Tane Academy, Main Building of the Magic Department
Friday, the day off after a long exam period. As if to celebrate the occasion, the sky is crystal clear without a single cloud.
It’s the first day of a three-day weekend. Normally, most academy students would have woken up late in the afternoon…
But today was different.
From early in the morning, students were swarming the main building of the Magic Department.
The reason? A large notice posted on the department’s bulletin board, placed in the most prominent spot on the first floor.
[Notice of Midterm Exam Results – Magic Department, First Semester]
The bold headline meant only one thing: the announcement of rankings and grades from the midterm exams.
It was something that hadn’t been done in nearly 20 years, and so the students, completely startled, had rushed out of their dorms.
“Phew… I made it into the top 50…”
“Wh-What? I’m not even on the list!!”
“Looks like they only posted up to the top 100.”
Even if it hadn’t been done in the past, it was only natural for students to be interested in the published rankings.
And, as students always do, the first thing they check after finding their own name is, “Who’s ranked first overall?”
So, inevitably, all the students gathered there turned their eyes to the very top of the notice.
Out of the nearly 150 promising students, whose name sat above them all? Curiosity drew every gaze upward.
– 1st place: Adel Bliss (1st Year, Class B)
“…Wow.”
“Still a prodigy, even if he’s fallen from grace, huh?”
“What’s that next to his name?”
“…Wait! That’s ‘The Wand and the Laurel Crown’! And he has two of them?!”
Whispers broke out as people realized what the symbols meant.
“…You can get that as early as the first semester of your first year?”
“…Has that ever happened before?”
“And he’s not even magic-disabled? I heard he was the one who practically solved that whole incident recently.”
“Seriously?”
When it comes to a student’s duties, academics are everything. So what Adel had achieved was nothing short of overwhelming.
Perhaps because of that, perceptions of Adel were beginning to shift completely.
Until recently, his suddenly changed appearance left room for him to be dismissed as just a “handsome incompetent.” But now… he had proven his abilities too.
“They say it was Professor Topheren and Professor Sedin who awarded him the ‘Wand and Laurel Crown’? Those two hyper-strict perfectionists?”
“…No way. I’ve gotta ask my dad about this.”
Such doubts would only linger for a moment. The truth of Adel’s grades would soon be confirmed.
Without even realizing it, people had begun to see the name Adel Bliss as someone who could no longer be ignored.
“Oh my. We haven’t even started the Battle Magic course yet, so why all the fuss? I’ll beat him in practicals, just you watch.”
“Countess… even so, Adel’s scores… perfect marks in every subject… that’s not something you can dismiss.”
“Hmph! Finals matter more anyway!”
Amidst words of envy and awe—
Someone suddenly said something.
“Despite all that, someone from the Knight Department came by to check it out earlier, too.”
“Huh? A K-Knight Department student?”
“Yeah, you know, them. That famous one. And the blonde knight student with her.”
“Eh… D-Don’t tell me—! The prodigy swordswoman from the Knight Department!! Lady Camilla and her friend Awen?!”
“Yeah, I think that’s right… But why are you suddenly so hyped?”
“Because I’m a huge fan!!”
A sighting rumor spread about someone who had come all the way to the Magic Department to check the posted exam rankings.
Naturally, the person in question was Camilla, who had come to meet Adel.
After confirming her younger brother’s rank, first place proudly displayed, and seeing the Wand and the Laurel Crown symbol next to his name, Camilla…briefly smiled with uncharacteristic brightness.
“……”
But then, her expression darkened, and she left quietly.
“You got her autograph, right?!”
“She looked like she had something on her mind. I couldn’t approach her.”
“Ugh, how could you!”
***
“…Adel?”
This made it the third time.
The third time I’d seen Camilla show emotion like this. It was something that never happened in the original story.
“……”
Humans are creatures with many faces. That’s something I’ve learned time and again throughout my life.
