Volume 1: Enrollment at Magias Academy of Magical Arts
Chapter 22: You Did Very Well
Two days had passed since the attack.
The attack itself had been contained, but the response continued.
After the kingdom’s military police took the mastermind, Wilhelm Braham, into custody, they applied the minimum necessary sealing measures and transported him to the royal capital hospital. An investigation into the incident would begin as soon as he recovered. The full details of the crime remained to be determined.
The military police had sealed several sections of the Magias grounds.
The primary functions of the protective barrier had been shut down, and a Magias analysis team was conducting a full inspection.
The Central Tower showed damage from the explosion. However, thanks to the initial response by a Grand Magical Emperor Faculty student and subsequent repairs by a specialist guild, the immediate threat of collapse had been averted.
The transfer gates disappeared shortly after the incident.
Every magical beast that appeared on the grounds had been eliminated.
Using the traces of formulas remaining in spacetime, teams were developing measures to prevent another transfer and implementing them in stages.
As for human casualties:
No fatalities. Four seriously injured, all now in stable condition.
The remaining minor injuries were also receiving treatment.
Soon after the attack, reporting guilds spread news of what they called the “Magias Freshman Tournament Attack” throughout the royal capital.
Immediately after the incident, criticism of Magias’s responsibility for security appeared likely to intensify. Instead, attention turned toward how swiftly it contained an unpredictable crisis and minimized the damage.
As the crime was committed through exceptional means by a former affiliate, many voices also expressed sympathy for Magias.
Experts continued to question its security arrangements, while praise and gratitude increasingly gathered around the response of the first-year Grand Magical Emperor Faculty students who brought the incident to an end.
◇
“And that concludes everything that happened while you were asleep… ’kay?☆”
Professor Yuriha made a V sign beside her eye and winked sharply.
“Right…”
We were in a hospital room.
After mentally crushing Wilhelm, I had embarrassingly passed out from anemia.
They rushed me to the Royal Capital Central Hospital, where I apparently slept for about two days.
What happened during that time was exactly as Professor Yuriha had just described.
Naturally, the aftermath was complicated.
“So Magias will be closed for quite a while.”
“Classes are scheduled to resume next week.”
“What?”
Wasn’t that far too soon?
Wait. Next week?
Could you really hold classes the week after that bespectacled bastard committed an act of terrorism?
Was teaching even possible with so many buildings on campus smashed apart?
Granted, I’d caused some of that damage myself.
“What about the Central Tower?”
“A new one will arrive this weekend, so it’ll be fine.”
That was definitely a lie.
You couldn’t have a tower delivered like a pizza.
No. I should stop thinking about this.
Worrying over every detail wouldn’t accomplish anything.
What concerned me more was—
“How is everyone else?”
“Everyone from the Emperor Faculty who was brought here has recovered with medical magic. Only you and Gary are still in the hospital. It doesn’t look like anyone will have lasting complications.”
Relief washed over me.
Then everyone was safe.
“Wait, I heard you were caught in the explosion too. Are you all right, Professor Yuriha?”
The information had been shared over telepathy. If I remembered correctly, the first explosion had sent her flying.
She looked completely fine now.
“I was. It happened so suddenly that I couldn’t deploy a barrier in time.”
As she spoke, Professor Yuriha lifted the hem of her top and exposed the area around her navel.
“Look right here. It might leave a mark.”
“Uh-huh…”
Which part did she mean?
I couldn’t tell.
From what I remembered, the impact had looked like a rocket launcher exploding, but she seemed fine now.
It wasn’t as though she had incredibly defined muscles either.
That was a Magias professor for you.
“I’m just glad everyone’s safe.”
“Me too. And it’s all thanks to the first-year Emperor Faculty students! Thank you for protecting Magias, Brendan! You really are Lord Walker’s grandson!”
“What? Oh…”
Professor Yuriha saw my awkward expression, gasped, and covered her mouth.
“Sorry. Of course I’m keeping it secret from everyone else.”
“So you knew.”
“I was told not to discuss it, but a fair number of the faculty may know.”
