Let me describe the fates of the academy's students.
First, Clyde—the mastermind of the recent incident—would undergo interrogation and face trial as a key witness connected to both the major crimes he'd committed and the organization that had instigated the terrorism.
...However, the interrogation wasn't going well. The man who had used magic to feed Clyde information—including details about people's appearances—was likely involved, and Clyde himself kept spouting incoherent nonsense. ...One could only sympathize with the interrogators' difficulties.
In that regard, Ermes, who had faced him directly, had already relayed what information he could. The time had been too short to learn the finer details, but it was surely more than what Clyde had offered.
Once the interrogation concluded, judgment would follow. ...There was probably no chance of him ever returning to a normal life, but regardless of the verdict, there was nothing more they could do. The rest was up to the adults.
Additionally, the Helmout family—since what Clyde had done was far too severe—was looking at, at minimum, a major demotion in rank, and the possibility of being completely dismantled was entirely real.
When the current Marquis was informed, he spoke with a genuinely pained expression, saying, "It is our responsibility for educating him incorrectly," and reportedly accepted whatever punishment would come.
The academy's students had mostly returned to their families, since the academy's functions had been temporarily suspended. With the attack on the academy and the new winds that had been blowing through it, many students would reconsider the direction of their lives.
Would they continue attending the academy with the same attitude as before? Or would they leave the academy entirely and contribute to the development of their territories?
Or—would they dramatically change their positions to match the rapidly shifting power landscape?
Yes, for instance,
"...I can finally relax... Talking to so many people one after another was really exhausting..."
"Indeed... I feel the same way."
"Yes... Um, good work, both of you."
Currently, Sara von Hartmann was sitting at the table with Ermes and Katia, serving them tea.
Until now, she had been sheltering at the Duke's household, but... this time, she had formally come under their banner. Ostensibly, she was being treated as an exchange student to broaden her horizons, and she would be taken in by the Trackia family.
Discussions with the Baron family head—Sara's father—had already been concluded.
...Regarding her mother as well, they apparently intended to take the time to address things going forward.
It certainly hadn't been a good relationship... but there were things she had gained through her mother's education, she had said. That was why she had made that decision.
Both Ermes and Katia had decided to respect that decision.
Along with their master, they had resolved to support her as a friend.
And so, the two of them, together with Sara, were now... slumped in their chairs, looking somewhat drained.
The reason, as she had just said, was that the three of them had been interrogated nonstop by one person after another.
And understandably so. These three were the top contributors who had quelled the chaos at the academy.
Katia, who had commanded the defensive battle and made the greatest contribution to repelling the monsters.
Sara, who had deployed the barrier protecting the school building and—conditionally—awakened to Magic Inscription Liberation.
And Ermes, who, armed with extraordinary magic, had played an otherworldly role in ultimately driving Clyde back.
That scene had been witnessed by every single person at the academy.
The number of witnesses was on an entirely different scale now—there was no way to keep it hidden anymore.
Below the surface, people were already investigating Ermes and probing his abilities, and some factions were making rather brazen moves to recruit him. Yurugen was apparently the one keeping all of that in check. He really was someone even the Marquis couldn't afford to cross.
...Well, anyway.
"It may only be for a short while... but at least today, we can catch our breath."
"...Yes."
"Truly. A lot has happened, but being able to sit here together again, just like before... no—"
There, Katia cut herself off.
That was right. To say "just like before"—there was one person missing.
"...Nina..."
Nina von Frodite. That she had been a spy was, of course, already known—Ermes had told them.
But she had never truly harbored clear hostile intent. She had been forced into her position by circumstances before, but this time there would surely be room for that to change. He had told them that as well.
Her whereabouts after that incident were completely unknown. She was thought to have returned home like the other students, but that wasn't certain either.
...Still. It was only intuition, but he felt they would meet again before long.
He had told the two of them as much, and they had believed him.
If that was the case, then for now, that was enough.
"...You're right. To truly make things like before... we'll have to keep trying."
Katia murmured with determination, and the other two agreed.
They had certainly protected many things, but they had also lost some.
This time, to reclaim what they had lost... they would walk forward once more.
That was what they had shared, and after a gentle atmosphere settled over them—
"Oh, by the way, Sara."