A boss who’s like a ghost at work might be a warm parent at home. Someone who acted like a serious upperclassman might turn into the model youngest the moment they become a junior again.
People roleplay constantly, guided by the rules of society. So it’s rare to find someone who behaves the same in every setting. Because the environment just doesn’t allow for it.
I’ve always thought it was natural for people to adjust their attitude based on the situation. I even tend to like those who can quickly read the room and find their place.
But that only applies to social dynamics.
In a relationship like older sister and younger brother, one person acting overly submissive is a very bad sign.
You don’t need to call me big sister in public, she had said?
A line so self-effacing, I wondered if I’d heard it right.
No matter how you look at it, it reeked of self-deprecation. It was hard to believe those words came from the Camilla I knew, who was so proud and dignified.
This wasn’t right.
I didn’t know exactly what she was feeling.
Maybe she felt uneasy seeing her little brother handle things so well alone at the auction house, like she couldn’t find her place anymore.
Maybe, like she’d said back at the gym, she felt guilty for turning down the noble house that had taken her in… and now that guilt was projecting itself onto me, the legitimate heir.
But if that were the case… then this submissive side of her would only appear because it’s me standing in front of her.
If I didn’t exist, she would never show this face.
And in that case, there was only one thing I could do.
I made up my mind. I’ll make it so she never has to doubt again.
We may not be bound by blood, but I am your little brother.
That thought etched itself deep into my heart.
“You know what? Big sister. There’s somewhere we need to go.”
Camilla who had been waiting silently for my answer flinched then lowered her head.
“…About that ‘big sister’ thing…”
“Be quiet.”
“……”
***
Lunchtime at a popular restaurant.
The restaurant was packed with not a single seat left. I was sitting there with Camilla.
“A-Adel? Didn’t you say you had something important to talk about…?”
“Sister. This is all part of trying to make a living, right? I heard this place is really popular.”
“Th-There are way too many people…! Aren’t we both still in our school uniforms?”
“So what? I’m super proud that you’re in the knight department. Especially Class A!”
“P-People around us can hear! Keep your voice down…!”
“What? Are you embarrassed that the genius swordswoman from the knight department of Tane has a younger brother like me? You’re embarrassed of your little brother!?”
“A-Adel!!”
Next stop was a café that had recently opened in Tane.
This place, hugely popular in the imperial capital, also sold cakes.
“Sister, want to try this?”
“…There are a lot of people here too… and it looks like the kind of place couples would go.”
“Ah, well, real siblings can come too, right? Isn’t that right, miss?”
“Of course! We get lots of sibling pairs with a close bond.”
“My sister’s in the knight department. Cool, right?”
“Oh my! You’ve got quite the amazing sister!”
“Wahaha! That’s right!”
“……”
Once dessert’s done, the natural next step is a play or a movie.
We visited a theater recommended by the café staff, and fortunately, there were still tickets left.
– You are the hero, I am the demon king… If I had known love so impossible could hurt this much, I would never have fallen for you…!
– Ah… Hero, pierce me and go forth. That is what you were born to do.
– I cannot!!
Was this supposed to be like Romeo and Juliet? What was happening on stage felt a little flat, with no singing or background music. It was the only thing available to watch right away, so we didn’t have much choice… In the end, I just ended up clapping along politely.
Then, it happened.
– I cannot kill you with my own hands! If this is what it means to be a hero, then I shall abandon the title!
– No…! Alberto!
– But if I give up being the hero, a new one will arise… Let us join forces and defeat the hero together!
– …All right.
– Now! Who shall be the next hero? Come forward at once!
Suddenly, an actor came down into the audience. Apparently, it was one of those audience participation plays.
Still, the theater was pretty full. The chances of getting picked were slim…
“You there! The gentleman with gray hair! You must be the new hero! Come, take up the sacred sword and step onto the stage!”
“…Adel. I think they’re pointing at you.”
“…Did I just get picked?”
“Maybe you should turn them down? I heard it’s fine to refuse these things.”
