Chapter 7.1 – Distance

It was a low, strong woman’s voice.  

Professor Ruyten, who could never mistake that voice, was so startled he nearly screamed. For some reason, Diashi, who always followed his requests to the letter, had suddenly pushed back her chair and strode out.

“Right now, every judge is defending the criminal. How can the highest authority, who must sway the outcome of this trial, be influenced by words that side with the criminal? Is it just because this is an unofficial trial?”

“Diashi……!”

Professor Ruyten, shocked, looked down at Diashi with bewildered eyes. But Diashi did not back down. With a determined expression, she firmly asserted her opinion.

“I am Diashi, this year’s second-highest graduate of the Department of Magic. I’ve known the criminal for a very long time.”

“How dare you interrupt a sacred courtroom and interfere with the verdict!”

Sensing something was wrong, one of the Association’s members stood up to try to mediate. But the Priest raised a hand, permitting Diashi to speak.

“So, what do you wish to say?”

“Thank you for allowing me to speak. I do not think the verdict you wish to deliver is just, Priest. If a criminal who broke such a grave rule can wash away sin with money, then who will value the rules, and who will say the temple is fair?”

Diashi frowned and turned her gaze to Herace.

“The criminal needs a different punishment. Even if it was an impulsive mistake, a rule is still a rule.”

The professors looked at Diashi with anxious eyes, their faces pale. Knowing the Priest’s strictness, they thought Diashi would soon be kicked out.

However—

“A rule is a rule…… That’s a phrase I like.”

The Priest, who had been frowning, smiled and nodded. He even beckoned Diashi closer with a satisfied face.

“If you’re bold enough to step out like this, you must have another idea. Then what punishment do you think should be given?”

Diashi’s yellow eyes shone as she faced the Priest. Clenching both hands tightly, she looked back at Herace.

“I…… propose not only a fine, but also that Herace Belif be appointed as an academy assistant.”

“Assistant?”

“Yes, the academy is directly intertwined with the Association’s rules. If the criminal works as an assistant, it will be a reason to strictly follow the Association’s rules. Also, as an official mage, he will feel more responsibility.”

At Diashi’s words, the Priest raised his eyebrows and turned to the academy professors. At last, Professor Ruyten, seeing a way out, quickly raised his head.

“That’s a wonderful idea……! Appointing him as an assistant is a wise punishment, weighing the criminal’s guilt and talent. Moreover, Herace Belif was a role model for the students, so he could be an example for them. Even if he’s a criminal, this is an unofficial trial. Therefore, our academy supports this proposal.”

Professor Ruyten sought agreement from the other professors. Reading his gaze, they nodded one by one.

“Hmm, an academy assistant……”

The Priest shuffled through the trial documents, pondering for a while as he looked at Herace. Herace Belif, the protagonist of this situation, remained astonishingly calm.

“……All right, very well.”

Finally, the Priest struck his gavel.

“As punishment for the criminal Herace Belif, I sentence him to the maximum fine prescribed by law and to work as an academy assistant.”

* * *

“Now, lastly, to the left is the main building…… Over there is the student hall. Administrative work is mostly handled in the main building, and group classes are held in the student hall. Uh, let’s see……”

Felix, sweating profusely as he flipped through Brienne’s documents, suddenly looked up.

“Ah, first-year required subjects and basic theory classes are held here. Since you hope to join the Department of Magic, Lady Brienne, the magic power test will probably be conducted here.”

“Magic power test?”

“Yes, it’s a simple test to activate your mana circuit and measure your magic power…… The results determine your class placement.”

“I see, thank you for the explanation, Student President.”

Felix, who was guiding Brienne around the academy, had introduced himself as the Student President. Soon to enter his fourth year, Felix was the son of a Baron from the Holy Kingdom of Roeta, and seemed timid but diligent.

After introducing herself to Felix, Brienne asked how she should address him. Felix replied that, according to academy rules, everyone should use honorifics for each other’s names. Roeta Academy’s principle was to respect individuals over status or family, offering equal opportunities to all.

“N-no, actually, the administrator who was supposed to show you around had to attend an urgent trial, so I-I ended up substituting. I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you……”

Felix, seeming relieved, took out a handkerchief and wiped away his sweat. Seeing Felix wearing a school cardigan even in this sweltering weather, Brienne felt a bit sorry for him.