Katia spoke up.
"You seem awfully close to El lately. Or am I imagining things?"
"—Wh-what?"
"Before, you used to sit a bit farther away. But now... you're actually closer to him than I am, aren't you? ...No, I'm not trying to make a big deal out of where we're sitting or anything. It's just... something I noticed."
Katia pointed out, with some restraint, the seating positions of the three of them around the circular table.
To that, Sara—
"Oh, th-that—"
It seemed to have been completely unconscious; she only realized it after it was pointed out.
Her face flushed bright red, and she scrambled to come up with some kind of explanation, but ultimately nothing came to mind. She looked down.
In short—it was the worst possible reaction.
"...Oh my?"
Dangerous, Ermes thought instinctively.
Katia's eyes narrowed sharply. He had a vision of a certain kind of aura he'd witnessed somewhere in the arena—the same species of atmosphere now radiating from her.
"Come to think of it, Sara, after the academy attack ended, when you went to pick up El, something seemed off with you, just like right now. I wonder if something happened? Yes, I'm curious. Very curious."
And with the razor-sharp intuition and insight honed through academy life, she pinpointed the most dangerous territory with surgical precision.
Just before the pleasant atmosphere that had prevailed moments ago gave way to something ominous, and Sara—unable to withstand the interrogation—was about to let something slip—
Knock, knock.
A knocking sound echoed through the room.
The sound instantly dissipated the tension. Katia, who already knew who had come, couldn't very well continue the interrogation and turned toward the door.
"Father?"
"Yeah. May I come in?"
Katia gave her permission, and the door opened.
...That was honestly a huge save.
Katia's father, Yurugen, entered with a calm expression, gazing at the three of them. Katia addressed him.
"Have you finished your business at the academy?"
"I have. The faculty members' disciplinary actions are all settled too. It'll be some time before the academy resumes its functions, but... I'm certain the academy will be reborn."
This was confirmation of Ermes and the others' accomplishments. Hearing it, they exchanged glances and shared a moment of joy.
Yurugen watched this warmly, then tightened his expression.
"...With that, the major cleanup is done. So—I'd like to discuss our future course of action. Is now a good time?"
After hearing that, they weren't about to be anything less than attentive.
Once he saw that the three had straightened up and assumed serious postures, Yurugen spoke.
"—The succession war for the throne has officially begun."
...
That was, without question, a premonition of the next upheaval.
"As you know, His Highness Aster—the overwhelming frontrunner who was said to be moments away from being named Crown Prince—was recently stripped of his succession rights."
Aster's trial had concluded. The verdict was in.
As most had predicted, his disinheritance was confirmed. Given his former standing, execution would not be carried out, but he would apparently spend the rest of his life in a maximum-security prison.
And—
"With that, the other candidates—those who had been hidden in the shadow of His Highness Aster, or rather, the former His Highness—his brothers and sisters. Along with the factions supporting them, all have begun making major moves."
"...It's going to get ugly, Father."
"Yeah. There's nothing to be done. There was no one who could be called a 'second candidate.' ...And—"
Yurugen paused, and his next words were delivered with solemnity.
"—Our Trackia family will also be entering the fray. We have identified a candidate who understands our principles and way of thinking. We shall support that individual."
"Indeed... there were many irregularities, but at last, the time has come to truly change this country."
"!"
Receiving this declaration, something crawled up their spines.
It was the culmination of everything they had done so far—and the premonition of a great battle.
Having observed their reactions, Yurugen turned to Ermes.
"That being said, Ermes. Related to this, I have another request for you this time."
An extremely important mission.
Ermes awaited it with due gravity, and then—
"...By the way, Ermes. Was school—life as a student—enjoyable for you?"
Suddenly, Yurugen asked something that seemed to have no connection to the conversation.
Startled but earnest, Ermes answered.
"Of course. There were many things, but I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have attended."
"I'm glad to hear that. ...Then I think you've gained at least some understanding of how students feel. So now, instead of asking you as a student—I'd like to request your services in the position of a teacher."
Having finished his preamble, Yurugen smiled warmly as he delivered his conclusion.
"—I'd like you to be a home tutor for the princess. What do you say?"
......
"...Come again?"