Laurentz, having finished lunch with his friends Lars and Crysta Oken, was chatting as he walked down the hall before his afternoon classes. They spoke at length about Jared, the reason they had all become friends, exchanging information about his current situation, which they had only heard bits and pieces of.
“Still, Murphy-kun, when will he come to the academy?”
“I heard our friend is busy becoming a Court Mage. Apparently, he was sent to support from the Capital City recently to resolve the incident in Duke Rüdiger’s territory.”
“Huh? He’s not a Court Mage yet, but it sounds like he’s as busy as one?”
“As Crysta says, Jared isn’t a Court Mage yet, but his work is equivalent to that of a Court Mage. I shouldn’t really say this, but there are many empty positions among the Court Mages, and their movements are limited. In that sense, Jared, who has more freedom, is more useful.”
Laurentz put on a bitter expression. He had heard about the recent incident in Duke Rüdiger’s territory from the two Court Mages. He conveyed to Crysta and the others the answer to his question: why did a friend who wasn’t an official Court Mage have to act so proactively?
“I see. Then I won’t be able to see him for a while.”
“You don’t have to be sad. Even if we are apart, we are still friends. That much won’t change.”
“Okay.”
Lars tried to comfort the lonely girl, but a shadow also fell over his own expression. They were all feeling sad.
“—Huh? What is that gathering?”
Laurentz, trying to find something else to talk about, spotted a gathering of students.
“What’s wrong, Laurentz?”
“No, look over there. Was there an event during lunch break that would gather students?”
“Hmm. Not that I know of.”
“If you look closely, they are all students majoring in magic. Why don’t you know about it, Laurentz?”
Like his friends, Laurentz had not heard of anything special happening. However, as Lars pointed out, the majority of the students gathered were indeed fellow magic majors.
“I don’t know anything about it.”
“…Were you excluded?”
“…Herring-kun.”
“Gah! Stop looking at me with those sad eyes!”
I’m definitely not excluded! he told himself. It’s true that I might be a little difficult to approach, and I admit that lately I’ve been spending more time with Lars and Crysta than my classmates. Since my environment changed dramatically after becoming friends with Jared, I’m aware that I’ve been a bit of an outsider in class.
Today of all days, my childhood friend and retainer, the Bartram siblings Kurt and Belt, are not here either. They got along well in class, so I can’t help but wish they were here.
“Th-there’s no way I’d be excluded by my classmates. I’m not Jared. Yes. That’s decided.”
Lars and the others chuckled wryly at Laurentz, who casually said something rude about their absent friend.
“Your voice is trembling with agitation.”
“Lars, try to read the room a little.”
“Hey, why don’t we go and see what they’re doing?”
“That’s right. Let’s do that.”
Following Crysta’s suggestion, we approached the students gathered in the courtyard. The murmurs reached my ears, and I could tell everyone was excited. But while I tilted my head wondering if there was some event at the academy during the day, I pushed my way through the students and–
“Wh–!”
My eyes widened in surprise, and I stopped in my tracks. My body trembled at the presence of someone who shouldn’t have been at the academy.
“Surely… Leonard Gallagher-sama, why?”
In Laurentz’s eyes, Commander Leonard Gallagher of the Royal Mage Corps appeared. With short blond hair and a dignified, handsome appearance, he directed sharp, blade-like eyes towards the students, speaking to them. He seemed to be addressing not just the students here, but those within earshot. The students, faced with Leonard, the Commander of the Royal Mage Corps, clearly showed a mixture of tension and excitement.
It was understandable. I could understand their excitement. The pinnacle of mages is the Court Mage, and no matter how hard one tries, becoming one is never easy. In fact, even getting close is difficult and awe-inspiring. For mages, Court Mages are an object of admiration and unreachable. That’s why there are still students who envy Jared, who was chosen as a Court Mage at such a young age, but if asked if they truly think ill of him, at least aspiring mages would answer no.
Even if his fiancé is the infamous Olivier Alway, the respect and admiration for the young Court Mage Jared Murphy are strong, precisely because they share the same student status. In that sense, Laurentz, who is not only friends with Jared and has fought alongside him but also receives guidance from two Court Mages thanks to him, is in an exceptionally privileged position. If his peers were to ask, or even the academy’s teachers, they would undoubtedly express clear jealousy at his fortunate circumstances.
On the other hand, Leonard, the Commander of the Royal Mage Corps, is also a figure of high aspiration for students. –However, he is not unreachable. Of course, while one can join the Royal Mage Corps, becoming its commander requires considerable effort, innate talent, and numerous achievements. Still, he is more approachable than a Court Mage. Unlike Court Mages, who have few subordinates other than their secretaries, the members of the Royal Mage Corps are generally subordinates of the commander. They have many points of contact and often act together. He is a figure to set as a goal for the future, hence he was an object of admiration.
“Why is the Commander of the Royal Mage Corps at the academy?”
Like the other students, Laurentz also aimed to join the Royal Mage Corps. Commander Leonard was someone he admired and should aspire to be. However, he couldn’t share in the excitement and clamor of the students.
He didn’t understand why. He couldn’t grasp the reason why the presumably busy Leonard Gallagher had appeared at the academy during the day. If he had been invited as a lecturer, the students would have been notified in advance. To avoid being disrespectful, preparations would have been necessary the day before. But he hadn’t heard anything.
“Why is he suddenly at the academy?”
Laurentz’s questioning voice was drowned out by the students’ commotion.
