NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27
“Amazing, so this is the Enfibe Magic Academy.”
“I saw it from a distance a few times when I was a student, but it really is impressive.”
While listening to Camille talk about her school days, we walked along the well-maintained paths of the academic district and finally arrived at our destination, Enfibe Magic Academy.
In front of the massive gate stood a guardhouse, with a thick iron door providing strict security.
But the Enfibe Magic Academy, as seen from the outside, was… well, if I had to describe it, it looked even grander than the Sandrique Cathedral we saw earlier.
In the world of Asphial, many buildings are enormous, despite the level of scientific development. The royal castle, representing the capital, is a prime example of the kind of architecture that’s only possible in a fantasy world.
If I had to describe the structure of Enfibe Magic Academy in one word, it would be like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. A large rectangular building with two towers extending from it. Not in the sense that it’s a modern building, but just in terms of its shape.
—
“We somehow managed to get in…”
“I didn’t expect to be let in too. That Enfibe Promica really is something.”
After going through a baggage check in the impressive two-story guardhouse, we weren’t allowed straight into the premises. Instead, we had to wear a bracelet-like magical device on our right wrists before entering.
If any incident were to happen within the academy’s grounds, the magical device on our wrists would react, and the guards would rush to the scene. It seems to function like a transmitter.
“Still, this place is amazing—so different from Laiosar.”
“Is it really that different?”
“Yes, even the largest building at Laiosar is smaller than the Enfibe dormitory. It’s a completely different scale.”
Although I was somewhat skeptical about Camille’s words, I had to admit that the Enfibe Magic Academy’s campus, with its surrounding facilities, was quite expansive—enough to enclose a building as large as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
“That’s the Lion’s Dormitory. Among the locals, Enfibe’s Lion’s Dormitory is quite famous.”
Camille pointed to a mansion that was even larger than the Akatsuki Brigade’s headquarters.
The stately mansion had a red flag fluttering with a lion’s profile emblazoned on it.
“…This is a student dormitory?”
If I hadn’t heard Camille’s explanation first, I might have mistaken it for a guesthouse meant for nobility.
“The Lion’s Dormitory is where the current King of Kainriese once lived. And it’s said that the First Princess is staying there now.”
“You seem to know a lot about these things, Camille.”
“Well, as an adventurer, information is vital. If you don’t stay informed about the state of the world, you might end up dead.”
According to Camille, adventurers must have the ability to sense the world’s trends.
First and foremost, adventurers need to be aware of the political situation in their base city and the temperament of the local rulers.
“There are cities where having multiple wizards gathered in one place could lead to charges being brought against you. It’s not like that in Kainriese, but in some places, just being a wizard can make you a criminal.”
(So, it’s like a witch hunt, huh?)
Apparently, some wizards can cast terrifying spells, like mind control or spreading infectious poisons.
Of course, these are regulated by the state, but there are rare cases where wizards secretly learn such forbidden magic.
As a result, many rulers fear wizards, and in some places, just being a wizard can lead to being denied entry to a city or even being accused of a crime.
—
Because the conversation had taken a somewhat dark turn, there was a bit of an awkward silence between Camille and me.
But even so, we kept walking, steadily approaching our destination.
At that moment, Camille tried to change the mood by striking up a conversation.
“So, what kind of person are we meeting today?”
“A guy named Rey Castiano from the Castiano Marquis family. He was a customer at the last street stall festival and then invited me over.”
As we continued walking past the Lion’s Dormitory, Camille asked me why we had come to Enfibe Magic Academy today.
Since we were so close, I figured it was fine, so I casually told her who we were meeting.
I hadn’t set a specific time, but I had sent a letter in advance, so I was sure we’d be able to meet.
“What?”
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
Camille suddenly stopped walking.
I turned around after walking a bit ahead of her, only to see her face frozen in a blank expression, as if she were wearing a Noh mask.
“Could you say that again?”
“Rey Castiano, from the Castiano Marquis family. He’s the heir.”
“…”
A brief moment of silence passed between us.
Just as the pleasant breeze of the post-summer season brushed against my skin, Camille suddenly spun around and tried to make a run for it like a startled rabbit.
Gotcha!
“Let go! Why does someone like you have ties to the heir of a noble family!?”
“I told you, I met him at the street stall festival!”
Camille’s physical strength was impressive for a mage, showing off remarkable agility, but I’m blessed with the cheats of a reincarnated person, giving me top-tier physical abilities in this world.
In an instant, I caught up to Camille, grabbed her slender arm firmly, and stopped her from escaping.
“The Castiano family is one of the three great magical noble families! If a mere commoner wizard tries to meet the heir, they might get killed for disrespect!”
“You’re overthinking it, Camille!”
Our back-and-forth argument was more like a lover’s quarrel, but if I let her escape, I’d have to meet the noble alone, so I couldn’t afford to let her go.
“I’ve been tricked! I’m not going anywhere!”
“Camille, you don’t have an Enfibe Promica. If you’re alone on campus, you’ll get caught!”
Our argument continued until curious students from around the academy came to see what was going on.