“Not at all. You explained everything so kindly.”

When Brienne looked at Lusell, he nodded in agreement.

“For a new student, the Student President’s explanation is probably more relatable than the administrator’s. You’ve done well, Felix.”

“T-thank you. Now, since the tour is over, here, I’ll give you the academy notebook.”

Felix nodded to Lusell and took out two notebooks from his pocket. Flustered, he separated his own and handed Brienne hers.

“A notebook?”

“Ah, the academy is always open for public purposes, but only students and professors can enter places like the student hall, dormitories, and library. So you must always carry it. Uh, if you have more questions……”

That explains why there was no check at the entrance. With Felix, the Student President, she could go anywhere. Maintaining a polite smile, Brienne lifted her bag and asked,

“Since you mentioned dormitories, where is mine?”

“Ah, d-dormitory……!”

Finally noticing the bag in Brienne’s hand, Felix slapped his forehead and stared into space. “It’s okay, it’s okay, Felix……” he muttered quietly, then bowed deeply to Brienne with a determined face.

“I’m sorry. I should have shown you to the dormitory first so you could drop off your things, but I was so n-nervous……”

“Oh, no! Even Lusell, who came with me, didn’t notice.”

Brienne threw Lusell a playful glance. Lusell, looking just as flustered, offered his hand to her.

“If you had luggage, you should have mentioned it earlier…… Unlike His Highness, I’m terrible at noticing these things…… Ahem, I apologize. No excuse.”

“Come on, it’s just one bag. Carrying it for a few hours won’t break my arm, so don’t worry.”

Brienne shook her head and waited for Felix’s guidance. Even as Felix searched Brienne’s documents and led her to the dormitory, Lusell kept pestering her to let him carry her bag.

“T-then, I’ll be off now. There’s an academic conference on the shopping street up ahead.”

“The conference today—is it at Schurten Bookstore?”

“Yes! That’s right.”

“I’m passing by there. I’ll give you a ride.”

“Really? Thank you so much. Then I’ll grab my bag and wait at the main gate. Ah, Lady Brienne, I’ll see you later……!”

“Yes, see you again.”

Brienne waved to Felix, who strangely stammered only when speaking to her, then turned to Lusell.

It was time to say goodbye to Lusell as well.

“Thank you for picking me up at the harbor and helping me around the academy, Lusell. Thanks to you, I arrived comfortably without getting lost.”

“No, I’m grateful to you for letting me keep my promise to repay your help. Ah, and…….”

Lusell took out some documents and a small wallet from his pocket and handed them to her.

“Here, your admission permit and Roeta currency. The admission process is already complete, so just keep the permit, and the currency is more than enough.”

“Thank you. But can you wait a moment? All my money is in my bag.”

Brienne smiled and started to go back to her room, but Lusell gently blocked her way.

“Oh, you don’t need to give me anything.”

“What? The money I asked for must be a lot……”

“His Highness insisted that you must never pay him back. The four years’ tuition is already covered.”

“But why……?”

She thought he was only giving her the admission permit. Brienne, flustered, accepted the wallet, but Lusell shook his head.

“For His Highness, debts and enemies must be repaid double. He said he would refuse any repayment.”

* * *

A cool breeze blew in through the half-open window. Brienne, having finally placed her pens and books on the desk, looked around the dormitory that was now truly hers.

‘……It’s finally over.’

She hadn’t brought much, but rearranging the furniture took longer than expected because she wasn’t satisfied with the layout. Still, she was pleased with the result. Brienne genuinely liked the arrangement that let her read a book while sitting on her bed and looking at the academy scenery.

Brienne’s impression of the academy as a beautiful place hadn’t changed, even after wandering the campus with her heavy bag.

Standing by the window, Brienne took a deep breath of the fresh air. She’d thought about it while Felix was explaining things, but having a room with a direct view of the academy library was truly lucky.

‘……I have nothing to do until I meet Miss Diashi, so maybe I’ll visit the library?’

Watching students walk across the campus with books in their arms, Brienne leaned her head against the window frame. It was still vacation, so there were only a few people, but seeing them made her finally realize she was in the place she’d dreamed of, that she’d become one of them.

Soon, she’d be walking these grounds in uniform, books in her arms, just like them. She’d discuss magic with Diashi and Herace……