“Nah. Well… I’ll just go up.”
Once I got up on stage, I could see the whole audience at a glance. There were more people than I expected.
Far in the crowd, I spotted Camilla, looking worried.
“The hero has taken up the sacred sword!! Demon King, let us defeat him together!”
“Yes! Alberto!”
“……”
“Come at me! What’s wrong, hero!”
“……”
“The hero seems to be frozen by our love, Demon King!”
I turned my eyes toward the bucket below the stage. It was probably filled with water for quick cleanup before the next performance.
I cleared my throat.
“Please, wait. I am not the hero!”
“W-What!?”
“I am the younger brother of the true hero and her loyal companion! Known far and wide as the great mage…Merlin!”
“A mage…?”
“Observe!”
Flare. Water control. Object manipulation.
Flames burst from my fingertips, and water surged up from the bucket beneath the stage.
Cooling.
◆ Available Mana: [25,590] → [10,590]
I poured in more than half my mana… and just barely managed to freeze the rising water solid!
Oooooh—
Clap clap clap—
Applause rang out.
“I am not the rightful owner of this sacred sword! But former Hero, former Demon King…know this! A new Hero will rise and save you both from your descent into evil!”
The actors looked flustered. Still, I guess they were professionals. They quickly regained their composure and played along.
“Ridiculous! The so-called Hero hasn’t even shown his face. Clearly, you’re just bluffing!”
“No! That’s not true! Come forth, Hero! The true wielder of the sacred sword!!”
Spouting whatever came to mind, I quickly dashed into the audience and grabbed Camilla.
“A-Adel?”
Ignoring her confusion, I shouted at the top of my lungs.
“Sister! Help me! Those evil guys are trying to kill me!!!”
“……”
There were a few snickers around us, but… who cares?
***
“We sincerely apologize… We had no idea you were nobility…”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m only a noble in name. Besides, it was fun. Right, big sister?”
“…It was.”
“I-I know it’s not much, but… please accept this as an apology.”
“Hmm? A ticket?”
“Yes. You can use it not just for our troupe, but for theaters across the capital. We hope you’ll enjoy another show together sometime…”
“……”
“Oh, thanks.”
And with that, we left the theater.
“……”
Outside, dusk had already settled in.
The soft hues of the setting sun painted the capital’s skyline, and a fountain in the distance murmured pleasantly.
Camilla looked completely drained, so I led her to a nearby bench and went to buy drinks.
“Big sister.”
“…?”
“Big sister.”
“What is it?”
“Big sister.”
“…Yeah.”
I nodded. I really liked how naturally she answered now.
“You’re not brushing me off anymore.”
“Brushing off…? Wait, Adel…”
“…Big sister. No matter what anyone says, you’re my sister. Yeah. I think of you as no different from a real one.”
“……”
“You feel the same way, right? The reason you couldn’t stab me back then… the reason you waited two whole weeks to hear my explanation… it’s because I’m your little brother, isn’t it?”
“……”
“Same goes for me. No matter what anyone says, Camilla is the eldest daughter of House Bliss. You’re not embarrassing, and you’re not a burden. I actually admire you. I always wonder how much effort it must’ve taken to rise that far in such a short time. How much discrimination and unfairness you had to overcome. I really think about that.”
I pressed the drink I’d just bought against her cheek. Camilla, who’d been listening blankly, flinched in surprise…
“Are you really going to ignore the admiration of your own little brother? Someone who has the potential to become an Imperial Knight is getting discouraged like this… all over a house that’s already falling apart?”
“…I-Imperial Knight, seriously…”
“Wrong answer. Try again.”
“…That’s not true.”
“Right? Then show me what it means to be a big sister.”
“…A big sister…”
Camilla stayed silent for a long moment before accepting the drink.
“…I see. So that’s how it is.”
Suddenly, she untied her drooping ponytail and firmly tied it back up again. Neat and sharp.
