PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

Professor Esther Garrett of the Caldera Imperial Academy has never really made many friends.

Although she was not from a wealthy family, she was born into a middle-class household that lived without much financial worry. Her life was relatively free from concerns.

Following her father, a professor who taught magic at the academy, she merely nurtured her dreams of becoming a professor herself, without any intensely memorable experiences marking her life.

Even as she lived this dull existence, Professor Esther was unaware that her life was indeed dull. She simply continued living, as there was no particular reason to want to die or feel despair, allowing her to live a normal life with occasional smiles.

She did what was required, fulfilled her assigned tasks, and helped those in need within her means whenever she encountered them.

There were a few who tried to get close to her, drawn by her nature, but Professor Esther subtly pushed them away.

Around the time she entered the academy, Professor Esther developed an interest in magic. If there was anything close to an intense experience in her life, this was it, and it was also the only thing that truly captured her interest.

Like Professor Esther, another magic professor, while gentle and occasionally quirky, was sharp and quick-witted when it came to magic.

While learning magic from her, Professor Esther naturally became interested in the department that taught her.

It was the department of Illusion Magic.

Not as deadly as Destruction Magic, nor as useful in daily life as Household Magic, Illusion Magic was marvelous and mesmerizing in its own right.

Illusions are something that everyone naturally possesses, akin to dreams.

Some live immersed in the illusion of becoming wealthy, some dream of ascending to high positions, and some obsess over the fantasies of eating delicious food.

Illusions, a downpour of refreshing rain on a tedious life.

This was no different for the young Professor Esther.

She immersed herself in Illusion Magic. Her father, who specialized in Destruction Magic, expressed some concern, but he couldn’t stop her from pursuing something she was interested in for the first time.

As she focused on studying magic, time flew by quickly.

Three years passed, and finally, as she was about to graduate from the academy, Professor Esther achieved quite remarkable magical accomplishments. It was no small feat for a student who had just graduated from the higher academies to attain the 4th Circle.

And right away, Professor Esther applied to be a teaching assistant in the Illusion Magic department. Some of her seniors, who had already graduated, fervently advised against it, but she dismissed their concerns.

Then came the intense period.

As a teaching assistant and research student at the academy, she had to follow the professor she admired for years and assist her.

The professor in the research lab to which Professor Esther belonged was still the same kind and gentle female professor from before, but that did not mean Professor Esther could relax her efforts.

To become the professor she dreamed of, she had to spend numerous nights studying and conducting research, writing papers, obtaining a degree, and building relationships with several professors.

She could be certain that her life expectancy had likely decreased dramatically.

After several grueling years passed, Esther Garrett truly became a professor. A professor in the department of Illusion Magic, which she longed for.

Of course, after spending time as a teaching assistant, her expectations and interest in Illusion Magic had been shattered, but once she became a full professor at the academy, everything seemed different.

Teaching students was enjoyable, and conducting magic research without interference was delightful. It was a new experience and a source of motivation.

She plunged deeper into Illusion Magic than ever before. As she immersed herself in magic, she soon found herself at the 5th Circle, and while performing her duties as a professor at the academy, she reached the 6th Circle.

Archmage was a title reserved for only the most seasoned magic users among those who attained the 7th Circle. It could be regarded as a kind of position officially recognized by the imperial court.

Thus, reaching the 6th Circle, right below that, made Professor Esther undeniably gifted. Among the vast number of mages in the empire, there were many who couldn’t reach even the 4th Circle, often wandering between libraries or serving as temporary instructors in elementary academies.

Then, Professor Esther could reflect back on the path she had walked.

It wasn’t solely because she had hit a wall. She was satisfied with the achievement of the 6th Circle and didn’t feel particularly disappointed if she couldn’t rise further. She was someone who could find contentment in her place.

However, as she carefully retraced her steps and considered what she had left after so fiercely running forward.

At her side were her visibly aging parents and an old mansion in the city, as well as her status as a 6th Circle mage and professor at the academy.

If it was a successful life, then it was indeed a successful one. The few people around her, although envious, sincerely congratulated her.

Yet, Professor Esther realized one thing.

She had very few people whom she could call friends.

While there were acquaintances with whom she exchanged occasional words, her experience in making true friends was extremely limited. She had never been in a romantic relationship, nor had she ever had feelings for someone.

Professor Esther felt loneliness. She had long been aware that she needed new stimulation. She just didn’t realize that it came from the loneliness rooted in her poor connections.

She wanted a new beginning. She wanted to meet new people in a new place.

Stagnant water tends to go bad over time. Although Professor Esther did not have any regrets about spending a considerable amount of time at the academy, it was unlikely to find new connections within a setting where cliques and close friends stuck together.

At the same time, she wasn’t keen on attending match-making events as her father subtly suggested. She strongly wished to create her own relationships.

Applying to the Caldera Imperial Academy was purely an impulsive choice. She assumed she would be rejected, so she didn’t hold great expectations. The quickly inflated impulse usually deflated just as fast.

