Chapter 52: Impressions

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The day after being involved in the runaway magician incident:

During our lunch break, Mil and I were approached by our assigned teacher, Professor Lezan.

“I heard about what happened yesterday,” she said.

“Huh?” I responded with a dumbfounded voice, tilting my head.

But I quickly realized she was referring to that incident and swiftly finished my sandwich before responding to the professor.

“By ‘yesterday,’ you mean the incident that occurred in the commercial district, right? Has it already spread to the academy?”

“I received a report from the military last night. They expressed their gratitude as the academy students managed to resolve the disturbance. I even received a letter of appreciation. And to think it was you two, it truly surprised me,” she explained.

That was fast. I thought the guards would be busy, and it would take a while before the academy was notified.

“You did well. As your assigned teacher, I’m proud of both of you.”

“Well, um, being praised so directly makes me embarrassed…” I responded, unable to hide my delight.

“Sachi, you really performed admirably. I was watching nearby, and I was truly moved,” Professor Lezan added.

Compliments rained down like arrows in a storm, causing me to involuntarily relax my cheeks.

“Oh no, it’s nothing like that,” I tried to modestly hide my joy, saying, “I’m just glad I could help.”

With that, Professor Lezan pointed towards the fourth floor of the school building on the west wing while telling us:

“There’s something I need to discuss with both of you regarding that matter. Could you come to the headmaster’s office after school?”

“The headmaster’s office?”

Come to think of it, I had heard that the headmaster’s room was located on the top floor of the west wing, also known as the Special Wing. Other than going to the research lab, I rarely had a reason to visit the west wing, let alone the upper floors, so I had never seen it.

“It seems Headmaster Ananas wants to hear the details about the incident. She also mentioned having a small favor to ask both of you.”

“A-a favor…? Well, I don’t have any plans, so…”

“I-I’m fine too.”

“I see. In that case, let’s go together to the headmaster’s office after classes end. Judging by Headmaster Ananas’s demeanor, it doesn’t seem to be an overly serious request, so there’s no need to be overly cautious,” Professor Lezan suggested before leaving.

Mil and I exchanged glances, both tilting our heads in curiosity.

“I wonder what the favor could be?”

“I-I don’t know… But this will be the second time the headmaster asks me for a favor.”

“Oh, right. I remember before the final exams, she asked you to take care of the pending academy requests. Is this favor similar to that?”

“But recently, I heard that the students are doing well, and they’re handling the academy requests smoothly,” Mil added.

So, what kind of favor could it be?

That wasn’t certain, but regardless, Mil and I decided to visit the headmaster’s office after school.

As the clock ticked, the end of the school day arrived quickly. Guided by Professor Lezan, Mil and I made our way from the East Wing to the West Wing.

The headmaster’s office was located on the fourth floor of the West Wing, where staff rooms and research labs were situated, unlike the classrooms gathered in the East Wing.

Upon our first visit, we were greeted by a conspicuously luxurious golden door, adorned with elaborate decorations. While Mil seemed unfazed, having been here before, I couldn’t help but feel a knot in my stomach.

This was the headmaster’s room.

As I stared at the door, Professor Lezan knocked and called out from the other side.

“Headmaster Ananas, pardon the intrusion.”

“Enter.”

“……?”

A somewhat childish voice responded, causing me to tilt my head in confusion.

Immediately after, as the door opened, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

Sitting proudly on the impressive seat in the back of the headmaster’s office was a blonde-haired young girl who appeared to be around five or six years old.

Her golden hair was tied up in a single bun, and she occasionally touched it as if bothered by something.

Given the tone of the voice I heard earlier, it was likely that this young girl was indeed the headmaster herself. I couldn’t be mistaken about that.

As I stood there, speechless and frozen in shock, the young girl sighed in exasperation.

“…It’s just like when that Miltyu Glasse girl came here. The reaction is exactly the same.”

“Huh…?”

Did Mil have a similar reaction too?

Well, that would be understandable.

After all, if my memory serves me right, the headmaster was an elderly woman with wrinkles who leaned on a cane.

“The headmaster assumes an ‘appearance’ of an old woman to add some dignity. She’s disguising herself from her youthful appearance,” Professor Lezan explained.

“Di-disguise…? So, does that mean this cute young girl’s appearance is the headmaster’s true form?”

“Who’s a cute young girl?! I’m doing this disguise because I don’t like being called that!” the young girl retorted angrily, stomping her feet on the chair with poor manners.

Then she crossed her arms and puffed out her tiny chest.

“Anyway, I am Ananas Clostata, the headmaster of this magical academy. It’s been a while, Miltyu Glasse. Let me express my gratitude for handling the pending requests.”

“N-No, it’s…!”

“And nice to meet you, Sachi Marmulard.”

“N-Nice to meet you too…”

Still in a daze, I remained stunned and dumbfounded as the headmaster began to speak.

“The reason I called both of you here is none other than to hear about the recent magician runaway incident. And I also have a favor to ask of you.”

“I-If it’s about the incident, haven’t you already heard various reports from the military?”

Instead of me, who was still frozen, Mil responded to the headmaster.

The headmaster, sitting back in her chair, shrugged her shoulders.

“I want to hear more about the detailed situation during the incident, as well as the background of the culprit. But what I’m really interested in is your impressions as those who actually engaged in magic. Did you feel any discomfort or anything that struck you as strange? That’s what I want to hear from both of you,” the headmaster explained.

“Well… if you’re okay with our account… However, there are some things we can’t discuss in detail since we’ve already been debriefed by the guards,” I replied, finally managing to break free from my stiffness.

“That’s fine. Just give me your impressions after fighting the culprit. That should be enough. So, how was it after experiencing the battle?” the headmaster asked.

“Um… I vividly remember the fight from the other day,” I recalled.

I didn’t know what kind of answer the headmaster was expecting, but for now, I decided to express my honest impression.

“I thought it was quite formidable. The fire magic was powerful, and honestly, it’s almost a miracle that no one suffered serious injuries. Engaging in actions that involved innocent civilians is inexcusable, but I have to admit that person’s fire magic was genuinely amazing.”

“I-I didn’t expect my own magic to be easily overpowered like that. The act of involving innocent citizens is unforgivable, but I think that person’s fire magic was undeniably impressive,” Mil added, sharing a similar response to mine.

Upon hearing our words, the headmaster, crossing her arms, nodded thoughtfully and said, “Hmm.”

In the presence of Professor Lezan, a brief silence filled the room as the headmaster seemed lost in thought. Eventually, she nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“I see. Even from the accounts of eyewitnesses, it’s rumored that the culprit possessed skills on par with a national magician. And if you, who actually fought and stopped the rampage, say the same, then there’s no doubt about the culprit’s abilities. However…”

The headmaster revealed astonishing information that left us speechless.

“The culprit of that incident, Abrico Gryard, not only falls short of being a national magician but has also failed the entrance examination of our magic academy, receiving a failing evaluation as a magician.”

“Eh…?”