna felt conflicted. She was experiencing both peace and fear simultaneously from this strange man.
When the man took another step forward, she trembled and stepped back two large steps.
The masked man stared at the terrified Luna.
After a moment of silence, he turned around without hesitation and walked into the darkness.
Her pupils shook.
Words rose to her throat telling him not to go, but Luna couldn't bring herself to speak them.
After the man disappeared, the black figures began settling back in like the tide.
And once again they whispered to Luna. Their words pierced her core.
[We knew it. You couldn't do anything in the end.]
[No need to go far. We'll bring you peace.]
***
I spent the night at Witdruff Hall. When I woke up, there was one letter in the doorway and another from Silveryn on the windowsill. I retrieved the Stitch and read Silveryn's letter first.
It contained a simple congratulation on admission and mentioned regretting not taking me to the Holy City, saying what was the worst that could happen besides suspension for skipping school. In a postscript, she urged me to reply faster since it took about 37 hours for replies to arrive. It was a very Silveryn-like letter.
Reading her letter made me feel better, reminding me I wasn't alone. And it also made me miss her.
The temple where I stayed also had a big annual event similar to Eternia's entrance ceremony.
The orphans at the Akates Temple had never been the protagonists of such grand events.
Every year on memorial days like Youth Day, Parents' Day, and Akates' Birthday, the temple would be filled with families, both commoners and nobles.
And the orphans had to spend all day picking flower petals for their baptisms or singing chants until their voices went hoarse.
The most painful thing for the Akates Temple orphans was watching happy families full of smiles all day long.
Though I had long accepted life as an attendant, that didn't mean everything was fine. Like an old person whose knees ached on cloudy days, a corner of my heart still stung when festivals approached.
It would have been better to attend the entrance ceremony with Silveryn, but her letter alone was enough comfort.
The second letter was the Masters Class entrance ceremony notice.
It instructed to come to the assembly hall in the Forbidden Forest before noon.
I organized my bedding and left the dormitory. As I passed through the residential area, I accidentally heard news about Luna from passing students.
"They say Luna collapsed in front of the dormitory because of her illness."
"Why, why? What illness?"
"Don't know, isn't she the top seat of the Magic Department?"
"Must be. How unlucky, collapsing right before the entrance ceremony?"
***
The entrance ceremony scene was beautiful and heart-stirring just to stand and watch. It seemed impossible that there could be a more beautiful festival.
Everywhere on campus, light particles fell like snow from the sky. It was so beautiful, like a shower of stars, that it drew admiration from all who saw it.
As Planteras went around the flower beds planting things, faculty members sprayed potions over them.
And after circling the garden once, flowers had fully bloomed in those spots. After this work was complete, the entire campus became colorfully brilliant with flower petals covering every step.
A fantastical scene straight out of a fairy tale unfolded before their eyes.
Lilith walked around campus with an excited heart. She was savoring in reality the moment she had dreamed of.
Occasionally, Lilith habitually looked around, hoping to catch sight of “that guy”. If they met, she wanted to at least exchange greetings or a handshake. They were close enough for at least that much.
The vast Eternia was completely packed with people.
Each must have come with their own purpose. To enjoy the fantastic magical festival, or to congratulate their relatives' admission to Eternia, nobles from the Empire, surrounding principalities, and city-states came to Eternia for the entrance ceremony.
Although armed guards were prohibited at the entrance ceremony, each admitted student brought an average of over thirty visitors.
Including visitors who came just to watch without any connections, the total was estimated at around four thousand people.
Gorius, the Empire's most famous writer and traveler, had called Eternia's entrance ceremony the world's largest social gathering. Seeing it firsthand, that was no exaggeration.
However, this year's entrance ceremony would surely disappoint those expecting to see the faculty who were the heart of Eternia Academy.
Candinella, Silveryn, Erzsebet, Morgus, Alquade, Rakam, and other Eternia executives were all away on dispatch.
Most of those who could be called influential were tied to political power rather than Eternia's main focuses of scholarship and magic.
Among them, the most influential was Princess Gainax, first in line to succeed the Principality of Ulysia, followed by Fourth Imperial Prince Franz. Though low in succession order, he ruled over a force too powerful to ignore.
The reason these highest rulers came to the entrance ceremony despite having no connection to this year's students was to personally confirm the top admitted student, who could genuinely be called the continent's greatest talent.
Greatest talent. Someone kept flickering in Lilith's mind. Though she hadn't checked every admitted student, at least to her, “that guy” was the most skilled.