And, Professor Esther never imagined that she would actually be accepted into the Caldera Imperial Academy.

The empire’s most prestigious academy. It produced countless talents, had a remarkably high caliber of students, and boasted professors who were among the best of the best, intellectuals of the age.

She thought vaguely that she could never fit in among them.

When Professor Esther received her acceptance notice, she didn’t even have the opportunity to notice her father, who was hugging her tightly and crying, thanking her for realizing his dream.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t understand. After all, she was a 6th Circle mage. She had been in the education field for quite some time. She had experience.

However, if you look closely, there would always be someone greater than her, wouldn’t there? Professor Esther never considered herself to be the best in Illusion Magic.

And, the Caldera Imperial Academy was a place where only the best of the best could enter. No exceptions.

She could fulfill her vow to start anew in a new place and meet new people, but it was unavoidable that she felt bewildered.

Thus, on the day she attended the entrance ceremony while also beginning her first day at the academy with a confused heart.

On a bench in the main courtyard of the academy, she encountered her first relationship in this new life.

Professor Antorelli. With a fascinating, handsome, and slightly decadent aura that appealed to her tastes, even the cigarette smell she usually disliked felt somewhat sweet, dressed in a fitting dark priest’s robe.

The moment she saw him, Professor Esther didn’t recognize what the rapid beating of her heart was signaling. Having never been close to a man in her life, it was even less clear to her.

She simply wanted to approach him, which was unlike her usual behavior.

Boldly, Professor Esther approached Professor Antorelli, and before long, they became lunch companions, sharing meals together every day.

It was enjoyable. Each day felt new, and she felt as if she had found a driving force in her life.

As if she had been anxiously marinating her feelings like food, a year passed before she realized it.

‘…Huh?’

Professor Esther felt for the first time.

A man whose presence made her heart race for some reason as they grew closer. The red flower blooming on his neck.

And, in front of her, a golden-haired woman, twisting her pretty eyes with a smirk, gazing vacantly at the two.

‘Did I get snatched away?’

Professor Antorelli was no one’s possession. No, he was a person, not an object.

Nevertheless, the feelings Professor Esther harbored were… slightly atmospheric. And that gaze.

It may have been a tiny, subtle difference, but Professor Esther realized that the air flowing between Professor Antorelli and Sofia Sub-priest had distinctly changed.

He had found someone.

And that someone was the very first person she had approached.

* * * *

“…So, what’s the problem?”

Professor Esther fiddled with her food and briefly glanced at her only friend seated across from her. Her friend, with striking scarlet hair, rolled her sharp eyes and spoke with an air of annoyance.

The one sitting in front of Professor Esther, Natasha, was one of the few genuine friends she had. Had their fathers not been friends, it would have been impossible for them to become close. She was what could be called a childhood friend.

As Natasha sliced the goose breast before her, she opened her mouth.

“‘Perhaps’ the first man who became your friend has been taken away by the second woman who became friends with him?”

“…sigh, friend.”

Friend. It was a delightful term. But not right now.

“Well… if you eat lunch together every day, stick together when something happens, and help each other out sometimes, isn’t that what friends are?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Geez. I thought something serious had happened…”

Natasha found the foolish girl in front of her truly frustrating. Her exceedingly busty friend occasionally displayed this foolish demeanor.

“Esther. You’re pretty.”

“Uh, what?”

“Your dark blue hair is beautiful, and your eyes especially are lovely. You have a nice chest too.”

“Wh-what…?”

“Men generally like women with larger chests. So in that regard… your rival must have a larger chest than you?”

“That’s not true.”

As Professor Esther answered seriously, Natasha shrank back involuntarily. The force she exuded was quite overwhelming.

“…Okay, tastes can differ a little. Or maybe she’s incredibly beautiful, as in drop-dead gorgeous.”

“……”

“Honestly, it’s hard to give you proper advice since I haven’t seen this guy. Let’s take our time and talk. The food is getting cold, so hurry and eat.”

“Yeah…”

Just as the dispirited Professor Esther was about to lift her fork.

– Tink—!

“Welcome!”

“Is it really that tasty here?”

“Yes. I was here last time, and the deer meat was really delicious.”

“I haven’t had deer meat in ages.”

“…When did the Head Priest come to a place like this?”

Familiar voices mingled with less familiar ones. Professor Esther unconsciously turned her head, fixating her gaze on the entrance to the shop.

Professor Antorelli was there.

Startled, Natasha, who had been bemused by Professor Esther’s behavior, turned her head as well. In her view was a tall and dull-looking priest.

“…Ah. Is that him?”

“…”

“Hmmm….”

Neatly groomed hair, fair skin, a prominent nose, yet his deep-set eyes could not hide their shadows.

“…Should we join them?”

Natasha asked, looking at Professor Esther, who was still in a daze.

On her face was a playful smile that had not been there before.

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