Her lifted face now bore a look of resolve.
“……”
For some reason, my chest tightened at the sight.
Yeah. That expression.
That expression is the Camilla Bliss I know.
A knight of unwavering conviction, who moves forward without a hint of doubt down the path she believes is right.
The heroine known by the alias “Ironheart”.
“I showed you a shameful side of me, Adel.”
“You didn’t.”
“Thanks to you, I’ve come to my senses. I’m grateful.”
“Well done.”
“…I still have a long way to go, but I’m counting on you from now on.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“…Hey, I’m being serious here!”
I bolted away from the angry Camilla.
As she chased after me, clueless, I shouted back at her.
“You didn’t know? It’s a little brother’s destiny to tease his big sister! Hahaha!”
“…Adel!!”
“I even saw you bowing your head and crying just now! Burned the image into my memory! Wahaha! What are you gonna do about it!”
“Th-That didn’t happen!”
I kept provoking her gleefully as I sprinted at full speed.
Of course, there was no competing with her physical ability, so I was caught right away.
***
I’d successfully gotten closer to Camilla.
Which meant it was time for the bombshell.
I told her about my situation, mostly truthfully, with only a few minor lies mixed in.
“Black Alley. A body specialized for shapeshifting. A demon worshipper. A demon seed… and now even collecting demon forms? Just hearing it all makes my head spin. That letter back then really was a distress signal, wasn’t it?”
“The letter? One was from me. The other was written by a demon worshipper who copied my handwriting.”
“…I know it’s a bit late to ask this, but couldn’t you have just hidden and returned in human form without sending a letter?”
“I don’t know. Just getting back would’ve taken thirty minutes… If I’d been attacked while transforming, I wouldn’t have even been able to fight back and would’ve died.”
“So if you hadn’t called me…”
“The letter would’ve been sent even if it wasn’t me. Besides, if it hadn’t been you, someone else might’ve ended up killing me.”
Like, for example, Sally White. The cleaning maid who had been watching from a distance.
“…I see. In the end, I’ll just have to keep improving. If you ever need help, just tell me. Actually, tell me even if you don’t.”
“Reliable as always.”
“Of course. But… where are we going? Doesn’t seem like there’d be a restaurant around here.”
A strange question. I gave her a look that said, “Why would you even ask that?” and replied.
“Not a restaurant. We’re heading to Black Alley.”
Camilla stiffened slightly.
But it couldn’t be helped. Now that she was clearly an ally, I had to help her grow too.
“You need to get your gear in order. How long are you going to keep using that standard academy sword? First, let’s change your clothes. We’ll need to cover your face and change your hairstyle too.”
“I-Is that so…”
Clunk.
With the preparations done, we were just about to step into Black Alley.
Meow…
Suddenly, a cat’s meow echoed from somewhere again.
…This is strange.
By this point, it was impossible not to feel something off.
Hearing the exact same meow several times couldn’t be just a coincidence.
Crack.
◆ [Total Magical Structure Analysis] activated.
I stood still, scanning the area for a long moment—
And then I saw it.
A dead-end alleyway. On top of that wall.
Sitting upright and staring in this direction with perfect poise—
It was the same cat I’d seen yesterday at the academy.
No, not just yesterday.
I was certain it was the same one I’d seen at the underworld bar “Night Fruit” as well.
“…Just to be sure, I’m going to ask you something. Big sister.”
“I’m listening.”
I slowly motioned with my chin toward the black cat.
“…That cat over there.”
“A cat?”
“…Can you see it?”
Sensing something from my tone, Camilla quietly turned to look in that direction.
“…Unfortunately, I don’t see anything at all.”
And the moment she declared that—
…Mreow—
The eyes of the creature, which looked like nothing but a cat no matter how you looked at it, curved into a sly crescent shape.
Ding!
◆ You’ve realized you’ve encountered the “Wide-Brimmed Hat Woman”!
◆ NP +200,000
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