“That guy” had to be first or at least second. Since first and second came from the Combat Department, they would appear on stage as either a year representative or at least a Combat Department representative. Getting noticed by the princess or prince that way would pave the way for success.
How many people in the world would refuse such glory? Unless they were crazy, no one would throw away such a promised path to success.
But strangely, she had an ominous feeling. That guy seemed like someone who wouldn't care at all about glory or honor.
...He didn't really withdraw, did he?
Just then, Lilith's attendant rushed up to her.
"Miss, Miss! Why are you here alone!"
Caught wandering off alone, Lilith scratched her cheek in embarrassment.
"Oh my, look at me. I just got caught up looking around... Is Father looking for me?"
"Well, yes. But there's a bigger matter."
The attendant handed her a letter while catching their breath.
"It's really important. The Dean of Eternia... is looking for you."
***
"I'm to go on stage as the Magic Department representative...?"
Dean Dunkel took a sip of tea and nodded.
"Then, am I top of the Magic Department?"
Dunkel shook his head lightly.
"Miss Luna is top of the Magic Department. However, that student is not in a condition to appear on stage. So you, as second, will go up."
"I'm second?"
Lilith's head went blank. All she had done in the entrance exam was follow “that guy” around.
"I'm not at that level."
Though she had expected high marks, she hadn't hoped for second place. There were many students in the Magic Department more skilled and talented than her, and Lilith knew this well.
"We know that too. But if we were only evaluating magical ability, we would have held a tournament and ranked them by performance. You received good scores overall, and we evaluated them accordingly. We can't deduct points just because correct answers might have been lucky guesses."
Being second wasn't always good. Maintaining that rank would require bone-grinding effort.
However, going on stage as a department representative was an incredible thing.
"..."
"Even if problems arise, that's Eternia's problem. Your choice won't be an issue."
Lilith answered politely, "I understand."
Dunkel nodded repeatedly, seeming satisfied.
"Good. Congratulations on placing second in the Magic Department."
She pressed her thighs with both fists. Though she felt like flying with joy, she couldn't make a fuss in front of the Dean.
***
The entrance ceremony hall could accommodate thousands. A golden carpet about a hundred paces long stretched from the central aisle to the stage. On either side were banquet seats for dignitaries, admitted students, and their families.
Students who would go on stage were assigned to special seats in the back. When the announcer called their names, they would walk the golden carpet to receive a standing ovation.
The department's top students could see each other as they gathered in these special seats.
Before the formal opening, people began filling their seats one by one.
The department's top students also arrived one by one at the special seats.
Cecil was first to take her seat, and Lilith was second, sitting in the Magic Department's designated seat.
Cecil seemed completely relaxed, casually applying lipstick while looking in a mirror.
When Lilith sat across from Cecil, Cecil looked her up and down with a hostile gaze.
"Why are you alone?"
"...What?"
When Lilith questioned back, Cecil ignored her and returned to her mirror.
Did I make a mistake...?
No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't find any reason for hostility. Though they had briefly crossed paths during the entrance exam, they had never conversed and this was their first direct encounter.
There were no words except the incomprehensible question. She didn't even offer a greeting.
A strange unpleasantness welled up but she pushed it away. Cecil's aura was so strong that showing emotion would likely get her crushed.
Fortunately, the tense atmosphere eased somewhat when Iris sat in the Alchemy Department's designated seat. Thanks to her very sociable personality, Iris knew both Cecil and Lilith and greeted them brightly.
The Magic Engineering, Alchemy, and Magic Department representatives were all seated, leaving only the Combat Department.
And only two Combat Department seats remained in the special section.
Lilith's heart raced when she confirmed with her own eyes that there were two Combat Department seats. One of them had to be the seat of “that guy”.
Soon after, one of the remaining seats was filled. Sion approached silently and quickly took her seat.
Though Iris offered a friendly greeting to Sion, she glanced at Iris once and ignored her.
Iris gave an awkward smile. Among them, only Iris tried to get along with her peers.
Seeing only one seat remaining, Cecil brushed her hair with her hand and adjusted her clothes. Then, she stared intently at the remaining seat.
Sion was the same. She sat properly while fixing her gaze on the seat beside her.
Lilith also folded her hands neatly and secretly wiggled her toes while watching that seat.
Watching the strange behavior of the three female student representatives, Iris said with an awkward laugh, "Ah... haha, who could be so popular?"