The academy had returned to normal.
The demons’ invasion had been publicized, capturing the attention of the entire continent.
Moreover, the fact that the demons had breached the barrier had been enough to make many anxious, resulting in some students being forced to return home.
However, aside from those individuals, it was also true that life inside the academy flowed normally.
But, starting from a certain day, the once ordinary academy changed dramatically.
The reason was absurd.
“Paladins…?”
“Are they real knights?”
“I heard they came from Valkran…”
“Could it be because the Saint is here?”
The Holy Knights Group, said to be the maximum force of the Holy Kingdom of Valkran and comparable to the imperial royal knights, had come to Argen Academy.
What’s more, they arrived under the escort of the Pope, the highest leader of Valkran.
“How grandly they arrived…”
Argen broke out in a cold sweat as he looked down at the Pope descending from the carriage through the window.
“Even if it can’t be helped, isn’t this a bit too bold…?”
With a voice full of disbelief, he crushed the candy he had in his mouth and stepped down from the window to greet the guests, opening the door and stepping outside.
After all, now that they were here, he couldn’t turn them away.
*
What is this?
I can feel a tremendous amount of emotion.
Since there were many students enrolled in the academy, it usually had a lot of emotion as well, but this felt a bit different from what I typically sensed.
It wasn’t just scattered around the academy; it was concentrated strongly in one place.
This signified that someone had visited the academy.
‘It’s a day off anyway, should I go check it out…’
Today was the weekend, a day without classes.
I didn’t want to disturb Stella, who was sitting at the desk in the infirmary researching magic, so I quietly slipped out after leaving a note saying I would be back shortly.
I briefly considered whether I should have prepared lunch for her, but I decided it wouldn’t take long to check who had arrived since I planned to return quickly.
Emotions are peculiar; even if they are far apart, when many people gather in one place, they become strongly felt.
As I noticed that people from afar had come to visit the academy, I found myself wondering why I hadn’t thought to search for Evan when I was underground; I could say it was because of this reason.
If there hadn’t been many visitors to the academy, I wouldn’t have realized it.
‘It’s becoming clearer now…’
Understanding my surroundings involved spreading my Divine Power to perceive them, and when I had no Divine Power to recover, I could only discern whether something was there or not.
Of course, that didn’t mean I could identify everything; I was only able to recognize those of a certain size.
Moreover, since I could feel emotions, I could at least determine who they were.
So I reached out and embraced them.
Although I wasn’t fully recovered, I had healed enough to walk a bit, so while I couldn’t perceive facial expressions or subtle changes in lip shapes, I could at least identify someone by their face.
The truth is, my presence here wasn’t just for that reason.
Of course, the fact that so many people had visited the academy sparked my curiosity, but…
I was interested for another reason.
I felt a remarkably familiar energy, which prompted me to check just in case.
‘No way… it can’t be?’
If they truly had come, the situation ahead might become quite complicated…
Though I had already seen significant changes compared to the future I knew, in the original work, they hadn’t yet stayed at the academy.
I needed to figure out what had brought them here and roughly how long they would stay to predict how the future might shift.
And…
‘I hope they’re here…’
There’s someone I want to see after a long time.
And I have a favor to ask.
‘I’m not sure if they’ll accept it…’
During this time, there’s one item that Evan must acquire, and obtaining it will make his future growth much easier.
‘The emotions are too widely spread for me to know exactly where they are…’
If my assumption is correct, the Holy Knights Group should be here.
Though not the ones arriving now, they were meant to become the regular guarding force of the academy one day.
In any case, the Holy Kingdom and the Empire were currently cooperating, so it was natural to defend the academy, one of the most important places in the world, including the Empire.
Additionally, Ascelina was close with Argen.
‘Then there’s a high chance they’re gathered over there…’
I stepped out of the building, gauging my surroundings, and walked toward the place where I felt the strongest emotions.
As I got closer, the emotions began to resound more clearly.
– I wonder if the Saint is alright…
– Ah… I miss the Saint…
– I want to go home…
The closer I got, the more voices I heard from the gathered crowd.
As the emotions became clearer, I became increasingly certain of who the visitors to the academy were.
The large number of people expressing concern for me by calling me the Saint confirmed where they had come from.
Only they would have been able to come as escorts and worry about me this much.
‘It’s definitely the knights…’
The Holy Knights Group of the Holy Kingdom of Valkran.
‘Dannes…!’
Could Dannes be among them?
Having spent two years together in the Realm, I had formed a strong bond with him, and I wanted to greet him.
I approached the side where the group of knights was gathered, eagerly anticipating seeing Dannes.
“Y-You, Saint?!”
“Why are you here…?”
Upon seeing me, the Paladins greeted me warmly, but then they were visibly shocked at what I was wearing.
“Your Holiness, what in the world…?!”
“More than that, you look seriously injured. You shouldn’t overdo it!”
They were concerned about why I was here dressed like this.
It only dawned on me after seeing their reactions that I had arrived at the academy entrance in my patient attire, but that didn’t matter much to me at the moment.
After all, I was a patient, so of course, I wouldn’t change out of my patient clothes.
“[Dannes! Are you here?!]”
Right now, finding Dannes was more important to me.
I urgently called out for him.
If my guess was correct, he would certainly be among the escort force.
As expected, perhaps sensing my widely spread emotions, I heard Dannes’ voice in a state of surprise.
“Y-Your Holiness…?”
He seemed taken aback, not expecting me to come all the way here, and approached me with a surprised expression.
I knew he would be here.
And…
‘This emotion… this shape… it’s been a long time since we last met, hasn’t it…?’
All the events that had happened until now had been quite dramatic, so I was really glad to see him.
Above all, unlike the other Paladins, Dannes and I had a connection through our two years spent together in the Realm, making us quite close.
Perhaps that’s why, filled with joy at seeing him, I ran to him and happily took his hand.
“[It’s been so long, Brother Dannes!]”
“O-Oh, it has been a while… It’s just been a little over ten days, hasn’t it?”
“[Still, it’s nice to see you, right? Didn’t you want to see me, Dannes?]”
This was a fortuitous encounter.
I needed to step outside of the academy to create a foundation for raising Evan…
Given the shift in the story, I was relieved to have the opportunity to prepare.
Soon, Maleficent would launch a massive invasion of the academy, and I needed Evan to grow strong enough to at least endure it, even if he couldn’t fully contend with her.
Though Argen would help to a degree, he was a battle-type magician compared to Maleficent’s unique magic, which made him relatively weak in large-scale confrontations.
Argen’s unique magic was designed specifically to counter Maleficent, but unlike when he was part of the hero party, he now had to protect the academy, which would inevitably create weaknesses.
For that reason, Evan’s growth was essential.
‘Dannes… I’m counting on you just a little!’
But…
Yesterday, I felt as though I was being watched closely. Was it just my imagination?
Just my imagination… right?