I see.
Did that mean Professor Blanchard knew too?
Well, it wasn’t something I could hide forever.
I would hold my head high about being Grandpa’s grandson.
“Changing the subject, the academy will grant you a special merit award.”
“What is that?”
“Faculty and Emperor Faculty students receive temporary compensation when assigned emergency missions. This is an additional reward for people whose contributions were especially outstanding.”
So it was a special bonus.
I’d report it to Aunt Coffey and put it toward repaying my tuition.
“Here’s the report. Read through it.”
I looked over the paper Professor Yuriha handed me.
FIRST-CLASS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Fundamental Magical Arts Course
Gerald Whitesmith
Directly participated in reclaiming control of the protective barrier and played a decisive role in preventing damage from spreading throughout the venue.
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Fundamental Magical Arts Course
Brendan Walker
Made decisive contributions to resolving the incident through field command during the emergency mission, prevention of the Central Tower’s collapse, and neutralization of the mastermind.
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Fundamental Magical Arts Course
Luluk Lulu Lunlun
Prevented the spread of damage through precise evacuation guidance and information sharing, as well as serving as the principal combatant in the defeat of the giant magical beast.
SECOND-CLASS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Professor Elfin Jare
Commanded Emperor Faculty students on the surface and continuously eliminated groups of magical beasts. Made major contributions to securing the eastern evacuation route and maintaining the defensive line.
Magical beasts defeated: 202.
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Fundamental Magical Arts Course
Mercedes Meltzeria
Commanded combat against the primary enemy force, greatly restricting its actions and limiting the spread of damage.
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Fundamental Magical Arts Course
Filiestra Addison
Made exceptional contributions to limiting human casualties by saving the seriously wounded and providing medical support under combat conditions. Also provided vital assistance during engagement with the primary enemy force.
THIRD-CLASS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Advanced Magical Arts Course
Nico Bright
Continuously eliminated groups of magical beasts on the surface and contributed to defending the evacuation route and defeating the giant magical beast.
Magical beasts defeated: 56.
Associate Professor Yuriha Hinamori
Prevented localized casualties through the protection of general students and spectators and the disposal of small explosive devices.
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Fundamental Magical Arts Course
Gary Rock
Used exceptional mobility and search capabilities to locate the mastermind and support the ensuing battle.
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Fundamental Magical Arts Course
Amae Vandenberg
Supported the engagement against the primary enemy force with explosive formulas and contributed to the allied retreat and evacuation of the wounded.
Grand Magical Emperor Faculty, Advanced Magical Arts Course
Contributed to maintaining order at the scene by guiding spectators and supporting the evacuation amid the confusion.
Total magical beasts defeated: 504.
Volunteer students from the ordinary course
Contributed to limiting damage through the elimination of magical beasts along evacuation routes, transportation of the wounded, and support at the scene.
Total magical beasts defeated: 72.
—
“So I’m getting the best one?”
“If we didn’t give it to you, who would we give it to?”
Our freedom to move had been a major advantage, but we had still gone from a situation like playing without our two strongest pieces to recording zero deaths.
We could take pride in that.
The principal and vice principal were absent from the report, though.
The principal had supported the Central Tower the entire time, and I heard the vice principal had charged directly into a transfer gate and gone on a rampage like a legendary warrior in some Magias video game.
Maybe positions close to executive leadership did not qualify for bonuses.
“That should cover the report. I have work to do, so I’ll get going.”
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
“No, thank you! I’ll see you at the academy. Bye-bye!”
With those words, Professor Yuriha vanished like smoke.
What a useful spell.
I wondered how far her duplicate could operate from her real body.
I glanced aside.
Flowers and other get-well gifts decorated the shelf.
The senders included Professor Blanchard, everyone in the Emperor Faculty, and Aunt Coffey.
So she was back.
Several message cards accompanied the gifts.
I picked up Aunt Coffey’s first.
“Dear Bren,
“I heard what happened. That was quite an ordeal so soon after enrollment. I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you immediately.
“You did very well.
“Rest for now. I’ll visit again soon.”
