“That being said, I don’t intend to ask for too much from Kuromel and the others. To be the top scorer in the exam, to fully enjoy academy life without being swayed by the students around them, to be a central figure and bring everyone together, to skip grades and quickly advance, and eventually graduate from Lumiest as the valedictorian—yes, that’s what I expect. Of course, I won’t play favorites, and I’ll evaluate grades impartially, just like with the other students. This is something that can’t be bought with money. It all depends on your skill and effort, understood?”
“See? It’s simple, isn’t it?” Art said, finishing his long speech with a wink. He possessed a beauty that belied his male gender, and the gesture suited him perfectly. However, what he expected was equivalent to asking for the highest possible results in every aspect of academy life. He made such bold expectations with a composed face. Yet, this was precisely the development *I* desired. In that sense, the principal and I had aligned goals.
“That’s about all I have to tell you. Oh, and once the procedures are finished, how about a brief tour of the academy? I can’t personally guide you, of course, but I’ll assign someone to show you around.”
“Assign someone? Judging by her demeanor earlier, I doubt she’d be much of a guide,” Kachua said.
“Her demeanor? Ah, you mean Kachua. I see, judging from your words, she seemed quite flustered.”
“Flustered, you say… well…”
“Hahaha, it was almost pitiable, wasn’t it?”
Kuromel and Rion exchanged glances, a wry smile on their faces.
“So, you felt that way too. Well, Kachua is a former A-Rank adventurer. She’s a survival expert and excels at gathering information. However, her excellent perceptive abilities can sometimes lead to significant emotional instability, which has always been a problem. She struggled with it often during her active adventuring days.”
“I can almost imagine that scene…”
No matter how skilled an explorer she was, it would be difficult if she became like that, they thought.
“Fufufu. Well, thanks to that troublesome constitution, she can accurately gauge the capabilities of our students.”
“Hmm? Was there perhaps such an intention behind assigning her to guide us?”
“Of course, there was. If their statuses are hidden, what’s the point of Appraisal Eyes, right? Ah, it’s already this late. Sorry to keep you, but I have work to do now. I’ll be going.”
“No, it was a meaningful time talking with you. I look forward to seeing you again as a guardian once we’re admitted to the academy.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it as well. And I sincerely hope that Bel, Kuromel, and Rion pass the exam. I’ll send a guide over shortly, so please wait in this room for a little while. Farewell.”
Art exited the room coolly, his tied-up hair fluttering ostentatiously. Even in his departure, he exuded self-admiration.
“…Father-in-law, you were unusually quiet?”
“Everything is for Bel’s sake, so zip your lips.”
“I… I see…?”
“There, there. You’re learning well, Papa.”
Bel praised him, and I decided to pretend I didn’t see her father-in-law raising a fist to the sky in silence. A little while later, another guide, an older gentleman, arrived. The elderly man, exuding an air of experience, guided us through the academy without any issues, though he seemed slightly nervous.
Lumiest Academy was vast, even within its grounds, requiring a significant amount of time to traverse on foot. Furthermore, in some areas, students were actively attending classes, so our tour was limited to places where we wouldn’t cause a disturbance, in other words, inconspicuous locations.
“Um, from that classroom we just passed, I thought I saw a golden glow. Were they having a magic lesson or something?”
“The classroom earlier? At this time, they should be having a lecture, I believe… Ah, it might be the light emanating from the students’ uniforms. Occasionally, you’ll see someone wearing a particularly eye-catching uniform.”
“A… uniform…?”
Though what the guide said seemed outlandish, he answered with a completely serious expression. Indeed, I had seen golden uniforms in town, but were they truly that rare? I supposed it was their prerogative to be attention-seeking, but to that extent, it felt like it would disrupt classes. Was their vision okay when they were so gaudy? Questions continued to flood my mind.
“…Bel, could you please be careful to avoid interacting with those types as much as possible?”
“Before that, I don’t want to get involved with them at all!” my sister replied.
“Yes, you’re absolutely right.”
With a slight unease about the few students who might wear such uniforms, we approached the area that served as the academy’s courtyard. Perhaps those without classes were here at this time. Students in uniform were scattered here and there, with benches and well-maintained lawns. Many examinees seemed to be touring the academy before admission, as they paid us no particular attention.
“Huh?”
Just as I began to feel relieved that the students in this area were wearing normal uniforms, a pure white, giant monument caught my eye. It stretched towards the sky like a tower, erected in the center of the area. And it was something I recognized.
“Excuse me, is that some kind of memorial?”
“Ah, that pillar? According to historical records, it’s one of the miracles brought to this world by a Goddess centuries ago. It repels the evil that befalls Lumiest and saves us—it is considered a symbol of that. Among the students, there’s also a rumor that confessing your love under that pillar leads to success.”
“I see, it’s the stuff of youth, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. It’s quite heartwarming.”
While nodding in agreement with the guide, I inwardly struck a triumphant pose. After all, I had discovered one of my objectives, information that Shultra had provided. It wasn’t a copy of Art’s pose, but I couldn’t resist striking one.
“Older Kel, could that be…?”
“Yeah, the God Pillar.”
***
A knock echoed through the Principal’s office. Art, looking down at the documents in his hands, gestured for the visitor to enter.
“E-Excuse me. Principal Art, your guests have returned. Yes, they’ve finally returned…”
The one who entered was the older sister who had initially guided Kelvin and the others, or rather, Kachua. She looked exceedingly tired and was reporting on Kelvin’s departure.
“Good work. Without further ado, I’d like your impressions, Kachua. Frankly, what did you think of them?”
“What do I think? Looking at my current state, it should be obvious…”
“Oh, as expected of Kachua, who was called the ‘Human Measuring Device’ in her adventuring days and partnered with me. You’re still as reliable as ever. I trust what your body felt, from the bottom of my heart!”
“P-Please, watch your words! And… and that was a nickname *you* arbitrarily gave me… Even so, Principal, you were terrible! Making me measure monsters consecutively like that…”
“Ah, that’s right. I am terribly beautiful. This beauty is almost a sin. Is that what you’re trying to say, Kachua…!”
“Not at all! Ugh, you’ve always been so overbearing, both then and now. Your self-love is excessive too! Just the other day, you made me measure the strength of that monstrous examinee…”
“Ah, you mean that child? Indeed, you looked equally worn out that day as you do today. Hmm, the aspiring students this year are truly wonderful. She’s not human either, and my expectations only grow! And as my expectations rise, so does my beauty! Don’t you think so, Kachua!?”
“Haaaaa….”
Kachua responded with the biggest sigh of the day.
