I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

“The answer to the first question is simple. It’s because I was taught that it was the right thing to do.”

When the chancellor demanded an explanation from me, I began explaining calmly. It wasn’t difficult to explain the first charge about why I left my post without permission to fight.

That’s because the first qualification of a knight taught at the academy is that fighting to protect the country and its citizens is both an honor and a duty.

Of course, I know that this creed, which we’re made to shout during every assembly, is extremely theoretical. However, I believe that something is called a principle precisely because it is that important and essential.

No one would be able to reproach me for answering like this. They might point out that I was hasty or foolish, but if they questioned the essence of my actions, that would be ignoring this principle themselves.

“…Very well. Then what is the answer to the second question?”

Indeed, most people, including the chancellor, couldn’t really counter my answer and moved on. The main event of today was elsewhere anyway.

“The reason that I, lacking in many ways, could fight against a high-level magical beast was thanks to my own technique based on the enlightenment I gained during my training.”

I proudly revealed it as if I had nothing to hide. After all, even if I explained the principles of this technique step by step, they would clearly not understand it properly.

What I’m talking about now is the legacy of a world that operated under completely different laws and rules. It’s my own power, completed by inheriting the power of my Constellation, which was called chaos itself in that place.

“It’s unbelievable. Such mana operation is possible?”

“Nonsense! This denies the most basic fundamentals. It’s like saying humans can live without breathing, denying the very foundations!”

As expected, criticism poured from all around, creating a buzz every time I spoke.

No matter that they are in the position of educators, being an educator doesn’t mean they know everything. It was ridiculous to see them firmly believing that what they knew was the world’s truth and answer, but there was nothing I could do while being tied up like this.

“It seems impossible to grasp this by just hearing about it. I need to see it directly.”

At least the chancellor made a somewhat objective suggestion. He proposed to release me from restraint and asked if I could demonstrate what I had just explained.

“Drakerus, you seem to have a lot of complaints. How about seeing it for yourself? Test Kiina’s power yourself.”

“Hmm, alright. I’ll test it.”

The chancellor passed the suggestion to the second-year head who had been raising his voice since before I came in. I glanced at him as he flinched and cleared his throat.

He was clearly one of those who showed hostility toward me, even though we hadn’t even had a proper conversation.

‘Perfect.’

While he was preparing, I lowered my head, covered my face with my hair, and smiled faintly.

Whether it was his own idea or someone’s directive, I’m not sure, but I had really wanted to give one good punch to someone who only nags without showing up when needed, and now this opportunity had arisen.

* * *

“So you really knocked down the year head?”

“When using the soul technique that forcibly mixes two powers at the moment of collision, there is a powerful recoil for both sides. He was simply swept away because he couldn’t anticipate that strong recoil.”

“Even just hearing about it, I can tell how dangerous this soul technique is. Moreover, you withstood that recoil, didn’t you?”

When I explained what had just happened, Dmish, who seemed to have rushed over, looked around with a strange sigh mixing relief and concern.

The instructors were already in a chaotic state, either discussing my explanation among themselves or lost in thought. Of course, the possibility of frontline instructors understanding what even high-ranking officials couldn’t understand was low.

“Anyway, I’m glad it’s not black magic.”

Dmish then nodded with a much more relieved expression.

This must have been what the chancellor aimed for. Regardless of the possibility of understanding and acquiring the technique I revealed, it had been publicly proven that it was not the black magic they knew.

“Did you really realize this on your own? If my thoughts are correct, this isn’t a technique just anyone can acquire in the first place.”

As he asked about the source of my technique with eyes that found it hard to believe, I nodded in affirmation, but he didn’t seem particularly convinced.

‘Well, it’s true that I learned what I created, so…’

But I hadn’t really lied. The me before the possession is also me, after all. Whether they believed it or not wasn’t particularly important anyway.

“Dmish. The official investigation is over. I’ll let you know the results by tomorrow, so send Kiina back to the dormitory. And instructors, from now on, keep yourselves together first. We can’t stay in a chaotic state forever.”

“Y-yes, Chancellor.”

The chancellor then brought the situation to a close, taking control of the instructors. He said he would tell the results tomorrow, but the fact that he was letting me go was essentially a confirmation that all charges against me had been cleared.

“In fact, proper classes haven’t been conducted since the incident. Now that things seem to be getting back on track, it would be good for you to go and rest a bit more.”

“Thank you.”

Dmish advised me to go and rest. I saluted him and agreed, but in truth, I had one more place to go before that.

‘Helping the knight to save citizens, encountering the minotaur, and getting more seriously injured while throwing herself to save Sophia.’

There were certainly such people. Those who are extremely weak normally, but show extreme courage at the very last moment.

Seeing such a person die before my eyes would have been a much greater impact. So naturally, I was concerned.

“Who… gasp!”

“I came to see Isabel.”

Despite the late evening, the reason I came directly to this place, the infirmary ward, instead of going to the dormitory was because of that.

A student belonging to this infirmary, which is affiliated with the academy but separated from us Magic Knight trainees, gasped when she saw me.

‘This is going to get worse from now on.’

It wasn’t a reaction I particularly liked. It doesn’t feel good when someone acts as if they’ve seen a ghost upon seeing your face.

“Kiina…”

Even the reaction from the squad members in the hospital room was the same.

When I flung the door open and appeared, those sitting beside the bed, including Sophia, unconsciously stood up abruptly, and Isabel also opened her eyes wide.

What caught my eye first was the black cover that covered 1/4 of Isabel’s face. It was a kind of eye patch covering the severely injured area, including one eye.

“The investigation…”

“The investigation is over. I am clear and dignified. Nothing will happen, so there’s no need to worry.”

I walked slowly to the bedside and looked down at Isabel, who didn’t know what to do.

Is it really normal to think that it’s fortunate just to be alive when a young girl has lost part of her face, including one eye?

“Isabel is fine. They said she’s almost fully recovered except for the irreparable parts.”

Sophia, watching my reaction, explained her condition on her behalf. Thanks to a body sturdier than an ordinary person’s and intensive treatment, minor injuries had already almost healed.

Although she had acquired a permanent disability, it wouldn’t make living itself impossible.

“Because of this, the choice is now yours.”

However, it’s a fact that Isabel has lost a lot. The academy isn’t that harsh either.

This world is strange in some ways, even to me, but it’s not so twisted and crazy as to forcibly conscript those who are injured or sick.

Isabel could now return home.

“I only hope that you return to your hometown with a proud heart. No one can belittle the courage you showed and the people you saved. Having already demonstrated that much, you can succeed in whatever you do in the future.”

I spoke sincerely to Isabel. Others might say, “Who are you to say such things?” but I just wanted to encourage her who had shown courage.

But it seems they didn’t expect me to say such things. Isabel’s eyes, which were staring blankly at me, were also trembling.

“Kiina, I… I’m not going home.”

But the words of Isabel, who opened her mouth with a trembling voice right after, were a bit different from what I expected.

“I’m going to become a Magic Knight.”

Isabel, who had broken out of her shell and grown to a new stage, seemed to have changed her thinking itself. While other aspects remained the same, at least the image of a weak person who didn’t know what to do or how to do it and just got swept along was no longer there.