“A-Aunt Coffey…”
Reading her letter reminded me that I wasn’t alone in the world.
She was a powerful ally.
Though apparently I’m an artificial human, so we probably aren’t related by blood.
“I left an application to exempt you from assignments. Your classes can remain light for a while.”
This one was from the professor.
She had accompanied the military police afterward and was probably still busy.
“Good work, Bren.
“I left you some medicine that’s especially effective for magic depletion. Take it if you like. Let’s have another meal together when you’re better.
“Amae.”
“To Brendan Walker,
“Thank you sincerely for your tremendous efforts during this incident.
“Every member of the Emperor Faculty prays from the bottom of our hearts for our representative’s swift recovery.
“Luluk Lulu Lunlun.”
“Dear Walker,
“Immediately after magic depletion, reduced immunity creates a risk of secondary complications. Please avoid excessive eating and drinking for a while and rest.
“Thank you so much for saving us.
“I’ll express my gratitude properly another time.
“Filiestra.”
After reading three get-well letters from girls, I felt practically invincible.
No matter how difficult life became, I could get through it by remembering that three girls had sent me letters.
Even if a boss scolded me someday, I could power through by thinking, Who are you to lecture a man who’s received three letters from girls?
No letters from Gerald or Mercedes.
Gerald was no surprise, but I honestly wasn’t sure whether Mercedes had been included under “everyone in the Emperor Faculty.”
As I considered that, the hospital-room door slid open.
Gary entered, covered in bandages.
He appeared to be returning from a walk.
So we shared a room.
“Oh, you’re awake, Bren.”
“Gary.”
“You slept forever. I was worried.”
Gary himself looked quite energetic.
I had repeatedly been told he was fine, but seeing him with my own eyes was still a relief.
“Want something to eat? You must be hungry.”
I nodded.
Gary took a piece of fruit from a basket and tossed it to me.
Wait.
I thought our classmates had agreed to send flowers.
“Is this yours, Gary?”
“Yeah.”
He answered brusquely and opened the curtain around his own bed.
Bouquets and fruit baskets filled almost every inch of his private space.
The decorations had a distinctly feminine look.
Some even displayed huge messages reading “For Gary♡” or “To Lord Gary.”
“You’re popular.”
“What? Oh. No, it’s not really like that. Some are from people I see around the academy, some are from back home, and there are all sorts of…”
He showed no desire to boast whatsoever, which somehow intensified my sense of defeat.
I’d never paid attention before, but was Gary really this popular?
He was handsome, now that I thought about it.
But I had a letter from Amae.
No, Gary probably had one too.
Luluk’s had been signed on behalf of the entire Emperor Faculty, so naturally he would.
“More importantly, Bren. I heard you defeated Wilhelm.”
“Hm? Yeah, I suppose.”
Wilhelm’s absolute focus on defense had made the victory straightforward.
From what I’d seen in battle, Mercedes—who read her opponent and constantly shifted between offense and defense—was far more formidable.
“To be honest, all I could do was support them. Mercedes was insanely strong in a real fight too. The world’s huge.”
“Gary, you found Wilhelm almost immediately. That’s why we kept the damage to a minimum.”
If we had allowed Wilhelm to remain free, he would have manipulated the protective barrier in greater detail and made the situation worse.
Engaging him immediately had reduced the effectiveness of his trump cards as far as possible.
Mercedes, Gary, Amae, and Filiestra bought enough time for us to repair the tower, reclaim the barrier, and evacuate the spectators.
The value of their work could not be overstated.
“You think?”
“I know.”
“Well, if you say so, maybe it’s true.”
Gary looked out the window.
In the hazy distance, the Central Tower of Magias leaned slightly.
“I want some meat.”
Gary murmured the words.
We had only just begun recovering, but I also wanted something more nourishing than fruit.
“Meat?”
“Yeah.”
“…”
“…”
“Want to go?”
“Sure.”
Gary nodded.
We quickly changed into our ordinary clothes, slipped out of the hospital without anyone noticing, and ventured into the city at night.